Chef God of the Wuxia and Fantasy World

With nearly a thousand monks, Ling Chi obtained over nine hundred white recipes, more than thirty ordinary blue recipes, and over a dozen advanced blue recipes. In terms of the number of masters, Shaolin Temple truly deserves its title as the number one sect in the world; even Lingjiu Palace couldn't produce so many blue-level masters.

Seeing that the experience points had reached 98.72%, Ling Chi shook his head: As expected, we still have to rely on the hidden master!

He turned his head to look at the old monk who came out of the door, his eyes full of amusement.

This was a gaunt monk dressed in a blue robe, who was definitely not young. His sparse, long beard was completely white, and he was holding a broom in his hand, looking at Ling Chi with a solemn expression.

Has he finally arrived? The Sweeping Monk.

Ling Chi smiled slightly: "If you had come out sooner, they wouldn't have had to suffer like this."

"Amitabha." The sweeping monk, holding the broom in both hands, said, "Benefactor, your martial arts are unparalleled, so why use Shaolin as a stepping stone?"

"It's not that I want to use Shaolin as a stepping stone, it's that you've treated me as an enemy from beginning to end." Ling Chi smiled faintly: "My goal has always been you, so you can only blame them for asking for trouble."

“Amitabha, I am but an old sweeping monk from Shaolin Temple. You must have come to the wrong person!” the sweeping monk said.

"I suppose so!" Ling Chi reached into the car, took out a covered plate of food, and said, "I have a dish here, would you like to try it?"

"..."

The sweeping monk couldn't quite understand Ling Chi. The young man in front of him exuded a strong sense of mystery from beginning to end, rendering his nearly century-old eyesight useless.

“If you have something to say, please speak frankly. Why go to such lengths?” The sweeping monk thought Ling Chi was teasing him.

"What I want to do is let you taste my cooking," Ling Chi said with a smile. "As long as you eat it, I can let Shaolin go."

"..." The sweeping monk took a deep breath and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Amitabha, this old monk will accept the offer without being too polite."

"Don't be shy." Ling Chi lifted the lid, and a deep blue light shot into the sky, drawing gasps from countless onlookers.

The sweeping monk's eyes widened in disbelief that a simple dish could produce such a strange phenomenon.

"Please!" Ling Chi handed over a pair of chopsticks.

"..." The sweeping monk took the chopsticks and silently took a bite.

"Well--"

"Ding! You have conquered the stomach of the top-tier blue-level gourmet, the Sweeping Monk. Conquest count +1. Top-tier blue-level recipe dropped - Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."

"Buddha Jumps Over the Wall: Top-tier blue recipe, lifespan +1. Cooldown time 10 days."

……

Ling Chi's face lit up with surprise. Another recipe to increase lifespan, and this time it increased it by a full 1 point, with a cooldown period of only 10 days. This recipe could add more than thirty years to his lifespan in a year; it was simply invincible.

Moreover, after gaining this 1 point of experience, there is only 0.28% left to level up. In other words, even without the Sweeping Monk, you only need to conquer the stomachs of 28 more high-level blue diners to level up.

Based on what we know so far, there are six high-level blue characters in Tianlong Temple in Dali, more than a dozen in Shaolin Temple, and Tong Lao is one. We don't know about other places yet, but Murong Fu, Qiao Feng, Kumachi and others we haven't encountered yet are very likely to be high-level blue characters. Qiao Feng, this powerful man, might even be a top-level blue character!

This trip was definitely worth it.

……

The sweeping monk opened his eyes. The illusion he had just experienced had allowed him to see countless beautiful scenes, and his mind had become much clearer. He seemed to have gained a deeper understanding, and his eyes were filled with Zen wisdom.

"Amitabha." The sweeping monk bowed to Ling Chi: "Your culinary skills are extraordinary; could you perhaps be the reincarnation of the God of Cookery?"

“I’m not the God of Cookery.” Ling Chi waved his hand and said, “Since you’ve eaten my food, I’ll let Shaolin off this time.”

“Your kindness is truly admirable.”

Ling Chi chuckled lightly: "I didn't expect even you to be able to flatter. Shaolin Temple really knows how to cultivate smooth talkers."

“Amitabha, it seems that you have some prejudice against Buddhism.”

“I have no prejudice against Buddhism,” Ling Chi said. “Buddhism has produced many eminent monks, which I greatly admire. However, Buddhism is about saving all sentient beings, so it is inevitable that there will be a mix of good and bad. As long as there are a few morally corrupt individuals, Buddhism will not be able to escape responsibility. Moreover, Buddhism does not engage in production and only relies on the incense offerings of the people for sustenance, which inevitably attracts too much resentment.”

"Amitabha, what you say is absolutely right, benefactor." The sweeping monk did not argue, but instead agreed wholeheartedly, showing that he was quite knowledgeable about the situation in Buddhism. He did not defend Buddhism; this very state of mind alone far surpassed that of many so-called eminent monks.

Ling Chi glanced at him and smiled slightly: "You really are a high monk."

"You flatter me, benefactor. I am unworthy of such praise."

“No need to be modest,” Ling Chi said. “There are many scriptures in Shaolin Temple. I will stay here for ten days. During these ten days, the monks of Shaolin Temple will copy all the scriptures for me. I will take them with me.”

The sweeping monk was slightly taken aback, but agreed without hesitation: "Since you are devoted to Buddhism, Shaolin Temple should do our best to help you achieve your goal."

"I still need to sell pickled cabbage, help yourself!" Ling Chi walked back to the stall and started singing: "I've prepared vegetables for you, hey, I'm looking forward to your early arrival, a plate of pickled cabbage..."

Sweeping Monk: "..."

Four swords: "Pfft—"

……

"Brother Ling!" Li Luo ran over quickly and said, "Stop singing, I'll take all your pickled cabbage."

Ling Chi looked at him and laughed, "Brother Li, you want them all? These will cost more than a thousand taels of silver."

“It’s just over a thousand taels, which my Li family can afford.” Li Luo laughed and said, “It’s just that I left in a hurry this time and didn’t bring much silver with me. Please come with me home to get it.”

Upon hearing this, Ling Chi knew what he was planning, and seeing his burning gaze only confirmed it.

Another fanboy who's been won over by his brother.

"Please lead the way, Brother Li."

"Alright, Brother Ling, come with me."

……

For the next ten days, Ling Chi and the Four Swords stayed at Li Luo's villa, which was more than ten miles away from Shaolin Temple.

Li Luo is the eldest son of the Li family in Luoyang. Despite his young age, he is already well-versed in poetry and literature and passed the county-level imperial examination last year. It is said that he is currently studying diligently at the mountain villa, striving to pass the provincial-level imperial examination within two years. Once he becomes a provincial-level imperial scholar, his life will be glorious. Even if he does not become an official, he will still be a prominent figure in the county and will have a seat in front of the county magistrate.

Ever since Zhao Kuangyin released his military power over a cup of wine, the Song Dynasty has placed great importance on the status of scholars. Even a minor scholar would have beautiful women throwing themselves at him, not to mention a successful candidate in the imperial examinations.

The Li family was a prominent family in Luoyang, and Li Luo, as the eldest son, was naturally expected to achieve great things. He lived up to expectations, displaying exceptional intelligence from a young age and writing excellent essays, earning him widespread fame. Many local gentry wanted to marry their young daughters or nieces to him. However, Li Luo was only eighteen years old and did not want to marry so early. Therefore, he used the excuse of seclusion to study hard and prepare for the imperial examinations to decline all matchmakers' offers.

Li Luo secluded himself in the mountain villa for more than three months, spending the rest of his time there except for returning home for two days during the New Year. Scholars are generally frail, and Li Luo accidentally caught a cold. He went to the nearby Shaolin Temple for treatment, but unexpectedly encountered Ling Chi there.

Li Luo had read many strange and wonderful books since childhood, and he was very fascinated by the supernatural stories of gods and monsters. This time, when he saw Ling Chi unleash a golden dragon and knock down thousands of Shaolin monks with a single flute, Li Luo's admiration for Ling Chi was like a surging river, never-ending...

Taking advantage of the opportunity to go home with him to get money, Li Luo started a relationship with Ling Chi.

Ling Chi had no opinion on Li Luo's purpose; since he had nowhere else to go for the time being, he stayed at the manor for ten days. Through these ten days, he gained a general understanding of Li Luo.

In short, he was a typical scholar.

Chapter 46 Upgrade to Purple

When it comes to impressions of ancient scholars, they are generally described as refined, courteous, eloquent, and poised. Of course, there is also the impression that they are physically weak.

Li Luo is basically this kind of person, and he doesn't have any bad habits like being arrogant, lecherous, or shameless. He can be considered a high-class product among scholars.

Ling Chi liked this kind of person very much. She felt that Li Luo was also very good at accepting new things and maintained a strong curiosity. He especially liked some strange and unusual things and had a kind of scientific spirit of research.

Since he had finally met someone he found agreeable, Ling Chi gave him the elementary physics book that he had compiled many years ago.

Li Luo treasured the elementary physics book and began to treat Ling Chi as his disciple, addressing him respectfully as "Master." Ling Chi remained indifferent.

However, Li Luo's physique was too weak. Ling Chi was afraid that he would die young, so he passed on the Yi Jin Duan Gu chapter of the Nine Yin Manual to him, but did not teach him any martial arts moves. After all, he was a wealthy dog, and it was enough for him to be physically strong. He could have his lackeys do the fighting.

Ten days later, Ling Chi and the Four Swordsmen left the manor. When they left, Li Luo saw them off with tears in his eyes and gave them a large amount of gold, silver, jewels, and fine silks for their use during their travels.

"What a kind person!" Ling Chi exclaimed, looking at the car full of stuff. "Why haven't I met anyone like this before!"

Because the carriage was full of things, the Four Swords had to walk with Ling Chi. Hearing Ling Chi's remark, the Four Swords chuckled. Bamboo Sword said, "So, Young Master Ling, have you taken on a student?"

"I wouldn't call him a student, I just find him pleasing to the eye and teach him a few things," Ling Chi said with a smile. "But this kid is quite self-controlled. He sees the four of you beautiful ladies every day and isn't tempted at all."

"Hehe, Young Master Li is a true gentleman!" Ju Jian said.

"Haha, I've heard that Liu Xiahui was able to remain unmoved by a woman's lap, not because he was without evil thoughts, but because he had a hidden ailment." Ling Chi laughed, "If he were a healthy man, how could he remain unmoved by a woman's lap?"

"A hidden ailment?" The four swordsmen were bewildered, clearly not understanding his meaning: "Is Liu Xiahui sick?"

"..." This conversation is over.

……

When Ling Chi and the Four Swords returned to Shaolin Temple, they found that the number of worshippers had decreased by at least 70-80% compared to their previous visit. The bustling scene was completely gone, replaced by only a few scattered elderly worshippers. These were likely long-time Buddhists who, despite being reprimanded by Ling Chi, remained steadfast in their faith.

"Oh no! That demon is back again!" The monk guarding the gate was terrified when he saw Ling Chi and the Four Swords. He screamed and ran into the temple.

Ling Chi: "..."

The four swordsmen chuckled, and Mei Jian laughed, "Young Master Ling has turned into a demon!"

"Young Master Ling single-handedly defeated the entire Shaolin Temple. To these monks, isn't he a demon?" Zhu Jian laughed.

"Sigh! Actually, I'm a good person!" Ling Chi shook his head and sighed.

The four swordsmen laughed even harder.

No matter how angry or fearful the people of Shaolin Temple were, Ling Chi still managed to enter Shaolin Temple smoothly. The sweeping monk also came to greet him personally: "Amitabha, benefactor, it's been a long time."

Seeing the respectful way the monks behind the Sweeper Monk treated him, Ling Chi smiled and said, "It seems like your status has risen."

“All beings are equal, so how can there be high or low? You are joking, benefactor.” The sweeping monk said calmly, “The scriptures have been copied, benefactor, please follow this old monk.”

"All beings are equal?" Ling Chi was too lazy to argue: "Alright! Lead the way."

……

In front of the Shaolin Sutra Repository, dozens of monks neatly arranged some brand-new handwritten Buddhist scriptures on the ground. Ling Chi glanced at them and counted about four or five thousand copies, demonstrating the richness of the Shaolin Temple's collection of books.

Ling Chi picked up a copy of the Diamond Sutra at random. Although the characters on it were not written very well, they were clean and neat, and easy to understand at a glance.

He nodded: "Well written."

"I'm glad you're satisfied." The sweeping monk asked, "How will you take it with you?"

Four or five thousand books is quite a lot; Lingchi's wheelbarrow simply couldn't carry them all.

“Simple.” Ling Chi placed his hand on the scriptures, and in the next instant, all the scriptures disappeared.

The sweeping monk's eyes widened, eliciting gasps of surprise from the crowd.

"A mustard seed can contain Mount Sumeru!?" The sweeping monk was utterly shocked: "Benefactor, you..."

The four swordsmen covered their mouths with their hands, their eyes wide open, unable to believe what they were seeing.

"Just a little trick, nothing to brag about." Ling Chi smiled and said, "Was the food I gave you last time delicious?"