"Stop overthinking, stop overthinking."
Chen Ye shook his head, halting his tendency to worry needlessly.
After all, he was someone with a proficiency panel cheat; as long as he had time, the Foundation Establishment Stage was merely a smooth path for him.
"Phew..."
Chen Ye felt a sense of relief.
Since hard cultivation wasn’t working, he decided to change his mindset.
In recent days, in preparation for the Luoxiao Grotto Heaven, the disciples had indeed been too tense.
Especially Qing Jun, who had been sleeping less for practicing the Breath Concealment Art, looking worn out and pitiful.
Chen Ye stood up and swung his sleeve:
"The way of cultivation is to balance work and rest. Since the Luoxiao Grotto Heaven hasn’t opened yet, staying cooped up in the mansion isn’t effective."
"Let’s go."
"Where are we going, Master?"
Jin’er curiously raised his head, still holding the gloomy tail of the little white fox.
Chen Ye smiled mysteriously: "I’ve heard that a new eatery, Shi Xian Ju, has opened in the eastern part of the city. It is an enterprise under the Spirit Treasure Sect, gathering renowned chefs from both Yan and Qi. We’ll go there for a taste and also... find some inspiration for me, and broaden your horizons."
Zhiwei was taken aback, softly saying:
"Master, back then that Daoist Miaofang’s stall was also named Shi Xian Ju. Could it be opened by that Daoist Miaofang?"
Zhiwei never forgets anything; she remembered such details clearly.
"Indeed. There is another reason why I’m taking you there."
Chen Ye nodded and explained,
"On your visit to Luoxiao Grotto Heaven, be cautious of those four cultivators from Huayue Mansion. They are called the Hua Yue Four Heroes and each of their cultivation is at the Sixth-Layer Foundation Establishment. This level of cultivation is considered top-notch among the True Inheritors of various sects in the Yan Kingdom."
"And these four will be at Shi Xian Ju today, so watch out."
This information.
Of course, came from Master Gu.
Knowledge of self and enemy leads to victory in a hundred battles.
Chen Ye had a premonition that in Luoxiao Grotto Heaven, the greatest threat to his disciples would be the Hua Yue Four Heroes!
"Hmm? Oh, that’s not important! Master, do you underestimate Qing Jun? Qing Jun is a dragon! Not just the Hua Yue Four Heroes, even if Master Huayue himself came, Qing Jun wouldn’t be afraid!"
Qing Jun impatiently shook her head, eagerly pulling her senior and junior sisters to run outside,
"Senior sister, hurry up! If we arrive late, there won’t be good seats!"
The little white fox lay by the flowerbed, watching this, rolled its eyes helplessly.
"Squeak... (It’s always about food at a time like this...)"
Chen Ye was truly carefree.
He had just made a mistake in cultivation and spat blood, and instead of retreating for recovery, he planned to take his disciples out to fool around?
And this arrogant little girl!
Master Huayue is a Nascent Soul True Monarch. Even in my presence, I’d retreat a bit!
However,
What the little white fox didn’t know was that in the original plot, Master Huayue was indeed slain by Qing Jun...
"Little White, Little White! Let’s go! We’re going to have a big feast!"
Before the little white fox could comprehend, a mischievous hand scooped it up from the ground, hastily stuffing it into a small backpack filled with the scent of snacks.
"Squeak!!"
(How dare you!)
...
Hunyuan City, Eastern District.
Shi Xian Ju.
This towering nine-story majestic pavilion stood in the bustling market, entirely constructed from premium rosewood, with intricate carvings and paintings, extremely luxurious.
And since it was the time of the Luoxiao Conference, it was when Hunyuan City was most lively. The restaurant was full of guests, with the clamor rising and falling.
"Customers, how many? Dining or staying?"
As they stepped inside, a sharp-eyed waiter greeted them.
"Dinner. A private room on the second floor facing the street, somewhere quieter."
Chen Ye casually tossed a Middle Grade Spirit Stone.
Although this was in the most bustling Hunyuan City of Yan Kingdom, the purchasing power of a Middle Grade Spirit Stone remained astounding.
It was equivalent to a hundred Spirit Stones, something that a low-level Loose Cultivator would need busy years to accumulate.
"Alright! The top-class private room is available! Upstairs, please!"
The waiter accepted the Spirit Stone, his smile brightening, as he guided Chen Ye’s group of four upstairs.
The private room had an excellent location, with windows through which one could see the bustling streets below.
Once the dishes and drinks were served, Chen Ye did not touch the food.
He transmitted his voice, the sound echoing in the minds of his three disciples:
"Don’t just focus on eating. Seems like we’re in luck. Look at the entrance downstairs."
Upon hearing this, the three disciples glanced over.
At the entrance of Shi Xian Ju, the bustling crowd suddenly seemed to be parted by an invisible hand.
Four figures, imposing in presence, walked straight inside.
With three men and one woman, all dressed in red flowing cloud robes, a distinctive attire exclusive to Huayue Mansion’s Dongshan Academy in Ruins Country, with Flowing Light subtly flashing between the sleeves, all top-quality Magical Treasures.
"Are these... the four from Huayue Mansion?"
Zhiwei transmitted a question, maintaining a calm tone.
"Correct."
Chen Ye sipped his tea, leveraging the intelligence provided by Master Gu to point out to his disciples:
"The man with a delicate face and paper-white skin, playing with a folding fan, is named Hua Wuyin. Though he appears delicate, he practices the Poison Technique, so be exceptionally cautious."
Qing Jun glanced over, smirked, and transmitted: "So ugly! Master is far more handsome!"
The girl’s aesthetic view had long been skewed by her master.
In fact, Hua Wuyin had a feminine appearance, incredibly handsome, with high-status, leaving many female cultivators of Yan Kingdom smitten.
Chen Ye ignored her and continued to assess the two robust men:
"The pair of twin strongmen on the right are named Zhong Shan and Zhong Yue. Their cultivation technique is ’Mountain Moving Divine Power’, which grants them immense strength and tough skin. These two share a connection, making it hard for ordinary techniques to penetrate their defenses."