This Yin-Yang Dao Rhyme was no ordinary blend of Yin and Yang forces. Rather, it seemed to encompass visions of both the human world and the netherworld, light and darkness intertwining and transforming. It felt impossibly profound—so much so that it gave the illusion of pulling one's entire mind and spirit into it. The sensation was so overwhelming that when Yi Tianxing snapped back to consciousness, he found himself drenched in cold sweat.
Of course, this Yin-Yang Dao Rhyme was not powerful enough to pull Yi Tianxing in. After all, he possessed the Innate Yin-Yang Eyes, the mother of Yin and Yang, which made him more attuned to such forces. Combined with the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Pagoda's suppression, he remained completely unaffected.
Even so, he could clearly sense the extraordinary nature of the Yin-Yang Inn.
"This is no ordinary inn—it's an artifact-grade building."
Indeed, this structure was unmistakably an artifact-class edifice, flawless in its design, not unlike the Dragon Gate Inn he had seen before. However, it possessed different properties and abilities.
"Let's go. We might as well see what makes the Yin-Yang Inn so unique," Yi Tianxing said with a smile to the Serpent Queen.
She didn't reply, only giving a slight nod.
Without hesitation, the two stepped inside. Outside the Yin-Yang Inn, a steady stream of guests came and went. The Yin-Yang Token served as an entry pass. Judging by the crowd, the inn's reputation was formidable, and many were able to afford a token.
Most guests were shrouded in a thin layer of black mist, lending them an air of mystery. A minority, however, brazenly revealed their appearances. Whether these were their true faces was anyone's guess.
The Yin-Yang Inn was, after all, part of the Ghost Market.
Among those who displayed their appearances, many were clearly not human—some were icy-cold corpses, others grotesque demons. The baleful aura radiating from them made it clear their hands were stained with blood. These were not benevolent beings.
Upon entering the inn, their vision instantly broadened—it was a whole different world inside. The contrast between the exterior and interior was stark, a realm within a realm.
Tables and chairs were neatly arranged. The inn had nine floors: the first three were dining halls, the upper levels provided lodgings. On the fourth floor, flirtatious chatter filled the air—women dressed in red sashes and gauzy veils exuded allure. Some wore only sheer garments, revealing white skin and enticing curves. They resembled courtesans, but were enchanting without vulgarity, flirtatious yet not offensive.
"Female ghosts, demonesses, enchantresses… this Yin-Yang Inn really is full of surprises."
Yi Tianxing couldn't help but feel intrigued. He held no prejudice toward women who traded their bodies for cultivation resources. They simply survived with what they had, and that wasn't something to scorn.
It was obvious that each of these women was stunning—beauties that could be picked from a thousand. Each had her own charm.
Even now, they saw some guests heading to the fourth floor, chatting with the women and leaving hand in hand. There was no need to speculate what came next.
"Tch!"
The Serpent Queen frowned and let out a light scoff.
Promiscuity wasn't rare in the Serpent race—casual intimacy was common, even in the open. However, the Serpent Queen herself had always remained chaste. If not for being in the middle of a mating season, she would likely never have engaged with Yi Tianxing. Even now, her expression only showed faint displeasure.
"Honored guests, welcome to the Yin-Yang Inn! You can rest easy here. Lodging is available upstairs, and if you're hungry, we have exquisite meals. Most importantly, this place is completely safe. Whether you have enemies or grudges, once you step inside, no one can harm you. Also, we have top-tier chefs whose dishes are second to none. Would you like to order something?"
A nimble and cheerful attendant approached them with a beaming smile.
"Oh? What are your signature dishes?" Yi Tianxing asked calmly.
He had come to the Yin-Yang Inn primarily to sample the renowned delicacies whispered about in the Ghost Market.
"Haha, you're in luck today. Our inn brings in top chefs from both the Yin and Yang realms on rotation. Today's head chef is none other than the God of Cuisine."
The attendant winked with pride.
"God of Cuisine? Anyone daring to take that title must be incredible. I'm looking forward to it," Yi Tianxing said, eyes lighting up.
"Absolutely! Among all the contracted chefs at the Yin-Yang Inn, the God of Cuisine is the finest. Every dish is a rare treasure. Though… the price might be a bit steep," the attendant replied, swallowing back a bit of drool just mentioning it.
"What about the first and second floors?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"We categorize chefs here into nine tiers," the attendant explained."One- to three-star chefs are Specialty Chefs, four to six stars are Culinary Immortals, and seven to nine stars are Gods of Cuisine. The first floor only serves dishes from Specialty Chefs, the second floor showcases Culinary Immortals' dishes, and the third floor is reserved for meals made exclusively by Gods of Cuisine."
It was a strict hierarchy, and clearly non-negotiable.
A chef's worth was measured by whether they could prepare peak-tier cuisine. If not, they had no place among the elite. Skill was everything. No amount of boasting could fake real culinary excellence. One bite was all it took to know the truth.
This ranking system intrigued Yi Tianxing.
"So how do you determine these levels—Specialty Chef, Culinary Immortal, God of Cuisine?" the Serpent Queen asked curiously.
"To become a Specialty Chef, your food must emit light. That's the minimum. If your food glows, you're at least a one-star chef.A Culinary Immortal creates food that not only glows, but also has special effects—medicinal or mystical, like spiritual dishes that enhance the body.A God of Cuisine, however, can influence emotions through food. Their dishes can make you laugh, cry… even control your soul. They are culinary deities."
The attendant looked awestruck.
Gods of Cuisine could rule your appetite and emotions—make you cry on command or laugh uncontrollably. Emotions were ingredients in their own right.They could bring life or cause death with a single dish.
That level of mastery was akin to Dao itself.
Any craft, when pushed to that degree, became a form of cultivation path.
"Glowing food is just the entry point to becoming a Specialty Chef… fascinating. I wonder what rank Lai He would be in here." Yi Tianxing mused, but then said aloud,"Give me a private seat on the third floor—and bring the menu."
If he was going to eat, he'd eat the best. Only God-level cuisine was worthy of his visit.
"Right away! Please, this way."
The attendant's smile widened even further. A third-floor diner was definitely a high-roller. Each dish here was worth a small fortune.
Following the guide, the pair ascended to the third floor. It was divided into private dining booths, each separated by screens imbued with restrictions, forming soundproof barriers for maximum privacy and peace.
Savoring gourmet food, after all, required elegance and calm.
Once seated, the attendant immediately pulled out a large jade tome.
"Honored guests, this is our third-floor menu—dishes from the God of Cuisine. You may order anything here. Prices are also listed."
Opening the tome revealed lifelike illustrations of dishes that practically jumped off the page—rich in color, scent, and visual appeal. They weren't just food; they were works of art.
One dish, for example, looked like a carved carp—translucent and jade-like, with flawless features so realistic it seemed to swim on the plate. Yet it was purely a result of sublime knife work, almost Dao-level sculpting.
The name of the dish: "Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate."
Its listed price: 3,000 units.
"What does this price mean? What currency are you using?" Yi Tianxing asked.
There was no mention of whether it was crystal coins, eternal coins, or anything else. And 3,000 of one wasn't equal to 3,000 of another.
"Ah, we use Willing Force Pearls here. This dish costs 3,000 Willing Force Pearls."
The attendant clarified swiftly.
These Willing Force Pearls were the standard currency at the Yin-Yang Inn—and they were not something just anyone could obtain. Each one was exceedingly precious. Those with access to them were anything but ordinary.