Translator: 549690339
Chatting along the way, Sister Nong Yu, graceful as a snake, hurriedly led the group to a spacious area, where a large crowd had already surrounded three cooking stoves in the center.
The stoves were equipped with everything necessary for cooking. Three people were already prepared beside the stoves, and what surprised Yang Zhen was that one of them was a young girl, who looked like she was only in her teens.
The two brawny men on either side looked at the little girl in the middle with a sneering expression, their hands moving deftly as they handled various spiritual materials, preparing them just right.
Stretching his neck to look inside with a curious face, Yang Zhen was shocked to see Little Ling, who seemed to be quite anxious. Upon noticing Yang Zhen, Little Lingâs countenance brightened, and she began to look for something near him.
Seeing the state Little Ling was in, Yang Zhen lifted up a downcast Lu Benwei, who was standing by his side, and exchanged glances with Little Ling.
Lu Benwei shrunk his neck, gave an awkward smile, and said, âYang, are we really up for this? I mean, we have no idea about spiritual meals or their ingredients. Is this going to end up being an embarrassment?â
Yang Zhen frowned at Lu Benwei and retorted, âAlready chickening out before itâs even started. Is this how you repay Little Lingâs hard work on our behalf?â
Lu Benwei cast a glancing look at Little Ling, whose face was flushed, and gritted his teeth, âBut, the thing is, I just donât know how to prepare a Spiritual
Meal.â
Yang Zhen patted Lu Benweiâs shoulder and said, âJust do as I say, and I promise, youâll end up as a proud utility cook.
âWhat?â Lu Benweiâs eyes lit up, he asked in surprise, âYang, do you know how to prepare a Spiritual Meal?â
Yang Zhen scoffed and said, âDo you think itâs just knowing how to? In our village, Iâm renowned as the âgod of foodâ!â
âGod⦠god of food?â Lu Benwei looked at Yang Zhen in disbelief, wavering whether to trust him or not.
At this moment, there was a commotion in the crowd, and a group of people, all dressed in exquisite clothes and an arrogant demeanor and surprisingly, all of them were women, entered from the gate.
The crowd split aside to make way for them, bowing respectfully. When they entered, someone immediately brought stools for them to sit on.
Once seated, the woman leading the group spoke up, âThe three of you are the best Rogue Practitioners in preparing spiritual meals around here. Today, if you pass the assessment, you will be qualified to enter the Spiritual Studies Palaceâs kitchen. Remember, this is a great opportunity for you, and perhaps your only one. Grasp it well!â
Upon hearing her words, the crowd surrounding them gasped in surprise and showed envious expressions.
Lu Benwei looked up, and suddenly exclaimed, âItâs her. I didnât expect her to
be here, too.â
Yang Zhen turned to look and saw Lu Benwei staring at the little girl in the middle preparing the spiritual materials, and asked, surprised, âDo you know her?â
Lu Benwei chuckled bitterly and said, âMore than just know; Iâd wager thereâs not a single Rogue Practitioner nearby who doesnât know her. Yang, if someone is to choose assistants, donât go to her side, whatever you do.â âWhy?â wondered Yang Zhen, âDoesnât the little girl possess any strength?â Lu Benwei replied with a smirk, âItâs not about possessing strength, but rather having too much. The spiritual meals she prepares can fetch high prices. I d say she probably has no shortage of spirit stones among all the Rogue Practitioners in the Spiritual Studies Mountain Range. Howeverâ¦â
He paused and continued grimly, âSheâs a loner and constantly tries to innovate. The more important the spiritual meals are, the more she wants to experiment. If it wasnât for this habit, she wouldâve become a Spiritual Meal Master of Spiritual Studies Palace by now.â
At this point, Yang Zhen found something to be amused about and looked at the little girl again. No wonder the two burly men were looking at the girl as if they couldnât contain their excitement.
Suddenly, a palace disciple from the group began speaking, âIf there are no objections, are there any among you who would like to try being a Spiritual Meal assistant?â
About ten people stepped forward from the surrounding crowd. They split into two groups, each with four to five people, choosing either of the two burly men. Lu Benwei chose the burly man on the left and was frantically waving at Yang Zhen to join him.
Seeing this scene, the female disciples from the Spiritual Studies Palace frowned and asked sternly addressing the lone girl in the middle, âIsnât anyone willing to assist her?â
The crowd exchanged glances and immediately lowered their heads, afraid of being singled out.
The female disciple from the Spiritual Studies Palace sniffed disdainfully, about to speak, as the maiden lifted her head and let out a soft giggle, her voice chiming, âI donât need it!â
âDonât need it?â The female disciple was taken aback and said, âThis is no childâs play. The rules in the Spiritual Studies Palaceâs kitchen are plentiful. If you donât complete the spiritual dishes in the given time, you wonât pass the test. Not to mention⦠do you actually plan on making some novel spiritual dishes?â
The maiden bit her lip, nodded, and said, âIâd like to try!
âYouâ¦â The female disciple fell silent then sighed, saying, âAll right, are you sure you donât need an assistant?
As the maiden was about to reply, a strange voice rang out among the crowd, âWell⦠how about I give it a try?â
Yang Zhen walked out from the crowd, swaggered over to the maiden, and greeted her with a big, toothy grin.
âYou?â The maiden looked at Yang Zhen skeptically, asking, âYou only get one chance. If I canât pass the examination, you will also not be able to enter the kitchen. Think carefully.â
Yang Zhen shrugged and said, âI am not bothered, Iâm just here to give it a try anyway!â
The maiden looked at Yang Zhen for a moment, then refocused her attention on the chopping board: âAll right then!
Whooshâ !
Yang Zhenâs action immediately sparked a round of exclamation among the crowd, everyone looking at him with interest.
âWhere did this kid come from, daring to assist Hu Tao.â
âWhy is Hu Tao going this route again? She should just make a regular spiritual dish. This has happened so many times, and none were successful.
âWhat do you know? Hu Tao is trying to break through her own limits. If she succeeds, her mastery of spiritual dishes will take a huge leap forward. She might even become the youngest Spiritual Meal Master on Northern Island.â âThis kid is smiling now, letâs see what his face will look like when heâs fumbling around.â
The crowd gossiped while Hu Tao remained unperturbed. She looked at Yang Zhen and asked, âAre you ready?â
Yang Zhen shook his head, wearing a strange expression and asked, âYouâre not going to tell me what to do?â
Hu Tao turned to Yang Zhen with a radiant smile and said, âJust do as you like.â Yang Zhenâs eyes widened in astonishment: âDo whatever I want?â âYeah, how else would we achieve a breakthrough?â Hu Tao tilted her head to look at Yang Zhen, seemingly not understanding why he looked so shocked. Yang Zhen grabbed the kitchen knife from Hu Taoâs hand, stared at her, and said, âListen, kid, Iâm here to join the Spiritual Studies Palaceâs kitchen, so cut out the nonsense and donât hinder me from getting things done.â
Hu Tao blinked, then rolled up her sleeves, hands on hips, defiantly stood her ground: âBoy, I too am here to join the Spiritual Studies Palaceâs kitchen. If you donât want to be my assistant, you can wait on the sidelines.
âAh-ha?â Yang Zhenâs eyes bulged as he towered over Hu Tao: âWithout a recipe, what sort of spiritual dish are you making? Trying to poison someone?â âPoison someone?â Hu Tao hopped onto a stool, lowered her head to glare at Yang Zhen: âWhoâs the Spiritual Meal Master here, you or I?â
âEh?â
Yang Zhen paused, surprised, and then asked, âCan you do it like this? Youâre right, I, the Sao Saint, am indeed the Spiritual Meal Master. Today, I shall show you, what a true God of Food looks like!
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