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Chapter 368: The Peach Blossom Banquet and the Resonance of Temple Deities, Xixi Faces the First Div
Chapter 368: The Peach Blossom Banquet and the Resonance of Temple Deities, Xixi Faces the First Divine Sculpture, the Purple Mansion Sect's Young Dragon (Part 1)
The ancient, heavy bell tolled, its deep and solemn sound reverberating through the air.
The sound emanated from the first city of the Divine Capital, echoing in everyone's ears.
Various melodies followed, like celestial music, stirring the divine essence of heaven and earth and sweeping across the White Jade Square.
The Peach Blossom Banquet, the grandest event of the Great Jing Dynasty, was held in the Divine Capital, relying on the mysterious temple of the Queen Mother of the West, which was ranked among the Three Pure Realms.
Rumors about the mysterious temple's entrance were shrouded in secrecy, and its location was unknown.
Even the Enigmatic Temple City couldn't perceive its location; the only way for mortals to enter the temple was by holding a branch of the immortal peach.
This branch was distributed by the Empress, who presided over the Peach Blossom Banquet.
How the Empress obtained the branch was another secret.
Li Che had been in the Divine Capital for some time, and even with his Star Gazing Eye, he couldn't locate the mysterious temple of the Three Pure Realms.
Thus, Li Che was quite eager to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the mysterious temple.
With the branch in hand, Li Che could directly enter the temple and trigger the divine essence of the Queen Mother of the West.
Moreover, Li Che had left a Thunderbolt Chess Piece in the temple's hall, allowing him to sneak into the mysterious temple even without the branch.
Sitting beside Li Che, Xixi stood on her tiptoes, her eyes wide with curiosity as she took in the bustling scene.
Xixi was always curious about lively events, and she loved to join in the fun.
She was also intrigued by the Great Jing Emperor, as she had once studied the Mystic Symbol Path under the Sect Lady, Xuan Qi Sha, who was like a half-teacher to Xixi.
Xuan Qi Sha's mother was the Great Jing Emperor's older sister, making the emperor Xixi's uncle.
However, when the Sect Lady spoke of the emperor, there was no hint of familial affection in her eyes, indicating a lack of close ties.
As the ceremony began, celestial music filled the air.
A grand procession emerged from the first city of the Divine Capital, led by the Emperor himself.
The procession was adorned with exquisite gold, and the large canopy shielded them from the spring rain.
All eyes turned to the golden carriages, especially the one at the forefront, where a majestic figure sat.
His presence alone, without uttering a word, exuded an overwhelming sense of power, like a mountain amidst the heavens.
The Great Jing Emperor wore a golden robe, embroidered with dragons representing the four seas.
His posture was upright and majestic, but his face was obscured by a mist of divine essence and blood, making it difficult to discern his features.
His aura was so profound that it was impossible to gauge his strength or weakness.
In that moment, all eyes were fixed on the figure who had sat on the imperial throne for hundreds of years.
In the Divine Capital's second city, a light drizzle fell from the sky.
The entire city became quiet as the various Divine Sects' Sect Masters, including Lu Tai Bai, Ning Cai Shen, Xuan Jiu Zhuan, and Bai Bu Yi, turned their attention to the Emperor.
Among them were also some vassal kings, like the Peaceful Chaos Princess Ji Maoli, who gazed upon the Emperor with mixed emotions.
The Temple Guarding Office, the Celestial Observatory, and the heads of the Ten Thousand Year Clan and the Three Thousand Year Clan, along with renowned scholar officials, martial generals, and royal nobles, all stood up, clasped their fists, and bowed respectfully, their expressions solemn and dignified.
Following the Emperor's carriage was the Empress's carriage, accompanied by numerous graceful and well-trained palace maids, walking gracefully like blooming lotuses in the rain.
The Empress's face was dignified and elegant, adorned with luxurious clothing and a headdress.
Her eyes were painted with delicate eyebrows, and a smile played on her lips as she scanned the crowd in the White Jade Square with a gentle yet authoritative gaze.
It was as if she was expressing her gratitude to those who had come to participate in the Peach Blossom Banquet she hosted.
Behind the Empress were the plump and graceful concubines, dressed more simply but still beautiful.
Despite the Emperor's advanced age, he clearly appreciated beauty.
Following the concubines were the princes and princesses...
The first prince, Lu You Li, had a long beard and white hair, his eyes clouded.
The second prince, Lu Heng Yi, was much younger, with bright eyes and a commanding presence.
The third prince, Lu Chi Tong, also wore a dragon robe, but his face carried a hint of sorrow, still mourning the death of his mother, Concubine Ji.
The fourth prince, Lu Chi, did not join the procession but quietly followed behind, his head bowed.
Not all the princesses were present, as some were too young to attend.
The procession made its way from the imperial palace and the temple in the first city.
At the rear were eunuchs and palace maids carrying trays filled with offerings, artifacts, and various other items in abundance.
Amidst the bustling atmosphere, various exquisite wines and delicacies were steaming hot, as if isolated by an invisible aura, unaffected by the chilly spring rain.
Li Che scanned the area but couldn't spot a single peach.
At the Peach Blossom Banquet, there was no sign of the peach.
When the emperor and empress arrived at the grandstand in the White Jade Square, two figures descended from their carriage and slowly took their seats at the main table.
A purple-robed eunuch began directing the maids and eunuchs, and the preparations began.
Items from the palace temple were distributed to each table, offering a feast of delicacies for the Peach Blossom Banquet.
The once empty tables gradually came to life, adorned with various exquisite dishes.
There was wine, meat, and vegetables, all arranged silently by the eunuchs and palace maids.
Li Che held Xixi, while Zhang Ya shared a table with him.
Technically, Zhang Ya hadn't received an official invitation to the main banquet, but the feast at the White Jade Square was not the main event.
The main banquet was held within the mysterious temple of the Queen Mother of the West.
So, Li Che brought Zhang Ya along, and many others had also brought their families.
Xixi's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the increasing array of delicious dishes.
"Daddy, can Xixi start eating?"
Xixi swallowed her saliva.
The delicacies prepared by the top chefs of the first city of the Divine Capital emitted an irresistible aroma and temptation.
Although not as exquisite as the boss's cooking, they were still enough to tempt Xixi's appetite.
Thinking of the boss, Xixi couldn't help but miss him and the dog. It had been a long time since she last saw them and tasted the boss's cooking.
She couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic.
"Go ahead and eat," Li Che said, ruffling Xixi's hair.
As he scanned the area, he noticed that many people had already started eating.
Xixi didn't hesitate and returned to her own table, devouring the food.
Xixi, who had secured a spot in the main banquet, had her own table, and she was entitled to enjoy it alone.
Li Che smiled and also began to savor the delicacies with his wife, Zhang Ya.
As for the pressure brought by the Peach Blossom Banquet, Li Che didn't seem too concerned, even though he had made a bet with the Golden Furred Dog.
Even without the bet, Li Che was determined to fight for the nine-thousand-year-old peach, so adding a bet with the Golden Furred Dog didn't make much difference.
The Golden Furred Dog, sitting at a distant table, was also enjoying the feast, but his sharp gaze was fixed on Li Che and Jin Tai Sui, the representative of the Primordial Dragon Sect, with a look of anger on his face.
He was determined to uphold the reputation of Sorcerer Mountain and bring back Jin Tai Sui, who had embarrassed them!
After three rounds of drinks.
The Great Jing Emperor slowly put down his golden chopsticks, his aura as heavy as a mountain. His face, obscured by a hazy veil, slowly lifted as he turned to glance at the empress.
The elegant and beautiful empress nodded in understanding and then instructed the aged purple-robed eunuch, who stood with his hands clasped in front of him, listening attentively.
A moment later.
The purple-robed eunuch stood tall, his divine essence and blood surging, his voice booming like a bell.
"Ladies and gentlemen, at the Peach Blossom Banquet, after tasting the flavors, Her Majesty the Empress has decreed that the official banquet shall commence."
His voice resonated throughout the area, causing the faces of the cultivators from all directions to change.
"The first event is the Young Dragon Gathering."
"Now announcing the rules set by Her Majesty the Empress for the Young Dragon Gathering."
"There are sixty young dragon prodigies participating in the main banquet. In the first round, each young dragon will consume a strand of the Queen Mother's divine essence from the peach branch... and will be matched with an opponent. If they win, they can hold onto the peach and choose to continue or withdraw. If they continue, the thousand-year-old peach will be offered to advance and transform into a three-thousand-year-old peach. If they win in the second round, they will obtain the three-thousand-year-old peach, but if they lose, they will lose even the thousand-year-old peach."
"If they choose to withdraw, they can obtain the thousand-year-old peach and end their participation in the Young Dragon Gathering."
"Similarly, the winners in each round can choose to continue challenging, and the age of the peach will increase accordingly."
"The final winner will receive one nine-thousand-year-old peach."
"Each young dragon's match will be randomly assigned."
The purple-robed eunuch announced loudly.
As he spoke, many young dragons who were enjoying the delicacies suddenly lost their appetite, their eyes narrowing slightly as they began to ponder the rules.
These enticing rules tested the young dragons' ability to advance and retreat and their contentment.
Xixi's mouth was stuffed full as she stared with wide eyes.
She continued to bury her head and eat, her goal being the nine-thousand-year-old peach!
Xixi the Great Emperor, just go for it!
No need to overthink it!
Li Che put down his chopsticks, and Zhang Ya beside him also stopped savoring the delicacies.
"In the first round, sixty young dragons will compete for thirty spots. In the second round, thirty young dragons will compete for fifteen spots. In the third round, fifteen young dragons will compete for eight spots, with one advancing without a match. In the fourth round, eight young dragons will compete for four spots, and in the fifth round, four young dragons will compete for two spots..."
"In the sixth round, the final two young dragons will compete for the top position in the Young Dragon Gathering and the nine-thousand-year-old peach!"
"Of course, if any young dragon chooses to withdraw, the rules will adjust accordingly."
The voice of the purple-robed eunuch reverberated throughout the entire Divine Capital's Second City and its surroundings.
In the Third City, the eagerly awaiting martial artists from all directions let out exclamations.
So, this is how they test the children?
The young dragons, though prodigies, were still children, and their mental maturity might not be as developed as imagined. As the competition progressed, the psychological pressure on the young dragons would only increase.
If they won the previous round, should they use the peach to challenge the next round?
What if they challenged and were matched with a powerful young dragon, effectively wasting the peach? What should they do then?
The more they considered these questions, the more confused and indecisive they became about whether to continue or not.
This was not just a young dragon competition; it was also a test of their decision-making abilities.
Many people had thought of this problem.
Lu Tai Bai's silver hair fluttered, and his eyebrows rose slightly.
"This is quite interesting... For these young dragon children, it's a kind of mental tempering. If they can win all the way and obtain the nine-thousand-year-old peach..."
"Their mental fortitude must be extremely resilient, and they must have great confidence in their cultivation."
In the distance, at the banquet table, the golden-furred dog put down his chopsticks and squinted.
"Your Highness, I wonder if the rules of the Hero Gathering are the same?"
In response to the golden-furred dog's question, the purple-robed eunuch shook his head. "They are not the same."
"The rules of the Hero Gathering are the result of discussions between Her Majesty and others. Although the rules and tests are different, the final reward is still the nine-thousand-year-old peach..."
As the purple-robed eunuch finished speaking, many of the heroes in the hall breathed more rapidly.
A nine-thousand-year-old peach...
Who wouldn't want to obtain it? It was a heavenly treasure that could extend one's lifespan!
Even if it was said to be more effective for mortals, before becoming a Martial Saint or a Divine Embryo, everyone was still considered a mortal. In other words...
This kind of peach could greatly increase their chances of achieving Martial Saint or Divine Embryo status in the future!
The purple-robed eunuch continued in a shrill voice, "Now, please ask the young dragons who are hosting the banquet to take out the peach branches and summon a strand of the Queen Mother of the West's divinity to proceed with the first round of the young dragon competition and match them with their opponents."
As the eunuch finished speaking, Xixi wiped her mouth and took out a peach branch.
Other child prodigies, such as Lu Qing Xuan, Yang Yi, and Gu Jiang, the first young dragon of the Heaven and Earth Mimicking Divine Enlightened True Ape Sect, as well as Shi Ming, the young dragon of the True Martial Sect, also took out their peach branches.
In the first round, no one would choose to forfeit, as doing so would mean missing out on even a thousand-year-old peach.
Xixi's divine perception moved, and her divine form shook, instantly drawing out a strand of the Queen Mother of the West's divinity from the peach branch.
With a buzzing sound, the strand of divinity swiftly darted about.
The other young dragons also summoned their strands of divinity, which intertwined and chased each other like flowing light in the open central square of the Jade Square.
Slowly, two strands of divinity collided and merged, then scattered and returned to the young dragons.
However, in the central area of the Jade Square, two strands of divinity remained.
Gradually, after the collision, the two strands of divinity transformed into the forms of children in mid-air!
The purple-robed eunuch's body seemed to teleport to the center of the square, his face solemn as he spoke, "Please ask the two young dragons to come forward and engage in battle.
(End of Chapter)
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