Recaps

Chen An returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and demonstrated his second Soul Skill by making restorative soup. Ning Fengzhi approved sharing it with tired disciples as Chen An’s cultivation allowed, and the chapter ended with Fang Ming helping prepare for the next day’s meal.

• Chen An returned to the sect with Ning Rongrong, and Ning Fengzhi learned that Chen An had reached rank twenty-two after absorbing his second Soul Ring.
• Chen An rested, then cooked a pot of soup with his new Soul Skill while Ning Rongrong waited nearby.
• Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, Chen Xin, and others tasted the soup, and Shao Heng found that it eased his fatigue and restored some Soul Power.
• Ning Fengzhi told Chen An to prioritize cultivation and make soup for training disciples only when he had strength to spare.
• Fang Ming arrived asking about food the next day, then stayed to help prepare ingredients while Shao Heng agreed to wake him in the morning.

Chen An cooked Longjing Shrimp and a restorative soup for the disciples, while Ning Rongrong regretted missing lunch and arranged to go out with him the next day. The chapter ended with Ning Rongrong choosing an outfit for herself and setting aside clean clothes for Chen An.

• Chen An made Yangzhou Fried Rice for breakfast, and Fang Ming asked what he planned to cook for lunch.
• Chen An prepared Longjing Shrimp with the sect's green tea, and Fang Ming and Shao Heng enjoyed the shrimp and tea leaves.
• After cultivation, Chen An made a small pot of soup for Fang Ming and the others, easing their fatigue.
• Ning Rongrong heard about the shrimp and asked Chen An to make it again the next day; Chen An agreed to go out with her after breakfast and ask Uncle Ning when they could leave.
• Ning Rongrong picked out clothes for their outing and set aside a clean outfit for Chen An.

Ning Rongrong and Chen An got permission to visit Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Xue Qinghe and Chen Xin the next day. After sharing Chen An’s Longjing shrimp at lunch, they prepared for the outing and looked forward to seeing the academy.

• Ning Rongrong asked Ning Fengzhi for permission to go out with Chen An, and he agreed to let them go once Chen Xin was available.
• Xue Qinghe invited the children to tour Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and Chen An and Ning Rongrong accepted.
• Chen An served Longjing shrimp at lunch, which Ning Rongrong and Xue Qinghe enjoyed.
• Chen Xin agreed to accompany the children the next day, and Chen An told Uncle Zhou he would be away from the Kitchen at noon.
• Chen An prepared his clothes and supplies for the outing, while Ning Rongrong reminded him not to oversleep.

Chen An, Ning Rongrong, and Chen Xin visited Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where the children watched students practice coordinated combat. Chen An chose to remain in the sect for now but hoped to visit again, then returned home and agreed to add more shrimp to Fang Ming’s fried rice.

• Xue Qinghe welcomed Chen Xin, Chen An, and Ning Rongrong to Heaven Dou Royal Academy and showed them around its mountain grounds.
• Chen An and Ning Rongrong watched students practice team coordination as their instructor corrected their positioning and tactics.
• Chen Xin explained how the auxiliary student timed his boosts, and Chen An considered using his popcorn to help his friends recover during training.
• Xue Qinghe offered to help Chen An and Ning Rongrong attend the academy when they were older, but Chen An said he would stay in the sect for now.
• The group toured the academy, ate lunch, and returned to the sect, where Chen An told Uncle Zhou he would cook as usual the next day.
• Fang Ming asked Chen An to add more shrimp to the fried rice, and Chen An agreed on the condition that Fang Ming help peel them.

Fang Ming peeled shrimp for Chen An’s breakfast, and Chen An made shrimp fried rice before preparing popcorn to help Shao Heng’s group recover Soul Power faster during training. Their practice finished earlier than usual, and Ning Rongrong asked to join them the next day to practice timing her support.

• Fang Ming arrived early to peel shrimp, then helped Uncle Zhou tend the fire while Chen An made shrimp fried rice and gave him extra shrimp.
• Chen An made popcorn for Shao Heng and the others to eat before training, hoping it would shorten their recovery breaks.
• Shao Heng led the group through formation practice around wooden posts, and they recovered quickly enough to complete both rounds before lunch.
• Fang Ming asked Chen An to make popcorn again the next day, and Chen An said he would see whether his cultivation schedule allowed it.
• Ning Rongrong asked to practice at the training grounds the next day, and Chen An agreed to prepare food while she trained with Gu Rong.

Ning Rongrong practiced timing her support Soul Skill under Gu Rong’s guidance, learning to wait until Fang Ming truly needed strength against Shao Heng. After training and lunch, the disciples asked Chen An to make popcorn for more practice sessions, but he reminded them he also needed time to cultivate.

• Ning Rongrong joined Gu Rong, Shao Heng, and Fang Ming for breakfast before heading to the training grounds.
• Gu Rong had Shao Heng and Fang Ming practice pushing against each other while Ning Rongrong tried to time her strength-boosting Soul Skill.
• Ning Rongrong released her Skill too early at first, then watched the men more carefully and correctly supported Fang Ming when he began to lose ground.
• Gu Rong told Ning Rongrong to keep practicing her timing, and she became more selective about when to use her Soul Power.
• Chen An served sweet and sour pork tenderloin at lunch, where Ning Rongrong described her progress to Gu Rong.
• Shao Heng and Fang Ming asked Chen An to make popcorn for the next morning and afternoon training sessions, but Chen An said he needed time to cultivate too.

Chen An balanced the disciples’ requests for popcorn with his cooking and cultivation, then prepared Beggar’s Chicken for dinner. After the meal, he broke through to Soul Power Level 23 and planned to tell Chen Xin the next morning.

• Chen An told the disciples to give him their practice schedules in advance and said he would make popcorn only when he had the time and strength.
• Over the next month, Ning Rongrong improved at timing her boost, while Chen An’s cooking rewards and guidance from Chen Xin brought his Soul Power close to Level 23.
• Chen An spent the day preparing and slowly roasting Beggar’s Chicken, while Fang Ming lingered by the stove and helped wash vegetables.
• At dinner, Chen An served the tender chicken with its savory juices, and Ning Fengzhi let the meal stand without asking Chen An to make more.
• Chen An cultivated after dinner and broke through to Level 23, resolving to tell Chen Xin the next morning.

Chen An reached rank twenty-three while keeping up with his cooking and cultivation, and Ning Fengzhi told Rongrong that her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could only gain seven soul rings. Rongrong was upset by the limit but decided she would keep training, then asked Chen An to make her a new dish for her birthday.

• Chen An told Chen Xin he had reached rank twenty-three, and Chen Xin confirmed his soul power was stable before sending him back to his usual training schedule.
• Chen An prepared breakfast and lunch with Uncle Zhou, while Fang Ming and the others learned of his advancement and Ning Fengzhi praised his ability to balance cooking and cultivation.
• Rongrong heard Chen An had advanced and said she would catch up once she had nine soul rings, prompting Ning Fengzhi to explain that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could only hold seven.
• Rongrong left the table to walk outside, and Gu Rong stayed nearby while Chen An let her take time to absorb the news.
• Chen An joined Rongrong on the steps and told her he had known about the limit, while she insisted she still wanted nine rings and would resume training the next day.
• Rongrong returned inside after making Chen An promise to prepare something new for her birthday.

Chen An reached Level 30 after nearly a year of cooking and cultivation, then chose to seek a third Soul Ring for his Dragon-Transforming Pot. He left the sect with Chen Xin to search carefully for a suitable Soul Beast, promising Rongrong he would tell her what he saw when he returned.

• Ning Fengzhi praised Rongrong's steadier Soul Skill practice, and Chen An secretly gave Gu Rong extra rice in celebration.
• Chen An's Soul Power reached Level 30 during meditation, and Chen Xin confirmed his breakthrough after examining him.
• Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin discussed Chen An's third Soul Ring, and Chen An chose the Dragon-Transforming Pot over the Eternal Spirit Knife.
• The elders arranged for Chen Xin to accompany Chen An while Gu Rong stayed behind to protect Rongrong, and the Kitchen prepared to operate in Chen An's absence.
• Rongrong asked Chen An to tell her about the trip before telling Grandpa Sword, and he agreed before leaving with Chen Xin.

Chen An prepared eight-treasure rice for Rongrong’s seventh birthday, and she enjoyed the new dish with her family. Afterward, Rongrong asked Ning Fengzhi to watch her pagoda practice the next morning, then saved the remaining rice until after training.

• Three days before Rongrong’s birthday, she asked Chen An about the promised new meal, while he kept its name a secret.
• Chen An soaked glutinous rice and slowly cooked red bean paste the night before Rongrong’s birthday, with Uncle Zhou helping tend the stove.
• On her birthday, Rongrong practiced with Gu Rong before Chen An assembled and steamed the eight-treasure rice.
• Chen An served the dish after the family ate, and Rongrong said its name meant it was one more than seven treasures before eagerly eating it.
• Ning Fengzhi agreed to watch Rongrong practice the next morning, and she asked Uncle Zhou to save the remaining rice for after training.

Chen An and Chen Xin found a seven-thousand-year Mandala Snake in Sunset Forest, and Chen An chose to make it his third Soul Beast. Chen An began absorbing its purple Soul Ring, with Chen Xin guarding him as the process started.

• Chen Xin guided Chen An through Sunset Forest, explaining Soul Beast tracks and searching for one suited to the Dragon-Transforming Pot.
• Chen Xin stopped Chen An from approaching a hollow when a Mandala Snake attacked, then identified it as a roughly seven-thousand-year Soul Beast.
• Chen Xin examined Chen An and said he could try absorbing the snake’s ring, warning that it would be far more painful than his first two.
• Chen An decided the Mandala Snake suited his needs, and Chen Xin restrained it so Chen An could kill it safely.
• Chen An summoned the Dragon-Transforming Pot and began absorbing the Mandala Snake’s purple Soul Ring as Chen Xin watched over him.

Chen An endured the absorption of his seven-thousand-year Soul Ring, reached level thirty-three, and gained his third Soul Skill, Rainbow Porridge. After cooking and sharing the toxin-clearing dish with Chen Xin, he rested before their return to the sect.

• Chen An absorbed the seven-thousand-year Soul Ring through the night while Chen Xin guarded him from approaching Soul Beasts.
• Chen Xin checked Chen An's condition, confirmed his meridians were unharmed, and learned that he had reached level thirty-three.
• Chen An discovered that Rainbow Porridge could clear some toxins and ease weakness caused by poisoning, though it could not cure every potent poison or soul toxin.
• With Chen Xin tending the fire, Chen An prepared Rainbow Porridge using seven-colored vegetables and served the first bowl to him.
• Chen An and Chen Xin ate the porridge, then Chen An recovered from cooking and fell asleep.

After leaving the forest, Chen An used his third Soul Skill to make Rainbow Porridge for Cheng Yu, whose arm still held poison from a Mandala Snake bite. The porridge cleared the remaining poison, and Chen An returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with Chen Xin.

• Chen Xin and Chen An stopped at a resting place, where Qin Ming explained that Cheng Yu's Mandala Snake wound was treated but still affected his arm.
• Chen An offered to use his third Soul Skill to make poison-clearing Rainbow Porridge, and Qin Ming agreed to let Cheng Yu try it.
• Chen An cooked the porridge, and Qin Ming was surprised to see the child's three Soul Rings, including a Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
• After eating the porridge, Cheng Yu regained smooth movement in his fingers, and Qin Ming confirmed that the remaining poison had cleared.
• Qin Ming thanked Chen An and Chen Xin, learned their identities, and left with his students while Chen An returned to the sect with Chen Xin.

Chen An returned to the sect after gaining a purple third Soul Ring and told Rongrong and his elders about his journey and new Rainbow Porridge skill. After everyone confirmed he was safe, he ate, arranged to make Kung Pao Chicken the next day, and went to rest.

• Chen An told Rongrong about the Soul Beasts he encountered, the Mandala Snake, and the poisoned student whose lingering poison his Rainbow Porridge cleared.
• Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Chen Xin confirmed Chen An had safely absorbed a roughly seven-thousand-year Soul Ring, reached Level 33, and gained his third Soul Skill.
• Chen An explained Rainbow Porridge to Ning Fengzhi, who advised him to check a person's condition before using it to treat poison.
• Chen An ate the meal Uncle Zhou had saved, then arranged to make Kung Pao Chicken with reserved chicken thigh meat and peanuts the next day.
• Chen An promised Rongrong she could try the new dish and see the rainbow, then returned to his room and fell asleep while Fang Ming looked forward to coming early.

Chen An prepared Kung Pao Chicken at the Kitchen, drawing disciples and visitors to the meal. After Qin Ming brought Cheng Yu to thank him, Qin Ming offered to arrange classes on Soul Beasts and Soul Skills for Chen An, who realized the lessons could help address what he had missed during the forest trip.

• Fang Ming arrived early and helped Chen An prepare ingredients and fry peanuts for the new dish.
• Chen An cooked Kung Pao Chicken in several fresh batches, and Fang Ming, Shao Heng, and the other diners enjoyed it after training.
• Qin Ming and Cheng Yu arrived to thank Ning Fengzhi and Chen An, and Ning Fengzhi invited them to eat at the Kitchen.
• Chen An served Qin Ming and Cheng Yu a fresh batch of chicken, and Cheng Yu showed that his injured arm had improved.
• Qin Ming offered to arrange suitable academy classes for Chen An, who recognized that studying Soul Beasts could fill gaps from his recent forest trip.

Chen An and Rongrong decided to attend a class on identifying Soul Beasts at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, while Chen An continued his cooking and cultivation. The chapter ended with their lesson scheduled for three days later and Chen An preparing for it.

• Chen An told Qin Ming he wanted to learn to identify Soul Beasts, and Qin Ming explained how to study species, habits, and traces together.
• Rongrong asked to join the lessons so she could understand Soul Ring choices, and Ning Fengzhi agreed to arrange a morning class.
• Chen An showed Rongrong his Rainbow Porridge, and she happily tasted the seven-colored dish.
• Qin Ming confirmed that Chen An and Rongrong would attend a basic class at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy in three days, with Chen Xin accompanying them.
• Chen An reviewed his Soul Beast books, wrote down questions, and meditated before going to sleep.

Chen An and Rongrong attended a lesson on identifying Soul Beasts and learned to record only what they could verify instead of guessing. Back at the sect, they heard Shao Heng had reached rank thirty, and Chen An realized he was already thinking about a third Soul Ring.

• Chen An and Rongrong went with Chen Xin to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, where Qin Ming guided them to a lesson on identifying Soul Beasts.
• The teacher showed the students how claw marks, fur, footprints, and nearby signs could be misleading when considered alone, and Chen An recognized what he had overlooked in Sunset Forest.
• Chen An asked how to assess old traces and learned to record what he observed, including “unknown” when evidence was insufficient; Rongrong asked why Soul Ring age alone did not determine a suitable choice.
• During an exercise on an old record, Chen An noticed it did not say who had assessed the Soul Beast’s age, and he wrote that the fur’s details were unknown in his own notes.
• After returning to the sect, Chen An learned from Fang Ming that Shao Heng had reached rank thirty and kept his meal warm while he stabilized his Soul Power.

After reaching level thirty, Shao Heng trained with Gu Rong to identify what his third soul ring should improve. He wanted to cover ground quickly when enemies circled behind him, and planned to review records with his master and elders before choosing a soul beast.

• Shao Heng told Chen An he would research suitable options before hunting for his third soul ring.
• Gu Rong tested Shao Heng against two disciples, exposing how his forward charge left him slow to protect the area behind him.
• Shao Heng adjusted his positioning and practiced turning back to block an opponent from reaching a protected post.
• Rongrong inspected the retreat route and practiced where she should move if an enemy approached.
• Shao Heng explained that he wanted to reach a flanking enemy quickly, and Gu Rong told him to bring his records and master the next day.

Shao Heng and the elders chose a cautious plan for his Third Soul Ring, prioritizing a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent if its age and condition were suitable. Chen An joined the hunt with Chen Xin’s permission, while the party prepared to leave early the morning after next.

• Shao Heng explained that he wanted a Soul Skill to help him turn back and protect companions, and the elders checked his condition before reviewing Soul Beast records.
• Shao Heng rejected a Diamond Tiger and chose the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent as their first choice, while his master warned him not to treat Chen An’s seven-thousand-year ring as a benchmark.
• Rongrong noted that the written records lacked details needed to identify a Soul Beast in the forest, and Chen An asked how they would catch one without injuring it too badly.
• Ning Fengzhi arranged the route and personnel, and Chen Xin agreed to let Chen An join the hunt as long as he stayed close.
• Rongrong asked Chen An to record what he observed, and the party set its departure for early the morning after next.
• Chen An returned to the Kitchen to prepare a new dish for the group before the hunt, while Uncle Zhou reminded him to bring enough dry rations.

Chen An prepared and served Harbin-style Guobaorou, then finished packing for the next morning’s journey. The chapter ended with Chen An ready to enter the woods with Shao Heng and Grandpa Sword to find Shao Heng’s third Soul Ring.

• Chen An cooked Guobaorou by frying the pork slices twice, coating them in sweet-and-sour sauce, and serving the dish to the courtyard regulars.
• Rongrong and Chen Xin arrived for lunch, and Rongrong asked Chen An to record what he observed on the journey and how he recognized it.
• Shao Heng told Fang Ming to learn how Chen An made the dish before Shao Heng returned from the trip.
• Chen An cleaned the Kitchen, confirmed the departure time with Chen Xin, and packed his travel bag with Rongrong’s observation notes.
• Chen An went to sleep knowing he would leave at first light to search for Shao Heng’s third Soul Ring.

Chen An and Shao Heng searched the forest for a suitable third Soul Ring, rejecting a fast dark-brown snake because it did not match their needs. The party then spotted a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, but Shao Heng held back while the adults assessed it.

• Rongrong reminded Chen An to observe carefully and gave him a sheet for recording what he saw in the forest.
• Chen An noticed that an old snakeskin and a fresh muddy trail did not necessarily belong to the same creature.
• Shao Heng declined to pursue a fast dark-brown snake because it was not the right choice for his third Soul Ring, and the party took a route over the low slope instead.
• The next morning, Chen An noticed signs of movement among the branches and alerted Chen Xin and the instructors.
• The party saw a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, and Shao Heng stopped himself from advancing while the group spread out and prepared to assess it.

Shao Heng obtained a purple Soul Ring from a Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent and tested its brief burst of speed at the sect’s training ground. Chen An and Rongrong refined their notes from the journey, while Shao Heng returned to the Small Kitchen eager for dinner.

• The teachers identified a roughly fourteen-hundred-year-old Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, and Chen An spotted an escape route that helped the group trap it.
• Shao Heng killed the serpent and absorbed its purple Soul Ring while Chen Xin and the teachers guarded him.
• After returning to the sect, Chen An and Rongrong corrected their notes to distinguish the different serpents and their tracks.
• At the training ground, Shao Heng used his third Soul Ring to block a disciple from reaching a post, then learned that the burst of speed was brief and costly.
• Fang Ming asked Shao Heng if he would return to the Small Kitchen, and Shao Heng eagerly agreed.

Chen An served steamed eggs with minced meat for breakfast as Shao Heng discussed practicing with his new soul ring and Han Cheng returned from a supply run. Han Cheng and Zhao Hai were assigned to escort another cart, and Chen An asked them to provide exact timings before he decided whether he could prepare popcorn for their trip and Shao Heng’s practice.

• Fang Ming helped Chen An and Uncle Zhou prepare breakfast, then served steamed eggs with minced meat to the courtyard.
• Shao Heng arrived, ate breakfast, and said he would practice positioning with his new soul ring that morning.
• Han Cheng returned from escorting a cart and joined everyone for breakfast.
• Han Cheng told Zhao Hai that they would escort a cart carrying rice and salt down the mountain and bring vegetables back.
• Han Cheng asked Chen An to prepare popcorn for the trip, but Chen An requested exact departure and rest times before deciding.

Han Cheng and Zhao Hai prepared for a cart escort by inspecting the muddy mountain road and arranging planks and rope, while Chen An planned a carefully timed serving of BB Popcorn. The group settled the next morning’s schedule, leaving Han Cheng and Zhao Hai ready to move the carts with practical precautions rather than relying on the popcorn alone.

• Han Cheng and Zhao Hai showed Chen An the muddy road and explained how they would use planks and rope to get the carts over the ruts.
• Shao Heng told Han Cheng he would train as usual instead of waiting for popcorn, so the cart escort would not have to accommodate his practice.
• Han Cheng described the cart schedule, and Uncle Zhou offered the small kitchen as a place for the men to eat before setting out.
• Chen An planned to make a small bowl of BB Popcorn near the end of the hour of the Rabbit, giving Han Cheng and Zhao Hai a brief window of faster Soul Power recovery.
• Han Cheng and Zhao Hai checked the cartloads, secured the sacks, and confirmed they would use the planks before resorting to Soul Power on the muddy slope.

Han Cheng and Zhao Hai escorted carts of rice and salt down the mountain, with Chen An making BB Popcorn for them before they left. They returned with vegetables and found that the popcorn had briefly sped up their Soul Power recovery, but they still had to manage the muddy slopes with planks, ropes, and their own strength.

• Han Cheng and Zhao Hai loaded the carts, ate breakfast at the Small Kitchen, and watched Chen An make one kernel of BB Popcorn for them to share.
• After eating, Han Cheng and Zhao Hai escorted the carts downhill and used planks and Soul Power to get the wheels safely across a muddy ditch.
• During a rest, both men recovered faster than usual, then took turns watching the carts and fixing a loose rope as they continued to the estate.
• Han Cheng and Zhao Hai delivered the rice and salt, loaded vegetables for the return trip, and found that their recovery had returned to normal after about an hour.
• Han Cheng and Zhao Hai brought the carts back to the sect, where Fang Ming helped unload the vegetables and Uncle Zhou served them a hot meal.