Ninth In the World

“Who gave us these 10 Sunset Peaches?” Cen Fa suppressed his anger with great difficulty and tried his best to speak in a more amicable tone.

Ye Hang hurriedly replied, “City Lord Wang Xie of the Jia Zhou City, Your Majesty.”

Cen Fa coldly looked at Wang Xie, who was prostrated on the floor. “I really did not know that Jia Zhou City was so poor. It seems that you have been suffering in Jia Zhou City…”

Wang Xie was alarmed upon hearing this and hastily explained, “Your Majesty, the reason I offered up 10 Sunset Peaches is because these peaches are different from other Sunset Peaches. They are real and taste refreshingly delicious. Just one bite will make you feel invigorated…”

Cen Fa guffawed, his murderous look growing more intense. “I have never seen Sunset Peaches like these before. If that is the case, bring them over. I want to know how different these Sunset Peaches are.”

Ye Hang quickly carried a jade plate over and offered it up.

There was a jade cover on the plate. Ye Hang, who was carrying the jade plate, stopped a short distance away from Cen Fa and lifted the cover.

A faint fragrance wafted in the air, drawing everyone’s gaze to the jade plate. Most people’s mouths were hanging open.

They had seen many Sunset Peaches before. The origin of this name stemmed from the red tinge the peach attained, much like the beautiful lingering glory of the setting sun, when it ripened.

Although it looked good, it did not taste good. It was sour and bitter. This was a fruit that the poor would eat.

However, the Sunset Peach before them looked exactly like the sunset. Rather than having a tinge of red color, the entire peach seemed to be bathed by the setting sun, as though the sunset was manifested on the peach itself.

Purely looking at this peach was a form of enjoyment itself. The faint fragrance it exuded permeated the entire hall, its scent brightening people’s mood.

“A Spirit Peach!” exclaimed Nai Yisheng, who was sitting beside Cen Fa. He suddenly stood up, took a step forward, and snatched the jade plate from Ye Hang’s hands.

“State Teacher, is this Sunset Peach truly a Spirit Peach?” Cen Fa was similarly shocked by the appearance of this Sunset Peach. However, he found it hard to believe that the Sunset Peach was a Spirit Peach.

Nai Yisheng’s excitement stayed the same as he took one peach and popped it into his mouth.

Anyone who dared consume the offered items in front of the emperor would be put to death. However, Nai Yisheng was the Chang Yuan Empire’s State Teacher so he could do something like that.

Nai Yisheng quickly finished eating the peach, consuming the seed as well. Then, he closed his eyes. A long moment passed before he let out a long breath and opened his eyes.

“How is it, State Teacher?” asked Cen Fa urgently.

Nai Yisheng replied in a slightly trembling voice, “This is a Spirit Peach. Its level is very high as well. This peach is extremely beneficial to me, as it can raise my strength to a greater height.”

“State Teacher, can I have one?” Cen Fa could not help but ask.

All along, Cen Fa had believed that he’d led a comfortable life. The State Teacher would handle everything, so Cen Fa did not need to worry about anything. This was the life he wanted to lead. Nai Yisheng was someone who did everything to help him govern the empire yet was not interested in gaining power. Therefore, Cen Fa still held all the power in the entire Chang Yuan Empire.

Today, however, Cen Fa suddenly felt displeased about his position as the emperor. He should be the one to enjoy good stuff like this. Now that the State Teacher had eaten a peach, he still needed to ask him if he could eat one.

Nai Yisheng struggled internally, as this was truly beneficial to him.

However, the Chang Yuan Empire’s emperor was asking. Nai Yisheng could not forcibly take possession of all the Sunset Peaches.

“You can eat them if you want, Your Majesty,” replied Nai Yisheng with a smile as he suppressed his true thoughts.

“Alright.” Cen Fa, who was not an idiot, understood what Nai Yisheng was implying. After all, this was something that had been offered to him and technically belonged to him. However, Nai Yisheng had only said that he could eat them if he wanted.

Cen Fa would not say anything over a few peaches. He picked up a Sunset Peach and bit into it without letting his servants wipe it clean first.

Gentle Spirit Qi instantly inseminated his entire body, causing Cen Fa to open his eyes wide in disbelief. As the emperor of an empire, he had consumed a lot of good stuff before. However, that should be the first time he consumed true quality items. There was no bitterness, and the peach’s refreshing Spirit Qi and fragrance made him realize that this was what a true fruit was.

The peach was quickly devoured by Cen Fa. The Spirit Qi filled his body, reducing his fatigue.

These were definitely top-notch quality items. Cen Fa subconsciously reached for a second one.

Nai Yisheng intercepted Cen Fa’s hand and said, “Your Majesty, eating the peach this way would not bring you the best benefits. I suggest that we refine this peach into elixir pills so that we can benefit the most from it.”

Cen Fa was no fool. He knew very well that he would definitely never be able to consume these elixir pills after Nai Yisheng took the peaches away. These peaches should be very important to Nai Yisheng for him to do something like that.

For as long as they’d known each other, Nai Yisheng had always respected his opinion. This was the first time something like this had happened.

These peaches were indeed good stuff, but Cen Fa would not start a fight with Nai Yisheng because of the fruits. He knew how frightening Nai Yisheng could be. Nai Yisheng had been helping him govern the Chang Yuan Empire so that he could be worry-free. He would most likely not be able to sleep should Nai Yisheng move against him.

He would be kidding himself if he thought that he could take on Nai Yisheng now.

With that thought in mind, Cen Fa laughed. “Alright, thank you for your hard work, State Teacher.”

After he said that, Cen Fa looked at Wang Xie and announced with a bright smile, “You have done a great service this time, Wang Xie. Therefore, Jia Zhou City will be upgraded to become a nation. You shall be the first king of the Jia Zhou Nation.”

Wang Xie hastily knelt on the floor, excited that he had finally succeeded. As expected, the Sunset Peach had helped him obtain more than his heart’s desire.

“Wang Xie, where did this Sunset Peach come from? Do you have more?” This question was what he wanted to ask the most. The reward was a mere formality.

Nai Yisheng anxiously stared at Wang Xie as well, for he too wanted to know if there were more Sunset Peaches. If there were indeed, then his cultivation would most likely improve…

No, that was not right! Nai Yisheng’s heart skipped a beat as he grew increasingly excited.

He had been previously shocked by the appearance of the Sunset Peach and had therefore forgotten what its appearance signified. There was most likely a spirit meridian present, for only then would the Sunset Peach grow there.

Why had he stayed and even helped the Chang Yuan Empire? Because the Spirit Qi of the Chang Yuan Empire was denser than the Spirit Qi anywhere else. Besides, Cen Fa of the Chang Yuan Empire could help him find various spiritual objects.

He would definitely not miss out on a place where the Sunset Peach grew.

“Your Majesty, that place is called Jia He Town. It was originally a desolate place, but its greenery suddenly started flourishing. Some wildlife likes to roam around the town. Now, the fruits growing there are very delicious. When I discovered this, the Sunset Peach was already off-season and there were only 10 left, which I have offered to you, Your Majesty,” replied Wang Xie respectfully.

“Jia He Town?” Cen Fa repeated.

Before he could say anything else, Nai Yisheng, who had remained standing, hastily bowed and said, “This is not a small matter, Your Majesty. I intend to head over there personally. If there is indeed such a treasure land, I will definitely build an imperial temporary palace for you so that you can escape the summer heat there.”