God of Cuisine Reborn: I Became Invincible by Cooking

Chapter 24 – All means are exhausted

After cultivating for a while and taking a nap for half an hour, Qian Youcai finally delivered the ingredients Ye Changqing needed.

Ever since Hongzun spoke up last time, Qian Youcai, an Outer Sect steward, had become Ye Changqing's subordinate. Whatever was needed, Ye Changqing didn't have to lift a finger; just a word and Qian Youcai would deliver it himself.

And Qian Youcai had no complaints about this. His thoughts were the same as the other disciples: as long as Ye Changqing was responsible for cooking, he didn't have to worry about anything else.

"Thank you, Steward Qian."

Brewing a pot of tea and looking at the high-quality Red-Spotted Pig trotters Qian Youcai brought, Ye Changqing smiled.

"No need for thanks between us. By the way, is there a new dish tonight?"

"Yes, braised pig trotters."

"I'll help."

Hearing there was a new dish for dinner, Qian Youcai's eyes lit up. After tasting Ye Changqing's cooking at noon, he couldn't forget it.

An Outer Sect steward eager to help, Ye Changqing had no choice but to let Qian Youcai chop some firewood.

After cleaning the pig trotters, Ye Changqing began cooking.

Since braised pig trotters needed time to stew and absorb flavors, Ye Changqing started early.

First, he blanched the trotters, boiled them to remove impurities and blood foam, then took them out. Afterward, he poured oil into the pot, added rock sugar, and stir-fried on low heat.

Then he added various spices, poured in an appropriate amount of water, brought it to a boil, and then simmered on low heat.

As Ye Changqing worked, a fragrance gradually filled the courtyard, making Qian Youcai drool.

"It smells so good."

The aroma continuously stimulated Qian Youcai's senses, making him endure the wait.

"Changqing, um..."

"Not yet, wait a bit."

This guy wanted to sneak a taste, but Ye Changqing directly refused. Although Qian Youcai was helpless, he had no choice.

He could only stare at the pot emitting the enticing aroma, as if it were a rare treasure.

In the courtyard, Ye Changqing lazily lay on a bamboo chair, while Qian Youcai stayed by the pot, unwilling to leave even a step.

The afternoon passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was almost dinner time.

Checking the time, Ye Changqing leisurely got up, went to the pot, and opened the lid. Instantly, an aroma many times richer than before wafted out.

Qian Youcai's eyes widened at the intense fragrance.

Next was the final step of reducing the sauce.

Meanwhile, in the Outer Sect disciple area, the hall was packed today because an Elder was giving a lecture.

Every time an Elder lectured, it was a significant event for Outer Sect disciples.

After all, as Outer Sect disciples, such opportunities were rare, and spots were limited, so everyone valued them highly.

This time was no exception. All afternoon, many Outer Sect disciples listened intently.

But as time passed, a small number of disciples began to grow restless.

In the back, three disciples were clearly no longer focused on the lecture, whispering to each other.

"What do we do? It's almost dinner time."

"Yeah, if we go late, there'll definitely be nothing left."

"What should we do? The lecture isn't over yet."

"You think you'll get food if you wait until it's over? Dream on."

"Damn, there's less than half an hour left. What now?"

"I don't know."

"I'm leaving you guys, I'm going to get a good spot."

The three were anxious, and the reason was simple: it was almost dinner time.

One of the disciples was completely preoccupied with the stir-fried pork and Mapo tofu from lunch, unable to think of anything else. Without much thought, he quietly slipped out of the hall.

In such Elder lectures, if you wanted to leave, no one would usually say anything; it was your decision.

But before, no disciple had ever left in the middle of a lecture.

It was a joke; getting a chance to listen as an Outer Sect disciple was already rare, so how could anyone leave halfway?

But now, someone had walked out right under everyone's noses.

The many disciples present were stunned, looking at this Outer Sect disciple, wondering if he had gone mad.

They knew the opportunity to listen to a lecture came at a great cost, and this guy just walked out?

Before they could think further, two more Outer Sect disciples stood up and followed him out of the hall.

Even the Elder giving the lecture was puzzled. What was wrong with these little rascals?

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Was his lecture not good enough? Why were they all leaving?

The departure of the three disciples shook the Elder's confidence, as nothing like this had ever happened before.

The atmosphere in the hall became a bit strange, but the three disciples didn't care. After leaving the hall, they didn't hesitate and immediately used their agility martial arts, heading straight for the kitchen at the foot of the mountain.

The three figures raced against each other, moving like the wind.

At the same time, similar scenes unfolded all over Divine Sword Peak. On the mountain summit, several streaks of light flashed by, each faster than the last.

Even the menial disciples were running like mad.

At the same time and place, the dinner army arrived as expected, and in the kitchen, Ye Changqing had already prepared dinner.

People arriving from different directions met at the courtyard gate of the kitchen.

The disciples exchanged glances, sparks flying, and no one willing to back down.

"Hmph, watch my Flowing Light Step."

"Petty trick, Soft Palm."

"Damn, you're making a move?"

Some immediately used their agility martial arts, while others went further, directly using martial skills.

Of course, not attack skills, but control-type skills.

Temporarily controlling the opponent's movements to get ahead and secure a good spot.

This was the result of an afternoon of brainstorming; to secure a good spot, the disciples had evolved.

Seeing someone make a move, others were naturally unwilling to fall behind, and soon, various martial skills emerged outside the courtyard.

Outer and Inner Sect disciples were going wild, leaving the menial disciples pitiful.

Unable to compete with the Outer and Inner Sect disciples, the menial disciples could only watch from the side.

"Watch my Soft Palm."

"I dodge."

"Want to leave? Did you ask me? Absolute Hand, I absorb."

"Golden Bell Shield."

"Step."

Various techniques, everyone crowded at the gate, all wanting to be the first to enter. Just then, several figures flashed by; it was Lu Youyou, Xu Jie, and Liu Shuang, three direct disciples.

"Damn, it's Senior Brother Xu and the others."

An Inner Sect disciple recognized the three, and upon hearing this, many disciples focused on them. The next second, someone shouted.

"Let's all make a move, stop them!"