193: This bath water actually has properties?

“However, I must make one thing clear first,” Mo Yan explained. “The reason these dishes you see have such miraculous effects is not because the ingredients themselves are Heaven-Defying.”

“It’s because they come from the hands of a Great Master-level Ling food chef.”

“Ling food chef?” Zhang Chen and Liu Zihao exchanged glances. They had only heard about them in scattered intelligence reports from certain Cultivation System lords, but had never truly encountered one.

This was a lifestyle profession even rarer than an Artifact Refiner or Formation Master; only low-level talents could be recruited in Taverns.

It was said that the resources required to cultivate an Advanced Ling food chef were enough to arm a small team.

What's more, a Great Master-level one!

“Exactly.” Mo Yan nodded. “Cooking techniques, heat control, and even the chef’s mastery over Spiritual Qi will affect the final product’s effectiveness.”

“If you take the same ingredients and cook them yourselves, the effect might not even be one-tenth as good. At most, it will only be slightly better than ordinary food.”

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the burning thought that had just ignited in Zhang Chen’s heart—the idea of mass-improving the strength of official personnel by trading for ingredients.

He instantly understood Mo Yan’s meaning.

This wasn't selling vegetables; this was selling technology authorization, and an exclusive monopoly at that.

They could buy the ingredients, but they couldn’t buy the Great Master-level Ling food chef who could maximize the ingredients’ effects.

How many trump cards did he still hide?

A bitter expression appeared on Zhang Chen’s face.

Ever since the official announcement in the early days advised lords with ordinary talent not to easily choose the Cultivation System, very few people had taken that path.

The reasons were nothing more than weak early-stage combat power, huge resource consumption, and strict requirements for the Comprehension Ability of talents within the territory.

Most of the Cultivation System lords the officials had contacted were still worried about how to cultivate their first Qi Refinement Stage Cultivator, let alone Advanced talents like Ling food chefs.

Mo Yan, not only was his own strength a mystery, but he had an Artifact Refining Great Master under his command, and now another Ling food Great Master had appeared…

How many trump cards did he still hide?

The more Zhang Chen thought about it, the deeper his awe for Mo Yan became.

“So, what I can provide you with can only be the finished, cooked products.” Mo Yan watched Zhang Chen’s changing expression and continued, “Of course, in terms of price, it will be quite a bit more expensive than just the ingredients.”

“That’s natural! That’s how it should be!” Zhang Chen snapped back to reality, quickly nodding, afraid that Mo Yan would go back on his word.

“As for the method of transaction…” Mo Yan pondered for a moment. “I need more practical things.”

He opened his Lord panel, edited a message, and sent it to Zhang Chen.

A virtual light screen popped up in front of Zhang Chen.

On the light screen was a long list.

[Transaction List]

1. Gold/Gold Coins: Large quantity.

2. Soul Fragments: 500.

3. Exotic Beast Essence: 500.

4. Blazing Flame Wood: 500.

5. Fire-attributed Exotic Beast Tendons: 500.

6. Purple Gold iron Ore: 500.

7. Thunder Crystal Marrow: 500.

8. Thunder Crystal: 500.

9. Thunder Pattern Vine: 500.

…

The list was densely packed, with dozens of Materials.

Zhang Chen could understand the gold at the beginning.

Gold could be refined into gold coins and used to upgrade buildings; its value was self-evident.

With the official reserves, it could still be provided.

But from the second item, Soul Fragments, Zhang Chen’s expression gradually froze.

Soul Fragments?

Just the name sent chills down one's spine.

Exotic Beast Essence, Blazing Flame Wood, Purple Gold Iron…

These Materials were only available on the merit resource list; all of them were rare quality or above, and each one was priceless.

And the last two, Thunder Crystal Marrow and Thunder Pattern Vine, only had small stockpiles.

Any single item on this list would be enough to bankrupt a small to medium-sized lord’s power.

And Mo Yan, in one breath, wanted so much!

“Mr. Mo…” Zhang Chen’s voice was a bit dry. “This list… forgive my bluntness, but some of these Materials, our official reserves may not even have.”

He wasn't making excuses; he was stating the truth.

Especially something like Soul Fragments, he had never even heard of it.

Mo Yan had anticipated him saying this: “You do your best to collect them. Whatever you have, counts. I can exchange them for Ling food of equivalent value.”

The Materials on this list were all copied from the several equipment blueprints he had drawn earlier.

Once these pieces of equipment were manufactured, the territory’s strength would experience a qualitative leap.

With the power of the officials, the efficiency of collecting these Materials would definitely be much higher than him aimlessly searching on his own like a headless fly.

This was a win-win deal.

“I understand!” Zhang Chen’s eyes became incredibly firm. “Mr. Mo, please rest assured! I will immediately report this list to Major General He!”

“We will do our utmost to gather these supplies for you!”

“Mm.” Mo Yan stood up. “It’s getting late, Uncle Qin, please take our two distinguished guests to the guest rooms to rest.”

“Yes, my lord.” Uncle Qin bowed and replied.

Mo Yan saw that the two were feeling a surge of Qi and blood due to the immense medicinal power of the Ling food, making them somewhat weak from the supplementation, so he added: “Oh, right, Uncle Qin, please also take them to the Bathhouse to experience a soak. It will perfectly dissolve the Spiritual Qi gained today, so it won’t be wasted.”

He looked at Zhang Chen and Liu Zihao, who had already stood up, revealing a meaningful smile.

“You’ll like it there.”

Zhang Chen and Liu Zihao exchanged glances. Although they had doubts, they respectfully agreed.

Led by Uncle Qin, they arrived at a standalone building.

At the entrance of the courtyard hung an ancient wooden plaque, inscribed with two boldly written characters—Bathhouse.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a warm current mixed with steam and a peculiar fragrance wafted towards them.

The scene inside once again refreshed their understanding.

Before their eyes was not a modern bathroom, but an elegant hot spring courtyard. It was divided into male and female bathing pools.

Inside, there were also several sauna rooms and shower areas.

Outside, there was a huge pool carved from a single piece of green jade. The pool water was crystal clear, with wisps of white mist floating on the surface, and a faint Spiritual light visible within the mist.

By the pool, clean clothes and towels were laid out, along with incense burners with burning sandalwood.

In the distance, there were also independent small hot springs.

“My lords, please make yourselves at home. This old servant will wait outside.” After Uncle Qin finished speaking, he withdrew.

With anticipation, Zhang Chen and Liu Zihao took off their clothes, quickly rinsed themselves, and then slowly stepped into the pool.

The moment the warm pool water enveloped their bodies, both of them simultaneously let out a comfortable groan.

The next second, the familiar System prompt sounded in their minds.

[Hint: You are soaking in a Spiritual Spring. Stamina and Mental Energy recovery speed +30%, lasting 40 minutes.]

Their bodies stiffened, and their eyes widened like copper bells.

This… this f*cking bathwater even has attributes?!

Why was this completely different from the bonus effects of the Bathhouse buildings in their own territories?

They felt that the somewhat restless energy in their bodies from the big meal just now was quickly becoming docile under the soothing influence of the pool water, gently smoothing out their tense meridians.

The old injury on Zhang Chen’s left shoulder, which had followed him for several years and would subtly ache on rainy days, now felt a tingling itch—a sign of Qi and blood flowing through again!

Just as the two were immersed in this feeling of rebirth, from another hot spring obscured by bamboo groves next door, the cheerful conversation of several men drifted over.