Chapter 1067: Accidentally Slipped Up

Moon Laurel Immortal Palace also had its own 'Immortal Palace Monthly,' but its sales consistently lagged behind 'Cultivation Monthly.' True Immortal Chasing Moon believed that if Lu Yang were to marry into their palace, 'Immortal Palace Monthly' would undoubtedly sell like hotcakes.

Although the Immortal Palace boasted numerous talented individuals, it consistently lacked a cultivator with Lu Yang's flexible thinking. However, this was merely a fleeting thought. True Immortal Chasing Moon mused that given Lu Yang's capabilities, even if he married into the Immortal Palace, he would likely stir things up and eventually merge the Immortal Palace into the Dao Inquiring Sect. Who would want to merge with that simpleton Guiyuan's sect? It would be a downgrade.

"Old Meng, I have good news!" Lu Yang, having finished his newspaper duties, went to Meng Jingzhou to share the glad tidings.

Meng Jingzhou, shirtless, was practicing martial arts with his Dharma Idol. After a set, he was panting and drenched in sweat, which surprised Lu Yang. "Good heavens, are you practicing without clothes in broad daylight?!"

Lu Yang remembered that Young Master Meng used to be quite particular about his appearance. How had he become like this now? It was a sign of declining morality, indecency, and something he was ashamed to be associated with.

"I just sweat too much when I train, and wearing clothes feels uncomfortable. Besides, my Dharma Idol is fully clothed, so what's wrong with me being shirtless?" Meng Jingzhou pointed to his neatly dressed Dharma Idol above his head and said righteously.

"Alright, tell me, what good news could you possibly have that involves me?" Meng Jingzhou looked at Lu Yang warily. Based on his experience, what Lu Yang called "good news" wasn't always genuinely good.

"It's genuinely good news. I met Immortal Yingtian and, gathering my courage, said a few good words about you in front of him. He said he would treat everyone equally, so whatever he does to me during my tribulation, he will do to you."

"Good brother!" Meng Jingzhou felt deeply ashamed. He had misjudged Old Lu. Old Lu was so considerate of him, yet he had doubted Old Lu's character. Oh, wait, Old Lu's character usually *does* need to be questioned, but not this time.

"However..." Lu Yang hesitated at this point, wondering whether to reveal it.

"However what?" Meng Jingzhou's heart skipped a beat. Was there another twist?

"Never mind, I won't say it."

"Just tell me!"

Seeing Old Meng's persistent questioning, Lu Yang could no longer conceal it: "However, when I brought up 'Immortal's Sayings' and mentioned that you didn't understand it, Immortal Yingtian didn't say anything aloud, but I saw a displeased look in his eyes. He seemed a bit unhappy with your lack of understanding."

"What is 'Immortal's Sayings'? Have I read it?"

Hearing Lu Yang say this, Meng Jingzhou was initially bewildered, but then he remembered where he had heard the term. While in the Twin River Secret Realm, he had found Immortal Immortal's study, where there was a copy of 'Immortal's Sayings.' However, it was written in ancient language, which he couldn't understand.

"Why did you reveal that?!" Meng Jingzhou was anxious. If he made Immortal Yingtian displeased, wouldn't he suffer extra blows during his tribulation?

"I accidentally let it slip. See, I've come to make amends," Lu Yang said with an embarrassed smile. "It's never too late to make amends."

"How will you make amends?"

"Well, I've always said I'd teach you the ancient language, but never had the chance. I might as well use this opportunity to teach you."

As he spoke, Lu Yang took out a small parcel from his sleeve, opened it, and revealed a book. He handed it to Meng Jingzhou with a serious expression, as if completing a ritual. "Once you learn the ancient language, you'll be able to read this copy of 'Immortal's Sayings' yourself."

"Good idea!" Meng Jingzhou took 'Immortal's Sayings,' feeling its weight. He knew it was an invaluable treasure, personally recorded by Immortal Immortal, containing the words of the four ancient immortals. Even other immortals would fight over it.

Three months later, Lu Yang received a special invitation.

"Second Boss, look, this is a letter from the Spirit Chef Alliance for you!" Yun Mengmeng excitedly held up the envelope. Although she didn't know what the Spirit Chef Alliance was, she knew from its name that there must be lots of delicious food involved.

"Spirit Chef Alliance?" Lu Yang had heard of it. It was an organization composed of the world's top spirit chefs. As the saying goes, "food knows no boundaries," so the spirit chefs of this alliance came from various parts of the cultivation world—except for the Buddhist Nation.

"Why would the Spirit Chef Alliance send me a letter?" Lu Yang thought to himself, knowing he couldn't cook. His only experience cooking was when Immortal Immortal possessed him and he cooked for Qiu Jin'an, adding salt for twenty seconds. Then, after his master publicized it, it became "Qiu Jin'an excitedly pounded the table after eating, asking who had made it." Surely they weren't inviting him to join the Spirit Chef Alliance just because of that?

"It must be that after I possessed you, people mistakenly thought you also had talent in spirit cooking," Immortal Immortal said delightedly. Such talent would be recognized even when possessed. However, she didn't recommend Lu Yang join the Spirit Chef Alliance. Given her status as the ancestor of spirit chefs, why would she need to join the alliance to prove herself?

Lu Yang tore open the envelope, quickly read its contents, and breathed a sigh of relief. He no longer had to agonize over whether to join the Spirit Chef Alliance.

"It turns out they're holding a Spirit Chef Competition and inviting me to report on it."

Everyone in the world knew that 'Cultivation Monthly' was founded by Lu Yang. Even if articles weren't written by him, they had to be reviewed by him. The Spirit Chef Alliance invited Lu Yang not to compete, but to publicize the competition.

"I remember the sect's cafeteria used to be qualified to compete, but ever since a certain senior brother got into a heated argument with a judge and knocked them unconscious with a fried dough stick, our sect's eligibility was revoked," Lu Yang recalled hearing, though he couldn't remember from whom. "Anyway, something like that happened."

Lu Yang felt it didn't matter whether the cafeteria participated or not; they couldn't win anyway.

"Huh, I heard the cafeteria actually won a competition, and even got first place," Yun Mengmeng asked, puzzled.

Lu Yang sighed, "Yes, they won a competition, but it wasn't the Spirit Chef Competition; it was the Artifact Forging Competition."

"They're all competitions, close enough. Second Boss, are we going?" Yun Mengmeng didn't differentiate between competitions. She had good teeth, found the cafeteria's food easy to eat, and thought their cooking was quite good.

Lu Yang was a bit conflicted. He knew nothing about spirit cooking. What would he report on?

"Please go, please go, please go!"

Yun Mengmeng gazed at Lu Yang with wide, sparkling eyes. With each "please go," she moved a step closer. Looking at her hopeful eyes, Lu Yang found himself unable to refuse.

"Alright, we'll go then."

Last time, Yun Mengmeng wanted to visit the Buddhist Nation but was deterred by its bland gruel. Going to the Spirit Chef Competition now could serve as compensation.

"Yay, long live Second Boss!" Yun Mengmeng cheered, thrilled to indulge in delicious food at the Spirit Chef Competition. "Wait, no, saying 'long live Second Boss' is shortening your lifespan," Yun Mengmeng realized her slip of the tongue. Second Boss was definitely stronger than her and destined to become an immortal in the future; "long live" wasn't appropriate. "Second Boss, eternal youth and immortality!"

Lu Yang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. A beautiful woman shouting "eternal youth and immortality" at him, with eyes full of admiration, made it look like cultists greeting their leader to any outsider.

"Alright, alright, enough with the eternal youth. Let's pack up and go."