Even the robust Foundation Establishment Cultivator was powerless to retaliate.
Seeing this, everyone understood all the more clearly that this was truly a high-level traveler!
The robust man turned pale, scrambling away in a panic.
Daoist Miaofang, too lazy to argue with these people, smiled and looked at Qing Jun.
Despite the veil she wore, Qing Jun’s spirit was unmistakably evident, inexplicably drawing others to her.
The more Daoist Miaofang looked, the more he liked what he saw. He smiled slightly, "Little girl, pay close attention!"
The iron skewer in his hand twirled, and from his fingertips, a wisp of pure blue Spiritual Fire flashed out—it was a special kind of Spiritual Fire!
Fizz, fizz, fizz—
As the Spiritual Fire roasted, the bull tendon shrank and changed color, releasing an enticing aroma that materialized into a white mist, spreading outward.
"This is actually Heavenly Spiritual Fire..."
Watching beside him, Chen Ye couldn’t help but show a hint of surprise.
This chubby Daoist indeed had some skills.
Although this Spiritual Fire was not as strong as Jin’er, Chen Ye could vaguely sense a bit of its spirituality; it was probably a top-grade Spiritual Fire in the Lingxu Realm.
After a moment.
Daoist Miaofang held out three skewers of grilled bull tendon to Qing Jun, looking pleased with himself:
"Little girl, have a taste! This masterpiece by this old Daoist is made with forty-nine kinds of spices and roasted with Azure Luan Fire! In this world, less than a handful of people have tasted this!"
Qing Jun accepted the golden, oil-dripping skewers.
She took a deep breath first.
"Smells so good..."
Then, under Daoist Miaofang’s expectant gaze, Qing Jun lifted a corner of her veil and took a big bite.
Crunch.
A crispy sound rang out.
Daoist Miaofang confidently stroked his beard, waiting for Qing Jun to reveal a look of astonishment, ecstasy, or even tears of joy.
He understood that feeling all too well; for a foodie, ultimate flavors are the path of the Dao!
Especially this girl.
Daoist Miaofang, seeing her little eyes, just knew she was a true foodie among foodies! And this girl, knowing him so well, was certainly a budding talent obsessed with culinary arts!
But.
One breath... two breaths... three breaths.
As Qing Jun chewed, her previously bright eyes suddenly dimmed.
She looked at the half-skewer of bull tendon left in her hand, then at the eagerly awaiting Daoist Miaofang. Her little brow furrowed, and her little mouth pouted.
"What’s wrong?"
Daoist Miaofang felt a pinch in his heart and couldn’t help but ask,
"Too overpowering? Or is it..."
"Is this it?"
Qing Jun asked a soul-searching question.
Daoist Miaofang: "???"
Qing Jun sighed in disappointment, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth, her tone carrying a touch of "hate for not meeting the expectation of steel":
"The taste isn’t even half as good as what Master makes! Darn it... books said it’s magical, but the taste is..."
Sigh.
The little girl thought, indeed, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
The taste was already top-tier, and even if it wasn’t as good as her master’s, she would have been ecstatic if it weren’t for her high expectations for Daoist Miaofang beforehand.
Poo—
Daoist Miaofang nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.
His eyes widened, pointing at Qing Jun, his finger trembling:
"You—you say my skills... don’t surpass your master’s?!"
"Of course!"
Qing Jun, righteously, grabbed Chen Ye’s arm, rubbing her little face against his sleeve with pride,
"My master grills the cloud fish so crispy on the outside and tender on the inside that one bite makes the juices explode in your mouth!"
"And then there’s Master’s braised pork, beggar’s chicken, grilled Spirit Rabbit..."
Chen Ye: "..."
Darn little girl!
She’s trying to get her master into trouble, isn’t she?
Chen Ye, unwilling to offend a Foundation Establishment Ninth Layer Cultivator, stepped forward, bowing:
"Senior, please don’t blame her, she’s just a child speaking unfiltered."
Daoist Miaofang wasn’t buying it at all; the more he liked Qing Jun earlier, the more displeased he was with Chen Ye now, and he snorted coldly:
"Unfiltered words from a child? I’ve traveled far and wide for many years, this tongue hasn’t met a match yet! Since this little girl says your skills surpass the old Daoist’s, it’s necessary to seek clarification today!"
"If you don’t demonstrate today, this matter won’t end! The old Daoist’s reputation can’t be marred by a little girl!"
The little girl realized things had gotten out of hand, shrank her neck, and finally felt a bit scared, murmuring: "Master, master, quickly release Qingzhi, let’s run away..."
Darn girl!
Chen Ye regretted bringing her out, glaring at Qing Jun, modestly saying: "Senior, today is too rushed. Perhaps another day, I can have a friendly competition with you? Presumably not as good as Senior."
Daoist Miaofang’s expression became urgent: "I say, young man, don’t refuse, it’s not like I’ll kill you, just to let this little girl see who exactly is... wait..."
Before he could finish, his expression suddenly shifted.
"Make way! Make way everyone!"
"Spirit Treasure Sect business! Non-participants stand back!"
A clatter of hooves approached rapidly.
Chen Ye narrowed his eyes, instinctively shielding his three disciples behind him.
At the end of the street, a squad riding qilin horses was galloping forward.
This group of cultivators exuded a solemn aura, their leader with a cultivation at the Middle Period of Foundation Establishment, shrouded in evil qi.
And in the center of the squad, escorting a Spiritual Vehicle.
On the vehicle.
A woman dressed in fiery red attire, her long hair tied high, with a cold and stern expression, sat astride dominantliest.
In her hand, she toyed with a dark red long whip, her gaze casually sweeping over the cultivators lining the street.
"That is..."
Chen Ye narrowed his eyes.
Although he had never seen her, he almost instantly guessed her identity.
The daughter of the Lord of Hunyuan City.
The mysterious Spirit Body returned from the Ruins Country.
Gu Tangyin.
The previously aggressive Daoist Miaofang, seeing the Spiritual Vehicle, trembled, drawing a sharp breath:
"Oh no! How did this girl find her way here again?!"
Without another word, he turned around ready to fold up his stall and leave.
But Gu Tangyin was faster, already stepping ahead, blocking Daoist Miaofang, respectfully saying:
"Senior, it’s time to return to the mansion!"