"Welcome, Great Emperor of Heaven!"
The Earth God led a group of laborers in bowing to Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong waved a hand. "Rise!"
"Thank you, Great Emperor!"
Beaming, the Earth God stooped as he guided Sun Wukong through grove after grove of peach trees. Pointing at the immortal trees, he said softly:
"Please look, Great Emperor. This is the Peach Garden, with thirty-six hundred peach trees in all. These twelve hundred trees at the front bear fragrant white peaches, ripening once every three thousand years. Their blossoms and fruit are small, but if a mortal eats one, they can attain immortality and the Dao, becoming a human immortal."
They passed through another peach grove wreathed in spiritual mist. The Earth God pointed toward the middle section and said quietly:
"These twelve hundred trees in the middle bear profound red peaches, with layered blossoms and sweet fruit. They ripen once every six thousand years. A mortal who eats one can ascend amid rosy clouds, gain eternal youth, and become a profound immortal."
As he reached the last section, the Earth God paused. He pointed toward the deepest grove, where dense branches and leaves flickered with auspicious light, and his voice took on a note of reverence:
"The twelve hundred trees at the back bear golden purple peaches, ripening once every nine thousand years. Their purple markings and small pits naturally contain the laws of the heavenly Dao. Eat one, and you will live as long as heaven and earth, enduring alongside the sun and moon, and become a golden immortal on the spot!"
Sun Wukong stared at the peach trees, clicking his tongue in amazement as he muttered:
"One peach can make you a golden immortal... With this many peaches here, couldn't everyone become one?"
The Earth God gave a