Eat More

He walked straight into the corridor.

Sun Wukong had been about to drink, but then he remembered that he was supposed to meet up with his benefactor later.

Once they had gathered some good things, he could share them with his benefactor.

Sun Wukong could only resist the temptation and tuck two flasks of wine into his robes.

He had long heard of Taishang Laojun of the Heavenly Court, so he immediately found his way to Doushuai Palace.

Sun Wukong went straight inside, but Taishang Laojun was nowhere to be seen. The place was completely empty.

Taishang Laojun and Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha were probably preaching on the Vermilion Mound Altar atop the three-tiered pavilion.

Before Sun Wukong left, his benefactor had given him some instructions.

So when Sun Wukong arrived in the Heavenly Court, he wasn't completely at a loss for what to do.

All the Immortal Children, Immortal Generals, Immortal Officials, and Immortal Clerks were gathered nearby, listening to the lecture.

As for Sun Wukong, he crept quietly into the room where the elixirs were stored.

He looked around the room and saw a fierce fire burning in the furnace beside the alchemy stove.

His eyes lit up. These must be the elixirs his benefactor had told him about.

Beside the furnace were five gourds, all filled with finished elixirs.

Sun Wukong's heart warmed with excitement. "These are treasures among the immortals! My benefactor really is something else."

"Ever since I began cultivating the Dao, I've understood the principle of inner and outer harmony. I should be taking some golden elixirs, but I've never had the chance."

"Thanks to my benefactor's guidance today, fate has brought me this opportunity. I can hardly believe I get to have such a treasure."

"With that old Taishang fellow away, I should eat a little more. I'll just eat them all."

Grinning, Sun Wukong wasted no time. He tipped all the elixirs out of the gourd.

Then he swallowed them all, as if they were roasted beans.

Knowing he couldn't stay long and still had to meet up with his benefactor, he changed course.

Using an invisibility spell, he left through the Western Heavenly Gate and headed for the banquet.

Marshal Tian Peng still viewed the diary with suspicion. No matter what, its contents were simply too unbelievable.

So, for the past few days, he had dismissed it as someone else's prank.

Now he had arrived at the Heavenly Court's grand banquet and was already seated on the ground.

"Tian Peng, you're a little late. Hurry up and punish yourself with three cups!"

The Five Dou Star Lords smiled.

Tian Peng's heart, which had just begun to relax, inexplicably tightened again.

"That's right. You're so late that we've been waiting for ages."

Grand Unity Heavenly Immortal chimed in.

Tian Peng laughed. "What do you mean? I haven't held things up at all."

"No, no. We took our seats ages ago, and you're the one who showed up so late."

Marshal Tian Peng's expression shifted. "I'm not in the mood today. I shouldn't be drinking."

"So you're saying you don't care about our feelings?"

Thunder God's voice rang out sharply.

"Enough, enough. If he doesn't want to drink, then let him be. Look at the state of you all."

Crown Prince Ju Yun waved his hand.

After saying this, the few of them exchanged glances.

Because of the warning in the diary, Marshal Tian Peng was on his guard against them.

He had become thoroughly wary.

Queen Mother of the West spoke up. "It is my honor to welcome all the immortal friends to today's Peach Banquet. I'd like to raise a cup to you all."

Queen Mother of the West lifted a wine cup, filled it with Immortal Wine, and drained it in one go.

The assembled gods also picked up their cups and said together, "Thank you, Queen Mother of the West."

They returned Queen Mother of the West's toast and drank their wine.

Only Marshal Tian Peng covered himself with his sleeve, then spilled the wine onto it.

Queen Mother Niangniang announced, "Let the Peach Banquet begin."

Music and dancing filled the hall. The fairies sang and danced, enchanting everyone present.

Golden Boy carried a flask of wine over to Marshal Tian Peng. "Tian Peng, why aren't you drinking?"

He held out a flask to him.

Marshal Tian Peng said, "I really don't feel like drinking today. I lost quite a few elixirs a few days ago. How could I be in the mood?"

Golden Boy laughed. "That's nothing. Just drink and enjoy yourself. How many elixirs did you lose? I'll make it up to you."

"Anyone who didn't know better might think you were pining after Guangqing Fairy and got rejected."

Marshal Tian Peng replied, "There's no need for that. They're just worldly possessions."

"It's just that I haven't been feeling well lately, so I'm recuperating."

Golden Boy's eyes shifted. "This is the Queen Mother's banquet. If you don't drink, aren't you insulting her?"

As soon as Tian Peng heard that, he realized they were trying to pin a charge on him. There was no way he could doubt what the diary had said now.

Tian Peng waved his hand. "That's not how it works. Queen Mother Niangniang has always been kind and considerate of her officials. She wouldn't force anyone."

Golden Boy's expression changed slightly.

Giant Spirit God came over carrying a wine jar. "That monkey came and wreaked havoc in Heaven a few days ago, and dealt me a heavy blow. I'm still drinking to my heart's content!"

Giant Spirit God was flushed and visibly drunk. As he tried to hand Tian Peng the jar, he missed him entirely.

Tian Peng coughed and said, "There's no need. I should head back and recuperate."

Despite their urging, Tian Peng remained unmoved.

"Come on, Tian Peng. This is all top-quality wine. They even have your favorite Jade Morning Dew. You know you only get the chance to taste it at this banquet."

Wang Lingguan smiled.

"That's right. Jade Morning Dew is truly a rare vintage. At the last Peach Banquet, everyone was fighting over my wine."

Wugu Star chimed in.

Tian Peng shook his head. "It's fine. I really won't drink today. I'll treat you all to a gathering another day."

With that, he tried to leave, unwilling to stay any longer.

The Immortal Officials around them immediately looked displeased and turned their eyes toward the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor had been watching the situation the entire time, and his eyes shifted slightly.

For some reason, he had a bad feeling. It was as if someone was affecting their plans behind the scenes.

And the situation was extremely serious.