It was well known that consuming a single Spiritual Peach could allow a Cultivator to advance their Realm by an entire level. The renowned elder Cultivators in the Central Domain had almost all eaten a Spiritual Peach at some point in their lives. Consequently, Everyone highly valued the Spiritual Peach Banquet.

The Spiritual Peach tree stood in the central courtyard of the Jade Flower Immortal Sect, surrounded by numerous Spiritual Fruits and spiritual plants. Any one of these, if placed Outside, would cause a frenzy. This showcased the profound heritage of the Jade Flower Immortal Sect. It was noteworthy that the Jade Flower Immortal Sect was merely one of the major powers in the Central Domain; there were many other similar forces.

Xu Nian gazed at the nearby Spiritual Peach tree and asked, "White Jade Fairy, is this Spiritual Peach Banquet held solely for this tree?"

The White Jade Fairy looked steadfastly at the tree and explained, "Sect Leader Xu, you've guessed correctly. The Spiritual Peach Banquet did indeed originate because of this Spiritual Peach tree. The Jade Flower Immortal Sect couldn't protect this tree indefinitely, so our ancestors devised the Spiritual Peach Banquet as a way to resolve this issue. The Spiritual Peach Banquet is held every hundred years; this rule was established long ago. During the banquet, the younger generation of Disciples must enter a Secret Realm to compete for a spot. Only the Top 100 Celestial Prides who qualify are eligible to receive a Spiritual Peach."

A Secret Realm?! Xu Nian thought. This was the first time he had heard of such a place. The Northern Wilderness, naturally, had no Secret Realms. If any had existed, they would have been plundered long ago. The Northern Wilderness was no longer what it once was.

But isn't the Top 100 a bit much? Xu Nian mused. It makes the Spiritual Peaches from this tree seem almost worthless. However, considering the sheer number of people attending this time, with some factions even dispatching All their Disciples, the figure of one hundred Celestial Prides starts to make sense.

It's a pity the Task only allowed me to bring ten Disciples, Xu Nian thought. Otherwise, I'd have brought all the Disciples from the Profound Yellow Sect. Wouldn't all Top 100 spots be ours then?

Some of the Profound Yellow Sect Disciples began to mutter amongst themselves:

"Eating this Peach lets you break through directly?"

"Turtle, this thing doesn't interest me at all. The Realm-Breaking Pill is way more useful."

"The Realm-Breaking Pill can let someone break through several Realms at once. Eating one of these only breaks through one level? Feels too underwhelming."

"Yeah, forget it. Maybe we can take one back for the Great Inventor to study. What if he can use it to create a new type of Realm-Breaking Pill?"

"Speaking of which, how's the Great Inventor's new Realm-Breaking Pill coming along? It's been ages! I'm still waiting for his pill to break through. Even Dung Beetle has already reached the Void Refining Realm!"

The Disciples openly discussed this, belittling the Spiritual Peach—a treasure unattainable in the eyes of outsiders—as if it were worthless.

Even the White Jade Fairy felt a little embarrassed. She naturally knew about the miraculous effects of the Profound Yellow Sect's Realm-Breaking Pill. Indeed, it was many times more potent than the Spiritual Peach in some respects, but the Realm-Breaking Pill could only help someone advance up to the Golden Core Realm. The Spiritual Peach, on the other hand, allowed a Cultivator of any Realm to instantly advance one major Realm upon consumption.

Major forces and various races were desperately vying for even a single Spiritual Peach. Consuming one could save Cultivators decades of arduous cultivation! Of course, the Spiritual Peach had to be eaten in front of Everyone; it couldn't simply be taken away, as it was reserved for the Celestial Prides. Some older Cultivators who had never tasted one also desired it intensely, as no one wished for their rivals to achieve a breakthrough by obtaining a Spiritual Peach.

The Players, however, didn't particularly care. They had come with a Task: to secure a spot in the Top Ten. Nothing else mattered to them.

"Eh? It's you! My Friend!"

Suddenly, a joyful and thrilled voice rang out, causing Everyone to turn their heads. Rufaxi-Liuli came running happily, making a beeline for Dung Beetle. Then, under Everyone's bewildered gazes, she threw herself into Dung Beetle's arms.

Dung Beetle was instantly dumbfounded.

Holy crap! he thought. What the hell? Can't you see the situation? Your Dad is standing right here, and you just throw yourself into my arms in front of him?

Watching his daughter get so intimate with a Disciple from the Profound Yellow Sect, an intense murderous intent suddenly surged from the Demon Emperor. This killing intent emanated not only from him but also from the nearby White Jade Fairy!

Indeed, the rumors from the Outside world were true. The White Jade Fairy and the Demon Emperor did have a child—none other than Rufaxi-Liuli, who stood before them. The name 'Liuli' had even been given to her by the White Jade Fairy.

However, seeing their daughter embracing Dung Beetle, both their expressions turned ugly instantly.

That Profound Yellow Sect! the Demon Emperor and White Jade Fairy fumed internally. One of us considered you a Friend, while the other has clashed with your people, yet you turn around and target our daughter?

"Friend, how did you get here? I thought I'd never see you again!" Rufaxi-Liuli exclaimed, her face beaming with joy. She grabbed Dung Beetle's arm and said, "Wait a moment, I'll take you somewhere fun. I know a place with a Tricolor Waterfall here. It's incredibly beautiful, much more so than the scenery in the Imperial Capital."

Dung Beetle noticed the ominous glares from the Demon Emperor and White Jade Fairy. He hurriedly raised his hands and tried to explain, "Your Majesties, this is all a misunderstanding, an accident!"

With that, he looked toward Xu Nian and the others for help. However, Xu Nian merely raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the spectacle, while the other Disciples pretended not to know Dung Beetle.

This guy really has some nerve, Xu Nian thought, impressed. To actually make a move on the Demon Emperor's daughter. And it seems this girl, Rufaxi-Liuli, also has a connection to the White Jade Fairy. Come to think of it, Rufaxi-Liuli does bear a striking resemblance to the White Jade Fairy.

The Demon Emperor pulled Rufaxi-Liuli back, his face cold. He asked in a deep voice, "Is he one of those Friends you mentioned meeting Outside the Imperial City?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Rufaxi-Liuli replied, then added, "But some of the others didn't come." She smiled, her face like a blooming orchid, and continued, "Back then, I was bathing Outside the city, and they were watching nearby. My Friends really enjoy watching me bathe. Father Emperor, you wouldn't believe it, they even..."

Before she could finish, the Demon Emperor vanished and reappeared instantly in front of Dung Beetle, his hand gripping Dung Beetle's shoulder.

Enjoy watching my daughter bathe? The Demon Emperor seethed. Does that mean this scoundrel saw my precious daughter... naked?

The White Jade Fairy also took a step forward, her eyes filled with a cold, sharp glare, fixing on Dung Beetle as if ready to strike at any moment.

"F-Father Emperor... I mean, Lord Demon Emperor, please let me explain!" Dung Beetle stammered, swallowing hard. He hastily continued, "It was just an accident back then! We were on a Task in the Eastern Region, and running into Rufaxi-Liuli was purely coincidental. Please don't misunderstand!"

"Friend, don't you like watching me bathe?" Rufaxi-Liuli asked, looking over with an innocent expression.

Dung Beetle was utterly aghast. My dear lady, he pleaded internally, could you please say a little less? Can't you see your parents are about to kill me?

Old Mo and the other Players also backed away, clearly distancing themselves from Dung Beetle.

To think he'd lure such an innocent and naive Young Lady into bathing for them to watch! He's truly despicable! they thought. A beast! He's the scum of the Players!

"Sect Leader Xu!" The Demon Emperor and White Jade Fairy simultaneously turned their heads towards Xu Nian.

Xu Nian, startled, quickly waved his hands. "Do as you please," he said. "If he dies, he has only himself to blame. I was completely unaware of this matter."

Dung Beetle completely broke down, looking at the Demon Emperor and White Jade Fairy with an expression of utter despair, as if he had lost all will to live.

Damn it all! Who would've thought I'd run into Rufaxi-Liuli here? Is this game even playable anymore? Damn Game Designer, just you wait! If I get my hands on you, I'll beat you so hard your own mother won't recognize you!

"Kid, we're going to have a little chat over there!" the Demon Emperor said, grabbing Dung Beetle by the shoulder. He then dragged him away as if carrying a helpless chick. Meanwhile, the White Jade Fairy gently stopped Rufaxi-Liuli from following.

Old Mo and the other Players watched this unfold, each shaking their heads in disapproval.

"In broad daylight! To think Dung Beetle was that kind of person. It's truly shameful for us Players, deceiving such an innocent Young Lady."

"The moral standards of the world are truly declining! Who could have imagined that the Majestic Village Chief of Wood Leaf Village was such a depraved beast!"

"Brother Tie Xue, what kind of sentence do you think he deserves for this? Should we just go straight for the death penalty?"

"Well, if this were reality, it'd be three years minimum, maybe up to ten. The death penalty wouldn't be strictly necessary. But since this isn't reality, giving him the death sentence wouldn't be an issue. Even castration wouldn't be going too far."

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