Chapter 327: Celestial Venerable Dou's Personal Disciple

“Say what you will, but this flavor is remarkable!” Shi Huagu marveled, savoring each bite as he discerned a distinct taste Born of True Fire.

Could this truly have been roasted over True Fire?

It was Shi Huagu’s first time witnessing a barbecue shop deploy True Fire for cooking—a spectacularly grand gesture, to be sure.

At the sudden reminder that he had to visit this establishment thrice just to cross the threshold, Shi Huagu’s temper flared; wiping his mouth after devouring three pounds of mutton skewers, he barked, “Bring me ten skewers of roasted kidneys!”

The surrounding patrons stared at Shi Huagu in sheer astonishment; barbecue skewers were inherently aphrodisiac, and to demand ten skewers of the kidney variety—which was doubly so—was practically indistinguishable from consuming a love potion.

Yet what manner of man was Shi Huagu? A great master of the late Integration Stage; an aphrodisiac effect of this magnitude was utterly negligible to him.

Huo Huashen and Zhou Shan ate until their mouths glistened with oil, reflecting that following Shi Huagu was indeed a blessing; not only did they travel without spending a copper, but they also feasted on all manner of delicacies.

However, once the three had eaten their fill, a dilemma presented itself.

There was still some time before the shop closed, and the personnel of the Heavenly Court Sect were occupied acting as waiters, possessing no leisure to attend to them; if they were to depart, they had not truly come for a meal in the first place.

Yet if they did not depart, sitting idly in silence was hardly a solution.

“Hey, do you think those three are just sitting there after finishing because they have no money to settle the bill?” Meng Jingzhou murmured softly.

It was his first time encountering anyone who seemed intent on enjoying a free meal.

Li Haoran transmitted his voice: “I do not recognize the two flanking him, but the one in the center who ate the most is named Shi Huagu. He used to be the Vice Sect Master; after Qin Haoran perished, I know not if he was promoted.”

Meng Jingzhou rejoiced: “The Nine Serenities Sect has finally dispatched someone?”

Qin Yanyan did not dare speak; those three had apparently arrived last night and had been driven out by her.

In the backyard, two automatic barbecue racks were operating at full capacity; designed by the Fifth Elder, they not only automated the skewering process but also vastly enhanced the roasting efficiency.

The structures resembled bookshelves, spanning four tiers in total, each layer laden with skewers that rotated slowly under the direct searing of True Fire, sizzling and dripping with fat.

Through the Fifth Elder’s painstaking research, the Samadhi True Fire and the Pure Yang True Fire had finally been fused into a single spark, utilized specifically for grilling.

The customer traffic of the past few days stood as ample proof of the Fifth Elder’s research achievements.

“Fifth Elder, the people from the Nine Serenities Sect have arrived,” Lu Yang addressed the Fifth Elder, who was crouching on the ground contemplating how to improve the automatic racks.

“Understood.”

Only when the barbecue shop closed and the final customer departed did the establishment reveal its true countenance—a stronghold of the Heavenly Court Sect.

Across a single table, the two factions were clearly demarcated: one side represented the Nine Serenities Sect, led by Shi Huagu, while the other represented the Heavenly Court Sect, led by Lu Yang.

“Securing an audience with your Heavenly Court Sect is no easy feat,” Shi Huagu sneered, harboring resentment over his treatment last night and this morning.

Lu Yang could not fathom the source of the man’s grievance and chose not to entertain the remark: “Presumably, this gentleman is the renowned Integration Stage cultivator of the Nine Serenities Sect, Shi Huagu.”

A man stepped out from behind Lu Yang, causing Shi Huagu’s relaxed disposition to instantly grow taut.

He sensed a profound threat emanating from the individual.

In single combat, he might not best him!

Lu Yang smiled: “Allow me to introduce him. Our Heavenly Court Sect possesses nine Protectors in total, and this is the Fifth Protector, the Multi-Treasure Heavenly King. In the ancient era, his renown shook the realms; even the Master praised his unique style of artifact refining, deeming him capable of forging immortal artifacts. I wonder if Sect Master Shi has heard of him?”

Regardless of whether the man was the Sect Master or Vice Sect Master, addressing him as Sect Master could never be an error.

The Fifth Elder bowed: “Young Sect Master, those were merely jesting words from the Heavenly Venerate, not to be taken as truth.”

Shi Huagu glanced at Zhou Shan, who shook his head surreptitiously to indicate he had never heard the name either. Shi Huagu cupped his hands: “Greetings, Fellow Daoist Multi-Treasure. Regrettably, the events of antiquity are far too distant for us, and much has been forgotten; I have not heard of your grand name.”

“Might I inquire why Fellow Daoist Multi-Treasure refers to him as the Young Sect Master?”

“Fellow Daoist Shi may not be aware, but Lu Yiyang is the direct disciple of the Dou Heavenly Venerate, and indeed his sole disciple—the undisputed future master of the Heavenly Court.”

Shi Huagu was startled; a direct disciple of the Dou Heavenly Venerate. The Dou Heavenly Venerate was the very first to ascend to immortality in the ancient era, which meant this youth named Lu Yang was the disciple of an Immortal?

In terms of status, he was likely half a tier higher than an Integration Stage cultivator like himself!

Within the spiritual space, the Immortal Immortal hopped about with joy: “Lu Yang, I knew you always truly regarded me as your master!”

Lu Yang: “……”

In reality, seeing that Shi Huagu had not heard of the Multi-Treasure Heavenly King, Lu Yang could not help but sigh: “Indeed, antiquity is too remote from the present. Even when we first awakened, we felt the mutability of worldly affairs; this realm has undergone earth-shattering transformations. The original stars have vanished, refined by someone into an boundless continent, and every familiar person and object is gone.”

Lu Yang’s gaze grew deep, betraying a trace of loneliness, as though he were reminiscing about ancient times.

Taking the opportunity, Shi Huagu inquired: “Is it known who refined the stars?”

Lu Yang shook his head: “This occurred after our Heavenly Court Sect entered its long slumber, and the cause remains unknown. Our sect is currently searching for the Immortal Ying Tian and the others to ascertain what transpired during these three hundred thousand years. I wonder if the Nine Serenities Sect possesses any clues regarding the Immortals.”

How could Shi Huagu possibly know the whereabouts of Ying Tian and the other three? He could only express his regretful ignorance.

He cast a glance at Zhou Shan, signaling him to pose a question.

After a moment’s thought, Zhou Shan cupped his hands and asked: “My name is Zhou Shan. While studying ancient history, I encountered some perplexities; I wonder if fellow daoists might enlighten me?”

“We shall certainly tell you all we know.”

“I have heard that in antiquity, there was a great cultivator whose words became law, making him invincible among his peers, yet he ultimately vanished without a trace. I wonder of his whereabouts…”

Lu Yang smiled faintly: “I happen to have heard of that senior’s deeds. He was a formidable rival on Master’s path to immortality, but in the end, he was no match for Master and his soul was utterly dissipated.”

Lu Yang had heard the Immortal Immortal recount this matter; the Immortal Immortal had launched a sneak attack, and the opponent had cried out, “The pain is killing me!” Whereupon his law-binding words took effect, and he spoke himself to death.

However, phrased that way, the listener might not believe it.

“Pray elaborate.”

“That senior mastered the great divine ability of Law-Binding Words, where the life or death of an opponent hung upon a single breath; he achieved a hundred victories in a hundred battles, never tasting defeat, until he encountered Master.”

“On that day, Master encountered the senior who possessed the Law-Binding Words. Discerning that both were powerful adversaries and that showing restraint meant self-destruction, the two engaged in a fierce battle. Dao rhythms surged, spiritual power billowed, and the universe fell silent. Master’s movement technique was peerless, appearing and vanishing like a ghost, rendering his form uncatchable. Seeing that he could not overcome Master, the opponent invoked his Law-Binding Words and cried out, ‘…Die…!’ Who could have foreseen that the technique was entirely useless against Master? Instead, the opponent suffered the backlash of his own words, his life fading as his Dao dissolved, and thus he perished.”

Shi Huagu was shaken to his core; the Dou Heavenly Venerate of that time had not yet attained immortality, yet he was already immune to the invincible Law-Binding Words?

Just how powerful was he?

He had been continuously observing Lu Yang’s pupils and heartbeat, and every indication suggested the youth spoke the absolute truth!