Pef worked in his kitchen, time sped up around himself and his Avatars as they chopped and mixed ingredients for the Five-flavoured Cake.

Lia and Zara also contributed in their own ways, Lia by preparing the base tea while Zara crafted the dough for more cookies.

Tonight, the Bronze Gate would open and receive the first truly important guests. Be they Province Governors, independent Nobles or various Sect Leaders, everyone with enough power or influence will come, if they wanted to advance their cultivation.

It was also a political statement, for those of such power. For the Mercy War had already begun and the Mercy Seat had suffered a giant defeat against the Celestial Restaurant. A hundred Throne Authorities, powerhouses in the 10th Tier or Bronze Realm had vanished without leaving a single trace.

Minor conflicts in the past had alluded to the unfathomable strengh of the restaurant, as a few Nobles tried their luck to abscond with the recipes of fast cultivation and also vanished.

And while the Mercy Seat had not released an Edict about any war or rebellion, everyone in the know was expecting it to come.

In the meanwhile, the Celestial Restaurant continued to operate peacefully, selling various types of food or drink that increased cultivation with no repercursions. It almost seemed that the Divine Cook had forgotten about the attack, when news about the Bronze Gate began to spread in the Middle Heavens.

It was already known and tested that the previous restaurant gates provided Ascension aids for Golden, Silver and Copper Realms, but the Bronze Realm was different.

Who among the millions of Copper Realm Sect Elders didn't want to Ascend further, and reach the pinnacle of cultivation?

Any amount of wealth would be worth it. Even the prospect of becoming enemies with the Mercy Seat was tolerable, since the Authorities were proven powerless.

And thus, a giant gathering had formed in the Cloud City, with the poor Cloud Governor being overwhelemed by some many prestigious visitors, including tens of Bronze Realm powerhouses, plus their families, disciples and subordinates, basically anyone considered worthy to spend a fortune to Ascend.

And then, the Bronze Gate opened and a single Bronze Realm golem walked out and spoke in mild Words that covered the entire gathering in golden waves.

"Restaurant guests are invited to line up for entrance. Do your best to be polite. It costs nothing."

The meaning of the Words was clear for those able to understand. Lack of politeness would cost everything.

Somehow avoing to get tangled or push others aside, a long line formed in front of the Bronze Gate, and some Bronze Realm Nobles had to endure the disrespect of standing behind lower ranked cultivators and not daring to smack them aside.

By some method of consensus, the Cloud Governor and his retinue found themselves first in line, despite his lower Copper Realm cultivation.

The Bronze Realm Golem measured the line with its 10 purple gem eyes, then nodded satisfied. "First hundred may enter now. That is the maximum number." the metal being spoke in a rumbling tone and stepped to the side.

As expected, the numbers did not match the lineup and a Noble family of seven had to make way for a small group of three cultivators that filled the numbers to 100.

One of the younger scions glared at the Bronze Realm golem as if demanding satisfaction. Runes flared alive on the golem's hands, as if daring him to speak. Before tensions could spike, the Noble slammed a heavy hand on his son's shoulder. "We're happy enough to be here, esteemed guardian. We can wait." The sound of breaking bones could be heard under the Noble's hand.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The golem tilted its head, then shrugged in an awkward mechanical way as the runes stopped glowing.

"I told you nothing will happen at the entrance. That golem is too scary." a man in blue robes spoke to his companion as they watched the scene with curious eyes.

"Something did happen and it was not the golem." his companion answered while taking a bite from a fried bird leg he casually took out from somewhere.

"Oh? Did you see something? We both have the same Silver Realm." the first man asked incredulous.

"I saw a Noble slapped in the face in front of millions. And he was happy for it." the second man answered in-between bites.

"..." the blue-robbed man frowned as he mused over this. While his friend was exagerating a bit, there was a truth here. The Celestial Restaurant had become such a power that nobody even dared to argue against it. Even Nobles were affraid of losing customer privileges.

"Up for another match in the arena?" he asked instead.

"Anytime. As long as that crazy tiger is not around." the second man muttered between gulps.

The blue-robbed man rubbed his neck in phantom pain. Getting broken like a twig was quite painful.

---------------------

"Cloud Governor, we meet again." Pef observed with an easy voice as he joined the Governor's table.

"Divine Cook. Is it actually true?" the old man asked in a hopeful voice.

Pef smiled kindly. "If you're asking about the Bronze Realm Ascension, then yes. It has been tested already."

"Without tribulation?" the Cloud Governor asked with a trembling tone.

Pef blinked in confusion, before realizing most cultivators feared tribulations the most. Most of them did die during failed Ascensions, far more than in conflict. There was a reason there were fewer than a thousand Tier 10 cultivators in the entire Middle Heavens, and it wasn't a giant war. Not for many years.

"I think there's a confusion somewhere. There can be no Ascension without Tribulation." Pef said with a smirk.

"It is delayed?" a Cloud Herald asked from across the table.

Pef turned towards the Herald, and gently patted his hand in a friendly manner. "You practice the Dao of Forging, right? When you achieve a perfect Artifact, what happens? A Tribulation bolt falls."

While the Herald mulled over the implications, Pef produced a plate with a five color cake surrounded by a glowing tribulation cloud and slid it in front of the old Governor. "The cloud itself tastes divine and the cake is my Dao Fruit. This way, you can have your Tribulation and eat it too." he added with a wry voice.

Almost fearfully, the Governor took up a small spoon and ate his cake with measured moves, his face glowing with innumerable emotions. By the time he finished the last bit, he already crossed into Bronze Realm, without any life-threatening tribulation or incredible pain like from Medicine Sect's pills.

Not that anyone sane would even try their Bronze Realm Pills. Even the far weaker Copper Pills had a 99.999 percent death chance.

"Tastes good, right?" Pef asked to make sure.

The Governor just fell to his knees and bowed towards Pef with his forehead hitting the floor. "Anything you need, Divine Cook. This gift has no price."

Pef frowned then scratched his cheek. "I understand. We'll talk about the price later." then he turned towards the awed cultivators at the table. "There will be a waiter soon to take your orders. I recommend the cake, but the tea is also great."