"Boss!" Chen Xiao called out to the approaching Wang Tian. Chen Xiao wasn't alone, next to him stood a handsome young man with long black hair and piercing eyes. "You're late, we need to get going or I'll miss my chance." Su Bai spat out an irritated look on his face.
"My bad I got a bit distracted." Wang Tian replied embarrassedly. "Either way don't worry, going a bit late is good if we're too early we look over eager. I am sure you don't want people thinking you're over eager, right?" He continued trying to calm Su Bai down.
Thinking about this Su Bai nodded. It did make some sense, the earliest people were always the lamest, and he wasn't lame. "Whatever as long as we go now. Chen Xiao lead the way." Su Bai said pushing the group along. Hearing this Chen Xiao simply chuckled slightly before leading them out of the Sect.
The Brightmoon Pavilion being one of the finest establishments around was located on the busiest street in Crimson Dawn. This city was about a kilometer away from the Crimson Radiance Sect and could be considered to be under the Sect's jurisdiction in a sense. Because of this disciples from the Sect were treated with great respect and were akin to local nobles.
After about 10 minutes of walking the trio found themselves in Crimson Dawn. Once there Chen Xiao immediately pulled out a map and began analyzing their next route. "Hmmm, follow me guys I'll get us there in a jiff." Chen Xiao declared assuredly. He then led the group through a number of side streets, past some shady gangs, a number of beggars and some old locals. Eventually they ended up exactly where they started.
"...Don't worry guys I was merely trying to take in the scenery of Crimson Dawn, this time I'll get us there trust me!" Chen Xiao reassured them. Wang Tian could barely stop himself from laughing hearing this. On the other hand Su Bai's forehead creased, he then took the map straight out of Chen Xiao's hand and read over it.
"You baboon, the pavilion is literally at the end of this street. Are you blind?" Su Bai reprimanded Chen Xiao. Wang Tian merely chuckled at the side, while Chen Xiao glanced at him for support. "Su Bai relax. You lead the way this time, clearly Chen Xiao isn't the best at reading maps."
"That's quite the generous description." Su Bai snorted before walking down the street. "Are you two gonna follow or what?" He continued without turning towards them. Wang Tian and Chen Xiao then quickly caught up as they made their way towards the Brightmoon Pavilion.
After some time they finally arrived. The pavilion was grand to say the least. It was large and the exterior looked to be made out of the finest materials, even its signboard "Brightmoon" was beautifully crafted. Walking up to the entrance Chen Xiao took the lead and this time he had no difficulty navigating through the pavilion.
Soon they ended up on the second floor amongst the rest of their fellow Trial Disciples. While they weren't early they weren't the latest either, despite all the hiccups they timed it well funnily enough. "We made it." Chen Xiao declared feeling triumphant. Seeing this Su Bai merely rolled his eyes. "No thanks to you."
"Su Bai this isn't the time for infighting. You know that girl Lin Mei I've been talking to? She has a friend Feng Yaoyao. If you want I can introduce you." Chen Xiao chuckled as he nudged his friend. Su Bai's previously disgruntled expression immediately softened. "...How does she look."
"Don't worry you won't be disappointed. She has another friend as well if you'd like Wang Tian we can go on a threeman." Chen Xiao declared almost heroically. "I can't say I am not interested but I have other plans tonight, if you need me come look for me." Wang Tian replied.
"What could be more interesting then our martial sisters, you know if you wait too long those vultures in the Outer Sect will take them all." Chen Xiao said trying to persuade Wang Tian, even Su Bai nodded along. "You make a good point, but there will be more martial sisters. On the other hand this is an opportunity." Wang Tian smirked before walking off.
Seeing this Chen Xiao simply sighed. Over this month he'd seen Wang Tian smirk like that a few times, and the results were typically interesting to say the least. Looking over at Su Bai he simply nodded. 'Definitely interesting.' He thought before the two went searching for Lin Mei.
Wang Tian on the other hand sat down at one of the many tables reserved for the trial disciples. Opposite him a fat trial disciple was sat. "Get me more silver tiger stew!" The trial disciple demanded from the server. This young man already had 3 empty bowls in front of him and was eating a fourth.
"I'll have the same." Wang Tian said before locking eyes with the disciple in front of him. "Nice to meet you I am Wang Tian." He introduced himself bowing his head slightly in greeting. "Jiang Long." He replied succinctly between bites.
'Seems he's going to be a tough shell to crack.' Wang Tian thought as he cracked his neck. "The delicacies of Crimson Dawn are exquisite I wonder how they compare to the royal capital." Wang Tian said trying to fish a response out of Jiang Long. "I've heard they cook Foundation Building beasts there, I can't even imagine how expensive it must be."
Jiang Long swallowed the last bite of his current plate and then looked at Wang Tian. "Not just that, but if you manage to participate in an event with the Emperor in attendance they even serve Core Formation beasts. Additionally the chefs you find there are cultivators themselves, the techniques they use to prepare the food are amazing." He paused for a moment as he sized Wang Tian up.
"Are you a fellow foodie?" Jiang Long asked with some interest in his eyes. "I am just a guy who likes good food and good conversation." Wang Tian chuckled. "Thought so, I mean no fellow foodie would have your build. For a moment I thought I met a fellow kindred spirit...." Jiang Long sighed as if crest fallen.
"Sorry to disappoint, but I am interested in one thing you mentioned cultivating chefs previously? I've never heard of that before." Wang Tian replied trying to pivot the conversation to a point of interest for Jiang Long. In fact the second he mentioned that Jiang Long's eyes lit up.
"Well they're actually called Spirit Chefs and its what I aspire to be! The reasoning for the name is actually a long story its goes back....." Jiang Long began a long explanation as Wang Tian listened intently. If there's one thing he learnt over the years its that everyone loved to talk, as long as it was about the right thing.
Soon the server approached with two new bowls of Silver Tiger stew. "Smells great as always. Since you've humored me a bit let me help you out." Jiang Long said before pulling a jug out of his robe. "This is called Dragon's Tear try some and then eat the stew."
Taking the jug Wang Tian took a swig, his throat burned and he put the jug down after taking a few sips. He then wiped his mouth before handing it back to Jiang Long. "Still fresh, let me show you how its done!" Jiang Long then took a few massive gulps before putting the jug away.
The two then started digging into the stew, and Wang Tian had to admit, Jiang Long was right. 'This tastes great, and the lingering after taste of the Dragon's Tear somehow improves the flavor.' As he thought this he couldn't stop himself from devouring the stew. In a little over 5 minutes the two finished their plates.
"Server! Another two Silver Tiger stews!" Jiang Long demanded giving Wang Tian a smirk. "My taste is impeccable isn't it?" Wang Tian could only nod at this. "Its the best meal I've had in a long time." The two then sat there chatting for the next hour or so as they drank Dragon's Tear and ate Silver Tiger stew.
Their plates had piled up by now and their complexions had turned rosy. "Wang Tian y-you're a good guy, m-most people write me off due to my size and laugh at my interest in Spirit Chefs." Jiang Long said taking a final swig of Dragon's Tear. "T-Those people are ignorant cause this food is fucking great!" Wang Tian laughed clearly drunk off his ass.
"Damn right it is!" Jiang Long laughed passing the Dragon's Tear to Wang Tian. "Finish it, its almost done anyway." Wang Tian nodded before downing the remainder of the jug, at this point he could barely taste it. "Haaa, that was good." Wang Tian said.
All of a sudden a commotion erupted amongst some of the Trial Disciples. "CHEN XIAO!"