Chapter 19: The Banquet Planning Begins Amidst Numerous Challenges

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Yun Yao accepted her master’s assignment, feeling a flicker of joy, but more so a sense of nervousness and uncertainty. She understood that this banquet was not only to celebrate her breakthrough but also an opportunity for the Immortal Sect to demonstrate its strength to the outside world.

However, what she had not anticipated was the multitude of obstacles lurking behind this seemingly honorable task.

As soon as Yun Yao entered the kitchen, she was startled by the emptiness of the storage room. The storeroom, which should have been piled high with various ingredients, was now desolate, lacking even a shadow of supplies.

Frowning, she glanced around, momentarily at a loss. The vacant storeroom seemed to silently mock her, foretelling the hardships ahead.

“Chef Wang, are you here?” Yun Yao’s voice trembled slightly as she tried to locate the head chef responsible for the ingredients.

“What do you want from me?” A rough voice came from a corner. Chef Wang rose irritably from a pile of leftover food scraps, his face full of vexation.

“I’m Yun Yao. Master sent me to check on the ingredient preparations,” she explained cautiously.

Chef Wang shot her a glare and snapped, “Check the ingredients? Look around! There’s nothing here!” He gestured at the empty storeroom, his tone laced with clear dissatisfaction.

Yun Yao’s brow furrowed even tighter. She knew she couldn’t let Chef Wang’s anger affect her here.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to stay calm. “Chef Wang, I understand your hardships, but we must solve this problem quickly. This is Master’s order, and we cannot afford any mistakes.”

Chef Wang’s face darkened further as he glared at Yun Yao as if he wanted to devour her. “Who do you think you are? Coming here and bossing me around! Do you have any idea how many trips I’ve made to find these ingredients? Do you know how exhausted I am?”

A heaviness settled in Yun Yao’s heart, but she held firm. “I know, Chef Wang. But this banquet is crucial; it affects the entire Sect’s reputation. If you’re facing difficulties, we can solve them together.”

Chef Wang was clearly somewhat moved by her resolve, but his temper remained sour. “Then tell me, how do you suggest we fix this?”

Yun Yao bit her lip and looked toward a corner of the storeroom, inspiration striking. “Chef Wang, we can start by gathering some wild ingredients from the mountains. Although they might not be as refined as those from the market, it’s better than nothing. You can list the ingredients needed, and I’ll ask the disciples for help.”

Chef Wang’s expression softened slightly.

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed at the kitchen door. Several disciples rushed in.

“Sister Yun, we…” one began, only to be cut off by another, “We have some matters to attend to, can’t help you.”

Yun Yao’s heart sank. She looked at the disciples, each face betraying obvious discomfort and avoidance.

She took a deep breath, about to ask again, when Chef Wang’s voice suddenly rang out, “Enough! You lot, we’ll start now!”

Yun Yao was momentarily stunned, then looked gratefully at Chef Wang.

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Though reluctant, Chef Wang had clearly taken her side.

She nodded firmly. “Alright, let’s begin immediately.”

Their conversation fell silent as the surrounding disciples exchanged glances, seemingly conspiring, but Yun Yao had no time to ponder. Only one thought filled her mind: no matter what, she must complete this task.

With Chef Wang’s list in hand, Yun Yao began gathering disciples to help collect the ingredients.

However, after searching the entire Immortal Sect, she found most disciples making excuses to avoid helping. Some even whispered behind her back, their words dripping with scorn and disdain.

A bitter feeling welled up within her, but she gritted her teeth, telling herself not to give up.

Under the blazing sun, Yun Yao wandered alone through the forest. Sweat soaked her garments, thorns tore at her sleeves, but she paid no mind, focused solely on finding the needed ingredients.

Birdsong and the rustling of leaves sounded in her ears like mocking laughter. The loneliness surged over her like a tide, nearly overwhelming her.

Just as despair was about to engulf her, a figure appeared before her.

Young Master Song, the notoriously demanding guest, had arrived at the Sect earlier than expected.

He leaned casually against a tree, fanning himself with a folding fan, a trace of impatience on his face.

“This is how you treat your guests? Making me wait in such a place?” Song’s voice was sharp and biting as his gaze swept over Yun Yao’s sweat-drenched clothes and mud-stained shoes.

Yun Yao took a deep breath, suppressing her grievances and exhaustion, and respectfully bowed. “Young Master Song, please forgive our inadequate hospitality. We are still preparing for the banquet.”

“Preparing? Sounds like you’re deliberately making things difficult for me.” Song snorted coldly. “This rest area is utterly crude—no decent cushions for me to sit on. How am I supposed to rest?”

Yun Yao glanced around. Indeed, the rest area only had a few stone benches, looking rather plain.

But she didn’t panic. Instead, she gathered some soft flower petals from nearby bushes and spread them over the benches, then wove a simple sunshade from branches.

Song watched her actions. He had expected her to meekly apologize like the others, but instead, she was so resourceful.

When she finished, Yun Yao bowed again. “Young Master Song, please rest a moment. The banquet will begin soon.”

Song sat on the flower-padded bench, inhaling the fresh floral scent and the cool shade, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips.

The surrounding disciples cast admiring glances, their previous disdain for Yun Yao turning into respect.

A surge of pride rose in Yun Yao’s heart, but she did not forget her task.

Turning to continue gathering ingredients, a voice suddenly called out—

“Well, if it isn’t Sister Yun. What happened to you looking like this?”

Chapter 19: Challenges Arise in Early Banquet Preparations

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A surge of pride filled Yun Yao’s heart, but she remained focused on her task.

Turning around to continue collecting ingredients, a voice rang out, “Well, if it isn’t Sister Yun. What happened to you looking like this?”

Yun Yao turned to see Senior Sister Murong standing not far off, her face twisted into a sharp, mocking smile.

The surrounding disciples cast teasing looks, as if waiting for Yun Yao’s reaction.

Anger simmered within Yun Yao, but her expression remained calm, her eyes resolute. “Senior Sister Murong, preparing for the banquet requires all our efforts. I hope you can offer more constructive suggestions.”

Murong sneered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “I’d like to help, but judging by your flustered state, I doubt you’re up to the task.”

Yun Yao took a deep breath and said nothing further, turning back to continue gathering ingredients.

At that moment, Jun Muhan quietly appeared beside her.

He gently patted her shoulder and said, “Yun Yao, you’ve worked hard.”

Looking up, Yun Yao met his warm eyes and felt a comforting warmth flood her heart.

She nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Senior Brother Muhan.”

Jun Muhan smiled softly and took the basket from her hand. “Come on, I’ll help you collect.”

Side by side, they walked through the forest. Jun Muhan easily resolved some difficult issues, and Yun Yao looked at him with gratitude. A subtle intimacy blossomed between them, sensed by those around.

Back in the kitchen, Yun Yao began organizing the freshly gathered ingredients.

Suddenly, she noticed signs that some of the ingredients had been disturbed, arousing her suspicion.

She knelt to examine them carefully.

At that moment, Chef Wang approached, curious. “Yun Yao, what’s wrong?”

Standing up, Yun Yao’s eyes shone with determination. “Chef Wang, it seems these ingredients have been tampered with…”

Before she could finish, a frantic voice called out from afar. It was Liu’er, filled with panic, “Senior Sister, I… I can’t find the ingredients.”