Chapter 1869

Zhang Wuyue here had made thorough preparations, and moreover, Lin Longkun's final attitude also clearly acquiesced to this matter.

Seeing Lin Longkun off, a hint of gloom flashed in Zhang Wuyue's eyes.

Even now, he still did not truly regard Ye Zhangqing as an opponent.

In Zhang Wuyue's view, a newcomer who nobody knows where he came from, even if he has some ability and became the Senior Brother of Heaven-Earth Fire Hall, what could that change?

What is Heaven-Earth Fire Hall in Cooking King Immortal City? It is the universally acknowledged place where disciples are the weakest.

Ma Qiankun is a decent Elder, but his disciples are another story.

Even in Cooking King Immortal City, many people privately say that Ma Qiankun's own strength is fine; among the Elders, he could easily rank in the top three.

But he simply does not teach his disciples at all.

Therefore, even though Ye Zhangqing became the chief senior disciple of Heaven-Earth Fire Hall, Zhang Wuyue did not take him seriously at all.

What is there to fear about a fire hall's chief senior disciple who has always just been a soy-sauce role?

Zhang Wuyue had not the slightest worry, while on the other hand, on the way back to Heaven-Earth Fire Hall, all the disciples following behind Ye Zhangqing were full of anxiety.

Some formal disciples even plucked up their courage and said.

Senior Brother, you shouldn't have agreed to that of Zhang Wuyue.

Yeah, that Zhang Wuyue surely has some tricks up his sleeve; who knows what nasty scheme he's hiding.

All the disciples were worried about Ye Zhangqing, but he himself was completely at ease.

Since things have come to this point, they must be resolved; besides, given my nature, I don't like having someone constantly scheming against me behind my back.

As the old saying goes, 'Don't fear the thief stealing, fear the thief eyeing you.' Since it's come to this, aside from thoroughly settling the matter, what other options are there?

Along the way, one could feel countless pairs of eyes, with various expressions, sizing oneself up.

However, no one actually stepped forward to provoke trouble, and Ye Zhangqing couldn't be bothered to care.

Having returned safely to Heaven-Earth Fire Hall, just as he stepped inside, a steward stopped him, saying Ma Qiankun was looking for him.

Ye Zhangqing followed the steward to Ma Qiankun's residence; upon entering the courtyard, he saw Ma Qiankun sitting with a somewhat grim expression.

Upon seeing Ye Zhangqing arrive, Ma Qiankun immediately put on a solemn face and said.

How could you agree to that?

This clearly means that Ye Zhangqing had previously agreed to a bet with Zhang Qiankun, and it was a life-or-death wager.

Hearing that, Ye Zhangqing said with a calm expression.

Things always need to be settled, right?

You... sigh, the Deputy City Lord previously sent me a message; even if I wanted to intervene, it's impossible now.

He did not conceal the fact that the Deputy City Lord had sent a sound transmission.

Originally, from Ma Qiankun's standpoint, he would absolutely never agree to this.

Even if Ye Zhangqing agreed, he would unhesitatingly step forward to block it.

But now, the Deputy City Lord has already taken notice of this matter, and having spoken beforehand, Ma Qiankun has no recourse.

As for the Deputy City Lord's thoughts, Ma Qiankun can still guess some of them.

However, Ma Qiankun, after all being one of the Elders of Cooking King Immortal City, has to some extent realized the crux of the problem and Zhang Wuyue's hidden move.

Having come to this point, Ma Qiankun did not overly blame Ye Zhangqing; instead, he patted the stool beside him, gesturing for Ye Zhangqing to sit.

After Ye Zhangqing sat down as instructed, Ma Qiankun then spoke in a low voice.

I know you don't fear Zhang Wuyue, but the problem now lies not with him, but with you.

Your foundation in Cooking King Immortal City is too strong; when you go to the Cooking King Hall, with me not there, you won't be facing just Zhang Wuyue.

As the saying goes, ginger is spicier with age; Ma Qiankun is indeed old and wise, having already guessed Zhang Wuyue's thoughts in such a short time.

Ma Qiankun has never personally witnessed Ye Zhangqing's strength.

But he and Zhang Wuyue are both Emperor Sovereign Realm cultivators; in a one-on-one situation, it would be difficult for Zhang Wuyue to take his life.

Moreover, once it reaches a stalemate, the variables become too many.

Leaving aside distant matters, Ma Qiankun himself has enough time and sufficient reason to step forward and forcibly protect Ye Zhangqing.

Unless Ye Zhangqing faces not just Zhang Wuyue alone, which is also the most likely scenario.

It must be said, Ma Qiankun has truly seen through Zhang Wuyue.

Having laid out his suspicions in detail to Ye Zhangqing, Ma Qiankun finally spoke.

Zhang Wuyue has been in Cooking King Immortal City for many years, and has been the chief senior disciple of Dragon Kun Fire Hall for many years; his foundation in the city is something you can never match.

Cooking King Immortal City has so many fire halls; you don't know a single one, whereas Zhang Wuyue is on good terms with many chief senior disciples.

When the time comes inside the Cooking King Hall, if you win, Zhang Wuyue will join forces with others to attack you; how will you respond then?

The chief senior disciples of the major fire halls all have cultivation no lower than Emperor Sovereign Realm.

Ma Qiankun spoke without exaggeration.

Although spirit chefs are not adept at combat, as chief senior disciples of the various fire halls, they are truly Heavenly Pride incarnate.

Placed among other powers in the Immortal Realm, they are in no way inferior to humans.

The Emperor Sovereign Realm is entirely the threshold for those chief senior disciples.

Moreover, their combat prowess is beyond doubt; they are absolutely not weak.

Ye Zhangqing can handle Zhang Wuyue alone, but can he deal with several chief senior disciples?

In Ma Qiankun's view, it's difficult, as difficult as climbing to heaven.

The most aggravating part is that once one enters the Cooking King Hall and the contest begins, outsiders have no way to intervene.

Even if Ma Qiankun wanted to help in a short time, he simply has no opportunity.

Unless Ye Zhangqing can drag the fight into a stalemate where neither side can gain the upper hand.

To take on multiple opponents is possible, but wanting to achieve that is extremely difficult.

He told Ye Zhangqing, in full detail, all the hidden dangers and killing intent contained therein.

After his words fell, Ma Qiankun didn't wait for Ye Zhangqing to speak and kept talking on his own.

"You brat, never mind, things have come to this; I'll think of a way to help you—maybe we can win over some chief disciples to stand with you, and perhaps then we can still cope."

Ye Zhangqing had just arrived at Cooking King Immortal City; he had no influence in the city, so Ma Qiankun had to step forward himself.

He naturally had some Elders he was on good terms with, and he only hoped that through their connections with the older generation, the younger disciples could lend Ye Zhangqing a hand when they were in Cooking King Hall.

At the very least, we need to buy some time.

Having said that, Ma Qiankun rose at once, instructed Ye Zhangqing not to run around anymore, and told him to stay in Heaven-Earth Fire Hall until the contest began; as for other matters, he would take care of them.

Immediately, under Ye Zhangqing's gaze, Ma Qiankun stepped into the void and disappeared in the courtyard.

It seems he went to visit the other Elders of Cooking King Immortal City to win over companions for Ye Zhangqing.

For Ye Zhangqing's sake, Ma Qiankun had indeed exhausted his efforts.