Gathering Meal

By the time Wang Changsheng returned to Azure Lotus Mountain, night had completely fallen.

He went to the study where his father handled Lineage affairs. Wang Mingyuan was flipping through a book.

"Father, your son has returned."

Wang Mingyuan set down the book in his hand and asked, "Do you know why I called you back?"

"Your son does not know. Please enlighten me, Father."

"Here is the situation. The Profound Gold Mine will one day be exhausted. After discussing it with the Clan Elders, I decided to select five clan members for training. These five are only the preliminary selections. After training for some time, they will undergo an assessment, and the two most outstanding will be trained as Artifact Refiners. You have only passed the preliminary selection. Whether you can become an Artifact Refiner whom the Lineage will focus on nurturing depends on your performance. You must study diligently and strive to become an Artifact Refiner. The Lineage's future rests on the shoulders of your younger generation. Do you understand?" Wang Mingyuan instructed earnestly.

Wang Changsheng was instantly greatly delighted and agreed repeatedly. "Your son understands. Your son will definitely work hard."

If he could become an Artifact Refiner, he would no longer have to worry about cultivation resources in the future. Even if his father had not said so, Wang Changsheng would still work hard.

"By the way, have you encountered any problems in cultivation?" Wang Mingyuan suddenly recalled something and asked about Wang Changsheng's daily cultivation.

He also cultivated the Cloud Rain Art and could give Wang Changsheng some guidance.

Wang Changsheng thought for a moment and said, "The incantation for the Fifth Layer is somewhat obscure and difficult to understand. When your son cultivates according to the incantation, it feels somewhat unnatural."

"Unnatural? Describe it carefully." Wang Mingyuan frowned.

"When guiding the spiritual energy within my body, it seems..."

After listening to Wang Changsheng's account, Wang Mingyuan pondered for a moment before saying, "The spiritual energy on Lotus Island is impoverished. It is normal for your cultivation to feel unnatural, but you must remain vigilant. When you have time, go to the Scripture Repository Hall and read the experiences left behind by those who cultivated the Cloud Rain Art. It should be of some help to you."

"Yes, your son understands."

At that moment, Liu Qing'er walked in and said with a smile, "What are you father and son talking about?"

"Mother, Father is guiding my cultivation!"

Liu Qing'er beamed with joy. "There is no rush with cultivation. I have finished cooking, so you father and son should hurry to the kitchen and eat. The dishes will not taste good once they get cold."

When they arrived in the kitchen, Wang Changsheng saw a table full of dishes, their fragrance assailing his nostrils. He could not help swallowing.

There were four dishes and one soup: Purple Bamboo Shoot Egg Flower Soup, stir-fried snail meat, Mulberry Leaf Scrambled Eggs, Cold Purple Bamboo Shoot Salad, and Steamed White Ling Fish.

"There are only three of us. Why did you make so many dishes? If food is left too long, its spiritual energy will fade as well." Wang Mingyuan frowned.

"Who told you there are only three of us? I also invited Changxue and Changyu. They have helped me quite a bit normally, especially Changxue, who helps me deliver things to Sheng'er every year. I have long wanted to treat her to a simple meal. I have already informed them, so I believe they will be here soon."

No sooner had Liu Qing'er finished speaking than Wang Changxue's voice came from outside. "Third Aunt, Seventh Sister and I have come to mooch a meal."

"Changxue, Changyu, come in quickly. We are all family, so there is no need to stand on ceremony."

Liu Qing'er hurried outside and led Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu in.

"Third Aunt, you made so many delicious dishes. We are in for a treat this time. I brought two Spirit Taro; they can be eaten once steamed." Wang Changxue took two fist-sized taros from her sleeve.

"Third Uncle, Ninth Brother, this is Azure Cloud Brew I made myself. It was brewed from First Grade Lower Rank Spirit Grain, Azure Cloud Rice. Please Do Not Disdain it." Wang Changyu took out an exquisite wine flask and placed it on the table.

"You two girls, coming was enough! Why bring gifts? You are not outsiders." Liu Qing'er said reproachfully.

"One does not blame a person for being overly courteous! Third Aunt, you made so many delicious dishes. We would feel embarrassed to come empty-handed." Wang Changxue said with a grin.

"You eat first. I will wash the Spirit Taro and steam it on the stove. It will be ready soon."

Liu Qing'er picked up the two taros and walked toward the stove, while Wang Changsheng hurriedly invited his two cousins to sit.

"Changxue, Changyu, we are all family. Do not be polite. Dig in!" Wang Mingyuan said warmly, picking up the ladle to serve Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu some soup.

Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu thanked him and took a sip.

"Third Aunt's soup is still the best. My mother cannot make soup this delicious." Wang Changxue smiled sweetly in praise.

"You girl, your mouth is as though it has been smeared with Spirit Honey. You are skilled at planting and can cook a fine meal too. Whoever marries you will be blessed." Liu Qing'er teased.

She washed the Spirit Taro clean, placed it in the pot to steam, then came over and sat down.

A flush rose to Wang Changxue's cheeks, and she lowered her head to drink her soup.

"Third Uncle, why has Ninth Brother returned? Wasn't he stationed in Peaceful County?" Wang Changyu asked casually.

"The Lineage intends to train its own Artifact Refiners. Sheng'er was selected, so he came back to learn the art of Artifact Refining. Ever since he could remember, I have been instilling Artifact Refining knowledge in him. I only hope he can study diligently and become an Artifact Refiner." Liu Qing'er explained with a smile.

Hearing this, Wang Changxue nodded and said, "Yes! I remember when we were young, after returning from the Lecture Hall, we could all eat, but Ninth Brother still had to recite Artifact Refining knowledge. He could only eat after memorizing one type of material. Once, he tried to slack off and went straight to my house to hide after leaving the Lecture Hall. Later, Third Aunt came to my house carrying a bamboo switch, and only then did Ninth Brother obediently return."

"I heard Third Aunt beat Ninth Brother terribly that time. He did not dare sit down for half a month and had to stand while listening to lectures in the Lecture Hall." Wang Changyu covered her mouth and smiled.

Hearing his two cousins, Wang Changsheng's face reddened slightly. He gave an embarrassed laugh and explained, "I was ignorant when I was young. Who has not done foolish things as a child? I remember Second Sister sneaking to Seventh Uncle's house in the middle of the night to pick peaches, only to accidentally fall from the tree. And Seventh Sister was craving honey, so she went to the Spirit Mulberry Garden before dawn to steal Spirit Honey. The Red-Winged Spirit Bees stung her until her head was covered in bumps. Fortunately, my mother discovered her in time, and only then did the Red-Winged Spirit Bees stop. For the next month, Seventh Sister could not be seen at the Lecture Hall."

Speaking of those old incidents, Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu felt somewhat embarrassed as well.

After chatting about amusing things from their childhood, Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu no longer felt so restrained. They ate and chatted at the same time, laughing and talking as the atmosphere grew harmonious.

Before long, the Spirit Taro was steamed. Liu Qing'er cut the steamed taro into small pieces and placed them on the table.

The Spirit Taro was purplish-red, with a little salt sprinkled over it.

Wang Changsheng picked up a piece of Spirit Taro and put it into his mouth. It melted the moment it entered his mouth, leaving fragrance on his tongue. After it entered his stomach, a small current of spiritual energy rose within his abdomen.

"Second Sister, this Spirit Taro is so fragrant! Did you grow it?" Wang Changsheng praised it and asked casually.

"Yes. I reclaimed a small Spirit Field in front of my door and planted some Spirit Taro and Spirit Beans to feed the Snowcloud Chickens. If the Snowcloud Chickens are not full, they will not lay eggs. I estimate that after raising them for another ten years, they will be able to advance to First Grade High Rank. Then they will lay more eggs, and the Spirit Eggs will contain even more spiritual energy. By the way, Ninth Brother, you can reclaim a Spirit Field in your courtyard and plant some First Grade Lower Rank Spirit Grain and Spirit Beans to feed the Twin-Pupil Spirit Rat. It will help its advancement."