Leaving the sect unmanaged, leaving disciples unteached, Jun Changxiao brought Liu Wanshi to participate in the Food God Competition precisely to complete the epic mission of suppressing his realm!

This little brat named Qian Buduo was actually the competition’s chief judge, immediately making him overjoyed.

In martial competitions, you win by defeating your opponent or knocking them off the stage.

But culinary competitions are different—the key to victory lies with the judges, because whether the food is good depends entirely on their judgment.

Though Jun Changxiao believed Liu Wanshi had championship potential, since he coincidentally encountered the chief judge, his attitude naturally changed.

To be precise…

Whether his disciple could advance to the top three and claim the championship, whether he could complete the epic mission, all depended on this person’s decision.

Money…

Absolutely cannot accept!

“Sect Master Jun.” Qian Buduo smiled, “Miss Liu cooked for me, so this money and spirit stones are labor fees. If you return them now, are you trying to bribe me?”

Little fellow…

Why are you speaking such truth!

Jun Changxiao said, “Brother Qian is overthinking. This seat considers you a brother, so naturally I can’t accept this money and spirit stones.”

“…”

Demon King Zilin’s head filled with black lines.

From how quickly you grabbed the money and spirit stones earlier, there was no sign you considered him a brother.

“Sect Master Jun.”

Qian Buduo said, “This money and spirit stones are what Miss Liu deserves. I won’t take them back.”

“Of course.”

He paused, “As this session’s chief judge, I will also uphold principles of fairness and justice in my judging.”

Hey.

This kid’s young but quite has the bearing of a judge.

“Alright.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Then this seat won’t insist.”

Qian Buduo then said, “Actually, Sect Master Jun needn’t worry. Based on the sweet and sour carp Miss Liu just made, advancing to the top twenty is completely no problem.”

If it were any other contestant hearing the chief judge give such an evaluation, they’d definitely be overjoyed. But both Jun Changxiao and Liu Wanshi frowned.

Top twenty?

That’s completely useless!

“To be frank.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Since this seat brought my disciple to participate in the Food God Competition, we’re aiming for the championship.”

Qian Buduo shook his head, “This Food God Competition has experts everywhere. Winning the championship will be extremely difficult.”

Though the sweet and sour carp was amazing, other contestants’ dishes might not be inferior, so Qian Buduo couldn’t subjectively determine that Liu Wanshi could achieve the best results.

“In that case.”

Jun Changxiao stroked his chin, “This Food God Competition has quite high gold content.”

“Very high.”

Qian Buduo said, “I’ve reviewed past records and can confirm this Food God Competition has gathered the most and strongest culinary experts!”

A trace of uncertainty flashed in Liu Wanshi’s eyes.

The little girl was a bit worried—worried she couldn’t win the championship, worried she’d disappoint the sect master.

She was, after all, still a child who hadn’t experienced major events. Learning this Food God Competition had many experts, she inevitably showed a lack of confidence.

“Girl.”

Jun Changxiao could tell and encouraged her, “What can defeat you isn’t your opponents but yourself, so no matter when, you must believe you’re the strongest!”

Liu Wanshi clenched her small fists, “Disciple will definitely work hard, definitely won’t disgrace the sect!”

“Depart.”

Jun Changxiao snapped his fingers and led everyone to set off toward the Grand Honor Imperial City.

“Brother Qian, what business does your family do?”

“No particular business, just some mineral and property holdings.”

“Interested in joining the Myriad Ancient Sect?”

“This… I don’t currently have plans to join a sect.”

…

A few days later…

Jun Changxiao entered Central Honor Province, traveling on the official road to the imperial city.

“Food God ‘Food is Heaven’ sent his disciple to participate in the Food God Competition. The championship definitely has no suspense.”

“Not necessarily? I heard many past competition champions’ successors are competing. Their strength might not be inferior to the Food God’s disciple.”

On the road, many warriors were discussing.

Obviously, they too were heading to the imperial city to watch the upcoming Food God Competition.

Though the culinary dao wasn’t mainstream on the Xingyun Continent, as the most prestigious cooking competition, it still attracted considerable attention.

“Little brother, you probably don’t know that at the previous East Hao Province culinary competition, the Food God’s disciple Song Bao made a dish called Dragon-Phoenix Auspicious. When it came out of the pot, it caused celestial phenomena—dragons and phoenixes seemed to circle the firmament!” a warrior said.

Hearing this, surprise appeared on Jun Changxiao’s face.

Cooking a dish could trigger celestial phenomena—this was too fantastical!

“Such a thing happened?”

The traveling warriors were also full of astonishment.

That person said, “The ten judges present at the time, upon seeing the celestial phenomena, didn’t even taste it before directly awarding the Food God’s disciple the championship title!”

“Cooking isn’t alchemy—to actually trigger celestial phenomena is simply incredible!”

“Very normal. After all, back when Food is Heaven competed in the Food God Competition, his dishes would all produce celestial phenomena. If he couldn’t do this, he wouldn’t qualify as the Food God’s disciple.”

…

“Sect Master.”

Liu Wanshi said dejectedly, “I feel less and less confident.”

“Don’t overthink it.”

Jun Changxiao said, “You’re the best!”

Though undeniably this fellow named Song Bao was quite impressive, his own disciple had the Chinese Recipe Collection and knew various cuisines. She might not be unable to defeat him.

Moreover…

Culinary arts competed on color, aroma, and taste.

This kind of behavior triggering celestial phenomena was completely flashy and completely deviated from the culinary dao.

…

Grand Honor Imperial City.

This was Jun Changxiao’s second visit, so entering the city and seeing the prosperous scene, he didn’t show surprise.

“Sect Master Jun.”

City Lord Han transmitted his voice from atop the city tower, “Why have you come again!”

The two were now old acquaintances.

Jun Changxiao smiled, “Bringing my disciple to participate in the Food God Competition.”

“I see.”

City Lord Han said, “Do you have lodging arranged?”

“Planning to find an inn.”

“If Sect Master Jun doesn’t mind, you could stay at Han’s City Lord Manor.”

“This… alright then.”

City Lord Han nearly fell from the tower.

I was just being polite, and he actually had the nerve to agree?

Never be courteous with Sect Master Jun, because this fellow absolutely won’t be courteous back.

…

City Lord Manor, rear courtyard.

Jun Changxiao walked along the small path beside the fish pond, “City Lord Han’s arrangements are very satisfactory to Jun.”

“…”

City Lord Han remained silent.

If he courteously said he’d prepared a feast, would this fellow shamelessly mooch a meal?

“By the way.”

Jun Changxiao sat in the small pavilion, “This Food God Competition is receiving considerable attention across the continent. Is City Lord Han planning live broadcasts?”

City Lord Han shook his head, “The Food God Competition is jointly organized by several families in the city and has nothing to do with Han.”

“I see.”

Jun Changxiao took a sip of tea and said seriously, “City Lord Han, I think this is a money-making opportunity.”

“Money-making opportunity?” City Lord Han was puzzled.

Jun Changxiao said, “On the Xingyun Continent, though martial dao is mainstream, people still need to eat. So food-related programs will definitely be popular. We can use arrays for live broadcasts.”

City Lord Han’s mouth twitched, “Activating arrays consumes manpower and resources. How could we profit from it?”

“Very simple.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Sponsorship!”

“Sponsorship?”

“Put it this way.”

Jun Changxiao said, “We can activate array light screens before the competition starts, then heavily promote the Food God Competition to attract enough attention, then at appropriate times advertise for some family businesses.”

City Lord Han nearly spat out his tea.

Mentioning advertising immediately reminded him of this kid’s shameless behavior during the Dragon-Tiger Championship.

“City Lord.”

A servant came to report, “Young Master Tang of the Tang Family requests an audience.”

Jun Changxiao smiled, “City Lord Han, if you’re willing to use arrays to make money, I think Young Master Tang would definitely be happy to pay a large advertising fee.”