Chapter 24

Practiced cultivation for a while, then took a nap for an hour; Qian Youcai at this time finally delivered the ingredients Ye Zhangqing needed.

Since the last time Hong Zun spoke, Qian Youcai, this Outer Door Steward, completely became Ye Zhangqing's subordinate; he didn't need Ye Zhangqing to personally lift a finger for anything—just a word and Qian Youcai would proactively bring it himself.

As for this, Qian Youcai had no complaints either; his thinking was the same as other disciples': Ye Zhangqing only needed to handle cooking, and he didn't need to worry about anything else.

Trouble, Steward Qian.

He brewed a tub of tea, looking at the excellent red-patterned pig's trotters Qian Youcai had brought, Ye Zhangqing said with a smile.

Why stand on ceremony between us? Speaking of which, is there a new dish tonight?

Mm, stew a pig's trotter.

I'll help.

Having heard there would be a new dish to eat in the evening, Qian Youcai's eyes lit up; not having tried it before would be fine to say, but after tasting Ye Zhangqing's cooking at noon, Qian Youcai couldn't forget it.

An Outer Door Steward rushing to help, Ye Zhangqing was helpless; in the end he could only have Qian Youcai chop some firewood.

After washing the pig's trotters clean, Ye Zhangqing began preparation.

Because braised pig's trotters need to be stewed to absorb flavor, which takes a while, Ye Zhangqing started early and got busy.

First he blanched the trotters, boiled them to remove impurities and blood foam, scooped them out, then poured oil into the pot, added rock sugar, and stir-fried over low heat.

Then he added various spices, poured in an appropriate amount of clear water, brought it to a boil over high heat, then reduced to low heat to simmer.

As Ye Zhangqing worked, a fragrance gradually filled the courtyard; Qian Youcai beside him smelled it and drooled.

Smells great.

The fragrance continually stimulated Qian Youcai's nerves, tormenting him immensely.

Changqing Xiazi, that.............

Not yet, wait a moment.

This guy wanted to sneak a bite, but Ye Zhangqing directly refused; regarding this, Qian Youcai, though helpless, could do nothing about it.

All he could do was stare fixedly at the pot constantly giving off aroma, as if looking at some rare treasure.

In the courtyard, Ye Zhangqing lay lazily on a bamboo chair, while Qian Youcai stood guard by the pot, unwilling to step away.

An afternoon's time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was approaching Fàn diǎn.

After checking the time, Ye Zhangqing rose unhurriedly, went to the pot and lifted the lid; instantly, a fragrance many times richer than before burst forth.

Qian Youcai smelled this rich fragrance, his eyes widened.

Next came the final step: reducing the sauce.

On the other side, in the Outer Door Disciple area, because an Elder was giving a lecture today, the hall was packed.

In the past, whenever an Elder gave a lecture, for Outer Door Disciples it was extremely important.

After all, as Outer Door Disciples, such opportunities are rare, and the slots are limited, so everyone values them greatly.

This time was no exception; throughout the afternoon, many Outer Door Disciples listened attentively.

But as time passed, gradually a small portion of the disciples could no longer restrain themselves.

Only saw three futons at the back; three disciples were obviously no longer in the mood to listen, and at that moment they were transmitting sound to each other.

What to do, Fàn diǎn is coming up soon.

Yeah, following those animals' urination nature, if you go late you'll definitely get nothing to eat.

Then what to do, the lecture hasn't ended yet.

You expect to still get food after the lecture ends? You must be dreaming.

Holy crap, less than half a Shíchén left, what to do?

I don't know.

I don't care about you guys; I'm leaving first to grab a good spot.

The three were somewhat anxious; as for the reason, it's simple: Fàn diǎn is coming up soon.

One of the disciples had his mind completely occupied by the noon stir-fried meat and mapo tofu, leaving no room for anything else; without thinking, he quietly slipped out of the hall.

For such an Elder's lecture, normally if you want to leave, no one will say anything; it's up to you to decide.

But before, no disciple had ever left in the middle of a lecture.

Come on, it's already extremely difficult for an Outer Door Disciple to get a chance to listen to the Dao; how could they possibly leave halfway?

But now, there is someone who left right under everyone's noses.

In response, the many disciples present were stunned, all looking at that Outer Door Disciple, thinking this guy couldn't be crazy, could he?

You know, the quota for listening to the Dao requires a huge price to even have a chance to obtain; this guy just said he's leaving and left?

However, before the crowd could think further, two more Outer Door Disciples stood up and followed that disciple out of the hall.

This even made the Elder giving the lecture a bit strange—what's up with these little brats?

Is it because I lectured poorly? Why did they all leave one by one?

The departure of the three disciples left that Elder lacking confidence, after all, such a thing had never happened before.

The atmosphere inside the hall became somewhat strange, but those three disciples were completely unfazed; after leaving the hall, they showed no hesitation, directly employing movement techniques and martial skills, heading straight for the kitchen at the mountain's base.

The three figures chased each other, a flurry of wind and lightning.

At the same time, such a scene appeared all over Divine Sword Peak; on the summit, several streaks of flowing light flashed by, each faster than the last.

Even Menial Disciples were running desperately, risking everything.

At the same time, same place, the army of those coming for dinner arrived on schedule, and Ye Zhangqing in the kitchen had already prepared the evening meal.

People coming from different directions met at the kitchen courtyard gate.

Many disciples locked eyes; for a moment sparks flew, and nobody would back down an inch.

Hmph, watch my Flowing Light Step.

Mere trickery, Cotton Palm.

Holy shit, you made a move?

Someone instantly used a body technique martial art, while someone even more exaggerated directly used a martial art.

Of course, it wasn't an attacking martial skill but a controlling-type martial skill.

Temporarily restraining the opponent's movements, allowing oneself to get a step ahead and seize a good position.

This was also the result of an afternoon of painstaking contemplation; in order to seize a good position, many disciples evolved further.

Seeing someone make a move, others naturally refused to be outdone; for a moment, various martial arts burst forth outside the courtyard.

Outer Door Disciples and Inner Door Disciples went completely berserk, leaving the Menial Disciples pitiful.

They were no match for those Outer Door and Inner Door Disciples; the Menial Disciples could only stand aside and watch.

Watch my Cotton Palm.

I dodge.

Want to leave? Have you asked me? Absolute Hand, I suck.

Golden Bell Shield.

Inch Step.

Using various methods, everyone blocked the entrance, all wanting to be the first to enter, but just then several figures flashed past—turns out they were Lu Youyou, Xu Jie, and Liu Shuang, three Inner Disciples, who had arrived.

Oh no, it's Senior Brother Xu and them.

An Inner Door Disciple recognized the three's identities; hearing that, many disciples fixed their gazes on the three, and the next second someone shouted.

Attack together, stop them.