Don't Be Late Tomorrow

They returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect just after breakfast.

Chen An had barely stepped down from the carriage and found his footing when he heard Ning Rongrong calling from ahead.

"Brother Chen An!"

The little girl ran up to him and caught his arm, looking him over first. Only after making sure nothing was wrong did she brighten.

"I thought you weren't coming back today either."

"We found the Soul Ring, so we came back."

Chen An answered with a smile. Seeing that she was still holding on to him, he simply let her, and the two walked inside together.

At last, Ning Rongrong had somewhere to pour out all the things she had held in for days.

Where Grandpa Bone had taken her after she practiced her Soul Skill the day before yesterday, what homework her father had assigned yesterday, even which day's meat in the Kitchen had been a little salty-she left nothing out.

As Chen An listened, he began to laugh.

"Did you eat it, then?"

"I did. I never said it tasted bad."

After saying that, Ning Rongrong grew a little embarrassed herself and tugged him along faster.

Gu Rong was approaching from ahead. Seeing the two, he first stopped Chen An to look him over. Once he saw that the boy was in good spirits, he called Chen Xin inside with him.

Ning Fengzhi had already received word as well.

After hearing Chen Xin briefly recount their hunt for the ring and learning that the second Soul Ring had been safely absorbed, bringing Chen An to rank twenty-two, he was naturally pleased.

Pleased though he was, he still sent Chen An back to wash and rest first, without even rushing him to demonstrate his new Soul Skill on the spot.

Staying in the forest, even with elders looking after him, could not compare to the comfort of home.

Chen An did indeed want a proper bath, so he did not decline. Before leaving, he only mentioned that he would stew soup that afternoon.

"I already made it once on the way back, and Grandpa Sword tried it. Once I've rested, I'll make some for Uncle Ning and Grandpa Bone."

Ning Rongrong was still beside him and hurried to chime in.

"And me."

"Of course you'll get some."

Only then was the little girl satisfied, and she followed him back.

Watching from behind, Chen Xin found it amusing. Once the two children were out the door, he continued telling Ning Fengzhi about the effects of the new Soul Skill.

It dispelled the cold, restored stamina, and could even replenish a certain amount of Soul Power.

None of those effects was incomprehensible on its own, but having all of them in a single pot of soup made it well worth taking seriously.

Especially since Chen An only had two Soul Rings now. As his Soul Power increased in the future, the amount he could make would naturally change as well.

Ning Fengzhi listened attentively, but since he had yet to see it firsthand, he was in no hurry to make any arrangements. He would taste it that afternoon first.

Chen An enjoyed a comfortable bath and a nap. When he got up again, he felt considerably refreshed.

When he reached the Kitchen, Uncle Zhou was checking the ingredients for dinner. Seeing him enter, he immediately put down what he was holding.

"Why didn't you rest a little longer? We can still manage here."

"I've slept enough. Any more, and I won't be able to sleep tonight."

Chen An walked over to his usual stove. The sight of the spotless chopping board and the bowls and plates in their usual places put him at ease.

After a trip away, his own place really was the easiest to work in.

Hearing that he wanted to make a new soup for his elders, Uncle Zhou prepared the scallions, ginger, and clean water he needed, and even tended the fire, sparing him the trouble of running back and forth himself.

This time, Chen An still made only a small pot.

After generating the ingredients, he took them out and picked up the ordinary kitchen knife on the board to prepare them. Once the meat and organs were cleaned, he put them into the pot formed from the Dragon-Transforming Pot and stir-fried them, then added water and set it over the fire to stew slowly.

With his previous experience, things went much more smoothly today. He now had a sense of when to add the ingredients and when to lower the heat.

The Soul Power cost of producing the ingredients was still there, however. Familiarity would not make it disappear into thin air.

Chen An checked his reserves and did not push himself to add another portion.

He would let everyone have a taste first. Making more could wait until his Soul Power was higher.

Not long after he put the soup on, Ning Rongrong arrived.

This time, the little girl did not crowd around the stove. She fetched a stool herself and sat beside it, twitching her nose as she watched the steam continually rising from the lid.

"How long does this need to stew?"

"A little longer. The meat isn't tender yet."

At that, she sat obediently, though every time Chen An checked the fire, she had to take a look too.

As the aroma of meat gradually spread, someone else appeared at the courtyard gate.

Shao Heng had just returned from training and had originally meant to stop by and ask whether Chen An had returned to the sect. Before he even entered, however, he caught the scent.

Looking inside, he found Chen An already standing by the stove, just as expected.

"Xiao An, you're back!"

There was still sweat on his face. He offered his congratulations as soon as he entered, then saw Uncle Zhou about to carry out the used water and took it from him.

It had been some days since he had enjoyed this cooking. Now, seeing Chen An and smelling the meat in the pot, Shao Heng was truly delighted.

But one look at the size of the pot told him this meal was probably not intended for everyone. He did not ask for any, only replaced the water before going to help Uncle Zhou move the things nearby.

Chen An looked him over and had an idea.

He had already tried the new soup himself, and Grandpa Sword's Soul Power was too high for its effects to be obvious. Senior Brother Shao Heng, on the other hand, also had two rings and had just depleted his reserves through training. Giving him some would be a good way to see.

By the time Ning Fengzhi and the others arrived, the soup was ready.

With more people this time, Chen An deliberately switched to small bowls. He first set aside one portion, then separated the remaining soup and meat and served a bowl to each person at the table.

After smelling that aroma for so long, Ning Rongrong had long since run out of patience. The moment she received her bowl, she picked up a piece of meat.

Before Chen An could warn her, the heat had already made her blow on it several times. Yet she could not bear to put it down, so she could only keep holding it and wait for it to cool.

Seeing her like that, Gu Rong laughed and moved her bowl farther onto the table.

"No one's rushing you. Take your time."

Ning Rongrong had no time to reply. As soon as the meat cooled a little, she eagerly popped it into her mouth.

The tender slice fell apart with a press of her tongue, its savory flavor wrapped in broth. As she ate, she forgot all about that little burn. Another two sips of soup left her little belly warm and wonderfully comfortable.

Gu Rong tasted some as well, then looked at Chen Xin beside him.

"So you got to enjoy this first while you were away."

Holding his bowl, Chen Xin replied with a smile.

"Take Xiao An next time, and you can have the first taste too."

"You said it yourself."

Gu Rong agreed readily, not forgetting to beckon Chen An to sit beside him.

"Xiao An, Grandpa Bone will take you next time."

Chen An could only agree with a smile.

He had only just obtained his second Soul Ring, yet both grandpas were already thinking about the next time.

Still, he could be certain that this pot of soup had turned out well. For all their conversation, no one's spoon stopped moving. Even Uncle Ning finished all the meat in his bowl.

Once everyone had nearly finished, Chen An picked up the portion he had set aside and went to call Shao Heng.

"Senior Brother, take a break and have some soup."

Shao Heng was helping move things. Hearing that, he quickly set down the bamboo basket in his hands.

But when he saw the soup in the bowl, he was still a little surprised.

There was a portion for me today too?

Chen An handed him the bowl without beating around the bush.

"This is my second Soul Skill. It helps restore stamina and Soul Power. You've just finished training, Senior Brother. Give it a try."

Shao Heng accepted the bowl and first paid his respects to Ning Fengzhi and the others seated nearby. Only after receiving their assent did he find somewhere to sit.

He had been smelling that aroma all this time. Now that he finally tasted it, only one thought remained in his mind.

This trip was worth it.

Both broth and meat were delicious. Though the portion was small, every mouthful felt comforting. Especially toward the end, the aching heaviness in his arms from lifting the basket actually began to ease.

At first, Shao Heng thought it was merely because he had been sitting and resting for a while. But once he finished the soup and some of his Soul Power had also been replenished, he could no longer sit still.

He first set down the bowl, circulated his Soul Power once where he sat, then stood and moved his shoulders and back. He could not hide the delight on his face.

Normally, after training until this time, he would have to rest a while after returning, then recover slowly. Today, one bowl of soup had already left his body feeling much lighter.

It had not replenished everything, but how big a bowl had that even been?

Seeing Ning Fengzhi look his way, Shao Heng hurriedly described what he had just felt. He neither exaggerated it into a complete restoration of his Soul Power nor forgot to mention the change in his arms.

This was all fatigue from his own recent training. He knew best how much he had recovered.

After hearing him out, Ning Fengzhi's smile deepened.

This soup was far more useful than merely filling people's stomachs.

But after hearing Chen An explain the cost of making this pot, he temporarily set aside the arrangements he had been considering.

The boy was still young, at an age when his Soul Power grew quickly. They could not let a pot of soup squeeze out his daily cultivation.

"Xiao An, if you have strength to spare in the future, leave some for the disciples who've just finished training. Focus on cultivating your own Soul Power first. We can gradually increase the amount as you're able."

"All right."

Chen An agreed, feeling a little more at ease.

He really had feared that Uncle Ning might get so excited that he would have him stew soup all day. Then he would certainly have his hands full.

The current arrangement was good. He would cook as usual and make some soup when he had time outside cultivation. Everyone would benefit, and he would not end up tethered to the stove.

Later, Ning Fengzhi and the others each left. Chen An also put everything away and prepared to return to cultivate.

But just as he reached the courtyard gate, he ran into Fang Ming, who had hurried over after hearing the news.

"Xiao An, are you serving food tomorrow?"

That was the first thing out of his mouth. Amused, Chen An nodded.

"Yes, at the usual time."

"Good. I'll go tell everyone not to be late tomorrow."

After speaking, Fang Ming glanced into the courtyard again. Seeing Shao Heng washing bowls, he immediately stopped in his tracks.

"You got to eat?"

"Mm. Xiao An's new soup."

Shao Heng answered casually, but washed the bowl in his hands once more before returning it to the rack.

Fang Ming looked at him and immediately felt some regret. Had he known, he would have come along with him earlier.

There was no use saying that now, though. He turned to ask Uncle Zhou whether anything needed preparing ahead of tomorrow.

Learning that the meat and vegetables still needed cleaning, Fang Ming decided not to leave. He rolled up his sleeves and went straight into the Kitchen.

Seeing this, Chen An simply went over what he needed for tomorrow with Uncle Zhou before leaving without worry.

By the time he sat down in his room and settled into cultivation, Fang Ming had already carried the second basket of vegetables to the well.

"Senior Brother Shao, come wake me tomorrow morning."

"Can't you get up yourself?"

"What's wrong with giving me another call? I can't miss tomorrow's meal too."