Without hesitation, Ao Qing reached out, plucked a peach from the tree, and popped it straight into his mouth.
This peach was a 3,000-year-old Heavenly Peach, its surface glistening with jade-like brilliance and vibrant freshness—enticing to the extreme.
The moment it touched his tongue, Ao Qing instantly noticed its tender juiciness. Compared to the ordinary peaches he'd eaten in his past life, this was in a league of its own.
Then, a familiar series of pleasant chimes rang in his ears:
"Congratulations! You have consumed one 3,000-year Heavenly Peach! You have gained 3,000 years of Dao cultivation!"
"Your attributes have increased! All attributes +10%!"
At that very instant, Ao Qing felt a surge of boundless power rushing into his limbs and meridians, sweeping through his entire body like a cleansing flame. A wave of intense inner heat burst from within, as if a furnace had been ignited in his soul, ready to explode outward.
Moments later, he clearly sensed his overall attributes had risen significantly—his attack speed, movement speed, cultivation insight, all received a noticeable boost.
The feeling was simply exquisite—like a recluse who had stayed locked away indoors for years suddenly walking into the vibrant embrace of a lush, green world.
In fact, the sensation was so transformative that Ao Qing almost forgot about the 3,000 years of Dao cultivation he had just gained!
"Worthy of the title '3,000-year Heavenly Peach'—just one of them provides such a clear enhancement. If I were to eat the entire orchard's worth, what kind of miracle would that be?"
Ao Qing couldn't help but marvel.
Then, it suddenly occurred to him—Sun Wukong, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, was originally not that powerful. Only after consuming the Heavenly Peaches, Taishang Laojun's Golden Pills, and cultivating his Fiery Eyes Golden Gaze did he attain heaven-defying strength and an indestructible body.
Unfortunately, Sun Wukong hadn't truly appreciated the deliciousness and transformative nature of these peaches—wasting so many of them in the process.
Chuckling to himself, Ao Qing picked and consumed another peach.
Once again, it was a 3,000-year-old fruit.
"Congratulations! You have consumed one 3,000-year Heavenly Peach! You have gained 2,832 years of Dao cultivation!"
"Your attributes have increased! All attributes +9%!"
Although the peach's effect was slightly diminished, the increase was still impressive—leaving Ao Qing more than satisfied.
Just then, he heard rustling footsteps approaching from the distance—someone seemed to be trying to sneak into the Peach Garden.
"Hmm?"
Ao Qing's mouth curled into a sly grin. Looks like someone else had the same idea as me—to monopolize the Heavenly Peaches.
With a flicker, he vanished into the shadows.
Soon after, the source of the rustling revealed himself—a robed Daoist cautiously stepped into the Peach Garden, scanning the surroundings to make sure the coast was clear.
"Hmm? Immortal Yuding?"
Ao Qing's sharp eyes recognized the newcomer immediately—Immortal Yuding, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals under Yuanshi Tianzun.
As Yuding was preparing to bring out his magical artifact and harvest the peaches in one fell swoop, a tremendous wave of dragon might erupted from the void—blasting him unconscious on the spot.
Looking down at the fainted Yuding, Ao Qing's expression turned amused.
Yuanshi Tianzun truly lives up to his reputation. To achieve his goal, there's no trick he wouldn't stoop to. This Yuding was clearly just a pawn sent in to steal the peaches.
Still, it suited Ao Qing just fine. With Yuding here, he could easily frame him and shift the blame.
With a flick of his wrist, a dazzling purple-gold light erupted from his palm. From it, a radiant tower bathed in golden brilliance soared into the sky—none other than the evolved Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Myriad Origin Linglong Pagoda.
Within a few breaths, the pagoda expanded into a massive tower, as imposing as a pillar supporting the heavens.
The next moment, it descended upon the Peach Garden with earth-shaking force, radiating terrifying suppression energy.
The entire garden trembled violently. A swirling vortex of spiritual power erupted as peaches—large and small—were sucked into the pagoda all at once, like leaves in a whirlwind.
When Ao Qing finally stowed away the pagoda, the entire Peach Garden had been emptied. Nothing remained but a few pitiful immature fruits still clinging feebly to their branches.
He had originally considered collecting those small fruits as well, but after realizing they had little value and would only take up space, he turned away without hesitation and strode off—heading straight back to Heavenly Court.
Meanwhile, back in the grand hall, the gathered gods and immortals were completely unaware that the Heavenly Peaches they had long awaited were already safely stored in Ao Qing's treasure tower.
They sat cheerfully around the banquet tables, still waiting in eager anticipation.
As Ao Qing returned, Tongtian Jiaozhu, Yuanshi Tianzun, and the others quickly surrounded him again, chatting and laughing with him, each trying to keep him close—as no one wanted to let this Dragon Emperor be won over by a rival.
Ao Qing responded with faint smiles, chatting idly, playing along as necessary.
Some time passed.
When Empress Wangmu realized the seven fairy maidens she had sent to pick peaches had not returned, her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She immediately rushed toward the Peach Garden to investigate.
What she saw stunned her.
Devastation.
The once lush Peach Garden now looked ravaged—the precious fruits all vanished into thin air.
"W-what happened here?!"
She rushed to one of the fairy maidens lying on the ground and shook her awake.
The maid muttered groggily:
"Y-Your Majesty… I… I don't know who did it…"
For Empress Wangmu, the Heavenly Peaches were her most precious bargaining chips—used to win over immortals and factions. Now that they were gone, how could she not be a laughingstock? Wouldn't this undermine Heavenly Court's dignity!?
As she pondered what to do, she suddenly noticed a man lying just outside the Peach Garden.
It was none other than Immortal Yuding!
"Guards! Arrest Immortal Yuding at once!"
Her fury boiled over. She immediately ordered Yuding bound and dragged to the Heavenly Palace for judgment.
"Also—gather all the remaining immature peaches. Go!"
The fairy maidens rushed to obey. Meanwhile, several heavenly soldiers tied up the unconscious Yuding and carried him away toward the main hall.
Empress Wangmu was dead set on holding Yuanshi Tianzun accountable for this.
Of course, none of the immortals had any idea that the real thief of the peaches was Ao Qing—and that every last fruit had already been safely stowed inside his Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang Myriad Origin Linglong Pagoda.
Soon after, the next scene unfolded.
Looking completely dazed and clueless, Immortal Yuding was dragged before the crowd. Empress Wangmu furiously demanded an explanation from Yuanshi Tianzun.
Yuanshi, who had already foreseen such a possibility, had long prepared an excuse—and thus began a heated argument between two major powers of the Heavenly Court.
Even though most immortals hadn't tasted a single peach above 3,000 years, this was the first time they'd witnessed such a sharp political clash, and they watched the spectacle with great amusement.
As for Ao Qing?
He had no interest in such squabbles.
He quietly continued enjoying the divine delicacies laid before him, as if none of this had anything to do with him.
Then, a sweet system chime rang in his ears:
"Congratulations! Your overall attributes have increased! All attributes +5%!"