Wangshu Fairy's Culinary Skills Satisfied the Third Elder

Three days have passed, and it is already late autumn.

The sycamore leaves around the courtyard fluttered down, turning the entire Lotus Peak a deep yellow. The mountain breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees, making people feel relaxed and happy.

You Su put away his sword, ending his morning training session.

Wangshu Fairy stood to one side with her sword, accompanying and supervising You Su's Lotus Birth Sword Technique throughout. She remained silent, offering neither praise nor criticism, as if mastering the Swordsmanship in one go was a matter of course to her.

Ji Lingruo used three plausible reasons to avoid the three days of cultivation: first, she was exhausted from the journey and needed to rest for a few days; second, she had not formally entered the sect and could not yet learn the Lotus Birth Sword Technique.

However, You Su always felt that his junior sister was secretly busy with something she didn't want others to know, so he didn't urge her too much.

Although Ji Lingruo was nowhere to be seen when practicing swordsmanship, she was always the most punctual when it came to mealtimes.

This is the first time You Su has planned to cook for herself since the kitchen was installed.

For the first three days, he had planned to go down the mountain by himself and ride the little flying stick (Cloud Bamboo gifted by the Third Elder) to Ancient Moon Residence to pack up and bring back, but his senior sister insisted on accompanying him. Since his senior sister wanted to go, his junior sister certainly wouldn't just stand by and watch the two of them "fly together."

So the three of them headed to Ancient Moon Residence with Wangshu Fairy carrying Ji Lingruo and You Su riding his little flying stick. Ji Lingruo wanted to sit on You Su's little flying stick, but You Su himself couldn't even carry her properly, let alone someone else. Fortunately, under Wangshu Fairy's protection, You Su gradually mastered how to operate the Cloud Bamboo.

Ancient Moon Residence is a celestial kitchen, using exquisite ingredients and cooking methods. Even the dishes in the main hall can be described as delicacies from land and sea. But after eating too much of these delicacies, one can easily get tired of them. Even the gluttonous Ji Lingruo missed the simple stir-fries that You Su used to make in the courtyard of the Mandarin Sword Sect.

So today, You Su decided to show off his skills.

His specialty is stir-fried pork with chili peppers.

As its name suggests, Chuyun City by mountains on three sides, and the air is misty and humid. Therefore, chili peppers are a very important crop in the area. The citizens of Chuyun City need to eat spicy food to remove the dampness from their bodies, and You Su and Ji Lingruo have also developed the habit of eating spicy food.

Fortunately, You Su was still quite skilled, and soon a plate of stir-fried pork with chili peppers and a plate of green vegetables, both delicious and visually appealing, were served.

It's worth mentioning that although it's a home-style dish, the ingredients are extraordinary. The vegetables used are spiritual vegetables that my senior sister 'borrowed' from Bihua Peak, and the meat is premium golden-haired pig purchased from Beast Taming Peak.

The tender, light golden slices of meat, tinged with a vibrant soy sauce color, and the red and green chilies glistening with oil, all steaming hot and brimming with the aroma of a wok, filled Ji Lingruo's nostrils with a meaty and spicy fragrance that made her mouth water and eager to try it.

Under the Wangshu Fairy, Ji Lingruo picked up a slice of pork belly and put it into her mouth. Instantly, her mouth was filled with a fresh and spicy flavor that lingered endlessly. At this moment, even if she were to exchange it for the delicacies of Ancient Moon Residence, Ji Lingruo would never be willing to let go of a single piece of stir-fried meat.

"Senior brother, it's so delicious! Mmm... I want to eat this for the rest of my life!"

Unless she couldn't help it, Ji Lingruo rarely expressed her praise for You Su so directly.

Upon hearing this You Su smiled happily, as if she had returned to the time when she first made this dish for her junior sister in Chuyun City. Back then, her junior sister couldn't eat spicy food, but now she couldn't live without it.

People grow and their cultivation increases, but this taste of everyday life is something they can never forget. Perhaps one day, when he reaches the summit, he will also yearn for this flavor. If he could truly enjoy it for a lifetime, that would be a truly blissful thing.

You Su snapped out of his reverie, chuckling to himself that he could be so sentimental about eating a meal, like an old man. He decided to start eating, but before doing so, he casually said:

"Senior sister, you should try some too."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had misspoke, and even Ji Lingruo looked at him with surprise.

For the past few days Wangshu Fairy has been eating with them. Even the blind You Su could sense his senior sister's disappointment at not being able to eat, so he and his junior sister tacitly refrained from making any special requests for her to eat.

"I can't eat it, junior brother, you eat it."

Anyone could hear the sadness in the white-dressed girl's voice.

You Su was genuinely curious about why her senior sister couldn't remove her mask. A cultivator at the Feather Transformation Realm who had already Grain Avoidance clearly wanted to eat so much, so why couldn't she take off her mask?

Even the Bull Warrior in the fragmented memories, who always claimed that 'the Bull Warrior never takes off his mask,' had moments when he took off his mask, right?

However, his senior sister had her own principles, and no matter how curious he was, he wouldn't sway the girl. 'Senior sister, eat whatever you want. It's okay to take off your mask for a while,' these self-righteous words, which he thought were for her own good, were actually more likely to harm her.

"When Senior Sister wants to eat it, just tell Junior Brother, and he'll make it for you no matter when," You Su comforted the girl's disappointment with a promise, then turned to Ji Lingruo, who was winking at him, and said, "Junior Sister too."

He couldn't see the girls' expressions, of course; everything he said came from the heart.

Wangshu's eyes regained their sparkle, as if she were smiling:

"Thank you, junior brother."

You Su smiled and dismissed it, then slowly savored a bowl of fragrant spirit rice.

Just as he swallowed, he heard Wangshu remind him, "The Third Elder is here."

As soon as she finished speaking, a graceful figure in emerald green appeared. Before she even arrived, one could smell her rich, orchid-like fragrance on the wind.

The Third Elder changed into a new cheongsam, embroidered with ink-like patterns that resembled water, adding a touch of scholarly elegance to this beautiful, plump, and radiant woman.

Before anyone could even bow, the Third Elder asked, "What is this that smells so good?"

Before You Su could answer, the Third Elder's attention shifted to the pretty young girl with oily lips.

"Ah! This must be the third disciple that Lotus Sword Venerable is going to take in!"

The beautiful woman stared intently at Ji Lingruo's face, her expression filled with delight, as if she had seen some rare treasure.

This was Ji Lingruo's first time meeting the Third Elder, though she had heard a little about him from You Su; he was considered the most closely connected elder of Lotus Peak. She quickly wiped the grease from her lips with a handkerchief and respectfully said:

"Junior Ji Lingruo greets Bihua Venerable."

"No need for formalities." The Third Elder quickly raised his hand in the air to help Ji Lingruo up. "I am the Bihua Venerable of Bihua Peak of the Xuanxiao Sect. I have a very good relationship with your master. There is no need to be so formal when you see me. Just call me the Third Elder, just like your senior brothers and sisters."

You Su shook his head inwardly. The difference between people was too great. They were both newcomers, but the Third Elder was much more enthusiastic towards his junior sister than towards him.

"Is... is it okay?" Ji Lingruo asked You Su cautiously.

"The Third Elder holds a very high position; it would be inappropriate not to pay respects..."

"Um?!"

The Third Elder gave a cold hum, interrupting You Su's instruction of Ji Lingruo.

You Su suddenly felt a chill run through her body and quickly changed her words:

"Junior Sister, you may not know this, but the Third Elder is the most approachable elder in the Xuanxiao Sect. If you insist on bowing, it would be inappropriate."

"Huh?" Ji Lingruo nodded blankly, feeling flattered by the sudden appearance of this cultivator at the pinnacle of the human race. "Third... Third Elder, hello."

Hello to you too.

The Third Elder's eyes crinkled at the corners, and his alluring gaze never left Ji Lingruo's face.

She had only heard that Lotus Sword Venerable had taken on a new disciple from the Demon Race. She had originally intended to question He Shutong about why he would take on a demon as a disciple during such a sensitive time, as this could very well make him a target of public criticism. However, upon seeing this beautiful young woman, all the Resentment Qi she felt when she went up the mountain vanished.

If she saw such a beautiful young woman, she would definitely want to take her as her apprentice.

And she has such good taste, just like her, she likes to wear green. It's just that hers is a more mature emerald green, while the young girl's is a more vibrant cyan.

"Why don't you go to Ancient Moon Residence to eat? Why do you have to cook for yourself?"

The Third Elder asked Ji Lingruo with a smile.

She had always turned a blind eye to Wangshu coming to her orchard to pick fruit for free.

"I made this because I said I wanted to eat my senior brother's cooking. He's a very good cook. Has Third Elder eaten yet? If not, please sit down and have some."

Ji Lingruo somewhat timid, but she forced herself to answer calmly, unwilling to show weakness in front of the big shot.

But the way she said it completely lacked any air of otherworldly grace; it was just like a simple shout from a neighbor in the mortal world during a meal. She seemed to have completely forgotten that the powerful figure in front of her was a Venerable of the Void Glimpse Realm, an immortal who had long since stopped eating and drinking.

You Su was about to politely decline on behalf of the Third Elder, he heard the Third Elder say:

"I really didn't eat any, but what's so great about this kind of dish? I'll take you and Wangshu to Ancient Moon Residence to try their finest delicacies, as a small gift to you."

No, what about me?

You Su smiled wryly. Top-tier dishes cost tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, which was beyond his means. His junior sister could only look on longingly at the top-tier menu, praying that she could afford them someday. Now that the Third Elder was helping her fulfill her dream, he could only hope that his junior sister would remember to order from him and pack up any leftovers for him to try.

"I can't accept that. Besides, my senior brother has already cooked for me. I'll just eat this. Thank you for your kindness, Third Elder."

To You Su's shock, Ji Lingruo actually rejected the Third Elder's overtures during their first meeting.

"Junior sister, the Third Elder doesn't invite people to meals easily. This little bit of food is nothing; he can cook it every day. I can just leave it here and finish it myself."

The Third Elder glanced at You Su and said, "You shouldn't eat either. I just let you off the hook. Come on, let's go to Ancient Moon Residence and I'll show you the hidden menu."

You Su chuckled inwardly, realizing he was benefiting from his junior sister's fame.

"Third Elder... how about next time? Senior Brother's cooking is truly delicious; it's a delicacy in my eyes, and I don't want to waste it..."

Ji Lingruo lowered her head, her small hands nervously clasped together, not daring to look at the Third Elder.

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder's smile froze, and she glared at You Su resentfully, as if to say, "Why is it that you're always getting in the way when I'm trying to flirt with girls?"

Lotus Peak is full of stunning beauties, why did you, a stinky man, have to sneak in?

"You've only just begun your studies, yet you already show such respect and importance to your senior brothers and sisters. You're truly a good child. To continue inviting you would only make it seem like I'm forcing you. Fine, I'll also try your senior brother's cooking and see if it's as good as you say."

The Third Elder glanced at You Su, still smiling.

"No, no, Third Elder, please come in. Your senior brother's cooking will not disappoint you."

There were only three stone stools at this small stone table, Ji Lingruo quickly stood up and gave her seat to the Third Elder.

The Third Elder, however, pressed down on her shoulders, pushing her back down.

"Sit down, I'll sit in your senior brother's seat. He's a martial artist, he eats a lot standing up."

As she spoke, she gracefully shifted her hips, lightly brushing aside the folds of her skirt, and elegantly sat down on the stone bench where You Su had sat. You Su, meanwhile, could only obediently fetch a brand-new set of bowls and chopsticks, secretly thinking to himself, "Who here isn't a martial artist?"

Ji Lingruo glanced at You Su and sighed, thankful that her senior brother was blind, otherwise, who wouldn't be a little... well, you know, when they saw that buttocks?

"Third Elder, please try some," Ji Lingruo a forced smile. "This piece of pork belly, soaked in the sauce at the bottom of the plate and with its perfect balance of fat and lean meat, is the best part."

The Third Elder smiled and picked up her jade chopsticks, taking the piece of golden pork that Ji Lingruo had pointed to.

She was very well-mannered and even used her delicate white hand to block the movement of putting food into her mouth.

In her opinion, Ji Lingruo refused her invitation simply because she had never seen what true celestial delicacies were, and therefore regarded the dishes made by a blind man as a treasure.

Therefore, her deliberate tasting of You Su's dishes was for a specific purpose: to subtly belittle them later. That way, Ji Lingruo to Ancient Moon Residence for dinner next time, she could make Ji Lingruo completely disdain You Su's cooking.

Hmph, serves you right for getting in the way!

Mmm! Delicious!

The Third Elder opened her beautiful eyes wide, captivated by the oily and spicy flavor in her mouth. She couldn't help but exclaim in praise, completely forgetting that she had only started eating to belittle You Su.

"Right! I told you it was delicious!" Ji Lingruo giggled, looking adorably proud.

Even the usually silent Wangshu Fairy had her eyelashes curled, looking quite happy.

The Third Elder kept eating, picking up more stir-fried meat and putting it into his mouth. Towards the end, he didn't even bother to cover his mouth with his hands anymore, constantly eating and making "mmm" sounds of praise.

For her, the taste of this dish was far from top-notch, but its flavor made her feel as if she had returned to her early days when she was still a novice in the world.

She wasn't born of any immortals; back then, she was just an ordinary person with no way to seek immortality, merely a medicine-dispensing girl in a mortal clinic. Now, standing atop the mountain, she often recalls those carefree days—every evening after closing time, she would eagerly anticipate what kind of 'cooking Technique Method's the shopkeeper would perform with that big iron pot; once the thick smoke dissipated, it would transform into the greatest happiness of her hard-working day.

But now, not only is she gone, but the city has been demolished and rebuilt. She seeks her homeland, but everything has changed.

Void Glimpse Venerable's physical body made her unafraid of spicy food, yet it felt as if the spiciness touched the softest part of her heart.

The Third Elder gently put down his chopsticks, suddenly stood up, glanced back at You Su, and withdrew all his previous mockery and disdain, saying calmly:

"The cooking is alright. I won't keep taking your lunch. You continue, I'm going to check on your master."

Having said that, the beautiful woman walked briskly into the fairy forest behind, her voice drifting back again:

"I've marked that set of bowls and chopsticks; remember to wash them thoroughly."

Upon Ji Lingruo looked at the plate of stir-fried pork with green peppers, which now only contained green peppers, and her face was full of bitterness. She regretted it in her heart:

I was just being polite and letting you have a taste, how come you, a great Grain Avoidance immortal, are addicted to it?