Star Martial Soaring Cloud

Chengzheng Square was packed with people.

The surrounding stone steps were already filled with spectators, and all entrances were closed, strictly prohibiting outsiders from entering.

People who arrived late could only crowd into the open space at the edge of the square, craning their necks and trying to see into the square.

Wang Xiao and his two companions arrived at a reasonable time and found a spot that wasn't too secluded to sit down.

The view from here is quite open, and the entire scene can be seen.

Not long after, a commotion broke out in the crowd.

"Here it comes!"

"Young Master Ye has arrived!"

Following the sound, Wang Xiao looked up and saw a long, magnificent brocade carpet stretching from the east side of the square all the way to the center.

The carpet is embroidered with flowing cloud and phoenix patterns in gold thread. When people walk on it, the patterns change and transform, as if the creatures are alive and moving.

Every few feet along both sides of the long carpet stood a colorful dragon and phoenix banner, fluttering in the wind and drawing gasps of amazement from the crowd.

Following closely behind, three strange beasts led the way, slowly approaching from the east.

"Look, that's the Thunder Steed!"

The Thunder Steed was strong and upright, its body covered with dark blue scales, its mane surging like black flames, and a cold jade horn embedded on its head.

Its limbs are muscular and strong, as if cast from refined iron, and its thick hooves conceal a powerful force that can strike like thunder. With each step it takes, the ground trembles slightly.

"What kind of strange beast is that?"

"It's a Zhenyue rhinoceros! How could I find such a thing here!"

The Zhenyue Rhinoceros is a robust and powerful creature, clad in thick, jet-black armor with ancient mountain patterns engraved on its surface. Its single horn on its head is as thick as a pillar, with the earth's veins faintly flowing around it.

"This fox is so beautiful!" many women exclaimed in surprise.

"It's Qingxi Spirit Fox!"

The Qingxi Spirit Fox has a graceful and beautiful figure, with snow-white fur that is spotless. Its nine tails are surrounded by a light blue mist, and its eyes are clear and bright, as if they hold the stars and moonlight of the entire sky.

Its steps were light and silent, its fox tail swaying gently, stirring up wisps of cool breeze.

Three beast riders, clad in heavy armor, exuded an imposing aura. Their armor gleamed coldly in the sunlight, their spears held straight as pines, and their gazes were steady as they stared straight ahead.

"Look over there!"

"It's Ryoma!"

"Young Master Ye Xin has arrived!"

While everyone was still reeling from the shock of the strange beast, Ye Xin's appearance once again ignited the frenzy.

His mount was actually a dragon-horse, a divine beast of heaven and earth, with a dragon's head and a horse's body, and an unparalleled majestic aura.

The dragon's head is rugged and angular, with a pair of crescent-shaped dragon horns that are white and translucent, piercing the sky. The dragon's whiskers hang down smoothly under its chin, fluttering lightly in the wind.

Longma's eyes were deep and unfathomable, exuding an ancient and steady aura.

The horse's body has strong, flowing lines, and its entire body is covered with fine, dark gold dragon scales that shimmer in the sunlight.

The hooves are solid and heavy, with hidden dragon claw-like textures, treading the ground silently, displaying extraordinary steadiness.

Ye Xin sat upright on the back of the dragon horse.

He was born with a face like jade, incomparably handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a high nose bridge, thin lips slightly pursed, and an air of arrogance between his brows.

Ye Xin wore a deep purple brocade robe, embroidered with a four-clawed dragon soaring through the clouds in gold thread, its head held high and lifelike. A white jade belt cinched her waist, the buckle of which was inlaid with a blood-red ruby ​​the size of a pigeon's egg. Her long hair was tied high with a gold crown, from which a jade hairpin was inserted diagonally, the tip of which was carved with a budding peony, making her elegant and extraordinary.

"Young Master Ye's demeanor is unparalleled!" Many women stood up excitedly, covering their mouths and exclaiming in amazement, their eyes filled with admiration.

"Young Master Ye Xin will surely win!" Shouts rose and fell from the crowd.

Ye Xin smiled calmly, his smile radiating composure and confidence.

He gently patted the dragon horse's neck, and the dragon horse immediately raised its head and roared, the roar resounding throughout the surrounding area, and the cheers in the arena grew even louder.

On the west side of the square, another grand event slowly unfolded.

The path was covered with flowers, and eight young women carrying flower baskets walked slowly by, their delicate hands gently waving, causing petals to flutter and dance in the air.

The women were draped in light gauze, their figures slender and graceful like lotuses emerging from the water, their steps delicate and graceful.

The sheer veil could not conceal her graceful figure, and against the backdrop of a shower of flowers, she appeared even more charming and captivating.

The rich floral fragrance spreads with the wind, refreshing and delightful.

Seeing this, the onlookers cheered even louder, many of them breathing heavily, their eyes fixed on the group of women, unwilling to look away for a long time.

Yun Yi sat upright on a magnificent palanquin, which had a frame of sandalwood, was intricately carved with intertwined auspicious patterns, and was decorated with gold and jade. Its grand and luxurious design fully demonstrated the top-notch style of the aristocratic family.

The interior of the palanquin was lined with soft brocade cushions, and the lifting poles were decorated with warm gold trim, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship in every detail.

Wang Xiao had assumed that Yun Yi must be a gentle and handsome person given such an elegant and refined manner, but the reality was quite the opposite.

The young man sitting upright in the sedan chair exuded a wildness, his eyes sharp as a ferocious beast's gaze, inspiring fear in all who beheld him.

He was shirtless, his bronze skin firm and powerful, his muscles sharply defined, as if sculpted from jade. His long hair fell casually over his shoulders, without any order or restraint, exuding a wild and untamed aura.

A nonchalant smile played on his lips, and he resembled a beast lurking in the forest, poised to pounce.

"Beauty and the Beast?" Wang Xiao thought to himself, then turned to Zhou Qian beside him and teased, "Is this the scene you said wasn't worth watching?"

Zhou Qian stared at Yun Yi as he entered, dumbfounded. He remained silent for a long time before finally coming to his senses, scratching his head and chuckling awkwardly, "I... I really didn't expect it to turn out like this."

Xie An, standing to the side, looked worried: "These two will be formidable opponents for you, how can you still be in the mood for jokes?"

"What, do they have three heads and six arms, or have they already reached the Divine Sense Realm?" Wang Xiao replied. "If they go to participate in the Jingwei Dao Academy's assessment, are you planning to withdraw from the competition immediately?"

"Of course not!" Xie An said firmly and decisively.

"That's more like it." Zhou Qian chuckled and lightly punched Xie An. "If you give up before even competing, what's the point of the competition?"

Although the appearance of the two young masters did give Wang Xiao quite a shock, that was all.

If you don't have the determination to surpass others in your own field, under fair and just circumstances, how can you climb to the top?

Even if the King of Heaven himself came, we'd have to compete first.

"Wow, that's what a real man should be like!" someone exclaimed.

"I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to do that again?" a young man said with envy.

"Keep dreaming!" someone nearby poured cold water on the idea. "They've built up their wealth over generations, and you think you can compete?"

"What's so amazing about them? They're just two spoiled brats." Some people started to complain, their voices tinged with sourness.

The crowd was abuzz with discussion. Some were filled with longing, some were secretly envious, and others were full of sour grapes in their words.

Wang Xiao smiled calmly at this.

He doesn't hate the rich. As long as you deserve it and haven't done anything immoral, everyone has the right to express their own lifestyle.

However, if the rich are heartless, that's a different story.

When he was on the Demon Island, he felt a little indignant when he heard about the actions of the aristocratic families. But in retrospect, all the worldly vanities are ultimately not as precious as life, and the aristocratic families' choices were not without reason.

A moment later, Ye Xin and Yun Yi ascended the high platform together.

"Brother Yun, a day apart feels like three autumns," Ye Xin spoke first, his voice clear and resonant. "What do we intend to compete in today?"

"Yesterday I set the questions for the competition of rare treasures, and today I will leave it to Brother Ye to set the questions." Yun Yi looked calm and confident, as if he was sure of winning no matter what the competition was about.

Ye Xin surveyed the room and asked, "Young Master Jiang has not yet arrived. Shall we wait a moment?"

"Why wait for him? This is a contest between the two of us," Yun Yi said, waving his hand dismissively.

Then everyone remembered that it was rumored that Jiang Feng, the son of the Minister of Works, would also participate in today's competition, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"Excellent!" Ye Xin laughed heartily. "The daily lives of ordinary people consist of nothing more than clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. We've already achieved a balance in clothing, shelter, and transportation; today, let's compete in the world's finest delicacies!"

It turns out that the two of them made a grand appearance as a prelude to a competition.

Ye Xin's mythical dragon-horse led the way, while Yun Yi's sea of ​​flowers and beautiful women guided the way; each had its own charm, making it difficult to determine which was superior.

"Excellent!" Yun Yi readily agreed. "Then let's have a food competition. Young Master Ye, you'd better keep your eyes open and savor every bite!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two open-air kitchens appeared instantly in the center of the square, belonging to the Ye and Yun families respectively.

The kitchen utensils were spotless and shiny, and all sorts of rare ingredients were neatly arranged. The chefs were in high spirits and ready for action.

"Look! They're using this to scrub their cooking utensils!" someone exclaimed.

"It's candy!"

After being exposed, Yun Yi laughed loudly: "The kitchen staff in my mansion never use ordinary fire to contaminate the utensils. Every day, we wipe the pots and pans with maltose to let the sweet flavor infuse the ingredients, which shows our noble style."

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Although maltose is not a rare delicacy, it is used every day to clean kitchen utensils, something that ordinary people would never dare to imagine. Such consumption is astonishing.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xin simply smiled faintly and raised his hand to lightly clap three times.

Flames rose from the kitchen, and a rich, fresh aroma wafted on the breeze, clearly detectable from a great distance.

"Our household has always used precious beeswax as fuel for cooking, slow cooking over candlelight, without smoke or residue, preserving the true and ultimate flavor of the ingredients," Ye Xin said calmly.

The entire audience gasped in shock: "They're burning amber as firewood?"

Amber is rare and precious, and ordinary families would carefully consider purchasing even a small amount. The Ye family used it for cooking, and the raging fire burned not just firewood, but also endless wealth.

Yun Yi clapped his hands and laughed, "Brother Ye, let's each prepare four delicacies and show everyone here today!"

Ye Xin nodded in agreement and gestured, and the two kitchens immediately sprang into action.

Yun Yi's group was the first to present their dishes. He didn't explain, and no one could understand what they were.

The first dish: Jade Dew Soup. Made with Tian Shan snow lotus as a base, combined with thousand-year-old He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum) and hundred-year-old Poria cocos, and thickened with pearl powder from the East China Sea. The snow lotus must be carefully harvested on a full moon night and sealed in a jade box to lock in its spiritual essence. The soup is milky white and warm, adorned with fine gold leaf, sweet and smooth on the palate, and is said to have miraculous effects of prolonging life.

The second dish: Canary Tongue. Made with carefully selected canary tongues from the South China Sea, only a small portion can be taken from each canary, requiring three thousand canary tongues to make one dish. Marinated in a secret sauce and slowly roasted over a low flame, the meat is tender, smooth, and melts in your mouth, leaving a lingering fragrance.

The third course: Crystal Dragon and Phoenix. The main ingredients are deep-sea dragonfish tail and Tianshan snow phoenix wings, paired with rare icy lake silver caviar. The dragonfish tail must be taken from a live fish, the snow phoenix wings can only be caught during an avalanche, and the silver caviar is extremely rare and valuable. The dish is carved into the shape of a dragon and phoenix, and is completely translucent like crystal, shimmering and sparkling in the sunlight.

The fourth dish: Purple Aura from the East Cake. Made from purple jade rice grown on the exclusive farmland of Beiyuan, ground into powder and mixed with dozens of precious spices such as ambergris, musk, and sandalwood, it is steamed over a low flame using beeswax. This rice has an annual yield of only a hundred catties, making it extremely precious. The cake is deep purple in color, with natural cloud patterns on the surface. It is soft, glutinous, and smooth, with a lingering, elegant aroma.

Ye Xin's side was equally impressive, with four delicacies served in succession.

Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are selected from ancient vines in southern Xinjiang, each vine producing only one bunch per year, with each grape round and plump. They are soaked in ice spring water for seven days, then slowly simmered over a low flame with beeswax, and finally seasoned with deep-sea red coral powder for color. The finished product resembles a translucent ruby, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and a long finish.

Jadeite and White Jade Rolls are made with the tenderest hearts of the Jadeite Cabbage from the East China Sea, requiring hundreds of cabbages to make just one main ingredient. They are served with a silver-thread old chicken broth, mixed with eight kinds of rare mushrooms including matsutake and morels. The cabbage hearts are wrapped with a mushroom filling, crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich and flavorful broth.

Golden Broth Dragon Tendon is made primarily with South China Sea dragon tendon, complemented by Tian Shan snow frog and premium Changbai Mountain ginseng. The broth is simmered over low heat with precious ingredients such as old hen, ham, and dried scallops. The dragon tendon is chewy and has an exceptional texture.

The Jade Golden Toad uses the unique Jade-eyed Golden Toad found deep in the miasma forests of southern Xinjiang. Its entire body is emerald green, with golden eyes, and it dwells year-round atop thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum, feeding on its elixir. Capturing it requires luring it out of its burrow with a jade flute; a moment's carelessness and it vanishes without a trace, remaining elusive for ten years. Only a small piece of tender meat from the back of each toad is obtained, and forty-nine toads are needed to complete the dish. Wrapped in fresh lotus leaves and steamed, the meat is delicate and refreshing, with a clean and crisp taste, and is said to have remarkable effects in clearing the mind and improving eyesight, as well as detoxifying and beautifying the skin.

Eight exquisite delicacies were presented, each drawing gasps of amazement from the audience.

"This isn't enjoying fine food; it's squandering mountains of gold and silver!"

"These few dishes alone would probably cost me my entire life savings and I still couldn't afford a single bite."

"Even ten lifetimes' worth of savings wouldn't be enough!"

Just as the two were locked in a fierce competition of wealth, a loud shout rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

"Young Master Jiang has arrived!"

"Young Master Jiang has finally arrived! This is sure to be even more exciting!"

"This is the most famous young master in the capital!"

Everyone stared intently, their faces filled with astonishment.

"Huh... what's going on?"

"Were they carried here, bed and all?"

For a moment, no one could believe their eyes.

On the north side of the square, several servants carried a large rosewood bed slowly into the square.

The bed was covered with luxurious brocade bedding, and a person was curled up inside, fast asleep, snoring loudly.

There were no mythical beasts clearing the way, nor flowers paving the path.

There was only one bed and one person sleeping.

"Young master, we've arrived!" The servants struggled to wake their young master.

"Have we arrived?" Jiang Feng groggily opened his eyes, and before he could finish speaking, he let out several burps, the strong smell of alcohol emanating from him noticeable from a distance.

He was clearly hungover all night and still wasn't sober.

With his clothes disheveled and hair askew, Jiang Feng had none of the dignified bearing of a noble young master.

His appearance is actually not bad.

With bright, peach-blossom eyes, a straight nose, and well-defined features, he was truly a handsome man.

Upon seeing this, Ye Xin frowned slightly, his words full of sarcasm: "Long time no see. So you're the son of the Minister of Works. Why are you so late?"

He deliberately avoided mentioning Jiang Feng's name, only bringing up his father's official position, clearly showing that he did not take Jiang Feng seriously, and his words were also a veiled criticism of the other party's casualness and lack of discipline.

Jiang Feng swayed as he got out of bed, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he walked to the kitchen, letting out a long yawn: "So it's Young Master Ye, I've heard so much about you. Are you two having a cooking competition?"

"Indeed, could it be that Young Master Jiang has not made any preparations?" Yun Yi said calmly, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes as well.

Looking at the dazzling array of rare ingredients and exquisite dishes before him, Jiang Feng suddenly smiled, a smile tinged with a hint of intoxication and a touch of clarity.

He suddenly raised his voice, not in response to Yun and Ye, but to the 100,000 onlookers below, asking: "Gentlemen, imagine if a restaurant were built here, what kind of restaurant would you want it to be?"

Upon hearing this, the entire audience was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Is this young master Jiang still drunk and has come here specifically to make a fool of himself?" someone muttered.

"Is he still sound asleep and talking nonsense?"

Many people, hoping to see him make a fool of himself, made casual jokes.

"It would be wonderful to have an open-air hot spring on the rooftop of the restaurant, where you can drink wine and soak in the hot spring at the same time!" a bold person suggested.

"Haha..." As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience burst into laughter, and even Ye Xin and Yun Yi on the high platform couldn't help but smile.

"Not bad, you have good taste, I like it!" To everyone's surprise, Jiang Feng wasn't angry at all. Instead, he nodded in approval and even raised his hand to the person who spoke.

Seeing this, the crowd became even bolder, and one after another came up with all sorts of strange and unusual ideas.

"Since it's a restaurant, it should have at least nine floors, right?"

"The roof is covered with golden tiles, the steps are made of white jade, and the door curtains are strung with pearls!"

"A harmonious blend of music and melody! We need the best musicians!"

"And we also need the most beautiful dancers!"

……

Everyone chimed in with their own unrealistic ideas, some of which were downright fantastical, while others were simply being deliberately difficult.

Jiang Feng listened quietly, nodding repeatedly, a faint, almost drunken smile always playing on his lips.

"Silence, everyone!" Jiang Feng suddenly shouted, and the entire room fell silent instantly. He slowly raised his right hand and lightly snapped his fingers: "Did you all hear me?"

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing the commotion, over a hundred people surged into the square. Some carried timber and stone, some held exquisite tools, and some transported brocade and precious ornaments. The group had a clear division of labor and worked in perfect harmony, like a finely operating formation rapidly moving through the center of the square.

In just half an hour, a nine-story building rose from the ground, its imposing presence striking.

The rooftops are covered with golden tiles, the interiors with white jade steps, and the doors and windows are adorned with pearl curtains.

Glass wind chimes hang beneath the eaves of each floor, their clear, melodious sounds carried on the breeze.

Inside the building, elegant music filled the air as top musicians entered to perform and add to the festivities.

On the top floor, amidst swirling clouds and rising steam, lay the open-air hot spring that everyone had casually mentioned.

The square, which had been filled with 100,000 people, was now completely silent. Everyone was stunned and deeply shocked.

Jiang Feng snapped his fingers again, and several maids walked slowly out of the restaurant, carrying exquisite food platters, and went straight to Ye Xin and Yun Yi to present the dishes.

"Why don't you two gentlemen try it? See if you find it any different?"

The two looked down and their pupils contracted simultaneously. The dishes on the plate were exactly the eight exquisite delicacies they had just competed with. The ingredients, cooking methods, appearance, and even the plating style were all exactly the same.

The crowd erupted in uproar, followed by thunderous applause that echoed throughout the square.

Everyone then realized that Jiang Feng had not only built the restaurant that everyone had envisioned, but also replicated all the previously rare and extremely complicated and demanding dishes.

"Is this the incredible Kyushu mechanical arts? Seeing is believing!"

"Has the Great Qian Dynasty intervened? I'm afraid there won't be any more displays of wealth after this!" someone remarked.

"To witness such a magnificent sight, my life has not been in vain!" an old man murmured, tears welling in his eyes.

……

The 100,000 people in the audience were still cheering, but the outcome of this contest of wealth was already decided.

P.S.: The theme of competing in wealth is inspired by "Shi Chong and Wang Kai's rivalry over extravagance"!