Chapter 421: Chapter 269: A United and Friendly Big Family?

"Greetings, Elder He!"

Upon arriving at the small courtyard, Zou Feng bowed respectfully.

By now, He Wenxuan’s impression of Zou Feng had already improved considerably.

After all, having met him in person, the young man didn’t seem like some reckless fool who couldn’t grasp his own situation.

On the contrary, he knew exactly how to navigate the predicament he was in after killing Yang Haoyu.

Presenting him with a valuable gift wasn’t a plea for protection.

Rather, it was to prove that Zou Feng understood how the world worked and wouldn’t just resort to brute force when problems arose.

If Zou Feng’s cooking could then pass his inspection and earn him the position of Head Chef, the Purple Cloud Association would be unlikely to overstep its bounds.

But the key to navigating this situation was that the young man had to have real skill...

"You know how to cook?" He Wenxuan had no intention of making small talk and got straight to the point.

Zou Feng answered truthfully, "In response, Elder He, back in the Great Yan Dynasty, I learned to cook before I even began my martial training!"

"Mm. And what do you plan on making now?"

"Egg fried rice!"

"Egg fried rice?" He Wenxuan couldn’t help but be surprised by this answer.

Zou Feng said, "The simplest dishes are often the most difficult to master."

"...Interesting. Go on, then!" He Wenxuan waved his hand.

Zou Feng had his reasons for choosing to make egg fried rice.

He was a newcomer and didn’t yet know how far the culinary arts of the Eastern Earth Immortal Realm had developed.

But they were certainly far more advanced than those of the Great Yan Dynasty.

To display his skills before He Wenxuan and become the Head Chef, it would be meaningless to simply rely on high-grade Spiritual Food—ingredients that were delicious enough with just a bit of simple boiling or roasting.

That would never be enough to satisfy He Wenxuan.

Therefore, the best approach was to win him over with the most fundamental cooking techniques.

By seasoning the simplest of dishes with his Hand of Poisoning, he could create a delicacy that would astonish someone like He Wenxuan, who had tasted countless rare and exotic foods.

Zou Feng immediately got to work in silence.

The necessary ingredients were already prepared, all packed in a basket.

There was no need to start a fire; by using his Fire Lotus Palm, he could achieve the effect of a high-intensity stove.

Although He Wenxuan feigned indifference, he was secretly impressed as he watched Zou Feng’s fluid motions.

He was a connoisseur, and he could tell at a glance that Zou Feng wasn’t bluffing. The young man’s fundamentals were incredibly solid; he had clearly dedicated himself to the culinary arts.

The spiritual rice danced in the wok. Zou Feng didn’t use a spatula; instead, he used his bare hand as one, continuously tossing the ingredients.

Using his hand as a utensil was, of course, a way to enhance the potency of his Hand of Poisoning.

When the timing was just right, Zou Feng gave a mighty heave, sending the contents of the wok flying high into the air.

The sunlight, refracted by the Celestial Dao Cauldron, illuminated each distinct grain of rice, making them shimmer with a spectacular beauty.

Each grain seemed to absorb the essence of the sunlight and the Celestial Dao Cauldron, taking on a mysterious, profound aura.

A moment later, the fried rice, now bathed in the "celestial sunlight," descended under the guidance of Zou Feng’s True Qi, streaking down like a comet.

The comet landed perfectly upon the plate that had already been set before He Wenxuan.

Instantly, an aroma so rich it made one want to cry out in joy filled the air.

GURGLE—

He Wenxuan had only just finished a meal, yet his body, instinctively preparing to better enjoy this fried rice, began to rapidly accelerate its own digestion.

An attendant of He Wenxuan’s standing nearby stared blankly at the plate, the aroma so tantalizing that he began to drool without even realizing it.

"Celestial Dao Comet Fried Rice. Please, have a taste, Elder He."

When all was said and done, it was still just egg fried rice. But after Zou Feng’s performance and that ridiculously fragrant aroma, calling it ’Celestial Dao Comet Fried Rice’ didn’t seem out of place at all.

He Wenxuan snorted and picked up his spoon. "All flash and no substance. Let’s see what you’ve really done with this egg fried rice!"

Though he was dying to eat it, He Wenxuan, conscious of his status, still had to put up a front.

He scooped up a large spoonful of fried rice and stuffed it into his mouth so fast it left an afterimage.

The next moment, as if struck by lightning, He Wenxuan froze, and then his entire body began to tremble violently.

"This... This is..."

"OOOOOOH..."

He Wenxuan shot up from his lounge chair, threw the spoon to the ground, then grabbed the plate with both hands and impatiently began pouring the fried rice directly into his mouth.

He looked for all the world like a man who hadn’t eaten in three days.

Seeing this, Zou Feng was completely relieved.

’It seems even a Spiritual Energy Realm Cultivator can’t resist the power of the Hand of Poisoning.’

’A hand marinated by so many Exotic Poisons is, in itself, the most versatile of seasonings.’

He Wenxuan was screaming like a stuck pig, causing several nearby disciples to think he had been struck by some terrible illness and rush over to check on him.

"Elder He... Are you all right?"

"Was the food poisoned? Elder He, say something!"

He Wenxuan had been lost in the sublime pleasure of the Celestial Dao Comet Fried Rice. Annoyed at being disturbed by his subordinates, he snapped, "All of you, shut up!"

After yelling at them, he mostly regained his composure, his gaze locking firmly onto Zou Feng.

"You’re Zou Feng, right? Report to the Dining Hall tomorrow. You’re the new Head Chef!"

"And remember, whenever you’re on duty, the Dining Hall must be serving this Celestial Dao Comet Fried Rice!" He Wenxuan was direct and didn’t bother negotiating any further conditions.

In truth, no other conditions were necessary. Once Zou Feng was Head Chef, as long as he could serve this Celestial Dao Comet Fried Rice, there was no way he wouldn’t be able to win everyone over.

In fact, if Zou Feng could consistently create dishes this stunning, He Wenxuan wouldn’t mind acting as a go-between and recommending him to the Inner Sect’s Dining Hall.

The path of a Spirit Chef might not have the highest ceiling, but if one was good enough, they could lead an extremely comfortable life.