Chapter 1083: Accidentally Let It Slip

The Laurel Immortal Palace also had its own "Immortal Palace Monthly," yet its sales could never match those of the "Cultivation Monthly"; Perfected Master Zhuiyue felt that if Lu Yang were to marry into their palace, their monthly publication would undoubtedly become a massive hit.

Though the Immortal Palace possessed an abundance of talent, it had always lacked a cultivator with a mind as flexible and quick-witted as Lu Yang's.

Yet such a thought was mere fantasy, for Perfected Master Zhuiyue felt that with Lu Yang's capabilities, even if he did marry into the palace, he would likely cause enough trouble to ultimately absorb the Immortal Palace into the Seeking Dao Sect.

Who would want to merge into the sect of that simpleton Gui Yuan? It was simply beneath their dignity.

...

"Old Meng, I've got good news for you." Having finished his work with the newspaper, Lu Yang went to share the joy with Meng Jingzhou.

Bare-chested, Meng Jingzhou was currently practicing his fist techniques through his Dharma Image, finishing a set so exhausted that he was gasping for breath and drenched in sweat, which left Lu Yang momentarily stunned.

"Good grief, in broad daylight, you don't even wear clothes while cultivating!"

Lu Yang remembered that the eldest young master of the Meng clan used to be quite a refined person, so how had he fallen to this state? The moral standards of the world were truly declining, a corruption of public decency that made one ashamed to associate with him.

"It's because I sweat too much during cultivation, and wearing clothes is incredibly uncomfortable. Besides, my Dharma Image is fully clothed, so what's wrong with me being bare-chested?" Meng Jingzhou pointed at the neatly dressed Dharma Image above his head, speaking with absolute righteousness.

"Speak up then, what kind of good news could you possibly think of for me?" Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang warily, judging from past experience that the "good news" from Lu Yang's mouth was not necessarily a good thing.

"It really is a good thing. I met Immortal Ying Tian, and I boldly spoke a few good words on your behalf in front of him. He said he would treat us without discrimination; however he handles my tribulation will be exactly how he handles yours."

"Good brother!" Meng Jingzhou felt deeply ashamed in his heart, realizing he had misjudged Old Lu; with Old Lu being so considerate of him, he had actually doubted Old Lu's character.

Oh wait, Old Lu's character definitely warranted suspicion, but just not this time.

"However..." Lu Yang hesitated at this point, contemplating whether or not he should speak further.

"However what?" Meng Jingzhou's heart skipped a beat. Could there be an unexpected turn of events?

"Forget it, I won't say it."

"Hurry up and tell me!"

Seeing Old Meng pressuring him repeatedly, Lu Yang found it hard to conceal it any longer: "However, when I brought up the 'Immortal's Quotations' and mentioned that you couldn't understand it, although Immortal Ying Tian didn't say anything aloud, I noticed an unkind look in his eyes, as if he was rather displeased by your action."

"What on earth is the 'Immortal's Quotations'? Have I even read it?"

Hearing Lu Yang say this, Meng Jingzhou was initially somewhat confused, but then he remembered where he had heard that term before.

Back in the Twin River Secret Realm, they had found the study of the Immortal Fairy, and inside that study lay a copy of the "Immortal's Quotations." However, this book of quotations was written in the ancient language, which he could not decipher.

"Why would you blurt that out!" Meng Jingzhou grew somewhat anxious; if he displeased Immortal Ying Tian, wouldn't he have to endure a few extra strikes during his heavenly tribulation?

"It was an accidental slip of the tongue, but see, haven't I come to make amends?" Lu Yang smiled sheepishly, for it was never too late to mend the pen after the sheep were lost.

"How do you intend to make amends?"

"Like this: I've always said I would teach you the ancient language but never found the opportunity, so I might as well seize this chance to teach you."

As he spoke, Lu Yang drew a small bundle from his robes and unwrapped it to reveal a book, which he handed over to Meng Jingzhou with a solemn expression, as though completing some sacred ritual.

"Once you have mastered the ancient language, you will be able to understand this 'Immortal's Quotations' all on your own."

"Great idea!" Meng Jingzhou accepted the book of quotations, feeling its immense weight. A record written by the Immortal Fairy's own hand detailing the words of the four ancient immortals was undeniably a priceless treasure, one that even immortals would fight to possess.

...

Another three months passed, and Lu Yang received a rather unique invitation.

"Second Boss, look, this is a letter sent to you by the Spiritual Chef Alliance!" Yun Mengmeng held up the envelope with high spirits; though she had no idea what the Spiritual Chef Alliance was, the name alone guaranteed that there would be plenty of delicious food.

"The Spiritual Chef Alliance?" Lu Yang had indeed heard of it; it was an organization composed of the realm's top spiritual chefs.

As the saying goes, fine cuisine knows no boundaries, and so the chefs of this alliance hailed from every corner of the cultivation world, with the sole exception of the Buddhist Kingdom.

"Why would the Spiritual Chef Alliance send me a letter?" Lu Yang thought to himself, knowing full well he had no talent for cooking.

His single experience with culinary arts occurred when he was possessed by the Immortal Fairy to cook for Qiu Jin'an, during which he spent a full twenty seconds pouring in salt.

Once his master spread the word, the tale transformed into "Qiu Jin'an ate it, slammed the table in pure excitement, and demanded to know who the chef was."

Surely they wouldn't invite him to join the Spiritual Chef Alliance based on that alone?

"It must be that after this Immortal possessed you, others mistakenly believed you possessed a natural talent for spiritual cooking as well," the Immortal Fairy said with great self-satisfaction, believing that true genius could be perceived even through possession.

Yet she did not recommend that Lu Yang join the alliance; given her status as the Ancestor of Spiritual Chefs, what need was there to join any alliance to prove oneself?

Lu Yang tore open the envelope, read through it quickly, and let out a sigh of relief, realizing he no longer needed to fret over whether or not to join.

"It turns out they are holding a Grand Spiritual Chef Competition and have invited me to cover the event."

The entire world knew that the Cultivation Monthly was founded by Lu Yang, and even if an article wasn't penned by him, it had to pass under his scrutiny; the alliance's invitation was not for him to compete, but rather to request his help in promoting the tournament.

"I recall our cafeteria used to be qualified to enter, but ever since a certain senior brother got into a heated argument with a judge and knocked him unconscious with a fried dough stick, our sect's eligibility was revoked." Lu Yang could not remember who had told him the story, but such an incident had indeed occurred.

Lu Yang felt that whether the cafeteria participated or not mattered very little, as they wouldn't win anyway.

"Huh? How is it that I heard the cafeteria did win a competition once, and even took first place?" Yun Mengmeng asked in bewilderment.

Lu Yang sighed. "They did win a competition, but it wasn't the Spiritual Chef Competition; it was the Weapon Forging Competition."

"A competition is a competition, they're practically the same. Second Boss, are we going or not?" Yun Mengmeng made no distinction between the types of contests; possessed of an excellent appetite and sturdy teeth, she found no difficulty in devouring the cafeteria's food and genuinely believed their culinary skills were top-tier.

Lu Yang was somewhat conflicted; he knew absolutely nothing about the culinary arts, so what exactly was he supposed to report on?

"Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

Yun Mengmeng's large, watery eyes gazed at Lu Yang, sparkling with brilliance; with every "let's go" she uttered, she leaned a step closer to him, and staring into those eyes so filled with hope, Lu Yang found himself utterly unable to voice a refusal.

"Alright, we shall go then."

Last time, Yun Mengmeng had wished to visit the Buddhist Kingdom but was dissuaded by their unappetizing gruel, so this trip to the Grand Spiritual Chef Competition could serve as her compensation.

"Wonderful! Long live the Second Boss!" Yun Mengmeng cheered, thrilled that she could now feast to her heart's content at the culinary tournament.

"No, wait, wishing the Second Boss to live for ten thousand years would actually shorten his lifespan." Yun Mengmeng realized her slip of the tongue; the Second Boss was bound to surpass her and was destined to achieve immortality in the future, so how could a mere ten thousand years suffice to describe him?

"May the Second Boss enjoy eternal life!"

Lu Yang did not know whether to laugh or cry; a beautiful young woman shouting wishes of eternal life at him with eyes brimming with adoration would certainly make any outsider mistake them for cultists paying homage to their grand master.

"Enough, enough, skip the eternal life. Pack your things and let's head out."