Hearing Emperor Venerate's words, the guests in attendance smiled and nodded.
Then Queen Mother of the West gave a slight wave of her hand.
A procession of immortal maidens entered, each carrying a jade platter. On them rested lustrous peaches, their fragrance wafting through the air.
Just a faint whiff was enough to refresh the mind and spirit. What else could they be but Flat Peaches?
"Fellow Daoists, these Flat Peaches ripen once every nine thousand years in the Peach Garden."
"Those who eat them will live as long as Heaven and Earth, and as old as the sun and moon."
"Today, I've invited you all here to enjoy them together."
The Peach Garden in the Heavenly Realm held a total of three thousand six hundred peach trees.
The first twelve hundred bore small flowers and fruit, ripening once every three thousand years.
Those who ate their peaches could attain immortality, reach the Dao, and become strong and light of body.
The middle twelve hundred bore flowers and sweet fruit, ripening once every six thousand years. Those who ate their peaches could ascend on rosy clouds and live forever.
The final twelve hundred peach trees bore peaches with purple veins and yellow kernels, ripening once every nine thousand years.
To entertain the many great powers of the Primordial Wilderness, the Heavenly Court had shown its sincerity by picking the finest Flat Peaches.
At Queen Mother of the West's words, the many great powers began sampling the peaches.
The many beings watching from the outskirts looked on with envy.
"Just eating one lets you live as long as Heaven and Earth?"
"They truly are supreme immortal fruits!"
"It's a pity we're not worthy of tasting them."
"As expected of the Heavenly Court. Even the Flat Peaches served to entertain the immortals