"My… my dad? You know my dad?"
Hearing Ramon's words, Liu Maoxing—who had been taken down in a single exchange—stared at him in shock.
As far as he knew, his father's name was Malyu. That was it. He knew nothing else.
Ever since he could remember, he had been told his father was dead. There was only a grave back home—nothing more. Even his mother rarely spoke about his father at all.
He had never imagined that the first real information about his father would come from the mouths of people who had just attacked him.
"You don't know about your father? That figures. Back then, we sealed off all the information," Ramon said casually. "Anyway, your dad was a pretty incredible guy. Oh, here's a hint for you—your father is actually still alive."
Liu Maoxing's eyes widened instantly. Back in his hometown, there was a grave with his father's name on it. It was hard to imagine that someone who had already been buried could still be alive.
"Ah-Mao's father… is still alive?"
Zhou Meili, who had already been thrown into an iron cage, froze when she heard that. As far as she knew, both of Liu Maoxing's parents had passed away. His only remaining family was his older sister.
"Ramon, you're talking too much. Now's not the time for this," another voice interrupted. "And bring Zhou Yu along as well. His cooking isn't bad, and he's Zhou Meili's father."
To prevent any complications from Zhou Meili, they decided to capture Zhou Yu too. With family as leverage, controlling her would be much easier.
Honestly, Pei thought Song Wan had a screw loose. Knowing full well that his descendants possessed such special abilities, why hadn't he kept them within the Taiji Cuisine Realm?
If they'd just been raised there from the start, none of this trouble would have been necessary.
"Why are you taking my daughter?"
Zhou Yu didn't continue resisting. Instead, he spoke calmly. He had no illusions about sacrificing himself in exchange for Zhou Meili—he could tell their true target was his daughter from the very beginning.
Grabbing him was just a means to control her.
What he couldn't understand was why.
Zhou Meili was his biological daughter. He knew exactly who her mother was. There was nothing special about her background—at least, nothing he knew of.
"Your daughter is… special. You'll understand later," Ramon replied. "This isn't the place to talk. Let's move."
With that, Ramon tossed Zhou Yu over to the others, and the group quickly withdrew.
Liu Maoxing had decent potential, but he still wasn't worth the Taiji Cuisine Realm's attention. Letting him grow on his own for now was fine.
Just like that, Zhou Yu and Zhou Meili were taken away.
"Is everyone alright?"
Only after the Taiji Cuisine Realm members left did everyone finally breathe again. Master Ruoh spoke up, checking on the others.
He hadn't chosen to intervene earlier. He was old, after all. If a whole group of young men couldn't stop them, what could an old man like him do?
"We're fine, Master Ruoh. Just some minor injuries," someone replied. "They hit hard, but they weren't trying to kill us. But what about Chef Zhou and Meili?"
Once everyone got back on their feet and realized their injuries weren't serious, they relaxed a bit. Still, Zhou Yu and Zhou Meili had been taken.
Yangquan Restaurant would be fine with Master Ruoh and Liu Maoxing holding things together, but Zhou Yu had treated them all well. And Zhou Meili had practically grown up in front of them.
Of course they cared.
"I'll contact the Chefs' Union immediately," Master Ruoh said with a sigh. "But you all know this already—no one taken by the Taiji Cuisine Realm in recent times has ever reappeared. Prepare yourselves."
He felt helpless. Even the Light Culinary World didn't dare provoke the Taiji Cuisine Realm. What chance did a small regional Chefs' Union have?
Still, for everyone's sake, he reported the matter. Just as expected, Madam Lei Hua could only feel powerless after hearing the news.
However, she noticed something odd.
So far, everyone taken by the Taiji Cuisine Realm had been a powerful chef. Zhou Meili clearly didn't fit that category.
Her culinary talent wasn't outstanding either. Why would the Taiji Cuisine Realm specifically target someone like her?
From Master Ruoh's account, it was obvious—they were after Zhou Meili from the start. Zhou Yu had only been taken as leverage.
That made things even stranger.
Madam Lei Hua sent Master Ruoh back and personally reported the matter to the Imperial Kitchen. At the same time, she used her own resources to investigate Zhou Meili's background.
Naturally, it led nowhere.
Zhou Meili's lineage traced back hundreds of years, and anything involving the Taiji Cuisine Realm was far beyond what they could uncover.
"Ah-Mao, there's no point in worrying too much," Master Ruoh said gently. "Right now, all you can do is focus on improving your cooking."
Liu Maoxing was anxious—like an ant on a hot pan—but anxiety wouldn't solve anything.
He forced himself to calm down.
"Master, it's not that I don't want to calm down. It's just… doing nothing makes me feel awful."
Liu Maoxing had always been soft-hearted. Even though this didn't directly involve him, he couldn't just stand by. His conscience wouldn't allow it.
"In that case, go to Mt. Qingzhao," Master Ruoh said after a moment. "With your current skill, it'll be hard to meet Master Yuxian, but at least make the trip."
It was the only thing he could think of. Letting Liu Maoxing sit around would only eat him up inside. Giving him something to do—even if it led nowhere—was better.
After learning about Mt. Qingzhao and Master Yuxian, Liu Maoxing set off immediately.
As for Ramon and the others, they were already heading toward the Eight-Spirit Tower.
"Hey, you can tell me now, right? Why exactly did you capture me?"
Inside the cage, Zhou Meili was fuming but helpless. Still, she wanted answers.
"Since you asked, I'll tell you," Ramon said. "You carry the bloodline of the Taiji Cuisine Realm. Strictly speaking, you're one of us."
"What? That's impossible!"
Zhou Meili froze. Zhou Yu, however, immediately understood.
"You're saying Meili's mother…?"
He had already figured out that the problem lay with her maternal line.
"But that doesn't make sense. She rarely left Guangzhou back then."
"You're sharp," Ramon nodded. "But you missed the most important part."
"Zhou Meili's maternal line left the Taiji Cuisine Realm hundreds of years ago. Where we're going now, you'll meet her ancestor."
"Her ancestor?" Zhou Yu frowned. "If her lineage left hundreds of years ago, then her ancestor should be long dead—"
"Her ancestor is Song Wan," Ramon said calmly. "Cloud-Piercing Giant Song Wan. One of the current Phoenix Eight Immortals of the Taiji Cuisine Realm. He's held that position for centuries."
Zhou Yu and Zhou Meili were stunned.
"Centuries? Is that even possible?" Zhou Meili whispered.
"Of course it is," Ramon replied. "For example—"
He pointed toward Pei, who had been silently resting with her eyes closed.
"God-Speed Tai Bao Pei. She's already over a hundred."
Pei opened her eyes and shot Ramon a sharp glare.
"…Alright, I'll shut up."
Ramon immediately zipped his mouth.
Zhou Meili stared at Pei in disbelief. This girl—who looked younger than her—was over a hundred years old?
For a moment, she thought of Kael. She had always considered him terrifying, almost inhuman. Now, by comparison, he seemed… restrained.
"Enough talk," Pei said coldly. "Behave yourself. As long as you cooperate, we won't harm you."
With that, she turned and left.
She wasn't lying. What they needed was Zhou Meili's ability to read information—not her life.
As for Zhou Yu, he was just a tool. He wasn't even a Dragon Chef yet.
The airship continued its journey toward the Eight-Spirit Tower.
Meanwhile, Kael arrived at Churin Temple.
The Eight-Spirit Tower was watched by two factions—both originally from the same lineage.
Churin Temple and Tailin Temple had split long ago.
One group believed guarding the tower forever was pointless. Joining the Taiji Cuisine Realm promised far better living conditions.
The other believed in honoring their ancestors' will—protecting the tower from outsiders at all costs.
Over time, the two sides became enemies.
Although Churin Temple currently guarded the tower, Tailin Temple knew they couldn't open it anyway. So they waited—for the moment it opened, they would strike.
Song Wan was stationed with Tailin Temple. After all, Tailin Temple was aligned with the Taiji Cuisine Realm.
Recently, Churin Temple was on edge.
Song Wan had also felt the Eight-Spirit Tower's call. Impatient, he sent Tailin Temple forces to seize it outright, catching Churin Temple off guard.
Now, they feared spies or outside interference. Any outsider was treated with extreme hostility.
So when Kael arrived, he was stopped at the mountain gate.
"I already told you—I was summoned by the Eight-Spirit Tower," Kael said helplessly. "Blocking me won't change anything."
"Enough nonsense," a warrior monk snapped. "Churin Temple is sealed. No outsiders allowed. Leave now, or don't blame us."
They didn't believe him—and they couldn't afford to.
Kael sighed. He had wanted to see Churin Temple for himself, but it seemed that wouldn't happen.
He didn't push them. These monks were already jumpy, constantly harassed by Song Wan's forces. The fact that they hadn't attacked him outright showed restraint.
Taking a step forward, Kael suddenly launched himself into the air, shooting toward the Eight-Spirit Tower.
A massive crater was left behind.
The monks stared at it in stunned silence. One of them even poked the ground with his staff, wondering if they'd just imagined the whole thing.
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Every 100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter