Mo Yu was still on his way.

Although he wasn’t far from the [ Rain Pavilion ], he spent every day searching for new fishing spots in remote areas, so it took him some time to travel back.

Jin Fugui was rather worried. “Old Jiang, we might not be the only ones who’ve discovered this business opportunity, right?”

Jiang Chen waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, we have an advantage.”

He pulled out a top-grade giant watermelon and declared, “I’m not just boasting, but with this appearance and quality, even if the price is a bit higher, plenty of people will buy it.”

It wasn’t that others couldn’t cultivate top-grade fruits and vegetables. There were definitely skilled spirit farmers out there. But those capable of cultivating top-grade produce—or even top-grade spirit plants—wouldn’t bother hustling for a few measly Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Jin Fugui wasn’t stupid; he had a sharp business mind himself. He pondered, “You’re right. We could even inflate the price of individual items a bit. But if we bundle several items together—combining my spirit beast meat with your top-grade fruits and Spirit Wine into a set meal—as long as the average price is slightly lower than buying them separately, even more people will buy.”

Jiang Chen looked surprised. “You’re pretty sharp, kid!”

Jin Fugui grew more excited the more he thought about it. He couldn’t help rubbing his hands together. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s hurry and secure a spot!”

Jiang Chen shook his head. “What’s the rush? Let me prepare some barbecue seasoning first.”

Plain roasted meat…

The high-EQ description was ‘healthier.’ The low-EQ description was ‘bland.’

Jiang Chen tried hard to recreate the flavor of barbecue seasoning from memory. Unfortunately, this was the Cloud Sea Sect, not the mortal world—and certainly not his previous life. Thus, he only achieved about fifty percent accuracy.

The main ingredients were chili pepper, salt, garlic, and sesame oil.

“Try this,” Jiang Chen said, handing a pinch over.

Jin Fugui tentatively licked it, then smacked his lips. “A bit salty, a bit spicy… but it feels amazing!”

Jiang Chen nodded. “Salty and spicy is exactly right. Otherwise, who would buy my chilled giant watermelon and chilled Spirit Wine to wash it down?”

It was a pity it was just basic seasoning. It would have been better with spices, flavor enhancers, thickeners, and stabilizers. Imagine adding ‘Extreme Spicy’ or ‘Devil-Level Spicy’ flavors—the thought alone was thrilling.

“Why haven’t you left yet?” Mo Yu finally arrived at that moment.

Suddenly, he caught a whiff of a peculiar scent. It was rich and fragrant, resembling mortal cuisine but far more pungent.

Jin Fugui chuckled. “Old Mo, try this piece of roasted meat with barbecue seasoning.”

“Roasted meat with barbecue seasoning?” Mo Yu accepted the skewer with skepticism.

A large chunk of spirit beast meat was impaled on a long wooden stick. Fat dripped from the roasting meat, sizzling as it hit the heat below. Its surface was coated with a layer of glistening red oil, speckled with chili seeds.

Mo Yu couldn’t help but swallow his saliva before even taking a bite.

After beginning cultivation, one basically only ate Spirit Rice and vegetables containing Spirit Qi. But facing this roasted meat, he couldn’t resist. He immediately took a bite.

The piping hot spirit beast meat entered his mouth, its flavor exploding on his palate. The fatty parts were springy and oozing with oil, while the lean meat was firm yet juicy. Combined with this magical seasoning… one bite sent him into a blissful daze.

In no time at all, he devoured the whole thing.

“Give me more!” Mo Yu’s eyes widened.

Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui exchanged a glance and shared a knowing smile.

Afterward, the trio prepared tables, chairs, benches, buckets, and fire racks. Once everything was packed, Jiang Chen summoned his [ Giant Leaf ].

Jin Fugui exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, Old Jiang! You actually upgraded your transportation?”

Mo Yu looked it up and down with obvious envy. “The Giant Leaf is much more advanced than a Paper Crane.”

Jiang Chen offered no explanation. He simply jumped onto the platform first and beckoned to them. “Let’s go!”

The three of them boarded the Giant Leaf and flew toward [ Fire Peak ].

They traveled quickly, arriving before long. Although none of them were strangers to this place, the excitement was palpable. Not just because of the scheduled duel between the top-ranked Long Ao and the second-ranked Shui Wuhen, but also because this was their first collaboration. They were all looking forward to the outcome.

“Long Ao is already here. Why hasn’t Shui Wuhen arrived yet?”

“The number two sure puts on more airs than number one!”

By the time Jiang Chen’s trio arrived, the entire plaza was bustling with people. Just as they had anticipated, some enterprising disciples had already set up stalls, selling similar items—mostly fruits, vegetables, and snacks. Some were even running underground betting rings using Spirit Stones and Spirit Rice as currency.

The duel between Long Ao and Shui Wuhen was set for Arena No. 1. That area had long been packed to capacity; you couldn’t squeeze in even if you tried. Even the airspace above was clogged with Paper Cranes and flying shuttles.

On Arena No. 1, Long Ao sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. Who knew if he was cultivating or just killing time? Speaking of which, the thousand-year spirit beast, Storm Crane 7, was nowhere to be seen.

“We can’t squeeze in!” Jin Fugui grew anxious.

Mo Yu gritted his teeth. “If worst comes to worst, let’s just charge through in one go!”

Jiang Chen rolled his eyes. “If you’re not afraid of getting beaten up, then go ahead!”

What day was today? The duel between number one and number two! Those who came to watch were all formal disciples, and their cultivation levels weren’t low. There might even be core disciples present. They absolutely couldn’t afford to offend anyone.

“Uh… forget it then,” Jin Fugui shrank back nervously.

“What should we do then?” Mo Yu frowned.

Jiang Chen pointed toward an open space nearby. “That area ahead is on the main path for spectators; almost everyone coming will pass by there! Let’s set up our stall right there!”

Once the spirit beast meat was roasted and the seasoning applied, that aroma would kick right up. Maybe people from inside the crowd would even come out voluntarily to spend money.

Soon enough, they claimed their spot.

They offered roasted meat, Spirit Wine, and fruits—a complete package deal.

Jiang Chen sold Masterwork-level Spirit Wine. Mo Yu sold chilled, top-grade giant watermelons. Poor Jin Fugui had the hardest job: constantly roasting spirit beast meat and applying the barbecue seasoning.

Very quickly, their trio attracted attention. Anyone coming up to [ Fire Peak ] instinctively glanced their way.

“How come there’s roasted meat here too?”

“These three guys are really something else, huh!”

At first, most people looked down upon Jiang Chen’s trio with disdain. Many even had contempt in their eyes. After all, this was the Cloud Sea Sect; everyone here was a cultivator. Anyone coming to watch this duel was undoubtedly a formal disciple.

Usually, their diets consisted solely of Spirit Rice and vegetables rich in Spirit Qi. While some enjoyed spirit beast meat, seeing a barbecue stall at such a prestigious event made many jaws drop in disbelief. They couldn’t comprehend the audacity.

However, once the spirit beast meat was fully cooked and Jin Fugui applied the barbecue seasoning, a rich, spicy fragrance immediately spread outward.

Those who were originally uninterested—even utterly scornful—couldn’t help but swallow their saliva.