Lu Yang drew in a sharp breath. Song Tianjing’s ancestor was really capable, managing to run a restaurant by cooking according to the Comprehensive Culinary Compendium.

Is it because all the customers lost their memories after eating, resulting in zero bad reviews?

I wonder where Song Tianjing’s ancestor obtained this book. It’s severely damaged, lacking even a cover, with only a dozen or so pages in the middle.

“This book is written entirely in ancient script. Can you read it?” Lu Yang wasn’t trying to boast, but among present-day cultivators, only he and Meng Jingzhou could fully understand ancient texts.

“My ancestor worked his heart out and deciphered a portion of it. For example, this dish required eighteen ingredients, and he managed to identify six. Based on those six ingredients, combined with his own research, my ancestor created the current menu of Essence-Nourishing Tower.

“For generations, our Song Family of Essence-Nourishing Tower has carried the wish to decipher the complete recipes.”

Lu Yang understood now. Song Tianjing’s ancestor was lucky. He only deciphered the edible parts, and with some genuine research, he established Essence-Nourishing Tower.

“Song Family of Essence-Nourishing Tower—so you are considered an ancestral clan?”

“Every generation of our Song Family has produced great Golden Core experts.” Speaking of their legacy, Song Tianjing puffed out his chest slightly, radiating confidence.

“So your Song Family is also a prominent local clan?”

“To be honest with you, Senior, our Song Family of Essence-Nourishing Tower is a renowned presence on Fuguang Street in the North District of Tianxing City, Qing Province, Great Xia!”

Lu Yang. “...”

No wonder I went through all the sects from third-class to S-class in my mind and still couldn’t figure out where your Essence-Nourishing Tower was located.

“After you become a spirit chef, are you going to take revenge on those who ruined your father?”

Song Tianjing shook his head. “I’ve already reported them for running the gambling den. They’ve all been put away.”

“This kid has my cookbook. It seems he has some affinity with it.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy patted Lu Yang’s shoulder excitedly. “Xiao Yangzi, quickly give him the complete version of my cookbook!”

Lu Yang was horrified. He hadn’t expected the Everlasting Immortal Fairy to be so vicious as to crush this young cultivator’s beliefs.

Seeing Lu Yang ignore her, the Everlasting Immortal Fairy extended her dainty foot and poked him in the back with her toes that were as pink and delicate as pearls. She kept urging him. “Hurry, hurry.”

Lu Yang sighed inwardly. It seems this Song boy can’t escape his fate.

“Immortal Fairy, your cookbook is an immortal item, after all. Wouldn’t giving it to him directly diminish your reputation?”

“Makes sense. So what should we do?”

“We could place restrictions on the cookbook. Each time his cultivation realm increases, he can unlock a new section. That way, not only will he diligently study your recipes, but he will also step up his training. With that, he definitely won’t disgrace you.”

“Good idea.”

Lu Yang returned the Comprehensive Culinary Compendium.

“What do you mean by this, Senior?” Song Tianjing thought Lu Yang still didn’t believe him.

“You’re lucky to have met me. Keep this book safe and never show it to anyone else.

“This book is connected to the progenitor of spirit chefs and has been declared a forbidden book by the Spirit Chef Alliance. It will be immediately destroyed if discovered. If the Spirit Chef Alliance finds out you possess it, even if it’s just a fragment, I believe you can guess the consequences without me spelling them out.”

“Forbidden book?!” Song Tianjing had never imagined his family heirloom to have such an incredible origin. To think it’s connected to the legendary progenitor of spirit chefs.

This is a great fortuitous opportunity!

Wait, did this senior just reveal such a great fortuitous opportunity to me so easily?

Lu Yang knew exactly what Song Tianjing was thinking. He calmly said, “This little fortuitous opportunity—”

“Boss, give me another bowl of soup!” Yun Mengmeng called out.

“This little fortuitous opportunity—”

“Drink up, you two. The soup won’t taste good once it’s cold,” Yun Mengmeng kindly reminded them. Why is the Second-in-Command talking so much instead of drinking his soup?

Lu Yang was speechless.

He had no choice but to pick up his spoon and drink as he spoke. “Hehe, this little fortuitous opportunity—slurp... isn’t worth my attention—slurp...”

How could Song Tianjing, a mere young cultivator, dare defy Yun Mengmeng? He also drank his soup spoonful by spoonful. “Senior, who exactly are you—slurp...”

“Heavenly Court Creed—slurp... Young Creed Leader.”

Upon hearing Lu Yang’s true identity, Song Tianjing’s pupils shook violently, and the spoon dropped into his bowl.

Clack!

Although Lu Yang was still drinking his soup, in Song Tianjing’s eyes, he was no longer the affable senior but the inscrutable, terrifying legendary existence whose abilities were beyond imagination.

“You’re a smart one. You won’t reveal my identity, will you?” Lu Yang asked, smiling faintly. The steam rising from the soup shrouded him, leaving only his voice.

Song Tianjing nodded woodenly. By the time he came to his senses, he found an additional book and a storage ring on the table. Lu Yang and Yun Mengmeng were nowhere to be seen. Only Lu Yang’s voice echoed in his ears.

“I have some ties with the progenitor of spirit chefs. Since we happened to hit it off today, I shall give you the original copy of this book.

“I have placed restrictions on it. As your cultivation advances, you will see more of its contents.

“There are ten thousand spirit stones in the storage ring. Consider them a gift from me. Interesting boy, I’m curious to see how far you’ll go in the spirit chef world. Hahahaha...”

Song Tianjing held the Comprehensive Culinary Compendium, feeling as if it were a hot potato. A gift from the Heavenly Court Young Creed Leader... I don’t know whether it is a blessing or a curse.

Lu Yang had long since translated the Comprehensive Culinary Compendium. It had been a test the Everlasting Immortal Fairy had given him while he was learning the ancient language.

The ancient language contained many abstruse, rarely used characters, and the Comprehensive Culinary Compendium included them all, making it the perfect test.

Song Tianjing gritted his teeth, struggling to resolve himself. I’ll learn it!

After returning, he eagerly opened the Comprehensive Culinary Compendium. He could only understand the first ten pages, which included just three recipes.

"Comprehensive Culinary Compendium, written by the Heaven Mandate Immortal. It’s indeed the work of the progenitor of spirit chefs!”

Noticing the name “Heaven Mandate Immortal,” Song Tianjing became extremely excited. The Heaven Mandate Immortal was a god-like figure for him.

“Pearl Fish Soup... a moment of salt?”

Song Tianjing was silent for a moment, then continued reading.

“With the Five Poisons as support, they mutually reinforce and restrain one another, forming an endless cycle...

“With the Jianmu as firewood...”

The more Song Tianjing read, the more alarmed he became. So this is the work of the progenitor of spirit chefs. It’s indeed beyond the comprehension of an ordinary mortal like me.

“Let me give it a try.”

It’s impossible to get Jianmu; I’ll make do with ordinary firewood. I can’t afford high-quality Five Poisons, so I can only settle for slightly inferior ones.

Following the Comprehensive Culinary Compendium’s instructions step by step, Song Tianjing soon finished a pot of fragrant fish soup. The aroma was mouthwatering.

He cautiously took a sip, then clutched his throat in disbelief, before stumbling back two steps. “So...”

Song Tianjing collapsed straight to the ground and passed out.

Plop.

An unknown amount of time later, Song Tianjing regained consciousness, but the fish soup had gone cold. He staggered to his feet, feeling different. Assessing himself, he revealed a look of astonishment.

“I’ve broken through to the Advanced Foundation Establishment Stage?!”

I’ve been stuck at the Intermediate Foundation Establishment Stage for a long time, struggling to break through, and now, I have broken through after just a nap?!

“And why does this constitution resemble the Hundred Poisons Sacred Body in the books, which is said to be immune to all poisons?”