Traveling with a Beauty

At dusk, the two found a Secluded Mountain Valley. Several streams flowed down from the mountains into a pool below, gathering into a small river that ran into the distance. There was also a flat patch of ground not far from the pool, perfect for camping.

"Let's stay here tonight! There's water here, so it'll be convenient for cooking."

Ye Liangchen took pots, bowls, and utensils out of his Soul Tool, then gathered some stones and set up a simple stove.

"You brought all that with you when traveling?"

Zhu Zhu Qing was very surprised to see Ye Liangchen carrying pots and bowls around with him. Soul Masters usually brought, at most, some dry provisions when traveling. She had never expected this guy to bring along all this Cookware. It was unbelievable.

"What's the point of chewing on dry rations every day? Cooking for yourself is much more interesting."

"Little Cat, let me tell you, food cooked out in the wild tastes especially good. You'll find out soon enough."

Ye Liangchen smiled faintly. As a foodie, carrying pots and bowls with him was perfectly reasonable.

"Then I'll go gather some firewood."

Zhu Zhu Qing had never experienced cooking outdoors before, and she found it quite interesting. She immediately ran into the distant woods to look for firewood.

After Ye Liangchen set up the stove, he went to the stream to wash some rice and filled two buckets with water. When he returned, he happened to see Zhu Zhu Qing carrying back a bundle of dry firewood, with a few dead leaves stuck in her hair. He found it rather amusing.

"Hey, Zhu Zhu Qing, you're from the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire. You probably haven't done work like this before, right?"

Zhu Zhu Qing said slowly, "I really haven't done this kind of work before, but it's simple. You learn it as soon as you try."

After placing the firewood on the ground, Zhu Zhu Qing took the initiative to light it with flint and helped Ye Liangchen as his assistant. Since she would be cultivating with him in the future, she needed to learn to do things on her own. Otherwise, she would be nothing more than a pretty vase.

Ye Liangchen placed the rice pot on the stove, washed a small piece of Cured Meat, and put it into the pot. Then he looked toward the small river in the distance, an idea forming in his mind.

"Little Cat, do you eat fish? There might be fish in that river. Let's take a look. If there are, we'll catch some and have an extra dish tonight."

Ye Liangchen knew that this girl's Martial Soul was the Hell Spirit Cat. She had absolutely no resistance to foods like fish.

"Fish? Then let's hurry and take a look."

The moment she heard there was fish to eat, Zhu Zhu Qing's eyes immediately lit up. Fish was one of her favorite foods, likely due to the influence of her Martial Soul. She had been born liking fish.

"If we catch a big one, I'll let you try Water Boiled Fish tonight. You'll definitely have a feast."

"Water Boiled Fish? What kind of dish is that?"

"Anyway, it's a delicacy you've never had before."

"Then I really want to try it."

The two chatted as they walked and soon arrived at the riverbank. Sure enough, there were fish in the river, so they immediately began catching them.

"I'll block this side, Zhu Zhu Qing. Hurry and make your move."

"Oh! Okay."

"There's another big one over there."

"I caught it..."

Catching fish by hand in a river was a very joyful thing for many people. Whether they ate the fish was not important; what mattered was enjoying the process of catching them.

Even the usually aloof Zhu Zhu Qing was immersed in the joy of catching fish, a smile blooming across her face. This was the first time she had experienced such enjoyment.

"Ye Liangchen, thank you."

Zhu Zhu Qing stared blankly at the young man before her. He had let her experience what a truly happy life was like. At that moment, she hoped this joyful time could remain forever.

"What's wrong with you again? Stop spacing out and catch the fish. We're waiting to put them in the pot!"

Ye Liangchen paid no attention to her unusual gaze and hurriedly urged her to catch fish.

"Oh! I'll catch them right away."

Seeing the mud smeared on the young man's face, making him look especially adorable, Zhu Zhu Qing revealed a brilliant smile. She immediately worked together with Ye Liangchen and continued catching fish.

As the saying went, men and women working together never got tired. Before long, the two had caught more than a dozen fish, with the largest ones weighing around two pounds.

"That's so much fish. It's enough for the two of us."

Ye Liangchen cleaned the fish right by the riverbank, while Zhu Zhu Qing helped wash them clean.

When they returned to the campsite, they found that the rice was already cooked. Ye Liangchen took out a cutting board, removed the fish bones, and sliced the meat into thin pieces. His smooth, practiced movements left Zhu Zhu Qing staring in amazement.

Ye Liangchen, was there anything he couldn't do?

Zhu Zhu Qing recalled how powerful the young man before her was, with endless Martial Skills that dazzled the eye, superb medical skills, and, most importantly, the ability to cook. He was incredibly handsome, cheerful, and kind. He was simply the perfect man, the finest of the finest.

Sigh! Which woman would be lucky enough to have such an exceptional man in the future?

Zhu Zhu Qing came from the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire and had seen countless handsome men, but not a single one could compare with the young man before her.

At that moment, a bold thought arose in Zhu Zhu Qing's heart. She wanted to remain by this man's side forever. But it was only a thought. Her fate had already been decided. She had yet to become strong enough to change it, so she did not dare think too far ahead. If her own affairs ended up hurting the young man before her, that would be terrible.

After Ye Liangchen finished slicing the fish, he saw Zhu Zhu Qing spacing out beside him and felt rather speechless.

"Hey! Little Cat! Why are you spacing out again? Hurry and add some firewood! I'm about to make Water Boiled Fish. We've been busy for ages, and I'm starving."

"Oh! Sorry, I got distracted. I'll add more firewood right away."

Zhu Zhu Qing was jolted awake by Ye Liangchen's voice, a faint blush flashing across her cheeks. She hurriedly grabbed some dry firewood and put it into the stove.

Ye Liangchen heated oil in the pot, added mountain spring water, then poured in a little spicy sesame oil. Once the broth came to a boil, he added the fish slices.

Before long, a pot of spicy, fragrant Water Boiled Fish slices was ready. With a sprinkle of wild scallions, the aroma became instantly irresistible.

Ye Liangchen also stir-fried a dish of Blue Silver Grass and sliced up the Cured Meat, setting everything on the small table.

"Zhu Zhu Qing, let's eat."

Ye Liangchen called Little Cat over to eat. After working for so long, they could finally dig in.

"Ye Liangchen, thank you."

Zhu Zhu Qing picked up a slice of Water Boiled Fish and put it into her mouth. In an instant, the spicy, fragrant flavor exploded across her tongue.

"Wow! This is so delicious."

The fish Zhu Zhu Qing had eaten before was generally fried or deep-fried. She had never seen fish slices prepared this way, and she was utterly conquered by the delicacy.

"Tasty, right? Then eat more."

Ye Liangchen smiled. Spicy Water Boiled Fish was a delicacy that had existed only on Blue Star in his previous life. He had never seen it in this otherworldly Douluo Continent.

They were both Soul Masters, so the small table of food was quickly wiped clean.

"Ye Liangchen, this was the best dinner I've ever had. Thank you."

As Zhu Zhu Qing helped clean up the pots and bowls, she spoke to Ye Liangchen with endless gratitude. She had lived in fear and unease for years. Suddenly being able to enjoy such a peaceful and beautiful life felt truly wonderful.

"You're welcome. It was just a simple dinner."

Ye Liangchen waved it off indifferently. Food he made with his own hands gave him a great sense of accomplishment, so naturally, it tasted good.

As night fell, Ye Liangchen set up two tents, cut down several tree trunks to make simple beds, then laid down two layers of bedding in preparation for rest.

Zhu Zhu Qing also helped, but when she saw the two tents, she felt very happy, though also a little disappointed. Was she not pretty enough? Did he not have even the slightest interest in her?

Zhu Zhu Qing believed her appearance was fairly good. Countless ordinary men had thoughts about her whenever they saw her. Yet from the moment this young man met her, he had never shown the slightest improper intention toward her. He was truly an odd one.

At that moment, Zhu Zhu Qing began to doubt her own beauty. As a woman, being unable to draw a man's gaze gave her a sense of defeat.

"I'm going to bathe in that pool over there. Don't you dare peek!"

After finishing the post-dinner work, Ye Liangchen planned to soak in the water. Before leaving, he gave Zhu Zhu Qing a warning.

"Ah... oh!..."

Zhu Zhu Qing was thoroughly stunned by Ye Liangchen's sudden remark. Wasn't that supposed to be something a woman said?

Seeing Little Cat's completely bewildered expression, Ye Liangchen found it amusing. He had said a woman's line, leaving her with nothing to say.

After enjoying a comfortable bath in the pool, Ye Liangchen returned to the campsite and prepared to cultivate for a while.

"Ye Liangchen, keep watch for me. I'm going to wash up too."

Zhu Zhu Qing spoke softly to Ye Liangchen, picked up her toiletries, and quickly ran toward the pool. At that moment, her heart felt like a little deer was crashing about inside her chest, thumping wildly.

"Little Cat! Don't worry. There are no Soul Beasts or other people here. I'll keep watch for you."

Ye Liangchen said a few words casually, then added more wood to the campfire and made it burn brighter. He flew up into a large tree, took out HK416, and used the Scope's night vision to observe the surroundings, preventing any animals from approaching.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhu Qing soaked in the pool, trying to calm herself down. Meeting him again, the person she had never forgotten, and spending the night with him in this Small Valley made her feel both excited and nervous.

Zhu Zhu Qing recalled how she and her aunt had been rescued by Ye Liangchen and the others in the Star Dou Forest, and how she had gotten to know him afterward. He had only been a six-year-old child then, yet he had taken out Sugar Beans to share with her. From that day onward, Ye Liangchen's small figure had remained forever imprinted in her mind.

However, remembering that this man seemed to have no thoughts about her at all left Zhu Zhu Qing feeling slightly disappointed.

Time slowly passed. Nearly an hour had gone by, and Ye Liangchen still had not seen Zhu Zhu Qing return. Worried that something had happened to her, he called out toward the pool.

"Little Cat, what are you doing over there? It's been so long. Why haven't you come out yet?"

Ye Liangchen's words immediately snapped Zhu Zhu Qing back to her senses, and she hurriedly replied.

"I'm fine. I'll be done right away."

Zhu Zhu Qing quickly emerged from the water, changed into clean clothes, washed her previous outfit, and hurried back toward the campsite.

"I thought you'd drowned." Ye Liangchen sat not far from the fire. Seeing Little Cat finally return, he could not help teasing her.

"Sorry for making you worry."

Zhu Zhu Qing felt somewhat guilty. She had taken so long to bathe that she had made him worry about her.

"Ye Liangchen, go to sleep. I'll keep watch for you."

It was already deep into the night, and Zhu Zhu Qing took the initiative to take on the night watch.

"No need. I'm going to cultivate, so you should rest."

As a man, how could Ye Liangchen let a woman keep watch? Besides, with Little Cat's limited strength, he would not feel at ease letting her do it anyway.

"Then I'll keep watch with you. Soul Masters can also use meditation for cultivation. It's fine even if we don't sleep for a night."

Zhu Zhu Qing also felt too embarrassed to rest by herself, so she accompanied Ye Liangchen in cultivation.

"Do as you like. If you can't hold on, go rest."

Ye Liangchen saw that this girl was still stubbornly trying to endure, so he did not try to persuade her further.

"I can do it. I want to ask you about some cultivation matters. Is that okay?" Zhu Zhu Qing was extremely curious about Ye Liangchen's dazzling Spirit Ring configuration.

"Go ahead and ask."

Since she wanted to follow him now, Ye Liangchen could tell her a few things.

"How old was your first Spirit Ring? The color of your Spirit Ring is much deeper than mine."

"My first Spirit Ring was 999 years old, just one year short of a thousand. My second was 3,800 years old, and my third Spirit Ring was 12,000 years old."

"Ah! That's amazing! How did you do it?"

"If you want to break through the limits of Spirit Rings, you need to train your body until it becomes stronger. Only then is it possible to break through..."

Ye Liangchen explained some simple body-training methods to Zhu Zhu Qing. As for the more advanced ones, he could not tell her about those. Those required cheating.

At that moment, Zhu Zhu Qing became a little fangirl, listening to him explain cultivation methods for strengthening a Soul Master's physique. Little stars seemed to shine endlessly in her eyes.