Lin Qing pondered for a long time but couldn't think of any ingredients to prepare. He could only turn to Su Xi for help, asking doubtfully, "You lived with the Ancestor Master for a while, you should know his preferences."
He knew this meal was crucial.
It would not only determine if he could survive under Tian Gang Zhenren's hand, but also whether Penglai Mountain could grow stronger and achieve greater glory. With the support of Tian Gang Zhenren, Penglai Mountain's future would be limitless.
Su Xi looked at Lin Qing and thoughtfully explained, "The Ancestor Master has tasted many delicacies, so ordinary dishes simply won't satisfy him. To please him, one must be innovative."
Hearing Su Xi's words, Lin Qing touched his forehead and lowered his head in deep thought.
Soon, a look of surprise appeared on his face, and he had already decided what ingredients to prepare.
Although obtaining those ingredients would require some effort, it was well worth it to gain the favor of Tian Gang Zhenren.
Seeing Lin Qing's excited expression, Su Xi blinked and asked curiously, "What did you decide to find?"
Lin Qing nodded and patted his chest confidently, saying, "You handle other matters, I'll take care of the main ingredients."
With that, Lin Qing eagerly flew away, leaving a bewildered Su Xi behind.
Su Xi watched Lin Qing's diminishing figure, shook her head, and decided to attend to her own tasks.
Lin Qing had a heavy responsibility, and hers was no light one.
The ingredients for a Manchu Han Imperial Feast were not easy to find in the ordinary world. Moreover, if something went wrong with Lin Qing, she could still step in to help.
Not everyone on the Five Great Immortal Mountains abstained from eating, and many cultivators who enjoyed the flavors of the mortal world also patronized the markets.
As Su Xi was purchasing ingredients with her basket at the market, she suddenly saw Huan Jie walking towards her with two men dressed in gaudy attire. She couldn't help but curse her bad luck.
Remembering that she had other things to do, she didn't want to get entangled with Huan Jie and planned to take a detour.
While she didn't want trouble, Huan Jie did not intend to let it go and deliberately blocked her path.
Huan Jie looked at Su Xi's overflowing basket and mocked her in public, "It seems Junior Sister is confident about the upcoming bet, even having the leisure to cook."
Although Su Xi didn't want trouble, she wasn't afraid of it. She rolled her eyes at Huan Jie and retorted defiantly, "To deal with a good-for-nothing like you, I really don't need to prepare much."
"What did you say?"
"What gives you the confidence to be so arrogant?"
"I'll see how you die without even knowing it."
"Don't come crying to your mother."
...
Huan Jie remained silent, but the two lackeys beside him couldn't help but retort.
They had never encountered a Foundation Establishment disciple daring to challenge a Golden Core expert. Such suicidal behavior wasn't bravery, but self-destruction.
The best way to deal with someone bent on self-destruction was to let their wish come true and truly die.
Su Xi looked at the two clowns acting up beside him and suddenly smiled, issuing an invitation, "Since you're so unconvinced by me, why don't you beat me up to vent your anger?"
Upon hearing Su Xi's words, the two immediately fell silent, afraid to even breathe heavily, lest Su Xi perceive it as a provocation.
They were only at the Qi Refining stage and definitely couldn't defeat Su Xi. If a fight broke out, they would only be the ones getting hurt, not venting any anger.
Su Xi was digging a pit for them to jump into, and they weren't foolish enough to do so.
Huan Jie snorted at the commotion.
Wasn't he standing right here? Didn't these people see him?
Hearing Huan Jie's snort, Su Xi retorted unceremoniously, "If you're feeling unwell, go see a doctor. Don't get sick and die before the appointed time. If you cough at me, I don't have any medicine for you either."
With that, she grabbed her basket, held her head high, and turned to leave.
She had a bet with Huan Jie, and she was sure Huan Jie wouldn't make a move before the agreed time. As for the onlookers, they were merely watching the fun and didn't dare to act.
She was initially happy to leave the secret realm, but she didn't expect to encounter the unlucky Huan Jie, which ruined her mood.
After Su Xi left, the two who had been stunned immediately recovered their spirits and said resentfully, "Senior Brother Huan Jie, this woman is too arrogant."
"Yes, she doesn't take you seriously at all."
"Who gave her the courage to provoke you like this?"
"If we don't teach her a lesson, who knows what Su Xi will do."
...
The two spoke one after another, trying to instigate Huan Jie to deal with Su Xi.
Although they couldn't defeat Su Xi, they were sure that if Huan Jie made a move, he could easily crush her and avenge them.
Hearing the instigation from the two beside him, Huan Jie's face darkened, and he reprimanded, "Shut up, you mindless fools."
If he acted prematurely now, he would be violating the bet. Whether he could vent his anger was uncertain, but he would be the first to suffer the punishment of heaven's will.
The two heard Huan Jie's anger and knew he was genuinely upset.
So they stopped their nagging and, holding his arms on either side, they kept digging their fingernails into their palms and said softly, "Brother Huan Jie, we understand."
Feeling the presence of the two men beside him, Huan Jie's anger subsided slightly. He waved his hand and said, "Let's go back. We don't need to eat anymore."
Upon hearing Huan Jie's words, the two men's faces flushed, and they immediately understood what Huan Jie intended to do.
However, since they were doing this for future cultivation resources, they could only cooperate obediently, even knowing what Huan Jie was planning.
Su Xi didn't pay attention to the disgusting scene behind her. She brought back a large pile of ingredients and placed them in the kitchen, immediately getting busy.
The Ancestor Master's meal was a major event, and she couldn't be careless.
Soon, Su Xi had finished preparing the Manchu Han Imperial Feast, but Lin Qing had not yet returned. She was worried they would miss the appointed time.
Just as she was about to use a communication talisman to contact Lin Qing, she saw Lin Qing walking back from outside with a smile.
In his hand, he was carrying a bag.
Lin Qing threw the bag in front of Su Xi and said, "Today's main course will be him."
"What is this?" Su Xi asked, opening the bag in front of her with a puzzled expression.
As soon as she opened it, Su Xi's face turned strange. "Deer antler?"
"Yes, the Ancestor Master hasn't been out for a long time, so he must be very weak and needs to be replenished. And this is not ordinary deer antler; it's perfect for strengthening the body," Lin Qing said as if it were obvious.
Su Xi glanced at Lin Qing, not wanting to discourage him, and quietly put away the deer antler.
The power contained within the deer antler was very strong, and it was definitely not from a simple demonic beast; it was at least a level 7 demonic beast.
Thinking that it was already quite difficult for Lin Qing to find something good in such a short time, Su Xi couldn't bear to tell him that the Ancestor Master usually ate demonic beasts of the divine beast level.
Lin Qing watched Su Xi busily working in the kitchen with enthusiasm, full of anticipation. He repeatedly cautioned Su Xi to be careful.
If the Ancestor Master discovered his regard for him, he would surely be very happy.
Just as Su Xi and Lin Qing were busy in the kitchen, Tian Gang Zhenren, smelling the aroma of the food, walked in.
What were these two doing busy for so long? Did they know it was already dark?
"Is it ready?" As Tian Gang Zhenren entered the kitchen, he looked around, assessing the day's meal.
Su Xi pointed to the prepared dishes and said, "Ancestor Master. It's ready. Please go sit down, and we'll bring the food over shortly?"
"Mm." Tian Gang Zhenren nodded, picked up a chicken leg, and popped it into his mouth before walking out with satisfaction.
Soon, the main hall of Penglai Mountain was filled with the aroma of dishes.
When serving the dishes, Lin Qing, to highlight his sincerity, placed the deer antler closer to Tian Gang Zhenren.
However, Tian Gang Zhenren didn't even glance at the deer antler. Instead, he showed great interest in the other dishes.