As the sky just brightened, the sound of sizzling pans emerged from the kitchen, and an aroma wafted out of the kitchen window with the breeze. The Mountain Dog Haha was already waiting, pacing around incessantly in the kitchen.
Aside from the drooling Mountain Dog Haha, Yang Lele stood nearby, staring intently at the meat in the pan with wide eyes.
He used to think having one meal a day was quite enough. But ever since tasting Huai Yeâs cooking, even three meals a day werenât sufficient. Just looking at the braised pork in Huai Yeâs pan made his mouth water continuously.
"Huai Ye, I really admire you, not only beautiful but also great at cooking."
"Hehe, itâs no big deal. Iâve only received seven or eight tenths of my adoptive fatherâs true teachings; if I had all ten, youâd die of hunger for sure."
"I knew you were amazing. Can you let me try a piece? Look at my belly; itâs almost flat from hunger."
"Alright, but youâll have to promise me one thing. Suppose you agree, I might give you a bit more, howâs that?"
"What flattery... Fine, spill it, what is it?"
"Today, youâre not allowed to buy cigars from the Sect Leader."
"Forget the braised pork; Iâm not eating it."
Are you kidding!
A cigar per day makes him feel his body is gradually changing. Plus, during cultivation in the Gravity Field with the cigar in his mouth for three hours nonstop, it boosts like heâs on adrenaline, and he doesnât feel tired at all.
Under the nine-times amplification of Gravity Field, his cultivation progress is rapid. Having just broken through to Body Refining Sixth Layer, his Cultivation Technique breakthrough has also achieved a qualitative leap. Reaching Minor Success should happen in the next few days.
Once the Cultivation Technique breakthrough happens, Body Refining Seventh Layer is solidly within reach.
Being fifteen years old at Body Refining Seventh Layer, thatâd surely be impressive to mention, as Cangwu City likely doesnât have anyone more exceptional than him.
"Hmph, no agreement? Fine. Iâll see how you can buy it today. Yesterday, Zhao Qing couldnât get it, and today sheâll definitely grab one first. Elder Yun wants it, and so do I. The Sect Leaderâs daily quota of three will be gone."
"Then itâs whoeverâs faster, eh?"
"Iâve already coordinated with Zhao Qing. When she buys, Iâll hold you back, and when I buy, sheâll hold you back. Hehe, letâs see how youâll buy it."
"Wow, you guys are too much!"
"So what if itâs too much? You canât beat Zhao Qing anyway."
"Youâre tough; Iâll intercept the deal."
Yang Lele thus no longer felt like staying in the kitchen. Glancing at Zhao Qing sitting outside the kitchen, a plan brewed in his mind; intercepting the Sect Leader on the way might work. Just when he was about to move, he spotted Wen Ping.
"Good morning, Sect Leader."
Yang Lele waved from afar, projecting a gaze of hunger like a wolf eyeing a lamb, promptly walking over eagerly.
Just as he stepped forward, Zhao Qing suddenly appeared behind him.
"Letâs chat."
Zhao Qing had already placed a hand on his shoulder.
Yang Lele said, "Are we doing this for real?"
"Of course, itâs for real." Zhao Qing grinned, her smile tinged with a mischievous undertone.
"Then I wonât hold back."
With those words, Yang Lele spun around and punched directly at Zhao Qing, who reflexively raised her hand to block. However, Yang Lele didnât propel the swing through, stopping it midway before making a run.
"Iâm not fighting you; canât beat you anyway."
Yang Lele chuckled smugly.
When Zhao Qing realized sheâd been fooled by Yang Lele, she wasnât upset but directly grabbed a broom nearby and hurled it towards Yang Leleâs nape with perfect precision.
Thwack!
Just as Yang Lele was about to reach Wen Ping, he staggered from the hit, nearly falling.
"Trying to run!"
Zhao Qing giggled joyfully, dashed over, leaped up, then lifted her leg to kick at Yang Lele.
In several rounds of tussle, without suspense, Yang Lele was immobilized, his limbs restrained, unable to move.
Although Huai Ye was at Body Refining Sixth Layer, thick-skinned and naturally strong, his power was already comparable to Body Refining Eighth Layer.
Yang Lele was nonviable in a single face-off.
"You canât do this! Zhao Qing, even if youâre buying cigars, Iâll pay for them."
"Huai Ye has already helped pay for them."
"No way... Sect Leader, please save a cigar for me; Iâll pay 500 Gold Coins."
But before thirty breaths passed, Wen Pingâs ethereal voice answered, "None left for today."
Yang Leleâs face fell instantly, watching Zhao Qing and the others each with a cigar and couldnât resist lamenting, "What did I do to deserve this? Zhao Qing, when I master âCloud-Touching Handâ to Great Success, Iâll definitely seek revenge."
"You just got âCloud-Touching Handâ to Minor Success, and youâre dreaming of mastering it; you sure dream big."
Zhao Qing giggled, thinking that even if Yang Lele mastered âCloud-Touching Handâ to Great Success, his power then still wouldnât match hers.
By that time, he might already reach Body Refining Seventh Layer, continuing to dominate Yang Lele.
Wen Ping, with some contemplation, glanced at Yang Lele and murmured some words to himself, then spoke aloud, "Yang Lele, from today onwards when you can fight Zhao Qing to a draw, then come ask me for a Life Cigar."
"Ah!"
Not only Yang Lele, but even Zhao Qing, who was joking around, was dumbstruck.
Yang Lele hurriedly replied, "Sect Leader, Zhao Qing isnât ordinary, absolutely unbeatable at the same realm. Even when she was at the Fifth Layer, she could fight Body Refining Seventh Layer demons; how could I ever draw with her?"
"Youâre implying youâre not as good as her?"
Faced with this question, Yang Lele was speechless.
Who would willingly admit being inferior to others? Even if believing it deep down, it shouldnât be said aloud.
Wen Pingâs indifferent tone made it unacceptable for anyone to still show a smirk, especially Zhao Qing, who felt awkward. Her intent was merely for Yang Lele not to buy the cigar today, never to think he wouldnât buy it tomorrow too.
Yet things unraveled to this stage.
Zhao Qing quickly explained, "Sect Leader, itâs not really his fault, itâs because our bloodlines differ."
"Thatâs no excuse for weakness. Yang Lele, were you not told what Iâve previously said?"
Yang Lele nodded, "I recall."
"Good that you remember. If bloodline difference is why you choose to stay weak, then pack and leave Immortal Sect today. Immortal Sect wonât keep someone who thinks theyâre inferior inside-out."
In truth, itâs not that Wen Ping wanted fewer buyers for Life Cigars, but he hadnât expected that while Yang Leleâs realm advanced, his power lagged significantly. Admittedly, Transformed Demon is indeed formidable.
But short-term Life Cigar canât change much, yet Yang Leleâs obtained opportunity helped change him significantly, even without altering his talent star level. Evidently, the fortune he received was massive.
Losing to Zhao Qing at the same realm was clearly unjustifiable.
Perhaps Yang Lele accepted it all.
Believing Zhao Qing naturally stronger than him, Zhao Qing was invincible.
Wen Ping, though not a teacher, had to as Sect Leader address this: If you concede to weakness, soon youâll become the common crowd.
With that, Wen Ping took out several sheets of white paper from his chest, with some words scribbled, unclear at first glance. Handing them to Yang Lele, he said, "Paste these sheets at the Gravity Field and Dormitory Area."
Yang Lele silently took the sheets from Wen Pingâs hand, glanced at them, and caught sight of the words:
Gravity Field 10 Gold per hour, limited to 3 hours a day.
Dormitory Area daily 50 Gold.
Life Cigar first stick 50 Gold, second 100 Gold, third 500 Gold.
Beyond that, thereâs a new addition.
Fierce Beast Trial Ground, daily 50 Gold; Battle Realm, once 100 Gold, each instance 2 hours.