Chapter 166: The Dedicated High-Level of the Immortal Sect

Deputy Cult Master Liu frowned. "Lamb skewers?" They had come to show Daozong a thing or two, not to actually do manual labor.

Shangguan Yu looked puzzled. "Hey, aren't you going to serve customers when they come to your door?" She wondered if Daozong's shops were always this peculiar—open but not conducting business.

The Second Elder, trailing Shangguan Yu, eyed Deputy Cult Master Liu's group suspiciously. "You all look unfamiliar. I haven't seen you around Daozong before. Could it be that you..."

Deputy Cult Master Liu recognized the Second Elder, Bayan, instantly. This was a high-ranking, influential figure within Daozong, at the peak of the Integration Stage. If someone like him became suspicious, their true intentions could easily be exposed.

He quickly plastered on a smile and instructed the other six to get up and serve customers. "The manager isn't here; we're just temporary help. Sir, you want twenty lamb skewers, correct? Please wait a moment, they'll be ready shortly."

For a member of the Demonic Cult, a cruel sneer was an essential skill. However, the ability to effortlessly switch to a friendly smile was equally crucial.

Deputy Cult Master Liu rolled up his sleeves, tied on the white and black apron hanging on the wall, and pulled twenty-five lamb skewers from a basin. "You're our first customer today, so I'll give you five extra."

A few flies, drawn by the scent of the cooking meat, buzzed closer but were quickly shooed away by Deputy Cult Master Liu.

The Second Elder remained somewhat suspicious. "This shop of yours isn't very clean..."

Deputy Cult Master Liu promptly instructed, "Old Gao, bring out the formation!"

Deputy Cult Master Gao retrieved a set of array formations from his storage ring and deployed them on the ground. Instantly, the flies vanished from the barbecue stand.

It was common knowledge that those who ran businesses in Daozong were not ordinary mortals, so the use of storage rings and array formations wouldn't cause any suspicion.

Deputy Cult Master Liu smiled and explained, "We guarantee absolute cleanliness. This is an insect-repelling formation we brought with us."

Deputy Cult Master Liu was always meticulous in his approach.

With one hand, he skillfully flipped and rotated the lamb skewers. With a finger of the other hand, he rubbed seasonings, which sprinkled down onto the meat. The aroma of the lamb, intensified by the charcoal embers, was simply mouth-watering.

Deputy Cult Master Liu's grilling skills were in no way inferior to Lu Yang's.

The seven of them had specifically sought out the best local barbecue masters and dedicated three days to intensive learning, all for this very moment!

"Do you like it spicy?"

Shangguan Yu considered. She wasn't particularly fond of spicy food, but felt it would be incomplete without some kick. "Lightly spicy," she replied.

"Alright!" Deputy Cult Master Liu called out, continuing to grill.

"Step right up, take a look! Fresh, tender grassland lamb, freshly slaughtered, with both meat and sinew! Juicy meat, springy tendons, and an endless aftertaste!"

This was a chant they had learned from the mortal barbecue master during their training, who had told them that shouting louder would attract more customers.

Perhaps having heard the mortal barbecue master shout it so many times, Deputy Cult Master Liu was moved by the bustling scene and spontaneously joined in the shouting.

It worked. Daozong disciples gradually began to gather around.

"Here, your skewers are ready." Deputy Cult Master Liu handed the lamb skewers to Shangguan Yu.

"How much?"

Deputy Cult Master Liu had no idea about the price. He glanced at the price list on the wall and was shocked.

Are Daozong's prices that expensive?

What Deputy Cult Master Liu didn't know was that Daozong's prices were normally reasonable; they had been temporarily raised due to a special event.

Shangguan Yu parted her lips slightly and took a bite. The meat was incredibly fragrant and so juicy that she couldn't distinguish between saliva and the meat's juices as she savored it.

"Delicious, delicious! Another fifty skewers! And two grilled pig trotters."

The greatest advantage for cultivators was that they never felt full, no matter how much they ate. As long as they desired, they could eat freely and enjoy any feast to their heart's content.

This particular advantage, however, was never apparent at the feasts prepared by the Immortal Fairy.

Seeing how Shangguan Yu was enjoying her food, those nearby started to salivate. They all followed suit, clamoring for skewers.

Deputy Cult Master Gao called out from within the shop, "There's plenty of space inside, plenty of space! Don't crowd outside; you can come in to place your orders!"

The five guest elders quickly got busy attending to customers.

On the training plaza, the first match of the Golden Core group had concluded, and with time remaining before the second match, many disciples—from both Daozong and the Five Elements Sect—chose to eat while watching.

They noticed one particular barbecue stand that was unusually popular, doing exceptionally brisk business.

"Let's go take a look."

As more and more disciples came for skewers, Deputy Cult Master Liu felt a surge of self-confidence.

"I said it back then: What's so special about Lu Yang and his friends' barbecue stand in Yanjiang County? That was only because I hadn't made my move yet. If I had, Lu Yang wouldn't have stood a chance!"

"Old Gao, there are too many orders; I can't keep up. You set up a stall too!"

"Alright!"

Surprisingly, Deputy Cult Master Gao's grilling skills were every bit as impressive as Deputy Cult Master Liu's!

In the stands, when Lu Yang brought skewers to his Senior Sister, he was met with a look of surprise from Qiu Jin'an.

Why had Sect Master Lu been reduced to selling skewers?

How little time had passed? What had transpired since then?

Qiu Jin'an couldn't figure it out.

"How are the preparations going?"

"There are only seven customers left in the shop. According to the plan, disciples will go to order, so there shouldn't be any issues."

"Understood. Go back."

As Lu Yang returned, he glanced at the training plaza. The second match had already begun, with Senior Sister Yi Jing, who had also been challenged beyond her rank by the Immortal Fairy, representing Daozong.

Lu Yang noticed, to his surprise, that his senior brothers and sisters in the audience were holding many skewers. Even Bai Ming, who had just lost his match, was savoring a large handful.

What was happening?

When Lu Yang returned, Meng Jingzhou and Mang Gu were already back at the barbecue stand, busying themselves assisting the two Deputy Cult Masters.

The individuals secretly dispatched to buy skewers couldn't even get into the line. Upon seeing Lu Yang, they spread their hands in a gesture of helplessness.

The Second Elder, eating skewers by the roadside with oil glistening around his mouth, noticed Lu Yang and greeted him. "Where did you find these people? Their grilling skills are truly exceptional."

Shangguan Yu, standing nearby, also declared her intention to visit Daozong more frequently.

Lu Yang: "..."

"Excuse me, please," Lu Yang called out, trying to get through to see what was going on.

The person he nudged frowned. "Why are you pushing? Don't you know how to queue?"

"I work here!"

The person he had nudged saw Lu Yang, a corner of their mouth twitched, and they stepped aside.

He suddenly recalled his master's warning that members of the Demonic Cult might infiltrate the exchange event and that Lu Yang was preparing to capture them all.

Could the people in this barbecue shop be from the Demonic Cult?

He stared at the two Deputy Cult Masters grilling skewers for a long time before concluding that he was likely mistaken.

Daozong's elders had already informed everyone that if Lu Yang appeared where he wasn't expected, they should not panic and simply pretend not to recognize him.

Deputy Cult Master Liu was overjoyed to see Lu Yang return. "Little Lu is back, perfect timing! Go maintain order and make sure everyone lines up properly."

Lu Yang: "..."

Did they even remember why they were there?

Lu Yang's original intention was to have a few customers keep them occupied, but he never expected them to make the barbecue stand so incredibly popular.

Lu Yang noticed Mang Gu, bustling about with a genuinely happy smile, and Meng Jingzhou wearing an expression as if he were reliving their time in Yanjiang County. Lu Yang felt speechless, unsure how to even begin expressing his exasperation.

The Immortal Fairy nodded with satisfaction. "Truly my followers; their self-sufficiency is quite commendable. However, the quality of these skewers still needs improvement."

"Lu Yang, let me control your body. I'll show you what immortal-level skewers truly are. Pay close attention, all of you."

The Immortal Fairy, now thoroughly excited, disregarded any notions of "techniques not to be lightly transmitted," clamoring to demonstrate her skills.

Hearing this, Lu Yang quickly, and with alarm, restrained the Immortal Fairy.

"Please don't cause any more trouble!"