Chapter 2450: 2432 Lin Bu'er

There are three thousand main paths and eight hundred lesser paths, all leading to immortality.

The Xuan Yang Realm boasts abundant cultivation resources and countless rare treasures. Even cultivators with a five-element spirit root have the opportunity to advance to the Mahayana stage. If their fortune is great enough, even those without a spirit root can cultivate, achieving no less than cultivators who possess one.

An alluring fragrance drifted from afar. Wang Qingshan caught the scent and immediately felt his appetite surge, experiencing an unexpected pang of hunger.

It's important to remember that cultivators above the Foundation Establishment stage can abstain from food, or eat if they choose; they only experience hunger if they lose their magical power.

Lan Fukong's stomach rumbled, and he swallowed hard.

The cultivators exchanged glances, then looked towards the distance.

A wrinkled old woman in a green robe and a corpulent middle-aged Taoist strode towards them. The old woman was Ma Yulin.

The middle-aged Taoist wore a green robe. His face was fair, his eyes small, and his bulging belly made his robe appear somewhat tight. A wide smile adorned his face.

"Fellow Taoists, you are in for a treat today," Ma Yulin said with a smile. "Fellow Taoist Lin has personally cooked Blood Bone Fish. His culinary skills are exquisite; even I am amazed."

The middle-aged Taoist flicked his sleeve, and a shimmering green cauldron flew out, landing in the stone pavilion.

With a muffled thud, the floor was instantly shattered by the green cauldron.

The green cauldron was half a person's height, with three legs and two handles. Its body was engraved with patterns of exotic birds and beasts, and it emitted astonishing spiritual energy fluctuations.

"Are you Fellow Taoist Qing Xiuzi's disciple? Your reputation precedes you. As expected of a master, you have produced an outstanding student. Seeing you today, it's clear your reputation is well-deserved. With your talent, reaching the Integration stage is only a matter of time." Lan Fukong's gaze landed on the green-robed Taoist, and he praised him with a sincere expression.

Generally, cultivators who follow the path of culinary cultivation tend to be somewhat plump, as they frequently consume various rare ingredients and spiritual treasures.

"Fellow Taoist Lan, this is my nephew, Ma Baozong," Ma Yunbiao corrected.

Lan Fukong gave an awkward smile and chuckled, "Congratulations to Fellow Taoist Ma on reaching the Void Refinement stage! Your imposing gait, Fellow Taoist Ma, made me mistake you for Fellow Taoist Lin just now!"

"I've long heard of the title 'True Monarch of Exaggerated Praise'," a man's voice, full of playful mockery, suddenly rang out. "You certainly live up to your name."

A fragrant breeze wafted by, and a tall, slender young man in a golden robe suddenly appeared in the courtyard.

The golden-robed youth had a fair complexion, sharp eyebrows, and sparkling eyes. Several sachets of varying colors hung from his waist.

"I am Lin Bu'er. Greetings, fellow Taoists," the golden-robed youth said, cupping his fists.

"Lin Bu'er? Not hungry?" Lan Fukong's eyes darted around, and he said with a fawning smile, "I didn't expect Fellow Taoist Lin to know of me. My apologies for the oversight."

"I haven't been in the Xuanling Continent for long," Lin Bu'er replied with a meaningful expression, "but I've certainly heard your name mentioned quite often, Fellow Taoist Lan."

"Fellow Taoist Lin, you flatter me," Lan Fukong said in a fawning, ingratiating tone. "I have no fame whatsoever. A renowned master produces outstanding disciples, and I am certain Fellow Taoist Lin will surpass your master."

Lin Bu'er smiled and nodded. "I hope your good wishes come true," he said. "Fellow Taoists, please try 'Dragon Swims in the Great Sea,' which I personally cooked. It uses a top-grade fifth-tier Blood Bone Fish as the main ingredient, combined with hundreds of types of thousand-year spiritual herbs. It's truly a powerful tonic."

Ma Baozong struck a spell into the green cauldron. The lid flew open, and an alluring aroma wafted out.

Wang Qingshan stood up and peered into the cauldron.

Inside, a mass of blood-red liquid contained a blood-red spiritual fish. Various other ingredients, such as lingzhi mushrooms, lotus root, and spiritual fungi, were also visible.

Ma Yulin produced a set of exquisite bowls and chopsticks, serving each cultivator a portion. The broth was blood-red and exuded a peculiar, exotic fragrance.

Su Chenguang and the others exchanged glances but did not immediately begin to eat.

Lan Fukong, however, had no reservations. He picked up a piece of fish, put it into his mouth, and an expression of pure delight spread across his face.

"Excellent, truly excellent! This is indeed a delicacy fit for mortals," Lan Fukong praised. "Fellow Taoist Lin, your culinary skills are superb, and your future achievements will be limitless." He then picked up his porcelain bowl and took a large gulp of the soup.

The cultivators had a good relationship with the Ma family and assumed they meant no harm. Several Void Refinement cultivators took a symbolic bite, then set their chopsticks down. The Su Chenguang brothers, however, did not touch their food at all.

Wang Qingshan ate a piece of fish. He found the fish tender and fresh, melting in his mouth, but then a surge of astonishing spiritual energy rose in his abdomen, making his whole body feel hot and dry, as if he had fallen into a volcano.

He quickly circulated his cultivation to refine the spiritual energy.

A short while later, Wang Qingshan returned to normal, having worked up a sweat.

Most cultivators didn't eat much, but Lan Fukong had no such reservations. He quickly finished one bowl, served himself another, and consulted Lin Bu'er about cooking methods as he ate.

Lin Bu'er honestly shared his methods, and Lan Fukong peppered him with praise, making Lin Bu'er feel somewhat flattered.

After three bowls, Lin Bu'er and Lan Fukong were deep in conversation. Primarily, Lin Bu'er spoke, while Lan Fukong posed questions and offered further compliments.

Lan Fukong wasn't merely making things up; he possessed some knowledge of cooking, and a few of his questions even stumped Lin Bu'er.

Wang Qingshan nodded secretly. He finally understood why Lan Fukong had such a wide social circle. If he were in Lan Fukong's shoes, and there were no significant conflicts of interest, he wouldn't resent him either.

With a kindred spirit, a thousand cups of wine are too few. Lan Fukong was not only agreeable to converse with but also adept at praising others.

"I had no idea Fellow Taoist Lan possessed such extensive knowledge of culinary arts," Lin Bu'er remarked with a sigh of admiration. "My apologies for not recognizing it sooner."

"Fellow Taoist Lin, you overpraise me," Lan Fukong said humbly. "I can talk the talk, but I can't cook like you. It is my honor to partake in such a delicious feast." He often attended celebrations hosted by major powers; even if he didn't receive an invitation, he would shamelessly show up with a congratulatory gift, taking the opportunity to flatter others and expand his social network. He cared little for how others viewed him.

He had befriended many high-level cultivators, and extensive conversations with them had enriched his knowledge. He could articulate specialized technical terms, which allowed his flattery to be genuinely appreciated. Even sycophancy required a vast reservoir of knowledge; random or ignorant flattery would easily backfire.

As the saying goes, 'flattery, no matter how over-the-top, always goes down well.'

Lin Bu'er felt a surge of elation from Lan Fukong's extensive praise, largely because Lan Fukong was easy to talk to and clearly possessed a genuine understanding of culinary arts, not just fabricating compliments.

Wang Qingshan and the others, unable to interject, merely engaged in casual conversation among themselves.

More than half an hour later, Lin Bu'er and Lan Fukong finished the dish, leaving no soup behind, most of which had been consumed by Lin Bu'er.

Both Lan Fukong and Lin Bu'er's faces flushed crimson. They hastily circulated their cultivation techniques to refine the immense spiritual energy contained within the ingredients.

"Fellow Taoist Lin, has your esteemed master also arrived in the Xuanling Continent?" Zhang Yuqian asked curiously.

"I'm not sure of my master's whereabouts," Lin Bu'er replied somewhat vaguely. "I came to the Xuanling Continent alone for a journey. I heard Fellow Taoist Ma acquired a fifth-tier Blood Bone Fish, so I came to visit."

Ma Yulin then initiated a discussion on the path of cultivation, touching upon the condensation of Dharma Forms, with each person expressing their own views.