Chapter 1849: Strange Master-Disciple Relationship

Hearing Ma Qiankun's words, Ye Zhangqing did not answer immediately, but waited for him to continue.

After a brief pause, Ma Qiankun continued speaking.

"I indeed have the intention to take you as my disciple, and I must do so."

"To be frank, the competition within Cooking King Immortal City is considerable, and while I consider my culinary skill not inferior to other Elders, my disciples leave much to be desired."

"And your culinary skill displayed yesterday was not bad................"

Rather, there was no concealment; he frankly laid out his current situation and the reasons he valued Ye Zhangqing.

Upon hearing Ma Qiankun's words, Ye Zhangqing found them genuinely pleasing.

After all, his sincerity toward you naturally warms the heart.

However, regarding becoming a disciple, Ye Zhangqing truly had no such intention; after a moment's hesitation, he still spoke frankly.

"Senior's kindness, I am honored, but as for taking on a disciple...................."

However, before Ye Zhangqing could finish, Ma Qiankun interrupted.

"So I just said, you have no intention of becoming a disciple; then let's do this—I won't require you to treat me as a disciple would."

"Let's make a deal."

"Huh???"

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhangqing, unsure of Ma Qiankun's meaning, looked at him dubiously; under Ye Zhangqing's gaze, Ma Qiankun explained.

"Externally we must still address each other as master and disciple; there's no way around it."

"Privately, you need not treat me as a disciple treats a master; we can make a deal."

"Within Cooking King Immortal City, wherever you need help, I will do my utmost to assist you, including cultivation in culinary arts; if you wish to learn, I can also teach you."

"And you, within Cooking King Immortal City, when I have need, shall act as my disciple to represent me and strive for victory—how does that sound?"

Ma Qiankun was straightforward, beating around the bush none, and laid out his words plainly.

To this, Ye Zhangqing naturally liked it; compared to beating around the bush, such directness is better.

Having laid out the matter, spoken openly, whether it can be accepted is another matter.

Moreover, the so-called deal proposed by Ma Qiankun holds no disadvantage for Ye Zhangqing.

As one of the Elders of Cooking King Immortal City, with Ma Qiankun's patronage, Ye Zhangqing's life in the city will surely be much more comfortable.

As for facing the disciples of other Elders, one must still strive to win as much as possible; Ye Zhangqing fears this not at all.

Among the younger generation, in culinary competition, Ye Zhangqing is confident he will not lose to anyone.

Therefore, without much deliberation, Ye Zhangqing nodded in agreement.

"Junior will follow the senior's arrangement."

"Good."

Seeing this, Ma Qiankun smiled and nodded.

Although he did not take Ye Zhangqing as a disciple, his goal was essentially achieved—their master-disciple relationship is somewhat odd.

However, this is no great matter for Ma Qiankun; after all, his aim is merely to have a disciple to advance his own interests.

Previously there was no one capable of shouldering the burden, but now there is.

As for these "trivial details," there's no need to quibble—whether genuine or nominal master-disciple, each taking what they need suffices.

Anyway, Old Ma is still in his prime, albeit over six thousand seven hundred years old, still the age to make one's mark; he is not in a hurry to find someone to inherit his mantle, so whether he takes on disciples or not makes no difference.

However, yesterday's contest was merely basic culinary skill; Ma Qiankun now wishes to truly test Ye Zhangqing's mettle to see how far his culinary ability extends.

Thus, after finishing the discussion on the master-disciple matter, Ma Qiankun shifted the topic to culinary arts.

"Do you know the teachings of the Culinary Dao?"

"Please, senior, instruct me."

Ye Zhangqing did not act arrogantly; instead, he humbly sought advice from Ma Qiankun, who, upon hearing this, smiled slightly and proceeded to speak on his own.

"Culinary Dao, Alchemy Dao, Weapon Forging, Formations, Talisman Seals—these are special occupations among cultivators, and they are closely related to cultivator practice."

"However, among these many special occupations, only the Culinary Dao has ties to the mundane world."

"Among cultivators there are spirit chefs and immortal chefs, while among mortals there are also ordinary chefs."

"Conversely, Alchemy and Weapon Forging do not exist in the mundane world."

"The greatest difference between spirit chefs and ordinary chefs lies not in flavor but in efficacy."

"Once one reaches the level of spirit chef, the food they produce possesses various efficacies."

"This stems from both the ingredients and the spirit chef's own culinary skill, among other factors."

Ma Qiankun expounded on the knowledge of the Culinary Dao at a leisurely pace.

One must admit, in the Immortal Realm, the inheritance and system of Culinary Dao and Alchemy Dao are far more comprehensive than in Zhu Tian Wan Jie.

Nearly every aspect has been perfected to the utmost.

This is the gap in inheritance; Zhu Tian Wan Jie lacks such detailed transmission and explanation for the Culinary Dao.

Having briefly outlined the Culinary Dao's knowledge, Ma Qiankun finally revealed his ultimate purpose in summoning Ye Zhangqing today.

"What I just said were the basics of the Culinary Dao; although your match yesterday against Zhao Qinglin was a dominant victory from start to finish,"

"but yesterday's contest was solely basic Culinary Dao; although you performed commendably, what I will need from you in the future is not merely these fundamentals."

"Therefore, today you must also show a hand, so I can see your overall culinary skill and what level you have reached."

Upon hearing Ma Qiankun's words, Ye Zhangqing hesitated not and immediately nodded in agreement.

"I will obey the senior's orders."

Seeing Ye Zhangqing answer so straightforwardly, this actually brightened Ma Qiankun's eyes.

Such confidence indicates that Ye Zhangqing has faith in his culinary skill, which is naturally good news for Ma Qiankun.

If he truly can meet his expectations, then Ye Zhangqing could directly serve him; fortunately, ten days later the city's elite gathering will commence, perhaps this.....................

Ma Qiankun felt somewhat secretly excited, but now was not the time to draw a conclusion; at the very least he had to wait until he could personally see just how skilled Ye Zhangqing's cooking was, before he could make an accurate estimate.

He was somewhat impatient to have Ye Zhangqing come with him to the kitchen right away.

He personally stood beside him, watching Ye Zhangqing prepare a few dishes to see his skill level.

Ye Zhangqing had no objection to that.

Afterward, under Ma Qiankun's guidance, the two went one after the other directly to the courtyard where he lived.

Here there was the best stove, as well as various utensils and ingredients, all provided by Ma Qiankun, in order to let Ye Zhangqing display his highest level and see what he could achieve.

Of course, the dishes to be prepared were decided by Ma Qiankun, and he only ordered three dishes, but these three dishes were all highly difficult, belonging to the type specially used to test a spirit chef's cooking skill.

To prepare these three dishes well, the difficulty is not low for a spirit chef.