Chapter 1841: with translation of chapter title

What value can protecting such a waste bring to the Elder?

You...................

Ye Zhangqing spoke with an indifferent expression, his tone as if stating an utterly ordinary fact.

Hearing this, Ma Qiankun was taken aback, his deep gaze fixed on Ye Zhangqing, not knowing what he was thinking; instead, this Zhao family youth clenched his teeth and squeezed out a hoarse sentence.

What did you say?

Ye Zhangqing still ignored him, not even glancing at him, merely locking eyes with Ma Qiankun.

Their gazes met, and Ma Qiankun spoke first, his tone no longer as icy as before.

What do you mean by that?

I say my value is far greater than his; Elder, rather than favoring this waste, you'd be better off siding with me.

Ye Zhangqing spoke bluntly, and upon hearing this, Ma Qiankun not only did not get angry, but instead wore an interested smile and said.

Your words make it seem as if I've misjudged, but since you're so confident, then prove it to me.

Ma Qiankun grew curious about the confidence Ye Zhangqing displayed.

To be frank, the Zhao family poses no threat to the Cooking King Immortal City; even the Guo family is no match for it.

The Cooking King Immortal City's position is awkward, compared to the Pill King Immortal City and the Artifact King Immortal City.

Though they are special occupations among cultivators, Immortal Chefs simply cannot compare to Pill Masters and Artifact Masters.

Yet the overall strength of the Cooking King Immortal City still barely ranks among the top powers of the Immortal Realm, far surpassing the Guo family.

Strength and weakness depend on whom you compare with; so if Ye Zhangqing can demonstrate sufficient value, abandoning this Zhao family youth is no difficulty.

Of course, the premise is that Ye Zhangqing must possess that value; otherwise it's all empty talk.

As for what happens to this Zhao family youth in the end, Ma Qiankun hasn't given it a thought; even if he were killed, what could the Zhao family do?

Seeing Ma Qiankun relent, Ye Zhangqing also showed a faint smile and casually tossed that Zhao family youth onto the ground like trash.

Freed from restraint, the Zhao family youth's face flushed red, and he immediately rose to shout angrily.

Ant, what are you saying, what status do you have, you're not even worthy to be with me...............

Filthy mouth.

The Zhao family youth was completely enraged by Ye Zhangqing's attitude, but Ye Zhangqing simply couldn't be bothered to waste words on him.

With a casual wave, he slapped the youth, sending him flying, then turned to Ma Qiankun and said.

Elder Ma, do you think culinary talent is less or more important than being a direct descendant of the Zhao family?

That depends on the level of talent.

Ma Qiankun was not surprised by Ye Zhangqing's words.

After all, in his view, Ye Zhangqing's family background obviously cannot compare to that of the Zhao family youth.

Since family background cannot be compared, the only thing left is to compare oneself, and that boils down to just a few aspects.

And being in the Cooking King Immortal City, culinary talent is certainly the most important.

Then I am willing to spar with him.

Ant, you're courting death...............

Fine, this old man agrees.

Shīzūn...............

Seeing Ye Zhangqing actually dare to take the initiative to challenge him, the Zhao family youth was furious, his anger flaring.

Before he could say more, Ma Qiankun directly nodded his agreement, and even when the Zhao family youth called him, Ma Qiankun didn't even glance at him.

Originally, among the formal disciples, this Zhao family youth was like a transparent person; if Ye Zhangqing truly had sufficient culinary talent, discarding him would be of no consequence.

As Ma Qiankun's words fell, the match was thus decided.

Seeing the situation develop to this point, everyone present wore expressions of anticipation.

No one expected that among these disciples, such a figure would suddenly appear.

A group of formal disciples had already retreated to the side of the courtyard, gathered together, curiously sizing up Ye Zhangqing and whispering.

This kid is somewhat interesting.

He seems to have some confidence; otherwise he wouldn't be so self-assured.

It's also Zhao Qinglin's fault for being useless.

Exactly, he only bullies registered disciples; a complete waste.

Toward Ye Zhangqing, many formal disciples felt curious, but toward that Zhao family youth, namely Zhao Qinglin, many felt contempt.

With Ma Qiankun's approval, the match naturally proceeded smoothly.

Zhao Qinglin, even if he wanted to refuse, could not.

Gritting his teeth, Zhao Qinglin accepted Ye Zhangqing's challenge; both stepped up to the adjacent stoves, and Zhao Qinglin coldly looked at Ye Zhangqing and said.

Ant, once you lose the match, I'll make you regret coming into this world; by then you'll wish to die but won't be able to.

I will satisfy your demand.

Upon hearing that, Ye Zhangqing gave him an indifferent glance and spoke softly.

Again such a gaze; facing Ye Zhangqing's response, Zhao Qinglin felt his teeth itch with anger, this feeling of being ignored almost made his fury erupt uncontrollably.

Let's begin.

As they spoke, Ma Qiankun, already seated on the steps before the courtyard, slowly said.

Their contest followed the rules of the Cooking King Immortal City; the first round compared basic skills.

Including ingredient preparation, knife work, and so on.

These are things even a restaurant's assistant cook must learn, exactly the most basic requirement of a Spirit Chef.

Zhao Qinglin was already very familiar with the contest rules, and after hearing the explanation from a formal disciple, Ye Zhangqing also knew them.

Immediately, two formal disciples, upon Ma Qiankun's indication, took from the storeroom two stalks of identical ingredients.

"This thing is called Honeycomb Spirit Lotus Root; its interior contains many holes invisible to the naked eye, and it also contains deadly poison."

"Although it is delicious, if any hole is not cleaned thoroughly, the toxin cannot be completely removed, making it extremely difficult to handle."

"The first round of the competition is this Honeycomb Spirit Lotus Root; let's begin."

Place the two Honeycomb Spirit Lotus Root stalks, almost identical in size, onto Ye Zhangqing and Zhao Qinglin's respective stoves.

After a brief introduction, the two formal disciples voluntarily stepped aside and returned to the crowd.

Together with the others, they whispered discussions while keeping an eye on the developments.

"Zhao Qinglin has handled this Honeycomb Spirit Lotus Root before; although his speed was a bit slower, there should be no problem, so now we just wait to see what this Ye can do."

"Well, true ability can be seen at a glance; if even this Honeycomb Spirit Lotus Root cannot be handled, there's no need to continue the competition."

"Not bad; if that's really the case, it's purely a waste of time, and this person will probably vanish from the human world."

"I heard that this Ye is from the Guo family, and moreover an outsider surname; wanting to survive, it seems we can only rely on our own abilities."

"If this culinary talent fails to move Shīzūn, then the consequences..................."

The formal disciples each voiced their own opinions, but this first round of handling the Honeycomb Spirit Lotus Root is undoubtedly a touchstone for Ye Zhangqing.

If even this level cannot be passed, then there's no need to continue the subsequent competition.