Venerable Demon Chef

Chapter 559: Chapter 556: Take It or Leave It

The core principle of the Creation Golden Body Technique was: Cultivate the body, not the meridians. Nourish the body with Spirit, enter the Spirit with the body, comprehend all Laws, and forge the Indestructible Golden Body.

Although Mo Qi couldn’t yet fully grasp the meaning of this principle, it was clear that the so-called "Indestructible Golden Body" couldn’t be forged from thin air.

’Nourish the body with Spirit, enter the Spirit with the body.’ This would undoubtedly require a massive accumulation of resources.

His previous attainment of the Nine Transformations into Spirit had been the same, which was why Mo Qi had always been so committed to gathering resources—to prepare for a rainy day.

His mother had left him three things in the Desperate Mountain Range: the Eye of Time, the Void Spirit Flame, and the Undying Holy Liquid.

The Eye of Time and the Void Spirit Flame had allowed him to comprehend a portion of the Laws of Time and Space.

The Undying Holy Liquid, meanwhile, had helped Mo Qi unlock the second of the Eight Transformations of Creation: Transplantation.

Not only that, but his long-stagnant Creation Golden Body Technique had also seen a major breakthrough.

The first step to forging the Indestructible Golden Body was the Nine Transformations into Spirit, which Mo Qi had already completed back when he was at the Void Sect.

The second step was called "Spiritual Talents of the Four Directions," which mirrored the second of the Eight Transformations of Creation, "Transplantation."

According to the Creation Golden Body Technique, a person’s body contained the Four Directions Spirit Gates: the Moon Spirit Gate, the Mind Spirit Gate, the Life Spirit Gate, and the Necromancy Spirit Gate.

"Spiritual Talents of the Four Directions" meant igniting the Spiritual Fire before these four gates and pushing them open, thereby allowing the Nine Transformations into Spirit Body to evolve toward the Indestructible Golden Body.

The first of the Spirit Gates was the Moon Spirit Gate, which represented Mo Qi’s physical body, including his limbs, bones, and internal organs.

Mo Qi had to devour and absorb enough Energy to nourish the Moon Spirit Gate. Only then would he have a chance to ignite its Spiritual Fire.

At first, Mo Qi thought this would be a very simple process. After all, when it came to resources and wealth, he was likely far richer than any other Immortal in the Mortal District.

However, he soon discovered it wasn’t that simple.

No matter how high-grade the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were, the Moon Spirit Gate would only absorb each type of Treasure once.

Moreover, the amount of Energy the Moon Spirit Gate required far exceeded Mo Qi’s expectations.

He consumed a hundred stalks of rare Immortal Level Spirit Medicine that he’d obtained in the Desperate Mountain Range, but the resulting improvement to the Moon Spirit Gate was minuscule.

It was like a single drop of water in the ocean, creating not the slightest ripple.

At this rate, the amount of Energy needed to satiate the Moon Spirit Gate would be astronomical.

If he tried to gather it through normal means, igniting the Moon Spirit Gate’s Spiritual Fire would be a distant, if not impossible, goal. That was why Mo Qi had come up with the idea of opening a tavern.

This was the biggest reason why he had acted so flamboyantly in front of the Northern United Army and had accepted the Demon Sect’s offer of friendship.

’These are all important sources of customers, after all!’

"Mo the kid, this is rather risky. You’ll likely draw out some of those reclusive old monsters. And have you considered what the consequences will be if word of your Medicinal Cuisine and your abilities reaches the Immortal Realm?"

Mo Qi replied, "I can’t afford to worry about that now. Cultivating step-by-step is just too slow. At this rate, when will I ever find my mother? I can’t expect the path of the Martial Dao to be a peaceful one."

"Besides, I have Elder Ku Mu here. I’ll be safe at least until the Demon Spirit Battlefield opens. And as for after it ends... fifty years from now, I imagine the ’Evil Demons’ will be getting ready to wreak havoc on the world. Who’s going to have time to bother with me then?"

"Worst comes to worst, after I go to the Demon Spirit Battlefield, I’ll just change my face and identity. With my Nine Transformations into Spirit Body, who would be able to recognize me?"

The Pig Emperor pouted. "Suit yourself. Just as long as it doesn’t affect my rations."

With that, the Pig Emperor sprawled out on Mo Qi’s shoulder and fell into a deep sleep.

...

Two days later, the "Uncle Niu’s Kitchen God" tavern opened for business.

The Demon Sect, of course, was the first to arrive. At the crack of dawn, a large contingent of their experts, led by Xiao Zhengheng, showed up with congratulatory gifts and surrounded the tavern, packing the area solid.

This left the members of the North District Envoy Hall, who arrived later, utterly dumbfounded.

They almost thought the Demon Sect had set an ambush and was about to launch an all-out war.

After a brief stir, they saw that the Demon Sect showed no signs of aggression. In fact, they were all impeccably dressed, and each carried gift boxes of various sizes. Only then did the crowd from the North District relax.

Unlike the Demon Sect, no one from the North District Envoy Hall had come to congratulate the Moqi Tavern on its opening.

Most of them were simply there to investigate, to see if Mo Qi truly possessed the special techniques and methods for curing difficult illnesses that he claimed to have.

A smaller group harbored intense hostility. If they found any loophole in Mo Qi’s Array or saw any other opportunity, they wouldn’t hesitate to strike and kill him.

The minutes ticked by. The sun climbed high into the sky, but the tavern doors remained closed, and Mo Qi had yet to appear.

The members of the Demon Sect waited quietly. Since even Xiao Zhengheng said nothing, his subordinates certainly didn’t dare to complain.

It was a different story for the North District Envoy Hall. They had long since grown impatient.

If they weren’t so wary of Mo Qi’s Array, they would have smashed the doors down long ago.

"So, is this Mo Qi just messing with us? He made such bold claims, and now he doesn’t dare show his face. Is he just going to hide in his shell like a coward?"

"I agree. He probably realized he can’t back up his boasts and is too scared to come out."

"Hah. Just a young man who loves grandstanding, in the end. We were the fools for actually believing his nonsense."

Countless people shook their heads, laughing mockingly at themselves.

But just then, the tavern’s main door was pushed open, and Xiao Zhang walked out, yawning and carrying a broom.

"Everyone’s here bright and early." Seeing the sea of people before him, Xiao Zhang froze for a moment before offering a greeting. He then picked up his broom and began sweeping the fallen leaves in front of the tavern.

Everyone, the members of the Demon Sect included, was completely baffled.

’Sweeping? What’s this all about?’

For a Cultivator, couldn’t things like fallen leaves and dust be cleared with a simple wave of a sleeve?

Little did they know, Mo Qi had assigned all the tavern’s cleaning duties to Xiao Zhang and forbidden him from using his Cultivation.

For the past three days, Xiao Zhang had been running around nonstop—washing dishes, mopping floors, wiping tables, dusting, pulling weeds, and clearing land—without a moment’s rest.

Now, sweeping the leaves in front of the tavern was his final task. Once he finished, he could finally rest.

"Kid, is this tavern of yours opening today or not?" someone couldn’t resist shouting.

Without looking up, Xiao Zhang replied, "Of course it’s opening."

"Then what are you waiting for? Go get Mo Qi!"

Xiao Zhang sneered, stopping his work to look at the speaker. "Who do you think you are? You think you’re worthy of using my Master’s name so casually?"

As he spoke, Xiao Zhang glanced around at the crowd, his tone anything but polite. "My Master said we’re opening today, so we’re opening today. As for the exact time, is that any of your business?"

"You’d better check your attitude. Don’t forget why you’re here. You’re all the ones asking my Master for help!"

"How dare you!" The members of the North District Envoy Hall were enraged by Xiao Zhang’s words.

"So what if I’m being insolent? This is my Master’s territory!" Xiao Zhang laughed. "If you don’t like it, you can get lost. I don’t care if you stay or go!"

The people from the North District were furious, while the Demon Sect members looked on, thoroughly enjoying the show.

"Zhang’er, that’s enough," Mo Qi said, stepping out from behind the door.