Chapter 174

Even offering money doesn't work; Zhāng Tiānzhèn frowned, but after thinking, Hong Zun is what status? A mere ten top-grade spirit stones probably still not worth his attention.

But since he doesn't even value ten top-grade spirit stones, what about other disciples? He refuses to believe that ten top-grade spirit stones can't even buy a bowl of ordinary cafeteria food.

Immediately, Zhāng Tiānzhèn walked up to an Inner Door Disciple who was serving himself food, smiling.

"Little brother, I'll give you ten top-grade spirit stones if you let me have this bowl of food, how about it?"

Saying this, he also shook the sparkling spirit stones in his hand.

But that disciple completely ignored him, simply finishing his meal and leaving.

Another setback, Zhāng Tiānzhèn gritted his teeth—this Inner Door Disciple is also that wealthy? Fine, since the Inner Door Disciple won't work, let's try an Outer Door Disciple.

Coincidentally, the next person is an Outer Door Disciple.

"Little brother, I'll buy you a bowl of food for ten top-grade spirit stones."

"Sorry, peak regulations state that only Divine Sword Peak disciples may eat the cafeteria food."

Again refused—what's going on with Divine Sword Peak? Ten top-grade spirit stones can't even buy a bowl of food?

Fine, I don't believe a Menial Disciple would be the same.

After asking several people, Zhāng Tiānzhèn, refusing to give up, finally encountered a Menial Disciple, approached with a smile—this time it should work, right?

"Little brother................."

But who would have thought that as soon as he opened his mouth, before he could finish speaking, the other party directly tossed out a leather bag and said calmly.

"These are twenty top-grade spirit stones, Peak Master Zhang—don't talk to me, and I'm not selling."

Holy crap, seeing that bag of spirit stones, Zhāng Tiānzhèn froze on the spot—what does this mean? Twenty top-grade spirit stones just to get me to shut up?

Is this humiliating me?

After Zhāng Tiānzhèn came to his senses, that Menial Disciple was already holding a big bowl, eating heartily, making this old guy involuntarily gulp.

"Here, look at you pitiful—there's still one shrimp left; let you have a taste."

Just then, Hong Zun walked over holding a bowl, with only the last large shrimp left inside.

Just hearing those words and seeing the sole shrimp left in the bowl, Zhāng Tiānzhèn shouted angrily.

"Hong Zun, are you humiliating me?"

What kind of person is Zhāng Tiānzhèn? One of the few ninth-rank formation masters in Dongzhou—make him eat leftovers? Normally, those who wish to befriend him are countless; when they invite him to eat, it's either spiritual fruits or immortal wine.

But with Hong Zun, all there is is the shrimp he left behind?

However, Zhāng Tiānzhèn's anger caused the surrounding disciples to stare in shock—Zhao Zhengping, Xu Jie, Liu Shuang, and several others looked toward Hong Zun in utter disbelief.

"Master, what's wrong with you today? You're actually willing to give away an entire large shrimp."

"I'll check if the sun today is rising from the west."

It's no wonder they're so surprised—after all, that's a whole large shrimp, not just a shell, but a meaty large shrimp.

For the master to actually let someone else eat it is outrageous; normally he wouldn't even give away the shrimp meat, let alone the shell, and wouldn't even let others smell its flavor.

Such a stingy old man, today he's being unusually generous—something's off.

The disciples knew that Hong Zun giving up that shrimp was utterly outrageous, and facing Zhāng Tiānzhèn's dissatisfaction, Hong Zun also replied with a disdainful pout.

"Eat it if you like, don't if you don't."

Saying that, he was about to put it into his own mouth; seeing this, smelling the aroma in the air, Zhāng Tiānzhèn panicked.

"No, no, no—I'll eat it, I'll eat it."

He grabbed Hong Zun's arm in one motion, but all he got in return was Hong Zun's contempt.

"Just now you said you wouldn't eat it?"

"Hehe, Old Brother Hong, I was just joking."

"Pathetic, take it."

He handed over both the bowl and the chopsticks together to Zhāng Tiānzhèn.

"Remember to wash the bowl."

Before he could even feel happy, Hong Zun directly threw out another sentence, leaving Zhāng Tiānzhèn stunned again.

Damn it, I'm the esteemed Peak Master—having to eat leftovers is bad enough, but now I have to wash the bowl after eating?

However, as the shrimp's aroma kept rushing straight into his nostrils, Zhāng Tiānzhèn forcibly endured it.

He picked up the large shrimp and placed it in his mouth; the five Elders of the Ten Thousand Formations Peak beside him looked on with envy.

The moment the shrimp entered his mouth, Zhāng Tiānzhèn's eyes lit up.

"This flavor..............."

"What's wrong, Peak Master? Is the flavor not good?"

He ignored them, completely immersed in this never-before-tasted delicacy; moreover, this shrimp not only tastes delicious but also aids cultivators in their Xiūliàn, its efficacy almost comparable to a third-grade elixir.

However, for someone like Zhāng Tiānzhèn, a sage, a third-grade elixir is naturally insignificant; what truly matters to him is still the flavor.

Delicious, flawless, unforgettable, supremely domineering.

In short, it's so delicious that one can't find words to describe the shrimp's flavor.

He chewed it carefully, and in the end Zhāng Tiānzhèn swallowed both shrimp and shell whole.

Watching this, the five Elders beside him stared agape—"Isn't this Peak Master eating the shrimp without spitting out the shell?"

Not far away, watching Zhāng Tiānzhèn's intoxicated appearance, Qing Shi finished his last bite, gave Hong Zun a thumbs-up, and smiled.

"Impressive, impressive—one shrimp is enough to control a ninth-rank formation master."

Hong Zun responded by pursing his lips.

"If it weren't for the fact that he's still somewhat useful, dreaming of eating my shrimp—go ahead and dream."

From Zhāng Tiānzhèn's appearance it's easy to see—he's already been controlled by Hong Zun.

As expected, the next second Zhāng Tiānzhèn quickly walked over, saying excitedly.

Old brother Hong, this shrimp... this shrimp...

What's wrong? Not tasty? The canteen food is just like this, Peak Master Zhang, being a ninth-rank Formation Master, naturally isn't used to these...

No, it's delicious! I, old man, have never eaten such delicious food. Having abstained from grains for many years, I never imagined there would still be such delicacy in the world.

Seeing Zhāng Tiānzhèn jumping with excitement, Hong Zun smiled faintly. The fish has taken the bait, hasn't it? Only this bait is too expensive, making Hong Zun feel a pang of heartache.

That was a whole, complete large shrimp, alas, what a pity, what a pity.

As long as Peak Master Zhang likes it, then please Peak Master Zhang promptly handle the Formation matter.

Fine, fine, but from now on this eating...

Upon getting to the point, what Hong Zun had been waiting for was exactly this sentence; seeing his expression change, he spoke with utmost seriousness.

This won't do; the canteen supplies the Shénjiàn Fēng Dìzǐ. Peak Master Zhang, you are not a member of our Divine Sword Peak, so naturally you cannot eat. Well, Peak Master Zhang, you should still consider the Formation matter more; eating is just a trivial matter, whether you eat or not makes no difference to you.

How could there be no difference? The difference is huge...

Seeing Hong Zun finish speaking and turn to leave, Zhāng Tiānzhèn panicked, hurriedly chasing after him.

Before, it was indeed fine whether you ate it or not, but as the saying goes, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, hard to go from extravagance to frugality; having tasted such worldly delicacy, if I can't eat it in the future, how could that be acceptable?

Must eat, no matter what, I must have this bowl of rice. Seeing Zhāng Tiānzhèn chasing after Hong Zun as they leave, the five Elders of Wan Zhen Peak exchanged glances, is this really that exaggerated? After all, it's just a large shrimp.