At this time, there was no formal banquet, no concept of large Chinese banquets.
A Western-style full course meal was already a lavish feast.
Banquets with a large number of dishes also existed, but there was no coordination between the dishes, resembling a large buffet or a cold buffet.
There was no style to speak of.
The improvement in strength was also very limited.
Mr. Luo exclaimed in horror, "1...160 dishes?"
"160 dishes is the basic. It's still too meager for me, and I wouldn't be satisfied with this number. There are many distinctive dishes that cannot be included, and I would regret it."
Mr. Luo swallowed.
Zhang Wei's words revealed a piece of information: not only was Zhang Wei proficient in super-large banquets, but the variety of dishes he mastered was astonishing. A mere 160 examples were far from enough to showcase his skills!
What a terrifying existence this was!
"Mr. Zhang Wei... A life menu should be about quality, not quantity. Piling up numbers is meaningless."
"Of course, my selection of ingredients and preparation are very cautious, otherwise I wouldn't have only decided on one dish."
"Can I have a glimpse of the dish you decided on?"
Zhang Wei gave a wry smile, "That is indeed my masterpiece, and the ingredients are quite complete... but in my current state, I cannot complete that dish."
Mr. Luo did not press further. After all, a life menu was a very subtle matter, and asking too many questions would be impolite.
The topic shifted away from the banquet.
Mr. Luo eagerly took the rainbow fruit, his eyes filled with excitement.
"In fact, by leveraging the power of the Black List, you can gather many ingredients, including this rainbow fruit."
Mr. Luo shook his head, "Ruling a territory and reaching the pinnacle are two entirely different paths. As for us, we merely wish to explore the taste of food and savor all the delicacies in the world. Power and responsibility go hand in hand, and both are merely stumbling blocks."
Power...
Responsibility...
Stumbling blocks...
There was some truth to that.
Different pursuits, all exchanging useless effort for what they needed.
However, he could not simultaneously hold the triple identities of chef, warrior, and ruler. The matters of the Northern Territory would sooner or later be handed over to Mo Du...
And exploring exquisite food and creating delicious dishes was the life he desired.
With this idea solidified, Zhang Wei also made arrangements for his future itinerary.
"The immediate priority is to resolve the issue of the Cloud Kingdom as quickly as possible."
...
Five days later.
Zhang Wei and Mr. Luo resolved the issue of the wounded soldiers in the military camp. The group of six set out for the capital of the Cloud Kingdom – Lingxiao City!
Besides Zhang Wei, Tian Zui, Mr. Luo, and Atlas, two new members joined the team.
The foremost of the Ten Heroes of the Northern Territory, the swordsman Shijuro.
And his disciple, Hikimura.
Shijuro, despite his exceptional martial prowess, had a deep aversion to government and power structures, and detested conflict.
His understanding of the sword was more akin to a necessary tradition of his sect.
His disciple, Hikimura, was the same, wielding a katana with its back edge sharpened, symbolizing non-killing.
Perhaps it was this purity and understanding of the sword that made their skills and state of mind transcend the ordinary.
If the current disturbance had not been so great as to potentially affect tens of millions of ordinary people in the Northern Territory, these two would never have emerged from seclusion. It could be said that other high-ranking officials in the Northern Territory had put in a great deal of effort.
Compared to the three who were engaged in lively conversation, Atlas, Shijuro, and Hikimura were quite silent, either wiping their swords or fiddling with their bamboo baskets.
However, after five days, the group had become somewhat familiar with each other.
...
The six moved swiftly on foot.
Within a single day, they could see Lingxiao City in the distance!
Compared to the steady Shijuro, Hikimura was more spirited, exclaiming, "How magnificent! It truly looks like a place where immortals reside."
The walls of Lingxiao City were tall and majestic, completely different from the wooden structures of other cities, making extensive use of granite, bluestone, and other materials, exuding solemnity and authority!
"I never expected that the rustic Cloud Kingdom would have such a magnificent giant city!"
Zhang Wei explained, "Low houses and short walls were not determined by aesthetics."
"Oh? Then what was it?"
"The foundation, that is, the floating algae!"
Zhang Wei continued, "The land beneath our feet is composed of dust, bird droppings, and dried, dead floating algae. The load-bearing capacity and structural strength of floating algae are limited, so it is natural that we cannot build particularly magnificent structures like we would on land."
"Then why is it possible here?"
This stone city, by its appearance, was not light, and its existence in a place as ethereal as the Cloud Kingdom was indeed rare.
Zhang Wei said, "It can be supported naturally because the floating algae is thick enough! Two hypotheses."
"First, this place is particularly suitable for the proliferation of floating algae, or there is artificial cultivation."
"Second... this is the first landmass of the Cloud Kingdom, and who knows how long it has existed, through how many ages."
"Or perhaps both are true."
Zhang Wei shrugged, indicating that these were just his guesses.
"Then what should we do next?"
"We'll issue a challenge," Zhang Wei said.
As he spoke, Zhang Wei ascended.
His aura surged astonishingly! Even the guards in Lingxiao City far away could feel an bone-chilling cold!
At this moment, Shijuro said, "Zhang Wei, do not harm the civilians."
"Rest assured."
Zhang Wei disdained harming civilians.
After a while...
No one responded to Zhang Wei!
The entire Lingxiao City was like a dead city!
"What's going on?"
Zhang Wei threw a punch, and the missile-like fist wind struck the city wall, causing countless solid stones to crumble.
Two deep indentations appeared on the city wall, like potholes on a human face.
"So sturdy, and so thick. It looks like it's not ordinary stone."
"Is there no one there?"
"No, I clearly sense the presence of a large number of life forms. It seems they intend to hold their ground here, or have some means within the city."
"But it doesn't matter how..."
Zhang Wei used his shapeshifting technique to amplify his vocal cords and mouth, roaring with all his might, "If no one comes out soon, I'll tear down the city walls! I know you're hiding behind them, so quickly send out someone who can talk!"
Inside the city wall...
The troops were in strict formation, and the soldiers' ranks were quite high, with a large proportion of sword-wielding elites.
The leader was a commander-in-chief never seen before.
The Grand Instructor of the Sword Elite – Lagu!
This person was known as the great treasure of the Cloud Kingdom, holding a high position and considerable power, even sometimes influencing the will of the country's ruler.
Lagu was 90 years old this year and had served as the Sword Elite Instructor for 50 years!
It could be said that half of the Sword Elite in the Cloud Kingdom had been promoted by Lagu. Besides Lagu, six of the remaining eleven commanders-in-chief were his disciples, and others had also received Lagu's guidance in their youth!
Even Bloodhound and God Servant Shaka showed respect when they met Lagu, highlighting his immense status!
"Instructor, Zhang Wei threatens to destroy the entire front wall!"
Lagu let out a disdainful snort, "Destroy the city wall?"
"The walls of my Lingxiao City are impregnable. It's impossible for him to even dent them, let alone destroy them all?"
"What a colossal joke!"
"If he can destroy the city wall, I'll eat all the bricks! Hahahaha..."