Fang Yang's gaze settled on the man in white chef's attire and tall hat.
Outwardly—he seemed just like an ordinary cook.
In truth—he was the current Sect Master of the Body Sect, Titled Douluo, owner of a divine-grade mecha—Mu Ye!
Though Mu Ye hadn't reached Level 99, his power firmly placed him among Super Douluos—a true apex powerhouse of this era!
"Young man—I see extraordinary bones and bearing in you," Mu Ye grinned warmly, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Ever considered taking me as your master?"
"No interest," Fang Yang replied flatly, shaking his head.
"This…" Mu Ye blinked—stunned by the blunt refusal.
After a pause, he pressed on: "Have you heard of the Body Sect?"
"I have," Fang Yang said calmly.
"Good!" Mu Ye's eyes brightened.
"Even Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao once joined our ranks."
"The Body Sect was one of the continent's supreme powers!"
"Mm," Fang Yang acknowledged mildly.
"Precisely, and I am its current Sect Master!" Mu Ye straightened proudly.
"Mm," Fang Yang nodded—unmoved.
Mu Ye's face darkened: "Young man—don't you want to be my disciple?"
"No," Fang Yang replied—terse as ever.
"Why?!" Mu Ye demanded, baffled.
"No desire," Fang Yang said—voice placid as a still lake.
Mu Ye's eyes sparked with competitive fire: "Wait here—I'll show you my skill!"
He led Fang Yang to Zhen Hua's private dining room—a modest twenty-square-meter space, a round table, and simple furnishings.
"Wait," Mu Ye said, vanishing into the kitchen.
Soon—the first dish arrived: Thousand-Year Earth Dragon Tendon.
Fang Yang ate without hesitation.
The tendon—simmered to perfection—melted on the tongue, rich and savory.
Paired with Moonlight Rice—grains curved like crescent moons, glowing with silvery luminescence, fragrance crisp and sweet—a harmony transcending mortal cuisine.
Mu Ye watched, smiling: "Delicious? Become my disciple—you'll feast like this daily."
"Pass," Fang Yang replied.
"You—!" Mu Ye vanished again—determination blazing.
Moments later—he reentered, bearing a half-meter-wide tray.
Six blood-red giant shrimp gleamed with jade-like luster—shells meticulously peeled, aroma intoxicating despite minimal seasoning.
Zhen Hua and Tang Wulin entered just then.
Zhen Hua gasped: "Today's special? You're serving Red Jade Shrimp?! You never share these with me!"
Mu Ye snorted: "You're always distracted, can't appreciate fine cuisine. This is for my soon-to-be disciple. You're just lucky to share his meal."
Zhen Hua chuckled: "Then I'll gladly share his luck."
Mu Ye grinned: "Eat together. Red Jade Shrimp—also called Blood Shrimp—they dwell in the Blood Sea Trench, over 3,000 meters deep. Their life essence resonates closely with humanity's."
They gathered around the table.
Shrimp meat—sweet, tender, fruit-like—dissolved into warm nectar upon chewing.
"Acceptable," Fang Yang commented.
Of the six shrimp:
- Zhen Hua ate three
- Fang Yang two
- Tang Wulin one.
Zhen Hua and Fang Yang showed no reaction—but Tang Wulin's blood essence surged violently.
"Remarkable!" Mu Ye stared at Fang Yang, astonished.
"Two Blood Shrimp—fully absorbed without overflow?!"
Fang Yang rose, bowing: "Thank you for the meal, Elder."
"Think nothing of it," Mu Ye waved it off, eyes burning:
"Will you become my disciple?"
"My apologies, Elder—I already have a master: Heavenly Phoenix Douluo of the Spirit Pagoda," Fang Yang replied.
"Such a prodigy… wasted…" Mu Ye sighed, profound regret in his eyes.
"Elder—this is my payment," Fang Yang said, producing a jade bottle.
Tang Wulin gaped—their storage devices had been confiscated by Shrek!
"Nonsense—I treat juniors to meals freely," Mu Ye waved it away.
"Please accept my sincerity," Fang Yang insisted.
Zhen Hua urged: "Mu Ye—just honor his gesture."
Mu Ye relented, uncorking the bottle.
A fragrant medicinal aura bloomed.
"This… is it a pill?!" Zhen Hua exclaimed.
"No—it's refined from immortal herbs," Mu Ye identified, voice trembling.
"IMMORTAL HERBS?!" Zhen Hua gasped.
Only one faction possessed them—the Tang Sect, founded by Sea God Tang San!
The legendary Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well—their ancestral treasure!
Fang Yang explained gently: "Elder—may this essence-strengthening pill aid your cultivation."
"Hahaha… I, Mu Ye, never imagined this day!" Mu Ye laughed—yet complexity shadowed his eyes.
As the Body Sect's Sect Master, he bore the weight of reviving his clan.
Obsessed with mecha arts, he'd poured lifetimes into forging a Red-Grade Divine Mecha—requiring soul-blood fusion with his martial soul, binding life and machine.
This sacrifice had frozen his cultivation at Level 94—unable to break through to Super Douluo…
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