Zhu Zhuqing, caught up in the moment, was about to take action—
But Tang Lan held her back.
"I'm with you, not because of that." Tang Lan said seriously. "There's no need to force yourself just to please me."
But—
Zhu Zhuqing smiled.
"No, this is something I want to do… that's all."
Then, she lowered her head.
—
"Hiss—"
—
Tang Sect was divided into three sections: the Inner Sect, the Outer Sect, and the Academy.
Their dining halls were also separate.
The Inner Sect's dining hall, 'Tai'an,' was managed by a five-ring Food-Type Soul King.
—
When he heard that Tang Lan might come to eat today—
The menu—
Turned into a full festival feast.
Nothing but meat. Not a single vegetable.
—
When Tang Lan arrived with Zhu Zhuqing in his arms,
He was slightly surprised.
"The Inner Sect… has pretty good meals."
—
Zhu Zhuqing's lips curled slightly as she explained—
"The head chef, Gou Qi, was stuck at Rank 49 for years. After reading your book, he broke through and immediately enrolled in Tang Sect Academy on the first day."
"He refused to become an Outer Sect disciple and insisted on being the Inner Sect's head chef instead."
Oh.
A hardcore fan.
—
And people like Gou Qi were everywhere across the continent.
A small glimpse of how powerful Tang Sect's reputation had become.
—
But—
Tang Lan, looking at the smiling Zhu Zhuqing,
Felt an immense sense of accomplishment.
This ice-cold beauty… was finally melting.
—
"Wow! The food selection today is amazing!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately erased her smile and returned to her cold and indifferent expression.
—
Even now, she still maintained her icy facade in front of others.
And that only made Tang Lan even more satisfied.
—
An ice-cold goddess outside, a gentle and loving wife at home.
That contrast?
Incredibly attractive.
—
"Sect Master?"
Shui Bing'er noticed Tang Lan and enthusiastically greeted him.
"Greetings, Sect Master! You're here for breakfast too?"
"Good morning, Sect Master!"
"Ah! Morning, Sect Master!"
—
Turning around—
Tang Lan saw Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and Meng Yiran,
standing in a neat row, looking perfectly behaved.
Their eyes shone with something… different.
But—
Tang Lan only nodded.
"Eat your food, don't mind me."
Then, he led Zhu Zhuqing upstairs.
—
The first floor was for Inner Sect disciples.
All those lavish dishes on display?
Just for Tang Lan to see.
The second floor housed Hall Masters.
The third floor was for Elders.
And—
The top floor was reserved for the Sect Master and Vice Sect Master.
Complete with both private booths and open-air dining areas.
—
To build all this in just one month?
Beyond spending a massive fortune, the construction team was clearly top-notch.
—
As soon as Tang Lan sat down on the open-air balcony,
A plump middle-aged man came running over, smiling eagerly.
He bowed deeply and respectfully presented a menu with both hands.
"Sect Master, I am Gou Qi, head chef of Tai'an Dining Hall. Please place your order."
—
Tang Lan took the menu and glanced at it.
Oh?
Quite the variety.
Casually, he passed it to Zhu Zhuqing while studying Gou Qi.
—
Everyone in Tang Sect had been through multiple screenings.
Their character wouldn't be too bad.
—
Gou Qi's chubby face wore an innocent smile.
But beneath his narrowed eyes, there was a respectful and fanatical gleam.
Like a fan meeting his idol.
—
But—
Tang Lan ignored him, gazing at the scenery instead.
Until—
Zhu Zhuqing finished ordering.
—
Gou Qi, visibly disappointed, had no choice but to leave.
—
"I thought you'd suspect him."
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke.
"This Gou Qi… doesn't seem normal at all."
—
A dignified five-ring Soul King,
Neither seeking fame nor wealth,
But choosing to be a chef in Tang Sect?
That was highly suspicious.
—
But Tang Lan shrugged nonchalantly.
"Doesn't matter if he's here to retire, or if he's a spy from some organization."
—
The first batch of recruits could only have come from Spirit Hall or Heaven Dou Empire.
And right now—
Tang Lan was in a "honeymoon phase" with both of them.
Totally safe.
—
Besides—
The only things spies could get from Tang Sect were its techniques and weapons.
But neither Tang Sect's methods nor its technology
Were the core foundation of Tang Lan's power.
—
They could steal whatever they wanted.
It wouldn't change anything.
Because—
Tang Lan's true core objective was to "gather faith."
If a day ever came when secrets were leaked—
Tang Lan would simply publish everything himself.
—
Techniques? Blueprints?
Let the whole world have them.
It would certainly be an interesting spectacle.
—
Watching Tang Lan remain so indifferent,
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes sparkled.
Her man… was really too cool.
—
Setting aside Gou Qi's mysterious background,
His cooking skills were undeniably top-tier!
—
"Zhuqing." Tang Lan spoke. "From now on, let's have all three meals here."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
—
Then—
"I've prepared a formal suit for you. Want to try it on now?"
Tang Lan blinked.
A formal suit?
Why was she suddenly giving him one?
—
Zhu Zhuqing had anticipated this reaction.
She explained—
"Before the match, there will be a banquet. Emperor Xue Ye, Sword Douluo, and Bone Douluo will all attend."
"After that, there will be a grand auction."
"Only then will the exchange match between the two academies take place."
"The Crown Prince has already assigned people to handle the banquet and auction, so we don't need to worry about those."
"But since Tang Sect is the host, and you are the Sect Master, you should dress accordingly."
—
Tang Lan chuckled.
A simple exchange match had turned into a high-society event?
And the match itself had been pushed to the very end?
So they just wanted to watch a show, huh?
Fine.
Tonight, I'll put on a grand performance for you all.
—
"Alright, let's try the suit."
—
With two Martial Soul awakenings,
Tang Lan's physique was already flawless—
A walking mannequin for fashion.
The tailored suit accentuated his tall and lean figure—
His leg lines were perfectly defined.
At first glance, he was like a black obsidian gemstone against the night sky, radiant yet deep.
At the same time—
He carried the elegance and nobility of a prince.
—
Zhu Zhuqing stared, completely entranced.
This… was really her man?!
Too handsome!
—
Dai Mubai?
Thankfully, that guy ran away.
Otherwise, how could she have ever met such a perfect man?
—
Just as the Ice Queen was about to transform into a wild cat—
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Sect Master, it's me, Zhao Wuji."
"There's an issue that requires your approval."
—
Zhu Zhuqing snapped back to reality.
A bit reluctant, she licked her lips before standing up.
She swayed her hips as she walked to the door, opening it.
—
The seductive energy she gave off nearly broke Tang Lan.
—He really wanted to handle her right here and now!
Taking a deep breath, he turned to see—
Zhao Wuji standing there, looking a bit nervous.
—
The moment Zhao Wuji saw Zhu Zhuqing in the room—
He immediately knew.
Then he saw Tang Lan dressed so impeccably.
There was no way he didn't understand.
He definitely came at the wrong time.
—
But—
Since he was already here, he could only bite the bullet and proceed.
—
"Sect Master, for tonight's auction, since Tang Sect is the host, we need to provide a grand finale auction item."
"Originally, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy prepared a rare treasure—a palm-sized Soul Tool that weighs ten thousand jin."
"If our item is inferior, it would be a huge loss of face for us."
"So… what do you think?"
—
Zhao Wuji had no idea what to do about this.
—
"How will the auction proceeds be handled?" Tang Lan asked.
"The full amount will be awarded to the winning academy as teaching funds."
—
Oh?
So that meant—
The money would still be Tang Sect's in the end?
—
He could be generous, then.
—
Tang Lan pondered for a moment.
He had plenty of good things.
But very few were suitable for auction.
—
The easiest option was a storage Soul Tool.
But while rare, it wasn't exciting enough.
—
Tonight's guests were the absolute elite of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Too ordinary, and they wouldn't be impressed.
—
After a bit of thought—
Tang Lan suddenly smirked.
He had a brilliant way to milk this opportunity.
—
"Old Zhao, here's what we'll do—"
(Chapter End)