Chapter 197

If I act swiftly, the Heavenly Emperor might even be more pleased!

But he overlooked Xuan Feng standing nearby.

Xuan Feng furrowed his brow.

"I came first!"

He actually dares to cut in line!

Tai Bai Jin Xing turned his head to look at Xuan Feng, only to find he couldn't see through him at all.

However, he wasn't flustered; instead, he clasped his hands in a salute and chuckled: "This immortal maiden, I am sent by the decree of the Heavenly Emperor Yu Di Huang Di to deliver food, and I humbly ask for your understanding!"

His demeanor was calm, yet he invoked the tiger's authority in his words—after all, the Heavenly Emperor is the Sovereign of the Heavenly Court, known throughout the Three Realms; who would dare not give him face?

Yet, there truly is someone who does.

Xuan Feng gave a cold smile: "You act by decree, but I act by the decree of Sanniang—no way!"

Upon hearing this, Tai Bai's expression turned solemn.

He spoke with grave sincerity: "This immortal maiden, if you delay the Heavenly Emperor's meal, the consequences will be severe—this is something the Heavenly Emperor has repeatedly and earnestly instructed."

Regarding Xuan Feng's claim of acting by decree, Tai Bai Jin Xing simply dismissed it with disdain.

And Sanniang? In the Three Realms, how many figures bearing the title of Sanniang could rival the Heavenly Emperor?

Xuan Feng rolled his eyes, his voice soft and distant: "My Sanniang is none other than the Holy Person Nüwa—are you really insisting on cutting in front of me?"

Damn it!

Tai Bai Jin Xing's face turned pale upon hearing this, and he nearly collapsed straight onto the ground.

Nüwa... Sanniang!!!

Tai Bai Jin Xing's heart leapt to his throat, his aged face twisting into a grin uglier than tears: "I dare not, I dare not!"

Tai Bai hastily retreated behind Xuan Feng, clasping his hands: "Please, immortal maiden, go ahead."

"You're sensible," Xuan Feng snorted lightly.

Turning to Chen Nuo, he gathered his pride and smiled: "Then please, Shopkeeper Chen, prepare my portion first."

"Hmm." Chen Nuo responded with a sound and gave a faint nod.

To him, serving anyone was the same—after all, the money was already in hand, and whether first or later didn't matter much.

Chen Nuo leisurely walked into the back kitchen to prepare the dish, since it was merely a roasted lamb leg, making it quite simple.

"Um, may I dare ask the immortal maiden's noble name?" Tai Bai Jin Xing hesitated for a moment, then finally couldn't hold back and spoke.

"Xuan Feng."

His voice carried a hint of chill, clearly due to the recent events—his mood was not good.

"You're of the Phoenix Clan?!!" Tai Bai Jin Xing's heart gave a jolt.

Xuan Feng nodded, his face growing even more displeased—this old man, chattering nonstop, utterly annoying!

Now it made sense—Tai Bai Jin Xing understood.

Xuan Feng, two characters, with the phoenix character second—this is the standard naming convention of the Phoenix Clan!

He recalled that the Holy Person Nüwa had a phoenix mount, and its name seemed to be exactly Xuan Feng, possessing the cultivation of a Great Luo!

Not to mention provoking the Holy Person Nüwa—even the Heavenly Emperor would dread it, and he himself could not afford to offend this one before him.

"Xuan Feng, the immortal maiden, must be the one who just flashed past the old man's side in the heavens, right? That speed—truly extraordinary!"

Tai Bai Jin Xing laughed heartily, holding nothing back in his praise.

"Your speed, immortal maiden, is truly rare even across the Three Realms!"

"Who are you?" Upon hearing this, Xuan Feng turned around, his brow furrowing.

In the heavens?

"Could you be the one who was crawling through the clouds in the heavens just now?" Xuan Feng asked doubtfully.

Tai Bai Jin Xing's mouth twitched.

Crawling through clouds? What nonsense?

Compared to him, I merely fly a bit slower—by a hundred millionfold, really—but I certainly don't crawl through clouds; that would be too insulting!

Tai Bai Jin Xing's face showed some embarrassment, yet he still tried to flatter: "The old man's speed is naturally incomparable to yours, immortal maiden."

"That goes without saying!" Xuan Feng lifted his chin slightly, a touch of pride in his tone—if just anyone could surpass our phoenix speed, what would become of our Phoenix Clan?

But what truly vexed her was that last time, in a speed contest, she actually lost to that monkey!

And it was a complete defeat,

truly a humiliation!

Thinking of this, Xuan Feng clenched his fists secretly—he knew the normal path would never allow him to surpass that monkey in speed.

When he one day obtains the flying divine ability from Shopkeeper Chen, he will surely seek out that monkey for a rematch!

Seeing the atmosphere ease somewhat, Tai Bai Jin Xing beamed: "Today's matter is merely a misunderstanding, immortal maiden—please, under no circumstances inform Sanniang about this!"

Ah, so that's the real reason!

Xuan Feng felt somewhat speechless, about to give a casual reply, when he met Tai Bai Jin Xing's aged face.

The whole person froze instantly—how could Tai Bai Jin Xing look so kind and approachable? The more Xuan Feng looked, the more he felt a sense of affinity.

Tai Bai Jin Xing's passive divine ability took effect—this feeling...

This feeling... was just like looking at one's father!

"May I ask, immortal maiden, if you could grant this old man's request?" Seeing Yi Feng had not responded, Tai Bai, feeling uneasy, asked again.

Startled back to awareness by the words, Xuan Feng instinctively replied: "Good, good."

Tilting his head slightly, Xuan Feng felt bewildered—how had he come to have such an absurd thought just now!

"Thank you, immortal maiden." Receiving the reply, Tai Bai Jin Xing's clenched heart finally relaxed.

"I didn't expect even a Holy Person to favor the dishes from Chaos Residence so much." Tai Bai Jin Xing said with some novelty.

Originally, Xuan Feng wasn't very inclined to pay attention, but due to the effect of Tai Bai Jin Xing's passive divine communication, Xuan Feng's impression of Tai Bai Jin Xing in her heart had improved considerably.

Nodding, she replied: "Yes."

"The dishes prepared by Shopkeeper Chen are unmatched in the world; the Lady Mother is very fond of them."

"Is the Immortal Maiden merely delivering meals to the Lady Mother? Doesn't she place orders herself?" Tai Bai Jin Xing asked casually, also feeling a few more points of sympathy in her heart.

They are all poor people who can only run errands and cannot afford to eat!

"Ordered already." Xuan Feng shrugged: "I ordered lamb leg, peach blossom brew, and peach juice."

I go!

Tai Bai Jin Xing stared, mouth agape, buying so much all at once—no wonder she's someone close to the Lady Mother Nüwa, this is too wealthy, isn't it? Tai Bai Jin Xing felt endless envy in her heart.

"And you? Why don't you order something?" Xuan Feng asked curiously, taking the initiative.

"Well, I just don't have an appetite today."

Tai Bai Jin Xing gave an embarrassed smile, coming up with an extremely far-fetched excuse.

After a while, Chen Nuo had already finished roasting the lamb leg, completed the packaging, and served two cups of peach juice.

Chen Nuo stepped out, and with a thought, another five jars of peach blossom brew flew out from the counter, all packed together into a bag.

"Here, two roasted lamb legs, two cups of peach juice, five jars of peach blossom brew—packed." Chen Nuo handed over the entire package to Xuan Feng.

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Chen!" Xuan Feng took it with a grin: "Then I'll be off now!"

Xuan Feng took back the package, waved at Chen Nuo, and since she had arrived quite late today, the Lady Mother must be anxiously waiting—she'd better hurry back.

"Hmm." Chen Nuo nodded.

After seeing Xuan Feng off, Chen Nuo glanced sideways and noticed Tai Bai Jin Xing, who seemed somewhat absent-minded.

"What's wrong?" Chen Nuo said calmly.

Hearing Chen Nuo's words, Tai Bai Jin Xing finally came to her senses, though her state remained somewhat listless; she opened her mouth, hesitated for a moment.

Only then did Tai Bai Jin Xing voice some doubt: "Shopkeeper Chen, what exactly is the payment method of this Immortal Maiden Xuan Feng?"

Being able to buy so many dishes at once, her pricing standard must be very low!

"Seems to be essence blood." Chen Nuo said casually.

Ess... essence blood?!

Tai Bai felt flustered, quickly retorting: "If it's essence blood, how could she buy three dishes at once and still be in full spirits?"

Chen Nuo shrugged, indifferent: "The Holy Person made a move, after all—this thing is available in whatever quantity you want."