Free Web NovelChapter 509: Chapter 313: Formal Investment (Part 2)
In fact, it was precisely because everyone knew Zou Feng was one of Jiang Wanzhao’s people that no other True Disciples or Central Court Elders had extended an olive branch.
Otherwise, with a record like his—publicly humiliating True Monarch Tianyan—those scrambling to win him over would have been beating a path to his door.
"Alright, I’ll be there on time for the banquet!"
Zou Feng had refused every banquet invitation he received before, but there was no reason to turn this one down.
Although some people were already flattering him by calling him Zou Zhenchuan, Zou Feng hadn’t let it go to his head. He knew very well that a huge gap still existed between him and a true True Disciple.
First, he had to overcome the hurdle of Foundation Establishment and becoming a Core Disciple.
Furthermore, the Dao Foundation he established had to be a Celestial Tier one.
After all, only a Celestial Tier Dao Foundation could guarantee his future path to becoming a True Disciple.
Thus, even if he only managed to establish an Earth Tier Dao Foundation, he would probably be flooded with scorn and ridicule, with people thinking he wasn’t all that special after all.
And even after establishing a Celestial Tier Dao Foundation, he wouldn’t immediately become a True Disciple; he would still have to start as a Core Disciple.
After all, to become a True Disciple, being in the Dao Foundation Realm wasn’t enough. One also had to form a Golden Core.
After receiving an affirmative reply, Leng Jing didn’t leave right away. He stayed behind, apparently intending to escort Zou Feng there when the time came.
But there was still some time until noon, and Zou Feng didn’t want to just sit around. So, he simply told Leng Jing to look around on his own while he went into the back room to continue his Cultivation of the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill.
It was worth mentioning that the Dragon and Tiger Kan and Li Skill currently functioned much like an Inner Power Heart Skill from his martial arts days.
So, there was absolutely nothing wrong with practicing it whenever he had a spare moment.
As noon approached, the two of them headed toward Kui Xing Lou.
Zou Feng was quite curious about a restaurant that even a True Disciple would hold in high regard.
After all, he was about to open his own private kitchen, so perhaps he could borrow some ideas.
However, before he even set foot inside Kui Xing Lou, he realized it was completely beyond emulation.
First of all, Kui Xing Lou was situated atop a Spiritual Vein of the Pinnacle Celestial Immortal Sect.
Needless to say, the Spiritual Qi in this location was incredibly rich and pure.
The Spirit Spring, which had similarly dense Spiritual Qi and was where Zou Feng had chosen to break through to the Spiritual Energy Realm, charged by the hour.
As they drew closer to Kui Xing Lou, Zou Feng noticed the flowers and plants lining the path. Though he couldn’t name them, he could tell at a glance that they were priceless.
After all, just smelling their fragrance was no less effective than consuming certain rejuvenating Elixirs.
Then he looked up at the main structure of Kui Xing Lou...
A more accurate description would be the "Heaven-Reaching Tower."
Its main body spiraled upward like a colossal dragon ascending to the heavens, piercing through the clouds.
Each private room was suspended above a special layer of clouds.
Seeing this, Zou Feng lost all thought of drawing inspiration from it, even without looking at the menu of Spiritual Food.
This was on another level. He was afraid that even with the financial resources of a True Disciple, it would take a joint venture between several of them to afford to open such a place.
’My nearly one million Immortal Fate points are nothing in comparison.’
Besides, even if he could afford a similar restaurant, how could he possibly compete with an "old, established brand" like this?
Neither his connections nor the variety of Spiritual Food he could offer were anywhere near what this place could manage at his current stage.
’If I really opened one, it would be a complete loss...’ freewёbnoνel.com
Next, Zou Feng and Leng Jing stepped onto a "Cloud Ladder." This Spiritual Artifact, resembling a somersault cloud, smoothly carried the two of them up to the cloud layer where Jiang Wanzhao was waiting.
Upon arriving at this cloud layer, they found a whole new world. What came into view was a hall that looked like an Immortal Palace.
The two women at the entrance of the hall had clearly been carefully selected. They were exceptionally beautiful and possessed an excellent disposition.
"Younger Brother Zou, this is as far as I go..." Leng Jing said, tactfully taking a step back.
Zou Feng asked, puzzled, "You’re not coming in?"
Leng Jing was the one who had introduced him to this "investment," after all. Logically, he should at least be qualified to sit at the table.
"The Matriarch previously instructed that she wished to dine with you alone..."
With that, Leng Jing made a gesture of "please, after you."
Nodding, Zou Feng strode inside.
In the vast, open-air dining area, a few exquisite cold dishes were already arranged on an incredibly luxurious white table.
As the Head Chef of the Inner Sect Dining Hall, Zou Feng was surprised to find he couldn’t even recognize the ingredients used in these dishes.
But he guessed they were surely high-end goods scrounged from various Outer Realms.
It was a known fact that high-end ingredients from the Outer Realms were generally not supplied to the Dining Halls. The supply was too unstable to meet the massive daily demand.
Although he had anticipated seeing unheard-of dishes, Zou Feng couldn’t help but smile wryly to himself.
’Opening a restaurant... I was too hasty!’
Even opening a more affordable eatery in the Inner Sect, a step down in class, wouldn’t be as easy as he had imagined.
’However, while I can’t open a high-end restaurant like this, and a mid-range one in the Inner Sect would be a struggle, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other paths...’
At the far end of the table, Jiang Wanzhao stood with her back to Zou Feng, hands clasped behind her, gazing up at the sky. Her white hair was tied into a skyward braid.
This posture, combined with her little-girl-like appearance, gave her an air of someone deliberately acting mature.
"Greetings, Jiang Zhenchuan!"
Jiang Wanzhao slowly turned around, her face beaming with a smile. "I never expected... your abilities far exceed this Seat’s estimations..."
"By the way, what did you use to interfere with True Monarch Tianyan’s divination?"
In the midst of her praise, she suddenly dropped this question.
This clearly showed that Jiang Wanzhao also suspected Zou Feng possessed some extraordinary treasure.
Zou Feng’s expression didn’t change as he replied, "I simply believe that True Monarch Tianyan can’t be right every single time."
After staring at Zou Feng for a few moments, Jiang Wanzhao broke into a carefree smile. "That’s not wrong, either. Sit!"
Only after Jiang Wanzhao had taken her seat did Zou Feng sit down.
"Try some. Today’s theme is the ’Hundred Insect Banquet.’ Most of the ingredients come from that Insect Monster Outer Realm we conquered. Er, the folks from the Beast Taming Hall have now named it the Insect Nest Grotto..."
Chatting idly like this, both of them picked up their chopsticks.
As the hot dishes were served, Zou Feng only took a few small bites, but he couldn’t help but admire the skill of Kui Xing Lou’s Spirit Chefs.
’There’s really something to be said for specialization. Even with my "Hand of Poisoning," I’d have a hard time guaranteeing a win against this level of culinary skill.’
’Of course, it’s also related to one’s Realm. The Spirit Chefs at Kui Xing Lou have definitely already achieved Foundation Establishment.’
The results of specializing in the art of a Spirit Chef at the Dao Foundation Realm were naturally quite impressive.
"Have you made any plans for Foundation Establishment?" As they chatted, Jiang Wanzhao suddenly asked another question.
Zou Feng paused for a moment, then answered honestly, "I have only recently entered the Spiritual Energy Realm. As for Foundation Establishment..." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
"It’s right to be cautious, but planning ahead is also necessary. After all, your goal isn’t just an Earth Tier Dao Foundation, is it?"
Zou Feng nodded slightly. But it was indeed still a bit too early for him to be discussing Foundation Establishment.
He hadn’t even systematically researched what specific preparations were needed to establish a Celestial Tier Dao Foundation.
After saying this, Jiang Wanzhao suddenly clapped her hands.
The next moment, the door was gently pushed open, and a Maid entered gracefully, carrying a covered tray.
Once the tray was placed in front of Zou Feng, Jiang Wanzhao continued, "To establish a Celestial Tier Dao Foundation, all sorts of Heavenly and Earthly Treasures are indispensable."
"This Seat has carefully selected this item based on your situation. It should be of considerable help to you!"
’Is she really giving me something good to aid my Foundation Establishment?’
In truth, Zou Feng had already anticipated this.
The Maid then lifted the cover. A flash of light immediately followed, nearly blinding Zou Feng.
When his eyes adjusted to the intense light, he saw a glistening green... heart!?
"This is the heart of an Ant King, hunted and retrieved by a ’Great Cultivator’ from the Beast Taming Hall after a deep exploration of the Insect Nest Grotto."
"Originally, its toxicity was beyond what you could currently withstand. But after being cleansed by a ’Dao Lotus’ and processed by the master chefs of Kui Xing Lou, it should be fine," Jiang Wanzhao explained.
At this moment, Zou Feng was already completely captivated by the Ant King’s heart.
He had a gut feeling that this thing was far superior, even compared to digging up Luo Yingning’s Celestial Corpse Bones.
Back in the Insect Nest Grotto, what Zou Feng had absorbed and undergone Refinement with was merely an Ant King-level larva.
For some reason, the adult Ant King had never appeared.
It seemed now that after the people from the Beast Taming Hall took over, they conducted a deep exploration and finally discovered the adult Ant King.
