Chapter 180: You Were the One Who Encouraged Me

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: You Were the One Who Encouraged Me

"The records of the Hundred Flowers Valley clearly state that most of the powerful experts we now call our founders were originally forced to come here because their factions needed Spiritual Cuisine."

"In other words, if your senior brother has a mind to, he could very likely replicate this. When that happens, the Ye Family might not even get a spot in line."

Lady Ye stroked Ye Linglong’s back, her tone calm. And that wasn’t even the most terrifying part. The truly terrifying part was that those who were sent weren’t even the most talented. The great factions aren’t fools, yet in the end, it was these people who became powerhouses.

A cultivator at the Qi Refining Peak can run rampant across the Land of the Seven Kingdoms. And if a Third Grade Spirit Chef is willing to nurture someone, they can single-handedly raise them to the Late Stage of Qi Refining with Spiritual Cuisine alone. Add just a sliver of talent, and reaching Qi Refining Peak is practically guaranteed.

They wouldn’t even need to resort to any tricks. Female Cultivators with limited resources would flock to the Hundred Flowers Valley on their own initiative—and not just Female Cultivators.

"But you were encouraging me just a moment ago."

Ye Linglong looked at her mother with a sigh. Ever since she found out her senior brother was a Third Grade Spirit Chef, her mother was like a completely different person.

"I’m just telling you how much influence a Third Grade Spirit Chef has. If you can really win him over, your father and I could reach the Qi Refining Peak without even trying. After that, even reaching Foundation Establishment wouldn’t be out of the question."

"But don’t feel pressured. Our greatest hope is for you to be happy. If you aren’t happy, then it doesn’t matter how high our Cultivation gets; our lives would be meaningless."

Lady Ye was perfectly serene. She had once been resolved to die. But then she met a good man and had such a wonderful, obedient daughter. She had already gotten more out of life than she’d ever expected.

"In any case, I just feel that my daily life with Senior Brother on the mountain is wonderful. I even wish it could go on forever."

Ye Linglong nodded. Unfortunately, some things wouldn’t change just because she wished they would. Their Master and Mistress were returning to the Mo Family, which meant they had to leave too. There was no point in staying at Purple Bamboo Peak.

Even if they weren’t returning to the Mo Family, Purple Cloud Valley would eventually assign her senior brother missions. His status as a Spirit Chef might mean the tasks would be simple, but he was bound to get busy.

’After returning to the Mo Family, Master and Mistress will surely have things for us to do. Going back doesn’t mean we can cultivate in peace. It’s the beginning of a much busier life.’

Inside the room, Liu Chen reached out and, with a tap of his finger, turned the ordinary wooden table before him into gold.

’I can only practice non-aggressive Magic, but that’s not bad. The Eye-blocking Technique might be common, but it can have miraculous effects when used well.’

Liu Chen leaned over to examine the golden table. In his vision, it was riddled with flaws. His practice of the Bright Eyes Technique had not been in vain.

After evolving into his unique version, the Bright Eyes Technique was split into passive and active modes. The passive mode enhanced his eyes’ Insight, making it about ten times stronger than before. The active mode was used for observing Spiritual Veins, allowing him to see through Cultivators, plants, and even Demon Beasts.

’Of course, the effectiveness of any support-type Magic is predicated on one’s Cultivation. Against those in a Low Realm, I can see everything without issue. Against someone in the same Realm, it depends on both of our conditions. As for those in a High Realm... better not even to think about it.’

’The road ahead is long. After I master the Eye-blocking Technique, I’ll learn the Transformation Technique. Then my disguises will be even more perfect.’

Liu Chen shook his head. While he couldn’t practice any loud Attacking Skills at the Ye Mansion, there were still some techniques among the Magic his mistress had given him that he could work on. The two he was most interested in were the Eye-blocking Technique and the Transformation Technique.

The former was a Basic Magic Technique that used Spiritual Power to change the appearance of inanimate objects. The latter was an Intermediate Magic that used Spiritual Power to alter one’s own appearance and clothing. The change wouldn’t affect his movement, and as long as he wasn’t injured so severely that he couldn’t maintain the spell, he wouldn’t have to worry about his identity being exposed even if he got hurt.

’His mistress really understood him. If he could combine these two Magic techniques, he could handle future matters with much greater secrecy.’

"Senior Brother, I brought the ingredients! I’m going to teach you how to make red-braised pork."

As dinnertime approached, Ye Linglong arrived in the courtyard. Hearing her voice, Liu Chen hurried out of his room.

"Red-braising?"

Liu Chen walked out of the room, looking a little stunned. Back on Purple Bamboo Peak, Junior Sister Linglong had taught him how to stir-fry. He had used that method almost exclusively, right up until he became a Third Grade Spirit Chef.

After that, various things had gotten in the way, preventing Ye Linglong from teaching him any more cooking Skills. Honestly, Liu Chen never expected to hear her mention a cooking method like "red-braising."

"It’s a very versatile method. You can prepare basically ninety percent of all ingredients this way. It’s Suyao’s favorite."

Ye Linglong nodded, placed an ordinary Storage Ring on the table, and took out a portion of common ingredients and some cooking utensils.

"I’ll use ordinary ingredients to show you, Senior Brother."

Ye Linglong didn’t hesitate. Previously, she might have explained things in more detail, but knowing how quickly her senior brother learned in this regard, she felt she could skip the tedious parts. All he needed to do was memorize the whole process, and after a few tries, he would figure it out completely.

It had been the same with the Bamboo Shoots and the Spirit Porridge. Ye Linglong wasn’t sure if it was her senior brother’s special Talent or just a fundamental skill for all Spirit Chefs, but she admired it immensely. A technique that had taken her months of hard work to master, he could grasp completely after just a few attempts.

With that, Ye Linglong began her demonstration. Before long, the aroma of red-braised pork, familiar from Liu Chen’s memories, filled the air. To be more precise, it was far more fragrant than the version he knew how to make.

’Then again, it made sense.’ The Ye Mansion was a Cultivation Clan, after all. Even though they had been suppressed by the Nangong Family, any non-Spiritual Qi ingredients they purchased would still be the absolute best the mortal world had to offer—far beyond anything he could have accessed in his past life.

"You’re incredibly skilled, Junior Sister. If I’d known I’d have to participate in the Mo Family’s trial, I would have started learning more cooking from you sooner."

Liu Chen was entranced by the aroma. Ignoring the effects of Spiritual Qi, he would have gladly traded a Third Grade Spiritual Cuisine for a plate of this red-braised pork.

"It’s not too late. We aren’t participating in the arena matches anyway, so we can keep cooking right up until the end of the ceremony."

Ye Linglong smiled faintly. ’If I spend all this time teaching him,’ she thought, ’then later, when he’s in the trial feeling lonely and reminiscing, he’ll think of me more than he thinks of Ji Suyao. I’ll have a temporary lead!’

"Thank you for your hard work, Junior Sister. Now, let’s see if I can use this method to make Spiritual Cuisine."

Liu Chen grew excited. ’This is about my future quality of life. A Loose Cultivator’s life is good or bad based on one thing: resources. Barring any accidents, I should have at least a million Spirit Stones by the time I leave Purple Cloud Valley.’

’With that, and my Skills as a Spirit Chef, I could live a very comfortable life. I’ll have a Cultivation Technique, Spirit Stones, and good food. All that’s left is to find a peaceful place to cultivate.’

"You jest, Senior Brother."

Ye Linglong shook her head. ’Even setting aside my personal feelings, my parents are still waiting for that Third Grade Spiritual Cuisine.’