Immortal's Feast

The Xuan Tian Sword Intent stated that if Xuan Niang was pregnant, there was indeed a minuscule chance of the Sha Qi hiding within the fetus, evading my detection… but that scenario is extremely rare, practically impossible…

What's impossible about it! Didn't you see how delicate Xuan Niang's figure was and how wide her hips are! It would be more normal for her to be pregnant! Cough cough cough cough! Besides, since the system already 'determined Tian Silang is not dead', it's probably true!

"Should I get rid of the Sha corpse first? I let it escape after all. What if it causes a major disaster..." Li Fan couldn't help but ask.

The Xuan Tian Sword Intent impatiently swirled, knocking another bamboo leaf down to hit him.

'The Xuan Tian Sword Intent states, Host, you still haven't learned your lesson. I already said it's almost impossible! And if it escaped, it escaped. With so many rogue Devilish Cultivator fetuses in the world, do you, a mere Foundation Establishment, need to worry about it?

Don't worry, the various sects are not lacking in rare treasures now, but they still send their disciples to travel the world to hunt down these stragglers.

Moreover, a Sha corpse isn't that difficult to deal with. Unless it's a corpse king that has been nurtured for hundreds of years in a tomb, a couple of squads of armored soldiers would be enough to capture it alive.

Besides, didn't you say the Li Country constables are very capable? Let them handle it! Stop monkeying around and get back to leveling up!'

"I wasn't talking about..." Sigh, forget it, I'll focus on leveling up first..." Li Fan sighed, resigning himself to entrusting the fate of the world to the Li Country constables. He wiped the blood off his wooden sword with his sleeve and charged back into the bamboo forest.

Getting back to the topic, the remaining five stances from the Xuan Tian Sword Technique. Sword Intent and Kun Remastered Edition.

The Scattering Strike is for dealing with multiple enemies in a chaotic melee, being surrounded from all sides. The Rising and Falling Stance is for countering surprise attacks and gaining the advantage of the first move. The Striking Stance is for close-quarters combat and dangerous situations where swords clash rapidly.

These three stances are perfect for Li Fan to farm monkeys in the bamboo forest. First, use the Rising and Falling Stance to leap into the monkey horde, then use the Scattering Strike to unleash a flurry of AOE slashes to clear the field. If anything goes wrong and he's rushed into his sword's reach, he uses the Striking Stance to kill the enemy.

Strictly speaking, these three stances are for crushing weaker opponents, so they are perfectly suited for his current situation.

The other two stances, the Lightning Strike and the Responsive Guard, are both sword techniques for one-on-one duels.

The Lightning Strike, as its name suggests, is as fast as lightning and as swift as thunder. It's a life-or-death, high-speed sword attack with only three moves. If you can't block them, you die; if you can block them, I die. There's no room for error, no fancy tricks.

The Responsive Guard is even more impressive. It has no fixed form; it's all about responding to the opponent. How your sword comes, my sword will block. Adapting to the situation, seizing opportunities, and striking after the opponent. This is also a two-sword stance that requires high experience, comprehension, and arm strength from the user. After all, you have to block their two-handed sword with your one-handed sword before you can counterattack.

These two stances are meant for opponents of equal or superior strength. For the Thunder Monkeys in the bamboo forest, who can be killed with a single strike, there's no opportunity to use them.

Moreover, honestly, these two stances rely less on form and more on experience. Li Fan certainly hasn't mastered them. He originally wanted to practice with the Thunder Monkeys, but who knew these beasts, with their tough hides and bulging muscles, couldn't even withstand a single slash of his Bamboo Mountain basic Sword Qi. With a flash of Return to Dust sword qi, they would be dismembered, their arterial blood spraying three feet high. The slaughter scene was horrific, leaving him no room to practice his moves.

In the end, Li Fan was too lazy to even use the Scattering Strike, which had a long wind-up, lengthy casting time, and consumed too much energy. He simply alternated between Rising and Falling, Striking, Striking, Rising and Falling, Striking, Striking, Rising and Falling, Rising and Falling, Rising and Falling. He'd leap out and slash, leap over and kill, then leap and chase the terrified, fleeing monkeys. Kun followed behind, constantly absorbing the thunder crystals.

'The Xuan Tian Sword Intent states, Host, rein it in. Don't get too carried away with killing. Never get reckless during a sword fight. Remember not to pursue a cornered enemy, always be aware of your surroundings, don't fall into traps, and especially pay attention to the condition of your weapon. Remember to change swords.'

"Change swords?" Li Fan looked at the wooden sword in his hand. Only then did he notice that because he had been infusing it with Return to Dust Sword Qi for too long, after killing about thirty monkeys, the wooden sword's body had already become as rotten and cracked as earth and stone.

The Xuan Tian Sword Intent states that this wooden magic sword from Bamboo Mountain is well-made. The runes and enchantments within are exquisite. With the abundance of spiritual materials now, even the choice of wood for the sword is good. Its lasting for thirty strikes is considered excellent quality. However, a normal wooden sword might be unusable after one or two strikes. If it's defiled by bloody Sha qi, ordinary weapons would be directly crippled.

Therefore, forging a handy divine weapon is especially important for cultivators. After reaching the Golden Core stage, a lot of time is spent on forging magic treasures. This is why disciples from major sects have a significant advantage, as elders can help with sword forging, saving them a lot of time for their own cultivation. Ink Bamboo Mountain is a bit lacking in this regard.

However, Host, you don't need to worry. In the future, you can use the sword box I've hidden. For the Foundation Establishment Realm, just buy some low-grade magic treasures to make do. Oh, right, Host, aren't you rich now? Go buy yourself a handy one.'

"Then why don't I just buy a hundred or so wooden swords to keep on hand?"

Li Fan took out a new wooden sword from his jade pendant and swung it. This eight-sided Han sword shape was made to imprint Bamboo Mountain's basic Sword Qi with Black Sword. Directly infusing Sword Qi onto the blade, its length was not off by a hair. And wielding the wooden sword with the increased arm strength after reaching Foundation Establishment made it surprisingly light and easy to handle, so much so that he was reluctant to switch.

'The Xuan Tian Sword Intent states, you can't be stingy with weapons. Wooden swords are only for disciples to practice with. Although there are few opportunities for close-quarters combat, if it were to be broken by an iron sword, you would regret it immensely.

Right, speaking of the form of magic artifacts, Host, don't covet those ceremonial vessels carved with gold and jade. They're useless. As for high-grade alloy meteoric iron, there's no need for it. Buying such treasures to forge weapons in the Foundation Establishment Realm is too expensive and wasteful. Bronze coin swords or iron swords would be fine.

Oh! Host, don't wait any longer! Stop training for today! Fly! Fly! Fly!'

Saying the important thing three times, the Xuan Tian Sword Intent sounded an alarm. Li Fan guessed that a big monster had appeared. He immediately threw out his flying crane hairpin, put Kun and the Sword Intent into his sleeve, and flew away on the crane.

As expected, as the flying crane soared into the clouds, they saw from afar a large area of the bamboo forest below collapsing, as if some giant monster was charging through the forest like a rampaging bull, extremely agitated.

"Could that be..."

'The Xuan Tian Sword Intent states, indeed, it is the Thunder Monkey King of this forest, a great demon of the Golden Core stage. Ordinary Golden Core cultivators, without a decent flying sword, might not be able to suppress it.

Host, you are currently unarmed and without the Mu Long sword. If you encounter it, you'll die. Fortunately, you seized the time to kill many monkeys and refine them for a while before this beast was alerted. However, this kind of beast will definitely hold a grudge. You won't have two days. Go buy a magic sword directly.'

Tsk, there's even a chance to trigger a wild BOSS event? Then how can I use the Thunder Monkeys to level up? System, what's the current status?

Li Fan, Mood, 114/200, Current Charge Progress 198/200

Huh? That's not right! I killed so many just now?

'System determines that some Thunder Monkeys did not reach the Foundation Establishment Realm and do not provide Mood points.'

Hey, this judgment system is too harsh! System! We're already so familiar, can you not be so petty? It's only two points away anyway, let's round up and draw a prize, okay?

The system ignored him.

"Tsk, forget it," Li Fan mused, "I'll go eat first, or buy some Foundation Establishment Realm pills to pop, accumulate two Mood points to draw the gift package."

'Kun agrees.'

He flew familiarly to the town outside the Lou Guan Tower. On the way, Li Fan took out the lotus seedpod artifact from his jade pendant, showered himself to wash off the bloodstains, changed into casual clothes, and remembered the rules, putting on the 'faceless' headscarf.

The flying crane landed. Li Fan naturally went to the Jiang family's merchant shop first to find Fuling, wanting to inquire about channels for purchasing magic treasures and pills.

But unexpectedly, another accident happened. The Jiang family's merchant shop was closed.

"What's going on?" Li Fan frowned. It wasn't a holiday today, and all other shops were open as usual, but the Jiang family's shop was closed. There wasn't a single employee on duty, and Fuling's treasure ship wasn't visible in the courtyard either.

Although he knew Fuling had been busy with some matters recently, the entire shop being closed—was it really just a minor issue?

Not knowing where to find Fuling, Li Fan hesitated for a moment, then took a few steps and circled around to the entrance of a restaurant.

Yes, it was Ke Shan Zhai at the entrance. Perhaps he could find out from the regular customers what happened to the Jiang family's merchant guild. Although Li Fan still had a painting from here that he hadn't sold yet, maybe the storm had passed...

This Ke Shan Zhai was as bustling as ever, with a queue at the entrance. It seemed the incident of the stolen menu hadn't affected its popularity at all; in fact, there seemed to be even more people queuing. What was going on?

Li Fan snuck back in, using his 'Veil of Obscurity' to bypass idle onlookers and cut the queue. He glanced at the wall of the mess hall, where the goddess painting used to be, and then he understood.

It wasn't a single flying goddess serving food anymore; it was a whole group.

The previous artistic style had completely changed, replaced by a vulgar depiction of bathing celestial maidens. It was a shame it wasn't a realistic illusionary treasure, but simply a painting that had been touched up. But you had to admit, it was truly lifelike, hazy and alluring, coy and inviting, utterly captivating!

To describe it objectively, without any bias, it was a painting of seven celestial maidens bathing in a pool, enjoying a water banquet. There wasn't anything particularly explicit, just… suggestive. Dishes of exquisite flavor and aroma floated among lotus bowls and delicate feet, embraced by peaks like mutton-fat jade. It was certainly more direct and visually appealing than the bizarre dish names from before.

Now, diners could openly and earnestly appreciate these delectable delicacies that were a feast for the eyes, ahem!

What was even more impressive was that the seven celestial maidens in the painting were all based on real people.

Indeed, as Li Fan entered, he saw one of the seven celestial maidens, her form veiled in misty gauze, skin like water, sitting by the entrance with a half-exposed leg, a playful smile on her face, greeting guests. She wasn't even wearing undergarments, as if she had just stepped out of the painted bath to cool off. And despite her appearance, meant to entertain and converse, she actually possessed a bit of Qi cultivation.

Heh, as the saying goes, the three greatest joys for a middle-aged man are promotion, wealth, and… well, anyway, the owner of this vegetarian eatery, no longer having the portrait of his former wife glaring at him from the entrance, had clearly let loose his lifestyle.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist. Are you here for a meal?" The celestial maiden with the long, bare legs at the entrance was no ordinary person. She could tell Li Fan, dressed as an inner disciple and wearing the 'Veil of Obscurity,' was no mere mortal. She ignored the lecherous glances from the common folk and, upon seeing such a young and promising talent who had already reached Foundation Establishment, she beamed and approached him warmly.

Li Fan didn't stand on ceremony and gave her a thorough once-over. After all, she was dressed to be looked at, so why not? "Yes, do you have any immortal cuisine for the Foundation Establishment Realm? Preferably of the Return to Dust attribute."

He had inquired about this from Fuling. In truth, cultivators could indeed practice methods of abstaining from grain. After all, the spiritual energy in the mortal realm was impure. Some cultivators specialized in a single type of Qi, and some ingredients were unclean, requiring effort to expel impurities after consumption. So, they simply wouldn't eat, subsisting on water and pills, occasionally chewing on spiritually purified white rice for sustenance, like beings who lived on clouds and mist, detached from the mortal world.

However, with the Five Elements Evasion techniques now widespread, and the spiritual energy and resources of heaven and earth being so abundant, such ascetic cultivation was no longer necessary. There were specially prepared immortal cuisines, also known as immortal meals, for cultivators to consume.

These were not only delicacies but also contained various medicinal ingredients that could enhance cultivation and nourish the body, leading to immense benefits.

But proper immortal meals naturally had requirements for spiritual energy purity. The difference between immortal meals for the Qi Refining stage and those for the Nascent Soul Realm was vast, as were the production cycles and costs.

Still, immortal eateries like Ke Shan Zhai, which catered to cultivators, certainly relied on this for profit.

"Immortal meal for Foundation Establishment Realm and Return to Dust evasion, noted. Fellow Daoist, please follow me to a private room."

The long-legged attendant led Li Fan upstairs. Upstairs was the Plum Blossom Garden, which Li Fan had once entered through a painting. However, this was not an illusion but a space created using magic, a venue for gatherings and banquets. Beside it was the bathing pool of the seven celestial maidens. Currently, three attendants were bathing in the pool, darting back and forth like golden carp, laughing. Occasionally, they would lift exquisite jade platters, their waists coyly concealed, and rise from the lotus-filled water, their bodies glistening, to serve dishes to the nearby banquets. They would then sit on the guests' laps, wet and slippery, and feed them delicacies with their fingertips, bite by bite.

Around them, a group of cultivators were drinking and playing, surrounding the pool and admiring the 'fish' in the pond.

Hiss… They really know how to have fun… Good! When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

With great interest, Li Fan found a spot with a good view and sat down. He glanced at the menu of Return to Dust immortal meals presented by the attendant.

Alas, he still had no idea what any of it was. Fortunately, there were prices. But honestly, a single dish costing over a thousand was too much. One string of coins was equivalent to twenty shi of rice… He'd pick two cheaper ones…

"I'll have the 'Huai Tao Xie Yu Pan'… and the 'Yang Zhi Su Qiong Ye'." Li Fan was completely unceremonious, ordering the two cheapest dishes. One was twenty-one, the other five, totaling twenty-five… What a rip-off…

The attendant's face visibly stiffened, but clearly intimidated by this inner disciple of Foundation Establishment, whom they couldn't afford to offend, she silently withdrew with a smile.

Then, Li Fan stared intently at the fish in the pool, ahem, mainly to see when his dishes would be served.

He didn't wait long. After a moment, a plain-looking waiter approached with a tray. "Guest, the Huai Tao Xie Yu Pan and Yang Zhi Su Qiong Ye you ordered."

Li Fan looked at him expressionlessly, then at the dishes being served to the 'fish' over there, and finally looked down at the items placed on his own table.

A plate of green cold noodles, no soup, no sauce, no mixed ingredients, just plain, simple, unadorned, a plate of green cold noodles, about two liang. And a skewer of fried white steamed buns, with a small dish of sauce on the side. They had thoughtfully cut the buns into five slices for him.

'Li Fan's mood decreased by 1 point.'

Li Fan sharply turned his head and glared at the waiter.

The waiter remained expressionless. "Your dishes are served. That will be twenty-five strings of coins."

'Li Fan's mood decreased by 1 point.'

'Li Fan, Mood, 112/200, Current Charge Progress 200/200'

'Host can now perform a lottery draw.'

But Li Fan didn't feel like drawing a lottery right now.

"…Say that again, how much?" Li Fan gritted his teeth and stared at him. So, they even sent someone in Foundation Establishment to guard against him skipping out on the bill, did they!

The plain-faced waiter remained expressionless and flipped open the menu, pointing at it. "Huai Tao Xie Yu Pan, twenty strings. Yang Zhi Su Qiong Ye, five strings. Immortal cuisine for the Foundation Establishment Realm, genuine and honest, no deception."

"Then what about that one!" Li Fan pointed at the attendant sitting on a guest's lap, feeding him wine. It seemed the guest found the wine too cold, so she obediently warmed it in her mouth before feeding it to him…

The plain-faced waiter looked at Li Fan, still expressionless. "Guest, if you request it specifically, I can also serve you…"

Hiss… Li Fan gasped and was about to slam the table and leave.

Kun jumped out from his embrace, took a bite of a steamed bun slice, and then slurped up a noodle.

'Kun states, it's alright, not as tasty as Fuling's.'

Li Fan and the waiter glared at Kun.

The waiter coughed. "Guest, this cannot be returned now…"

'Li Fan's mood decreased by 1 point.'