Wait a minute, where is my master?

The Old Dean furrowed his brows, uncertain what pressing matter remained within the Academy that left his disciple struggling to make a decision.

"Cough cough... cough, tell me, what's the matter."

"It's about Sister Jun Yan, she wishes to resign from her duty of presiding over the opening of the Secret Realm and suggests that someone else from the Academy take her place."

Qingyun bowed slightly, speaking softly.

"Heh heh, the girl can't save face."

The Old Dean chuckled twice, rising from his bamboo stool and walking towards the entrance of the Gentleman Building, while Qingyun picked up the stool and followed him.

"Tell her, the task is hers alone, and that it is I who said so. What does it matter if she was defeated in public? The moment she can disregard these things is when she will have the opportunity to progress to Crossing Tribulation."

Having stepped out of Gentleman Building onto the open ground, the Old Dean moved forward. Qingyun, acknowledging his words, placed the bamboo stool he was carrying behind his teacher.

However, the Old Dean did not sit down, instead flashing into the air.

"Teacher, what are you doing?"

Qingyun looked up, asking in confusion.

"I have matters to attend to. Remember to pass my message to that girl Jun Yan."

Having said this, the Old Dean employed the Escape Technique, vanishing instantly into the skies above the Gentleman Building.

"But Teacher, you still have injuries... ah."

Before Qingyun could finish, he realized his teacher had disappeared without a trace.

"At such a time, it's one thing for the young to shirk work, but why must the elders run off as well?"

He sighed softly, glanced at the bamboo stool by his leg, picked it up, and placed it back inside the Gentleman Building.

Afterward, he, the current Dean of Qingmu Academy, went to deliver the message to Lan Jun Yan.

...

In Qingmu City, Chef God's Courtyard.

The little Taoist pushed open the door of his room and walked into the courtyard, stretching his body. He had just woken up from a sleep that lasted a day and a night.

The two ladies had left early, seemingly in a rush to claim some territory.

Before the little Taoist went to sleep the previous day, Yu Yaoer told him that Little White had managed to recruit the stray dogs of the east side of Qingmu City as his underlings and was planning to continue with the strays of the west, south, and north.

If successful, Jin Xu would become the big brother of all the stray dogs in Qingmu City!!!

Upon telling Jin Xu, the Little Fish Demon's face showed a touch of excitement. The little Taoist reminded her to keep an eye on Little White and not to cause trouble for others.

As for the task of recruiting underlings, if the Husky enjoyed doing it, then he should, better than causing mischief at home.

In the small courtyard.

Jiang Xiulan walked out from the kitchen to greet Jin Xu, her large, square face bearing a hint of apology.

"Little Taoist, there's been a complication with the visit from Tianxing Taoist's old friend."

"Hmm!? Has something come up, and he can't make it?"

At these words, Jin Xu involuntarily furrowed his brow.

"That's not it, he had originally agreed to come for a visit this morning, but he just sent me a message saying that the time of the visit has changed to midday, and the location has also been changed from my place to another venue. He will notify me of the specific location at noon."

Chef Jiang touched the headband on his head, obviously puzzled by the sudden delay and change in the meeting place.

Upon hearing that the guest was not cancelling, the little Taoist was relieved to some extent.

He had been searching for his master for several months, with no leads, and now that he finally had his master's old friend within reach, he absolutely had to seize the opportunity.

"It doesn't matter if the time is pushed back or the place is changed, as long as we can meet. By the way, Brother Jiang, have you mentioned to my master's old friend that I wish to meet him?"

Jin Xu's heart stirred as he suddenly looked up and asked.

"Of course, I have told him, and he indicated that he's willing to meet you. However, I didn't reveal anything about the Old Taoist's disappearance."

Chef Jiang replied truthfully.

The little Taoist silently nodded.

In his heart, he always felt that his master's old friend's behavior was a bit strange, and he felt somewhat uneasy.

Because of this, he had gone back to his room to use a mirror to check the auspiciousness or ominousness hanging over his head, and after discovering a large "auspicious" character above him, the unease in his heart had lessened somewhat.

After all, his fortune-telling method was quite effective; his trip this time should not encounter any mishaps.

Time passed quickly.

When the blazing sun was high in the sky, Tianxing Taoist's old friend sent a message to Jiang Xiulan.

The meeting place was set at the Immortal Food Restaurant.

The Immortal Food Restaurant, a renowned establishment in Qingmu City, was not far from the entrance to the Qingmu Secret Realm.

Unlike the Wutong Building, this place did not have so many miscellaneous functions; it was simply a place to eat.

Moreover, because the dishes here were indeed extraordinary, the cultivators coming and going were very numerous on any given day.

However, the Immortal Food Restaurant was quite odd today.

When the little Taoist and Jiang Xiulan arrived at the front door, they found the inside completely empty, not a single guest in sight.

Furthermore, it was strange that an oil lamp was hung in front of the restaurant's door during broad daylight, a custom of which the significance was unclear.

Seeing this scene, Jin Xu turned his head to look at Chef Jiang next to him with a questioning gaze. Meanwhile, Jiang Xiulan showed a hint of surprise on his face upon seeing this.

"Little Taoist, your master's old friend is quite extraordinary, don't you think? Do you see that oil lamp?"

Hanging one lamp means that the entire Immortal Food Restaurant has been booked for today, with no admittance for outsiders."

If two lamps were hung, it would signify hospitality to all passing cultivators, who could enter the main hall to eat and drink freely, with the invitation lasting for one day.

Should three lamps be hung, it would indicate a grand feast for the entire city for three days, during which everyone could eat and drink here without charge."

From this, it seems your master's old friend has booked the Immortal Food Restaurant for today."

The little Taoist was also quite surprised to hear this. His master's old friend appeared to be a person of considerable wealth.

As the two conversed at the entrance, a shopkeeper dressed in an azure and gold robe came out with a smile to greet them.

"You must be Chef Jiang. Mr. Yan has instructed me to specially welcome the two esteemed guests, please come inside."

Jiang Xiulan's look was highly recognizable in Qingmu City, and the shopkeeper recognized him at first glance. As for Jin Xu by his side, the shopkeeper didn't know his status but was careful to maintain a smiling face.

After all, anyone who could have the Immortal Food Restaurant booked for their reception was not someone a mere shopkeeper could afford to offend.

Following the shopkeeper's lead, the two stepped into the restaurant.

Halfway through, the little Taoist secretly looked down at the mirror in his hand, and seeing the large "auspicious" character above his head, he felt greatly reassured.

"The two of you, please come this way, Mr. Yan is on the second floor."

The shopkeeper was responsible for showing the way, escorting Jin Xu and the second guest upstairs.

...

On the second floor of the Immortal Food Restaurant.

Inside the number one private room, called 'Heaven'.

A scholar with a fair complexion was sitting at a square table, deep in thought.

At this moment, there were only a few cold dishes, a pot of wine, and three cups on the table in front of him.

It seemed that the hot dishes had not yet been served.

"You can't catch a wolf without risking your child, Tianxing you old snout, this time for the sake of investigating your disappearance, I'm really putting myself in danger."

The scholar with the fair face thought of the Golden Thunderbolt and involuntarily shivered a few times.

This man was none other than the Old Dean of Qingmu Academy, but it wasn't his true form present; the shuddering was not out of fear but because his real body was coughing.

"Mr. Yan, the two esteemed guests you invited have arrived."

Just as the fair-faced scholar was grumbling inwardly, the shopkeeper led Jin Xu and Jiang Xiulan inside from the doorway.