Chapter 210: Ruler and Subject Enjoy Together, 2 Birds Compete

"Just boil it directly?" Haotian pulled out a large pile of ingredients all at once, looking at the water in front of him that was gradually being heated by fire, he asked eagerly.

He really wanted to eat it too much.

Sun Wukong shook his head and asked: "Besides ingredients, did my master give me nothing else?"

"There's more." Haotian thought for a moment, then took out the seasoning and the base as well.

Sun Wukong's eyes lit up—this was exactly what he wanted.

He picked up the hot pot base, opened the packaging—one plain, one spicy—and Sun Wukong placed them separately into the two compartments of the hot pot.

The base, originally wind-dried into block form, slowly dissolved upon contact with water.

As the water gradually heated, it began to emit fragrance; after a while, the water boiled.

"We can start eating now." Sun Wukong said happily.

As soon as he spoke, it was like a command—Haotian quickly grabbed a slice of meat and rushed to dip it into the red pot.

Seeing Sun Wukong and Tai Bai Jin Xing still motionless, Haotian generously called out: "Don't be restrained—today, ruler and subject dine together, so eat freely."

Sun Wukong grinned: "No problem, no problem!"

He wouldn't be polite over this—he had only been wondering what to eat first.

He picked up the tripe and directly placed it into the white pot.

Tai Bai Jin Xing nodded sheepishly, but his movements remained restrained; after fumbling for a while, he casually picked some vegetarian dishes.

The meat slices cooked quickly in the pot, becoming fully done and emitting an enticing color; Haotian, sharp-eyed and quick-handed, fished them out, shook them off, dipped them in the sauce bowl, and put them in his mouth.

The savory aroma of the lamb slices, combined with the unique flavor of the dipping sauce, filled his mouth, and the ensuing spicy sensation instantly surged straight to the Baihui acupoint.

Thin sweat beaded on his forehead, and his face also twisted slightly.

"Refreshing!" Haotian clicked his tongue, shouting with delight!

This is the flavor—indeed, spicy hot pot is the most suitable for him!

"Amazing!" Sun Wukong gave Haotian a thumbs-up.

"I, Old Grandson, just can't eat this stuff." Sun Wukong wore an envious expression.

As soon as he eats spicy food, he gets stimulated to the point of scratching his ears and cheeks—it's unbearable.

"Just practice more and it'll be fine." A hint of pride appeared on Haotian's face; he pondered for a moment, then continued: "Great Chef Sun Wukong, have you been getting used to life in the Heavenly Court these days?"

"Of course I'm used to it!" Sun Wukong picked up the already-cooked tripe, dipped it in the sauce, and took a delicious bite.

Here, he not only has no restraint, but he can also become the chef he's always wanted to be.

Seeing these immortals eagerly compete to eat the dishes he prepares every day is a kind of satisfaction in itself.

"Then it's good." Haotian nodded.

"In a few days, Great Chef Sun Wukong, you'll be going to the Buddhist side to preside over the Dharma feast cooking, right?" Haotian asked.

"Yeah!" Sun Wukong grinned: "Just three more days to go!"

For such a major banquet head chef opportunity, he is truly excited.

It's just a pity that the Buddhist monks only eat vegetarian food, not meat.

He's not particularly skilled at vegetarian dishes yet—this is a test for him.

Thinking of the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall that Chen Nuo taught him, Sun Wukong still felt uncertain in his heart—would the Buddhist monks really accept this dish?

Looking at Sun Wukong, still unaware of the impending disaster, Haotian remained silent—Sun Wukong's identity is truly too sensitive.

Is it really okay for Shopkeeper Chen to keep him in the dark like this?

Haotian was deeply puzzled—after all, that's Ling Mountain! The root of Buddhism.

Who knows how many Buddhas are there? To let this monkey Sun Wukong go alone—isn't that like sending a sheep into a tiger's mouth?

He also learned that Buddhism has been sending out invitations across the Three Realms, inviting all gods of the Three Realms to Ling Mountain to attend the Dharma feast—this trick can't escape Haotian's eyes.

It's nothing more than, under the eyes of the Three Realm gods, to suppress Sun Wukong, not only completing the continuation of the Journey to the West Great Calamity,

but also achieving the effect of deterring the Three Realms—killing multiple birds with one stone.

Otherwise, the Tathagata wouldn't have gone to such trouble, using the power of a Holy Person to overwhelm others, and still ended up losing three treasures to him.

He doesn't want to agree, but there's no way—Buddhist Gate Great Prosperity is what Dao Ancestor Old Master said; with his own strength, he fundamentally cannot stop it.

This is basically a dead-end situation—why didn't Shopkeeper Chen stop it? Is he also afraid of the momentum of the Great Calamity?

Or...

A flicker of scrutiny passed through Haotian's eyes—or is Shopkeeper Chen making other preparations?

But no matter what, it's no longer something he can control.

"Your Majesty!" Sun Wukong hehe-laughed, his furry face leaning forward: "Old Grandson, after we finish cooking at the Buddhist Gate, can we return to duty in the Heavenly Court?"

Compared to never having been to the Buddhist Gate, he still feels more attached to the Heavenly Court.

Eating vegetarian and chanting Buddha—just thinking about it sounds boring; it's the Heavenly Court immortals who love drinking and eating meat that suit his temperament.

He chats all day, and after finishing dinner at night, he directly joins the immortals at the table—so enjoyable, he can't bear to give up this comfortable life.

Hearing Sun Wukong's words, Haotian was stunned for a moment, then said: "Okay."

He also sincerely hopes Sun Wukong can stay—setting aside his identity as Shopkeeper Chen's apprentice, he greatly admires Sun Wukong's straightforward nature; getting along is easy, without all those detours.

Moreover, his culinary skill is so high that he feels the entire Heavenly Court's immortals now can't do without him.

He also doesn't know what would happen if Sun Wukong were truly suppressed—how would these Heavenly Court immortals survive then?

"The gates of the Heavenly Court are always open for you." Thinking this, Haotian spoke again.

Sun Wukong scratched his head, smiling: "Then it's a promise! After I finish presiding over the banquet and cooking, Old Grandson will return!"

"Good."

North Kuru Continent, Yao Shi Gong, Ji Shan peak.

"Why do you have time today to come out and find me, young master?" Peng Demon King looked at the youth in front of him, dressed entirely in gold-red brocade, with some displeasure.

The youth shrugged his shoulders, already accustomed to the Peng Demon King's attitude, and casually said: "The Buddhist Sect is currently busy with the Dharma feast, and it's none of my business anyway—boring, so I came out to get some fresh air and play around at your place, friend."

"If you're just here to get some air, go play elsewhere—why come to my Yao Shi Gong?" The Peng Demon King's handsome face showed displeasure, his tone unfriendly.

Hearing that, the youth smirked mischievously: "Isn't it just that I plan to give you a beating? Let's see what progress you've made in speed over these years."

"As the son of the Kunpeng Yao Shi, famed throughout the Three Realms for speed, you still can't match me—truly pitiful and lamentable!" The youth clicked his tongue, wearing an expression of deep regret.

"You!" The Peng Demon King's face turned slightly pale, his heart seething with anger.

Speed—it was his pride! The last time he lost, it was only because he was in poor condition, compounded by his lower cultivation level, having nothing to do with his speed!

"Last time, you were dragged far behind by me!" The youth continued chattering on, and upon seeing the Peng Demon King's expression change, his face grew even more smugly proud as he provoked: "How about it? Not convinced? Want to try again?"

Besides the initial anger, the Peng Demon King quickly calmed down afterward, his expression returning to normal.

Last time, he had indeed lost, but now, having returned from Chaos Residence, he is a completely different person.

"Good." The Peng Demon King nodded slightly and agreed in one breath.

"I didn't expect you'd actually dare to compete!" The youth's eyes flashed with surprise, for you must know—last time, this guy lost to me by no small margin!

In the end, because of this matter, it seems he was even put under house arrest and made to reflect by the Kunpeng Cultivation Clan Honorific—ridiculous to the extreme.

This guy isn't afraid, and he's even more than capable.