Chapter 2831

Upon hearing the Celestial Official's words, Ye Zhangqing was utterly bewildered—when did he ever take on a disciple?

Translation: Upon hearing the words of this Celestial Official, Ye Zhangqing was completely bewildered—when did he ever have a disciple?

Upon hearing the words of this Celestial Official, Ye Zhangqing was completely bewildered—when did he ever have a disciple?

He has never taken on any disciples at all.

Translation: He had never taken on any disciple at all.

Seeing Ye Zhangqing's puzzled expression, the Celestial Official chuckled.

Translation: Seeing Ye Zhangqing's puzzled expression, this Celestial Official laughed and said.

"Did you forget that you once taught the immortal chefs of this city?"

Translation: "Did you forget that you once taught the Immortal Chefs of this city?"

Upon being reminded, Ye Zhangqing recalled the matter; it seemed he had indeed done so, though it was only for a few days.

Translation: After being reminded, Ye Zhangqing recalled the matter; it seemed indeed true, though it had only lasted a few days.

He hadn't actually taught them anything, and even if he had, in such a short time how much could they possibly learn?

Translation: He hadn't taught them anything substantial, and even if he had, in such a short time, how much could they have learned?

Ye Zhangqing gave the Celestial Official a strange look and then spoke softly.

Translation: Looking at this Celestial Official with a strange expression, Ye Zhangqing spoke up slowly.

"I only taught them the basics back then."

Translation: "Back then I only taught them the basics."

"The basics were enough."

Translation: "The basics were enough."

"Huh? Just the basics were enough?"

Translation: "Huh??? Just the basics were enough?"

According to the Celestial Official, after those immortal chefs studied with Ye Zhangqing for a few days, they naturally didn't stay idle.

Translation: According to this Celestial Official, after those Immortal Chefs in the city studied with Ye Zhangqing for a few days, they naturally weren't idle.

Each considered themselves Ye Zhangqing's disciples, of course, but they dared not claim it outright; they only said they were nominal disciples, not yet recognized by the master and thus not truly initiated.

Translation: Each considered themselves Ye Zhangqing's disciple, of course they didn't dare speak nonsense; they only claimed to be nominal disciples, not yet recognized by the master and unable to truly enter the school.

Even so, Ye Zhangqing was left bewildered, wondering when he had ever acquired nominal disciples.

Translation: Even so, Ye Zhangqing was left bewildered, wondering when they had become nominal disciples.

Afterwards, during the period when Ye Zhangqing left and was trapped in the Barbarian God Realm, those immortal chefs in the city each opened their own branches in the Immortal Realm.

Translation: Afterwards, during the period when Ye Zhangqing left and was trapped in the Barbarian God Tribe Divine Realm, these Immortal Chefs in the city each opened their own branches in the Immortal Realm.

Relying on the little they had learned from Ye Zhangqing and the title of nominal disciple, they quickly made a name for themselves in the Immortal Realm.

Translation: Relying on the basics they learned from Ye Zhangqing and the title of nominal disciple, they quickly made a name for themselves in the Immortal Realm.

Originally, the immortal chefs of the Celestial Outer City were already somewhat stronger than those of the Immortal Realm.

Translation: Originally, the Immortal Chefs of the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens were already somewhat stronger than those of the Immortal Realm.

Only the Chef King Immortal City could suppress them a bit.

Translation: Only the Cooking King Immortal City could suppress them a bit.

Now, with Ye Zhangqing's reputation as their master added to the mix, and the food indeed being good, they quickly attracted many customers.

Translation: Now, with Ye Zhangqing's reputation as their master added, and the taste indeed being good, they soon attracted many customers.

Thereafter, rumors spread from somewhere claiming that the taverns of the Celestial Outer City were the true main branch.

Translation: Thereafter, a rumor spread from somewhere claiming that the taverns of the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens were the true main branch.

The immortal chefs inside were the ones who had truly studied under Ye Zhangqing, and their flavor far surpassed that of the Immortal Realm branches.

Translation: The Immortal Chefs inside were the ones who had truly studied under Ye Zhangqing, and their flavor was far superior to that of the Immortal Realm branches.

As the news spread wider and wider, it soon drew many people to the Celestial Outer City.

Translation: As the news spread wider and wider, it soon attracted many people to the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens.

These people came neither for opportunity nor for training, and given that humanity has been in the outer realms for many years, safety within the Celestial Outer City can still be assured.

Translation: These people came neither for opportunity nor for training, and given that the Human Race had been in the Beyond the Heavens for so many years, safety within the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens could still be assured.

Thus, there was nothing to worry about; even if one's cultivation was low, since I wouldn't leave the city, what danger could there be? Naturally, they dared to come.

Translation: Thus, there was naturally no need to worry about rear dangers; even if one's cultivation was low, since I wouldn't leave the city, what danger could there be? Naturally, one would dare to come.

I never expected the matter to ultimately concern me; after hearing the Celestial Official's words, Ye Zhangqing fell silent.

Translation: Who would have thought that in the end the matter would actually concern him; after hearing this Celestial Official's words, Ye Zhangqing fell silent.

I had no idea at all.

Translation: He had no idea at all.

After speaking about Ye Zhangqing, the Celestial Official turned his gaze to Tianlin and Miao Qianqian, his face full of resentment.

Translation: After finishing with Ye Zhangqing, this Celestial Official turned his gaze to Tianlin and Miao Qianqian, his face also full of resentment.

"And you, the Tian clan and the Wu Shen Palace, also contributed greatly."

Translation: "Also, your Heavenly Family and Wushen Palace contributed greatly."

"Huh??"

Translation: "Huh???"

"No, this has nothing to do with us."

Translation: "No, this has nothing to do with us."

Tianlin protested, feeling wronged, saying this person is Ye Zhangqing's disciple and has nothing to do with the Tian clan.

Translation: Tianlin cried out feeling wronged, "This person is Ye Zhangqing's disciple; what relation does he have to your Heavenly Family?"

If the Tian clan had such means, they would have long dominated humanity.

Translation: "If your Heavenly Family had such means, you'd have long since dominated the Human Race."

Facing Tianlin's grievance, the Celestial Official gave a resentful smile.

Translation: Facing Tianlin's grievance, this Celestial Official gave a resentful laugh.

"With so many people able to enter the Celestial Outer City, what do you think the reason is?"

Translation: "With so many people able to enter the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens, what do you think the reason is?"

The spatial passages leading into the Celestial Outer City are only a few, and they are controlled solely by the Tian clan and the Wu Shen Palace.

Translation: "The spatial passages leading into the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens are only a few, and they are firmly controlled by the Heavenly Family and Wushen Palace, these major powers."

Had it not been for the Tian clan and the Wu Shen Palace seizing this opportunity to make a fortune, accepting anyone who paid, these people would never have reached the outer realms.

Translation: "If it weren't for the Heavenly Family and Wushen Palace seizing this opportunity, wanting to make a fortune and accepting anyone who paid, these people could never have reached the Beyond the Heavens."

Know that before the Heavenly Palace ordered the closure of the spatial passages, allowing exit but not entry, the prices of the Tian clan's and Wu Shen Palace's passages had skyrocketed by dozens of times.

Translation: "You should know that, before the Heavenly Palace ordered the closure of the spatial passages, allowing exit but not entry, the prices of the Heavenly Family's and Wushen Palace's passages had skyrocketed by dozens of times."

Each day, relying solely on that one spatial passage, they earned astronomical sums, filling their coffers to overflowing.

Translation: "Each day, relying solely on this one spatial passage, they earned astronomical sums, filling their pockets to overflowing."

These two families have made enough profit, but this has instead brought hardship to these Heavenly Palace powerhouses.

Translation: "These two families have made enough to cover their costs, but this has caused suffering for these Heavenly Palace powerhouses."

With so many people flooding into the Celestial Outer City, lacking control is definitely unacceptable.

Translation: "With so many people flooding into the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens, without regulation it would certainly be impossible."

For a time, it seemed everyone profited—of course the Tian clan and Wu Shen Palace, but also the city's major taverns, other shops, even entertainment venues—all were making a killing.

Translation: "Thus, for a time, it seemed everyone profited—needless to say the Heavenly Family and Wushen Palace, the city's major taverns, even other shops, including places like Gōulán, all made a killing."

Only the Heavenly Palace, overwhelmed by this affair, found its officials practically turning into city patrols.

Translation: "Only the Heavenly Palace, overwhelmed by this affair, found its Heavenly Palace Celestial Officials practically becoming city patrol officers."

Each day, aside from eating, they patrolled the city to maintain order.

Translation: "Every day, aside from eating, they patrolled various parts of the city to maintain order."

Not to mention the tedious, burdensome work—it's exhausting.

Translation: "Not to mention the tedious trivialities, it was exhausting."

Having explained everything with a heart full of resentment, after listening, Ye Zhangqing, Tianlin, and Miao Qianqian were momentarily speechless.

Translation: "Having explained everything with a heart full of resentment, after listening, Ye Zhangqing, Tianlin, and Miao Qianqian were momentarily speechless."

They truly knew nothing about this, yet after hearing the Celestial Official's words, they found no grounds to refute.

Translation: "They truly knew nothing about this matter, yet after hearing this Celestial Official's words, they had no grounds to refute."

After a long silence, Ye Zhangqing was the first to speak.

Translation: "After a long silence, Ye Zhangqing was the first to speak."

"Well then, the Heavenly Palace could simply drive them away—surely no one would dare refuse."

Translation: "If that's the case, the Heavenly Palace could simply drive them away; surely no one would dare refuse."

"If it's too much trouble, why not just expel them and restrict the flow? Isn't that simple enough for the Heavenly Palace to think of?"

Translation: "Finding it troublesome? Just expel them and limit the flow—such a simple matter, could the Heavenly Palace not think of it?"

"Although the matter was caused by us, handling it shouldn't be that complicated for the Heavenly Palace—it shouldn't have come to this."

Translation: "Although the matter was caused by ourselves, if the Heavenly Palace wanted to handle it, it wouldn't be that complicated, would it? It shouldn't have come to this."

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Official's expression turned odd, as if he hesitated before speaking slowly.

Translation: "Upon hearing this, the Celestial Official's expression turned somewhat odd, as if he hesitated before slowly speaking."

"Palace Master Zhao ordered an entry fee of one thousand immortal crystals per person; during this period the Heavenly Palace has earned quite a bit."

Translation: "\"Palace Master Zhao ordered the collection of an entry fee of one thousand immortal crystals per person; during this period the Heavenly Palace has earned quite a bit. \""

"Huh??"

Translation: "Huh???"

As soon as those words were spoken, Ye Zhangqing and his companions froze, then their mouths twitched.

Translation: "As soon as these words were spoken, Ye Zhangqing and his companions all froze, then each twitched at the corners of their mouths."

"So the Heavenly Palace is also profiting from this—why are you still spouting nonsense?"

Translation: "So the Heavenly Palace is also profiting from this—why are you still spouting nonsense?"

"Besides, an entry fee of one thousand immortal crystals per person is practically free money."

Translation: "Moreover, an entry fee of one thousand immortal crystals per person is practically picking up money for free."

"The Heavenly Palace doesn't even need to expend anything; it can just lie back and collect the money."

Translation: "The Heavenly Palace doesn't even need to expend anything; they can earn money while lying down."

"Furthermore, don't think one thousand is little; it's immortal crystals, not spirit stones."

Translation: "Furthermore, don't think one thousand is not much; it's actually immortal crystals, not spirit stones."

"This money‑gathering efficiency is something even the Tian clan and Wu Shen Palace can't match."

Translation: "This money‑gathering efficiency is something even the Heavenly Family and Wushen Palace cannot match."

"Just a moment ago the Celestial Official was complaining, but now, upon hearing this, Tianlin and Miao Qianqian gave him a blatant eye‑roll."

Translation: "Just moments ago this Celestial Official had been complaining, but now upon hearing this, Tianlin and Miao Qianqian gave him a direct eye‑roll."

Just this, you still have the nerve to say we?

Everyone is making money, and the Heavenly Palace is still the big boss, so naturally they won't directly drive people away.

Limiting the flow of people is already the last bit of conscience the Heavenly Palace has left.

After a bit of chatter, Ye Zhangqing and the others also learned the reason behind the city's changes.

They continued to stroll leisurely through the city, and before they knew it, they had arrived in front of the Eight Immortals Pavilion.

This Eight Immortals Pavilion is just an ordinary tavern in the Immortal City Beyond the Heavens; even though it's not mealtime now, the tavern is still packed with people.

Even outside the shop, many people were still queuing up, clearly there to eat.

The staff inside the tavern were swamped, unable to catch a break.

"It's really bustling."

"Yeah, you hardly ever see this kind of scene in the taverns of the Immortal Realm."

Feeling a bit sentimental, just then the manager of the Eight Immortals Pavilion, who is also an Immortal Chef, recalled how he had once been fortunate enough to follow Ye Zhangqing to study for a few days and do some grunt work.

Seeing Ye Zhangqing show up outside his own tavern, the manager hurriedly went to greet him, saying:

"Master, how did you come here?"

Hearing that, Ye Zhangqing's mouth twitched. "How did I become Master? You're saying it so smoothly."

"I haven't taken any disciples."

He said to the Eight Immortals Pavilion manager with a helpless expression, "I guess I already said that before."