Chapter 1085: Falling into the Trap

Mirages of a dragon and phoenix swirled above Demon City. The demons in Demon City all looked up, recalling the battle between their ruler and the Ancient Phoenix Ancestor when the nation was first established.

Although it couldn't compare to that original spectacle, it was still considered a top-tier display among Tribulation Transcenders. It was the perfect finale for the Spirit Chef Competition.

A wide golden path stretched from the imperial palace to the site of the Spirit Chef Competition.

Eight blood-red dragon steeds galloped along the golden path, neighing as they went, signifying Zhu Tian's arrival.

But what they pulled was not Zhu Tian himself, but an imperial decree.

The decree unfurled, hovering above the Spirit Chef Competition. It crushed the heavens and sealed all realms. A mirage of Zhu Tian appeared, suppressing the dragon and phoenix mirages.

The mirage of Zhu Tian raised a hand, urging them to stop the fight: "Both of you, stop."

His powerful voice echoed throughout Demon City. The people of Demon City cried out "Your Majesty" from all directions, like a resounding tsunami, the waves of sound surging one after another. Even Lu Yang could feel the immense sound waves!

"Your Majesty," Jin Tan said, immediately bowing upon seeing the imperial decree.

The decree represented Zhu Tian's personal presence, and disrespect was out of the question.

"Greetings, Lord Zhu," Daoist Mingyuan said, withdrawing his hand. This was Zhu Tian's territory, and proper etiquette was required.

Just a mirage and five words made two Tribulation Transcenders stop and not dare to harbor any covetous thoughts. This showed Zhu Tian's immense authority!

"We haven't fought in a long time and have forgotten our manners. Please, Lord Zhu, punish us," Daoist Mingyuan said, bowing with cupped hands.

Zhu Tian waved his hand, his wide sleeves flapping and wrapping around his arms, then resting behind his back. "It's been a long time since I've seen spirit chefs contend," he said. "It reminds me of ancient times. There's no talk of punishment; just don't fight within Demon City, so as not to disturb the lives of the citizens."

His gaze was profound, as if he saw the dragon and phoenix battles of ancient times, and also as if he was concerned about the current lives of the people in Demon City. Past and present converged, making him inscrutable.

"Yes."

"Thank you, Lord Zhu."

The mirage of Zhu Tian dissipated. The imperial decree, carried by the carriage, returned to the imperial palace. The golden path also vanished into the sky, transforming into golden light like countless stars, complementing the sunset sky.

During this process, Daoist Mingyuan, to show his respect for Zhu Tian, remained bowed, not lifting his head.

"It's finally over," Lu Yang said, stretching. Although he was a bit regretful not to see the outcome of Jin Tan and Daoist Mingyuan's contest, he could understand Zhu Tian's concerns; the commotion these two caused while cooking was truly immense.

"Sister Mengmeng, let's rest tonight. We should head back tomorrow."

Yun Mengmeng was still reluctant to leave the delicious food of the Spirit Chef Alliance. However, she knew that if she stayed longer, the Spirit Chef Alliance members would leave, and there wouldn't be anything left to eat here.

"Then you go back first, Second Boss. Can I go say goodbye to someone?"

Lu Yang shook his head and chuckled. "That spirit chef from the little eatery you visit every evening to chat? Go on, go on."

"I'll meet you at the inn!"

"It seems you really hit it off," Lu Yang said with a smile. It was the first time he'd seen Yun Mengmeng so interested in an outsider.

Yun Mengmeng rushed back to the small shop, racing against time, hoping to leave before the owner returned, so as not to cause trouble for Xiao He.

"Xiao He, are you busy?"

The small shop was as quiet as ever. Yun Mengmeng had visited many times but had never seen another customer besides herself.

"Everyone went to watch the competition, so why would anyone come here?" Xiao He said, her hands still busy as she ground charred chili peppers with a mortar and pestle.

"The competition's over, so tomorrow you'll have customers again!" Yun Mengmeng said with a grin.

"Yes, and you'll be gone tomorrow," Xiao He said wistfully. It was rare to meet a friend she could talk to, and she wouldn't see her tomorrow. She always felt that Yun Mengmeng carried the shadow of an adult.

It was a pity she only had a vague impression of the adult, as if a layer of mist obscured it, which she couldn't dispel.

Seeing Xiao He's spirits drop, Yun Mengmeng also became disheartened.

"Oh, by the way, do you want to learn cooking from my Second Boss? He just won first place in the Five-Star Spirit Chef category, and everyone says he's a successor to a celestial chef!"

"Celestial chef... successor?"

Hearing that term, Xiao He showed a strange look in her eyes.

"Amazing, right? I'm not exaggerating. Second Boss has real skill; he even mastered the Complete Culinary Arts!"

"The Complete Culinary Arts? Wait for me a moment!"

Xiao He rushed to the back kitchen, rummaging through boxes and cabinets for her copy of the Complete Culinary Arts.

Just then, the wooden door of the small shop pushed open. Yun Mengmeng turned around in surprise. This was her first time seeing a customer, and she prepared to help Xiao He.

"Welcome... Alliance Master Mingyuan?"

Yun Mengmeng was even more surprised. Why was Alliance Master Mingyuan here?

Daoist Mingyuan didn't answer. He simply smiled and secretly snapped his fingers.

Outside Demon City, hidden formations lit up one after another, spreading silently to envelop Demon City. They could cut off external contact, temporarily making Demon City its own small world.

"My Lord, everything is ready."

Daoist Mingyuan spoke respectfully to a jade pendant shaped like an eye hanging on his chest.

This was the jade pendant he had found in the East Sea during his youth, and it was the origin of his rise to power.

The black shadow sitting on the bone throne stood up and took a step, disappearing from the jade pendant's miniature world and appearing before Yun Mengmeng.

The moment the black shadow appeared, Yun Mengmeng felt immense pressure. This reminded her of the battle against Ying Tian's corpse in the Sword Tower; the oppressive feeling was identical!

"Yun Mengmeng, you ultimately fell into my trap!" the black shadow said with a faint smile. Yet, its body trembled slightly with excitement, unable to control its intensely fluctuating emotions.

To obtain the embryonic form of the Immortal Dao Fruit, which allowed one to escape even from a Nirvanic Immortal, he had set his sights on Yun Mengmeng's embryonic Immortal Dao Fruit.

But Yun Mengmeng was in Wen Dao Sect, and Wen Dao Sect had Yun Zhi, so he couldn't make a move under any circumstances.

For this reason, he learned that Yun Mengmeng called Lu Yang "Second Boss" and had a close relationship with him. He also learned that Yun Mengmeng loved delicious food. So, he ordered Daoist Mingyuan to host a Spirit Chef Competition in Demon City and invite Lu Yang.

If Lu Yang came, Yun Mengmeng would certainly follow!

Therefore, he also had Daoist Mingyuan set up a grand formation in Demon City, to turn Demon City into its own small world and cut off the Nirvanic Immortal's perception.

This way, he could act without any inhibitions!

Setting up such a formation was difficult, and it took Daoist Mingyuan over ten days to complete.

Everything was just as he had planned: Lu Yang came as invited, and Yun Mengmeng followed.

The embryonic Immortal Dao Fruit was right before him!

"Zuo Shi Immortal, why are you here?" Xiao He asked, looking at the black shadow with confusion.

As evening approached, the glow of the setting sun painted the clouds crimson. Lu Yang walked alone through the streets, weaving through the bustling crowds. The calls of vendors, the playful shouts of children, and the distant sounds of chickens crowing and dogs barking filled the air. Seeing humans and demons living together, their faces brimming with happy smiles, he couldn't help but smile himself.

The aura of the mortal world, perhaps this was why most cultivators chose to become "red dust cultivators."

Recalling the Spirit Chef Competition, although there were many coincidences, it was thrilling but ultimately safe, with no major incidents.

A breathtakingly beautiful and aloof female immortal appeared at the end of the street.

Logically, with her beauty, her appearance anywhere should draw gasps from passersby. However, the reality was that no one noticed the female immortal's presence except for Lu Yang.

The female immortal was a transcendent being, detached from the world. She merely stood there, and the crowd would unconsciously part around her.

She blocked Lu Yang's path, her tone calm:

"Where is the Immortal of Immortality? I need to see her."