Chapter 1417

Jueshi said somewhat excitedly, there's no way, many of Ye Zhangqing's cooking techniques are things he has never seen before; for someone who regards cooking as life, this is naturally irresistible.

However, regarding this, Ye Zhangqing's answer remains the same, which is disappointing.

「Thank you for your kindness, senior, but one does not receive reward without merit; I, the junior, have no need of it。」

He refused; upon hearing this, Jueshi was left speechless this time.

Not far away, seeing Jueshi's expression of utter dejection, Elder Lin and Elder Zhang helplessly shook their heads.

「Yun Dao brother, what are you doing...... 」

Ye Zhangqing's performance was seen by the two, and in an instant they guessed the purpose behind everyone's doing this.

Isn't it just to force Jueshi to comply and join them in dealing with the Medicine King Pavilion?

As for this, Yun Xiantai smiled.

「We are also left with no choice; besides, cooperation benefits both, and it's good for all of us。」

They said they were coming to attend the banquet; originally, Elder Lin and Elder Zhang had still been looking forward to it a bit.

But who would have thought that Yun Xiantai and the others were waiting here; it seems today's meal might not be so tasty after all.

Indeed, that is indeed the case; this meal really isn't very tasty.

Thereafter, no matter what Jueshi said, Ye Zhangqing paid no attention, simply appearing focused on cooking.

And the more Jueshi looked, the more his heart itched.

Especially as dish after dish came out of the pot, that tempting aroma truly left Jueshi's heart in turmoil; in any case, it was far from pleasant.

Finally, after the table full of food was ready, everyone took their seats one after another, and Jueshi wore a complex expression.

Yet he forced himself to pick up a chopstickful of vegetables and put it in his mouth; after just a single bite, Jueshi's eyes widened.

「This flavor............... 」

Elder Lin and Elder Zhang could see what Yun Xiantai and the others were thinking, and Jueshi naturally could see it as well.

Therefore, after offering such favorable conditions just now, Ye Zhangqing still refused.

Even if Jueshi felt increasingly distressed and torn inside, he still did not speak up explicitly, nor did he indicate any willingness to join forces.

After all, in Jueshi's view, this little thing was not enough to make him turn hostile toward the Medicine King Pavilion.

The strength of the Medicine King Pavilion stands as it is; moreover, the cooperation between Food is Heaven and the Medicine King Pavilion is considerable; many pills are purchased from the Medicine King Pavilion.

Simply put, in Jueshi's mind, this little thing is not worth his turning Food is Heaven against the Medicine King Pavilion.

But now, after personally tasting Ye Zhangqing's Chúyì, Jueshi was utterly astonished.

He couldn't help but think incredulously, "How could this be a flavor that a Saint-level Spirit Chef could produce?"

He didn't believe a single word of what Elder Lin had said earlier.

Could the dishes of a Saint-level Spirit Chef possibly taste better than those of an Emperor-level Spirit Chef? That's outright ridiculous.

But now, Jueshi himself cannot help but admit that Ye Zhangqing's Chúyì is indeed superior to his own.

He cannot make such delicious food himself, yet why does this brat possess such Chúyì?

Moreover, at his age, did he learn to cook while still in his mother's womb? A chosen one?

His mind was filled with countless thoughts, yet at the same time he fell into indecision.

Ye Zhangqing's Chúyì surpassed his imagination, leaving him with countless questions he wanted to ask; with such Chúyì, if he could have a heart-to-heart conversation with Ye Zhangqing, the benefit to him would undoubtedly be enormous.

But now, the other party's attitude is clear: they refuse to join forces against the Medicine King Pavilion, so there's nothing to discuss; asking would yield no answer.

On one side is his long-cherished Chúyì; on the other side is the powerful Medicine King Pavilion.

Jueshi fell into indecision.

However, his speed of eating dry rice was unaffected; holding his bowl, his pace was no slower than Yun Xiantai's.

Moreover, during the meal, Jueshi had no inclination to chat idly with Yun Xiantai and the others; even when they offered a toast, he silently drank it down.

Ultimately, should he join forces with Yun Xiantai and the others to jointly deal with the Medicine King Pavilion?

After finishing the meal, Jueshi still had not found an answer.

Beside him, Elder Lin and Elder Zhang, seeing him so torn, also said nothing; this matter could only be decided by Jueshi himself.

Likewise, Yun Xiantai and the others did not urge him; now that things have come to this, it all depends on Jueshi's decision.

It comes down to which side he chooses, whether he considers Ye Zhangqing more important than the Medicine King Pavilion.

After the meal, everyone drank tea and chatted casually, but Jueshi remained silent throughout; however, his gaze repeatedly fell upon Ye Zhangqing as he chatted idly with Qiu Baiyi and the four women.

His look was full of longing; one didn't know what he was thinking.

It wasn't until just before dinner that Jueshi finally turned his gaze to Yun Xiantai and spoke.

「Brother Yun Dao, you have won; I agree to join forces and jointly deal with the Medicine King Pavilion。」

As soon as these words were spoken, Yun Xiantai broke into a grin.

「Then thank you, Fellow Daoist Jueshi。」

「Each takes what they need。」

In the end, Jueshi still chose Ye Zhangqing; he valued Chúyì too highly, for which he had striven all his life, traveling to many places across Zhu Tian Wan Jie.

Only now did he break through to the Emperor-level Spirit Chef realm.

Having made his choice, Jueshi naturally regarded him as one of his own; that very night, Ye Zhangqing engaged him in discussion.

The topic naturally revolved around Chúyì; after Ye Zhangqing expounded some of his ideas, Jueshi became even more astonished.

As it turned out, Chúyì could be like this.

Of course, what Ye Zhangqing said were merely superficial things; the truly crucial core issues, even with reminders from Xu Jie and Yun Xiantai, were not spoken.

One must always keep a trump card; after all, the Medicine King Pavilion has not yet been resolved—if they laid bare all their secrets at the outset, and Jueshi later had second thoughts, what would they do?

Therefore, the true core matters must wait until after the Medicine King Pavilion is settled before being discussed.

Regarding this, Jueshi also understood perfectly well, but he was not in a hurry; progressing from shallow to deep was fine.

Besides, just the things Ye Zhangqing said tonight alone are already enough for him to digest properly.

They chatted until deep into the night, and only then did Jueshi, still feeling unsatisfied, take his leave and depart.

In the following days, whenever he had time, Jueshi would come to see Ye Zhangqing, and the old and young would sit and discuss the Dao.

From Ye Zhangqing, Jueshi gained a great deal of new knowledge; these things seemed to open a door to a new world for him.

It made him feel suddenly enlightened.

Time passed day by day, and on this day, outside the Food Realm, countless Star Battleships of the Medicine King Pavilion finally arrived.

On the lead Star Battleship stood the Medicine King Pavilion Master Yao Yunfeng, side by side with the Grand Elder, on the deck.

The Grand Elder looked toward the Food Realm before him, killing intent fully visible in his eyes.

This time he would avenge his son, refining Yun Xiantai and the others entirely into Blood Pills.

Even if they wished to die, it would be impossible for these people to die so easily.

Whoever dared to kill his son must make them pay the price.

But Yao Yunfeng's expression remained calm; he glanced at the Food Realm and, without turning back, asked the person behind him.

"How much longer will Feng Ming Offering and Bai Xianer Offering take to arrive?"