Dark Cuisine

Night, Dubian Town, Zhang Manor.

Zhang Yunji's family had just finished dinner and were sitting in the yard Gust and chatting.

Nighttime activities in this other world are so limited, consisting mainly of taverns and brothels. But you can't go to these places too often; the former will upset your stomach, and the latter will damage your kidneys...

So most of the time, people's evening activities are either meditation or chatting.

However, ever since the Mysterious Bookstore launched its million-dollar reward program, people have had another activity to do at night: ghost hunting.

For example, right now, Liu Ying pulled out a stack of talismans and said, "Master, let's go catch ghosts!"

Chang Kong was lying in his rocking chair, gazing at the sky in deep thought. Upon hearing this, he shook his head and said, "I won't go. You and Yunji go."

After listening, Liu Ying turned her gaze to Zhang Yunji.

Zhang Yunji, like Chang Kong, lay on the rocking chair gazing at the starry sky and said, "I don't want to go either. You take Chuxue instead."

Baili Chuxue was sitting next to Zhang Yunji sewing clothes when she heard the topic shift to her. She quickly grabbed the robe on her lap and said apologetically, "Your brother is going to wear this robe tomorrow, so I can't go with you."

Liu Ying looked unhappy and stood up, saying, "If you're not going, I'll go by myself."

After saying that, Liu Ying was about to walk out the door.

Seeing this, Zhang Yunji couldn't help but ask, "Liu Ying, don't you have a third round of competition tomorrow? What if going out to run so late at night affects your performance in tomorrow's competition?"

"That's right, you're carrying the mission of our whole family this time. You absolutely have to win the championship, otherwise that Yellow Quality book will be out of our reach," Chang Kong couldn't help but interject.

Although Chang Kong had already Transcendent to Saint, he was still very interested in the magical books in the Mysterious Bookstore. However, the Mysterious Bookstore had too many restrictions on reading, and even a great figure like Chang Kong, who had Transcendent to Saint, couldn't afford to read for more than a few days. Now that the Mysterious Bookstore was finally holding a competition, and the prize was books from the Mysterious Bookstore, Chang Kong naturally hoped that Liu Ying could win, so that he could also benefit from it and borrow books to read for a few days.

Liu Ying pouted, looking at Chang Kong and Zhang Yunji, and complained, "What's the point of participating anymore? Now all the other contestants have gone to the Wantong Trading Market to report me."

"What do you mean?" Chang Kong and Zhang Yunji looked at each other, somewhat bewildered.

Liu Ying stomped her foot hard, her white embroidered shoe kicking forward, sending a pebble flying.

"They said this is Pokémon Championship, not a Hypnosis contest. Jigglypuff went up and started Sing to Hypnosis people, which they called indecent behavior and a violation of the competition rules. So they unanimously demanded that Jigglypuff be disqualified." Liu Ying's tone was somewhat aggrieved, as if she was very unhappy about being reported by a group of people.

Zhang Yunji and Chang Kong were stunned. Was this even possible? Report them if you can't win?

"These people are shameless," Zhang Yunji couldn't help but complain.

Because he had to run the shop, he couldn't participate in the Pokémon Championship and was therefore unaware of what was happening on the field.

Chang Kong frowned. Apart from watching the competition with Chang Kong Ma Feifei on the first day, he hadn't watched any more matches. After all, for a Spirit Saint, the current sprites were still too weak to warrant his attention.

"Has the Wantong Trading Market responded?" Chang Kong asked in Chang Kong voice.

With so many people reporting this time, Wantong Trading Market will definitely have to consider the participants' feelings; otherwise, if everyone boycotts the competition, it won't be able to continue.

However, this would greatly increase the likelihood of Jigglypuff being eliminated.

Liu Ying shook her head and said, "They all reported it after the competition ended today. We should have the results when the competition starts tomorrow."

Zhang Yunji patted the chair and said, "Don't worry, come on, I'll go with you to visit Sister Gongsun and see what she has to say."

"I'll go too," Chang Kong said, standing up.

Then, everyone in the family except Baili Chuxue went to Gongsun Qiong's house.

The Gongsun Manor was brightly lit tonight, with servants carrying exquisite dishes in and out, and laughter and cheerful voices frequently echoing throughout the hall, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Shopkeeper, please try this. This is Elk Soup that I personally cooked." Gongsun Qiong sat down next to Ma Feifei, took the porcelain bowl handed to her by a servant, placed it in front of Ma Feifei, and said with a hint of anticipation.

"Okay, I'll try it." Ma Feifei, munching on the leg of an unknown spirit beast, his mouth dripping with oil, nodded in agreement.

He glanced down at the porcelain bowl in front of him, picked up the spoon, scooped some into his mouth, and put it in.

It has a slightly cool taste when it enters the mouth, a slightly sweet taste when it goes down the throat, and a refreshing feeling when it goes down the stomach.

"Delicious!" Ma Feifei exclaimed, then began to drink the Elk Soup with gusto.

"Damn it, I must go out and freeload more often from now on. The food cooked at home is inedible!" Ma Feifei thought to himself smugly as he sipped his Elk Soup.

Actually, Ma Feifei came to see Gongsun Qiong today to discuss holding an event to give back to her book lovers. However, she happened to run into them having dinner. Since Ma Feifei had already eaten but insisted that she hadn't, this situation gradually evolved into what we see now.

As for the event to give back to our readers, we'll talk about that later...

Sitting on the other side of Ma Feifei, Zhao Xiaodao took a porcelain bowl from a servant, placed it in front of Ma Feifei, and said excitedly, "Ma Feifei, I also made a lotus seed soup, would you like to try it?"

Ma Feifei had just finished drinking the Elk Soup and let out a soft burp when Zhao Xiaodao handed her another bowl of soup, and she immediately felt uneasy.

He was already feeling a bit full...

But Zhao Xiaodao looked on expectantly, and Ma Feifei was too embarrassed to refuse, so she could only nod happily and pick up Zhao Xiaodao's lotus seed soup.

"Emmmm..."

Ma Feifei looked at the lotus seed soup in his hand, sniffed, and smelled a burnt smell...

"I didn't control the heat very well, so it's a little overcooked, but I've tasted it and it's delicious. You should try it." Zhao Xiaodao was a little embarrassed at first, but then he said confidently.

"What's this lotus seed soup made of? Why is it so black? And what are those black bits Levitate on top?" Ma Feifei picked up a spoon, stirred the lotus seed soup, and asked curiously.

"Lotus seeds! These are precious things, sixth-grade heavenly treasures! A single lotus seed can sell for tens of thousands of Spirit Crystal on the market!" Zhao Xiaodao exclaimed exaggeratedly.

Ma Feifei stared in surprise at the black residue in the bowl and said, "This bowl of lotus seed soup is worth tens of thousands?"

Zhao Xiaodao nodded vigorously and said, "That's right, so you can't waste it; you have to drink it all."

Ma Feifei hesitated. This thing looked like a culinary disaster. What if she got diarrhea after eating it?

Thinking of this, Ma Feifei poured a little lotus seed soup from the porcelain bowl into the bowl where she had just finished drinking the Elk Soup, then handed the bowl to Yun Qingyang opposite her, saying, "I suddenly remembered that Qingyang had a big battle with Saint Chu a couple of days ago, so she must be a little weak; plus, I ate so much just now, and my stomach is bloated, so let me share some with her."

Yun Qingyang was eating with her head down when she suddenly saw the lotus seed soup that Ma Feifei handed her and heard what Ma Feifei said. Instantly, her heart felt warm.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaodao agreed, saying, "That's right, Saint Majesty should also have some to replenish your energy, but isn't there too little in your bowl?"

Ma Feifei shook her head, looking honored, and said, "The quantity doesn't matter; what matters is being able to taste Xiaodao Xiaodao's cooking."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaodao's eyes narrowed, and he felt a surge of joy.

Ma Feifei raised his porcelain bowl and shouted to Yun Qingyang, "Come on, brother, let's drink this down in one gulp to show our deep friendship! I'll drink it first as a sign of respect!"

Yun Qingyang was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously picked up the porcelain bowl and clinked it against Ma Feifei's. Seeing that Ma Feifei had really finished it in one gulp, Yun Qingyang also tilted her head back and drank the lotus seed soup in her bowl in one go.

"A truly delicious meal! Thank you so much for your hospitality today. It's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest any longer. Farewell!" Ma Feifei said solemnly, clasping his hands in a fist and palm salute. Without waiting for their reply, he ran straight outside...

Gongsun Qiong and Zhao Xiaodao looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.

"Snap~"

Suddenly, Yun Qingyang drew the Qingshuang Sword from its sheath.

Gongsun Qiong and Zhao Xiaodao subconsciously looked at Yun Qingyang.

Yun Qingyang, wielding the Azure Qingshuang Sword, his face grim and eyes filled with murderous intent, chased after Ma Feifei...