Chapter 780

Hearing Qi Xiong's words, Wu Shou immediately flared up in anger—how dare this guy say such a thing.

Although Wu Shou holds the title of Grand Elder, he actually does the work of the Sect Master.

Speaking conscientiously, Wu Shou has managed the sect for at least several times longer than Qi Xiong, yet now this guy claims he doesn't know the value of firewood and rice because he's not the one in charge?

Who exactly is not in charge?

Seeing Wu Shou's face alternating between green and red, Qi Xiong was smart—he slipped away, oiling the soles of his feet.

"Stop right there, explain yourself clearly."

Watching Qi Xiong's retreating back, Wu Shou angrily cursed, but Qi Xiong simply ignored him.

Cooperation with the Heiyan Commerce Association would undoubtedly bring huge profits to the sect.

So Qi Xiong also intended to properly entertain the Heiyan Commerce Association delegation, casually arranging a banquet.

After explaining the matter to Ye Zhangqing once over, Ye Zhangqing did not refuse either—after all, fifty million top-grade spirit stones per year, plus a host of heavenly treasures, indeed qualified as a major client.

Later that day, Qi Xiong sent people to invite the Heiyan Commerce Association members.

In response, the Vice President of the Heiyan Commerce Association also did not refuse, readily agreeing.

As members of the commerce association, compared to the pure cultivators of the sect's holy land, they obviously carry a stronger worldly aura.

Things like banquets and pleasure quarters—they are regular patrons.

The Heiyan Commerce Association owns many restaurants and pleasure quarters; of course, for these businesses, the association does not place much importance on them—better than nothing.

These are not the main pillars either.

When the appointed time arrived, the Heiyan Commerce Association delegation, led by the Vice President, arrived on schedule.

In the rear courtyard, two dining tables had been set up, with Qi Xiong, Wu Shou, Hong Zun, etc., accompanying them; as for Yu Mo and them, they did not appear.

The Heiyan Commerce Association did not need to have Yu Mo and the three appear; Qi Xiong showing up was already enough to give face.

"Come, come, please take your seats, everyone."

Out of consideration for money, Qi Xiong appeared quite amiable, smiling as he invited everyone to sit.

Facing such a scene, the Heiyan Commerce Association people were long accustomed, so they felt no restraint.

After everyone sat down, they began to chat intermittently about trivial matters.

Not long after, dishes and drinks were served one after another; a tempting aroma caused the Heiyan Commerce Association members to unconsciously glance several times.

Although they hadn't eaten yet, the smell was truly wonderful.

However, as people who have seen the world, the Heiyan Commerce Association delegation did not lose composure, but instead strove to restrain themselves.

Until Qi Xiong spoke.

"Don't just sit there—let's eat while we talk, no need to be formal."

"As Sect Master Qi says, then we won't stand on ceremony."

Whether they ate or not was unimportant to the Heiyan Commerce Association people; having completed the cooperation with the Dao Yi Sect, their task was already considered satisfactorily finished.

With an indifferent attitude, everyone casually picked up a chopstickful.

But the moment the delicacies entered their mouths, the faces of several Heiyan Commerce Association members changed instantly.

First dazed, then shocked, and finally turning into ecstasy.

This flavor was truly perfect—never before had they eaten such delicious food, and its effects were extraordinarily heaven-defying.

No longer hesitating, several people turned into ravenous eaters, continuously stuffing various delicacies into their mouths, even lacking time to pay attention to Qi Xiong and the others.

Meanwhile, the Heiyan Commerce Association Vice President, who had been talking with Qi Xiong, turned his head to see his subordinates each looking like starving ghosts reborn, and his expression immediately darkened.

"What are you doing? Can't you have some ambition?"

"You've all traveled south and north, eaten all kinds of delicacies over the years—how could you be so embarrassed this time? It's just a table of food; is it really worth such a reaction?"

"Or does the association usually mistreat you? Why are you all acting like wolves and tigers, wanting to do what?"

Faced with the Vice President's expression instantly turning grim, the Heiyan Commerce Association members nevertheless showed no sign of stopping, their mouths full of food, speaking indistinctly.

"Vice President, it's...... so delicious, you should try it quickly."

"Huh???"

Upon hearing that, the Vice President's face grew even uglier—this bunch of damned things really are embarrassing, over just an ordinary table of food?

They've truly thrown away all the face of the commerce association.

But for now it's also awkward to scold them, so the Vice President could only force a smile and turn to Qi Xiong, saying:

"Please excuse Sect Master Qi's sight; these fellows are usually lax and undisciplined."

As for that, Qi Xiong didn't mind—he knew better than anyone how the Dao Yi Sect's food is.

"No problem, President, please try it too—the taste of our Dao Yi Sect's food is genuinely good."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

The two exchanged polite remarks, but the Vice President actually didn't place much trust in Qi Xiong's words.

"Come on, who am I? The Vice President of the Heiyan Commerce Association—I dare not speak of cultivation and battle prowess, but having wandered south and north all my life, what good thing have I not eaten?"

"A simple table of food—could it tempt me?"

But such words obviously couldn't be spoken, so the Vice President also smiled and nodded, then slowly picked up a chopstickful of vegetables and gently placed it into his mouth.

After merely chewing a bit, his previously calm expression instantly turned to shock, his eyes widening.

"This.......... this dish.............."

He utterly didn't know what to say; at that moment, the Vice President seemed to understand why his subordinates looked like starving ghosts reborn.

Having traveled south and north for so many years, he has eaten many fine things, some of which are priceless treasures.

But these treasures, at this moment, are far inferior to this ordinary table of food.

"I....... Sect Master Qi, this.............."

"If you like it, eat some more."

Qi Xiong laughed and said, he had long expected such a result.

At this moment, the vice president obviously had no time for pleasantries, directly starting to gobble food.

He slowly took a big bowl of rice, lifted the plate, covered the dishes on the rice, and ate it with great aroma.

Where is there any trace of his former composure? His speed was much faster than that of all his subordinates.

"President, leave some for us."

"Exactly, how can you just dump it into the bowl? What are we supposed to eat?"

Faced with the vice president's frantic gobbling, the subordinates naturally protested, each speaking out.

However, the vice president paid no attention at all, joking, "While gobbling food, who has time to chat with you?"

Without the slightest pause, his speed did not decrease but increased; seeing this, the subordinates also buried their heads in eating, their speed increasing further.

The scene that was originally filled with laughter and conversation instantly turned into one of everyone lowering their heads to eat.

Qi Xiong and the others also had no time to say more; with the food before them, where would all that nonsense come from?

After a meal that swept away the clouds like wind, the Heiyan Commerce Association's group ate their fill, each lazily leaning back in their chairs, faces full of satisfaction; this meal was truly enjoyable.