Chapter 47 – Establish rules
As the entire Divine Sword Peak became aware of Ye Changqing's culinary skills, securing a spot for a meal became increasingly difficult.
This was especially challenging for those menial disciples and outer sect disciples with low cultivation levels.
Their cultivation was already not high, and securing a spot was as hard as reaching the heavens.
Facing the elders, deacons, and direct disciples like Xu Jie, Liu Shuang, and Lu Youyou, they had almost no hope. Even against inner sect disciples, the gap was significant.
After yet another meal where they could only smell the aroma, the menial disciples left unwillingly, with someone voicing their frustration.
"This can't go on. We don't stand a chance."
"Yeah, even if we train like crazy, we can't catch up with those inner sect disciples."
Why are we menial disciples? Isn't it because our talent is low?
Our cultivation is already inferior, and our talent is lacking too. Competing with those inner sect disciples is just wishful thinking.
Thinking about possibly not being able to eat from the kitchen in the future, the menial disciples felt extremely dejected.
"If our strength isn't enough, then we should rely on external forces."
"Are you talking about talismans?"
Talismans are special treasures that only talisman masters can create. Depending on their grade, they can unleash attack or defense capabilities far beyond the user's own.
There are three types of talismans: attack talismans, defense talismans, and support talismans.
Support talismans are further divided into speed, binding, and other categories.
Hearing this, the menial disciples' eyes lit up, though some were worried.
"But talismans aren't cheap."
"So what? As long as we can eat, what's a little cost? I'll write home and have them send some spirit stones."
"I'll do the same."
"Me too."
Don't underestimate these menial disciples. While their talent may not match the outer and inner sect disciples, in the mortal world, each of them is a well-known young master or lady with a strong background.
So even in the Dao Yi Sect, menial disciples shouldn't be underestimated.
Soon, Sanyuan City's talisman market experienced an unexpected buying spree, with almost all purchases being support talismans.
The original stock of talismans wasn't large, and within a few days, over eighty percent of Sanyuan City's support talismans were sold out, leaving many merchants astonished.
What are these guys doing with so many support talismans? In terms of cost-effectiveness, attack and defense talismans are definitely better.
The buyers were, of course, the menial disciples of Divine Sword Peak. Since their strength wasn't enough, they had no choice but to rely on external forces, driven to desperation.
They hadn't had a meal from the kitchen in days, and those inner sect disciples were simply inhumane.
As another meal time arrived, just like before, many disciples swarmed in.
But this time, the menial disciples came prepared. Facing the outer and inner sect disciples, they didn't hesitate to throw out talismans.
They didn't harm them, just used simple binding talismans to temporarily trap these outer and inner sect disciples, then used speed talismans to turn into shadows and rush to the kitchen.
Caught completely off guard, the outer and inner sect disciples were left helpless.
Trapped by talismans, they could only watch as the menial disciples took the spots, shouting in anger.
"Damn it, you're playing dirty, aren't you?"
"Can't handle it? Using talismans, really?"
"Damn it, save a spot for me. I didn't eat yesterday."
"Senior Brother, give it a rest. Not just yesterday, we haven't eaten in three days. So today's meal must be ours."
With the help of talismans, the menial disciples finally got their meal.
Even Ye Changqing was puzzled. How did so many menial disciples get spots today? Did the outer and inner sect disciples not come?
But soon, as the outer and inner sect disciples broke free from the talismans, their eyes red with anger as they stormed into the courtyard, glaring at the feasting menial disciples, Ye Changqing understood the truth.
"You're playing dirty with your fellow disciples, aren't you?"
"Using talismans, really?"
"Such dirty tactics."
Facing the scolding from the outer and inner sect disciples, the menial disciples continued to eat voraciously, mumbling.
"Senior Brother, we had no choice, we couldn't compete."
"Exactly, with your strength and ours, without some special means, it would take forever for us to get a meal."
The menial disciples were helpless. If not for the sake of food, who would want to do this? Do you think talismans are cheap? Each one used costs shiny spirit stones.
Moreover, recently, those unscrupulous merchants in Sanyuan City, seeing how well talismans were selling, collectively raised prices, making them furious.
Listening to the argument between the two groups of disciples, Ye Changqing frowned slightly from a distance.
The gap in cultivation levels between different ranks of disciples was significant, something he had previously overlooked.
If everyone competed for spots, the menial disciples were indeed at a disadvantage.
He pondered silently.
After everyone left, Ye Changqing took the initiative to call Hongzun.
"Peak Master, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Hongzun became interested. Could this kid have suddenly had a breakthrough and decided to accept me as his master?
He looked at Ye Changqing with great interest and said, "Speak."
Xu Jie, Liu Shuang, and Lu Youyou, who were nearby, also stayed out of curiosity.
Ye Changqing then shared his idea of changing the kitchen rules with Hongzun.
Having disciples of different ranks compete for spots was not only unfair but could also lead to unnecessary conflicts.
The menial disciples had already started using talismans, and the outer and inner sect disciples wouldn't just stand by, they would definitely retaliate.
Who knows what it might escalate into.
Hearing Ye Changqing's words, Hongzun nodded in agreement.
"You make a good point. I noticed it today as well. So, should we ban the use of external forces?"
"But if we do that, the menial disciples won't have any chance."
Ye Changqing replied.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"I plan to separate the Divine Sword Peak disciples into different queues based on their rank: menial disciples, outer sect disciples, inner sect disciples, and the Peak Master, elders, and deacons, making four groups in total."
"Everyone queues separately, and people from different groups can't compete with each other. This way, even menial disciples can secure spots based on their own strength."
Having Ye Changqing prepare meals for tens of thousands of people is impossible; it would be exhausting. With his cultivation level at the Meridian Surge Realm, Ye Changqing can now provide food for up to two thousand people.
This is thanks to his improved cultivation and mastery of the Shadow Blade technique.
It's likely that the creator of the Shadow Blade never imagined that their technique would one day be used for chopping vegetables.