From a country cook to a master chef

"This junior brother looks unfamiliar, but now that you have advanced to the Divine Power Realm, the most important thing right now is to report to the Inner Court as soon as possible."

The man in the blue robe spoke calmly and directly, without mincing words: "As for today's matter, I, Diao, have a compromise. Here are three Yellow Dragon Pills, which can be used to exchange for Junior Brother Zhang's spirit blade. What do you two think?"

Before Lin Jue could speak, Zhang Kuang said in an icy voice, "How could your three Yellow Dragon Pills compare to a spirit blade?"

"Oh, if Junior Brother Zhang is not satisfied, I, Diao, will not let you suffer any loss. I have some medicinal powders here to refine qi and blood. Although they cannot be compared with the Yellow Dragon Pill, they are still rare spiritual medicines. Hmm, as long as Junior Brother Zhang agrees, I can add some more medicinal materials."

The man in the blue robe straightened his collar, his tone tinged with displeasure: "I advise you two, since you've just entered Tianwu Mountain, you'd better know your place and respect your elders. Don't be ungrateful. As the saying goes, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind."

Upon hearing these words, Zhang Kuang's face suddenly darkened.

Weapons possessing spiritual power are rare in the world; they cannot be obtained simply by exchanging three Yellow Dragon Pills and some medicinal herbs.

They're not stupid; no one would agree to such a cheap and unfair exchange.

Lin Jue reached out to stop Zhang Kuang. He had only recently broken through to the next level, and he was no match for two martial artists at the Divine Power Realm if they faced each other head-on.

The man in the blue robe glared at her fiercely, his attitude contemptuous, as if there was no room for negotiation and he wouldn't allow anyone to refuse.

On the surface, Lin Jue went along with the man in the blue robe, but in his heart he was secretly on guard, pondering how to deal with him and analyzing the pros and cons.

Given their combined strength, two against five, they would have absolutely no chance of winning if a fight broke out.

Zhang Kuang took a deep breath. He knew these people wouldn't give up until they got the spirit blade. After a moment's thought, he patted Lin Jue on the shoulder and said, "Brother Lin, I'll remember your help today. This has nothing to do with you, so please step aside!"

Zhang Kuang knew very well that with his strength, he could not possibly be a match for his opponent, but he would never agree to hand over the spirit sword he had painstakingly forged.

"Senior Brother Diao, I know that you and Mai Dali have a close relationship. For an elite disciple like you, a Xuan-level disciple of the Inner Court, to step forward and not directly seize it by force, but instead discuss with your junior brother to exchange for the spirit sword, I suppose if I did not agree, I would not have a single peaceful day in Tianwu Mountain in the future."

Having made up his mind, Zhang Kuang said with a wry smile, "If Senior Brother Diao insists on making me hand over the spirit blade, I have no choice but to follow the academy's rules and engage in a life-or-death battle with Mai Dali. If I die, the spirit blade will belong to him."

Upon hearing this, the entire foundry fell silent instantly.

As disciples of Tianwu Mountain, they naturally understood the meaning behind Zhang Kuang's words.

The so-called battle of life and death was a rule personally established by the first dean of Tianwu Academy at its inception.

Any disciple of Tianwu Mountain who has a personal grudge may challenge the other to a life-or-death battle, and the challenged party cannot refuse.

There is only one prerequisite: the initiator and the challenged party must be martial artists of the same level.

Lin Jue was shocked, never expecting things to develop to this point.

"Arrogance, it's just a spirit blade, not worth risking your life for."

Lin Jue thought for a long time and decided against being arrogant and engaging in a life-or-death battle for a spirit sword.

For him and Zhang Kuang, losing was naturally bad, but winning might not be a good thing either. If they won, they would most likely incur the wrath of this senior brother Diao, and their days in Tianwu Mountain would certainly not be easy.

The fact that the other party dared to so openly demand the spirit sword suggests that they likely have connections and influence on Tianwu Mountain.

Especially the man standing next to Senior Brother Diao, who was also at the Divine Power Realm, had remained silent ever since entering the Forging Hall.

Compared to his aggressive senior brother, Lin Jue was more wary of the stern-faced man beside him.

Diao Qian scoffed at Zhang Kuang's arrogant words, secretly sneering to himself, "Weapons are not allowed in a life-or-death battle on the arena. How dare you, a country bumpkin like you, challenge Junior Brother Dali? You are truly overestimating yourself."

Although he thought this way, on the surface, Diao Qian still put on a kind face and earnestly persuaded Zhang Kuang, making some verbal promises in an attempt to make Zhang Kuang recognize the facts, obediently comply, and agree to exchange the spirit sword.

However, he clearly underestimated Zhang Kuang's determination. The latter, right in front of everyone, decisively launched a life-or-death battle against Mai Dali, who coveted the spirit blade.

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

Diao Qian's face suddenly darkened, and he turned and walked towards the direction of the Tianwu Mountain Martial Arts Platform.

Mai Dali followed behind him with a wry smile. Once they were out of the foundry, he couldn't help but complain, "Cousin, that arrogant guy is quite capable. I'm worried..."

"Don't worry, with Brother Wei here, you won't lose."

Diao Qian noticed Mai Dali's worry, took out a tiger-finger fist buckle from his pocket, and sneered, "Wear this, and unless he is a Divine Illumination Realm martial artist, he will have no way to survive."

Mai Dali took the fist buckle and happily put it on his hand. The moment the fist buckle was on his hand, it disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving his hand feeling as if it were empty.

Diao Qian explained with a smile, "This item is a magical artifact crafted by cultivators in the Diao family. The rule of Tianwu Mountain is that weapons cannot be used. Now that the Tiger Finger Fist Buckle has been integrated into your hand and is one with you, it does not break the rule."

Upon hearing this, Mai Dali smiled knowingly and nodded, his face no longer showing any worry. In his heart, he sneered, "Arrogant, arrogant. Since you're asking for trouble, I'll grant your wish."

Inside the foundry, Lin Jue pondered for a long time, and was just about to speak when Zhang Kuang interrupted him, "Brother Lin, don't worry, that Mai Dali is a 58th-level martial artist just like me, nothing to worry about."

"We haven't signed a life-or-death waiver yet, so there's still room for reneging. Zhang Kuang, you should think this through. Your life is more important. At worst, we can just give up the knife."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kuang lightly touched the blade and said calmly, "This blade is a treasured sword passed down from my Zhang family ancestors. It must not fall into the hands of outsiders. Brother Lin, there is no need to persuade me further in this battle."

Lin Jue sighed and said nothing more. Together with Yuan Rou, he silently accompanied Zhang Kuang to the martial arts arena.

Soon after, the three arrived at the foot of the martial arts training stone platform, which was several meters high.

At this moment, the stone platform was surrounded by disciples of Tianwu Mountain who had come to watch the battle.

A life-or-death battle between elite disciples of the Yellow rank has not occurred at Tianwu Mountain for a long time.

Lin Jue curiously looked around at the people, and suddenly, he noticed a stunningly beautiful woman.

The girl surnamed Ding who taught at the alchemy room that day.

Consort Dingxiang.

The girl noticed Lin Jue's gaze, smiled slightly, and then lightly leaped onto the stone platform. "Today's life-or-death battle will be witnessed by me, Ding Xiangfei. Please come up on stage to sign the life-or-death agreement."

Mai Dali glanced at Zhang Kuang, chuckled, and then, like a long-armed ape, easily climbed onto the stone platform in a few leaps.

Zhang Kuang handed the precious sword to Lin Jue for safekeeping, and then followed him up to the high platform.

At this moment, Lin Jue glanced at Diao Qian and the other person not far away. Seeing their calm expressions, he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.