This Time, Someone Who Could Eat Arrived

The Golden Recruitment Token lay in Xu Sheng's palm. He gazed at it for quite a while before he could bear to use it.

The last one had recruited Ji Juechen.

If another good fighter came this time, he could stand in the middle whenever he went out, with a sword on his left and a spear on his right. What a sight that would be...

"What are you smiling about?"

Ji Juechen sat by the window, wiping his sword with a soft cloth.

"Thinking about something that makes me happy."

"Your shoulder doesn't hurt anymore?"

"Being in pain doesn't stop me from being happy."

After saying that, Xu Sheng stepped back toward the bed, so the newcomer would have room to land.

Golden light spread out.

First he saw a shoe, then a short, round leg. Finally, a chubby boy walked out of the light.

No spear, and no sword.

But he did have an endearing round face.

Once the chubby boy was steady on his feet, he looked around. His gaze paused on Ji Juechen's sword before settling on Xu Sheng.

"Are you Xu Sheng?"

Xu Sheng nodded, already glancing at the recruitment details.

[Xu Lizhi, level twenty-three.]

[Martial Soul: steamed bun.]

[Soul Rings: yellow, yellow.]

Xu Sheng's gaze stopped at once.

Xu Lizhi?

He read the name again, immediately tossing aside the spears and swords he had been imagining.

Now that was luck!

He already had someone who could fight in the courtyard. But where could he normally find a food-type genius like this?

"Come, come, have a seat first."

Xu Sheng pulled over a chair, scooping up the clothes piled on it and putting them on his own bed.

The chubby boy watched him bustling about, looking a little embarrassed.

"You don't have to go to all that trouble."

"No trouble at all! We haven't eaten yet. Is there anything you can't eat?"

Xu Lizhi thought for a moment and shook his head.

"Good."

"It's just..."

Xu Sheng immediately looked at him.

"I eat quite a lot."

The chubby boy didn't seem particularly embarrassed to say it. Clearly, he knew his own appetite well, and he added, "You might need to make some extra rice."

"I was wondering what it was. Don't worry, there'll be plenty!"

Xu Sheng answered without the slightest hesitation.

As long as he could get the boy to stay, never mind making extra rice, he'd even be willing to get another pot!

Just then, Qiao Fu called from outside, asking whether he should set the table. Xu Sheng went to the door and gave him specific instructions, then asked Uncle Qiao to slice some more meat.

When he turned back, Xu Lizhi was already sitting down, his hands resting on his legs as he looked at the red pine outside the window.

In the courtyard, some people were carrying stools, while others called out that there weren't enough bowls. Cen Zhao walked past with a pair of chopsticks, only for Bai Ji to call him back to wipe the table.

The chubby boy watched for a while, then asked, "Are they all your companions?"

"Yes. Some came with me from Soto, and I met a few others after arriving in Spirit City. They're all good people."

"Spirit City..."

Xu Lizhi repeated the name softly.

He had known when he arrived that he was in an unfamiliar place, but hearing the name still left him somewhat dazed. After a while, he raised his head.

"Do you know Ye Xinglan?"

The words "I do" stalled on Xu Sheng's lips.

He had of course encountered her in the book, but if he answered too readily and the boy asked where she was, where was he supposed to take him?

"I've heard the name, but I haven't met her."

The expectation in the chubby boy's eyes faded a little.

"Oh."

Xu Sheng sat down beside him and asked about Ye Xinglan's appearance and Martial Soul. He committed everything the boy said to memory, then added, "If I hear anything in the future, I'll keep an eye out for you."

"Thank you."

The look Xu Lizhi gave him this time was much warmer than when he had first entered the room.

Xu Sheng didn't ask any more questions, lest he make the boy want to leave before he had even eaten dinner.

First, he would get him to stay. The rest could wait.

He was just about to get up when his stomach suddenly growled.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Xu Lizhi looked at him, and Xu Sheng looked back at Xu Lizhi.

"After all that talking, I'm hungry too."

The chubby boy couldn't help laughing. He raised a hand, and two Yellow Soul Rings emerged from beneath his feet. He quietly recited a soul incantation, and the first Soul Ring lit up. A plump white meat bun soon appeared in his hand.

Xu Sheng's gaze followed it at once.

Xu Lizhi offered him the bun. "Have one first. It can restore your stamina, and it also helps somewhat with recovering Soul Power and healing injuries."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Xu Sheng took it and bit straight into it.

The bun's skin was soft, and the meat filling was fresh and savory. Before he had even swallowed, he couldn't resist taking another bite.

Xu Lizhi watched him and asked expectantly, "How is it?"

"Delicious."

"I meant the effect."

"I'll tell you about the effect in a bit. Let me have another bite."

Xu Lizhi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled until his eyes narrowed.

Once the bun was in his stomach, warmth slowly spread through him. Xu Sheng flexed his fingers, and they did feel considerably more nimble. But when he tried to raise his shoulder, the movement still pulled painfully at the injury.

He didn't force it. He lowered his arm again and turned to Ji Juechen.

"Old Ji, have one."

Xu Lizhi made another and handed it to Ji Juechen.

Ji Juechen put away his sword and ate more slowly than Xu Sheng. A moment later, he looked down at his hand and nodded to the chubby boy.

"It works."

"That's it? Nothing else?" Xu Sheng was still waiting for him to continue.

Ji Juechen thought for a moment.

"Delicious."

"..."

Fine, he's learned how to compliment people from me too.

By the time Xu Sheng led the chubby boy into the courtyard, the table was already covered with dishes.

Cen Zhao sized Xu Lizhi up, then quietly edged closer.

"Was he what you were so happy about this afternoon?"

Xu Sheng grunted an assent.

"What Martial Soul?"

"Steamed bun."

Cen Zhao glanced at the steamer basket that had just been set out, then at Xu Lizhi, and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Xu Sheng knew he had gotten the wrong idea, but he didn't hurry to explain. He simply led the chubby boy to his side.

"Let me introduce everyone. This is Xu Lizhi. He'll be living here with us from now on. He's a food-type Soul Grandmaster."

Lu Song, who had just sat down, stood up again.

"A Soul Grandmaster?"

"Level twenty-three."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Everyone looked at the chubby boy's round face, then at their own bowls.

Mo Yifan couldn't help asking, "How old are you?"

"Ten."

After answering, Xu Lizhi noticed the strange expressions on several people's faces and couldn't help looking at Xu Sheng.

Xu Sheng, however, was delighted.

You were all staring at how much he ate just now. See how impressive he is now!

Cen Zhao silently pushed the steamer basket in front of the chubby boy.

"Eat. Let me know if you need anything."

Xu Lizhi thanked him and picked up an ordinary meat bun. His eyes lit up as soon as he bit into it.

"This is delicious."

Qiao Fu heard him and said with a smile that there were more in the back.

What happened next finally showed Xu Sheng just how boldly he had promised there would be plenty.

Plate after plate of meat was brought out, and half a basin of rice disappeared at a time. At first, people served Xu Lizhi food, but later everyone stopped talking, afraid that if they ate one bite less, they would have to wait for the next pot.

The chubby boy ate with a look of complete satisfaction, but didn't forget to ask where they usually went on missions.

Xu Sheng told him about the jobs they took from the courtyard and asked if he would stay and join them.

"Just focus on your cultivation normally. When we go out, follow behind us, and I'll call on you if something comes up. A companion like you is exactly what we're missing."

Xu Lizhi swallowed the meat in his mouth and said seriously, "When you need me to make buns, you have to tell me in advance. I need to conserve my Soul Power too. I can't make them all the time."

"Of course. You can't expect a horse to run without letting it eat grass."

The moment the words left his mouth, Xu Sheng felt they weren't quite appropriate.

Fortunately, Xu Lizhi didn't mind. Instead, he added another spoonful of rice to his bowl.

"Then I'm willing to stay."

Xu Sheng's heart burst into bloom with joy. He immediately carried the last plate of meat over and set it in front of him.

"Eat more!"

Beside them, Cen Zhao clutched his chopsticks and watched helplessly as the meat was carried away from right in front of him.

He had originally thought they simply had another young brother with a big appetite, but after hearing what a food-type could do, the more he thought about it, the worse he felt.

The boy was ten, level twenty-three, and could restore the whole team.

He himself was level seventeen.

He hadn't even managed to compete for food.

How had life gotten harder and harder as he lived it?

After the meal, everyone cleared away the tables and stools, while Xu Sheng kept Xu Lizhi talking.

"What about your other Soul Skill?"

"Light and Nimble Xiaolongbao."

Xu Lizhi held out his hand and recited another soul incantation. The second yellow ring lit up.

Xu Sheng looked at the little bun in his hand and suddenly thought of his own wings.

"It can make people lighter?"

Xu Lizhi nodded.

Xu Sheng's eyes lit up.

"Old Lu!"

Lu Song, who was carrying a stool, raised his head.

For some reason, he felt that Xu Sheng had called him with particular affection.