Gemstone Flesh—a true pinnacle among heaven and earth's ingredients. Even rarer and more prized than dragon liver or phoenix marrow, this was a supreme delicacy born from the mysterious Gemstone Sea.
In Yi Tianxing's possession, there were only six portions of this extraordinary meat.
Under normal circumstances, six portions wouldn't be enough for a proper banquet.What, serve one slice per person?
Obviously not.
Still, given its rarity, Yi Tianxing could only part with three portions this time.What came of them would depend on the chefs.
Fortunately, within White Crow City, several top-tier culinary masters were present:
Mira – a grandmistress of spices, unrivaled in her control of aroma and flavor.
Master Jie Lu, known as Steel Rod Xie – an expert in dough-based cuisine.
Fei Lan Hong, or Chef Afei – an all-around prodigy in classic dishes.
Any one of them could craft supreme-level delicacies on their own.Together, with Gemstone Flesh?What they could produce might transcend mortal cuisine entirely.
In the kitchens behind the City Lord's Mansion, the preparations had already begun.
Dozens of assistant cooks washed ingredients, chopped herbs, and prepped spices.
At the central table, three jade boxes had been laid out—each containing one portion of Gemstone Flesh. The meat inside emitted a golden radiance, hypnotic and almost divine.
The chefs' eyes gleamed with fervor.This was the culinary equivalent of divine treasure.
"So this is the legendary Gemstone Flesh," Mira whispered, gazing at the radiant meat."It really is like the records describe—its body glittering like gemstone, formed from the purest gourmet essence within food beasts. Simply perfect…"
"It's not just a taste phenomenon," added Fei Lan Hong."Legend says it holds mysterious powers—fortifying the body, refining bloodlines, even aiding in cultivation."
"Three portions for a massive banquet…" said Jie Lu, flexing his muscular arms."With all the generals and ministers present, not to mention His Majesty's special guests, we'll have to get creative.But I'll be damned if I don't get a taste."
They quickly made their decisions:
Mira would prepare a legendary soup dish—Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, a delicacy so fragrant even a Buddha would forsake asceticism to taste it.
"Its core is freshness—a thousand explosive layers of flavor," she said."Gemstone Flesh is perfect for it."
Jie Lu chose to make dumplings, declaring:
"No dough-based dish in the world can surpass dumplings.With this meat in both the filling and skin, the result will be heavenly."
Fei Lan Hong opted for the most deceptively simple dish: Golden Egg Fried Rice.
"I'll render the Gemstone Flesh down as oil," he said."This is the ultimate test of technique—simple, but brutally honest."
They exchanged glances.
And smiled with mutual fire in their eyes.
The chefs got to work.
By evening, White Crow City glowed with lights.
In the rear gardens of the City Lord's Mansion, the banquet was set. Dozens of elegant round tables stood ready, each with eight seats. On every table, rare fruits and spirit delicacies shimmered.
The wine was Dukang Immortal Brew.
The tea was Clarity Leaf Tea, known for cleansing the mind and restoring spiritual focus.
There were fruits like:
Icy Jade Snow Pears
Blood Jade Immortal Plums
Heart-Frost Apples
Royal Honey Mandarins
Ivory Bananas
All were casually laid out for guests to enjoy freely.If eaten, maids would replace them instantly.
These fruits came from Yi Tianxing's personal Immortal Garden, cultivated within his own body-world over many years.
For the Great Yi, this banquet posed no logistical strain at all.
"Incredible," whispered a Shushan sword cultivator."These spirit fruits may not look too rare, but the flavor and spiritual energy they contain... They're excellent for cultivation too."
"These Honey Mandarins are amazing," said another."Sweet, with a hint of royal jelly. Just delicious."
"These Snow Pears restore my vitality instantly. Just one bite and I feel totally refreshed."
The Shushan guests had been worn out from the Nightmare Realm ordeal.Now, seated and relaxed, they allowed themselves to indulge.
They couldn't help but marvel—
Even their proud immortal sect couldn't compete with a fortune dynasty like this.
In sheer volume and diversity of resources, Great Yi stood alone.
"These generals and ministers of Great Yi… they're terrifyingly strong."
"Each legion commander is at least Nascent Soul Realm, if not stronger."
"Their battle arrays let them fight above their level.Their raw potential is staggering."
Shock deepened as the Shushan cultivators looked around.
It wasn't just stories.Great Yi had already crossed the threshold from a mortal regime into a true Celestial Dynasty.
Yi Tianxing sat at the main banquet table with:
His wives and daughters
Zhuang Zhou (Wandering Immortal)
Nannan and Chen Xuerou
On their table, the fruits were even more divine:
White Jade Crimson Peaches
Essence-Nourishing Fruits
Golden-Heart Pears
Golden-Body Arhat Fruits
Each of these was usually used as a high-grade alchemical ingredient.
To eat them raw was considered wasteful.
But here—they were snacks.
The women casually helped themselves.They were long since used to it—this was standard fare within the Great Yi Imperial Palace.
No wonder their cultivation advanced so quickly.
"This Arhat Fruit is superb," said Zhuang Zhou, lifting one."It blooms after a thousand years, fruits after another thousand, and ripens over another thousand."
"It bears natural Buddha imagery, and can greatly empower the body.For Buddhist cultivators, it can lead to Arhat Gold-Body Attainment.Even for body cultivators, it's an unparalleled treasure.And it tastes fantastic."
His vast experience made him uniquely qualified to judge its value.
"They're just food, after all," Yi Tianxing said calmly."I have few vices—just an appreciation for fine cuisine.Rare or not, they're still just fruits.It's not like we're eating Ginseng Fruit or Peaches of Immortality."
He chuckled.
"True," said Zhuang Zhou."But in the age of world fusion, even innate spiritual roots like those may surface.In fact, after the Three-Race War, the Heavenly Court will hold the first Eternal Era Peach Banquet."
"With your status, Emperor Yi, you should receive an invitation."
"Tasting the Peaches of Immortality… won't be hard."
"Heavenly Court? Peach Banquet?"
Everyone froze.
Even Yi Tianxing's expression shifted.
That one sentence revealed something deeper.
The Heavenly Court—thought by many to be lost in myth—might still exist.
And it was about to emerge.