After reporting his itinerary to Yun Zhi and Dai Bufan, Lu Yang left the Fourth-in-Command to watch over the sect while the top three leaders headed to the venue of the Spirit Chef Competition.

The Spirit Chef Competition was held in the Demon Region’s capital, Demon City. It was said that Zhu Tian had taken the initiative to invite the Spirit Chef Alliance, hoping that the world would come to know Demon City through this event.

Having learned his lesson from trekking on foot to the Mountain-Moving Sea-Filling Sect, Lu Yang chose to take a flying vessel this time, traveling with Yun Mengmeng to Great Xia’s border.

The journey was uneventful, save for Yun Mengmeng constantly shouting in excitement, tugging at Lu Yang to look at this and that, drawing considerable attention.

“Sister Mengmeng, this isn’t your first time going out, is it? Why are you so excited?” Lu Yang said helplessly as people around them stared.

For the past few years, Yun Mengmeng hadn’t always stayed at the Dao-Seeking Sect. She often went out on her own to hunt for delicious food and had a whale of a time.

“Although it’s not my first time going out, it’s my first time going out with you, Second-in-Command!” Yun Mengmeng giggled. In the past, when I tried to ask Little Zhi out, she always refused. This time, I finally have company.

Lu Yang shook his head with a wry smile. Traveling with someone really does feel different from going out alone.

Though technically, he had the Everlasting Immortal Fairy residing in his mental space, so he would never truly experience what it was like to travel alone.

Next, the two people and three souls crossed Great Xia’s border and entered the Demon Region.

Lu Yang had visited the Demon Region several times before, and each time, he had gone to Demon City, so he knew the way well. The two rode the Sword-Cleansing Pond and headed straight for Demon City.

“Second-in-Command, do you want some beef jerky?” Yun Mengmeng asked, holding a bag of beef jerky. To prepare for this trip, she had stocked up on a large pile of supplies from the dining hall, snacking the whole way.

Lu Yang took the beef jerky and extended his index finger, condensing sword qi on it. With a slash, the beef jerky and sword qi snapped simultaneously.

Lu Yang returned the two pieces of beef jerky to Yun Mengmeng. “My teeth aren’t that strong.”

“Second-in-Command, you can try coating your teeth with sword qi. That way, you can bite through it,” Yun Mengmeng suggested sincerely.

“Never mind, you eat it.” Sincerity should be reciprocated with sincerity. Lu Yang sincerely declined her suggestion.

“We’re here.” After flying for a while, the Sword-Cleansing Pond landed near Demon City.

Lu Yang’s appearance caused quite a stir. Nowadays, Lu Yang was widely known and was at the height of his fame.

Someone spotted him and hurried over. “Are you Fellow Daoist Lu Yang?”

“You are?”

“Liu Xing, Vice Alliance Leader of Spirit Chef Alliance.”

“So it’s Senior Liu Xing.” Before coming, Lu Yang had asked for intelligence on the Spirit Chef Alliance from Dai Bufan. Liu Xing was one of the three vice alliance leaders and was at the Advanced Fusion Stage.

“I’m not worthy to be called a senior.” Liu Xing waved his hands repeatedly. Although I don’t know how much of the legendary Prodigy Lu’s reputation is true, even if he has no skill, just being the founder of Cultivation Monthly means he can’t be underestimated.

“And this is?” Liu Xing noticed the peerlessly beautiful woman beside Lu Yang. He was slightly surprised that he couldn’t discern her cultivation level.

“A friend of mine.” Lu Yang didn’t introduce Yun Mengmeng in detail. If he gave her real name, it was the same as the leader of the Heavenly Court Creed; if he said her name was Yun Zhi, that would be even more audacious.

“So she’s a friend of Fellow Daoist Lu Yang. She must also be an erudite and talented individual. Please, follow me into Demon City.”

Upon entering Demon City, Lu Yang glanced at the magnificent, golden palace atop the sacred mountain of the city.

“That is the Demon Emperor’s palace. Are you interested, Fellow Daoist Lu Yang?” Liu Xing asked with a smile.

“The Demon Emperor—oh, Zhu Tian, right?” Lu Yang was caught off guard by the term “Demon Emperor” and took a moment to realize who Liu Xing meant.

“Not interested.” Lu Yang shook his head repeatedly. What interest could I have in the Demon Emperor’s palace? Every time I came to Demon City, I went straight to that palace to find Zhu Tian.

However, this sounded odd to Liu Xing. The Demon Emperor’s palace is such a mysterious place. How could anyone not be interested?

“If you’re interested, Fellow Daoist Lu Yang, I could contact some fellow Daoists at the Demon Emperor’s palace. You should be able to enter.”

“Really, there’s no need.” Lu Yang smiled wryly. The only place he knew in Demon City was Zhu Tian’s palace. In contrast, he wasn’t very familiar with Demon City as a whole.

Every time he visited, Demon City would have changed significantly. Under Zhu Tian’s guidance, the city’s architectural style reflected a blend of demon savagery and human civilization.

Zhu Tian himself was a master architect, and the blueprint he had personally drawn for Demon City was of immense artistic value. Everyone who visited the city was amazed by its grandeur.

“What a beautiful place,” Yun Mengmeng marveled. Demon City’s architectural style is unlike anywhere else.

Walking on the streets, one rarely saw a demon in their true form. Most had taken human form, retaining only a few demon characteristics, such as ears and tails. Some were also dressed in attire that differed from that of the Demon Region.

“These are all spirit chefs and aspiring spirit chefs from Great Xia, the East Sea, and the Extreme North.”

“Aspiring spirit chefs?”

“Cultivators aspiring to take the spirit chef exam,” Liu Xing explained with a smile.

“Only cultivators who pass the spirit chef exam are recognized as spirit chefs by the Spirit Chef Alliance. The alliance will then issue them a certificate.

“Some cultivators have culinary skills but haven’t passed the Spirit Chef Alliance’s exam. They are called aspiring spirit chefs.

“Only true spirit chefs are qualified to participate in the Spirit Chef Competition. Therefore, before the competition begins, the alliance will hold the spirit chef exam. Those aspiring spirit chefs who pass can then enter the contest.”

“Here’s the place.” The Spirit Chef Alliance had arranged for Lu Yang to stay at the most luxurious inn in Demon City, located in the city center.

Directly in front of the inn stood a Demon Emperor statue of Zhu Tian—rotund, without a head, entirely vermillion red, and with wings spread out. It was dozens of zhang tall and especially conspicuous, serving as one of Demon City’s distinctive landmarks.

“By the way, Fellow Daoist Lu Yang, would the two of you need one room or two?” Liu Xing quietly transmitted a message to Lu Yang.

“We need two rooms, of course.” Lu Yang rolled his eyes. Liu Xing must have misunderstood something.

After arranging their accommodations, Liu Xing produced two jade slips. “These jade slips contain the specific schedule of events, so you can plan your time more easily. May the Heaven Mandate Immortal bless you both.”

“Wait, the Heaven Mandate Immortal?” Lu Yang had been about to exchange polite pleasantries, but upon hearing this, he couldn’t let it pass.

“Are you not aware, Fellow Daoist Lu Yang? The Heaven Mandate Immortal is the progenitor of spirit chefs and the only immortal chef. It’s said that eating the Heaven Mandate Immortal’s food is intoxicating, like entering an immortal realm. It can also make one forget past worldly affairs, resembling a dream. Its various effects are far beyond our understanding.

“It’s said that the Heaven Mandate Immortal’s food is not of the mortal world, so it cannot be served in mortal vessels. Even his pots, pans, bowls, and other kitchen utensils were forged by the Heaven Mandate Immortal himself.

“Furthermore, according to historical records, the other three immortals were willing to wait over a century just to eat the Heaven Mandate Immortal’s cooking. One can only imagine how unparalleled its taste must have been.”