This breakfast was mine

Teach him to use his martial soul?

Gu Rong glanced at the stove, then at the empty bowl in front of Chen Xin. Had this old fellow taught someone to use his martial soul and managed to fill his own belly in the process?

He was about to say a few more words when Chen An brought over the fried rice he had set aside.

"Grandpa Bone, this is yours."

Only then did Gu Rong withdraw his gaze, a smile returning to his face.

"Xiao An is such a thoughtful boy."

The rice was still warm. The moment it reached him, its aroma wafted into his nose. Gu Rong had intended to offer a few more words of praise, but the smell made him swallow the words on the tip of his tongue. He took the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and put it straight into his mouth.

With that first bite, Gu Rong finally understood why these people had actually hidden away in the kitchen's back courtyard to eat.

This flavor really did defy all reason.

Seeing that Gu Rong had stopped talking, Chen Xin did not hurry him. He sat beside him, watching at leisure, and only spoke once half the fried rice in Gu Rong's bowl was gone.

"I had two bowls earlier."

At those words, the spoon in Gu Rong's hand paused.

He turned to look at Chen Xin, then lowered his head to look at his own bowl. Suddenly, the bowl seemed a little small.

"Xiao An, is there any more?"

"No, Grandpa Bone. That was the last bowl."

Somewhat helplessly, Chen An pointed at the empty basin nearby. Uncle Zhou had already washed it clean. Never mind fried rice-not even a single grain remained.

Hearing this, Gu Rong looked at Chen Xin again. This old fellow was clearly doing it on purpose. He knew there was only one bowl left, yet he had deliberately mentioned his two bowls?

Still, he had no intention of making Chen An fire up the stove again now. The boy had been busy all day and had finally gotten a chance to rest. He could hardly send the child back to work just because he had not had his fill.

He simply felt rather disgruntled.

Had he known, he would have come earlier. Even arriving just a little sooner would have spared him having to watch this old fellow look so pleased with himself.

Ignoring Chen Xin, Gu Rong lowered his head and continued eating, though he slowed down considerably this time.

With only this one bowl, he had to make it last.

Watching from beside him, Ning Rongrong grew a little anxious.

"Grandpa Bone, hurry up and eat. It'll get cold."

"There's no rush. Grandpa has always eaten slowly."

At that, Chen Xin glanced at him but did not expose him. He had certainly not seen him eating slowly when that first half a bowl went down.

Gu Rong stretched that single bowl of rice out for quite some time, even clearing away the few grains at the bottom before finally setting down his spoon, still wanting more.

"Xiao An, will you make this again tomorrow morning?"

"In the morning?"

Chen An paused. He really had not thought about it.

Previously, he had eaten whatever was available in the morning, having some of whatever the main kitchen made. He had never intended to cook himself a separate meal every time.

But now that he had the system, making another meal meant collecting a few more positive reviews. That was certainly an option.

"I can, but I still have to cultivate in the morning, so it might have to be a little later."

His words had barely fallen when Gu Rong waved a hand.

"Cultivate after you eat. What sense is there in making you cultivate on an empty stomach?"

"I'll steam the rice beforehand and get the other ingredients ready for you."

Uncle Zhou chimed in from beside them, while Ning Rongrong hurriedly raised her little hand.

"I'll wake you up."

Well, they had arranged absolutely everything.

He had merely mentioned cultivating, and they had even settled who would wake him tomorrow morning. They were clearly afraid of leaving him the slightest room to back out.

But looking at Ning Rongrong's earnest expression, Chen An had his doubts.

"Can you get up?"

"Yes!"

Her answer could not have been more decisive, but wasn't she the one who usually could not be woken even when people called her?

Without teasing her further, Chen An thought it over and nodded.

"All right. We'll eat here again tomorrow morning."

Someone would help with the chopping, preparation, and fire anyway. All he had to do was stir-fry, so it would not take much time. Besides, with just these few people giving one positive review per meal, reaching a hundred really would take some effort.

Being able to make another meal was naturally a good thing.

Only after receiving a definite answer was Gu Rong satisfied. He handed the empty bowl to Uncle Zhou and did not forget to add another reminder.

"Prepare more tomorrow morning."

"Don't worry. There'll definitely be enough."

Uncle Zhou readily agreed. He did not need reminding. He had not eaten his fill at noon, and even an extra bowl that evening had left him wanting more. Naturally, when preparing the ingredients tomorrow, he would make plenty.

Seeing how everyone was thinking about tomorrow's breakfast, Chen An found it rather amusing. Just then, a notification sounded in his mind.

[Ding! Received one positive review from Gu Rong. Reward: 1 physique point.]

[Yangzhou fried rice positive review progress: 6/100.]

Another physique point.

Feeling the fleeting warmth inside his body, Chen An nodded in satisfaction. This was only the first day, and he had already gained this much. Once more people came to eat, would he still have to worry about improving slowly?

Of course, that depended on whether he could keep up with the cooking.

Even feeding these few mouths required several batches. If dozens of people arrived at once, his soul power would probably run dry before he finished frying all the rice.

He really did need to hurry and obtain that soul ring.

After leaving the kitchen, they returned to Chen Xin's residence, only to find Ning Fengzhi already there.

"Daddy."

Ning Rongrong let go of Chen An's sleeve and ran over. Chen An also greeted him as Uncle Ning.

Looking at the group returning together, Ning Fengzhi shook his head in amusement.

"I heard Xiao An was learning to cultivate here, so I thought I'd come take a look. And what did I find? Not a single person."

"We went to eat."

Ning Rongrong hugged his arm and answered without thinking.

"Brother Chen An's cooking was so delicious. Grandpa Jian ate two bowls, and Grandpa Bone wanted seconds, but there wasn't any left."

Gu Rong had shown no reaction to the first half, but as soon as the second half came out, the smile on his face stiffened.

This girl-why did she have to lift the very kettle that had failed to boil?

Yet looking at Ning Rongrong, who clearly only wanted to praise Chen An, he really could not say anything.

Ning Fengzhi, meanwhile, looked at the two elders in surprise. If both of them wanted seconds, Xiao An's cooking really must have improved again.

He was about to speak when Chen Xin spoke first.

"Fengzhi, there was something different about the food Xiao An made today."

Hearing that, Ning Fengzhi's smile faded slightly. Chen Xin did not keep him guessing and described the changes he had noticed while eating.

Gu Rong nodded beside him, and Ning Fengzhi was rather surprised after hearing the explanation.

"Ordinary ingredients can produce effects like that?"

"Yes. Everything came from the kitchen. I didn't add anything else."

After receiving Chen An's answer, Ning Fengzhi asked a couple more questions, his interest piqued. Ordinary food could help the sect's children strengthen their bodies, and this child did not even have his first soul ring yet. He would have to taste it himself tomorrow.

At that thought, he smiled and ruffled Chen An's hair.

"Then save a portion for Uncle Ning tomorrow morning too."

"All right."

"Daddy, you have to come early."

Ning Rongrong earnestly reminded him from beside them, even making a point of looking at Gu Rong.

Gu Rong's expression darkened.

What are you looking at me for? I came late once, and you've remembered it, you little girl?

Ning Fengzhi could hardly suppress his laughter. He picked Ning Rongrong up and coaxed her for a moment, then called a maid over to take her back to wash up.

The little girl was initially reluctant, but once Chen An said they had to get up early tomorrow, she stopped dawdling. Before leaving, she even tugged at him to confirm it once more: he must not oversleep.

After seeing Ning Rongrong off, they went inside, and Ning Fengzhi finally brought up what he had originally come to discuss.

"Xiao An, for your first soul ring, we'll start with the Dragon-Transforming Pot. What do you think?"

Chen An nodded. That was exactly what he had been thinking.

He used the Dragon-Transforming Pot the most now. If he could obtain a soul ring sooner, regardless of what soul skill he gained, at least his soul power could continue to improve, and cooking would become easier.

That would certainly be better than watching a whole courtyard of diners while he could not even maintain his pot.

Seeing Chen An agree, Ning Fengzhi looked at Chen Xin and Gu Rong.

"We won't add any soul rings to the Eternal Spirit Knife for now. Let's first understand the Dragon-Transforming Pot."

"That works."

Chen Xin nodded. Twin martial souls were already rare, and both of Chen An's martial souls were unusual. Choosing one to start with was safer than feeling their way forward on both at once.

As for advancing past rank ten, only one martial soul needed to obtain a soul ring first. There was no hurry to add one to the Eternal Spirit Knife.

Seeing that neither elder objected, Ning Fengzhi settled the matter.

"I'll have someone compile information on soul beasts and deliver it here to Uncle Jian tomorrow morning. Xiao An, you should read it too. If you have any ideas, tell Grandpa Jian."

"Understood, Uncle Ning."

"He'll practice for another day tomorrow. The day after, I'll take him out."

Chen Xin took over, but Gu Rong raised his eyelids at those words.

"Why is it you again? I could take him just as well."

"We agreed this afternoon."

"You agreed, so that makes it yours?"

Seeing the two about to argue again, Ning Fengzhi felt rather helpless and could only interject.

"Uncle Bone, let Uncle Jian accompany him this time. Sorry for the trouble, but we still need you to look after the sect. Once they return and Xiao An has a soul skill, do you think we won't need your help?"

Gu Rong considered this and did not argue further.

One of them had to stay at the sect. With Chen Xin accompanying Chen An, he naturally had nothing to worry about.

"All right. But choose carefully. You can't be careless with the first soul ring."

"As if I need you to tell me."

Listening to their conversation, Chen An sat quietly to one side. He could not casually join in at a time like this. Taking either side would be inappropriate.

Inwardly, however, he felt rather moved. Who knew how much effort others had to expend to invite an expert to accompany them on soul hunting? Yet here he was, with two Titled Douluos arguing over who would go with him.

What more was there to say? He would cultivate diligently, and once he became capable, he would naturally have to let these two old men enjoy some blessings too.

At the very least, he could not leave them without enough food again.

With the arrangements settled, Ning Fengzhi rose to leave. Before going, he reminded Chen An to rest early. There would be plenty of time tomorrow to study the information and learn to cultivate; there was no need to rush tonight.

Chen An naturally agreed. After watching him leave, he said goodnight to the two grandpas and returned to his room.

Following the method he had learned that afternoon, Chen An cultivated for another hour, washed up briefly, then sank blissfully into sleep.

After a busy day, he wanted to think about nothing at all. Whatever there was to deal with could wait until tomorrow.

But while he slept comfortably, Ning Rongrong was still repeatedly reminding her maid elsewhere.

"You absolutely have to wake me early tomorrow."

"Do you have something to do tomorrow, miss?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to cultivate with Young Master Chen An?"

"To eat."

She sounded so earnest that the maid did not know how to respond. Usually, persuading her to eat even a couple more bites took effort. Yet today, she was even willing to sleep less for breakfast.

Meanwhile, Uncle Zhou checked everything needed for the next morning, making sure nothing was missing before finally heading back to rest with an easy mind.

He had seen these people's appetites today. Naturally, he would have to steam more rice tomorrow. He could not have Xiao An arrive while the ingredients were still unprepared.

Wouldn't that delay the meal?

The next day, dawn had barely begun to break when Gu Rong left.

He had only eaten one bowl yesterday, and the more he thought about it after returning, the more he felt he had not had enough. Naturally, he would come earlier today. This breakfast was mine.

When he reached the kitchen, people were already at work in the front courtyard. Gu Rong did not disturb them and headed straight into the back courtyard.

But the moment he entered and saw the figure seated at the table, the old man stopped in his tracks.

"What are you doing here?"

At the table, Chen Xin glanced up at him, then turned a page of his book, his expression unchanged.

"Reading information on soul beasts."

Gu Rong looked at the book in his hands, then at the stove a mere few steps away.

Reading information, all the way here in the kitchen?

This old fellow had eaten two bowls yesterday, yet he had still arrived earlier than him today.