Chapter 187: How Much Does His Highness the Crown Prince Want?

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: How Much Does His Highness the Crown Prince Want?

"Senior Brother, why are you telling me all this?"

Ye Linglong looked over, a bit stunned. These things should be the secret techniques of a Spirit Chef. ’Does Senior Brother want me to become a Spirit Chef too?’

"If you get bored with your cultivation in the future, you can try looking into it. I think you have the potential to become a Spirit Chef."

Liu Chen was being completely candid. He wasn’t joking. Based on the insights he’d gained each time he became a Spirit Chef, Junior Sister Linglong was indeed well-suited for the path.

Liu Chen didn’t feel there was a chasm between a Spirit Chef and a regular chef. In his view, the strange thing was that she hadn’t become a Spirit Chef already.

The most fundamental difference between a Spirit Chef and a regular chef is the method of infusing ingredients with Spiritual Qi. But according to Liu Chen’s recent research, this wasn’t some special Magic; it was simply the most ordinary cooking techniques.

And in this regard, Junior Sister Linglong was certainly far better than him. After all, every cooking skill Liu Chen now possessed had been taught to him by her.

"Senior Brother, are you truly serious?"

Ye Linglong’s head snapped up. While she no longer needed to become a Spirit Chef to change her circumstances, ’if I could really become one, wouldn’t my relationship with Senior Brother grow even closer?’

"Of course. Based on my understanding of Spirit Chefs, it would be stranger if you *couldn’t* become one."

Liu Chen nodded. Although he had achieved his status in a single step with the help of Proficiency, since ordinary cooking methods could channel Spiritual Qi, there was a ninety percent chance his junior sister could become a Spirit Chef if she kept at it.

"Try to use fewer utensils when you cook from now on; it will affect the quality of the Spiritual Cuisine. I don’t know if that’s the case for other Spirit Chefs, but that’s my understanding."

Liu Chen added casually. Ye Linglong fell into a thoughtful silence, while Ji Suyao seemed not to have heard at all, her gaze still fixed on the Mystic Cauldron Technique.

With the successful creation of the steamed fish Spiritual Cuisine, the three of them began to enjoy their lunch.

Meanwhile, outside the residence, a Black-clothed Guard at the Meridian Passage Late Stage took a bite of a flatbread. After finishing it, he pulled a waterskin from his Storage Ring and took a deep, long gulp, his chest heaving.

"Your Highness, how much longer must we wait?"

The Guard wiped the water from the corner of his mouth and spoke with resignation. It was one thing before, but now even Princess Suyao had gone inside. The Spirit Chef must be awake by now; it was obvious he simply didn’t want to see them.

"Be patient."

Ji Feng popped a pastry into his mouth and chewed it thoughtfully before picking up a cup of Spirit Tea. ’It would be strange if one could meet a Second Grade Spirit Chef this easily.’

"Ji Feng of the Great Xia Royal Family, requesting an audience with Master Liu."

Hearing Ji Feng’s words, the Guard could only brace himself and continue shouting. Normally, he would simply announce that His Highness the Crown Prince was visiting. But the man inside was a Second Grade Spirit Chef from Purple Cloud Valley. Not only did they have to use the Crown Prince’s name, but they also had to assume a humble posture.

"So persistent."

Liu Chen, having finished his lunch, shook his head. His two junior sisters had already gone to an empty room to cultivate. The fact that the Crown Prince of the Great Xia Royal Family would skip a meal just to wait here left Liu Chen feeling utterly speechless.

However, Liu Chen still paid them no mind, instead beginning to circulate his Cultivation Technique. Rather than exchange pleasantries with a Crown Prince of the Great Xia Royal Family whom he didn’t even know, he’d much rather focus on diligently improving his own Cultivation.

An hour later, the circulation of his Cultivation Technique concluded.

Liu Chen returned to the back garden and glanced around. His two junior sisters had already left the residence, and only the incessant calls for an audience from outside echoed through the estate.

"This is never-ending."

Liu Chen shook his head and went to open the main gate of the residence. He had official business to attend to shortly. The Patriarch of the Ye Family’s status couldn’t even compare to this Crown Prince’s. If this affair delayed the real reason Liu Chen had come to the Great Xia Imperial City, it just wouldn’t be worth it.

"Your Highness, the gate is open!"

Seeing the main gate swing open, the Black-clothed Guard outside the residence immediately perked up and rushed over to the carriage.

"Huh?!"

Ji Feng opened his eyes, dazed. He had been dreaming that he’d won the support of the Second Grade Spirit Chef, secured his position on the throne of the Great Xia Dynasty, and even broken through to the Qi Refining Realm, leading the Great Xia Royal Family to greater heights.

But before he even had a chance to relish the joy, the dream ended.

"Your Highness, the gate’s open," the Guard outside the carriage repeated. The daze in Ji Feng’s eyes vanished instantly, and he leaped out of the carriage. If he could just meet this Second Grade Spirit Chef, his dream could become reality.

"Bring the gifts. Let’s go."

Ji Feng’s eyes filled with joy as he looked at the finally open gate. He strode to the residence’s entrance, paused to straighten his attire, and only then stepped inside.

Upon entering the residence, two Spiritual Senses at the Meridian Passage Late Stage instantly swept through the entire estate. Ji Feng and his Guard retracted their Spiritual Senses and headed straight for the back garden.

In the back garden, Liu Chen quietly awaited their arrival. ’The Crown Prince of the Great Xia Royal Family is actually at the Meridian Passage Late Stage of Cultivation. From the looks of it, the guy doesn’t seem to have much of an advantage.’

’Junior Sister Suyao’s father is also at the Meridian Passage Late Stage, though he disguises it as Meridian Passage Middle Stage. But since I’m at the Meridian Passage Peak, I can naturally see through his disguise.’

’So, under these circumstances, how on earth did this man become the Crown Prince of the Great Xia Royal Family? Was it really just because he was born a son, while Junior Sister Suyao was born a daughter?’

’Viewed from that angle, it doesn’t seem reasonable. After all, the Emperor cares a great deal for Junior Sister Suyao; he shouldn’t let something like that affect his judgment.’

"Ji Feng of the Great Xia Royal Family pays his respects to Master Liu. I have prepared a humble gift and hope Master Liu will do me the honor of accepting it."

After arriving in the back garden, Ji Feng took a gift box from his Guard’s hands and slowly placed it on the table in front of Liu Chen.

"If Your Highness the Crown Prince has something to say, you might as well be direct."

Liu Chen looked at him, feeling exasperated. If not for the fact that this man’s presence might intimidate the Ye Family Patriarch into staying away, thus interfering with Liu Chen’s actual business in the Great Xia Imperial City, he wouldn’t have given him the time of day.

"I must apologize for any offense I may have caused earlier. Please be magnanimous, Master Liu. My hand was forced."

Ji Feng’s expression remained unchanged. Had he sought an audience at the posting-house, members of the Royal Family would have dragged him back long ago. After all, his actions could be seen as an indirect offense to Purple Cloud Valley.

"I want Spiritual Cuisine. Master Liu, you can name your price."

Ji Feng cut the pleasantries short. It was obvious the man had no interest in dealing with him. But since this Spirit Chef had sold Spiritual Cuisine at both Purple Bamboo Peak and Fire Dragon Valley, he surely had a need for resources.

Rather than exhaust himself trying to curry favor, it was better to offer resources directly. This was a lesson Ji Feng had learned long ago—a lesson learned from his elder brother’s mistakes.

"Three thousand Spirit Stones for one serving of Second Grade Spiritual Cuisine. How many would His Highness the Crown Prince like?"

Liu Chen narrowed his eyes, sizing up the Crown Prince of the Great Xia Royal Family. ’Cooperation is out of the question. I’m going to leave eventually anyway, so I might as well use this chance to acquire some more Spirit Stones.’

’Besides, a guy like him will be more than willing to get ripped off.’