Chapter 1853: I, Old Ma, Will Also Strive This Time

What, you're not even asking to be born on the same year, month, day anymore? Hearing Ma Qiankun's words, Ye Zhangqing didn't dare let him finish, and immediately interrupted.

If I let him keep talking, I'm afraid I won't have many good days left.

The corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably; hearing that, Ma Qiankun was also taken aback, then laughed.

"Haha, I didn't mean that."

Ma Qiankun was indeed shocked by Ye Zhangqing's cooking skills; this kid repeatedly exceeded his imagination.

His cooking level was so astonishing it left him stunned; even among the younger generation of Cooking King Immortal City, he was absolutely top-tier.

Therefore, the conditions previously agreed upon with Ye Zhangqing, Ma Qiankun himself felt were somewhat unsuitable.

Ye Zhangqing is definitely capable of becoming an Immortal Chef, and in the future he might even surpass him.

Forming a good relationship with such a person now is naturally beneficial with no drawbacks.

Moreover, right now Ye Zhangqing can bring him many benefits, so Ma Qiankun, delighted, said those earlier words.

But Ye Zhangqing had no idea about this matter at all.

Just stick to the earlier agreement, and besides, I won't be at a loss.

In response, Ma Qiankun smiled and nodded in agreement.

In front of outsiders, they still addressed each other as master and disciple.

After finishing the meal with lingering satisfaction, they immediately went to the courtyard; Ma Qiankun's residence, compared to Ye Zhangqing's, was obviously much better.

The courtyard had Formation, spiritual plants, and jade-tiled floors—everything was complete.

Compared to Ma Qiankun's courtyard, Ye Zhangqing's small residence was practically a bare shell.

He personally brewed a cup of tea for Ye Zhangqing; this tea was Ma Qiankun's cherished spiritual tea, which he usually wouldn't even drink himself, being stingy, but today he was generous.

At the same time, he also took the initiative to ask.

"I'll arrange for someone to get you a new place to live."

"Thank you, senior, but there's no need to trouble yourself; I'm not too concerned about these things."

Faced with Ma Qiankun's goodwill, Ye Zhangqing didn't hesitate much and directly refused.

As for these aspects, Ye Zhangqing indeed doesn't care, and his current small residence is already sufficient.

The environment is also tranquil, and Ye Zhangqing is fairly satisfied.

Moreover, if he suddenly changed residences, others noticing would only disturb his tranquility.

By then, many would likely wonder what had happened between him and Ma Qiankun, and why he was suddenly valued so highly.

Ye Zhangqing didn't want to get needlessly embroiled in trouble.

At this point, he just wanted to stay peacefully in Cooking King Immortal City for a year, then leave when the city reconnects with the Immortal Realm.

Seeing Ye Zhangqing refuse, Ma Qiankun didn't mind, and they chatted a bit more afterward.

Before leaving, Ma Qiankun specially gave Ye Zhangqing several Chúyì manuals.

They included knife techniques, fire control arts, and so on.

These are all Immortal Realm Chúyì manuals, which don't exist in Zhu Tian Wan Jie; Ye Zhangqing didn't refuse them either.

Looking at them more and learning some techniques is naturally harmless, gathering the strengths of many schools.

He successfully passed Ma Qiankun's test, and even exceeded the requirements.

Without exaggeration, Ma Qiankun will definitely protect Ye Zhangqing now.

Including Zhao Qinglin, Ma Qiankun had just asked about him.

"Zhao Qinglin, do you want me to take care of him?"

"No need to trouble yourself, senior."

However, Ye Zhangqing didn't want it; Zhao Qinglin is just one person, not worth making such a fuss over, and Ye Zhangqing didn't even regard him.

If he wanted to kill him, he could do it anytime; why bother enlisting Ma Qiankun's help?

As for that, Ma Qiankun didn't dwell on it either.

Ye Zhangqing directly returned to his residence, didn't see Huang Chong, and guessed he had gone out.

He also didn't mind, after all he didn't consider Huang Chong his servant; wherever Huang Chong wanted to go and whatever he wanted to do, Ye Zhangqing naturally wouldn't restrict him.

Taking out the Tǎng yǐ that had always followed him from his Space Ring, he leaned back and resumed his laid-back life.

Meanwhile, after Ye Zhangqing left, Ma Qiankun's mood was also excellent.

Just thinking of having Ye Zhangqing, he could finally hold his head high, and the benefits he had lost before could also be gradually regained.

Ma Qiankun felt a surge of refreshment.

Just as Ma Qiankun was secretly pleased, an elder strode into the courtyard.

"You old coot, what happy event happened? You can't even keep the corners of your mouth down."

"None of your business."

Hearing that, Ma Qiankun looked at the visitor and said unhappily.

This elder, like Ma Qiankun, is one of the Elders of Cooking King Immortal City; moreover, they get along well and often gather privately.

So the elder's visit to Ma Qiankun's place was also quite casual.

He sat down opposite Ma Qiankun without ceremony, glanced at the tea cup in front of him, the elder was startled, then spoke strangely.

"What day is today, you iron rooster, still able to pluck feathers?"

Watching Ma Qiankun drink the spiritual tea he usually wouldn't even touch, the elder found it increasingly strange—what good day is today?

But Ma Qiankun didn't answer; instead he asked the elder why he had come.

Faced with Ma Qiankun's inquiry, the elder then stated his purpose for coming.

"The immortal city has obtained a pure-blooded golden phoenix; the city lord has already said, following the old rules, I knew you definitely haven't paid attention to this."

"However, this pure-blooded golden phoenix is no ordinary ingredient; it's extremely precious, I think you should still try to obtain it."

Hearing the words 'pure-blood golden phoenix', Ma Qiankun was first stunned, then a bright light burst from his eyes.

In Cooking King Immortal City there is an unwritten rule: for those extremely top-tier, rare ingredients, whenever they appear, if the various Grand Elders want them, they must obtain them through competition.

The competition method is also simple: each selects a disciple to compare Chúyì.

After all, if the Grand Elders acted personally it would somewhat harm harmony; letting disciples act in their place is most appropriate.

Previously, Ma Qiankun had no disciple worth presenting under him, so whenever encountering these top-tier ingredients, he could only sigh in envy.

Watching the other Elders fiercely competing there, while he himself had long been kicked out.

Over time, he simply stopped paying attention to these matters—out of sight, out of mind.

Anyway, even if he paid attention, what could it do? It has nothing to do with him; what can be done about his disobedient, unpromising disciple?

But now it's different; having just encountered Ye Zhangqing, Ma Qiankun's confidence is bursting, and he will surely vie for it.

Moreover, this pure-blood phoenix is extremely tempting; even in Cooking King Immortal City, it seems pure-blood phoenix ingredients have not appeared for several hundred years.

This thing is worth a city, rare to encounter and impossible to seek; Ma Qiankun certainly could not give it up.