Chapter 645

Facing the pressure of Qi Xiong and the other Great Saints, Nie Yuan naturally dared not refuse again.

Moreover, even Li Zhengqing and the others were not on his side, so he had even less courage to resist.

With a grim face, he nodded and replied, promising to send the demon emperor's thigh within three days; only then did Qi Xiong and the others nod in satisfaction.

Originally, he intended to use his breakthrough to ninth‑grade spirit chef to give the Tang family a hard slap, but who would have thought the outcome would be like this.

He gave Ye Zhangqing a deep look, and a flash of shock flickered in his eyes.

He looks so young, yet his skill can actually reach this level.

In Nie Yuan's mind, even compared to the other three ninth‑grade spirit chefs of Zhongzhou, he wouldn't be far behind, but compared to Ye Zhangqing, the two are on completely different levels.

Whether he admits it or not, Ye Zhangqing's Chúyì is absolutely far above his.

"Go."

He said it in a low voice, and Nie Yuan quickly led the Nie family away in disgrace.

As arrogant as they were when they came, so embarrassing was their departure.

Elder Li, however, did not leave together with Nie Yuan and the Nie family.

At this moment he was sizing up Ye Zhangqing with a curious expression.

From the earlier contest, Ye Zhangqing's Chúyì is absolutely beyond the level of ninth‑grade.

Could it be that this child has already reached the Saint‑grade spirit chef realm?

Thinking of this, Elder Li's heart was filled with shock, after all this is the first time recorded in history.

His eyes lit up, and Elder Li could not help but say.

"Young Friend Ye, your Chúyì is superb; do you have any thought of joining our Spirit Chef Alliance?"

Such a talent naturally needs to be won over; if a Saint‑grade spirit chef takes charge, their alliance's influence in Zhongzhou will obviously increase considerably.

After all, who wouldn't want to taste the craft of a Saint‑grade spirit chef?

Besides, just look—Li Zhengqing and his five companions could hardly control themselves when faced with Ye Zhangqing's delicacies.

This undoubtedly shows that there is likely a qualitative difference between Saint‑grade and ninth‑grade spirit chefs.

In the past, even elders like Li Zhengqing from the holy lands, when facing ninth‑grade spirit chefs, could never have shown such a reaction.

However, when faced with Elder Li's invitation, Ye Zhangqing had not yet spoken, while Xu Jie beside him immediately objected.

"Senior Brother Qing is the chief elder of our Dao Yi Sect; how could he join your Spirit Chef Alliance? No, this is absolutely out of the question."

You're joking, still trying to poach people?

Hearing Xu Jie's words, Elder Li was startled; Dao Yi Sect? He'd never heard of it.

After all, he thick‑skinnedly asked further, and only then did Elder Li learn that it was actually a sect from Dongzhou.

He merely glanced at Qi Xiong, who was conversing with Li Zhengqing and the others, and Yu Mo and company, and Elder Li secretly felt astonished.

The strength of this Dongzhou sect is perhaps too terrifying.

Setting aside other factors, just the number of Great Saint powerhouses alone is probably only slightly weaker than the holy lands; placed in Zhongzhou, they would be second only to the holy lands.

When did the sects of Dongzhou become this strong?

However, regarding the Dao Yi Sect, Elder Li was merely secretly shocked and did not investigate further.

After all, the Spirit Chef Alliance and the Dao Yi Sect have no grudges, and there has been no interaction between them.

At present, what Elder Li cares most about is still how to invite Ye Zhangqing to join the Spirit Chef Alliance.

He is certain that the Spirit Chef Alliance needs Ye Zhangqing, and desperately so.

Therefore, Elder Li fortunately stayed at the Tang residence and did not leave.

In the following two days, Elder Li came personally to visit Ye Zhangqing every day; of course, aside from winning him over, whether there were other purposes is unknown.

Anyway, this guy also ended up sharing a few meals with them.

The first time, even he, such an elder of the Spirit Chef Alliance, was astonished to the point of being stunned.

This is absolutely not comparable to a ninth‑grade spirit chef; it is certain that Ye Zhangqing has at least reached the level of a Saint‑grade spirit chef.

For a moment, Elder Li's desire to recruit Ye Zhangqing became even more urgent.

Whenever he had time, he would pester Ye Zhangqing, constantly introducing the Spirit Chef Alliance and the benefits of joining.

"Young Friend Ye, if you join our Spirit Chef Alliance, there are no drawbacks, only benefits."

"That Elder Li, I've already made it clear; I have no consideration for this at the moment."

"Don't, I know Young Friend Ye harbors the Dao Yi Sect, but the two do not conflict."

"The Spirit Chef Alliance differs from a sect; it imposes no mandatory requirements on members. Strictly speaking, it is more like all the spirit chefs of Zhongzhou gathering together for mutual warmth."

"If Young Friend Ye is willing to join our Spirit Chef Alliance, not only will he bear no burden, the alliance will become his strongest backing."

"In the future, precious ingredients and Xiūliàn resources will be prioritized for Young Friend Ye by the alliance; it's a sure profit."

To recruit Ye Zhangqing, Elder Li has already spared no expense.

The Spirit Chef Alliance is indeed spontaneously founded by numerous spirit chefs of Zhongzhou, but after developing for so many years, it actually cannot be underestimated.

It has recruited many Saints, even Great Saints as offerings.

In terms of strength, it is also a second‑tier force just below the holy lands, a regional hegemon.

People like Tang Rao and Nie Yuan, after joining the alliance, not only gain no benefits, they must also pay annual dues.

Naturally, the precious ingredients obtained by the alliance are also prioritized for members, except that they have to be bought with money.

What Elder Li and Ye Zhangqing said, however, is that it costs nothing; whatever Ye Zhangqing needs, the alliance will directly provide.

This is already unprecedented; Tang Yao, standing nearby, hearing Elder Li's terms, felt a mix of emotions.

Damn, they're all spirit chefs—how can the gap be so huge?

Not charging dues would be fine enough, but they also provide various rare ingredients and even Xiūliàn resources.

This is simply a world of difference.

Just after thinking about it, Tang Yao again said somewhat strangely, 'These conditions—does this Li Elder have the authority to decide?'

So, when Ye Zhangqing still shook his head and refused, showing no interest, and Li Elder left helplessly, Tang Yao hurriedly followed.

"I'm saying, you wouldn't be trying to take advantage of someone, would you? These conditions are something you can decide on?"

Tang Yao worried that Li Elder was merely trying to deceive Ye Zhangqing into joining the Alliance; if that were really the case, then he would not agree.

Although he is also a member of the Alliance, his heart leans toward Ye Zhangqing; how could he possibly stand by and watch Ye Zhangqing be deceived?

Regarding the relationship between the Tang Family and the Dao Yi Sect, Li Elder has also come to fully understand it these days.

"A whole family of sycophants—pah, this old man wouldn't even associate with you lot."

"The matter, I naturally have already reported it; moreover, the Alliance Leaders are already on their way here. The conditions I just mentioned are already conservative; once the Alliance Leaders arrive, I estimate these conditions will still change."

Li Elder said calmly; upon hearing that, Tang Yao was left stunned on the spot.