Chapter 14

Hong Zun, Lu Youyou, Liu Shuang can't snatch it away; others have higher cultivation, there's nothing we can do.

But right now, all are Menial Disciples, nobody fears anyone; a group of people, for those few scraps of leftover food, scramble until dark.

"Junior Brother, no more words, ten Body Tempering Pills."

"Senior Brother, last year when you went down the mountain and encountered a demonic beast, it was the Junior Brother who brought people to rescue you; this lifesaving grace, today is the time to repay it."

"Wait till I finish eating, then take this life."

"Don't throw away the bowl, let me lick a bite."

"Still want to lick? It's already been licked clean by someone."

In the end, even the bowl was licked until it shone like polished tile, cleaner than washed; anyone standing in front could use it as a mirror.

After a meal, many disciples were still unsatisfied; the reason was simply the addition of Hong Zun, this old man who lacks martial virtue.

Not to mention using cultivation to perform movement techniques and martial skills; he also eats more than anyone present, no one can match him.

After taking a comfortable sip of wine, facing the gaze of many Menial Disciples, Hong Zun laughed and said.

"You all still lack tempering; although the Sect's rules can protect you, you cannot rely on them entirely."

"Just like eating, the first bowl requires everyone to line up; that's equivalent to giving you the most basic protection, so you won't go hungry."

"But if you still want to eat more, you can only rely on your own ability."

If you don't diligently cultivate on ordinary days, not to mention eating, you can't even keep up with hot excrement.

Hong Zun's long-winded reasoning was sound and logical; the many Menial Disciples simply couldn't find a chance to refute.

"Alright, alright, scram; if you want more, you must contend with strength—cultivation resources are like that, and so is food; otherwise you'll only have the fate of one bowl."

Many disciples left, and soon only Hong Zun, Lu Youyou, Liu Shuang, and Ye Zhangqing remained in the courtyard.

Looking at Ye Zhangqing, Hong Zun wore a smile; "This kid is a treasure, a pity his talent is too low."

Nevertheless, Hong Zun still laughed and said.

"Kid, you're not bad; would you be interested in taking me as your master? Although your talent is a bit low, piling up pills could still get you to Golden Core Stage, and you wouldn't have to remain a Menial Disciple."

Hong Zun genuinely appreciated Ye Zhangqing's cooking skills, so he made an exception to take him as a disciple; thereafter Ye Zhangqing need do nothing but cook for him.

Faced with the favor of a Peak Master, anyone else would surely accept without hesitation, but Ye Zhangqing directly refused without even thinking.

"Thank you, Peak Master, but this kid's talent is low; I know I'm not worthy of the status of Inner Disciple."

He refused politely; after all, the person is a Peak Master, even if lacking proper conduct, one must still give face.

Upon hearing this, Hong Zun seemed to have expected it all along and wasn't too disappointed.

"I can tell you're arrogant and high-spirited, unlike other Menial Disciples; the old man wanted to bind you to his side, making you a dedicated cook, but you wouldn't agree, and indeed you didn't."

"If you're unwilling, then be it; if anything happens later, just find my two disciples."

Hong Zun is indeed a bachelor, and he doesn't hide his thoughts.

Smiling, he rose to speak; as he was leaving, he also tossed a bottle of pills to Ye Zhangqing.

"This is a fifth-grade pill, the Cocoon-Breaking Pill, which can raise cultivation."

Pills are divided into nine grades; a fifth-grade pill is already priceless, let alone a special pill that can enhance talent—it's even more so.

Unexpectedly, Hong Zun was so generous; Ye Zhangqing bowed his hands in thanks.

"Thanks for nothing; just consider it the old man's apology for earlier, I have some ulterior motives, kid, don't blame me."

Hong Zun was referring to the matter of taking Ye Zhangqing as a disciple.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Hong Zun and his two disciples left; he's actually a decent person, and Ye Zhangqing doesn't dislike this Peak Master.

Closing the courtyard gate, the system notification sounded, and immediately the personal panel opened.

【Host: Ye Zhangqing.】

【Identity: Menial Disciple of the Dao Yi Sect.】

【Cultivation: Body Tempering Realm Perfected (3/300)】

【Reputation: Obscure and unknown.】

【Talent: Lower grade, upper level (45/100)】

【Physique: Middle grade, lower level (16/1000)】

【Comprehension: Upper grade, middle level (98/100000)】

【Stir-fried meat approval rating 100/100, reward new dish Mapo Tofu, 0/100】

Also obtained a new dish, cultivation also broke through to Body Tempering Realm Perfected, strength increased considerably again.

At night, Ye Zhangqing took the Cocoon-Breaking Pill given by Hong Zun; as expected, his talent leapt from Lower grade, upper level to Middle grade, lower level.

Thus, Ye Zhangqing's talent and physique have both reached the middle grade.

After trying cultivation, the speed is at least five times faster than before; this is the benefit of increased talent and physique.

After half a Shíchén of arduous training, he then took a medicinal bath, ate a few Body Tempering Pills, and Ye Zhangqing gradually entered a reverie.

Currently there is absolutely no shortage of cultivation resources; Ye Zhangqing is almost eating Body Tempering Pills like candy, having two when idle, and they taste good.

The night passed in silence; the next morning upon rising, opening the courtyard gate again revealed many disciples gathered there.

Only three more people were in the crowd, namely Hong Zun and his companions.

For breakfast they ate stewed noodles; Hong Zun, trying it for the first time, almost bit his own tongue.

"Kid, you're not bad; there's something to you, and the flavor of these noodles is also superb."

Praising without cease as he left, Hong Zun had completely fallen in love with Ye Zhangqing's cooking; at the same time he made the same decision in his heart as Lu Youyou and Liu Shuang, and even specially instructed two disciples.

"Don't tell anyone about Zhangqing kid's affairs."

"Master, rest assured, the disciple knows."

After breakfast ended, Ye Zhangqing glanced at the meager remaining supplies; the kitchen's consumption over this period can be said to have surged greatly.

Meat, vegetables, rice, noodles—these are almost all gone; we must replenish a batch.

All the way to the Outer Sect Steward's Hall, he found Qian Youcai, the steward in charge of managing the kitchen.

"Steward Qian."

"Zhangqing, what's wrong?"

Seeing Ye Zhangqing, Steward Qian smiled and said.

"The kitchen ingredients are all used up; we need to bring in another batch."

Ye Zhangqing is merely a menial disciple without the authority to purchase ingredients; whenever the kitchen needs to restock, he must find Steward Qian, get a slip approved here, and then go procure the supplies.

Upon hearing this, Steward Qian sounded a bit puzzled.

"The last procurement was only half a month ago, it seems."

Usually, few disciples go to the kitchen to eat, so each time the kitchen stocks up, it takes at least over a month.

But now, only half a month has passed and we need to restock again; Qian Youcai finds this strange.

"I'm telling you, kid, take it easy—some things you just can't do. If the Law Enforcement Hall people catch you, nobody can protect you."

Seeming to guess something, Qian Youcai said with a worried expression, fearing that Ye Zhangqing might lose hope and do something petty like chicken‑theft‑dog‑stealing, which would be a loss not worth the gain—this would be ruining his own future.