Chapter 140 Heart Demon Tower

Ye Qingchen let out a wry smile.

Cultivation truly is an expensive affair. At this rate, if I don’t work hard to make money, I won’t be able to support my own consumption.

However, he didn’t dwell on it for long. With the Pill Emperor’s Heart Sutra, his progress in alchemy wouldn’t be slow. Once his skills advanced, he could start producing Spirit Pills to exchange for Spirit Stones to support his cultivation. Thinking of this, Ye Qingchen’s mood improved greatly. After getting a feel for the formidable power of the Sixth Layer of the Martial Master Realm, he left the secret chamber.

To his surprise, Hei Ze was waiting for him just outside.

Upon seeing Ye Qingchen emerge, Hei Ze was slightly taken aback. With his keen eyesight, he could naturally tell that Ye Qingchen had broken through to the Sixth Layer of the Martial Master Realm.

He was clearly at the Fifth Layer of the Martial Master Realm this morning. How did he suddenly break through? Since when did advancing through the Martial Master Realm become so easy?

Hei Ze couldn’t figure it out and could only attribute it to the divine-level cultivation technique.

However, Hei Ze hadn’t come just to see Ye Qingchen’s breakthrough.

I slaved all morning to prepare a whole table of food. If Ye Qingchen doesn’t get a taste, wouldn’t all my effort be in vain?

"Ye Qingchen, you’re out just in time! Hurry, the food is all ready. You’re in for a treat today!" Hei Ze said with a beaming smile, taking Ye Qingchen by the hand and leading him outside.

Ye Qingchen was speechless.

Although Xiao Xiao had repeatedly instructed Hei Ze to call him "Young Master," Hei Ze, having long been in a high position, found the title too awkward to voice. Of course, Ye Qingchen didn’t care about such formalities. He had even told Xiao Xiao not to call him "Young Master," but she just couldn’t break the habit.

At this moment, Ye Qingchen was a hundred times more reluctant to go. Remembering the blackened food, the good mood from his breakthrough instantly dissipated. Still, it was a gesture of Hei Ze’s kindness, so he couldn’t openly refuse. As Hei Ze pulled him along, Ye Qingchen racked his brain, trying to think of an escape plan.

"Ye Qingchen, just wait, I’ll serve you the dishes. Haha!" Hei Ze forcefully seated Ye Qingchen at the table and began to busily get to work.

Ye Qingchen’s face was dark, as dark as the food before him. Yet Hei Ze was extremely enthusiastic, urging him to quickly have a taste.

Holding his chopsticks, Ye Qingchen hesitated. It wasn’t that he lacked courage; no one would doubt the bravery of someone who had dared to face five Fourth-Layer Monster Beasts alone while only at the Second Layer of the Martial Master Realm. But looking at the food in front of him, Ye Qingchen was scared.

This is the first time I’ve ever felt that eating is such a painful ordeal.

However, seeing the hopeful look in Hei Ze’s eyes, Ye Qingchen still extended his chopsticks toward the food on the table, though they felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Hei Ze, completely oblivious to Ye Qingchen’s difficulty, instead placed a large plate of blackened food right in front of him. "Ye Qingchen, try this," he said. "It’s your favorite."

Ye Qingchen stared at the dish for a long time but couldn’t figure out what it was. "Hei Ze," he asked dubiously, "are you sure this is my favorite?"

"Of course," Hei Ze replied with a radiant smile. "I’ve been here so many times, and don’t you always eat chicken? This is the charcoal-grilled chicken I prepared especially for you. Eat up; the taste is absolutely amazing."

Ye Qingchen’s face turned ashen.

Who makes black chicken? If I didn’t know Hei Ze’s character, I would have thought this food was poisoned. Why else would everything be black?

But seeing the expectant look in Hei Ze’s eyes, Ye Qingchen carefully picked up a small piece, and as if steeling himself, brought it toward his mouth.

"Junior Brother Qingchen! Junior Brother Qingchen!"

Just then, an overjoyed Wang Qiang ran in from outside. Ye Qingchen felt as if he had seen his savior. He hurriedly put down his chopsticks, rose, and went to greet him. At that moment, Wang Qiang’s not-so-handsome face appeared incredibly adorable to Ye Qingchen.

"Senior Brother Wang, what is it? Are you here to take me somewhere?" Ye Qingchen asked, hinting that he was desperate to leave.

Wang Qiang, however, was completely oblivious. "Junior Brother Qingchen," he said excitedly, "the annual Heart Demon Tower is about to open! All of us newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples have a chance to participate. You must seize this opportunity! I heard that disciples who perform exceptionally in the Heart Demon Tower can be accepted as True Disciples. There’s even a chance to become the Sect Master’s disciple!"

A flicker of joy lit up Ye Qingchen’s heart. No matter what this Heart Demon Tower was, he finally had an excuse to get away from Hei Ze. "Is that true, Senior Brother Wang? Then I must prepare well. I am determined to become the Sect Master’s disciple!"

With that, Ye Qingchen turned and ran back toward the secret chamber, ready to enter closed-door cultivation.

Wang Qiang was stunned by Ye Qingchen’s eagerness but still called out to his retreating back, "Junior Brother Qingchen, the Heart Demon Tower opens in three days! Don’t forget!"

"Got it!"

By the time Ye Qingchen’s voice floated back, he had already vanished into the secret chamber. He had never run that fast, not even when he was being hunted down.

Hei Ze was a bit annoyed. It seemed the meal he had so painstakingly prepared would go untasted by Ye Qingchen.

Looks like he’s not fated to enjoy this feast!

But Hei Ze also knew the importance of the Heart Demon Tower and naturally wouldn’t interfere with Ye Qingchen’s preparations.

"Hei Ze, you’re here too?" Wang Qiang greeted him enthusiastically after Ye Qingchen had left.

Hei Ze sighed inwardly as he looked at Wang Qiang.

Today’s your lucky day, kid. Getting to eat a meal I prepared with my own hands is a blessing for you.

He smiled and nodded, saying, "You’ve arrived just in time. I just finished cooking, so let’s eat together."

"Really? I’ve been busy all morning," Wang Qiang said with a grin. "You know, I actually am a bit hungry." He followed Hei Ze to the dining table, unaware that those words would become the ones he’d regret most in his entire life.

By the time Wang Qiang saw what Hei Ze called "a meal," it was too late for regrets. Under Hei Ze’s intensely expectant gaze, Wang Qiang took a small bite. He immediately began to vomit uncontrollably before fleeing the scene as if his life depended on it.

It had to be said, in this regard, Wang Qiang’s courage surpassed Ye Qingchen’s.

Hei Ze watched Wang Qiang’s retreating back and sighed in confusion.

Is my cooking really that bad? But I’m sure I followed Little Girl Xiaoxiao’s usual methods...

He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite himself, and then, just like Wang Qiang, began to vomit uncontrollably.

After this painful lesson, Hei Ze finally understood. He had no talent for cooking. It seemed that in the future, he would have to ask the Sect Master to arrange for food to be delivered here.