Guanyin hastily proceeded to deduce the culprit, and in the end, she was so angered she nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
Marshal Tian Peng! It was actually that simpleton Tian Peng, the chosen Western Traveler from Buddhism, who had killed her designated tribulation before even embarking on the Journey to the West!
Being dedicated is one thing, but this is taking it too far!
And since when did Tian Peng become so powerful that he could defeat the Carp Spirit possessing her Fire bell?!
Guanyin intended to use the soul mark connection with the magical treasure to fly over directly, but ultimately she restrained herself.
She knew how many misdeeds the Carp Spirit had committed, and going there directly would not only cause the Dragon Clan of the South Sea to have ill feelings but also damage her reputation as the Greatly Compassionate and Merciful Guanyin.
They in Buddhism care most about Incense Power and faith, so it was better to wait a bit.
Guanyin secretly thought,
Tian Peng could not fathom her Buddhist schemes and was unaware of his own future fate; otherwise, not even with the courage of a bear heart and leopard's gall would he dare to do such a thing.
She had a soul mark with the Fire bell, and with her own peak status as a Daluo Golden Immortal, no ordinary person could erase it!
She would personally claim it back in a few days.
Meanwhile, Tian Peng, having resolved the crisis in the South Sea, was invited to a banquet at the Dragon Palace.
"Marshal Tian Peng, previously I underestimated you. I did not expect your divine skills to be so profound. I offer you my apologies here!"
The Dragon King of the South Sea was straightforward and cheerfully toasted to Tian Peng.
Since the battle of the Dragon and Han Tribulations, his Dragon Clan had weakened to this state, learning the ways of the world. This had become key to their survival.
"Subduing demons is my duty, and I cannot shirk from it!" Tian Peng was still panting, his face full of self-satisfaction.
Although this was not his purpose, it did not hinder him from showing off. So this is what it feels like to be powerful and show one's divine powers in front of others!
Tian Peng immediately fell in love with this feeling and his reverence for Chaos Residence grew even further, all because of that single plate of braised pork that had transformed him.
Shopkeeper Chen truly possessed a mighty power that reached the heavens; he must gather more treasures from the world and offer them all to Shopkeeper Chen.
Dishes were served, but Tian Peng looked at the feast with some listlessness.
Ao Ming noticed something was amiss and asked, "Marshal, do these dishes not suit your taste?"
Tian Peng shook his head and said, "I've already eaten today and don't have much of an appetite. Come, let's drink!"
With that, he continued toasting with the Dragon King of the South Sea.
Ever since he had tasted Shopkeeper Chen's braised pork, Tian Peng's standards for gourmet food had risen. Compared to these dishes, even the simplest color seemed trashy, let alone the flavor.
Besides, what else could the Dragon Palace have but a variety of seafood?
Isn't the cuisine of Chaos Residence much more tantalizing to have tomorrow morning?
"Marshal, for your role in resolving our crisis, our Dragon Palace must show our gratitude!"
As the drinking continued, Ao Ming became completely inebriated, waved his hand grandly, exuding an air of arrogance, and said as if he were very wealthy, "As long as it's within the power of the Dragon Palace of the South Sea, we will agree to any request from the Marshal!"
Although Ao Ming was drunk, the promise he made was not foolish. From today's deeds of Tian Peng, it was clear that his words matched his abilities, and that he was a capable member of the Immortal Clans.
It was a perfect opportunity to form ties. For their Dragon Clan, it couldn't be better, after all, among the Four Seas Dragon Clan, the only powerful ones on the surface were the Four Dragon Kings.
Apart from their eldest brother who was at the peak of Golden Immortal, they were only at the middle stage.
Tian Peng, as a Taiyi Golden Immortal, was already a strong figure.
Tian Peng's eyes rolled as he drank another cup.
"I do have some troubles," he said.
"But speak your mind, Marshal!" The Dragon King of the South Sea patted his chest, signaling his wealth.
"I would like a hundred or eighty Golden Immortal-level magical treasures," Tian Peng opened with a lion's mouth demand, going straight to the point.
Ao Ming was immediately dumbfounded, sobered up quite a bit on the spot.
Immediately, Ao Ming's old face tightened, "No!"
Did he really think the treasures of the Dragon Palace were cabbages, to be sold by weight, and in such large quantities at that?
"If not a hundred, seventy or eighty will do!" Tian Peng continued, "Your Dragon Palace has a vast and great business with innumerable treasures; can't you even satisfy this modest request of mine?"
"But... but Golden Immortal Magical Treasures are extremely rare!" The Dragon King of the South Sea almost wanted to cry, for their heritage couldn't compare with that of the East Sea.
Had he known earlier, he wouldn't have drunk so much and pretended to be so cool.
"Then ten, there must be ten, right?" Tian Peng pretended to snort coldly, "If there's not even that, then I must have misjudged you."
"There are, Marshal, just a moment!" The South Sea Dragon King sighed deeply, a look of sorrow on his face, and took the Turtle Chancellor to the treasure vault of the Dragon Palace.
He would consider this disaster as a costly way to avoid a calamity.
After a good while, the South Sea Dragon King came shuffling over, presenting the treasures reluctantly.
"Marshal, these are some of the finest Golden Immortal Magical Treasures in our Dragon Palace!" The South Sea Dragon King put on a sycophantic smile, perhaps out of guilt.
Tian Peng rolled his eyes, as if saying "As if I'd believe you," but he wasn't one to reject them!
After all, the Crystal Ball at Chaos Residence said a single Golden Immortal level Magical Treasure could cover the cost of a meal, without specifying the rank.
With a grand wave of his hand, he accepted them all, regardless of Ao Ming's pained expression.
"Come on, let's drink!" Having gotten what he wanted, Tian Peng started laughing and joking again, merrily clinking cups.
Yet how could the South Sea Dragon King, who had suddenly lost ten Golden Immortal Magical Treasures, feel happy? After drinking for a short while longer, he excused himself to rest.
He arranged a place for Tian Peng to rest.
The next morning, Tian Peng took his leave in a hurry, flying toward Mountain of Mind and Heart.
When the first rays of the morning sun shone upon the earth, naturally, it had to be accompanied by a meal from Chaos Residence to be perfect.
Upon reaching his destination, Tian Peng, hovering in the air, wore a look of surprise.
This Chaos Residence was strange, seemingly not small, yet from above, it was completely out of sight — could this be a Formation?
Tian Peng was startled and quickly descended the mountain.
He walked in the same direction as the day before and after a short while, he saw Chaos Residence again. This time, he was going to have another plate of braised pork!
While eating braised pork, he pushed the door open and said, "Shopkeeper Chen, I'm back!"
However, there was no response.
How strange, Tian Peng thought, scratching his head as he walked in, looking at the same arrangement as the day before.
"Shopkeeper Chen?!"
Tian Peng called out again, still no answer. Then he glanced at the stairs to the loft — could the shopkeeper be sleeping?
Instead of waiting patiently, Tian Peng began to look around the inn.
It seemed ordinary at first glance, but was actually elegantly simple but not simplistic.
Tian Peng thought to himself.
The day before, he had clearly used his mana, and yet even the table before him hadn't been damaged, not even a scratch left behind.
However, no matter how he looked, the material seemed to be just ordinary wood; there was surely more than met the eye.
Curious, Tian Peng headed toward the back door, giving it a gentle push, only to be stunned by the scene in front of him.
Peach blossoms were blooming everywhere, and the garden was full of peach trees of different sizes. Some were covered with flowers, others bore peaches. Gazing at the lush and juicy Flat Peaches enveloped in Immortal Qi on the trees.
Tian Peng's eyes bulged, and his mouth hung open.
Innate Spirit Root Flat Peach Trees, all nine thousand years old, and an entire grove of them! This couldn't be a dream, could it!