Chapter 56: Then Shouldn’t We Do Something in Return?

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Then Shouldn’t We Do Something in Return?

"A stalk of Purple Bamboo Grass typically costs ten Spirit Stones in the Marketplace. A stalk of Cyan Bamboo is a hundred Spirit Stones, and a stalk of Purple Bamboo is a thousand. My master once told me that a Spiritual Cuisine like yours, Junior Brother, couldn’t be had even for a thousand Spirit Stones."

Yang Haichen’s expression soured. He had come to his junior brother’s place full of excitement for the Inner Sect assessment.

But after a quick calculation of the cost, he realized that even if the entire Yang Family pooled all their available Spirit Stones for him, it would only be enough to afford a few days of Spiritual Cuisine.

"So you’re saying the Grand Elder believes a thousand Spirit Stones for a single serving of Spiritual Cuisine is reasonable?"

Liu Chen’s eyes narrowed. ’If the Inner Sect assessment might be moved up, then the time I can keep my identity as a Spirit Chef secret will be even shorter. In that case, I might as well earn some more Spirit Stones before then, just in case.’

’Besides, once my identity as a Spirit Chef is revealed, more and more fellow disciples will probably start showing up with recipes or even specific ingredients. I can’t just turn them all away. Instead of passively dealing with all sorts of people, it’s better to be proactive and establish a clear system for obtaining my Spiritual Cuisine beforehand.’

"The key is that it’s a seller’s market. As the only Spirit Chef, you can name your price."

Yang Haichen settled back into his seat. He had come a quarter of an hour early specifically to discuss this, but it was now clear that while his Yang Family was respectable among the Noble Families, they still lacked the resources to fund his consumption of Spiritual Cuisine for the entire training period.

"Then what do you think, Senior Brother Yang? Two thousand Spirit Stones for one serving of Spiritual Cuisine?"

Liu Chen’s eyes narrowed. ’I can’t let an opportunity like this slip by. It just means making a little extra during my three daily meals, that’s all.’

"Junior Brother, you seem to overestimate the means of my Yang Family."

Yang Haichen shook his head. Someone would definitely pay two thousand Spirit Stones for it, but it wouldn’t be him.

"You misunderstand, Senior Brother Yang. I want to ask *you* to sell the Spiritual Cuisine for me at that price."

Liu Chen shook his head. ’There are many disciples on Purple Bamboo Peak, but very few can afford my Spiritual Cuisine. Senior Brother Yang’s attitude makes that clear enough. But this isn’t a ripoff. If you don’t think it’s worth it, you simply don’t have to buy it.’

Liu Chen wasn’t worried about whether it would sell. As long as the aroma of the Spiritual Cuisine wasn’t contained, word would spread quickly. There was no way the Grand Elder was the only person on all of Purple Bamboo Peak with discerning taste.

"That’s worth a try."

Yang Haichen considered it for a moment. He agreed it had potential. He figured there had to be some disciples who could afford two thousand Spirit Stones. Besides the Inner Sect and True Disciples, Purple Bamboo Peak also had Stewards and Elders. And beyond that, between the ten peaks of Purple Cloud Valley and the Law Enforcement Hall, there would be no shortage of customers.

"I’ll prepare an extra serving of Spiritual Cuisine this afternoon. Whether it sells or not is all up to you, Senior Brother Yang."

"Don’t worry, Junior Brother."

Yang Haichen agreed. He couldn’t afford it himself, but he was more than happy to help his junior brother. Befriending a Spirit Chef could only be a good thing, and besides, he wouldn’t be losing anything by selling the Spiritual Cuisine for him.

After discussing a few more details, Yang Haichen prepared to leave. It was almost noon, and he still needed to buy some food. His master had said it didn’t matter whether they ate, but he couldn’t let the man go hungry.

"Wait a moment, Senior Brother. I’ll go prepare the Spiritual Cuisine now."

But before Yang Haichen could announce his departure, he heard Liu Chen’s voice. He gave Liu Chen a stunned look, not quite understanding what was happening.

"Junior Brother, I can’t afford two thousand Spirit Stones."

"You jest, Senior Brother. This is your payment. In exchange for selling Spiritual Cuisine three times a day, I’ll cook your three daily meals. You just need to provide the ingredients."

Liu Chen shook his head. ’I can’t let Senior Brother Yang work for free. Even if you agreed, the Grand Elder probably wouldn’t. Besides, for me, making Spiritual Cuisine is basically a zero-cost endeavor.’

"In that case, my thanks, Junior Brother."

Initially, Yang Haichen hadn’t been too invested in the matter, planning only to help out this one time. But if this benefit continued, he certainly wouldn’t refuse.

"If you need anything procured in the future, Senior Brother..."

"Leave it all to me. Just focus on your cultivation, Junior Brother."

Yang Haichen patted his chest in assurance. And with that, the two of them struck a deal.

-----------------

"You’ve hit the jackpot, kid."

Inside the Bamboo Garden, the Grand Elder watched Yang Haichen with a satisfied expression. Two thousand Spirit Stones for a serving of Spiritual Cuisine was indeed a bit steep, but even if it weren’t for Yang Haichen, he would have bought it himself—especially when he had friends visiting.

"I know, Master. If this works out, we’ll get two servings of Spiritual Cuisine per meal. That’s equivalent to four thousand Spirit Stones. Over the course of a day, we’re essentially getting twelve thousand Spirit Stones’ worth of food from Junior Brother Liu for free."

Sitting across from the Grand Elder, Yang Haichen felt that his junior brother was getting the short end of the stick. Twelve thousand Spirit Stones... that was probably enough to hire a Loose Cultivator in the Qi Refining Realm to kill someone.

"That’s why I said you hit the jackpot. But the one who profits the most is still Mo Xuan’s disciple. You’re providing the ingredients, and he doesn’t even have to waste any of his own cultivation time. He’s essentially getting six thousand Spirit Stones a day for free. But what can you do? He’s a Spirit Chef, and a Second Grade Spirit Chef at that."

The Grand Elder nodded. It was impossible not to be envious. It’s incredibly difficult for cultivators to have children. In fact, very few cultivators even have partners, so those with both a partner and children are even rarer. Taking on a disciple is like raising your own child.

That fellow Mo Xuan went so long without taking a disciple, only to end up with a Spirit Chef. His luck is just too good.

"Master, shouldn’t we show our appreciation in some way?"

Yang Haichen couldn’t help but ask. He couldn’t afford to pay the full price, not even a tenth of it would be manageable for him.

"Don’t overthink it. The fact that he’s willing to partner with you means he considers you a friend. Don’t worry so much about the Spirit Stones. Just exchange cultivation insights with him every now and then, perhaps discuss the application of magic. That will be enough."

The Grand Elder shook his head. Trying to pay him with Spirit Stones now would defeat the purpose. Besides, with all your years of cultivation, surely you can offer some guidance to a Spirit Chef.

And just like that, the future golden duo of Purple Bamboo Peak will be formed, won’t it?!

"I understand, Master."

Yang Haichen nodded, understanding his master’s point. He also decided to have his family put more effort into their search. After all, the last time, Junior Brother Liu had been looking for a type of magic that could rapidly grow Spirit Plants.

Meanwhile, in another part of the bamboo forest, Mo Xuan and Bai Qiulan looked down at Liu Chen, then glanced at each other, seeing the same confusion in each other’s eyes.

"What do you need Spirit Stones for?"

Mo Xuan finally voiced his confusion. Outer Disciples on Purple Bamboo Peak only received ten Spirit Stones a month. They had originally planned to give Liu Chen two months’ worth of stipends for all three of them, but then they heard the price he planned to sell his Spiritual Cuisine for.

"Once my identity as a Spirit Chef is revealed, people will definitely come asking for Spiritual Cuisine. Instead of scrambling to deal with it then, it’s better to set the rules beforehand."

Liu Chen answered candidly, "That’s what I was thinking. As long as there’s a way for people to obtain Spiritual Cuisine using Spirit Stones, they definitely won’t bother you and Mistress."

"An excellent idea."