Chapter 143: Burning Lamp's Scheme, A Dance to Captivate the Realm

Not long after, an invitation from the Heavenly Court arrived in the hands of countless mighty beings across the Primordial Wilderness.

A Peach Banquet?

Among the Ten Innate Spiritual Roots, the Pan Tao peach was well known to many, though the peach trees grew only in the Heavenly Realm, leaving most unable to witness them firsthand. Therefore, when the invitation arrived, most recipients were deeply stirred.

The most enticing part: participation in the Peach Banquet required no gifts!

On Penglai Island, Tongtian naturally received an invitation as well. After a brief glance, he decided to attend—after all, one must show respect to the Heavenly Court.

“Duobao, prepare yourself. We are attending the Peach Banquet together.”

“Yes, Master.”

Upon hearing this, Duobao immediately stepped forward, beaming as he bowed. Beside him stood several other disciples of the Jie Sect, their faces filled with envy.

The Peach Banquet—eating peaches from the Pan Tao tree… the thought excited them greatly.

Unfortunately, the Heavenly Court had not extended invitations to them, leaving them a bit helpless.

In their hearts, they felt unjustly treated. They were quasi-saints as well, powerful beings in their own right. Why were they excluded?

Could it be because they were of a younger generation?

Alas, they could do nothing about it. It was impossible to confront the Heavenly Court asking why they had not been invited.

“All right, I will bring some peaches back for you later,” Tongtian said with a smile, sensing their thoughts.

“Thank you, Master!” The Jie Sect disciples were overjoyed at this promise.

Meanwhile, invitations also arrived at Shouyang Mountain, Kunlun Mountain, and the sacred lands of the human race.

Other great powers, such as the Blood Sea and Underworld River, as well as Zhenyuanzi, received theirs and promptly set out.

In the Western Realm, Zhunti was no exception.

“Ran Deng, would you accompany me to the Heavenly Court for the Peach Banquet?” Having decided to attend, Zhunti first looked to Ran Deng, who held the highest status in the Western Sect after himself.

Ran Deng hesitated briefly, then looked toward Maitreya, whose face was tinged with regret, and said, “Master, it would be better to let Maitreya go.”

Zhunti was slightly surprised but did not dwell on it. His initial wish to have Ran Deng accompany him was merely to soothe his feelings. Since Ran Deng declined, it suited Zhunti to bring his senior disciple along instead.

“Maitreya, will you accompany me?”

“I am willing,” Maitreya stepped forward immediately, bowed, and cast a grateful glance at Ran Deng.

“Very well, let us go.” Zhunti nodded and departed with Maitreya from the Western Sect.

Watching them leave, a gleam of keen light flashed through Ran Deng’s eyes.

Recalling something he had recently learned, his heart stirred with excitement…

Now that Zhunti was away, it was the perfect opportunity to plot this matter.

He gathered some of his close followers in his secluded meditation chamber and began to probe their intentions.

At the same time, many other mighty beings in the Primordial Wilderness who had received invitations immediately dropped their affairs and set off for the Heavenly Court at full speed.

The Primordial Wilderness was vast. At the speed of a Great Dao Golden Immortal—traveling 108,000 li in a single breath—crossing it would take about a century.

Quasi-saints, however, could travel over ten times faster than a Golden Immortal, so maintaining maximum speed, they could arrive within a few years.

Those invited were almost all quasi-saints or above, innate divine mansions whose supernatural talents were extraordinary.

Thus, a few months were enough for most to reach the Heavenly Realm. Only a small number, journeying from farther lands, needed over a year, but no more than three.

Naturally, the Peach Banquet would not wait for these few to arrive three years later. After most had gathered, Li Tian officially announced the start of the banquet.

As for those who had not yet come, they would join upon arrival. In Li Tian and Nuwa’s design, this banquet would last several years at least, for it was primarily an occasion for exchange and fellowship, not merely for eating.

With Li Tian’s command, a group of fairies dressed in flowing white robes stepped forward, bearing all manner of divine fruits.

As the highest-level gathering in the Primordial Wilderness, attended by eight saints, the event’s grandeur was assured.

Abundant offerings of spiritual fruits such as Pan Tao peaches and ginseng fruits were prepared. Countless years had passed, and even the once-in-ten-thousand-year ripening ginseng fruits had borne numerous harvests, accumulating to a staggering quantity.

“Junior Brother, everyone has arrived,” Li Tian greeted with a smile as he and Nuwa approached the saints’ seats.

“Senior Brother,” the Three Pure Ones nodded in acknowledgment.

They then sent their disciples aside and each took a seat.

Soon, the entire banquet grew lively. Attendees gathered in small groups according to their cultivation levels, chatting casually.

Many from the Heavenly Court took this opportunity to mingle, as such occasions were rare.

As the feast progressed, soft strings of a zither floated through the air, and a throng of stunningly beautiful fairy maidens gracefully approached—each a rare gem plucked from ten thousand miles.

With the ethereal music flowing, the fairies waved their sleeves and performed a mesmerizing celestial dance.

So many beauties dancing together left many mighty beings utterly captivated. Some, whose resolve wavered, even contemplated exchanging their treasured spiritual artifacts for a chance to win the favor of one of these maidens—though knowing the Heavenly Lord was a saint quelled such thoughts.

As the enchanting dance unfolded, months seemed to slip by unnoticed. Just as the audience began to grow weary of the spectacle, a serene figure descended from the sky.

Clad in pure white gauze that veiled her face, her long skirt flowing with the breeze, she was surrounded by a cluster of beautiful maidens. With an aura of transcendent grace, she performed the final segment of the dance.

Countless eyes gazed upon her in rapt admiration, and even the saints turned their attention toward her, their expressions filled with approval.

Of course, as saints, their appreciation remained purely aesthetic, free of other thoughts.

Nuwa watched as well, feeling a slight unease but unable to deny the brilliance of the performance.

The woman was none other than Chang’e, and the entire dance was her creation.

In truth, it was Nuwa who had suggested Chang’e perform, and since Li Tian also wished to see her dance, he did not object.

“Impressive,” Li Tian nodded slightly, then glanced at Nuwa with a smile.

When the dance concluded, Chang’e bowed to the assembly and then gracefully withdrew.

Many remained entranced, unable to recover even as she vanished, her veil never lifted.

“Who is this woman?” someone finally asked after a long silence.

Most from the Heavenly Court did not know Chang’e’s identity, and those few who did were bound by deep taboos not to speak of it.

Thus, no one answered the question.