Immortality and Immortality: Liver Experience Begins in the Desert

For the next two days, the days were as calm and peaceful as a lake smoothed by the spring breeze.

Jiang Qiong gets up with the morning light every day and is busy in "Jufulou", either checking the accounts with Lang Nana or learning new dishes with Nan Fengxue. The bloody past seems like a distant dream, gradually leaving no trace.

However, this tranquility did not last long.

At the first light of dawn, an envoy dressed in the clothing of the Qinglu Sect hurried into the "Jufulou".

This person was surrounded by spiritual energy, and his clothes were embroidered with exquisite blue cloud patterns, which showed his extraordinary status. At first glance, he was obviously a prominent figure in the Qinglu Sect.

He glanced across the store, walked straight towards Jiang Qiong, and said with a bow, "Are you the shopkeeper Jiang Qiong?"

"I am Zhao Qi, the steward of Qinglu Sect. Our sect's Grand Ancestor has completed his retreat and has broken through to the Golden Core realm. This is a great joyous event, so I would like to hold a grand banquet and invite guests from all over. I have heard that your restaurant has excellent cooking skills and is well-known, so I am here to ask Shopkeeper Jiang to take over the banquet."

After saying that, he handed over a gift list with both hands. The list of rare ingredients, jade and jewelry on it was astonishing.

Jiang Qiong took the gift list, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she weighed the pros and cons in her mind.

The Qinglu Sect has a high prestige and a huge influence in the surrounding areas. If we can make friends with them, it will be of great benefit to the future development of "Jufulou". However, it is not easy to prepare such a grand banquet.

As he was hesitating, Lang Nana beside him gently tugged at the corner of his clothes, indicating with her eyes that this was a rare opportunity.

Jiang Qiong understood what he meant, raised his head and said with a smile: "Thank you for the Qinglu Sect's trust in me. Jiang Qiong will serve you and will not let you down."

Zhao Qi's face lit up with joy, and he added, "There is one more thing I want to discuss with you. I heard that there is a girl named Bai Yan in your building who is an extraordinary cook. The ancestor of our sect specifically mentioned that he hopes that she can be the chef for this banquet, and the reward will be even more generous."

Jiang Qiong frowned slightly and looked at Bai Yan who was busy in the kitchen. After a little thought, he nodded and agreed: "In this case, I will discuss with Miss Bai Yan and will do my best to meet the requirements of Qinglu Sect."

After the messenger left satisfied, Jiang Qiong told Bai Yan about the matter.

Bai Yan's pretty face flushed slightly, she was happy to be recognized, but also a little nervous, but she still nodded firmly: "Brother Jiang, don't worry, I will do my best and not bring shame to our 'Jufulou'."

Everyone then began to prepare intensively.

In the following days, Jiang Qiong and his staff went to various places to collect ingredients before dawn. They went deep into the misty spiritual valley and picked spiritual vegetables covered with dew and full of spiritual energy in the morning.

Dive into the clear cold pond to catch the delicious fish with ice spirit power; and search for century-old hazel mushrooms, thousand-year-old ginseng fruits and other wild delicacies in the ancient dense forest.

Every ingredient is obtained with great difficulty. One has to avoid the guardian beasts and follow the picking seasons. The slightest mistake will result in all the efforts being wasted.

Nan Fengxue guided Bai Yan in the kitchen and carefully prepared the menu.

Each dish had to suit the tastes of cultivators while also reflecting the specifications of the banquet. From the spiritual ginseng stewed with immortal birds that nourishes spiritual energy, to the heart-clearing jade soup that helps stabilize one's state of mind, to the spiritual fruit platter with exquisite shapes and auspicious meanings, every dish has been carefully prepared.

Bai Yan practiced hard day and night, combining her own cooking skills with those taught by Nan Fengxue, striving for perfection.

In a blink of an eye, on the day of the banquet, the county town where Qinglu Sect was located seemed to be dressed in festive attire.

The streets were decorated with lights and colorful flags dancing in the wind, with runes flashing on them and emitting a soft light.

The gate of Qinglu Sect was wide open, music was playing, and disciples standing on both sides were welcoming guests, with a solemn atmosphere. Guests came in an endless stream, all of them were famous and powerful people, and representatives of various immortal cultivation forces.

The elders of Tianxuan Sect were dressed in purple robes and walked steadily. Purple air rose from their bodies. Wherever they passed, the spiritual energy seemed to sense it and surged on its own.

The fairies in Lingyun Pavilion danced with light gauze, their faces were beautiful, and their accessories jingled. They were all top-grade magic weapons, and the spiritual light they emitted complemented their cold temperament.
There are also many powerful independent cultivators who, although without the attire of any sect, are majestic and imposing. When their eyes open and close, a gleam of light flashes through them, and their every move and gesture reveals their heroic and unrestrained nature.

Jiang Qiong led everyone from "Jufulou" to the Qinglu Sect's kitchen early, and it was already a busy scene.

The fire is blazing, the smoke is curling, ingredients are piled up on the chopping board, and all kinds of magical kitchen utensils are flying and shining in the hands of the chef.

Bai Yan stood in front of the main stove with a focused expression. The kitchen knife in her hand rose and fell, and the sound of cutting vegetables was like dense drum beats with a brisk rhythm.

She cut open the spirit fish's belly and removed its bones with smooth movements. The fish meat, wrapped in spiritual power, instantly turned into slices as thin as a cicada's wing, which she then soaked in icy spiritual spring water to keep it fresh and tender.

The kitchen helpers on the side each performed their own duties. Some carved the spiritual fruits to turn them into lifelike fairy beasts, while others carefully boiled the soup, and the rich aroma filled the air.

As the guests gradually arrived, delicacies were presented to the table. When the ginseng stewed with fairy birds was served, the rich golden soup shone with a faint light, and the aroma of ginseng and meat intertwined, instantly arousing everyone's appetite.

The guests tasted the food with their chopsticks, and the spiritual energy melted in their mouths, nourishing the meridians throughout their bodies, which drew bursts of praise.

Qingxin Jade Soup is emerald green and smooth in the mouth, just like a breeze blowing through the heart, helping people to calm down and dispel the restlessness of cultivation;

The spiritual fruit platter is even more exquisite. Each piece of spiritual fruit exudes a unique glow, and the spiritual energy contained in it drifts away. Take a bite, and the fruity aroma and spiritual power blend together, leaving a lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth.

In the banquet hall, glasses were clinking and laughter was heard everywhere.

The Qinglu Sect's Grand Master sat high on the main seat, and the pressure of the Golden Core Realm was quietly released, but it was cleverly controlled, making the guests feel respected but not oppressed.

He glanced at the crowd with a smile on his face, and from time to time exchanged a few words with the bigwigs from all sides, showing the demeanor of a sect leader.

Jiang Qiong shuttles between the kitchen and the banquet hall, ensuring the smooth supply of food while also paying attention to the needs of the guests at all times.

Occasionally, when guests express special preferences for dishes, he will quickly make adjustments and respond flexibly.

While busy, he looked up and saw that at the banquet, fairy lights and fireworks were dancing together, and power struggles and friendships were surging.

The various factions were either whispering about alliance or testing each other with their eyes during the banquet, but the food at Jufulou actually became the bond that eased the atmosphere and brought people closer together.

In this world of fame and fortune for immortal cultivators, Jiang Qiong becomes increasingly aware that her cooking skills are not only a means of making a living, but can also be a key factor in gaining a foothold in this complex world.

The banquet came to an end only when the moon reached its zenith.

The guests left one after another with satisfaction and intoxication. The Qinglu Sect praised the "Jufulou" and gave many precious spiritual objects as extra rewards. Jiang Qiong and others returned home exhausted with a full load.

Back at Jufulou, everyone collapsed on the benches with relieved smiles on their faces. Lang Nana counted the harvest, her eyes shining: "It's hard work, but it's worth it. With these spiritual objects, our restaurant won't have to worry about rare ingredients in the next few months."

Bai Yan rubbed her sore arms and said with a smile, "As long as I can get everyone's recognition, I am willing to work hard no matter how tired I am."

Jiang Qiong looked out the window at the twinkling stars, her heart filled with emotion.

The next morning, the sun just broke through the thin clouds and lazily sprinkled on the "Jufulou" sign.

Jiang Qiong got up early as usual, stretched her muscles in the backyard, and prepared for a busy new day.

Lang Nana and Nan Fengxue also stood up one after another. The three of them were discussing how to use the spiritual objects bestowed by Qinglu Sect yesterday to develop some new dishes to take the restaurant's business to a higher level.

At this moment, a loud noise broke the tranquility of the early morning. A young disciple dressed in Qinglu Sect uniform rushed into the "Jufu Building" aggressively.

The disciple's face flushed, his eyes were full of arrogance, and he shouted loudly as soon as he entered the door:
"Who's in charge here? Look what happened to me during the banquet you hosted yesterday. My stomach still hurts so much. It must be because of your food. You must give me an explanation today and compensate me for my losses!"

Hearing this, Jiang Qiong frowned slightly, put down the kitchen utensils she was wiping, and walked forward steadily.

He looked up and down at the disciple who was causing trouble with a calm gaze, and he already understood something in his mind.

Even though this Qinglu Sect disciple was shouting loudly, his complexion was rosy and his spiritual energy was flowing without any obstruction. He didn't look like he had a stomachache at all.

Moreover, the dishes at yesterday's banquet had all gone through layers of inspection, and there were many guests present. If there was really a problem with the food, why would the Qinglu Sect send only him to ask for an explanation?

Jiang Qiong said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "My fellow Taoist, please calm down for a moment. I am Jiang Qiong, the owner of Jufulou. Yesterday's banquet followed strict procedures from selecting ingredients to cooking and serving. Hundreds of guests were all safe and sound after eating. How come you are the only one who has a problem?"

When the disciple heard this, a trace of panic flashed across his face, and then he became angry and raised his voice:
"Hmph, I don't care! It's a fact that I have a stomachache now. Maybe you guys secretly did something to bully a junior like me. If you don't compensate me today, I will make sure that your restaurant can't continue to operate in this city!"

As he spoke, he waved the sword in his hand demonstratively.

Seeing this, Lang Nana was so angry that her eyebrows were raised. She took a step forward and wanted to argue with him: "How can you be so unreasonable? Don't slander me!"

Jiang Qiong raised her hand slightly to stop Lang Nana, with a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes.

He knew very well that if he compromised easily today, such unwarranted trouble would continue in the future. Moreover, this disciple was obviously here to cause trouble on purpose with the intention of blackmailing him.

Jiang Qiong took a deep breath, and the spiritual power in his body slowly surged, and his tone became tougher:
"Fellow Daoist, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. If you really feel unwell, you can go back to the sect and ask the steward to check. If it is found that it is my 'Jufulou's' fault, let alone compensation, I, Jiang Qiong, will take the blame. But now you have no evidence, and you come to cause trouble based on your own words, don't blame me for being rude."

The disciple seemed to have not expected Jiang Qiong to be so tough. He was stunned for a moment, then he drew his sword and shouted:
"Well, you ungrateful fellow, don't blame me for taking action!"

As the sword came out, a cold light flashed, and with a sharp aura it pierced straight into Jiang Qiong's throat.

Jiang Qiong's eyes narrowed, and he dodged to the side, easily avoiding the fierce attack.

His anger grew stronger, and he rushed forward like lightning. He clenched his right fist, gathered his spiritual power in the tip of his fist, and smashed it towards the disciple's face with a whistling sound.

Jiang Qiong did not use his full strength in this punch, he just wanted to teach this arrogant guy a lesson.

The Qinglu disciples widened their eyes in horror and hurriedly raised their swords to block.

But he was no match for Jiang Qiong. Jiang Qiong's punch looked simple, but in fact it contained the essence of exquisite boxing and his spiritual power was used just right.

With a loud "crack", the sword in the disciple's hand was broken directly, and the remaining force hit him hard in the chest.

The Qinglu Sect disciple screamed and flew backwards like a kite with a broken string, knocking over several tables and chairs before falling to the ground in a mess.

Jiang Qiong did not stop there. He walked slowly towards the disciple step by step. Every step seemed to step on the other's heart, bringing an endless sense of oppression.

"Today's incident was caused by you deliberately looking for trouble. I consider that you are a disciple of Qinglu Sect and this is your first offense and it has not caused any serious harm, so I will only give you a slight punishment. If you still don't repent and dare to cause trouble again, don't blame me, Jiang Qiong, for disregarding the feelings of Qinglu Sect."

After saying that, Jiang Qiong waved his hand, and a gentle spiritual power swept up the disciple and threw him directly out of the restaurant door.

Outside the door, some passers-by who had come to watch the fun had already gathered. Seeing this, they began to whisper to each other.

Some people marveled at Jiang Qiong's courage, while others were worried about him. After all, he had offended the disciples of Qinglu Sect and would probably not have peace in the future.

Jiang Qiong, however, looked calm. He knew very well that he was in the right. Moreover, given the Qinglu Sect's style of doing things, they would never support such a rogue disciple and ruin the sect's reputation.

Back in the restaurant, Lang Nana and Nan Fengxue hurried forward to check if Jiang Qiong was injured.

Lang Nana's eyes were full of concern: "Brother Jiang, are you okay? I was scared to death just now. I was afraid that this unreasonable guy would hurt you."

Jiang Qiong smiled and consoled him, "Don't worry, I know my limits. A small character like this can't hurt me."

Having said that, Jiang Qiong knew in his heart that this matter would not be resolved so easily.

This disciple has suffered a loss, and there is no guarantee that he will not go back and spread rumors, and there may be more trouble in the future.

Sure enough, not long after, there was movement in the Qinglu Sect.

Several people who looked like deacons came hurriedly. The one in the lead had a stern face and a sharp gaze. After entering the restaurant, he asked directly:

"Who is Manager Jiang Qiong? I am Chen Feng, a deacon of Qinglu Sect. I heard that my disciples had a conflict with you here, so I came to understand the situation."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Qiong hurried forward and told the whole story in detail. His words were sincere and clear, and he concealed nothing.

After hearing this, Chen Feng's expression changed slightly. He turned to look at the bruised and swollen disciple beside him, his eyes full of anger: "

Is this true?" The disciple was so frightened that he trembled and knelt down to beg for mercy: "Master Steward, I... I know I was wrong. I was greedy for a moment and wanted to extort some spiritual objects, so I made up a lie to cause trouble..."

Chen Feng snorted coldly, feeling extremely disgusted with this embarrassing disciple. He looked at Jiang Qiong again, his expression softened a little:
"Manager Jiang, this is because my Qinglu Sect did not discipline you strictly, and this evil creature has caused you trouble. I hope you can forgive me. I will punish him severely according to the sect rules and give you an explanation." (End of this chapter)