In the world of cultivation, one grinds for proficiency and longevity.

The next day, shortly after dawn.

Chen Changqing and Li Erniu gathered together, one carrying a burlap sack and the other holding pebbles, both dressed neatly in shirts and shorts.

That's right, Chen Changqing had already made an agreement with Li Erniu, who was at the peak of the fourth level of Qi Refining, last night, that they would make a big splash today and rake in a fortune.

The two quietly arrived at the lakeside, and were dumbfounded when they saw what was happening.

"Good morning, Fellow Daoist Chen."

"Good morning, Brother Chen. We've been waiting for you for a long time."

"I bet you haven't had breakfast yet, so I brought you some hot buns. Here, eat them while they're hot."

It turned out that there were already many people waiting for Chen Changqing by the lake, even more than yesterday.

Moreover, these people, like them, were all dressed smartly for the convenience of picking up birds.

……

This…

It must be someone who had a good time last night who spread the word.

Chen Changqing was speechless; his plan to quietly make a fortune was about to fall through.

Good morning, everyone.

Chen Changqing had to greet everyone before the grand hunt began.

Fortunately, papaya birds still flew in today.

call out!call out!call out!

Chen Changqing's shots never missed; he could kill a bird the moment it peeked out.

……

[Spiritual Power Flick: Experience Points +321]

By evening, thanks to everyone's joint efforts, the number of birds hunted was the same as the previous day.

It's time to get things done again, and there are even more people here than yesterday.

Chen Changqing forced a smile, showing little interest.

However, when it comes to actually doing the work, they take it seriously.

He believes that wasting food is a shameful thing.

Especially for precious ingredients.

……

Before long, the roasted bird was served, and everyone drank and chatted, singing and laughing, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"So that's why no one's been exchanging papaya birds for merit points these past two days! They've all been here!"

The elder guarding the library suddenly arrived with his young apprentice.

It should be noted that he was nearly 100 years old and rarely went out.

Seeing this, everyone made room for this late-stage Qi Refining expert at a separate table.

"No need for you to be so polite."

The guardian elder first greeted everyone, then looked at Chen Changqing who was barbecuing:

"I've heard that young friend Chen is an excellent roaster of birds. I'm an old man who doesn't indulge in tobacco, alcohol, or women, but I crave a good meal. Young friend Chen, you won't refuse me, will you?"

Although the old man in front of him had given Chen Changqing a little trouble.

But being in a slump, he naturally wouldn't dwell on it too much.

"Elder, please don't embarrass me. It is my honor that you have graced me with your presence."

Chen Changqing immediately had Erniu deliver three to the guardian elder, saying, "Barbecue should be eaten hot. I'll get you more after you finish eating."

"Indeed, you are well-versed in this art!"

The guardian elder first praised Chen Changqing, and then began to eat heartily.

"Delicious, so delicious! It was worth the trip!"

The guardian elders praised it highly.

"Master, I want to eat too! Give me one quickly!" The little fish, only a few years old, drooled all over the place.

"No, this bird is very nutritious; eating it will make you mature too early."

Seeing his disciple's pitiful appearance, the guardian elder said, "Alright, here's a bird's leg for you to try."

There were many people at the scene, but the only one Chen Changqing really wanted to greet was the Guardian Elder.

Others include Zhou Youran, Zhou Azhu, Zhou Laiqing...

He couldn't be bothered with it.

After someone had eaten more than a dozen birds, Chen Changqing felt the time was right and walked to the table where the guardian elder was:

"Elder, do you have any information about the second half of that 'Ninefold Prison Suppression Fist' manual, given your extensive knowledge?"

As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's money is bound to be grateful," the guardian elder thought for a moment, then replied with a smile:

"Back then, when our ancestor was snatching this cultivation manual from the ruins, he said that the 'Ten Thousand Swords Sect' was the biggest winner of this adventure."

There's a very high chance they'll obtain the lower part of the technique. However, decades have passed; whether it still exists is unknown.

Both the Myriad Swords Sect and the Flowing Cloud Valley are second-rate forces in the cultivation world of Lu Kingdom, each with a Golden Core Ancestor in charge.

Chen Changqing guessed that the other party probably did not know that the first half of the "Ninefold Fist of Prison Suppression" had fallen into the hands of the Zhou family.

Otherwise, if someone had asked for it back, how could it have been preserved until now?

"Thank you for informing me, Elder."

Knowing their whereabouts is always a good thing.

"Changqing, would you be interested in becoming the head chef of my Zhou family? I can help you with that."

The two then chatted for a long time, and the guardian elder may have acknowledged Chen Changqing's contributions to the Zhou family.

In his words, he subtly declined to reveal the difficulty of the path to becoming a guest advisor and suggested and invited Chen Changqing to take another route.

"Senior brother, please agree quickly. Listen to my master. Your new residence will have better spiritual energy than this place."

Little Fish smacked his lips, earnestly inviting them, his eyes filled with anticipation and eagerness.

Become the head chef of the Zhou family?

Chen Changqing fell into deep thought...

Cooking for the Zhou family's high-ranking members for a short period should bring considerable benefits.

But after a while, people get tired of the same dishes, so I have to rack my brains to come up with new recipes.

Where would I find the time to cultivate?

Besides, cooking isn't something I enjoy... and it would easily tie me to the Zhou family, making it difficult to break away in the future!

Having understood all this, Chen Changqing replied on the spot, "I thank the elder for his kindness, but my ambitions lie elsewhere."

"However, Elder, you can tell me privately what you like to eat, and I'm happy to oblige."

In order not to reject the guardian elder's good intentions and to feel the other party's goodwill, Chen Changqing paused for a moment and then transmitted his voice again.

"Haha, no problem, no problem. If your ambitions lie elsewhere, I won't force you."

The guardian elder seemed very pleased with Chen Changqing's message; he patted the latter on the shoulder.

"I have had a very enjoyable day today, and this insignificant news is not enough to repay you. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to the library to find me."

How wonderful!

It seems that people who are usually difficult to get along with can become quite sincere after you get to know them.

Unlike those hypocritical gentlemen.

My hard work over the past two days has not been in vain.

"must."

Chen Changqing clasped his hands in thanks.

Although the other high-ranking members of the Zhou family did not attend the barbecue today, they all sent their attendants to pack the leftovers.

Even Zhou Ruoyun, who is usually reserved, is the same.

This clearly demonstrates Chen Changqing's exceptional barbecue skills; the food he grills is truly delicious.

……

After baking for two days, on the third day, Chen Changqing started to slack off and stopped caring whether birds were still coming to steal food from Cuiya Lake.

He decided to rest and practice for a day.

Unexpectedly, when the sun rose...

Seeing that Chen Changqing was slow to come out and "start work," the crowd went directly to his door and knocked and shouted.

Upon hearing this, Chen Changqing opened the door, took a look, and immediately closed it again.

Because there were crowds of people surrounding the gate, some carrying sacks, some carrying firewood, and some even carrying fruits and wine.

Judging from this, they clearly want him to repeat the mistakes of the previous two days!

"Screw him!"

Since there was no back door, Chen Changqing decisively jumped out of the window and ran away.

"Look, isn't that Fellow Daoist Chen from behind?!"

"That's right, it's him! Go after him!"

So Chen Changqing ran ahead, followed by a large, dark crowd of people.

They ran and shouted:

"Brother Chen, don't run away, we want to eat your bird..."