Chapter Thirty-Five: Ze Bei Cang Sheng

  Looking at the gathering of immortals in the martial arts arena, Zhang Youren swept his gaze downwards and nodded to Taibai Jinxing, indicating that he could begin.

  Taibai Jinxing waved his sleeve and walked to the front of the stage, saying in a solemn tone: "All you great immortals, His Majesty has a feeling that the heavens and earth are facing a great calamity, and he sympathizes with all living beings in the three realms. He wants to select a group of powerful immortals who care about all living beings from among you, to bring peace to the world, save the masses of the three realms from disaster, and rescue our people from their current predicament. This martial competition has been specially arranged for this purpose, so you can all do your best, gather the power of all the immortals, and benefit all living beings."

  "What a wonderful thing! We humble folks have finally waited for this opportunity to show our worth. Your Majesty is wise!"

  "With such a heart that embraces the world, we are willing to die for the cause."

  "Old white-bearded man, say less and let's get started quickly. After I try it out, I still want to taste the heavenly nectar."

  "Humph... Haha... This good-for-nothing only knows how to drink and eat meat."

  Taibai Jinxing raised his hands, and the discussion below stopped. "To encourage the advanced, His Majesty has specially taken out three 9,000-year-old peaches to reward the top three winners of the competition."

  "What? A 9,000-year-old peaches of immortality!"

  "Wait, didn't I hear wrong? Is it 9,000 years instead of 3,000 years? It's a Peaches of Immortality, not an ordinary spiritual fruit?"

  "This time we can't hide or conceal anymore, next time on stage we must give it our all."

  "That's a sacred root that can elevate an ordinary mortal to the realm of celestial immortals! Even for celestial immortals, eating one would allow them to ascend to a higher plane and challenge the pinnacle of celestial immortality. Your Majesty is truly willing to bestow this upon us lowly subjects? If so, I'd be willing to sell my life to him!"

  Unbeknownst to them, Zhang Youren's move had won over the hearts of countless low-ranking immortals, making this group of immortals devotedly loyal to the Heavenly Court and to Zhang Youren himself.

  ……

  Just as Taibai Jinxing was about to announce the start of the performance, a discordant voice suddenly emerged, shattering the fervent atmosphere that had just risen.

  "Wait!"

  Hou Chen Da Di stepped forward, clasped his fists and bowed to Zhang Youren, his face gloomy as if water was about to drip from it. In a deep and solemn tone, he said: "Your Majesty, this matter absolutely cannot be done!"

  As Kou Chen spoke these words, Emperor Changsheng's eyebrows furrowed, looking in Zhang Youren's direction, with a flash of sharp light in his eyes, it was unknown what he was thinking.

  Zhang Youren peeled a celestial fruit and stuffed it into his mouth, slowly and ambiguously saying: "Oh... Hou Chen, can you tell me what's wrong with this?"

  This traitor is really unscrupulous. Whatever I do, he always opposes it with all his might, as if intentionally trying to cross me.

  He only heard Gou Chen Da Di say: "Your Majesty, the peaches are the spiritual roots of heaven and earth unique to the three realms. According to the rules of the Peach Conference in previous years, only immortals above the Golden Immortal realm can get permission to taste them. These...” He pointed at this group of immortals with the highest cultivation base of only the Heavenly Immortal realm, his tone disdainful.

  He turned to Zhang Youren and said, "Moreover, the 9,000-year-old peaches should be used to entertain the most honored guests according to convention. How can they be used as a reward for martial arts performances?"

  These nine-thousand-year-old peaches, even Gou Chen's eyes are red with envy. It's not that the peaches have any great use for someone in his realm, but after all, they're a heavenly spiritual root, which can not only enhance one's cultivation, but also accelerate an immortal's understanding of the Heavenly Way, greatly helping to improve their realm. Even if he doesn't need them himself, he still has his own power, family and friends who could use them.

  In the previous gatherings of the Peach Conference, even Gou Chen Da Di didn't have a chance to taste the 9,000-year-old peaches. This time, Zhang Youren secretly organized a martial arts competition and excluded them from it. Now that he wants to arrange for someone to come in and try their luck, there's no opportunity left. Therefore, Gou Chen Da Di can't bear it anymore.

  Zhang Youren's eyes sparkled as he gazed at Kou Chen's rigid face, and he chuckled: "So, Kou Chen, tell me, what kind of person is the most noble guest?"

  "Of course, it refers to Western Tathagata, Guanyin, the Old Master of Tusita Palace, and the likes of Dizhen Zhuanzi who are highly respected."

  "Hahaha..." Zhang Youren looked up at the sky and laughed wildly, but in an instant, his tone changed, saying: "It can't be denied that whether it's the Buddha or Laozi, the Town God, they are all seniors of the immortal path and worthy of respect from many immortals. However, my Three Realms is a realm for everyone, not just the highest-ranking immortal's Three Realms. Since it's the spiritual root of the Three Realms, why can't these ordinary immortals enjoy it?"

  He pointed to the group of ordinary fairies below, who were full of passion and vigor, and said in a solemn tone: "You think they are not good enough, can't sit with you as equals? But do you know that they are the true pillars of our fairy world, the foundation of the three realms' existence! Don't forget, each and every one of you here started from the bottom and worked your way up through cultivation - whether it's mortal, human immortal, earth immortal, heavenly immortal, or even golden immortal. No one should look down on young people who are struggling to make a living! Who knows if there will be a few great immortals among them in the future, dominating the three realms? Therefore, I say: take good care of them!"

  Boom!

  Hurray!

  A heartfelt cheer!

  Zhang Youren's words brought even greater cheers, and the surging emotions of the crowd below became even more fervent after his speech. Even some of the calm and composed immortals among the officials, such as Nezha, were moved by Zhang Youren's words, their faces filled with reverence and admiration.

  Seeing the trend has gone, saying it again would make him the target of public criticism. Hecan didn't dare to offend all the immortals in the world in this occasion, he turned black and left with a flick of his sleeve.

  The cold light in his eyes made all the immortals around him tremble slightly.

  "Hmph, just you wait and see what I can come up with, wait for it, you'll be in for a surprise later!"

  Zhang Youren didn't care about Chen's departure at all, and said to the group of immortals below: "Everyone, bring out your real abilities and let's have a good competition!"

  "Boom!"

  The cheers drowned out the entire arena.

  "Now let me, your humble old minister, explain the rules of the contest."

  Zhang Youren looked at Tai Bai Jin Xing's white beard and hair, his diligent and conscientious appearance, and felt infinite emotion. Having an old man at home is like having a treasure, it saves a lot of trouble. He only needs to outline the tasks that need to be done, and this old fellow will take care of them in a detailed and thorough manner.

  ……

  Just as the martial arts competition was about to begin, the barefooted Great Immortal with a big belly swayed back and forth as he rode the clouds from the South Heavenly Gate.

  "Who comes here? The South Heavenly Gate is a place of great importance! All idle and miscellaneous people, quickly retreat!"

  As they approached, the giant spirit guarding the entrance looked at the invitation in their hand and said respectfully: "So it's a great immortal who has come to attend the Peach Festival. May I ask if you need me to escort you to the Lingxiao Palace?"

  The barefooted great immortal smiled slightly, kindly and amiable. He waved his large hand like a palm fan and said: "This immortal arrived a bit early today, just strolling around casually, not daring to delay the general's affairs, General, please!"

  Having said that, the Barefoot Immortal rode on a lucky cloud and went far away.

  After leaving the South Heavenly Gate, the Barefoot Immortal looked back and saw no one behind him. A sly smile appeared in his eyes as he pointed to a secret hand gesture, and the cloud under his feet went straight down towards the Imperial Stables.

  The monkey is about to make a stunning appearance, hehehe...