A moment later, Gu Shenge returned to the cave with two black-feathered pheasants in hand. Following a method he had learned from short videos in his previous life, he first cleaned the birds, then coated them in spices, massaged the seasoning in evenly, and left them to marinate. After a while, he wrapped each one in two layers of lotus leaves.
He dug up some soil, took a bottle of wine from the System Space, and poured it into the soil, mixing it into a wet paste. This way, the roasted chicken wouldn't have any earthy smell. Instead, it would have a hint of wine aroma.
Having recovered her strength, Yun Yun sat on the rug and watched Gu Shenge's every move without blinking. A hint of confusion crossed her pretty face. What was he doing now?
Soon, Gu Shenge molded the mud around the lotus leaves. A wisp of green flame appeared at his fingertips. He controlled the temperature of the Green Lotus Core Flame, careful not to turn the chickens to ash the moment it touched them, and slowly roasted them through.
If those alchemists who desperately sought Heavenly Flames learned that he was using one to roast beggar's chicken, they'd probably want to kill him.
"Is that a Heavenly Flame?"
Suddenly, Yun Yun's gentle, soft voice sounded in Gu Shenge's ear. The beautiful sect leader looked at the green flame around the two beggar's chickens, surprise flickering in her eyes, though a trace of uncertainty remained.
Gu Shenge nodded. "Yes. What about it?"
"Nothing. It's just my first time seeing a Heavenly Flame, so I'm a little surprised."
Yun Yun shook her head. She'd heard plenty of rumors about Heavenly Flames, but today was the first time she'd seen one. She gazed at the wisp of green flame, wondering if this was the Heavenly Flame Gu He had been pursuing all along. Aside from its unusual color, it didn't seem all that special compared to an ordinary flame.
"You have a Heavenly Flame, so I assume you're an alchemist, too?"
"Yes. I'm a sixth-grade alchemist."
Hearing that he was also a sixth-grade alchemist, Yun Yun looked even more surprised. He seemed so young, yet he was already a Dou Emperor and a sixth-grade alchemist. How terrifying.
But with accomplishments like that, why had she barely heard of him in the Northwest Continent? Could he be from somewhere else?
The beautiful sect leader thought it over and guessed that Juan Shoutian was from the Central Plains. He must have come here specifically to wait for the Ancient Cave Mansion to appear, after hearing about it in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
But luckily, he was here. Otherwise, she might not have made it out alive.
A moment later, the Green Lotus Core Flame vanished, and the two mud-covered beggar's chickens dropped into Gu Shenge's hands, still faintly warm.
He tapped the hardened mud gently with a finger, breaking it apart and revealing the lotus leaves inside.
Gu Shenge peeled back the lotus leaves. A faint wine aroma mixed with the fresh scent of lotus leaves and the rich smell of chicken wafted out, lingering beneath Yun Yun's nose. Her throat bobbed before she could stop herself, and her empty stomach protested even more loudly.
Realizing she'd let herself show, the beautiful sect leader blushed. Gu Shenge tore off a drumstick and offered it to her. "Go ahead."
Yun Yun didn't pretend to be coy. She took the drumstick and began nibbling at it. The meat was tender without being dry or greasy, and it came easily off the bone. It wasn't exactly exquisite, but to a hungry Yun Yun, it was a rare treat.
When the beautiful sect leader had eaten the drumstick down to the bone, Gu Shenge couldn't tell whether she was simply starving or whether it really tasted that good, so he asked tentatively:
"How is it?"
Yun Yun looked at the drumstick she'd picked clean and felt a little awkward. It wasn't that the drumstick was especially delicious; she'd just been too hungry. Still, to be fair, it did taste pretty good, and she gave him an honest assessment.
"Not bad. The meat's tender, comes right off the bone, and isn't dry or greasy."
Gu Shenge nodded with satisfaction. It was his first time making it, after all. It would've been awkward if it had turned out awful.
He pushed the other beggar's chicken toward Yun Yun and ate the first one himself.
Before long, the two of them had polished off both chickens. Only a few bones remained to prove they'd ever been there.
After a while, Yun Yun thought of something. Her cheeks reddened, and she parted her lips, speaking softly with a hint of embarrassment.
"Um... I need to change clothes. Could you step outside for a bit...?"
Seeing that Yun Yun wanted to change, Gu Shenge said nothing. He glanced at the front of her robe, torn by the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King's claws, then got up and left the cave.
More than ten minutes later, the beautiful sect leader's voice finally drifted out from inside.
"Prince Juan, you can come in."
Gu Shenge walked back into the cave. Before him stood Yun Yun, now dressed in an elegant, pale-colored gown. She looked poised and graceful, the dress accentuating her full, alluring figure. Her curves were striking, her waist slender, her hips rounded, and her skin as white and smooth as snow. Long, shapely legs appeared and disappeared beneath the side of her skirt, an enticing sight. The dignified, noble bearing of someone long accustomed to high office was also beginning to show.
"Your injuries have mostly healed. What do you plan to do next? Leave the Magic Beast Mountain Range, or...?"
Yun Yun shook her head. She had no intention of leaving the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
The Purple Spirit Crystal still hadn't been secured. And the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King had badly wounded her, leaving her in such a sorry state that she'd nearly died. She couldn't let that go.
"I'm determined to get the Purple Spirit Crystal. Once I break the Amethyst Seal, I'll go fight the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King again. Next time, my sword won't miss."
Her voice carried a note of indignation. If the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King hadn't knocked her aim off with that claw, her Meteor Killing would have pierced its head.
Seeing that Yun Yun had no intention of leaving, Gu Shenge didn't say anything more.
After a brief exchange, they ran out of things to talk about and fell silent.
Perhaps the quiet made Yun Yun uncomfortable, because before long, the beautiful sect leader spoke again, her tone carrying a hint of entreaty.
"Prince Juan, I've been struck by the Amethyst Seal, and my strength has been reduced by nine-tenths. I'd like you to protect me for a while. I'll reward you handsomely once it's over."
Gu Shenge didn't answer right away. He pretended to consider it, and only after a long pause did he nod.
"All right."
Seeing that he'd agreed, Yun Yun's eyes brightened. She smiled at Gu Shenge, her beauty utterly captivating. It struck him straight in the heart, and he couldn't help staring for a moment.
When she noticed Gu Shenge watching her, Yun Yun turned her head slightly, a shy look on her face, and asked in a low voice, "Is there something on my face? You keep staring at me."
"Nothing," Gu Shenge answered honestly. "I just think you look beautiful when you smile."
After saying that, he didn't look away. Instead, he gazed even more openly at the beautiful sect leader's stunning face: gentle, graceful, and lovely.
Hearing his praise and feeling his undisguised admiration, Yun Yun's cheeks flushed pale red.
It wasn't as if no one had ever complimented her before. But Gu Shenge was so bold, staring at her without looking away. It made her feel terribly shy. Her jade-like fingers tightened around her skirt, and she didn't know what to do.
Perhaps she couldn't stand Gu Shenge staring at her so openly any longer. Her face still flushed, Yun Yun chided him coyly, "Have you looked enough? Keep staring, and I'll make you leave."
Faced with the beautiful sect leader's threat, Gu Shenge smiled calmly and slowly looked away. Only then did Yun Yun relax, though she didn't forget to shoot him a light glare and give a soft huff. She was every bit the bashful young woman.
P.S. Sorry the story's moving a little slowly, but the romance needs time to develop.
Before you continue