Chapter 1085: Established Good Connections

"It is said that the Immortal Ying Tian gathered his culinary skills into a book and named it the 'Compendium of Cooking'."

"What a tragedy that the 'Compendium of Cooking' vanished into the long river of history ages ago, a loss that truly breaks the heart."

"The chief alchemist of the Alchemist Alliance, Qing Yunzi, did manage to find a copied rubric of the 'Compendium of Cooking'. Yet, according to its records, what it produced was not a meal, but poison."

"We suspect someone grew envious of the Immortal Ying Tian's genius and deliberately fabricated false texts to slander his name!"

Liu Xing spoke out, filled with righteous indignation.

Lu Yang subconsciously touched his identity jade plaque. It seemed the original 'Compendium of Cooking' was sitting right inside it; if he brought it out now, it would likely be deemed a forgery.

The adoration in Liu Xing's eyes whenever he mentioned the Immortal Ying Tian was entirely genuine. Lu Yang had never interacted with an authentic spiritual chef before, but looking at it now, the Immortal Ying Tian's status in the culinary world was terrifyingly exalted.

Lu Yang did not need to guess to know that the Immortal Ying Tian becoming the ancestor of spiritual chefs was the result of altering history; the original ancestor ought to have been the Immortal Fairy.

Though the Immortal Ying Tian was more than happy to receive praise from posterity, this particular title of culinary ancestor was one he would almost certainly reject.

Furthermore, it was highly probable that the Immortal Ying Tian would never want Lu Yang to know he held such a title.

Vice Alliance Master Liu, you are setting me up. Why on earth did you have to tell me this!

Having seen Liu Xing out, the Immortal Fairy floated forth, preening and showing off her grand reputation before Lu Yang.

"You heard that, Little Yangzi? This fairy's status in the culinary world is universally acknowledged."

"The Grand Boss is amazing!" Yun Mengmeng chimed in from the side, praising the Immortal Fairy. To think she had searched the world for fine delicacies, only to find the greatest immortal chef was her own Grand Boss!

Come to think of it, why had she never eaten a meal prepared by the Grand Boss? Was it because her contributions to the Immortal Lineage were not yet grand enough?

Yun Mengmeng resolved in her heart to continue dedicating herself to the Immortal Lineage.

Yun Mengmeng was exceedingly fond of her position as the Third Boss of the Immortal Lineage. Her grandmother had warned her that the outside world was rife with schemes and deception, urging her to tread with absolute caution.

Yet she saw nothing so terrible about the outside world as her grandmother claimed. At the very least, their Immortal Lineage was united in mind and spirit, steeped in perfect harmony.

"The Fairy is truly remarkable," Lu Yang complimented the Immortal Fairy against his better judgment.

"Time for a rest," Lu Yang muttered with a yawn, collapsing lazily onto the bed. He had been piloting the Sword-Washing Pool the entire journey, leaving him utterly exhausted.

With outsiders present just moments ago, Lu Yang had to maintain the dignified, striking demeanor of a supreme genius. Now that they were among their own, he dropped the act entirely.

Truth be told, the Spiritual Chef Alliance had taken Lu Yang's arrival very seriously. The room they assigned was the absolute finest, equipped with a spirit-gathering array made of high-grade spiritual stones that would be more than sufficient even for a Fusion Stage cultivator.

Merely lying there and accepting the baptism of spiritual energy was enough to soothe Lu Yang's fatigue.

He pressed a jade slip to his forehead, gaining a general understanding of the upcoming Spiritual Chef Grand Tournament.

Currently, it was the preparation phase. Seven days from now, a spiritual chef examination would take place, and only after its conclusion would the true grand tournament begin.

Every spiritual chef desired to showcase their talents and prove their culinary prowess in this event. Consequently, from the start of the preparation phase, chefs would set up stalls along the streets or rent temporary shops to sell gourmet food.

Thus, aside from spiritual stones, gourmands from across the world would flock here at the scent of it, collectively forming a magnificent festival.

"No wonder Little Zhu hoped the Grand Tournament would be held in the Demon City. It is a prime opportunity to raise the city's renown."

Though the Demon City possessed a grand reputation, the Demon Realm had previously held a rather poor name; the world knew of the city's existence but dared not venture near.

"The embryonic form of the Law of the Jungle Dao Fruit is indeed suited for governing a state," Lu Yang mused with emotion. With that embryonic fruit in place, Zhu Tian never had to worry about subordinates defying his wishes; he could execute his will with absolute authority.

It was precisely due to this that the Demon Realm had developed so rapidly over these years.

"Second Boss, do you want to go out for a stroll? I saw so many delicious things being sold by the roadside when I arrived."

"No, I am too tired." Lu Yang wanted nothing more than to remain horizontal.

Knock, knock, knock.

A sudden rapping sounded at the door.

"Who goes there!" Yun Mengmeng raised her beef jerky alertly. Should the visitor harbor ill intent, she would skewer them with it.

"It is I."

Recognizing the familiar voice, Lu Yang dragged himself off the bed. "Go open the door."

Yun Mengmeng opened the door to find a man clad in a black robe standing outside, looking thoroughly mysterious and distinctly suspicious.

The black-robed man stepped into the room and pulled back his hood.

"State Master Zhu, it has been a long time," Lu Yang rose to greet him.

"Brother Lu jests. How could I ever presume to be a State Master before you? If you hold me in any regard, just call me Little Zhu."

Zhu Tian dared not put on airs before Lu Yang. Ao Ling and Jiang Lianyi called him Senior Brother, an Immortal resided within his body, and the Immortal Ying Tian had expressed high regard for him, addressing him as a young friend.

In other words, Lu Yang’s seniority was on par with the ancient immortals. Calling him "Brother" was already taking a bit of an advantage.

"He is Zhu Tian?" Yun Mengmeng tucked away her beef jerky, glancing out the window at Zhu Tian's true-form statue, then back at the human guise he wore.

The Second Boss was truly extraordinary. Others came to the Demon City merely to gaze upon the Demon Emperor's statue, yet the moment the Second Boss arrived, the Demon Emperor himself paid a visit.

"And this lady is?"

"Yun Mengmeng," Lu Yang introduced. Zhu Tian was one of their own, so there was nothing to hide.

Zhu Tian gave a sharp start, his body trembling slightly. Was Yun Mengmeng not the Sect Master of the Heavenly Court Sect, the very immortal who had unleashed an immortal war in the Eastern Sea and emerged victorious?

Could it be her?

Brother Lu travels accompanied by an immortal?!

"That is not the case. The Sect Master of the Heavenly Court Sect is my Eldest Senior Sister. She is close sisters with Yun Mengmeng, and wanting to help spread her name, she borrowed it for a time."

A sister to an immortal? This status was likewise vastly superior to his own.

"What brings State Master Zhu here?"

Zhu Tian offered a flattering smile. "I heard from my subordinates that you had arrived in the Demon City, Brother Lu. I hold a modicum of standing in this city, so I wished to fulfill the duties of a host and entertain you."

The moment he learned of Lu Yang's arrival, Zhu Tian had set out immediately to show his utmost sincerity.

Zhu Tian surveyed the furnishings of the room, which were far inferior to his own palace, and the spirit-gathering array was mediocre at best.

"If you do not disdain the notion, Brother Lu, why not condescend to move to my imperial palace? It is somewhat grander than this place. Treat it as your own home; it will be far more comfortable."

Lu Yang waved his hand, declining Zhu Tian's kind offer. "I prefer to keep a low profile. Moving to your palace is unnecessary; staying here suits me fine."

"It was remiss of me not to consider that."

"Ah, Fellow Daoist Lu, did you see those dancing girls at the entrance? Truly beautiful, representing every race imaginable. It looks as though they are meant as a gift for someone." Vice Alliance Master Liu Xing had doubled back. Finding the door open, he walked straight in, recounting his recent observations as he entered.

Lu Yang and the Demon Emperor turned in perfect unison to look at Liu Xing. Liu Xing's voice grew smaller and smaller.

"Fellow Daoist, are you truly not planning to take a tour of the palace? I have already established connections in the imperial kitchen... Uh, it seems you have already established your own connections..."