On the second day, Sun Wukong, carrying the duties of Quiet and Peace Gods, arrived at the Immortal Peach Orchard.

Just as he entered the garden, an Earth God emerged from the ground.

"What brings the Great Saint here?"

The Earth God bowed and asked.

Before ascending to the Heavenly Palace, Sun Wukong had become known to all its earth gods due to certain rumors.

The Quiet and Peace Gods said, "The Great Saint is here by the Jade Emperor's appointment to take charge of the Immortal Peach Orchard and is here for an inspection today."

Upon hearing this, the Earth God hurriedly summoned the Plow Tree Warriors, Water Transport Warrior, Tree Tending Warriors, and Cleaning Warriors of the Immortal Peach Orchard to kowtow to Sun Wukong.

"Sun Wukong enjoys bullying the elderly; I mustn't neglect him."

The Earth God thought to himself; after finishing their bows, he led Sun Wukong deeper into the Immortal Peach Orchard.

Stepping into the Immortal Peach Orchard, Sun Wukong was greeted by the fragrant scent of peaches mingling with the earth.

He caught sight of the boundless orchard, with huge, round Immortal Peaches semi-hidden among the green foliage, their fragrance overwhelmingly tempting.

Sun Wukong walked along a pathway covered with peach petals, taking in the fragrant air, his mood lightening.

The Earth God introduced the orchard, "There are three thousand six hundred peach trees here. The first one thousand and two hundred produce small flowers and fruits and ripen once every three thousand years. The one thousand and two hundred in the middle ripen every six thousand years, and if a person were to eat them..."

Sun Wukong, already having all this information, paid no mind to the Earth God's words.

His gaze swept through the orchard filled with Immortal Peaches, large and with thin skin, glittering and smooth. Although he wanted to pick a few to taste, he restrained himself.

"The Jade Emperor mentioned there is something here I would like."

Sun Wukong asked, "Do you know what it might be?"

"This..."

The Earth God pondered for a moment and then smiled, "I have a rough idea."

He led Sun Wukong to the depths of the Immortal Peach Orchard, where there stood a younger peach tree with immature peaches sporting green skins and stems.

"This peach tree was ordered by the Jade Emperor; the Immortal from the South Pole borrowed the Nine Heavens Jade Liquid from Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad to grow it for three thousand years—it's a new species."

The Earth God stated, "The Immortal Peaches on this tree will take another two hundred years to ripen, but once consumed, one could remain eternally youthful and live forever."

Sun Wukong's eyes flashed golden light, scanning over the peach tree, then he paused slightly.

This tree seemed to have used the techniques from Huaguo Mountain.

So that was it; by showing him this, the Jade Emperor indicated that he wasn't so obstinate after all.

"This is quite considerate," Sun Wukong thought to himself.

"Great Saint," the Earth God asked, "Do you want to examine the other peach trees too?"

"No need," Sun Wukong shook his head, his mind recalling that today seemed to be the day Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad emerged from seclusion.

Since the Jade Emperor entrusted the Immortal Peach Orchard to him, he might as well accommodate the Jade Emperor's wishes and borrow some Jade Liquid from Lord Lao Zi to properly tend this peach tree.

Once the Immortal Peaches on the tree were ripe, he could take the opportunity to promote the techniques of Huaguo Mountain and gradually spread them.

The Immortals had already been raving about the delicacies of Huaguo Mountain, and with the addition of the Immortal Peaches, perhaps the overall perception could be completely turned around.

With this in mind, Sun Wukong flew towards Doushuai Temple.

Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad had just emerged from seclusion.

"Lord," a young disciple ran to report, "The Great Saint has arrived."

"This Monkey King indeed fancies me, coming as soon as I exit seclusion," Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad thought, cheerfully making his way outside.

Stepping out the door, Sun Wukong greeted him with a bow, "Lord, I hope you've been well."

"I am in good health," replied Lord Lao Zi, "I hear you've made quite a few Immortal acquaintances in the Heavenly Palace?"

Sun Wukong grinned: "About half of them."

"Half is quite significant!"

Lord Lao Zi exclaimed. Putting aside whether Sun Wukong was being modest, Lord Lao Zi had often heard rumors of the fellow during his artifact-refining period.

Sun Wukong made friends every day, and the Virtue Palace was buzzing with excitement.

He had been in the Heavenly Palace for just over ten days, and he had already earned the moniker "Heavenly Palace's Social Butterfly"—with "social" being a term picked up from Huaguo Mountain.

Had Lord Lao Zi not been busy with work, he would have gone to join the fun at the Virtue Palace long ago.

"Are you here to invite me to a banquet on this visit to Doushuai Temple?" Lord Lao Zi asked.

Sun Wukong continued shaking his head, "I've come to ask the Lord for a few bottles of Nine Heavens Jade Liquid."

"Nine Heavens Jade Liquid?"

Lord Lao Zi blinked and then realized, "Is it for that Flat Peach Tree?"

"Yes," Sun Wukong nodded.

"Well then, I'll give you a bottle," Lord Lao Zi said. "I've been in seclusion refining artifacts for over ten days and have no idea how Huaguo Mountain has progressed. Add my name to the guest list for the banquet in a few days."

"No problem," Sun Wukong nodded.

Lord Lao Zi summoned a disciple to give Sun Wukong a bottle of Nine Heavens Jade Liquid, with instructions not to pour it all at once.

"That Flat Peach Tree previously received too much—it can only bear ten drops of Jade Liquid each day," he reminded.

"I'll be careful," Sun Wukong nodded, then took the Jade Liquid back to the Immortal Peach Orchard.

In the following days, aside from hosting banquets and making friends, he watered that Flat Peach Tree, hoping the Immortal Peaches would ripen soon.

After four days, the tree was laden with lustrous, succulent Immortal Peaches. Sun Wukong felt joyful.

The next day, he came to the Immortal Peach Orchard with a bamboo basket, intending to pick some Immortal Peaches for The Three Pure Ones and the Four Emperors to taste.

But upon reaching the depths of the orchard, he found the tree had been cut down, its Immortal Peaches scattered on the ground.

"Who did this!"

With one kick, Sun Wukong sent the Earth God flying out.

"Great Saint," the Earth God knelt on the ground, trembling, "The Queen Mother ordered it chopped down—I dared not obstruct."

"What right does she have to do this?"

Sun Wukong's voice burned with anger.

"All peach trees in this Immortal Peach Orchard were planted by the Queen Mother's own hands," the Earth God replied. "She is the master of the orchard and has the authority over all the trees."

Sun Wukong's brow furrowed; it turned out he was just a caretaker of the orchard.

Regardless of whether the Jade Emperor's intent was genuine or a jest, wasn't this just toying with him?

Sun Wukong picked up the Immortal Peaches and returned to Huaguo Mountain.

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