Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

Yang Guo neither defended nor dodged, but instead chose to take the blow head-on!

A glint flashed in Huang Yaoshi's eyes, but he said nothing more.

With a casual slap of his right hand—seemingly light and effortless—the sea of ​​clouds at the cliff's edge was parted by an invisible force the instant the palm struck!

Before the palm strike even arrived, the oppressive aura was already there!

Everyone on the platform paled and began to use their internal energy to resist the aftershocks.

Yang Guo stood still, his blue robe fluttering in the wind.

He also thrust out his right palm silently.

Two palms facing each other across the air.

"boom--!!"

It was like a thunderclap out of nowhere!

A violent shockwave exploded from the center of their palms, causing everyone's clothes to flutter wildly and almost extinguishing the campfire.

Cheng Ying was pushed back two steps by the blast wave, but was caught by Hong Qigong.

The dust and smoke dissipated.

Yang Guo stood still, the bluestone slab beneath his feet cracking inch by inch, but he stood upright and did not retreat an inch.

In contrast, Huang Yaoshi remained motionless, yet his eyes shone with a captivating light!

The entire room fell silent.

"Excellent!" Hong Qigong exclaimed, slapping his thigh. "He withstood thirty percent of Old Yao's palm strike without flinching! Good lad! His skill is definitely no less than that of the old beggar back in his prime!"

The red-faced man gasped, "Innate... no! The level of refinement of this internal energy, could it be...?"

The scholar with the iron fan murmured, "Such a young grandmaster?"

Huang Yaoshi slowly withdrew his palm, gazed at Yang Guo for a long time, and suddenly laughed loudly, "Good! What a fine Yang Guo! Rong'er, you've found your father a fine grand-disciple!"

The laughter shook the sea of ​​clouds.

With his keen eye, he had already discerned the purity and strength of Yang Guo's internal energy from that single palm strike, proving that Yang Guo was no ordinary early-stage grandmaster and had even reached the threshold of the mid-stage!

What's even more remarkable is that his internal energy is balanced, peaceful, and ever-flowing, with a faint rhythm of his own "Song of the Rising Tide of the Blue Sea," yet it seems to have reached an even higher level.

"I've verified the token, and I've tested the kung fu."

Huang Yaoshi's smile vanished, but his eyes held no trace of doubt. "You are indeed Rong'er's disciple. Tell me, what is the current situation in Xiangyang?"

After calming his breathing, Yang Guo recounted Guo Jing and Huang Rong's arrangements, the preparations for the Heroes' Gathering, and the recent unusual activities in Mongolia in a clear and organized manner.

His words were concise yet incisive, revealing a deep understanding of even details that Huang Yaoshi himself had not grasped.

The crowd nodded in agreement, no longer showing any disdain.

After Yang Guo finished speaking, Huang Yaoshi looked at Hong Qigong and asked, "Brother Qi, what do you think?"

Hong Qigong took a swig of wine: "Everything is ready, we're just waiting for that final push! Old Xie, have you gathered enough people?"

Huang Yaoshi nodded and addressed the crowd on the platform, "Gentlemen, you have all witnessed what happened just now. Guo Jing and Huang Rong have made thorough preparations for the situation in Xiangyang, and now my grand-disciple has brought the latest news. My master and I have decided that we will set off for Xiangyang tomorrow. Would any of you like to come along?"

"We are willing to follow Senior Huang and Senior Hong to face the national crisis!" The crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing across the mountain peak.

A huge weight was lifted from Yang Guo's heart.

His main task for this trip was completed so smoothly.

Thinking back to the seasonings I bought back then.

Then, Yang Guo left the main peak.

They caught an antelope and a few pheasants on the edge of a cliff on Mount Hua.

After it was dealt with.

Yang Guo began curing the lamb leg.

His technique was skillful, and his use of ingredients was bold yet just right. He not only used the spices he brought, but also asked Cheng Ying for some honey that Huang Yaoshi often used.

While waiting for the pheasants to marinate, he skewered several pheasants onto chopped pine branches.

Light the pine branches and control the heat.

Yang Guo did not use an open flame to roast the fish, but patiently waited for the flames to burn out, and then used the scorching charcoal and the just-right residual heat to roast it.

The grease dripped onto the charcoal fire, making a soft sizzling sound and sending up plumes of smoke carrying the fresh scent of pine.

Only then did he begin to evenly sprinkle the first layer of seasoning.

In an instant, an unprecedented complex aroma exploded out!

It's not just the aroma of meat, but also a unique and mouthwatering fragrance infused with various seasonings.

The aroma overpowered the crisp mountain air, even overpowering the flavor of the famous "Drunken Immortal Restaurant Roasted Chicken" in Hong Qigong's hands.

"What...what is this smell?" Hong Qigong suddenly stood up, and the roast chicken in his hand no longer smelled good.

He darted over to the barbecue grill in a few steps, his eyes wide open.

He stared intently at the lamb leg, which was gradually turning golden and sizzling with oil, his Adam's apple bobbing repeatedly.

Even Huang Yaoshi, who had been pretending to be calm, turned slightly to look in this direction.

He was a learned man with a deep understanding of the art of cooking, but he had never smelled such a complex and enticing aroma of barbecue.

The combination of spices seemed to subtly create a peculiar rhythm.

Cheng Ying also covered her mouth and gasped softly, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration.

Yang Guo was completely focused, constantly turning the lamb leg and meat skewers, adding different seasonings precisely according to the heat and color.

Finally, at the moment when the lamb leg is almost cooked through, with a crispy skin and the most juicy interior, he quickly brushes on a thin layer of honey and sauce mixture.

"laugh--!"

The final aroma rose, reaching its peak!

The lamb leg had an enticing golden-red color, glistening with fat and mixed with spice particles, making one's mouth water just looking at it.

"Alright!" Yang Guo placed the roasted lamb leg and several skewers of the fattest and tenderest game on two clean, large leaves, and respectfully handed them to Huang Yaoshi and Hong Qigong.

"Esteemed seniors, please try it, but be careful, it's hot."

Hong Qigong could no longer contain himself. Ignoring the heat, he reached out and tore off a large piece of lamb leg meat, stuffing it into his mouth.

"Ugh—!!!"

The next moment, Hong Qigong's eyes widened suddenly, and he seemed to be frozen in place. Then, an expression of extreme satisfaction and almost intoxication appeared on his face!

The crispy, caramelized exterior and the tender, juicy lamb inside burst in your mouth!

What's even more amazing is the aroma of the spices, layer upon layer.

Each flavor is distinct yet perfectly blended, creating a frenzied explosion of taste that delivers an unparalleled sensory experience he has never had in nearly a century!

"So...delicious! Absolutely amazing! Absolutely fucking amazing!"

Hong Qigong shouted incoherently, not even bothering to speak, and tore off a large piece, eating it with gusto and juice flowing freely.

"Old Huang! Try this! This is better than any imperial cuisine! I've lived a worthwhile life!"

Huang Yaoshi watched Hong Qigong's utterly unseemly eating manners.

Looking again at the fragrant and tempting roasted meat on the leaves in front of him, he finally stretched out two fingers, picked up a small piece of mutton, and elegantly put it into his mouth.

Chew slowly.

A moment later, a very subtle ripple flickered in the depths of Huang Yaoshi's usually indifferent and aloof eyes.

He lowered his hand, not losing his composure like Hong Qigong, but remained silent for a few moments before slowly speaking. His voice was still calm, but no longer cold:

"The heat control is precise to the millimeter, and the spices are perfectly matched according to the principles of the Five Elements—it's unbelievable. Rong'er...where did you find a disciple like you?"

That's already extremely high praise!

Yang Guo felt reassured and humbly replied, "Grandmaster, you flatter me. These are just some clever, unorthodox methods. It is an honor for me that you two seniors can partake of them."

"A self-taught method?" Hong Qigong shouted while munching on his food. "Kid, don't give me that! With your skills, you could start your own school! From now on, you'll work for Old Beggar and grill for me every day! Uh..."

He let out a loud burp, patted his belly contentedly, and looked at Yang Guo with a completely different expression, filled with the surprise of discovering a treasure.

Cheng Ying also tried a small skewer of wild game and was immediately captivated by its novel and wonderful taste. Her gaze toward Yang Guo was filled with even more admiration and curiosity.

He's not only good-looking, but he's also an excellent griller.

Most importantly, he has such amazing talent and such strong skills!

I'm even a little tempted myself!

……

The next morning.

The morning glow dyed the sea of ​​clouds red.

The dozen or so masters gathered by Huang Yaoshi are ready to go.

After descending Mount Hua.

Yang Guo suddenly said to Huang Yaoshi beside him, "Grandmaster, I have some business to attend to at the Quanzhen Sect on Zhongnan Mountain. I will come to Xiangyang after I have taken care of it."

Upon hearing Yang Guo's words, Huang Yaoshi did not say much.

He simply gave Yang Guo a deep look and said, "With your strength, there will be no surprises if you go. You're allowed."

Upon hearing that Huang Yaoshi had given his permission, Hong Qigong winked at Yang Guo: "Kid, once things are settled at the Quanzhen Sect, come to Xiangyang as soon as possible! Old Beggar is waiting for you to roast a whole lamb!"

Cheng Ying stood behind Huang Yaoshi, her green robe fluttering gently in the morning breeze.

She looked at Yang Guo, hesitated, and finally whispered, "Young Master Yang, take care."

Yang Guo smiled and nodded at her, then bowed respectfully to Huang Yaoshi: "Grandmaster, senior, see you in Xiangyang."

Huang Yaoshi turned around with a flick of his sleeve: "Let's go."

The group headed towards Xiangyang in a grand procession.

Yang Guo stood alone at the foot of the mountain, watching their figures disappear into the clouds and mist along the mountain path.