Chapter 136: The Birthday of the Queen Mother, the Grand Flat Peach Banquet!

"Whoosh."

High in the sky, a magnificent cyan firmament, distinctly different from the ordinary sky, stretched majestically across the heavens.

The cyan firmament.

The gale-force wind layer.

A streak of golden light was speeding rapidly through it.

Beside the ears, the endless whistling of the wind rushed past.

On both sides, blurred landscapes retreated at a breathtaking speed.

Enveloped in a thin layer of golden light, Lu Wufei was once again traversing the gale layer.

"Squeak..."

A terribly familiar cry sounded. Lu Wufei, who had been concentrating on his journey, lowered his head to look at the white mouse peering out from his collar, and stroked the little fellow's head with a chuckle, "Awoken from your sleep?"

"Squeak."

Little White poked out its long nose in response to its old master, then pulled itself up by the collar and looked around.

Seeing the surrounding scenery retreating like streaks of light, making it impossible to make out anything clearly, Little White let out a squeak and immediately shrank back into the collar.

It had seen this kind of scenery while traveling far too many times; there was nothing novel about it, and it was downright boring.

Because every journey of its old master took at least several days, and sometimes even months.

Well-traveled and experienced, Little White was long used to this.

Seeing that they were on the road again, Little White huddled inside the collar and muttered, "Squeak, squeak..."

Hearing this, Lu Wufei replied, "If things go smoothly, it should take a little over a month."

Little White chirped again, "Squeak, squeak, squeak."

Lu Wufei smiled, reaching out through his cyan robe to stroke the little fellow's head. "Then you might as well sleep for a while longer. When you wake up, we'll be almost there."

"Squeak."

Upon hearing this, Little White gave a prompt acknowledgement.

Then, there was no more movement.

Before long, a faint sound of snoring emanated from within the collar.

Lu Wufei smiled.

While keeping his attention on the path ahead, his thoughts once again drifted to Little White's condition.

The little fellow's cultivation had already reached the late stage of the Demon General realm.

However, compared to the vast majority of demons who could transform into half-human forms and speak human language as soon as they gained sentience, it still remained unable to speak or transform.

Whenever Lu Wufei thought of this, he couldn't help but feel concerned.

He remembered what his Senior Brother Qingfeng and other senior brothers had told him about Little White's condition, and recalled the relevant texts and materials he had read in his sect's library.

Lu Wufei could not help but sigh. "Never mind, I'll just ask master directly when I get back this time."

With that thought, he stopped dwelling on it. Instead, his mind turned to his sect, his two junior senior brothers Qingfeng and Mingyue, and his master.

He remembered his apprenticeship years within Wuzhuang Taoist Temple.

It had been twenty years since they last parted.

He wondered how his two senior brothers were doing and if their cultivation had advanced further.

He wondered if master had plucked any more ginseng fruit for his senior brothers to share.

At the mere thought of the ginseng fruit, Lu Wufei immediately recalled the lingering taste of that single cup of ginseng fruit juice he had once tasted.

He wondered when he would get to taste ginseng fruit again.

Oh... and his old friend, Sha Seng, Sha Wujing.

It had been many years since they parted.

It was about time to go pay him a visit.

The Liusha River was bitterly cold.

Moreover, the punishment he endured—having a flying sword pierce his chest every seven days—meant his days must be extremely agonizing.

He still had plenty of meat from the Demon King level in his possession, which would be just right to comfort him.

And then there was the monkey far away on Huaguo Mountain in the Dongsheng Divine Continent.

The monkey had witnessed with its own eyes his breakthrough to human immortality.

And it had been taught staff techniques by him.

Now, ten years had passed; he wondered if the monkey had left the mountain and embarked on a journey to seek immortals and inquire about the Dao.

Thinking of the monkey's innate talent, and recalling that in his memories, the monkey had achieved great cultivation in a mere twenty or thirty years from leaving the mountain to returning from learning the Dao, Lu Wufei couldn't help but feel ashamed.

He could only hope the monkey would set sail a bit later.

Otherwise, since he had imparted a set of staff techniques to it, he could be considered to have the bond of a half-master, and the monkey would have to show him respect upon meeting.

If his own cultivation fell short of the monkey's, their next reunion would be somewhat awkward.

However, the monkey was a spiritual fetus born of heaven and earth, and its innate talent was incomparable.

Having figured this out long ago, Lu Wufei merely shook his head and let his thoughts drift to his own past decade.

Those ten years in Taiping Mountain could be considered the most comfortable, leisurely, lazy, and decadent period of his life.

With a word, someone fed him; with a lift of a hand, someone dressed him.

At a single command, countless demons ran errands for him.

In a fit of anger, endless heads would roll.

The life of a mountain king whose every word carried absolute weight was truly a bit corrosive to one's willpower.

Therefore, Lu Wufei wanted to return to his sect and stay there for a period of time.

This was also something he had promised his two junior senior brothers, Qingfeng and Mingyue.

In fact, he had wanted to return five years ago.

At that time, however, Taiping Mountain was not yet stable enough.

Furthermore, there was the news his elder brother Bai Yunxiao had told him.

The wife of the former Third King of the Great Desolation Mountain—that black dog demon—had fled with their daughter, and her background was traced back to the North Sea Dragon Palace.

This was something he could not ignore.

Backed by his sect, he naturally had no fear of the North Sea Dragon Palace.

But for the wild demons of the wilderness, the North Sea Dragon Palace was an absolute behemoth, an existence they could not afford to provoke.

As it turned out, he waited ten years without seeing hide nor hair of them.

Lu Wufei did not want to wait any longer.

However, Taiping Mountain was entirely propped up by him; apart from himself, there wasn't a single other Demon King.

If he wanted to leave the mountain, he naturally had to make proper arrangements first.

As for the surrounding neighboring territories, the Great Desolation Mountain went without saying; he had already paid visits to the Demon Kings of the Fiery Light Cave and Lishui Prefecture.

Their relations were passable, and given his previous feat of fighting three against one in a single battle, they all gave him a fair amount of face.

However, the North Sea Dragon Palace was different from ordinary minor forces.

He reckoned that if they truly came for revenge, immortal-level demon ancestors would likely appear.

After all, he had slaughtered the three Demon King brothers of Great Desolation Mountain, especially their eldest, whose cultivation was at the late stage of the Demon King realm.

Unless the black dog demon's wife was a fool, she wouldn't rush over rashly.

For this reason, after much contemplation, Lu Wufei could only think of that fox demon ancestor from the Shituo Kingdom who could help him with this favor.

Thus, he had made a special trip to see that demon ancestor and paid a heavy price in blood.

Only then did he obtain a nod of approval from the fox.

Given that fox's strength, he believed that even if demon-ancestor-level sea beasts came from the North Sea, he wouldn't need to worry overly much.

That fox was no ordinary demon ancestor.

In his heart, Lu Wufei even faintly looked forward to the North Sea Dragon Palace coming to exact revenge.

That way, the heavy price he had paid to enlist the fox wouldn't have been in vain, and he would have an excuse to go stir up trouble in the North Sea Dragon Palace in the future.

The East Sea had divine treasures like the Ocean-Calming Divine Needle.

He wondered what the North Sea possessed...

"Whoosh."

The distinctive whistling sound by his ear continued to echo.

Lu Wufei's thoughts drifted afar...

With his current strength, coupled with his mastery of the Golden Light of Earth-Evasion reaching perfection, his speed within the gale layer was extremely fast.

In about half a month or so, Lu Wufei spotted a vast expanse of water vapor rushing straight into the sky ahead, which could be clearly felt even within the gale layer.

The Liusha River had arrived.

Knowing this in his heart, Lu Wufei shifted his direction and flew downward.

Not long after, Lu Wufei arrived above the turbulent waves of the Liusha River.

Prior to this, Sha Seng should have already been aware of his arrival.

However, this time, after standing above the Liusha River for a while without seeing Sha Seng's figure, he called out, "Old friend, an old acquaintance has come to visit."

Lu Wufei's voice rolled like thunder, echoing up and down the Liusha River.

Yet after a few breaths, Sha Seng still did not appear.

A look of puzzlement crossed Lu Wufei's face, and he was about to descend to the bottom of the Liusha River to see the truth for himself.

At that moment—

"Please wait a moment, Daoist Lu."

A voice like thunder echoed from the bottom of the Liusha River.

Hearing this, Lu Wufei halted his movement.

After waiting a little longer, he saw a towering wave churn up on the surface of the Liusha River, and a tall figure with a cyan face, tusks, reddish beard, and red hair appeared atop the waves.

"Daoist Lu, it's been a while," Sha Seng stood above the waves, looking at Lu Wufei in mid-air with a smile.

However, judging from the tone of the monk's voice and the slightly weak aura emanating from his body, Lu Wufei could perceive that his condition didn't seem too good. Guessing what might have happened, he asked, "What is this on Daoist Sha's body?"

"So Daoist Lu has seen through it."

Hearing this, Sha Seng shook his head with a smile and said, "It's nothing much, just that I've just finished undergoing punishment."

"Anyway, I've long since gotten used to it."

Sha Seng waved his hand indifferently, looking at Lu Wufei with a smile instead. "I should congratulate you, Daoist, for finally shedding your mortal shell, attaining an immortal body, and taking your place among the immortals—that day is just around the corner."

"However, my Liusha River is bitterly cold and cannot entertain you properly."

"I can only drink a few more bowls of wine with you later to express my congratulations."

"Haha!"

Hearing this, Lu Wufei immediately laughed heartily. "Daoist's abacus is beaten quite loudly."

"Let's go. I've already prepared wine and meat, and I was just looking to drink a few good bowls with you."

"If Daoist drinks too little, I won't have it!"

"That sounds wonderful!"

Sha Seng immediately laughed. "I haven't prepared anything else, but I happen to have a bottomless stomach. Today, I'll definitely drink to my heart's content!"

"Let's go, let's go."

As the two of them spoke, they flew toward the bank of the Liusha River.

It was the same mountain peak as before, the very same foot of the mountain.

The two of them worked together.

Within a short moment, they swiftly set up a large cooking pot and lit a blazing bonfire.

The meat in the pot was not yet cooked.

Lu Wufei and Sha Seng sat on opposite ends, each picking up a jar of wine to fill a large sea bowl to the brim, and then drank three bowls in a row.

They drank with utmost heartiness.

Not long after, the meat in the pot began to exude a rich, savory aroma.

Lu Wufei wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth and looked at Sha Seng with a smile. "Taste this. This meat cost me quite a bit of effort."

"Oh?"

"Then I must have a good taste."

Hearing this, Sha Seng's enthusiasm surged even higher. He picked up his chopsticks, plucked a large chunk, brought it to his mouth, and chewed heartily.

"Eh?"

As soon as he chewed the first bite, Sha Seng's eyes lit up instantly, and he immediately praised, "This meat is truly wonderful! The aroma is rich and chewy, and the spiritual energy locked inside is also very abundant. I've never eaten anything like it before. I wonder what meat this is?"

Showing off was only truly fulfilling and pleasurable when meeting someone who knew their stuff.

Hearing this, the corners of Lu Wufei's mouth curled up almost to his ears, and he casually replied, "I slaughtered a few blind Demon Kings, and this is the meat of one of them—a black dog demon."

As his words fell—

"A Dog Demon at the Demon King level!"

"And a black dog demon at that!"

Sha Seng's expression turned startled, his eyes grew increasingly bright, and he praised admiringly, "Daoist Lu may not know this, but while dog meat is delicious, it also has its grades. Back when I was still in the mortal world, I once heard a gourmand say that among dog meat, the black dog is the highest grade, followed by the yellow dog, then the spotted dog, and finally the white dog."

"Daoist's pot of dog meat is absolutely a rare delicacy."

"I must have a proper taste of it."

"Haha!"

Facing Sha Seng's praise, Lu Wufei felt thoroughly gratified from head to toe, filled with a sense of accomplishment. He laughed, "If Daoist Sha likes it, eat your fill. I still have quite a bit of it here; I'll make sure Daoist gets to eat to his heart's content."

Although Lu Wufei didn't know there were such distinctions regarding dog meat, he had eaten the remains of the three Demon Kings of the Great Desolation Mountain stored in his spatial storage artifact. Indeed, after trying each of them, he found that the meat of the Third King, the black dog demon Bai Mian—whose cultivation was the lowest—actually tasted the best, while the meat of the Great Demon King, the monkey demon whose cultivation was strongest, had the poorest texture.

As for the Second King, the Golden-Eyed beast, his meat texture was right in the middle, matching his cultivation level.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak."

At that moment, Little White, who had been fast asleep, was awakened by the rich aroma of the meat. With half-opened eyes, it poked its head out and kept sniffing with its nose, looking quite anxious.

Seeing this scene, Lu Wufei and Sha Seng, who were heavily devouring the dog meat, immediately burst into laughter.

The valley was instantly filled with a joyous atmosphere.

On the surrounding peaks, some demons—who were normally a rare sight—sniffed the fragrant breeze and, emboldened, appeared downwind. They continuously and deeply inhaled the meat aroma drifting through the air, yet none dared to come a single step closer. They could only watch from afar, drooling with desire.

Time slowly ticked by.

The two adults and one little beast ate to their heart's content.

The little demons attracted by the meat aroma downwind gathered in ever-greater numbers.

However, not a single one dared to approach even a step closer.

They could only vie with one another, scrambling to inhale the drifting fragrance of the meat.

Some even started fighting amongst themselves for a better spot.

Both Lu Wufei and Sha Seng were aware of these minor demons.

Neither of them paid any mind.

However, dog meat at the Demon King level—even just the aroma wafting from the pot—provided more cultivation when inhaled into the body than normal meditation and breath-absorption.

This was the reason why the group of minor demons were willing to brawl among themselves just for a single breath of the meat's aroma.

This meal of dog meat lasted from morning until the next day.

Early in the morning.

When the morning sun rose in the eastern sky, it was also the signal for Lu Wufei's departure.

With a wave of his hand to clean up, Lu Wufei cupped his fists and said, "Daoist Sha, I take my leave. We shall gather again another day."

Sha Seng likewise cupped his fists in return. "Many thanks to Daoist Lu for this meal of dog meat. We shall meet again."

At that moment, Little White, perched on Lu Wufei's shoulder, also stood up at once, cupping its paws and bowing toward Sha Seng while squeaking, "Squeak, squeak."

Sha Seng immediately returned the bow to Little White with a smile, "Little fellow, see you another day."

"Squeak, squeak, squeak."

Once Little White finished returning the courtesy, Lu Wufei took a step into the air. Clouds and mist naturally gathered beneath his feet, bearing him away toward the distant sky, and within a short moment, he vanished from sight.

Watching Lu Wufei disappear into the horizon, Sha Seng finally turned and walked back toward the Liusha River, vanishing from view.

Several days later.

Lu Wufei, with Little White huddled on his shoulder, appeared before a towering mountain that pierced straight into the clouds, its majestic peak hidden from view halfway up its slope.

"We've finally arrived."

Joy bloomed in Lu Wufei's heart, and Little White on his shoulder was likewise brimming with delight.

Immediately after, Lu Wufei descended to the ground and, carrying Little White, stepped onto the white stone stairs at the foot of Longevity Mountain, climbing upward step by step.

After a lapse of twenty years, the fruits brought from his sect had long since been consumed.

As soon as they stepped onto Longevity Mountain, seeing fruit trees laden with spiritual fruits everywhere, Little White could no longer restrain itself. It darted off Lu Wufei's shoulder, gorging itself while making sure to pick some for its old master as well.

Not long after, as the man and beast chewed on spiritual fruits and rounded a bend, the stone tablet reading "Grotto-Heaven of Wuzhuang Taoist Temple" appeared before their eyes.

Looking further ahead, an imposing mountain gate came into view, and the gates were slowly swinging open.

"Junior Brother!"

"Junior Brother!"

Two figures in pink and green robes respectively, their hair tied into traditional Daoist children's buns as always, appeared before the mountain gate and waved happily.

A look of great joy crossed Lu Wufei's face as he quickened his pace toward the two figures.

"Junior Brother, it's been a long time," Qingfeng said with a smile as Lu Wufei approached, his expression reserved and gentle, true to his nature.

"Junior Brother, you've finally returned," Mingyue shouted loudly as he approached. Then, seeming to notice something, he circled around Lu Wufei before exclaiming in pleasant surprise, "Eh, Junior Brother, have you broken through?"

Lu Wufei smiled and nodded. "Of course. Without a breakthrough, I wouldn't have the face to come back."

With that, he turned to look at Qingfeng, intending to speak, but noticed that Qingfeng's aura was distinctly different from Mingyue's.

Lu Wufei immediately smiled. "So Senior Brother has already shed your mortal shell. Congratulations."

"Congratulations to you too, Junior Brother," Qingfeng said with a smile. "Your senior brother here has lingered in the Golden Core realm for quite some time."

Seeing the two of them exchanging congratulations and pleasantries, Mingyue grew somewhat sour and chimed in, "Hey, looks like I'm the only one lagging behind."

Knowing Mingyue's personality well, neither Lu Wufei nor Qingfeng bothered with his sour remarks.

At that moment, Qingfeng said, "Junior Brother hasn't met the Heavenly Envoys yet, have you?"

Lu Wufei didn't react for a moment and asked, "Heavenly Envoys?"

Qingfeng answered, "Envoys from the Heavenly Court."

Hearing this, Lu Wufei shook his head. "Not yet."

"That's perfect," Mingyue cut in. "The Heavenly Envoy who came to invite our Master to a banquet in the Heavenly Palace is right here. Just in time to let Junior Brother have a look."

"Let's go, let's go."

With that, Mingyue grabbed Lu Wufei and pulled him toward the mountain gate.

At that moment, Little White poked its head out from the collar at Lu Wufei's chest and suddenly leaped toward Mingyue.

Mingyue instantly released Lu Wufei, caught Little White, and immediately cried out, "Aiya, Little White, why have you gotten heavy again?"

"Squeak, squeak, squeak."

Hearing this, Little White immediately showed its dissatisfaction and tried to leap back, but Mingyue tightly hugged it and laughed heartily, "Alright, alright, you're not heavy, you're not heavy, alright?"

Mingyue busied himself playing with Little White.

Lu Wufei and Qingfeng closed the mountain gate together, their minds still dwelling on the Heavenly Envoy Mingyue had mentioned, and asked with some curiosity, "I wonder what kind of banquet the Heavenly Envoy is inviting Master to attend?"

Walking as he spoke, Qingfeng smiled and said, "At this time of year, what other banquet could it be? Naturally, it's the Queen Mother's birthday—the Peach Banquet."

"The Peach Banquet..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Wufei's interest surged greatly, and he continued to ask, "Could it be the legendary Grand Peach Banquet?"

Qingfeng nodded. "Yes."

Lu Wufei's eyes lit up instantly, and he asked further, "I wonder which senior brother Master will take with him to this Peach Banquet?"

Hearing this, Qingfeng turned to look at Lu Wufei, knowing full well what his junior brother was thinking, and immediately smiled with a chuckle, "That depends entirely on Master's will."

Hearing these words, Lu Wufei's heart sank slightly.

Since he was the youngest, it certainly wouldn't be his turn.

However, Qingfeng seemed to perceive his youngest junior brother's thoughts, and turning his words around, he smiled again, "However, most of our senior brothers have already followed Master there. I suppose it should be our turn soon, right?"

"Junior Brother, you truly have good fortune."

"Is that really true!"

Hearing this, Lu Wufei's expression instantly lit up with joy, his eyes shining brightly. "Senior Brother, you mustn't tease your junior brother."

"Hehe..."

"I can vouch for it," Mingyue chimed in as he hurried over with Little White in his arms, smiling broadly. He was about to speak when he noticed the main hall was right ahead, forcing him to lower his voice. "We'll talk more with Junior Brother later."

With that, assuming a solemn expression, the three junior brothers walked into the main hall together.