Chapter 1973: He stepped out, supporting his waist

As the food and wine were served, Ye Zhangqing smiled, just about to raise his cup, but looking around, at this moment there was no one else looking at him.

Yun Xiantai, Hong Zun, Qi Xiong—everyone lowered their heads, each like a starving ghost reborn.

The food on that plate was disappearing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Each one turned into a gaping abyss.

Especially at Hong Zun's table, Xu Jie and Zhao Zhengping had just reached for their chopsticks when, in the next second, Hong Zun directly suppressed them with his own aura.

Seeing this, Xu Jie angrily shouted.

Shīzūn, what are you doing?

You say what I'm doing? Unfilial disciple, you've already eaten before, can't you make way for your master?

When have I ever eaten?

Still dare to argue? When did you come to the Immortal Realm?

I............... we haven't eaten many meals.

They indeed arrived in the Immortal Realm earlier than Hong Zun by a stretch of time, but the problem is they hadn't stayed long together with Ye Zhangqing.

Afterward, Ye Zhangqing just muddled his way into this Cooking King Immortal City.

This separation had been a whole year; Xu Jie and the others had stayed at the Guo family for a year, never once seeing Ye Zhangqing, let alone sharing a meal.

They were full of grievances, but Hong Zun didn't care about these.

How long had it been since they last saw Ye Zhangqing? Their longing flooded like a deluge; to say they thought of him day and night is no exaggeration.

After waiting so many years just for this bite, how could they let others snatch it away?

They were truly starving, eyes red all around, especially the Immortal Beast ingredients from the Immortal Realm—Ye Zhangqing also generously brought them out today.

It was mainly Zhang Xiaohai who sent them, and Ye Zhangqing naturally accepted with a smile.

The Immortal Beast ingredients were delicious; Yun Xiantai and the others were tasting them for the first time, almost swallowing their tongues.

Watching Yun Xiantai and their 'hearty' eating style, likewise invited—no, actually it should be said they were uninvited guests—Zhang Xiaohai, Bai Yuan and the others stared dumbfounded for a moment.

One Deputy City Lord even whispered a line.

Good grief, what a barbaric, wild place is this little Ye's hometown, it makes people hungry just to look at it.

Alright, the Xia Jie after all has limited conditions; it's normal to be a bit harsh.

But it couldn't be this harsh, could it? Could it be that even spiritual fruits can't grow?

Watching Yun Xiantai and their eating manner, Bai Yuan and the others already conjured a desolate scene in their minds.

That was a desolate world where no grass grew, and people struggled hard in this realm.

Forget delicacies; just being able to survive is already good.

Those harsh conditions—just thinking about them made several people shiver involuntarily.

Originally, Ye Zhangqing had prepared a generous amount of dishes, which logically should have been enough to eat.

But no sooner had the dishes been served than, in less than half a Shíchén, Yun Xiantai and the others had eaten them clean.

Even everyone still felt somewhat unsatisfied.

Having finished their own table, according to everyone's nature, they naturally turned their attention to the other tables.

And the only table still with food left was that of Zhang Xiaohai, Bai Yuan and company.

Hong Zun, Lin Potian, Qin ShanHai—everyone's gaze had long been locked onto that table of food.

Saliva couldn't help but flow.

As Senior Brother Qi Xiong, he couldn't even keep his buttocks on the chair; his feet already tensed, ready to launch himself forward like a spring.

But just as Qi Xiong was about to act, Yun Xiantai beside him darkened his face and, displeased, sent a mental shout.

Unfilial disciple, what are you trying to do?

Huh???

Suddenly being angrily rebuked via mental transmission by Yun Xiantai, Qi Xiong startled, then turned his head to look at Shīzūn and replied doubtfully.

Just eating, Shīzūn, what's wrong?

Sit down, you're embarrassing yourself—those are Immortal Realm fellow cultivators; how can you be so rude?

Huh???

When did Shīzūn become so versed in etiquette? Normally, at this time he should be raising his arms and shouting, then we disciples would follow closely, charging forward, sweeping away the food like a whirlwind, eating that table, right?

Why all of a sudden do we have to talk about etiquette now?

Qi Xiong looked at Yun Xiantai with a doubtful expression, facing Hong Zun's gaze; Yun Xiantai, displeased, said.

Idiot, we've just arrived; if we lack even a bit of etiquette, won't the Immortal Realm cultivators look down on us?

Losing your own face is trivial; losing Ye Zhangqing's face means you deserve ten thousand deaths.

Hearing this, Qi Xiong finally understood; that was the reason.

He then forcibly restrained himself; after all, we're already in the Immortal Realm, there will be plenty to eat later, no need to rush.

Back when we were at Dao Yi Shengdi, didn't Shīzūn often say good food doesn't fear being late?

For that, we've waited these years already; waiting a bit longer is no problem.

Besides, we just ate, didn't we?

But did we eat? Why don't I feel it?

Everyone clearly ate a lot, yet still felt no satisfaction at all.

Finally, Ye Zhangqing returned to the dormitory; today it seems there's no chance to sit down and have a drink.

After the banquet, Yun Xiantai and the others did nothing but eat—nothing else.

And as the banquet ended, the impression Yun Xiantai and the others left on Zhang Xiaohai, Bai Yuan and company was just one thing.

That's miserable, truly miserable, Ye Zhangqing's hometown is really...... sigh, hard to put into words.

It's also made this kid suffer, being born in such a desolate Xia Jie.

Although this Xia Jie simply cannot be compared to the Immortal Realm, it's not that bad.

All that can be said is that Ye Zhangqing's hometown is likely extremely harsh among the Xia Jie.

Such a world is simply not fit for living beings to survive.

Tenacious life is admirable.

Sympathy arose unbidden in his heart, and Zhang Xiaohuai even said to Bai Yuan and the others:

Even if it's not out of consideration for Ye Zhangqing, we should still treat them better in the future; they're all poor souls.

Understood, City Lord.

This time, Bai Yuan and his two companions rarely refuted Zhang Xiaohuai, because they thought the same.

On Yun Xiantai, Bai Yuan and his two companions saw the tenacity and indomitability of life, which is admirable.

Everyone naturally didn't know what Zhang Xiaohuai and the others were thinking; after eating and drinking their fill, they each went back to their rooms to rest.

Satisfied, today really was satisfying; each of them was grinning from ear to ear.

Ye Zhangqing naturally also returned to his room with Bai Hua Xianzi and the other girls.

As the saying goes, a brief separation is better than a new wedding; this night was destined to be sleepless, and Ye Zhangqing also exerted all his abilities.

Unfortunately, two fists can't match four hands; even though he had gritted his teeth, when Ye Zhangqing walked out of his room the next day, he still had to support his waist.

My waist hurts.

Upon seeing Ye Zhangqing walk out holding his waist, Wu Zhong hurried forward and asked with concern.

Senior Brother, what's wrong?

It's fine, I was tired last night.

Tired? Did something go wrong with your cultivation? I'll have someone take a look.

No need, I can handle it myself.

Senior Brother, if something goes wrong with cultivation, you can't be careless; I still think I should have someone look, lest you leave a hidden ailment that will cause more trouble later.

Wu Zhong obviously doesn't understand these things; all these years he's just been busy being a sycophant, and he doesn't know anything, and he hasn't even managed to suck up to anyone.