Yongxi might have had an ugly mug, but its meat was truly delicious.
It was likely the aura of the meat that reminded Jiang Zuo of Yongxi’s ugly face.
Unlike last time, this meat wasn’t just ordinary flesh; it contained a great deal of Spiritual Qi.
In other words, it was more authentic.
Simply put, it was many times more delicious than the last time.
After that, he focused on eating the meat without any other thoughts.
The only drawback was that it was easy to think of Yongxi, which really ruined the experience.
’If I hadn’t seen Yongxi, this would have been amazing.’
But anyone who had seen it—especially anyone who had spoken with it—wouldn’t feel the same.
Its face was just so smug.
Zhong Yiyang said nothing, remaining by Jiang Zuo’s side the entire time.
Only after Jiang Zuo finished eating did Zhong Yiyang speak up. "Fellow Daoist Po Xiao, what did you think?"
Jiang Zuo nodded. "It’s good. Very good."
It was truly rare for Jiang Zuo to offer such praise.
’Zhong Yiyang really is talented when it comes to cooking.’ Jiang Zuo was a little envious.
He had tried his best in the past, but unfortunately, he had failed utterly.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had to catch a new chef every era, only for each one to take advantage of the massive conflicts between him and Jiu Xi to escape.
There was no helping it. Under Jiang Zuo’s watch, they couldn’t even die if they wanted to.
A legend even seemed to appear back then, claiming that those who reached the pinnacle of the culinary arts would face a great tribulation. No one knew what this tribulation was, because to this day, no one had ever overcome it.
Jiang Zuo remembered hearing that rumor while walking down a road. Jiu Xi had been following behind him, and upon hearing it, she couldn’t help but laugh.
So, Jiang Zuo killed her, which was followed by a long, drawn-out war.
Simply put, there were many legends about Jiang Zuo back in the day, some public, some secret.
Of course, Jiu Xi had just as many.
After all, they had appeared in nearly every era. Beings who could match their longevity were a rare sight.
And even if such beings existed, they wouldn’t dare to mention the two of them lightly—especially Jiang Zuo. He was a truly taboo existence.
At that moment, Zhong Yiyang said, "I’m glad you liked it, Fellow Daoist. By the way, I’ve mastered the basics of the Sword Skill. I was wondering when I might be able to learn the second form?
Oh, I mean, what do I need to do for you to teach me the second form?"
Jiang Zuo had once said that he would teach him the next form in exchange for a favor.
There were seven forms in total.
Jiang Zuo shook his head. "I haven’t thought of anything. I’ll tell you when I do."
Zhong Yiyang was speechless.
’So if he doesn’t think of anything for ten years, I won’t be able to learn it for ten years?’
’As expected, a Sword Skill like this was never going to be easy to learn.’
However, he wasn’t discouraged. He had made a start, and he still had plenty of room for growth.
Then, Zhong Yiyang said, "Well, please remember to tell me when you think of something, Fellow Daoist. However, I’ll be away for a while, so I won’t be able to cook for you for the time being."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhong Yiyang realized he’d misspoken. ’Doesn’t that sound like I’m doing it on purpose?’
So he quickly explained, "The Sword Cultivation Lineage is holding a competition. I’m a disciple of the lineage, and my master wants me to return to participate in some Secret Realm. Please don’t misunderstand, Fellow Daoist."
Jiang Zuo hadn’t thought much of it, but he was surprised to learn that Zhong Yiyang was a Sword Cultivator. "You’re a Sword Cultivator?"
To be honest, Jiang Zuo couldn’t see the slightest hint of a Sword Cultivator in Zhong Yiyang. Calling him an Immortal Chef seemed far more fitting.
Every Sword Cultivator carried a hint of the sword about them. Sword Cultivators were inherently a breed apart; some were even as unyielding as forged steel.
Most Sword Cultivators, however, were normal.
For someone like Zhong Yiyang, who showed no trace of a sword’s shadow, he had either not yet begun his training or had already reached the realm of Extraordinary to Saint.
It was similar to Jian Shisan. When his sword was sheathed, even powerful Cultivators couldn’t tell he was a Sword Cultivator.
Hearing Jiang Zuo’s question, Zhong Yiyang looked a bit embarrassed. "I don’t have much Talent, so I’ve never achieved anything significant."
Jiang Zuo didn’t press the issue and instead asked, "When does it start?"
Zhong Yiyang replied, "It should be in a few days. There’s no definite news yet, mainly because the Secret Realm hasn’t fully opened. We can’t get in even if we wanted to."
In that case, Jiang Zuo didn’t ask any further.
’Only the Sword Cultivation Lineage would dare to send its disciples into an unknown Secret Realm so readily.’
’After all, a normal Sect would need to scout it out first. Who knew what could be inside?’
Another possibility was that the Celestial Secret Lineage had helped with a divination. However, the world was vast and filled with endless complexities; variables were innumerable. Until the very last moment, no one could be certain of the outcome.
Even Jiang Zuo’s Mystic Study could be interrupted at times, and once it was, he would almost never use it again that day.
He would have to wait until the next day to try again.
But this was all just Jiang Zuo’s speculation. ’In my past life, the Sword Cultivation Lineage never did anything remarkable, so it’s probably just a Small Secret Realm.’
Even if it were related to a Holy Land, it might be like that one valley, containing nothing more than a message left behind by the Lord of the Immortal Spirit Mansion.
Now that the information was synchronized, Jiang Zuo wasn’t worried about missing anything.
He was still quite curious about the Lord of the Immortal Spirit Mansion.
After finishing his meal, Jiang Zuo left. He did pay, of course.
After leaving the Inexplicable Fate Restaurant, Jiang Zuo went straight to the Tianhe Group.
He needed to post a commission.
Jian Shisan’s words, combined with that inexplicable feeling he had, put Jiang Zuo on alert.
There was already something wrong with Su Qi. If it was really as Jian Shisan had said, then what he needed to do was interfere.
Interfere with that bizarre epiphany.
The only problem was that the materials were rare. He had the technique, but it was useless without the right ingredients.
Therefore, he needed to post a commission to find them.
He soon arrived at Market Department Two. As soon as he sat down, he opened up his computer and began to post the commission.
Scope of Commission: No restrictions.
Commission Details: Rare and Exotic Treasures.
Commission Reward: One million in cash. Additional details to be discussed in person.
Note: "Discussed in person" can include any request, up to and including large quantities of Spirit Stones.
Just as Jiang Zuo clicked "Publish," a notification suddenly popped up:
Post Failed. Commission falls under the Cultivation category. Level: Unknown. Please proceed to the Appraisal Department to have the level assessed and to submit the required Spirit Stones.
Jiang Zuo was speechless.
’So what’s this all about now?’
Jiang Zuo had thought posting a commission was a simple matter. He hadn’t expected it to be so complicated.
’I even have to pay Spirit Stones?’
’Then again, it makes sense. They take a cut from cash transactions, but if they didn’t for Spirit Stone transactions, how would the Tianhe Group earn any Spirit Stones?’
Still, they only collected Spirit Stones upon posting, so the Tianhe Group probably didn’t earn that much from it.
As for whether the Spirit Stones would be refunded if the commission failed or was unsuccessful, Jiang Zuo had no idea. They probably wouldn’t be.
The Appraisal Department wasn’t far. Jiang Zuo asked Chen Yi and the others for directions and soon arrived.
The Appraisal Department didn’t just assess the level of commissions; they also appraised Magical Treasures and unknown Spirit Medicines.
The Tianhe Group provided nearly all the functions of a Sect. In other words, the Tianhe Group was a Sect of a different kind.
It was just that here, you had to give something to get something, and that applied to everyone involved.
After a brief chat with the front desk of the Appraisal Department, Jiang Zuo learned which room to go to.
It was similar to the Assessment Department; he just had to find the right person by their room number.
He was headed for Room 1, which was located at the very end of the hall.
As he passed Room 7, however, he paused. He had spotted a black stone.
A resigned voice then came from within the room. "So it’s just an ordinary stone?"