Hungry, Hungry, Food, Food

The golden glow of the setting sun gradually sank below the treetops, while the evening breeze swept by, carrying the fresh scent of grass and leaves.

Jiang Zhen had just wanted to take Little Ah Yin to sit and chat on a Stone Stool nearby when he felt the hem of his clothes being gently tugged.

Looking down, he saw Little Ah Yin gazing up at him. Her azure eyes seemed veiled in mist, and her soft voice carried a hint of grievance. "Brother A Zhen... my tummy's hungry."

She had only recently taken human form, and her body was still adapting to it. She expended more energy than an ordinary six-year-old child, and now that her stomach was empty, even the fingers clutching his clothes seemed a little weak.

Jiang Zhen froze for a moment, then rubbed Little Ah Yin's soft head and lowered his voice.

"Wait here. Brother will make you something delicious!"

With a thought, the Storage Ring on his finger flashed faintly, and he took out the remains of the Evil Spirit Orca he had hunted.

That orca had possessed over four thousand years of cultivation. Its flesh was rich in both Soul Power and nutrients, perfect for nourishing Ah Yin, who had only just taken human form.

A pale-blue Water Element Soul Power wrapped around half a chunk of orca meat and floated out of the ring, landing on a bluestone table nearby.

The chunk of meat stood half a person tall. Its skin was grayish-black, its flesh firm and dense, carrying a faint fishy scent of the sea.

Little Ah Yin curiously leaned closer and reached out with her small hand, only to pull it back timidly. She merely stared with wide eyes.

Jiang Zhen did not let her get too close. A finer strand of Water Soul Power condensed at his fingertips—he had trained this Soul Power until he could control it with perfect ease. At this moment, it was like an invisible little blade, precisely slicing through the orca meat.

With a soft hiss, the outer layer of sinew and membrane was shaved away, revealing tender pale-pink flesh beneath.

A few more cuts followed, and the meat was divided into evenly sized chunks. He set two pieces aside and returned the rest to the Storage Ring for preservation.

"This is Evil Spirit Orca meat."

Jiang Zhen explained to Little Ah Yin as he trimmed the fine tendons from the meat.

"It contains dozens of times more protein than beef. Eat it, and you'll grow taller."

Little Ah Yin nodded as though she understood, but her eyes never left the two pieces of meat. Her little nose twitched lightly as well.

He went into the kitchen.

After preparing the meat, he took out the seasonings he had bought earlier.

He heated oil in a pan...

Sizzle— The moment the slices hit the pan, a fragrant aroma rose up. The pale-pink meat quickly turned light white, its edges curling slightly as a faint charred fragrance emerged.

Jiang Zhen gently turned the meat with a spatula, his movements practiced—he had known how to cook in his Previous Life, and after transmigrating, he occasionally cooked for himself too. It was far more pleasant than eating dry rations.

He chopped the other piece of meat into small chunks, placed them in an Earthenware Pot, added some spring water, and suspended the pot beside the fire to simmer.

Before long, glug glug sounds came from the Earthenware Pot, and white steam carrying a rich meaty fragrance drifted out.

The smell made Ah Yin swallow repeatedly. Her little hands gripped the edge of the Stone Stool tightly as she stared unblinkingly at the Earthenware Pot.

"It'll be ready soon."

Seeing how impatient she was, Jiang Zhen could not help but laugh. He placed the pan-fried orca slices onto a clean wooden plate and sprinkled a little salt over them.

He did not dare add too many seasonings, afraid Little Ah Yin would not be used to them.

Once the meat had cooled a little, he picked up a piece and held it to Little Ah Yin's mouth. "Careful, it's hot."

Little Ah Yin leaned over and took a small bite. Her eyes immediately lit up.

The orca meat was fresh and tender to begin with, and Jiang Zhen had fried it until it was fragrant on the outside and soft within. It had a faint salty flavor and was not tough in the slightest.

She ate in little bites, her cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel stealing food. After finishing one piece, she proactively opened her little mouth for more and mumbled through the food in her mouth.

"Delicious... more."

Jiang Zhen patiently fed her several more pieces, then served her half a small bowl of the stewed soup.

The soup had simmered until milky white, with a thin layer of oil floating on top. It tasted exceptionally fresh.

Little Ah Yin held the small bowl and drank from a spoon in little sips. A few drops occasionally spilled, and Jiang Zhen took out a handkerchief to wipe them away. His movements were as natural as if he had done it thousands of times.

By the time the two had finished eating, Heaven was completely dark.

Jiang Zhen cleaned up the pots and bowls, fetched a basin of spring water, warmed it slightly into lukewarm water, and returned to help Little Ah Yin wash up.

It was Little Ah Yin's first time wiping her face with warm water. She felt so comfortable that she narrowed her eyes, her little head swaying gently. Even the tips of her ears had turned pink.

After Jiang Zhen wiped her hands and face, he placed her little feet in the warm water to soak. Ah Yin obediently let him do so the entire time.

Only occasionally did she kick the water's surface with her toes, splashing up tiny droplets.

Once they had finished washing up, Jiang Zhen led Little Ah Yin into the room. There was only one simple wooden bed inside.

He had just intended to place Little Ah Yin on the inner side of the bed before turning to spread a blanket on the floor when he felt his clothes being tugged again.

Ah Yin lay on the bed, her little hand tightly clutching his clothes. Her eyes held a trace of fear, and her voice was soft. "Brother A Zhen... don't go."

She had only recently taken human form and was still frightened of darkness and unfamiliar surroundings. Only by staying beside Jiang Zhen did she feel safe.

Jiang Zhen looked into her watery eyes, and his heart softened.

He sighed. Unable to bear refusing her, he took off his outer robe and lay down on the outer side of the bed.

Seeing that he was not leaving, Little Ah Yin immediately scooted closer. Her little head rested against his arm, and before long, soft breaths escaped her lips. A faint blush still lingered on her cheeks.

Jiang Zhen waited until she was sound asleep before gently pulling his arm free and quietly getting out of bed.

He had only woken up at noon, so he was nowhere near sleepy.

Besides, he had never gone to bed this early in his previous life.

Jiang Zhen spread a thick beast-hide rug on the floor, then took out a jade bottle from his Storage Ring.

Faint patterns were carved into its lustrous white surface, and three pale green Soul Nurturing Pills lay neatly inside each bottle.

He poured one into his palm. The pill gave off a faint glow.

Whether he could absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring upon breaking through to Soul Elder depended on this...

He tipped back his head and swallowed the pill. Rather than the warm current of Soul Power typical of ordinary pills, a clear, soothing medicinal force surged straight toward the crown of his head, like a fine spring slowly soaking into his taut Sea of Consciousness.

He was already level 27, and his second Spirit Ring was an exceptionally high-year, Ninety-Four Hundred Year ring.

If he wanted to absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring upon advancing to Soul Elder, he first had to raise his Spiritual Power—otherwise, the spiritual impact inherent to a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring could very well turn him into an idiot.

As he closed his eyes and circulated his Soul Power, pale blue Water Element swirled around him.

He could clearly sense the subtle fluctuations of every wisp of elemental energy. Even the sluggishness he had previously felt from his two high-year Spirit Rings had eased somewhat as his Sea of Consciousness expanded.

The medicinal power of the Soul Nurturing Pill was released slowly, reinforcing the foundation of his spirit bit by bit and paving the way for his future absorption of a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring.

After a while, Jiang Zhen circulated the Profound Water Clear Mind Art and began cultivating his Soul Power.

Pale blue Water Element rapidly gathered around him, wrapping his body like a thin layer of Water Film as Soul Power slowly flowed through his Meridians...

The night wind blew past the wooden cabin's window, carrying the soft rustling of Blue Silver Grass swaying outside.

On the bed, Ah Yin's breathing remained even. Jiang Zhen's mind was wholly immersed in cultivation, the Water Element around him gently rising and falling with every breath, as though he had merged with the night itself...