Chapter 231: Movement In the Shadow.
"Are you serious?" A handsome middle-aged man asked, staring at the woman before him.
"Yes, My Lord, there are many people who have confirmed the news and their fame is spreading quickly as we speak."
The man did not speak immediately. His back rested on the chair, lost in thought.
For many years, their restaurant, the Nine Star Restaurant, had dominated the Imperial Capital with their Tier-1 Spirit Food.
But now…
Some unknown restaurant wanted to compete with them, and from the rumors, he learned their Tier-1 Spirit Food was a lot better than theirs.
He tapped the table twice, and slowly his expression turned sinister.
To maintain such a hegemony and keep the secret recipe of the Tier-1 Spirit Food from their enemies—
A huge price was paid, and he wouldn't let that fall into obscurity.
His eyes turned deadly sharp as he looked at her assistant.
"Find everything about the restaurant…" He paused, and the corner of his lip twitched.
"Send a few Golden Core experts to test their limits." He added.
"I'll get to it immediately." She responded and left the lavishly decorated room.
With her departure, he rose to his feet and stared directly at the core of the Imperial Capital.
This was where all the Ancient clans gathered, and his clan was one of the Ancient clans.
With such a huge backing, an evil grin appeared on his face.
"If you think you can go against my clan? You must be mistaken."
Just then, his voice talisman vibrated, and his expression changed.
"So fast…" He whispered.
…..
Inside a magnificent mansion, reeking of power and influence.
A little girl rushed forward, her face filled with excitement and anticipation.
Standing on both sides were guards at the Golden Core Realm.
Each clad in metal armor covered in runes, and their hands rested on the hilts of their weapons.
This was a show of force for everyone. However, the girl did not bat an eye at the guards as she headed deeper into the mansion.
She arrived at the end of the passage and came across a beautiful courtyard.
Standing before the courtyard entrance were two female guards at the Intermediate Golden Core Realm.
Watching the girl running toward them, their stoic expressions softened, and one of them advised.
"Little miss, don't run. You might fall down."
"Humph! What do you mean I might fall down? I'm already a Foundation Realm warrior." The little miss snorted, puffing out her chest in pride.
What!
The two female guards were stunned for a moment before a bright smile crept up their faces.
"Little miss, congratulations." They said in unison.
She huffed, but the bright smile on her face spoke of how pleased she was as she sauntered into the courtyard.
"Second uncle, you are here." She exclaimed as she entered the courtyard.
A middle-aged man with a long white beard, dressed in a gray daoist robe, turned and looked at his niece.
"What, you don't want to see your second uncle?" He teased her.
"NO! NO!" She shook her head quickly. "I've longed to see second uncle for a long time, but you're always in seclusion."
"Haha. I knew my niece wouldn't abandon me. So, tell me, what gift do you want?" Her second uncle asked with a doting smile.
"Haha. Uncle, I want you to take me to eat at the Golden Phoenix restaurant." She said without thinking.
Just imagining the Golden Phoenix restaurant meal made her salivate already.
Watching her expression, both the second uncle and her mother were stunned.
What kind of expression was that?
"Are you ready already?" Her mother couldn't help but ask.
"Haha, nothing. I was just thinking of the Golden Phoenix restaurant's magical food." She said excitedly.
Golden Phoenix Restaurant?!
Both her mother and second uncle were confused.
Apart from the Nine Star Restaurant, they did not think of any restaurant that came close to them.
And the last time she remembered, her daughter loved the Nine Star Restaurant.
So, what was this Golden Phoenix Restaurant?
Looking at the puzzled expression on her mother's face, the little miss realized she did not know of the magical food of the Golden Phoenix Restaurant.
Without hesitation, she began to explain the new magical restaurant to her mother and second uncle.
Listening to her, they were stunned.
Does such a restaurant exist?
"Are you sure you weren't scammed?" Her mother asked.
She shook her head vehemently. "If they did not forbid take out, I would have bought many and brought them back."
The two adults exchanged subtle glances and did not bother to question her any longer.
"Alright. Your second uncle will follow you to the Golden Phoenix restaurant tomorrow. What about that?"
"Yah! I can't wait." She jumped excitedly before stopping.
"It is such a shame that I can only eat the Ordinary Grade Tier-1 Spirit Food."
Hmm?
"What do you mean Ordinary Grade Tier-1 Spirit Food? Is there a grade in Tier-1 Spirit Food?" Her mother asked, confused.
She had eaten Tier-1 Spirit Food so many times she had lost count, but this was the first time she heard Tier-1 Spirit Food had grades.
"Yes. For anyone below Golden Core Realm, they can only eat Ordinary Grade Tier-1 Spirit Food."
"Apart from the Ordinary Grade, there is the Standard Grade, Noble Grade, and the Special Grade."
"Ah! But those are for experts like you and my second uncle."
"Also, there is Tier-1 Spirit Tea, but we can't taste it yet." She added.
With everything they heard, they were deeply curious about the Golden Phoenix restaurant.
Even the second uncle, who had long abandoned worldly things, couldn't help but be curious.
…
Under the bustling atmosphere of the Imperial Capital, every major clans and Ancient clans received intel about the new restaurant that could produce Tier-1 Spirit Food.
Not just any Tier-1 Spirit Food, but those with grades.
In the shadows, people were moving quickly to find out everything about the Golden Phoenix restaurant and the people behind it.
For those desperate for the recipe of Tier-1 Spirit Food, they saw this as their chance.