Chapter 71: Little Ambitious Flower

Chapter 71: Chapter 71: Little Ambitious Flower

The One World Communication in his robes vibrated a few times. Chang Ming took it out and saw it was a message from Senior Brother Qin Zhan.

"Are you all still in the same spot?"

Chang Ming was touched by his senior brother’s concern and quickly replied, "Yes."

"That’s good. Just wait, I’ve got a surprise for you."

After that single sentence, Senior Brother Qin Zhan went offline again, leaving Chang Ming to rack his brain, wondering what his senior brother was being so mysterious about.

Of course, he was very much looking forward to it.

He rubbed his hands together gleefully.

In a place like this, and with children to look after, their only option was to stay put and chat to pass the time.

The stories they told were enough to captivate the children’s imaginations.

"There’s a type of demon beast called the Fiery Fire Sparrow. It’s covered in red feathers, and the higher its cultivation, the more red feathers it has."

"Don’t let their small size fool you—they’re extremely temperamental."

Chang Ming recounted his past adventures. As he looked back on those times, telling his stories to the children, he cut quite the heroic figure.

"Senior Brother, do Fiery Fire Sparrows always appear in flocks?"

Xiao Hua, who was standing at the very front, asked Chang Ming curiously.

"Yes, how did you know?"

Chang Ming’s interest was piqued. ’Could it be that this child comes from a learned family?’

"Because I can see them."

Xiao Hua’s gaze went past Chang Ming, looking further behind him. There, a flock of birds appeared in their field of vision.

Judging by their appearance, they were unmistakably Fiery Fire Sparrows.

"Why would they appear here?"

"We’re under attack! We’re under attack!"

Chang Ming froze. ’I was just talking about them! How did I actually summon these vengeful demon beasts?’

"Don’t attack yet."

Chang Ming’s head throbbed.

He was in a bind.

If they attacked, they would have to wipe out the entire flock. If even one survived, it would quickly gather reinforcements to settle the score.

His One World Communication vibrated again.

Chang Ming opened it to see another message from Qin Zhan.

"The surprise should have arrived. Go ahead and divide up the ice powder, and make sure every child gets some to eat."

"And another thing, don’t attack those Fiery Fire Sparrows. You’re no match for them."

Qin Zhan’s reminder was thoughtful, and it allowed Chang Ming to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Everyone, relax! This is Senior Brother Qin’s handiwork."

Chang Ming signaled for his companions to lower their weapons. He saw the Fiery Fire Sparrows circling overhead begin to descend once they saw the humans stand down.

Each Fiery Fire Sparrow clutched a small, transparent bowl in its talons.

Inside must be the ice powder that Senior Brother Qin had mentioned.

’Ice powder... What is that?’

Chang Ming was clueless, but he knew it was something to be eaten.

A Fiery Fire Sparrow flew before Chang Ming. When he held out his hands, it fluttered its wings and gently set the small bowl from its talons upon them.

The small bowl was ice-cold. The moment it touched his skin, a jolt ran through his entire body.

Inside was a transparent, jelly-like substance topped with a layer of purplish-red fruit sauce. It had a faint, fruity aroma, and the hint of tartness mixed within was incredibly appetizing.

Chang Ming couldn’t help but gulp.

"It’s food. Everyone, pass them out."

He trusted Qin Zhan and didn’t suspect anything was wrong with the food. He took the lead, scooping up a spoonful and putting it in his mouth.

The first sensation was a wave of coolness that shot straight to the crown of his head. It then flowed down his throat, spreading throughout his internal organs.

The bowl of ice powder rapidly cooled his parched, overheated organs.

The flush was already fading from his heat-stricken cheeks, returning them to their normal color.

Wisps of fire poison were driven out of his body by the coolness, as if they had met their natural nemesis.

In the blink of an eye, the fire poison was completely gone.

Chang Ming was blown away by both its texture and its effects.

His tongue lapped up every last bit. He swallowed again and again until the entire bowl of ice powder was gone. Still wanting more, he reluctantly put the bowl down and looked around.

The others were having the exact same reaction.

"Senior Brother, thank you for feeding us."

He sent his thanks to Qin Zhan, who replied quickly.

"You’ve got it wrong. Boss Lu sent this for you all. If you want to thank someone, thank her."

’Boss Lu?’

’Chang Ming vaguely recalled that the woman from yesterday—the one protected by demon beasts—was called Boss Lu. Is this her creation?’

"This is Ms. Lu’s cooking."

Xiao Hua licked her lips, reluctant to finish her ice powder.

Tasting Ms. Lu’s cooking again after so long, Xiao Hua treated the small bowl of ice powder like a precious treasure she wanted to save forever.

However, she knew the ice powder would be good for her right now.

After a moment of agony, she finished it all.

"You know Boss Lu?"

Chang Ming leaned in to ask. ’Sounds like this Boss Lu is pretty famous.’

"Of course! There are tons of stories about Ms. Lu on One World Communication!"

When the topic was Lu Wu, Xiao Hua became very chatty.

She told Chang Ming all about Lu Wu setting up a stall in Xiaohe Town. According to Xiao Hua, Lu Wu’s cooking was the best in the world, bar none.

Chang Ming had to agree.

If nothing else, this one bowl of ice powder was proof enough.

He pulled out his One World Communication and searched for information on this "Boss Lu." A ton of results popped up.

"Selling Buns Outside a Brothel, a Beauty Cried Out ’I Can’t Take It Anymore!’ That Same Night."

"One Bowl of Pork Knuckle Can Steal Customers from King Yan."

"The Bun Sect, Oh Yeah!"

"A Disciple of the Beast Taming Sect Hereby Challenges Boss Lu’s Beast Taming Skill! Do You Dare Accept?"

A pile of bizarre posts popped up, making Chang Ming’s head spin.

"If the Great Elder hadn’t said the Bun Sect doesn’t accept ordinary people, I would’ve already tried to join."

Xiao Hua whispered this, but Chang Ming still caught it and couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.

’After all, Xiao Hua’s aptitude was among the best of this group of children. The major sects would naturally fight over a talent like hers.’

’When Xiao Hua chose the Holy Sword Sect, I thought it was because our Sect had a great reputation.’

’Turns out we were just the leftovers after her first choice fell through.’

However, once Chang Ming learned more about the Bun Sect, he was tempted.

’If I join the sect, I can eat food made by Boss Lu.’

Looking at the pictures of buns and pork knuckles people had posted, Chang Ming felt his own cravings stir, despite the vast distance separating him from the food.

’No time like the present.’

As luck would have it, the Bun Sect had an application form right on the One World Communication.

Click. Fill out information. Submit. Application pending.

"Done!"

Chang Ming turned his head and met Xiao Hua’s impish gaze.

"Ahem. Keep this a secret, okay? If I get any good food in the future, I’ll give you half."

"Deal!"

Xiao Hua withdrew her envious gaze.

’She wasn’t worried. Sooner or later, she’d be able to join the Bun Sect, too.’

’In the Bun Sect of the future, there will definitely be a spot for me, Saintess Xiao Hua.’

The ambitious Xiao Hua clenched her fist.

...

The Cultivators in the Secret Realm soon fell into a daily routine.

They would wait in front of the stall in the morning to buy ice powder. With the ice powder as a safeguard, they would then continue exploring the Secret Realm.

By evening, when the effects of the ice powder began to wear off, they would once again hurry back in Boss Lu’s direction.

This busy back-and-forth became the main rhythm of the Cultivators’ lives.

「In the blink of an eye, it was the sixth day.」

The next day, they would have to leave the Secret Realm.

In their final hours, the Cultivators wished they could turn the Secret Realm upside down to find every last rare treasure.