Hearth Fire, Worldly People

The night was deep, yet the Embers Kitchen was bathed in constant, bright light, as if it were daytime.

This time, Chen Xu didn't rush into cultivation. Instead, he opened his God of Cookery Recipes page and chose to spend 80 Firework Value to unlock the recipe for [Five Reds Blood Nourishing Soup].

Speaking of which, he had accumulated quite a few spirit materials in his Embers Kitchen, but Chen Xu hadn't utilized them all.

This was mainly because his Firework Value was always insufficient. Under limited conditions, he had to make choices.

The main ingredient for [Five Reds Blood Nourishing Soup] was Blood Agar, obtained from Lin Qi after his transformation. Its primary effect was to enhance Vitality.

Chen Xu didn't lack attribute points or Vitality. His current refinement of Five Reds Blood Nourishing Soup was purely for another purpose.

He unlocked the recipe, washed the pot, and started the fire.

His Fire Control technique moved with his will, instantly igniting the energy of the firewood beneath the stove. The pot began to sizzle as moisture evaporated.

Chen Xu scooped in a large amount of Jade Dew Spring Water, using a strong fire to rapidly boil the water. Then, he added various ingredients one by one before switching from a strong fire to a gentle one.

Throughout the process, he maintained precise control over the flames—

He was controlling the firewood beneath the stove, not his own Heart Fire.

It was strange, really. He was controlling firewood, an "external fire." Theoretically, it should be simpler than consuming his own spirit and energy, his Heart Fire.

After all, it didn't require him to expend much of his own energy.

But in practice, Chen Xu found that controlling "external fire" was actually more difficult than "Heart Fire."

With a thought, Chen Xu immediately spent another 300 Firework Value to unlock Fire Control Level Two.

[Fire Control Level Two (1/1000)]

Instantly, various profound and subtle incantations exploded in Chen Xu's mind like sparks.

As Chen Xu received the new incantations, it was as if a brand-new world had opened its doors to him.

Fire Control Level One: Observe Heart Fire internally.

Fire Control Level Two: Ignite and ascend.

Just as Wood Chopping Level Two had the effect of Microscopic Vision, Fire Control Level Two was also developing in a similar direction.

In summary, it was from the inside out, from oneself to the heavens and earth!

From only being able to control oneself, to being able to slightly control certain objects and energies within ten feet of oneself.

Connecting oneself to the heavens and earth is what is called Innate.

Chen Xu's heart was filled with understanding, and he found his rhythm of cultivation even more.

Yes, although he didn't seem to be cultivating, he was cultivating.

To enter the Dao through food, how could there be a principle of only bitter cultivation and avoiding the kitchen?

Refining spirit food not only allowed Chen Xu to make progress in his cultivation of the God of Cookery Cultivation Scroll but also simultaneously enhanced his Fire Control, Summon Wind, and other skills.

[Fire Control Level Two (3/1000)]

[Fire Control Level Two (5/1000)]

[God of Cookery Cultivation Scroll Level One (16/100)]

[19/100]

Until twelve hours passed, Chen Xu had not only refined a full thirty bowls of Five Reds Blood Nourishing Soup but also advanced his cultivation to [Vein Opening Early Stage 2.9%].

During this time, he had added three points to each of the Three Essences of Spirit, Qi, and Body.

It was precisely because his three core attributes had increased that his cultivation progress was so significant.

Using attribute points to cultivate was simply more convenient and satisfying than using any pill.

After finishing his cultivation, Chen Xu silently felt the Innate Qi within him grow stronger by a sliver. He even gave himself a mental "Awesome!"

The only regret was that he was left with only [173] Firework Value.

This time, Chen Xu didn't exhaust all his Firework Value in one go. Instead, he planned to save it. On one hand, it could be used for emergencies. At the same time, he wanted to accumulate enough Firework Value to unlock the Draw Water technique next time.

As dawn broke the next day, the trivial matters need not be recounted.

Chen Xu packed a number of practical items and provisions, hired a carriage, and set off for his village in the early morning.

Seven Rivers Township, Little Bend Village.

The Chen family, however, welcomed a few distinguished guests that morning.

It turned out that the family Madam Luo, Chen Xu's mother, had chosen for her eldest son, Chen Ping, had sent people over.

According to local custom, the first stage of matchmaking between two families was for the matchmaker to convey messages.

If the woman's side was interested in proceeding further, the woman's elder would personally visit the man's family.

This was the second stage of matchmaking: the woman's elder would personally inspect the man's family's financial situation, population, reputation, and other conditions.

If everything met their approval, they could proceed to the third stage of negotiation.

Matters such as betrothal gifts and dowries would be the focus of discussion during this stage.

Of course, betrothal gifts were undoubtedly more important than dowries.

"Your family only has these few rooms?"

In the Chen family's courtyard, a middle-aged woman wearing a fine cotton shirt the color of ochre walked around a few times. Then, she glanced sideways at Madam Luo, Chen Ping's mother.

The speaker was the mother of the daughter Madam Luo had arranged for Chen Ping to meet. She was known throughout the villages as Madam Qiu.

Madam Qiu was a woman with a long face and fair skin. Though she was middle-aged, she was still slender, suggesting she must have been quite beautiful in her youth.

Indeed, this was true. Madam Qiu had been the most sought-after beauty in several nearby villages when she was young.

Her daughter was even more renowned, rumored to be more beautiful and virtuous than Madam Qiu herself in her youth.

Madam Luo did not dare to be perfunctory in finding a match for her eldest son; she was searching with these top-tier conditions in mind.

Of course, it wasn't like this from the beginning.

Initially, Madam Luo only sought a girl with good character, a good temper, and decent looks.

But after repeated failures, where each match fell through due to one problem or another, the matchmakers eventually started bringing over only undesirable candidates, or those with significant family flaws.

Madam Luo couldn't stand it anymore and told the matchmakers that unless it was an excellent match, they shouldn't bother coming to her.

After some back and forth, the matchmaker found her the Qiu family.

The matchmaker also said, "This young lady is also very filial. A few years ago, when the family's matriarch was unwell, the Qiu family's young lady couldn't bear to see her parents toiling in the fields while also caring for the elderly. She voluntarily asked to stay home for a few more years. She served the matriarch for five years and only sent her off last year. Then, she observed a year of mourning. This is why she's been delayed, isn't it?

Alas, if it weren't for her age being delayed a bit, the Qiu family would surely not settle for their young lady marrying into a village family.

Given the young lady's qualities, what kind of wealthy family in the city wouldn't want her?

I'm not saying she'd have servants at her beck and call, but at least she wouldn't have to endure the sun and wind, or the hardship of working in the mud.

Madam Chen, wouldn't you agree this is the case?"

Madam Luo listened as the matchmaker subtly belittled her family. Although she was somewhat satisfied with the Qiu girl's qualifications, she couldn't help but feel displeased for a moment.

But then the matchmaker changed tack and said, "Of course, your family has a scholar. Who knows when this scholar might achieve something?

If the Qiu family's young lady marries your eldest son, perhaps she can also benefit from associating with a scholar.

It's precisely for this reason that the Qiu family is considering your eldest son, isn't it?

My dear sister, don't mind my blunt words. It's all for the sake of our children's futures. Don't you think so?"

With the matchmaker saying both the good and the bad, Madam Luo became somewhat enthusiastic.

On this day, when the Qiu family came to see them, Madam Luo hosted them warmly.

Unexpectedly, without a word of pleasantry, the first thing they said was, "Your family only has these few rooms?"