novelraw Chapter 45 A Small Gathering of Old Friends
Chapter 45 A Small Gathering of Old Friends
Chapter 45 A Small Gathering of Old Friends
Chen Yi calmly lifted the lid of the copper pot, and the aroma of the Xuanhuo snake meat wrapped in golden threads instantly dispelled the chill. He scooped up a spoonful of snake soup and handed it to her: "Fairy, why don't you try this first?"
Qin Chengcheng accepted the soup with a cold face, but her pupils dilated slightly the moment the soup touched her tongue.
The snake meat melts in your mouth, and the power of the fire spirit flows like a hot spring, even the most difficult-to-treat fishy smell turns into a sweet aftertaste.
She subconsciously picked up another piece of grilled snake belly. When the crispy skin cracked open, the nectar-like meat inside carried a cool medicinal fragrance—it was Ice Crystal Grass! The two extreme properties were handled seamlessly.
Qin Chengcheng took three bites before putting down her chopsticks, her ear tips slightly red.
"Ahem—, this whole pot is mine. I'll try it when I get back and see."
Is this a mutated, top-grade first-tier Xuanhuo Serpent?
Your cooking skills are passable. I'll figure out a way to deal with the monsters. You can cook something else for yourself tonight.
"Then leave the pot behind!"
Chen Yi was dumbfounded. This was his dinner tonight, but his aunt had taken the whole thing.
Upon entering the Myriad Sounds Pavilion, Qin Chengcheng initially didn't require much food, while Chen Yi had more free time each day.
He had ample time to cultivate fundamental techniques such as the [Turtle Breathing Water and Wood Technique] and the [Vajra Skill].
With no need for leatherworking or talisman-making, Chen Yi had extra time to occasionally prepare a spiritual meal to aid his body-refining cultivation.
Every few days, Qin Chengcheng would ask Chen Yi to study second-order formations.
Qin Chengcheng was under immense pressure due to the life-or-death constraints imposed on her soul, and Chen Yi was the only person she could open her heart to and understand her pain.
Gradually, she became less wary of Chen Yi.
When the two sat down together to discuss solutions to the second-order formation, Qin Chengcheng sometimes disregarded her image, wearing pajamas and with her hair down, and casually sat down with Chen Yi to talk.
When she got tired of talking, she would dress up and go out for a while. She would somehow get a first-grade high-quality mutated demon beast and throw it to Chen Yi. These were all things Chen Yi had mentioned before. However, the battle in the lake ahead was intense, and no second-grade demon beasts had been killed yet.
Chen Yi would take those mutated demonic beasts to the kitchen next door, where he would first absorb some of their special spirituality, demonic power, and baleful energy to use as energy for his cultivation that night.
Then it is cooked using a special method.
Not long after, Chen Yi brought the pot back to the house, and the two of them ate while studying the formation.
After taking a few bites, Qin Chengcheng would focus her attention on the spiritual food, praising Chen Yi's culinary skills.
"No wonder you were so confident in winning the position of Spirit Chef through the blind selection; you had this trick up your sleeve."
Qin Chengcheng casually picked up a jade pen used for drawing arrays and tied her hair up. One bare foot was placed on a stool, and the hem of her skirt fell loose, revealing a slender, pale white leg.
As she ate the fish slice hotpot, she fanned her mouth with her small hand, hissing and panting. The spiciness brought a blush to her cheeks, fine beads of sweat appeared on her nose, and her red lips pouted slightly from the heat.
"Honestly, how many female cultivators have you fooled with your cooking skills?"
"You jest, fairy. The flavor of this spiritual food is merely icing on the cake; what's truly precious is its enhancement of cultivation efficiency after cooking. I, Chen, only awakened to this truth when I was on my deathbed, and have long since seen through the illusions of the world. My only wish for the rest of my life is to live a few more years in peace and tranquility."
"Tch, boring." She pouted, but then picked up a piece of snake meat and squinted her eyes with satisfaction.
Moonlight streamed through the window, and she looked in that direction.
"Chen Yi, tell me, if we can't break the restriction on my soul in five years, will all our efforts here over the past five years have been in vain?"
Sometimes I think, if I knew I only had five years left to live, I might as well live life to the fullest and make my life as vibrant as possible.
"No regrets after the effort. Every effort we make now is laying the groundwork for the fairy's rebirth five years from now."
When the fairy's remaining life spans five hundred years, or five thousand years, looking back then, these will be nothing more than an interlude in her long journey to immortality.
Upon hearing this, Qin Chengcheng smiled, brightening the entire room.
"What a delightful interlude! Well then, I'll take your good wishes. If this fairy can truly overcome this tribulation and live for a thousand years..."
After your passing, I will erect a fine jade tablet in your honor. If you have descendants, I will guide an outstanding one onto the path of immortality.
To thank you for your contribution to this little interlude.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi's lips twitched slightly. This woman, does she really think I'll die at a hundred years old?
"The path to immortality is long; may you, fellow Daoist, live forever."
Chen Yi replied softly.
The Lake and Sea Market has been bustling with activity lately. News that the Dong family, together with several Foundation Establishment cultivators, has organized a team to venture deep into the lake to mine second-tier ice crystals has already spread throughout the entire market.
Every day, groups of cultivators would head there, and wounded ones would retreat in disarray. Cultivators could be seen discussing this matter everywhere in the market streets.
Chen Yi, however, remained steadfastly seated in the backyard of the Myriad Sounds Pavilion, devoting his days to studying formations and cultivating techniques. Occasionally, he would retreat to Qin Chengcheng's room to discuss and refine the complex soul-binding restriction.
He ate her food, drank her drinks, and occasionally slept in her bed; life was quite pleasant.
Sometimes when I hear news of someone else's great success, I just smile calmly and continue to focus on my own spiritual practice.
That morning, Chen Yi was processing a newly delivered Tier 1 high-grade "Frost Carp" in the courtyard when he suddenly noticed something and received a communication talisman.
Liu Chenggang invited Chen Yi to a banquet via a communication talisman, saying only that he had good news to share.
After thinking about it, Chen Yi did not refuse. He was also curious about the situation underwater and wondered what the old turtle was thinking.
"Senior Liu, it's been a long time." Chen Yi bowed and glanced at Liu Chenggang. He noticed that the other man's aura was strong and he had recovered to the eighth level of Qi Refining. He raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Hahaha, Brother Chen!" Liu Chenggang laughed and stepped forward, grabbing Chen Yi's hand. "Come on, come on, today I'm hosting a banquet at Zuixianlou, especially for you!"
Chen Yi noticed that Hao Youren, Lao Hu, and others were standing behind Liu Chenggang, all with happy expressions on their faces. Lao Hu had a newly acquired storage bag hanging from his waist, while Hao Youren had changed into a brand-new robe.
Seeing that they were all acquaintances, Chen Yi didn't refuse anymore. However, his cultivation level of the sixth level of Qi Refining was the lowest among them. Even Old Hu's magical power aura was slightly higher than Chen Yi's.
These people must have gained quite a bit of benefit!
At the dinner table, Liu Chenggang was in high spirits, his voice even louder than usual: "Brother Chen, you have no idea what a stroke of luck this trip to the lake was! I found a top-grade first-tier ice crystal ore, exchanged it for a 'Rejuvenation Pill,' and not only were my old injuries healed, but my cultivation level even advanced a notch!"
Hao Youren chimed in, "Master Liu has actually turned misfortune into blessing this time. I saw that ice crystal ore with my own eyes; it was crystal clear and contained an inner chill. It's worth at least three hundred spirit stones!"
Chen Yi listened with a smile, nodding occasionally in agreement. He noticed that Liu Chenggang walked with a straight back and a sharp glint in his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual dejected appearance.
(End of this chapter)