“Stop, stop, stop! You’re scaring the poor guy!” Ye Junlin quickly called for a halt, and Bai Xiaoxi obediently closed their mouth, though they still looked like they wanted to say more.
Poor Gou Buli, after hearing about all these dog meat dishes and cooking methods, his soul was profoundly traumatized. He was still shaken, fearing that one day he might end up on the dining table himself.
“Ah, it’s just a joke, really! Don’t take it to heart,” Ye Junlin said, reaching out to give Gou Buli a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Gou Buli, still spooked, mumbled, “The thing is, it’s not funny at all…”
Suddenly, Lin Duxiu’s voice rang out, “Senior Ye, we’ve prepared the ingredients! I guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”
Looking around, a giant iron pot was wheeled in, filled with all sorts of ingredients galore.
The pot started steaming as water was poured in and the fire was lit.
“小黑!”
Ye Junlin called out.
Then, to Lin Duxiu’s astonished gaze, a calm-skinned young man with refined features jumped up, his body straight as he free-fell into the pot.
His movements were fluid and incredibly skillful.
So skillful it made one’s heart ache…
“What’s going on?” Lin Duxiu hurriedly leaned in to check the pot.
Inside, a giant black mushroom slowly floated to the surface.
With its addition, an enticing fragrance began to rise, as if it contained some magical power, giving the broth an unparalleled deliciousness.
“Gulpu.”
Lin Duxiu couldn’t help but swallow, feeling an urge to taste it.
It seemed all of Senior Ye’s disciples were quite remarkable!
After a short while, the black mushroom jumped out and transformed back into the form of the young man.
The dark-skinned youth calmly stated, “All done.”
“Wow, this broth sure smells delicious!” Canglang Jun stretched his neck, taking in the rich aroma, and couldn’t help but marvel.
“This is actually Supreme Immortal Medicine? Rare sight!” Gou Buli recognized the identity of the Great Mushroom King, his eyes lighting up and his mouth watering.
After all, one stalk of Supreme Immortal Medicine holds value that even Immortal Sovereigns couldn’t overlook.
“Want to eat? It tastes even better with dog meat!” Ye Junlin leaned in, whispering cheekily in his ear.
Hearing this, Gou Buli shivered slightly, forcing a stiff smile, “My friend, you’re joking! How could I have thoughts about this young brother? And let’s refrain from mentioning dog meat…”
“Time for hot pot!” Ah Kun shouted excitedly, raising his arms.
“Huh?”
Gou Buli’s eyes sparkled as he stared at the young man with the middle parting. When he finally recognized who it was, his face changed immediately, and he exclaimed in shock, “This is a member of the supreme demon clan, the divine beast Kunpeng?!”
In ancient times, the demon clan had strict hierarchical divisions. The Tian Dog clan, for instance, was one of the top-tier royal families, while the royal families beneath them were the king clans.
The True Dragon clan, Phoenix clan, and Qilin clan were categorized as imperial clans within the demon clan, and only they had the right to be called divine beasts!
As for the Kunpeng lineage, it stood among the top ranks of the imperial clan!
Such beings could roam the cosmos freely, devouring hundreds of thousands of stars with a mere yawn.
Extremely terrifying!
“Why are there still descendants of the Kunpeng lineage in this Kunlun Realm?” Gou Buli murmured, puzzled.
After all, he had followed Empress Fuyao, seen and learned much, and knew many secrets.
Logically, the Kunlun Realm shouldn’t have any Kunpeng left, even in the Immortal Realm.
This was largely because the already scarce Kunpeng clan nearly faced extinction during an ambush while following Emperor Tian into battle.
It was said that the surviving members had been captured by a powerful force in the Nine Nether, leaving their fate uncertain.
As a supreme demon clan, their ending was utterly desolate.
So, upon seeing Ah Kun, Gou Buli was completely baffled.
Where did this little guy pop up from?
“This is my mount,” Ye Junlin introduced.
Gou Buli jumped in shock. You’re using the descendant of a supreme clan as a mount?!
Thinking about all the extraordinary things about this young man, Gou Buli could only force himself to accept it calmly.
At that moment, Lin Duxiu held bowls and plates, pouring various ingredients into the pot. A rainbow of food bobbed in the simmering broth, exuding steaming aromas.
“Time to eat!”
Everyone surged forward, and the atmosphere became lively.
“This tripe is quite good!”
“Hey, don’t steal my fish balls!”
“Can you pass me a bowl of soup? Thanks!”
With a broth made from Supreme Immortal Medicine, every ingredient became delicious. Ye Junlin and the others were thoroughly enjoying their meal, their taste buds having a field day.
Hot pot culture is that simple—just throw whatever meat or veggies in, enjoy some warm food, and feel cozy inside.
Lin Duxiu approached Jiang Tianming, his expression complicated as he said, “Saint Son, you should eat some too?”
Without the pressure directed at him, Jiang Tianming could indeed stand and move around, but he was too intimidated. He just lay there like a turtle, watching everyone joyfully eat hot pot, feeling quite miserable.
“Ah, you should have it instead,” Jiang Tianming sighed.
“Can’t distinguish between minor and major kings; this is what happens!”
Thinking about it, how many powerful figures outside wanted to butter up Senior Ye but never got the chance? And yet, here they came right to Jiang Tianming’s doorstep, and he still wouldn’t lower his profile? What a foolish move!
“Should I go plead on your behalf?” Lin Duxiu ventured.
“No need! As long as Senior Ye doesn’t say a word, I’ll stay right here!” Jiang Tianming said firmly.
“Little Jiang, come pour me some wine.”
At that moment, a clear voice rang out.
The two exchanged a glance, both lighting up with joy.
“Senior Ye, I’m on my way!”
Jiang Tianming happily rushed over to Ye Junlin, respectfully picking up a silver wine jug to pour thick immortal wine into Ye Junlin’s cup.
“Little Jiang, do you have any grievances against me?” Ye Junlin sipped the wine and asked.
Jiang Tianming lowered his head like a kid caught doing something wrong, “Senior Ye, please don’t tease me! I would never dare have grievances against you. In fact, it’s my greatest honor for you to come to my Xuantian Holy Land!”
Ye Junlin waved his hand, “The main reason I’m here is because of the relationship between our two families. After all, the Xuantian Sect and Xuantian Holy Land have their connections.”
“Yes, you’re right,” Jiang Tianming stood to the side pouring wine, feeling suspiciously odd.
Who’s really in charge of the Xuantian Holy Land here? Shouldn’t he just give up this position?
After what just happened, Jiang Tianming was thoroughly convinced, feeling he didn’t deserve to continue being the Saint Son. He thought about handing the position over to Ye Junlin—after all, they were from the same lineage, so it made sense.
When Jiang Tianming suggested letting go, Ye Junlin shook his head.
“I’m already the peak master of Mysterious Peak in the Xuantian Sect and a Supreme Elder. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to also become the Saint Son,”
“Besides, with my character, I’m not interested in managing the Xuantian Holy Land; I just want to be a hands-off employer.”
Jiang Tianming was stunned.
Lin Duxiu sighed inwardly—if only this guy was willing to stay on as the Saint Son, that would be a tremendous benefit for the Xuantian Holy Land.
“Since that’s the case…”
Jiang Tianming’s brain was working fast, pondering the relationship between the Supreme Elder and the Saint Son.
Suddenly, he had a lightbulb moment, “How about you take on the title of Supreme Saint Son?”
Supreme Saint Son?!
Hearing this unique term, everyone looked up, their expressions strange.
“Yes! Exactly the Supreme Saint Son!”
Jiang Tianming felt like a genius, excitedly explaining, “This unprecedented position will now belong solely to you, Senior Ye.”
“Though the Supreme Saint Son is even higher in status than the Saint Son, you won’t need to manage internal affairs—it’s just a title. Would that be acceptable to you?”
The relationship between the Supreme Saint Son and the Saint Son, if compared to a secular monarchy, is like that of the Grand Emperor to the Emperor.
Ye Junlin fell into deep thought.
It seemed like it wouldn’t hurt him.
“Sure!”
Seeing Ye Junlin agree, Jiang Tianming was overjoyed.
At the same time, thinking back to how he had been taught a lesson by the Supreme Saint Son, he felt it was only fitting.
“Saint Son Lin Duxiu, pays respects to the Supreme Saint Son!” Lin Duxiu couldn’t contain his excitement and clasped his hands.
“This title feels weird; just stick with Senior Ye,” Ye Junlin said, somewhat annoyed.
“Understood!”
The hot pot filled the air with delicious steam, and everyone was feasting heartily.
After several rounds of toasting.
Gou Buli’s face was flushed, and he spoke from the heart, “Honestly, I was incredibly lucky to follow Empress Fuyao back in the day!”
Upon hearing this, Canglang Jun’s interest was piqued, and he asked, “Senior Gou, may I ask what significant position you held under Empress Fuyao? I bet it was quite prestigious!”
“Of course! That position was crucial. Whenever those Immortal Emperors came to visit Empress Fuyao, I had the authority to send them packing!”
“Wow—”
Canglang Jun gasped in awe, “It seems, Senior Gou, you enjoyed great favor from Empress Fuyao!”
“Eh, it was alright,” Gou Buli said, his face reddening, raising his cup to down it in one go.
Ye Junlin curiously asked, “What exactly was the position that granted you such power?”
Everyone perked up, eager to hear the details.
“That would be…”
As multiple gazes turned towards him, Gou Buli burped, his tone dripping with pride as he enthusiastically declared:
“…a watchdog!!!”