Pick a few ripe peaches and have a taste.

For the next two days of the Jade Pool Gathering, the daytime followed the pattern of the first day: shopping first, then setting up their own stall, with considerable gains. At night, however, Luo Yu and Qin Yue scouted around the vicinity of Jiutian Palace.

On the night the Jade Pool Gathering ended, Luo Yu and Qin Yue left Qingsu and her companion at Xianqi Courtyard and slipped, unnoticed, up to the summit of Langfeng Peak. They easily opened the mountain-protecting formation—Luo Yu had already dismantled it during their reconnaissance days earlier. The two changed into white long robes, concealed their presence, and headed toward the mountain gate as described by their insider, Xia Nuo'an.

The mountain gate of Jiutian Palace was exquisite: a delicate spirit-jade archway, carved with two fairy maidens holding a refined plaque inscribed with "Jiutian Palace." Flanking the archway squatted two massive, blue-bodied, red-maned "Kai Ming Beasts" made of colorful jade. These were effigies of an ancient divine beast that once guarded Kunlun but had long since perished; only these two statues remained as a token.

Ascending the jade steps, the pair suddenly encountered two beautiful women dressed as Jiutian Palace disciples. At the sight of them, the women exclaimed, "Who goes there? What business have you sneaking into Jiutian Palace at midnight?" Qin Yue, holding Luo Yu’s hand, ignored them. The two beauties giggled, then said, "Are you meeting a secret lover? Such dashing gentlemen—so elegant, so striking—why not join us in our chambers for a while?" Luo Yu’s eyes sparkled, "Wow, they're really beautiful. If only they were real." Qin Yue snorted, "To think Jiutian Palace would resort to such illusions." She clutched Luo Yu’s hand, paid no further heed, and pressed onward. The two beauties followed, coaxing and tempting, but Luo Yu and Qin Yue paid them no mind. After a stretch of steps, the illusion vanished. This illusion array was set upon the path, timed to activate; if anyone was startled or enticed off the path, it would trigger an alarm or lure them directly into a trap. Luo Yu had spotted the illusion as soon as they entered and, well-prepared, hadn’t even bothered to break it.

More arrays awaited the thieves, but they dismantled them all as if strolling through an unguarded land. Upon reaching the first main hall midway up the mountain, they slipped into a side path, weaving left and right, using their powerful spiritual sense to avoid patrols. These patrolling disciples were mostly at the Qi Refining stage, with the occasional Foundation Establishment steward passing by, but their spiritual sense was nowhere near Luo Yu and Qin Yue’s; they never suspected intruders.

The two thieves found the defenses here much tighter than at Xiuzhu Courtyard—likely because their formation skills lagged behind, so they compensated with greater manpower. The Foundation Establishment spirit herb garden of Jiutian Palace was here on the mountainside: a large communal garden guarded by Foundation Establishment disciples. Higher up were the private manors of Golden Core cultivators, whose herbs grew in their own private plots, personally tended.

In no time, the pair reached the entrance of a courtyard. The ornate, round, jade-carved arch read “Jade Stream Spirit Garden.” The two thieves exchanged a look: this was the place. With great swagger, they walked right in. Their strength far exceeded the insider Xia Nuo'an’s estimation; they didn’t even wait for a shift change, but stole openly and calmly. As one covered, the other acted. The disciples on guard were idly gossiping, unaware that every two minutes, either a herb or a fruit would vanish from the garden, silent as a whisper.

After sweeping the entire “Jade Stream Spirit Garden,” the thieves tucked their loot into their spatial pouches and slipped away unhurriedly.

Once clear of the mountainside, they took a back path downward, planning to sweep through the Qi Refining herb garden as well. After all, one could never have too many herbs! There was still a cat and a whole bunch of ginseng babies to feed at home—it wouldn’t do to have them turn on each other out of hunger, would it?

They had just stepped into the herb garden when a female disciple shouted, “Thieves! Stop! Where do you think you’re going?” The pair was startled. Impossible! How had they been discovered here? Could it be another illusion? But they sensed no such array!

As they hesitated, cries echoed all around: “Where are the thieves? Sisters, surround them!” The two prepared to bolt, only to see a figure darting in the distance: hunched, clad in white martial attire, nimble as a monkey, leaping and dodging, trailed by a group of graceful women.

Luo Yu’s heart sank—it was Sun Wuming! What was he doing here, stealing spirit grass too? Recalling how this fellow had once revealed the location of Luofeng Town and the Immortal Dew, Luo Yu decided to lend him a hand—after all, they were all here to rob the rich.

Without hesitation, Luo Yu grabbed Qin Yue and charged toward Sun Wuming. Sun Wuming, fleeing in terror, cursed inwardly: this is it, I’m doomed! The formation here isn’t prepared, I can’t even escape! The Foundation Establishment cultivators above will be here any moment—should I just surrender and hope for mercy?

As he struggled with despair, he suddenly felt himself yanked away, dragged off in another direction. Sun Wuming panicked—had he been caught by a Foundation Establishment cultivator? But why were they running with him? Wait—weren’t they heading for the array’s exit?

Luo Yu pulled Sun Wuming into a spiritual barrier and whispered, “Hide yourself!” Sun Wuming snapped to, hastily casting his invisibility technique. He’d lost his concealment earlier and had been forced to run for his life.

With the monkey spirit hidden, the pursuing girls immediately lost their target and fell into chaos. Luo Yu had a good habit: every time he broke an array, he’d make a token to open it again for retreat. Taking advantage of the confusion, the three slipped through the formations and quickly escaped Jiutian Palace.

They found a secluded spot far from the palace and revealed themselves. Sun Wuming was still wondering who had saved him; when he saw the pair, his eyes nearly popped out. “It’s you! You’ve both reached Foundation Establishment!” Luo Yu grinned, “We have you to thank for telling us where to find the Immortal Dew.” Sun Wuming was astonished: last time he’d met them, they were only at the fifth layer of Qi Refining, not much different from himself; how, in just a year, had both managed to break through while he was still stuck at the peak of Qi Refining? Such fortune was simply outrageous!

With the juniors having surpassed him, Sun Wuming no longer dared to be cavalier and instead smiled sheepishly, “No, no, it’s all your own luck—if not me, someone else would’ve told you.” Luo Yu asked, “Why are you stealing spirit herbs from Jiutian Palace? Qi Refining herbs should be easy to get, right?” Sun Wuming pulled a face, “They’re easier than Foundation herbs, sure, but there are just too many Qi Refining folk... But I wasn’t here for herbs.” Luo Yu asked, “Is there Immortal Dew there as well?” Sun Wuming grinned mysteriously, “No Immortal Dew, but there’s something else in abundance.” “What is it?” “Peaches of Immortality,” Sun Wuming replied.

Luo Yu’s eyes widened, “Peaches of Immortality? For real? Did you get any?” Sun Wuming beamed, “The Great Sage Equal to Heaven is my namesake—I had to live up to the name, didn’t I?” Luo Yu pressed, “Show me! Do they really grant immortality?” Sun Wuming replied, “For mortals, they add a hundred years to one’s life. For cultivators, not so much—just a bit of extra spiritual energy. I only wanted some to brew wine. These celestial peaches bloom once every three thousand years and take another three thousand to ripen. With the Queen Mother of the West absent, no one was overseeing the harvest, so they were just rotting away. I couldn’t bear to see them wasted and decided to help myself. But I got greedy and picked too many, and they noticed something was off and chased me out.”

Hearing he’d picked a lot, Luo Yu was determined not to miss out on such a famous treasure—even if only for the novelty, his father and grandfather should get a taste. Besides, it could extend their lifespan! “Could you sell me some? I’m really curious and want to bring a few home for my family.” Sun Wuming’s eyes gleamed as he replied obsequiously, “Well, given my circumstances—er, I’m at the threshold of Foundation Establishment. I don’t mind giving you some peaches, but if you have even a drop of Immortal Dew or the spirit marrow left over, would you mind sharing? I’d be forever grateful... Do you have any left?”

Luo Yu thought for a moment, then pulled Qin Yue aside. After a brief discussion, they decided there was no need to hide anything. He’d probably guessed they still had some left, and it would be better to be generous and make a friend. Since he idolized Sun Wukong, he couldn’t be all that bad; and if he ever harbored ill intent, they had nothing to fear. Their strength spoke for itself.

Sun Wuming, watching them conspiring, was overjoyed—there was hope! He waited anxiously until Luo Yu returned, speaking solemnly, “We have one Foundation Pill left, and given how we got it thanks to your tip, we’ll trade it to you as a gesture of gratitude. But you must never mention this to anyone else, for both our sakes.” Sun Wuming nodded excitedly, “Absolutely, absolutely! I know better than to talk!”

What a lucky day! No, ever since meeting these two in Luofeng Town, it had been nothing but good fortune! From now on, he’d have to help others more—karma was a beautiful thing!

Sun Wuming eagerly offered his spatial pouch. When they opened it—wow! It was full, enough to pile up in a whole room, each peach as big as a bowl, glistening pink, each radiating spiritual light—not in the least inferior to Immortal Dew or rootless spirit grass. Luo Yu picked one up, marveling at its extraordinary appearance. Why, then, was it said to be useless for cultivators? He’d have to study it later.

Luo Yu exclaimed, “No wonder you were discovered! With this many, how could you not be?” Sun Wuming looked embarrassed, “I couldn’t help myself and picked too many. You take as many as you want—uh, just leave a few for me to try!” With that, the exchange was made, to everyone’s delight. Sun Wuming, overjoyed, said, “I’ve already been seen by Jiutian Palace’s people. I’d better run before they come after me and find a place to break through! Once I reach Foundation Establishment, I won’t have to fear a few Qi Refining girls! And those old fogies won’t come after a Foundation Establishment cultivator over a few peaches. Leave me your address, and I’ll come thank you in person someday!”

Luo Yu handed him a calling card. Sun Wuming took a few steps, then turned back. “A mortal can eat only one of these peaches—any more and they’ll burst. Don’t forget!” With that, he activated his power and sped away.

Author’s note: Please leave a comment, send some flowers, and write a review... T.T

End of “Buddies Cultivating Immortality 56: Trying Some Peaches of Immortality.”