Treating a Guest

Yue Ling's gaze locked onto the Spirit Bone, his heart brimming with excitement. He hurriedly stored it in his Soul Tool, forcefully suppressing the urge to absorb it on the spot.

"Thank you, Ma Xiaotao. You even made a special trip to deliver the Spirit Bone."

"It's nothing. This was yours to begin with."

Ma Xiaotao looked at Yue Ling. "The item has been delivered. I should be heading back now."

Having come all this way, she was quite satisfied with Yue Ling's attitude. In a light mood, she nodded, intending to take her leave.

"Don't go. Since you're already here, why not stay for breakfast? I'm guessing you haven't eaten this morning."

Yue Ling felt a little apologetic. She had gone through so much trouble and followed the whole process to come here, so it really did not seem right to simply let her leave.

"You can cook?"

Ma Xiaotao's face was full of surprise. She had always thought that, like herself, Yue Ling spent his days training and looking for people to fight, with no real knowledge of everyday matters like these.

Yue Ling saw the obvious suspicion still lingering on her fair little face.

Her eyes were filled with disbelief.

Yue Ling nodded firmly, his expression exceptionally certain.

"Of course! And there are plenty of things I can do. There's only what you can't think of—nothing I can't do!"

He planted his hands on his hips, looking utterly confident as he declared in a resounding voice, "Besides, as Elder Xuan's disciple, I've done quite a bit of research into the art of eating."

Ma Xiaotao stared at him blankly, completely taken in by his words, and immediately nodded.

Listening to his confident declaration, the last traces of doubt in Ma Xiaotao's heart gradually faded, replaced by a quiet hint of admiration.

"Sure. I really haven't eaten much this morning, so my stomach will be in your hands today, Chef Yue."

She deliberately drew out her words, her tone carrying a playful tease.

Yue Ling did not bother explaining further.

He knew full well that no amount of empty talk would work. Only real skill could completely conquer this girl's palate.

"Go wait outside on the stone bench for a while. I'll call you when the food's ready."

"Alright, then I'll trouble you..."

Ma Xiaotao was especially obedient here, though she also seemed a little reserved.

Every now and then, she looked around at this and that.

Yue Ling smiled and nodded.

Then he turned and strode into Elder Xuan's main house, heading straight for the kitchen.

The kitchen was fully equipped, with every utensil and facility neatly arranged, exactly as it had been when he left last time.

Uh... exactly the same...!

The thought flashed through Yue Ling's mind, and his heart suddenly clenched.

"Oh no!"

He remembered that last time, Elder Xuan had dragged him away before he had time to wash the pot after cooking. He feared it might still be full of greasy residue.

He quickly stepped forward and lifted the lid in one motion.

There was not a trace of the expected greasy scraps. The inner walls of the large pot were spotless, bright, and clean.

Yue Ling's suspended heart instantly settled. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in satisfaction.

It seemed his teacher was not lazy beyond saving after all.

He raised a hand and opened the kitchen's storage Soul Tool. It was packed full of ingredients of many varieties, though most were fresh meat from various soul beasts, with very few green vegetables.

"Sigh, I should've told Teacher to stock more vegetables."

Yue Ling sighed helplessly, then got to work. He fetched spring water and carefully scrubbed the large pot clean before officially beginning to prepare the ingredients.

He selected a piece of thousand-year-old Silver Wind Spirit Wolf meat with even marbling and tender flesh, then took out a section of wolf bone meant for soup.

The meat of soul beasts that had cultivated to maturity did not have the heavy gamey smell of ordinary meat.

These soul beasts that had lived for centuries or millennia had firm, plump flesh that also contained pure Soul Power. Eating it could gradually nourish one's body and meridians.

Following a process he had long mastered, he first repeatedly rinsed the surface with clean water, then used a faint stream of water-element Soul Power to slowly wash away the tiny traces of congealed blood lodged between the fibers, thoroughly driving out the slight turbid aura inherent in the soul beast meat.

Blanching, skimming the foam, draining—every step was handled with care and precision, without the slightest carelessness.

He put the cleaned wolf bones into a clay pot, filled it with sweet spring water, and tossed in two slices of spirit herbs to remove the smell and enhance the flavor.

A gentle strand of Soul Power condensed at Yue Ling's fingertips as he controlled the low flame beneath the stove, allowing the soup to slowly heat and simmer over a gentle fire.

Next, he took out a firm, crimson-red Crimson Flame Demon Lion tenderloin, carefully removed the sinew and membrane, then cut it into evenly sized chunks.

The stone grilling slab in the courtyard was clean and level, perfect for grilling the lion meat.

He neatly spread the pieces of meat across the rock slab normally used for barbecue and, relying on precise temperature control through Soul Power, slowly grilled them without haste.

While that cooked, he could make the rice.

Elder Xuan's kitchen storage Soul Tool had Shrek-issued rice and flour stocked year-round, all specially supplied ingredients that only the senior elders of the Shrek Inner Court could enjoy.

Their exceptional quality went without saying; they were naturally all top-grade.

Yue Ling searched through the storage Soul Tool's hidden compartment and quickly found a small bag of polished, lustrous white rice brimming with spiritual energy.

He scooped out two small bowls of rice, washed it twice with spring water, and put it into a small pot to steam.

The bowls were not large, just enough for two people.

This spirit rice contained faint Soul Power. Once cooked, it became soft and sweet, making it an ideal match for soul beast meat soup.

In less than an hour, the faint aromas of meat and rice drifted out of the small courtyard through the crack in the door.

The stone slab heated evenly, and the surface of the lion meat gradually developed an enticing sear. The fat sizzled as rich, mellow waves of meat fragrance spread through the air. There was not the slightest gamey odor of beast meat; in its place was pure, irresistible freshness.

The grilled meat was the first dish to finish.

To preserve its texture and temperature, he sealed it in a special Soul Tool, preparing to bring it out later.

Outside, Ma Xiaotao, who was sitting and waiting, was the first to catch the scent.

Her relaxed body, which had been leaning against the stone bench, stiffened slightly. She instinctively lifted her head and stared directly toward the kitchen.

"Damn... it really smells like the real thing. I thought he was just talking big."

Ma Xiaotao's eyes lit up.

The sweet, clear aroma of bone soup mingled with the rich fragrance of grilled meat, drifting into her nose in wisps and making her empty stomach rumble at once.

Her cheeks warmed slightly. Unable to sit still any longer, she leaned forward a little, watching the busy figure in the kitchen with eyes full of anticipation.

"It smells so good... I really want to taste it."

Yue Ling in the kitchen was completely unaware of the girl's thoughts outside and continued working in an orderly manner.

"Mm... almost done."

He took out the grilled meat without breaking the seal.

By then, the lion meat was lightly charred on the outside, while tender and juicy within.

He casually sprinkled on a small amount of crushed spirit plant seasoning to lightly flavor it and lock in the meat's aroma.

Meanwhile, the soup in the clay pot had also simmered until it was clear and mellow. The pure Soul Power within the wolf bones had fully cooked into the broth. Steam curled upward, and the aroma was intoxicating.

One soup and one grilled dish—just two simple soul beast delicacies—yet he had made them fragrant and appealing in both scent and appearance.

"Mm... there are still some tender bamboo shoots in the storage compartment... I might as well make a cold dish."

No sooner said than done.

He peeled the tender bamboo shoots clean and sliced them all into thin strips.

He rinsed away the impurities with spring water, quickly blanched them in boiling water, then scooped them out, rinsed them once in cold water, and drained them dry.

He added a small spoonful of fine salt supplied by the Shrek Inner Court, squeezed in a little juice from sourgrass, sprinkled on ground Fragrant Spirit Grass, then drizzled in a spoonful of refined spirit beast oil. With a few casual tosses of his wooden chopsticks, a cold dish was ready.

This cold mixed spirit bamboo was refreshing and cut through the richness, perfectly balancing the heat inherent in the lion meat and wolf soup.

The timing was perfect now. Everything was ready.