Chapter 321: The Four Heavenly Kings of the Kitchen

Soon, the Wudun Beast took the lead and arrived in front of everyone. Instead of attacking first, it dug at the gravel on the road with its front paws and let out a low growl.

In the blink of an eye, the members of the Huanyu Sect quickly surrounded Lin Dong and the others. Beside the Wudun Beast, Chang Qianren, the second elder of the Huanyu Sect leading this group, stared coldly at Yu Linglong and said in a deep voice, “With your injuries, there’s no way you can escape this time. Hand over the location of Wuyou Cave, and I promise to spare your life. Otherwise, don’t blame us from the Huanyu Sect for using our strength to overwhelm you.”

“Then go ahead and attack if you dare!” Yu Linglong tightened her grip on her spiritual sword and stared fearlessly at Chang Qianren.

Chang Qianren snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over Lin Dong and the others, his murderous intent growing stronger. “The Huanyu Sect does things its own way—strangers should step back, or they’ll be killed without mercy.”

Wu Guang and Liu Hua were startled by Chang Qianren’s menacing words and instinctively stepped back behind Lin Dong. Aside from them, none of the others present were timid. Except for Qiao Tianhao, who seemed eager to take action, none showed any signs of concern.

“It seems you don’t know about the Huanyu Sect!” Chang Qianren sneered. In the Lingnan Prefecture, those who didn’t know about the Huanyu Sect—whether locals or those passing through—were, for the most part, not qualified to know about it.

Yu Mudan couldn’t help but look at Lin Dong, her eyes filled with deep expectation.

If they rescued Yu Linglong, there was a high chance the third chef at Lin’s Inn would be secured. But at the same time, offending the Huanyu Sect, the only sect in Lingnan Prefecture with strength comparable to that of a major sect, was inevitable. If they abandoned Yu Linglong, not only would the third chef at Lin’s Inn be lost, but Yu Mudan and the original staff of Huhumen Inn might also lose their jobs. The advantage, however, was avoiding conflict with the Huanyu Sect.

This choice wasn’t difficult for Lin Dong.

Smiling at Yu Mudan, Lin Dong said leisurely, “Let’s practice first!”

Yu Mudan was overjoyed. His words clearly meant that she should prove her strength first, and then he would decide whether to intervene.

She wasn’t very sure about Yun Lan’s true strength, but she understood that even all these people together might not be a match for Yun Lan. Not to mention Lin Dong, who was equally unpredictable.

Without any worries, Yu Mudan threw a flirtatious glance at Chang Qianren, swayed her hips as she stepped forward slowly, and said in a coquettish tone, “Esteemed elder, is the Huanyu Sect very famous?”
“Mudan!”

Seeing Yu Mudan approaching, Yu Linglong tried to stop her, but Chang Qianren dismissed her with disdain, “With such tricks, do you really think you can show off?”

Jade Peony turned to glance at Jade Linglong, shook her head with a smile, then once again approached step by step, seemingly ignoring Chang Qianren’s words.
“If you refuse to back down, you’re seeking death!”
Chang Qianren was cautious. Seeing Jade Peony coming alone while her companions turned a blind eye, he feared there might be some unexpected trump card. Immediately, he waved his spiritual sword: “Yang Fang, teach her a lesson—let her know before dying whether the Illusion Rain Sect is famous or not!”
A disciple beside him shot forward, his spiritual sword emitting a cold silver glow as it aimed straight at Jade Peony’s throat.
“She doesn’t even know how to show mercy…”
Jade Peony looked at the swiftly approaching sword with a sorrowful expression. Under Yang Fang’s puzzled gaze, she neither dodged nor flinched, merely gazing at him mournfully, like a wronged young wife.
After a brief moment of surprise, seeing that Jade Peony still didn’t move, Yang Fang sneered. Trying to gain sympathy before launching a sneak attack? Seeking death!
Without any mercy, Yang Fang’s spiritual sword pierced straight at Jade Peony’s throat.
Less than two meters away, Jade Linglong, unable to contain her anxiety, was about to step forward to intervene. Suddenly, Jade Peony smiled sweetly—in Yang Fang’s eyes, it was like a suddenly blooming bud, possessing an irresistible allure.
The spiritual sword slowed down dramatically in an instant, leaving Yang Fang slightly confused.
“Are you really willing to kill her?” Jade Peony asked mournfully.
The sword, accompanied by a howling wind, suddenly stopped. Yang Fang’s face turned red, as if he had committed some grave mistake. He didn’t dare look up at Jade Peony.
“Be careful!”
A warning cry flashed through Yang Fang’s guilty mind like lightning, waking him from his daze.
He raised his head abruptly, and a glint of light flashed before his eyes. Instantly, he felt a chill in his throat, and breathing became difficult.
Jade Peony appeared behind Yang Fang. Blood dripped down from the blade of her spiritual sword. With a soft thud behind him, Yang Fang collapsed to the ground, convulsed a few times, and then died.
Jade Linglong was stunned. She had been chasing Yang Fang for months and knew well that his strength must have reached the fourth level of the Mind State. Similarly, she was fully aware of the extent of Jade Peony’s Charm Spell. A year ago, at most, it could have slightly affected Yang Fang’s emotions—never causing him to lose focus for such a short time, let alone requiring someone to warn him to regain consciousness when attacked.
“Damn it!”
Chang Qianren flew into a rage. His body rushed forward like a cannonball, carrying a terrifying killing intent.

Wrapped in murderous intent, Yu Mudan resembled a leaf in the wind, giving the illusion that she could be shattered at any moment by the fury of thunder.
Crack!
With such immense pressure, Yu Mudan gritted her teeth, swung her arm, and blocked with her sword. Instantly, tremendous force surged from the sword into her body, sending her flying backward.
“Mudan!” Yu Linglong screamed in horror. Waving her spirit sword, she charged straight at Chang Qianren without hesitation.
Chang Qianren, already enraged by Yu Mudan killing his sect’s disciples, swung his right arm. A wave of scorching heat rushed out with his long sleeves, blocking Yu Linglong before he leaped up in pursuit of Yu Mudan.
At Yu Linglong’s despair, Yun Lan moved swiftly. Her Blue Chen Sword, like a dazzling work of art, emitted brilliant light as it pierced toward Chang Qianren’s heart.
Hearing the howling wind, Chang Qianren turned pale with shock. His anger vanished instantly at this sudden attack. After forcing a reversal of his own attack, he swung his sword to block Blue Chen Sword without hesitation.
With another crack, Yun Lan remained motionless, while Chang Qianren was sent flying backward, even more severely than Yu Mudan.
With a thud, Chang Qianren fell to the ground. With the help of several panicked disciples, he got up, his gaze at Yun Lan also filled with panic: “Who… who are you?”
Yun Lan did not pursue. She retracted Blue Chen Sword into her storage spirit ring, then vanished in a flash, returning to Lin Dong’s side at a speed only Lin Dong and Chang Qianren could barely see.
Yu Linglong was stunned. She had forced back a senior from the Fantasy Rain Sect with just one sword strike, and the outcome was overwhelmingly clear. What kind of strength was required to do such a thing?
Recalling how Yu Mudan had previously controlled Yang Fang and even blocked Chang Qianren’s furious attack, Yu Linglong realized that advancing three realms in half a year was not impossible.
Glancing at the expressions of Chang Qianren and the others, Lin Dong understood that Yun Lan’s move had stunned everyone. His plan to use Chang Qianren as a practice partner was definitely ruined. The moment they fought, Chang Qianren and the Fantasy Rain Sect disciples would undoubtedly try to flee first.
Lin Dong’s gaze gradually settled on the Wudun Beast. He wasn’t afraid of trouble, but he didn’t want to cause it either. If Chang Qianren and the others could escape, this spiritual beast had to be kept at all costs. Otherwise, with the Wudun Beast’s ability to find anyone within a hundred miles, endless troubles would arise unless Chang Qianren and the others were killed.
“Those who don’t want to die can leave now,” Lin Dong said calmly, pointing at the Wudun Beast. “Keep the Wudun Beast, or none of you will leave. It’s a choice—give you half a minute to decide.”

“Do you know the Unavoidable Beast?” Chang Qianren exclaimed in shock.
“I don’t. Why would I keep it?” Lin Dong replied coldly. “The Illusory Rain Sect is also a major sect that dominates the region. Without corresponding benefits, there’s no need for major conflicts. But if you really insist, we’re not averse to having another barely tolerable enemy.”
Hearing this, defiance replaced the panic in Chang Qianren’s heart as he snapped, “Barely tolerable enemy? How bold!”
“Bold?” Lin Dong asked with a smile.
Chang Qianren snorted, “Don’t think just because there’s a young powerhouse in your team, you can act arrogantly. Some solitary powerhouses, if lucky, can also find natural talents to take as disciples. Moreover, just one powerhouse can keep the Unavoidable Beast occupied for half an hour. If I’m involved, it’s even uncertain who will win. As for you…”
“I won’t cry until I see the coffin!”
Lin Dong stretched out his right hand, and the Wish Bench appeared silently. As he swung his arm, it spun toward Chang Qianren.
“Your speed is decent, but it’s still not enough for me!”
Chang Qianren’s gaze turned cold. As a senior of the Illusory Rain Sect, second only to the powerhouses and possessing 90% of the strength of the Mind Phase, he’d had enough of being humiliated by a young man. To have someone so arrogant as to try to subdue him with a bench was beyond endurance.
With a shake of his right wrist, he swung his spiritual sword downward at the Wish Bench.
Boom!
With a loud noise, the Wish Bench didn’t split as Chang Qianren expected but fell downward. What surprised him even more was the recoil from the sword, forcing him to take an involuntary step back to dissipate the force.
Even more miraculously, just before touching the ground, the Wish Bench suddenly flew back toward Lin Dong.
The next moment, Lin Dong accelerated instantly. Though his strength wasn’t as great as Yun Lan’s, his Floating Step made him hardly weaker.
With a grab of his right hand, he caught the flying Wish Bench and quickly reached Chang Qianren’s side, swinging the bench downward in an instant. Its momentum was even more fierce and swift than the sword strike Chang Qianren had used earlier against the Jade Peony.
Seeing the Wish Bench coming down like thunder, the careless Chang Qianren hastily raised his arm to block it with a sword.
With a thunderous crash, a hurricane erupted around the two of them, sending debris flying like bullets in all directions. Amplified by the rapidly expanding storm, the disciples of the Illusory Rain Sect were forced to retreat continuously.
With a stumbling sound, Chang Qianren backed away.

A swift shadow appeared in the debris, closely following Chang Qianren. The Ruyi Stool was raised high once again from Lin Dong’s hands and swung down at Chang Qianren, who still hadn’t fully dispelled the rebound force. As Chang Qianren frantically raised his arms, another deafening explosion rang out. Amidst the swirling debris, Chang Qianren was flung backward, and it took three disciples working together to stabilize his body. With blood at the corner of his mouth, he stared in disbelief at Lin Dong, who slowly stepped out of the debris. His throat moved as if trying to question Lin Dong’s strength, but not a word came out.

“Well? If you think our two aren’t strong enough, I’m not averse to bringing in another person to test us,” Lin Dong said leisurely. “Besides, half of the fifteen-minute deadline has already passed.”

Chang Qianren’s expression changed rapidly. If they were lone experts with limited resources, even if they were lucky enough to acquire two extraordinary talents at once, they would surely not be able to nurture them equally. This meant that at least one of these two must be a disciple regarded as an heir by a major sect.

For Wuyou Cave, the Fantasy Rain Sect wasn’t afraid of antagonizing major sects. After all, though still far behind them, the Fantasy Rain Sect was on the defensive side and could rely on allied sects nearby, so they wouldn’t suffer too much even against major sects. But either of these two could become future peak experts. Not to mention that even if they could defeat them, it would be impossible to keep both—losing one could pose a huge threat to the Fantasy Rain Sect.

In the eyes of established sects, compared to major sects, lone peak experts might have less influence but greater destructive power. Moreover, these two might even be heirs to some major sect. If a fight broke out, no matter who won or lost, it would only bring disadvantages.

But if they didn’t fight, wouldn’t they be leaving behind the sect’s only highly obedient seventh-tier spiritual beast? Even the elders would find it hard to bear such a blame.

Chang Qianren’s expression shifted swiftly. Not far away, Lin Dong slightly raised his right arm, and the Ruyi Stool rose slowly in his hand.

“Stay back! Do not resist!” Chang Qianren shouted at the Wudun Beast, then bowed to Lin Dong and said solemnly, “Although the Wudun Beast’s inner core is invaluable, I believe it’s nothing in your eyes. I hope you’ll show mercy and leave it intact!”

“Elders…” The disciples of the Fantasy Rain Sect were horrified and glared angrily at Lin Dong, drawing their spiritual swords.

“Stop! Leave! Those who disobey will be punished according to sect rules,” Chang Qianren gritted his teeth, turned abruptly, and flew away.

More than a dozen disciples were seething with rage. As Chang Qianren was about to disappear on the horizon, they stamped their feet and rushed after him.
“His strength doesn’t quite match his reputation, but at least he knows when to prioritize.” Lin Dong watched as everyone from the Fantasy Rain Sect left completely.
“Perhaps it’s precisely because of his composure and rationality that he became an elder.”
Yun Lan nodded in agreement. In a sect that dominated a region but ranked second only to the major sects, having an elder with only the strength of the ninth level of the Mental State phase was somewhat low.
Lin Dong’s gaze shifted to the abandoned Wudun Beast, and he asked, “Can we keep it from moving for half a month?”
“You want to tame it?” Yun Lan was surprised.
Lin Dong nodded.
“To tame a spiritual beast when it’s fully grown, one must repeatedly subdue it with absolute strength,” Yun Lan explained. “If it’s already tamed by someone else, even with absolute strength, it’s hard to tame it. Moreover, the higher the rank of the spiritual beast, the lower the chances.”
Lin Dong smiled and whispered in Yun Lan’s ear, “Didn’t I tell you last time that I have a spiritual array that can accelerate a spiritual beast’s growth? Speeding up the Wudun Beast’s growth by ten or twenty years means, in just a blink, it’ll grow. With the longevity of a seventh-tier spiritual beast, this won’t affect its strength at all; instead, it might make it gradually forget its past. Besides, this array, like the one used to cultivate spiritual materials, can also simulate the best growing environment for spiritual beasts. Once any spiritual beast enters, it will definitely be reluctant to leave. It will obey obediently and be able to stay inside for a day or two. I guarantee even a ninth-tier spiritual beast can’t resist such temptation.”
Yun Lan was speechless. If that were true, the high-ranking spiritual beasts raised by the major sects would have to be more careful.
After thinking for a moment, Yun Lan glanced at Cheng Bao beside her.
Lin Dong understood. This Wudun Beast could be dealt with in the same way as Cheng Bao back then—first using the Spirit Stagnation Pills to prevent it from using spiritual power, then knocking it out.
“Let’s do it this way!” Lin Dong took out the Spirit Stagnation Pills he had given to Yun Lan, poured out two, and shot them forward toward the Wudun Beast.
Although Chang Qianren had instructed the Wudun Beast not to resist so that he could leave it intact, it was better to be cautious. With the strength of the ninth level of the Mental State phase, facing a seventh-tier spiritual beast, escaping wasn’t difficult, but there was no chance of winning. So Lin Dong remained cautious, holding the Ruyi Stool in one hand and the Spirit Stagnation Pills in the other, stopping about two meters away from the Wudun Beast.
Seizing the opportunity when the Wudun Beast’s teeth were slightly apart, Lin Dong waved his left hand, and the two Spirit Stagnation Pills flew out, shooting into the beast’s mouth through its teeth.

After a moment, the Wudun Beast, which had been quietly digging in the ground, began to growl softly. Undoubtedly, the effect of the Zhi Ling Dan had made it aware of something unusual.
Lin Dong leaped forward in one go, swung his Ruyi Stool, and hurled it at the Wudun Beast’s head in a spinning motion.
With a sound of wind tearing through the air, the Wudun Beast instinctively turned to avoid it, but it was too late. Amidst a loud crash, it staggered a few steps before collapsing to the ground.
Mission accomplished!
Putting the Ruyi Stool back into the mobile counter, Lin Dong clapped his hands and turned to look at Yu Linglong, who seemed hesitant.
“Are you hesitating between following me or relying on that so-called Wu You Cave?”
Yu Linglong was stunned and remained silent.
“Sis, the shop owner is a good person,” Yu Mudan advised. “He will definitely keep his promises. Haven’t you always loved cooking since childhood? After avenging ourselves, this could be a great place for us to settle down.”
“Ascending a level every year must come at a high cost, right?” Yu Linglong didn’t respond, staring intently at Lin Dong. “Is the only benefit having an okay cook for pastries and noodles?”
“A restaurant relies heavily on its cooks,” Lin Dong said with a smile. “In my eyes, a good cook is far more valuable than some spiritual materials or fruits.”
After hesitating for a moment, Yu Linglong asked, “Is it necessary to take special spiritual medicines?”
“No need,” Lin Dong replied, realizing she was tempted. “Let’s part on good terms. If you get tired of being a cook, just let me know a year in advance.”
“Okay! As long as you can truly help me advance a level every year, I promise to cook for you for life after we’ve avenged ourselves,” Yu Linglong said firmly.
“Congratulations. That’s an excellent choice.”
Looking at Yu Linglong’s physique, which was equivalent to that of three or five ordinary people, Lin Dong thought it was perfect. The third head chef of Lin’s Inn was now officially decided.
The trio in the kitchen could now be called the Four Heavenly Kings of the Kitchen. Of course, that was assuming Yu Linglong’s gender was ignored.