Who Let Him Cultivate?!

Illusory shadows of dragons and phoenixes twirled above Demon City, prompting the demons there to all look up, involuntarily recalling the scene when the Nation Master and the Phoenix Ancestor fought during the founding of their nation.

Although the spectacle was not comparable to that from the early days, it was still counted among the top tier among the Pass Tribulation Cultivators, making it the perfect finale for the Spirit Chef contest.

A wide golden path stretched from the Imperial Palace, extending to the site of the Spirit Chef contest.

Eight blood-colored Dragon Colts galloped on the golden path, their neighs signifying Zhu Tian was on his way.

But what was being pulled in the carriage was not Zhu Tian, but an edict.

The edict unfurled, hovering over the contest site, crushing the heavens beneath it, and sealing all divinities. The illusion of Zhu Tian emerged, suppressing the illusions of the dragon and phoenix.

Zhu Tian lifted his hand, calling for an end to the conflict, "Both of you, stop."

His deep and resounding voice echoed in all directions of Demon City, causing the citizens to hail the Emperor like a tsunami, wave after wave of shouts, such that even Lu Yang could feel the overwhelming sound waves!

"Your Majesty," Jin Tan, seeing the edict, quickly bowed respectfully.

The edict represented Zhu Tian's personal involvement, demanding reverence.

"Greetings, Nation Master Zhu," Daoist Ming Yuan stopped his actions given he was in Zhu Tian's territory, and propriety was demanded.

Merely an illusion, merely five words, yet they made two Transcendance Tribulation Cultivators cease their hostilities, not daring to harbor any covetous thoughts, illustrating the profound authority of Zhu Tian!

"We have not fought for a long time and have forgotten our manners; please, Nation Master Zhu, punish us," Daoist Ming Yuan bowed deeply as he spoke.

Zhu Tian waved his hand, his large sleeves fluttering, wrapping around his arms and then behind his back, "It's been long since I've seen a dispute among Spirit Chefs, reminding me of the ancient times. What talk is there of punishment? Just ensure that you two do not fight within Demon City, lest it disturbs the lives of the citizens."

His gaze was profound, as if gazing into the Dragon and Phoenix battles of ancient times, yet also seeming concerned about the current livelihood of Demon City's citizens, merging past and present in an inscrutable manner.

"Yes."

"Thank you, Nation Master Zhu."

The illusion of Zhu Tian dissipated, the edict returning to the Imperial Palace by carriage, the golden path also vanished into the sky, turning into golden light like numerous stars, resonating beautifully with the sunset.

Throughout this process, Daoist Ming Yuan continued to show his respect towards Zhu Tian by bowing deeply without once raising his head.

...

"At last, it's over," Lu Yang stretched lazily, feeling somewhat disappointed he hadn't seen the outcome of Jin Tan and Daoist Ming Yuan's duel, though he understood Zhu Tian's concerns—their cooking had indeed been excessively disruptive.

"Sister Mengmeng, let's rest tonight, we should head back tomorrow."

Yun Mengmeng was still reluctant to leave the delicacies of the Spirit Chef Alliance, but she also knew once everyone from the alliance left, the place wouldn't have much to offer.

"Then Second-in-command, you go back first, can I meet someone to say goodbye?"

Lu Yang chuckled and shook his head, "That Spirit Chef from the small tavern you visit every evening for chats? Go ahead."

"See you at the inn!"

"It seems you really got along well," Lu Yang laughed, seeing Yun Mengmeng's interest in someone else for the first time.

Yun Mengmeng rushed back to the small shop, hoping to leave before the owner returned to avoid causing trouble for Little Lotus.

"Little Lotus, are you busy?"

The shop was as deserted as ever, Yun Mengmeng having never seen another customer there besides herself in all her visits.

"Everyone went to watch the contest, who would come here?" Little Lotus spoke, not stopping her hands as she pounded burnt chili with a mortar and pestle.

"The contest is over; you'll have people here tomorrow!" Yun Mengmeng cheerfully said.

"Yes, and tomorrow you'll be gone," Little Lotus said reluctantly, sad to part with a friend she'd gotten along with so well, whom she'd not see again tomorrow. She always felt Yun Mengmeng had an aura of an adult.

It was a pity she only had a vague impression of the adult, obscured as though by a layer of mist, impossible to dispel.

Seeing Little Lotus downcast, Yun Mengmeng also felt disheartened.

"Sure, sure, do you want to learn cooking from my second-in-command? He just won the title in the Five Star Spirit Chef Team, and everyone says he's the successor to the Immortal Cook!"

"Immortal Cook… successor?"

Hearing this term, Little Lotus showed a strange look in her eyes.

"Impressive, right? I'm not bragging, the second-in-command really has genuine skills, he even learned the Complete Culinary Compendium!"

"Complete Culinary Compendium? Wait for me a moment!"

Little Lotus dashed to the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets in search of her own Complete Culinary Compendium.

Just then, the wooden door of the small store was pushed open. Yun Mengmeng looked back in surprise, seeing a customer for the first time and preparing to help Little Lotus.

"Welcome… Alliance Leader Ming Yuan?"

Yun Mengmeng was even more surprised. Why was Alliance Leader Ming Yuan here?

Daoist Ming Yuan did not answer but just smiled mischievously and secretly snapped his fingers.

Outside of Demon City, a series of Array Methods that had been buried illuminated one after another, silently spreading throughout the entire city, isolating it from external contact temporarily, turning Demon City into a self-contained small world.

"My lord, everything is ready."

Daoist Ming Yuan spoke respectfully to the jade pendant hanging on his chest shaped like an eye.

This was the jade pendant he found in his youth in the East Sea, which marked the beginning of his fortune.

The shadow sitting on the throne of bones stood up, took a step forward, and vanished from the jade pendant's small world, appearing right in front of Yun Mengmeng.

As soon as the shadow emerged, Yun Mengmeng felt an immense pressure, reminding her of her previous battle at the Sword Tower against the Ying Tian Corpse.

"Yun Mengmeng, you fell into the trap after all!" the shadow said with a faint smile, its body trembling slightly with uncontrollable excitement.

He, driven to obtain the Initial Form of Immortal Dao Fruit, had the power to flee from the Silent Extermination Immortal. He had set his sights on Yun Mengmeng's Initial Form of Immortal Dao Fruit.

But Yun Mengmeng was at the Seek Dao Sect and Seek Dao Sect had Yun Zhi, so it was absolutely impossible to take action there.

Therefore, he found out that Yun Mengmeng referred to Lu Yang as the second-in-command and had a deep connection with Lu Yang, and also learned that Yun Mengmeng enjoyed good food. So, he ordered Daoist Ming Yuan to open the Spirit Chef Competition in Demon City and invited Lu Yang to come.

If Lu Yang came, Yun Mengmeng would surely follow!

So, he also had Daoist Ming Yuan set up a Great Formation in Demon City, allowing it to become a self-contained small world, isolated from the Silent Extermination Immortal's sensing.

In this way, he could act without any hesitation!

Setting up such a formation was difficult; Daoist Ming Yuan spent more than ten days completing it.

Everything went according to his plan, Lu Yang accepted the invitation and came, with Yun Mengmeng following.

The Initial Form of Immortal Dao Fruit was right before his eyes!

"Zuo Shi Immortal, why are you here?" Little Lotus asked the shadow, confused.

…

As evening approached, the setting sun bathed the clouds in red. Lu Yang walked alone in the streets, weaving through the bustling crowd where vendors shouted their wares and children played and frolicked, the distant sound of chickens crowing and dogs barking, seeing the Human race and Demon race living together, everyone's faces filled with happy smiles, and he couldn't help but smile too.

The smell of incense from the mundane world, perhaps that was why most cultivators chose to become Worldly Cultivators.

Recalling this Spirit Chef Competition, though there were many coincidences, it ended safely without any trouble.

A stunning yet cold Female Immortal appeared at the end of the street.

In theory, her beauty should have caused passersby to exclaim, but in reality, apart from Lu Yang, no one noticed her presence.

The Female Immortal was a transcendent being, standing there alone, the crowd unconsciously moving around her.

She blocked Lu Yang's path, her tone calm,

"Where is the Immortal Fairy, I need to see her."