Translator: E.3.3. Editor: Vermillion

  "Your Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs are ready, please enjoy your meal."

  Bu Fang’s soft voice rang out, pulling the elder out from his train of thought over the bourgeoning bud. The elder gave Bu Fang a look, and his expression was heavy with ponderation.

  The elder stood up and squinted at the bourgeoning bud with reluctant eyes, as his gaze gave the impression of being in the middle of a struggle.

  The Five Stripes Path-Understanding Fruit Tree was too big of an enticement for a seventh grade Battle-Saint. No Battle-Saints could overcome the temptation of this spirit tree. After all, once the spirit tree bears fruit, it would blossom into the Five Stripes Path-Understanding Fruit, a Path-Understanding Fruit that may help a seventh grade Battle-Saint ascend to the eight grade echelon.

  Even a handful of eighth grade War-Gods would find it hard to resist the allurement of this Path-Understanding Fruit Tree.

  "Are you the owner of this store?" The elder peered at Bu Fang and inquired.

  Bu Fang looked back nonchalantly, nodding his head.

  "Do you know what kind of tree you are planting here?" The elder pointed at the bourgeoning bud within the earthen-yellow flower pot, and his countenance exhibited a stern solemness.

  Given the counterpart’s grave expression, Bu Fang couldn’t help but feel startled inside.

  "No idea." Bu Fang shook his head. He truly did not know what this seed would germinate into. Since this elder seemed to know, then he should give it a try and ask.

  "You actually don’t know? Then why would you attend the Hundred Family Banquet and win this seed?" The corners of the elder’s mouth twitched violently and he asked with a rather seething tone. If it weren’t for Bu Fang sticking his oar into the matter, his two disciples would have already brought the seed back.

  "Could it be this seed would grow into something incredible?" Bu Fang probed tentatively. By the looks of this elder, he was bound to know about this seed.

  The elder heaved a sigh and gazed at Bu Fang with pity, "You actually think this seed is something good? Yes, for some its considered a treasure, as for others…… this seed is a terrifying impending death rune.

  A death impending rune?! This terrorizing?! Bu Fang’s heart jolted.

  Surely this seed wouldn’t blossom into a toxic substance? No way, the patterned lines emitted a righteous, healthy energy.

  "Do you know the saying that the precious stone may land its possessor in jail? Holding on to something one has no ability to protect, no matter how precious the object is, would only be equivalent to a death impending rune.

  Bu Fang blinked his eyes and his face suddenly became expressionless.

  After all the fuss, it turned out that the elder was implying that this seed would blossom into something extremely valuable, but because Bu Fang’s capability could not sufficiently safeguard it, it would result in an ensuing tragedy for Bu Fang.

  But this news nonetheless prompted Bu Fang to sigh in relief.

  If the seed would sprout into a toxic substance, then Bu Fang really couldn’t do anything but discard it, but…… if it was about Bu Fang being unable to guard it, then he could only give a snort of contempt.

  "The security capability of this store was universally recognized. If this store couldn’t protect it, then a mere seventh level Battle-God like you, old man, would have an even slimmer chance of safeguarding it."

  The elder didn’t say anything else, but sat down before the table and turned his attention to the gourmet cuisine. Seeing the Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs within the plate instantly stimulated his appetite.

  Bu Fang’s Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs, crystal-tangerine-toned, suffused with a delicate fragrance, emanated a rich meaty aroma. It made one’s mouth water and in a hurry to dig in.

  A bamboo chopstick picked up a piece of Sweet ’n’ Sour Rib. With a gentle bite, the tangerine toned Sweet ’n’ Sour juice instantaneously spread within one’s mouth. The plump flesh and meaty aroma burst forth in a flash, utterly intoxicating the elder.

  "Gourmet delicacy…… a gourmet delicacy that is hard to come across!"

  The Ghost Chef was thoroughly stunned. Not even someone like him saw that coming. The youngster before his eyes had achieved such a high standard in his cooking abilities.

  However, this wasn’t what shocked him the most. One piece of rib down his throat, and his eyes bulged to a new level of roundedness…… because this Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs was bursting with a staggering surge of spirit energy.

  "Why can a dish contain such a rich level of spirit energy? Could it be that Owner Bu has a unique method of retaining the spirit energy of ingredients? "

  Pieces of Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs were eaten in a row. The delicious taste was a no-brainer, but in every piece of rib an incredible amount of energy was hidden. The energy combined was stronger than that of the elixirs he consumed.

  A bowl of Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs for fifty crystals, the elder suddenly felt like it was worth it.

  Bu Fang pocketed the fifty crystals that the elder handed over. His gaze fell onto the elder. He liked customers as such, who didn’t drag their feet when it was time to pay.

  "Owner Bu, let’s negotiate about something, how about giving this burgeoning bud to me? You should know, with your cultivation level you definitely won’t be able to safeguard it," the elder remarked.

  Bu Fang was immediately speechless. How wouldn’t it be safe in his territory…… this old man was so damn ridiculous.

  "No." Bu Fang rejected coldly.

  The elder was instantly enraged. This fellow was merely a fifth grade Battle-King. Where did he get the guts to decline his offer?

  "This old fellow isn’t lying to you. Once your seed matures, it will undoubtedly attract many seventh grade Battle-Saints!" The elder earnestly explained to Bu Fang.

  "Are seventh grade Battle-Saints such hotshots? If they dare to cause a disturbance here, then don’t blame me for throwing them out one by one," Bu Fang said, unflustered……

  Juan’Er wore a lilac floral dress today, thoroughly showing off her slim figure. In her arms was a food container, and in it was the egg tart on which Juan’er wanted to consult Bu Fang.

  "Egg tart?" The Ghost Chef, though still preoccupied with Bu Fang, suddenly found his eyes lighting up. He inquisitively looked at the food container in Juan’Er’s hands, feeling anxious.

  Juan’Er’s arrival broke off the back and forth between him and Bu Fang, successfully diverting both of their attentions.

  There weren’t that many customers in the store today, so after Fatty Jin’s group finished their meals and left, there were plenty of empty spots.

  Juan’Er meticulously took the egg tart out of the food container. Once the lid was lifted, a rich creamy scent spread, with a strong, swelling aroma. Thought it couldn’t compare to Bu Fang’s Egg Tart, just judging by the fragrance, it still seemed pretty decent.

  "Bu…… Owner Bu, this is the egg tart I made from scratch, please give it a taste." Juan’Er placed down the egg tart, took a step back, and glanced at Bu Fang in considerable deference.

  Bu Fang nodded his head, and his gaze fell upon the egg tart. The tint of the egg tart looked fine, much better than that of the first egg tart he taste tested.

  Picking up the egg tart, Bu Fang took a gentle bite, and the creamy aroma instantly burst forth, transporting him to a place of boundless sky and vast plains, with herds of cows and sheep roaming through the grass.

  Juan’Er batted her eyes, solemnly fixated on Bu Fang. She wanted to hear Bu Fang offer some words of commendation, that way Owner Bu would finally teach her how to make egg tarts his way.

  Bu Fang chewed, nodding his head as he munched away, and finally lifted his eyes to give Juan’Er a glance.

  "How’s the taste?" Juan’Er asked excitedly.

  Bu Fang did not respond right away. He looked at Juan’Er, whose composure was stirring in agitation, and replied placidly, "It hasn’t reached my anticipated expectations yet. Go back and practice some more, then let me try it next again next time."

  From an utmost high to an absolute low, the crash can be achieved in a flash.

  Having been rejected by Bu Fang mercilessly, Juan’Er’s joyful complexion froze, and instantly shifted to dispiritedness.

  "S……Sorry, I’ll definitely try harder. I’ll go back and mull over this again, next time I’ll absolutely make an egg tart that will satisfy Owner Bu."

  Bu Fang admired Juan’Er’s temperament, because this lady had a true commitment to gourmet cuisine. Even though her egg tart had yet to reach Bu Fang’s standard, she still unwaveringly persisted to continue studying its cooking method.

  Juan’Er left as quickly as she arrived. Stubbornly hugging her food container as she left the store, she headed back to continue studying the egg tart.

  Other customers of the store also departed in a scattered manner, and only the odd old man was left now.

  "Egg tart? The ones made by that lassie should be pretty good, why didn’t it pass the test?" The Ghost Chef asked out of curiosity.

  Bu Fang frowned, flickered a glance at the old man, and cooly replied, "There doesn’t need to be a reason. If I think it hasn’t reached my expectation, then it’s not there yet."

  The elder blanched, suddenly at a loss for words.

  Bu Fang looked at the dumbfounded elder, then turned around to head back to the kitchen.

  "You truly don’t intend to give me the spirit tree’s burgeoning bud?" The elder gazed at Bu Fang’s back and asked.

  Bu Fang ignored him and scurried straight back to the kitchen to practice cooking. He could no longer be bothered to retort this old man’s words.

  The elder emitted a long sigh. He felt regretful as he gazed at the burgeoning branches, and announced, "You lad, will regret your decision…… Just wait till you are encircled by a group of ferocious Battle-Saints. Let’s see how you’ll fare then!"

  The elder held his hands behind his back, shaking his head as he left the store, and his shadow gradually disappeared into the alleyway.