Ye Ju entered the small courtyard and immediately asked the waiter to bring two wooden buckets of water. She didn't want to cook, so she asked the waiter to bring a table of dishes in half an hour, enough for five people.
After the wooden buckets were delivered, Ye Ju poured half a pot of spiritual spring water into it and jumped in to comfortably soak, replenishing her lost spiritual energy. Xiao Bai also soaked in another wooden bucket, her eyes shining brightly as she watched Ye Ju.
"Sister, you were so amazing when you fought today. Was it because you were afraid someone would take me away that you fought?"
"As long as I'm here, no one can take you away!" Ye Ju said domineeringly.
"Sister, Xiao Bai wants to follow Sister forever, and no one can take me away." Xiao Bai's beautiful and delicate little face was serious and sincere.
After bathing, Ye Ju changed into a light blue sheer outer robe with a gradient blue hem and a dark blue sash at the waist, looking refreshed and pleasant!
A table of dishes had been delivered to the stone table in the outer courtyard. These were dishes made from the recipes Ye Ju had sold. Anyone who could be a master chef definitely had the skill, but lacked innovation. Ye Ju not only sold the recipes but also taught the cooking methods and techniques of Huaxia people to Zhenxiu Zhai.
The sisters ate with immense joy…
Xiao Bai praised while eating, "Sister, it tastes like yours, but it's still a little less than yours."
Ye Ju also nodded repeatedly. This master chef was not bad; with a little guidance, he could make such authentic dishes.
Three days later
Ye Ju, sitting in the courtyard and feeling bored, had a thought and asked the waiter to summon Shopkeeper Zhu.
Shopkeeper Zhu hurried over, and upon entering, he saw Ye Ju with a girl about ten years old. His pupils contracted slightly, and he was startled.
This little fairy was alone, accompanied only by her spiritual pet, the Nine-Tailed Fox divine beast. So, was this the Nine-Tailed Fox transformed? Could this divine beast shapeshift? His expression became even more respectful. Shapeshifting spirit beasts were rare even on the entire Tianchen Continent. Moreover, shapeshifted spirit beasts were proud and had profound cultivation, rarely forming contracts with cultivators.
Ye Ju invited Shopkeeper Zhu to sit and poured him a cup of spiritual spring water. Shopkeeper Zhu didn't think much of it and drank it. The water in the cup turned into a stream of spiritual energy that flowed through his meridians to his limbs and bones. His cultivation, which had been stagnant for a long time, was subtly about to break through the bottleneck! Suppressing the urge to sit down and meditate on the spot, Shopkeeper Zhu stood up and bowed respectfully:
"Thank you, Fairy Ye, for this spiritual item, it is like a rebirth!"
Shopkeeper Zhu was actually one of the owners of this restaurant. He previously belonged to the Chaotian Sect and was also a peak master of the Chaotian Sect. However, a hundred years ago, the Chaotian Sect experienced internal strife, and he was ambushed by those who betrayed the sect. Poisoned and with internal injuries, his cultivation dropped to the Golden Core stage. After seeking medical advice everywhere, he learned that the poison had damaged his spiritual roots. If he couldn't break through further, his path of cultivation would stop here! He only had two hundred years left to live before he would die and his Dao would end! Since then, his cultivation had not progressed at all.
With only two hundred years left, like an ordinary mortal, he lost hope, left the sect, and came to Pearl City to manage this small restaurant. The sect leader's earnest persuasion was useless, so he directly transferred the ownership of this restaurant to him, ensuring his sustenance and comfort in the mortal world!
Ye Ju was startled by Shopkeeper Zhu's solemnity. She had intended to negotiate terms with Shopkeeper Zhu, offering some benefits first, which would make future discussions easier. The spiritual spring water was inexhaustible for Ye Ju, so she didn't consider it particularly precious!
"No need for that, Shopkeeper Zhu, it's just a cup of spiritual water!"
Seeing Ye Ju's attitude, Shopkeeper Zhu was even more grateful. He immediately stated that he would obey her commands.
Only when Shopkeeper Zhu later saw that his owner, Ye Ju, possessed a unique spiritual spring pond did he understand why Ye Ju was so dismissive of gifting a cup of spiritual spring water…
Ye Ju then discussed the cooperation with Shopkeeper Zhu in detail. Ye Ju would provide the gourmet recipes and introduce hot pot and spirit wine, splitting the profits three to seven with the restaurant. The spirit wine could be made from the spiritual fruits of the island. Shopkeeper Zhu readily agreed.
In Huaxia, Ye Ju was a gourmet enthusiast, and hot pot was a must. She always had hot pot base ingredients at home. Even if it couldn't perfectly replicate the taste, it should be about seventy to eighty percent.
Ye Ju called Shopkeeper Zhu and asked him to bring some seasonings and ingredients, intending to stir-fry the hot pot base. She also called the master chef to help. The kitchen was filled with spicy and fragrant aromas from time to time, attracting inquiries from the front courtyard: Had Zhenxiu Zhai developed new dishes again? If so, they should serve them immediately…
The waiter was also quick-witted, informing everyone that new dishes were being developed and would be announced, and that they were currently in the trial stage. The guests, thinking of the delicious dishes they had recently eaten, quieted down. They expressed that they would definitely come to patronize when the dishes were ready!
Shopkeeper Zhu went to another small courtyard and pushed open the door. He saw Chaoyang Zi, wearing a mask, looking at Chaoxiang Zi lying on the bed.
"Sect Master, Second Young Master's pulse is steady. Although he has hidden injuries from his return, there is no longer any danger, so you need not worry!"
"Uncle, there's no need for such formality. I know my second brother is fine. You might not believe me if I told you, but this is just his old ailment acting up. He's asleep. He'll sleep for three months, cultivating in his dreams. His cultivation has already improved significantly."
Shopkeeper Zhu smiled helplessly. His sister's twin sons were both exceptionally talented, considered prodigies by the sect. There were countless people secretly protecting them on this trip.
Chaoyang Zi suddenly grabbed his uncle's vital point and exclaimed with surprise:
"Uncle, you're about to break through? Have your spiritual roots been repaired? Did you eat any rare treasures?"
Shopkeeper Zhu laughed heartily.
"Indeed! Yang'er, this time I met a noble person, Fairy Ye, who gifted me a cup of spiritual water. It not only repaired my spiritual roots but also helped me break through!"
Shopkeeper Zhu carefully explained the cooperation plan with Fairy Ye and temporarily entrusted the restaurant to Chaoyang Zi before going to cultivate in seclusion for his breakthrough.
After listening to Shopkeeper Zhu's instructions, Chaoyang Zi ordered his hidden guards to investigate Ye Ju's background.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ye Ju was completely unaware that others were investigating her. She was working enthusiastically in the kitchen. After ruining more than a dozen pots, she finally achieved the desired flavor and quickly froze it with her ice spiritual power. She then carefully drew the design for the hot pot and asked someone to have it made.
By the time the pots were delivered, it was already dinnertime, perfect for testing the dishes. Several pots were prepared, and the chefs and waiters were present. Shopkeeper Zhu had instructed that dinner would not be served today. Zhenxiu Zhai would be undergoing renovations for half a month. Afterwards, he apologized to Ye Ju and announced he was going into seclusion for his breakthrough.
The young attendant who helped Ye Ju with the fire last time was now instructed to follow Fairy Ye's commands. He busied himself arranging Ye Ju's favorite ingredients on the stone table in the small courtyard, including both meat and vegetables. Xiao Bai, being a carnivore, was already salivating and couldn't resist…
"Fellow Daoist Ye, how can such delicious delicacies be without wine? I have specially brought a pot of fine wine. May I join you?"
At some unknown time, a masked man appeared on the roof. Neither master nor servant noticed him, indicating this person was unfathomably powerful!
If Yu Shou had eyes, he would probably roll them. His gluttonous master and gluttonous spiritual pet, upon seeing food, completely lost their vigilance. Knowing this person meant no harm, Yu Shou did not issue a warning!
A guest is a guest. Although Ye Ju didn't recognize the man, she looked at the table of delicacies and nodded. It was a good opportunity for a taste tester, likely drawn by the aroma. She also secretly warned herself to remain vigilant at all times… this was not her peaceful modern world!
"Who are you, sir? I do not entertain unknown individuals!"
The hidden guards in the dark almost exploded. How could the Sect Master of the dignified Chaotian Sect be an unknown person!
"I am Chaoyang Zi of the Chaotian Sect!"
Ye Ju… that sounds so familiar…
"Who is Chaoxiang Zi to you?"
Chaoyang Zi's expression behind the mask shifted slightly. Could his second brother's fortuitous encounter be related to her?
"That is my younger brother. Do you know my younger brother, Fellow Daoist Ye?"
When Ye Ju heard that he was Chaoxiang Zi's brother, a familiar face, she immediately beamed and warmly invited him over! She also asked the attendant A You to bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.