Chapter 112: Tang Sect Secret Arts are Suitable for Cooking
She suddenly remembered something and said jokingly, "Oh, right, right! I've made a new discovery recently! Our Tang Sect's secret arts are actually very useful for cooking! Controlling Crane Catching Dragon can precisely control the heat, Mysterious Jade Hand isn't afraid of getting burned, and Purple Demon Eye can even keep a close watch on the changes in the ingredients..."
Furina couldn't help but laugh. "Is it really appropriate to use the secret arts passed down by your ancestors for cooking?"
Tang Ya waved her hand nonchalantly. "What's there to fear? The ancestors are no longer around. Besides, I've already led the Tang Sect to join the Water God Cult. I'll definitely be able to learn even more and better Cultivation Techniques and secret arts in the future; this little bit doesn't matter!"
She spoke naturally, but Wang Dong, standing nearby, was stunned by what he heard.
"Tang Sect secret arts?" Wang Dong looked at Tang Ya, his tone somewhat hesitant. "Senior Tang Ya, are you really from the Tang Sect?"
"That's right," Tang Ya nodded, her expression frank. "The genuine Sect Leader of the Tang Sect. However, only Bei Bei and I are left in the Tang Sect now, so I've decided to merge the Tang Sect as a whole into the Water God Cult as a Subsidiary Sect."
Wang Dong fell silent.
He had actually heard Furina mention that the Tang Sect was already a subsidiary of the Water God Cult when she introduced hidden weapons in the combat class. At the time, it felt a bit awkward, but he didn't think much of it. Now, seeing the Sect Leader of the Tang Sect admit it personally and speak of it as if it were only natural, that uncomfortable feeling became even more pronounced.
Rationally, he could understand Tang Ya's choice. There were only two people left in the Tang Sect, and both were students. They had no resources and no connections. Clinging to the powerful thigh of the Water God Cult was the most realistic choice. If it were him, he would likely do the same.
But for some reason, hearing Tang Ya say "leading the Tang Sect to join the Water God Cult" personally caused a nameless fire to suddenly flare up in his heart.
A mess of chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind: How could she do this? This is the Tang Sect! The Tang Sect that shook the continent ten thousand years ago! Even if only one person remains, they should guard the ancestral foundation. How could they easily merge into another Sect? What is this called? This is betrayal! Better to be a broken jade than a whole tile!
These thoughts came so suddenly and fiercely that Wang Dong himself felt it was inexplicable. He clearly didn't have any special feelings for the Tang Sect, so why was he suddenly so agitated?
He felt a headache coming on and couldn't help but raise his hand to rub his temples.
Huo Yuhao noticed his abnormality and asked with concern, "Wang Dong, are you alright? Is it a lingering effect from the backlash of my Soul Skill earlier? Do you need to rest?"
Wang Dong waved his hand, his face somewhat pale. "I'm fine, just a sudden bit of dizziness and some strange thoughts in my head... I'll be okay after a moment."
Furina took in the whole scene and secretly shook her head in her heart.
Tang San, oh Tang San, you really are a master of calculation. To be so ruthless even to your own daughter, planting this kind of subconscious influence in advance. If they truly became enemies, who knows what kind of means you would use.
She remained calm on the surface and smiled to change the subject. "Alright, since everyone is here, let's not just stand around. Huo Yuhao, you're the head chef today. Have you thought about what to eat?"
Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze from Wang Dong and thought for a moment. "We need to buy the ingredients now. There's a market near the East Gate of Shrek City; there should still be vendors at this time. Let's go take a look and buy whatever is fresh."
"Great!" Tang Ya was the first to respond. "Let's go, let's go, I can't wait!"
Xiao Xiao also followed excitedly.
Wang Dong took a few deep breaths, feeling that inexplicable headache and irritability slowly fade away. He shook his head, tossed those strange thoughts out of his mind, and followed along.
Bei Bei walked at the very back, looking at the backs of the group of youths ahead, a trace of reflection flashing in his gentle eyes. He had naturally noticed Wang Dong's abnormal reaction just now and vaguely guessed it might be related to the Tang Sect. But he said nothing and simply followed silently.
The group left the academy square and headed toward the East Gate of Shrek City.
On the way, Xiao Xiao curiously asked Tang Ya, "Senior Tang Ya, can Tang Sect secret arts really be used for cooking? How exactly do you use them?"
Tang Ya grew interested and began to gesture. "Of course they can! Let me tell you, when the Mysterious Jade Hand is trained to a certain Realm, the palms become as warm and smooth as jade, unafraid of cold or heat; you can even reach directly into a deep fryer without any problem. Controlling Crane Catching Dragon can control ingredients from a distance—you can slice them as thin as you want. Purple Demon Eye is even more amazing; it can clearly see every trace of texture change inside the ingredients, allowing for incredibly precise control of the heat..."
She became more and more spirited as she spoke, even demonstrating a few simple Controlling Crane techniques on the spot, drawing a fallen leaf from the roadside into her hand from a distance before lightly flicking it away.
Xiao Xiao watched with wide eyes. "That's just too convenient! No wonder Huo Yuhao's cooking is so delicious. Did he use similar techniques too?"
Huo Yuhao smiled. "I don't use Tang Sect secret arts; it's mental force micro-manipulation. The principle is similar—it's all about precise control."
Listening to their conversation, that awkward feeling in Wang Dong's heart vaguely surfaced again, but he forced it down and diverted his attention by asking, "Huo Yuhao, who did you learn your culinary skills from? Have you been practicing since you were little?"
Huo Yuhao's eyes dimmed for a moment but quickly recovered. "You could say that. When I was young, my family's conditions weren't good, so I had to cook for myself. Later, I met Sister Furina, and she taught me many more refined methods and gave me the conditions to practice."
He didn't elaborate on the specific circumstances of his childhood, but everyone present could hear the weight in those words. Xiao Xiao stuck out her tongue and didn't ask further.
Furina chimed in at the right time. "Huo Yuhao indeed has a talent for cooking. With the same ingredients, the taste he produces is just different. You're in for a treat today."
Amidst their chatting and laughing, the group arrived at the East Gate Market.
It was late, but the market was still bustling. Spirit Tool Street Lamps illuminated the stalls, and vendors selling various ingredients were giving their final shouts before closing up. Vegetables, meat, seafood, seasonings—it was a dazzling array.
Huo Yuhao was clearly a regular, leading everyone through the stalls with ease to pick out ingredients. He had a very sharp eye and could always pick the freshest items from a pile. Tang Ya and Xiao Xiao followed behind to help carry things, while Furina, Wang Dong, and Bei Bei were responsible for paying and holding the bags.
"This fish is good; the eyes are clear and the gills are bright red."
"This pork was just slaughtered today; look at the color."
"Pick these greens; the leaves are full and there are no wormholes."
Huo Yuhao explained as he picked, looking every bit like a professional chef. Tang Ya and Xiao Xiao nodded repeatedly, though they didn't actually understand much of it.
After the shopping was finished, everyone carried bags large and small to find a small restaurant that offered kitchen rentals. Because Bei Bei and the others were senior students of Shrek Academy, the owner was very enthusiastic and prepared various kitchen utensils.
Having rented the kitchen, Huo Yuhao put on an apron and began to get busy.
Tang Ya indeed fulfilled her promise and took the initiative to help out. She used the Mysterious Jade Hand to handle ingredients that needed scalding and used Controlling Crane Catching Dragon to pass seasoning bottles from a distance, her movements smooth and efficient. Xiao Xiao was responsible for washing and chopping vegetables; although her knife skills were average, her attitude was serious. The three members of the Salon Solitaire also helped with various tasks.
Furina, Wang Dong, and Bei Bei were kicked out of the kitchen and could only wait in the lounge area.
Wang Dong looked through the glass window at the busy Huo Yuhao inside and suddenly spoke up. "Huo Yuhao is quite an interesting person."
Bei Bei replied with a smile, "Indeed. He has good talent, works hard, and has a nice personality. Furina has a good eye."
Furina leaned back against the chair and said lazily, "That's natural. My eye for people will certainly not be poor."
Wang Dong turned his head to look at her. "You created the Water God Cult just to cultivate people like Huo Yuhao?"
"In a way," Furina did not deny it. "But that's only part of the reason. More importantly, I want to make some changes. Many rules in the world of Spirit Masters are already too outdated."
Wang Dong was deep in thought and didn't ask further.
About an hour later, the kitchen door opened.
A rich aroma instantly filled the entire lounge area.
Huo Yuhao and the members of the Salon Solitaire came out carrying plate after plate of food, followed by a proud-looking Tang Ya and a salivating Xiao Xiao.
"Time to eat!"