Chapter 66 - 28: Tasting a Hundred Flavors, Requirements to Become a Gourmet

Chapter 66: Chapter 28: Tasting a Hundred Flavors, Requirements to Become a Gourmet

Jiang Xuan furrowed his brow slightly at the sight of Zeng Jun, but he had no intention of backing down.

In terms of pure strength, as a Clear Heart Swordsman who possessed the Sword of the Spirit, he had nothing to fear from them. Jiang Xuan could even put up a fight if Zeng Jun and Guo Shaoshang were to team up against him.

As Jiang Xuan walked over, Zeng Jun glanced up at him, a profound glint flickering in the depths of his eyes, but ultimately, he said nothing.

Xie Hanyan did the same. She simply turned to Dong Hao to confirm, "Are you sure you want to give him the recommendation opportunity?"

"Mm."

"I understand. We’ll gather at the entrance of the Daoist School at noon."

With that, she walked over to the side, sat down, and closed her eyes to regulate her breathing, preparing for the morning Cultivation session.

Seeing this, Jiang Xuan and Dong Hao didn’t disturb her further and returned to their seats at the side. As soon as they sat down, Dong Hao lowered his voice to bring up another matter. "The Dharma Vein assessment is scheduled for this afternoon, so your celebration dinner will have to be moved to tonight."

"That’s fine," Jiang Xuan replied calmly.

...

Now that the peak he would join at the Mountain Gate was decided, it was time for the Chen Daoist School’s immutable morning Cultivation session.

As usual, before cultivating, Jiang Xuan went through his preparatory rites. He first performed the Purification and washed his hands, followed by the Purification of the Mouth and the Purifying Heart. After completing the set of rituals, he cast the Three Purification Mantra・True Communication on himself. Only when his Heart Spirit had returned to a state of pure, untainted clarity did he formally begin his Cultivation.

This time, however, he wasn’t practicing the One Qi Sword Technique, but the Nine Breath Qi Refining Method.

"HUUU... HAAA..."

Thanks to the Dao Foundation Contract, Jiang Xuan’s practice of this Cultivation Technique went very smoothly.

It was going so smoothly that he suddenly realized he didn’t need to remain in a state of Sitting Meditation!

With his breathing and the technique’s operation synchronized, he could sit, lie down, walk, or even be distracted by other matters without interrupting the Cultivation Technique’s circulation in the slightest.

This was a Trait that should have only unlocked once the Cultivation Technique reached the Third Realm, Mastery of Minor Success. But thanks to the custom fit from the Dao Foundation Contract, coupled with the [Qi Sensitivity] Trait he’d unlocked upon becoming a Qi Cultivator apprentice, Jiang Xuan had managed to achieve this step early, while still in the Second Realm.

’As expected of the class system’s abilities.’

’Hmm... this must also be related to the Nine Breath Qi Refining Method’s Circulation of Heaven and Earth Trait. If I were using a different Cultivation Technique, I definitely wouldn’t have it this easy.’

The only thing Jiang Xuan found slightly regrettable at the moment was that with his current Divine Soul and Power of Origin, he could only adapt to one Cultivation Technique, and he couldn’t switch it out midway.

’As for a second slot for a Dao Foundation Contract, I’ll either have to wait until my Qi Cultivator class advances and unlocks a new one, or I’ll have to wait until the moment I formally forge my Dao Foundation.’

That was still a long way off. Jiang Xuan shook his head and pushed the thought to the back of his mind.

Then, he stood up.

Since he could cultivate without Sitting Meditation, continuing to sit there stiffly was just a waste of time, putting on an act for no reason.

Jiang Xuan had no intention of doing that. While the others were cultivating, he planned to complete all the prerequisites for the Kitchen Apprentice class.

’If I’m quick, one morning should be enough to finish all the prerequisites... I wonder what Traits I’ll unlock after becoming a Kitchen Apprentice.’

Filled with anticipation for the new class, Jiang Xuan stood up and left his seat.

RUSTLE...

Although he tried to be as careful as possible when he stood up, his position in the front row meant that some people still noticed him.

Disturbances were the last thing anyone wanted during the morning Cultivation session, and Jiang Xuan’s movements caused more than a few people to frown.

But unlike in the past, this time, very few people voiced their ridicule. The gazes directed at him were filled more with probing curiosity.

The ordinary students in the back, in particular, stared at his retreating figure, the same thought rising in all their minds: ’Has he found another special Cultivation Technique?’

He was learning a clear lesson today: as long as you were strong enough, others would automatically find a good reason for your eccentric behavior.

Ignoring them, Jiang Xuan walked slowly out of the training grounds and went straight to Chen’s Grocery Store next to the Daoist School.

The Chen Daoist School had over three thousand students. Of these, only ten to twenty percent were born into Immortal Sects; the rest came from various Dynasties and Immortal Cities from All Over the World. These students had no residences in the Shenxiao Sect’s Outer Sect and mostly lived in the Daoist School’s dormitories. With so many people, a grocery store selling daily necessities was a natural development.

The Chen’s Grocery Store that Jiang Xuan had arrived at was just such a place. It was quite well-stocked, with everything from Elixir Pills and Talismans for Cultivation to common, everyday items for mortals.

There, Jiang Xuan purchased two hundred cucumbers, one hundred eggs... as well as an iron pot, charcoal, and a kitchen knife.

Jiang Xuan had originally intended to move these things to a secluded spot by himself, but before he could even start, a respectful voice sounded from his side. "Young Master Jiang Xuan, please let me handle such menial tasks."

The speaker was none other than Cheng Cultivator, and his sudden appearance surprised Jiang Xuan slightly.

"Don’t you have morning Cultivation to attend?"

"My Cultivation can be done at any time. The Young Master’s affairs are what’s most important."

Cheng Cultivator’s utterly respectful demeanor, prioritizing Jiang Xuan’s needs above all else, left Jiang Xuan a bit speechless. It once again confirmed his belief that he could never, ever be a servant—the servants in this world were just too ridiculously competitive.

But he had to admit, having someone to lend a hand really did save a lot of trouble.

Cheng Cultivator was especially efficient. In just a few moments, he had found a secluded clearing, set up the iron pot, lit the charcoal fire, and laid out a wooden table and cutting board. He handled all the miscellaneous chores so perfectly that Jiang Xuan didn’t have to worry about a thing, allowing him to focus solely on preparing the ingredients.