"This is the site of the ancient 'Heavenly River Military Office', also known as the Heavenly River Palace."
Li Haokong spoke with a hint of nostalgia, sighing:
"In ancient times, a powerful 'Heavenly River Navy' was stationed here, responsible for patrolling the Heavenly River and clearing out void demons and chaotic creatures that dared to approach the Heavenly Court; they were renowned.
Their commander, the 'Heavenly River God of War', was also a remarkable Primordial Chaos Expert.
Unfortunately, during the ancient war, the Heavenly River Navy was nearly wiped out, and the God of War went missing, so this place gradually fell into ruin.
After Your Majesty re-established the Heavenly Court, everything was waiting to be rebuilt, and he hasn't had the chance to reconstruct this place yet."
Han Xuanji nodded slightly, his fingertips brushing across a cold, broken jade pillar, as if he could feel those years of blood and fire.
He sighed softly: "Iron-blooded loyalty, defending the Dao of the Heavenly River; truly admirable and lamentable."
From this Heavenly River Palace, one could also see how strong the Ancient Heavenly Court's power was. There were many experts in the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm, and their various methods were endless.
No wonder it could suppress the myriad races of the heavens and have ten thousand immortals pay homage. Only an existence like the Demon Ancestor could crush it, but even if the Heavenly Court suffered heavy losses, its foundation was not something other forces could compare to.
Even without the Heavenly Emperor, there were still many Powerful Experts enough to deter all sides.
Compared to the Heavenly Court, the Human Race's foundation was far inferior.
Of course, this also benefited him; the stronger the Heavenly Court's foundation, the happier Han Xuanji was.
Taking all these countless years of accumulation into his own pocket, how could he not be happy?
Li Haokong nodded silently from the side. Seeing Han Xuanji reveal a sense of sentimentality, his evaluation of this Great Heavenly Venerable rose even higher; he was not only supremely powerful but also not a cold and heartless person.
"Great Heavenly Venerable, shall we head to the 'Peach Garden of Immortality' next?"
Li Haokong waited for Han Xuanji to ponder for a moment before softly asking for instructions.
Han Xuanji withdrew his thoughts, his gaze returning to calm: "Let's go to the Peach Garden of Immortality first."
Although the peaches in the Peach Garden of Immortality might not be of much use to him, he could still take a look.
"As you command."
Li Haokong's spirits lifted. The Peach Garden of Immortality was one of the important reception spots he was responsible for; if he could satisfy the Great Heavenly Venerable, his task would be mostly complete.
Riding a cloud away from the Heavenly River area and passing through several layers of immortal mist, an indescribable, vigorous vitality and rich fruity fragrance wafted towards them.
Before them appeared a vast garden covered by a chaotic-colored light shield. Through the shield, one could vaguely see rows of peach trees with gnarled branches like dragons and lush foliage. Amidst the swaying shadows, the trees were hung with various immortal peaches of different sizes, shimmering with rosy light. Some were pinkish-white like jade, some were fiery red, and some were shrouded in purple mist. A few exceptionally tall peach trees bore fruits with nine-colored brilliance, their precious light soaring into the sky.
At the garden gate, two steady-breath Peach Garden Strongmen in armor stood guard. Upon seeing Li Haokong and Han Xuanji, they immediately bowed respectfully.
Li Haokong showed the Heavenly Emperor's command token. Although he didn't state Han Xuanji's identity, the strongmen were no fools and naturally knew he must be a great figure. They hurriedly threw open the garden gates and respectfully welcomed them in.
Stepping into the garden, the rich Innate Wood Qi and vitality of creation were almost liquefied.
The arrangement of the peach trees was not haphazard but secretly aligned with a certain Formation to nourish vitality, causing the Spiritual Qi in the garden to circulate endlessly.
"Great Heavenly Venerable, this is the Peach Garden of Immortality."
Li Haokong introduced, his tone carrying a hint of pride,
"There are a total of three thousand six hundred peach trees in the garden. The first one thousand two hundred trees have small flowers and fruits, ripening every three thousand years. They have an excellent taste, and if a Cultivator eats one, it can extend their life and grant them a thousand years of cultivation.
The middle one thousand two hundred trees have layers of flowers and sweet fruits, ripening every six thousand years. Not only is the taste superb, but even a Mortal who eats one can ascend to immortality and live forever. If a Cultivator eats one, they gain several thousand years of cultivation. And the back one thousand two hundred trees, with purple veins and pale yellow pits, ripening every nine thousand years, are even more extraordinary. Even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal can gain several thousand years of cultivation after eating one, saving countless years of bitter cultivation.
As for those few Nine-Colored Ancient Peach Trees derived from the mother root, they are even rarer, requiring specific creation opportunities from heaven and earth to bear fruit. Their divine effects... this small immortal is also not very clear."
He pointed to the deepest part of the garden, where chaotic Qi swirled, and the figures of several ancient trees with dark golden trunks flowing with profound Dao patterns were vaguely visible.
Hearing this, Han Xuanji nodded silently.
The Heavenly Court's specialties were indeed impressive; otherwise, they wouldn't have cultivated so many Powerful Experts.
This wasn't just a Peach Garden of Immortality; it was clearly a cheat engine.
The Peach Garden of Immortality alone was enough to attract many great powers. Even if the great powers didn't need it, their Disciples or relatives might.
"If it's you, feel free to pick them as you please; His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor won't mind."
Li Haokong spoke more openly now.
Han Xuanji thought for a moment, stopped, and casually picked a six-thousand-year peach next to him. It felt warm to the touch and had a pungent, exotic fragrance.
He took a light bite; the juice was incredibly sweet, and a gentle yet majestic surge of vital Spiritual Qi dissolved within him. The taste was indeed superb.
"The taste is acceptable, and it's full of vitality."
Han Xuanji gave a brief evaluation and nodded slightly.
Seeing this, Li Haokong smiled and said, "It's good that the Great Heavenly Venerable likes it. Although these peaches are of no help to the Great Heavenly Venerable's cultivation, it's also good for satisfying one's appetite and nourishing some Origin vitality."
"You can take more back to reward your Disciples or use them as gifts."
There was no need to take more than he could eat. He just needed to sign in properly. He would also establish a Peach Garden of Immortality then.
[Detected Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly Court Peach Garden of Immortality", sign in?]
"Sign in."
Han Xuanji muttered in his heart.
[Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in at the Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly Court Peach Garden of Immortality", obtaining one hundred "Nine-Thousand-Year Purple-Veined Pale-Yellow-Pitted Peaches".]
[Congratulations to the Host for successfully signing in at the Eight-Star Sign-in Location "Heavenly Court Peach Garden of Immortality", obtaining ten "Nine-Colored Ancient Peach Trees".]
...Han Xuanji signed in dozens of times, not only obtaining a large number of peaches but also many peach trees, including several Nine-Colored Ancient Peach Trees.
As for that congenital peach tree, Han Xuanji had already obtained one by signing in at the Lingxiao Palace, so there weren't any in the Peach Garden of Immortality.
"The peaches can be snacks or rewards for Disciples... and maybe useful for hosting my own banquets in the future."
Han Xuanji thought to himself that he could also hold a Peach Banquet then.
However, there was no need to invite everyone like the Heavenly Court did.
Seeing that Han Xuanji didn't seem to intend to stay longer, Li Haokong asked in a timely manner:
"Next, shall we head to the 'Tushita Palace'?"
"I've heard that the Great Heavenly Venerable is also a master of alchemy. Although the Grand Supreme Dao Venerable has not returned, Venerable Xuandu's alchemy is also extraordinary."
"Sure."
Han Xuanji nodded; he had been looking forward to the Tushita Palace for a long time.
This was the dwelling place of an ancient Dao Venerable, and its Dao rhythm was definitely among the best in all of the Heavenly Court.
Leaving the Peach Garden of Immortality, the two headed towards the Tushita Palace. The actual location of the Tushita Palace was not within the Nine Heavens where the Heavenly Court was located, but in another space, which the Heavenly Court could access directly through a teleportation formation.