Chapter Summaries

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.

Han Cheng and Zhao Hai returned safely from escorting the carts, and the household discussed how Chen An’s popcorn had helped without making his cooking or cultivation an obligation. Ning Fengzhi set the expectation that future help would depend on Chen An’s availability, then announced that Qinghe would visit in three mornings.

• Han Cheng helped prepare and eat the vegetables he had brought back, while Zhao Hai joked with him about sharing the greens.
• Ning Rongrong asked Han Cheng about the muddy road and how the popcorn had helped; Han Cheng explained that the escorts had relied on planks, ropes, rest, and cooperation.
• Ning Fengzhi reviewed the delivery slip and said future cart trips should be prepared as usual, with Chen An deciding whether he could help.
• Ning Rongrong suggested that people give the kitchen advance notice when they needed meals, and Uncle Zhou agreed to keep food warm if he knew the timing.
• Ning Fengzhi told Chen An and Ning Rongrong that Qinghe would visit the sect in three mornings, and Chen An said they should confirm his arrival time.

After crispy sweet-and-sour pork earned Chen An a new recipe, he planned a trial of Twice-Cooked Pork and arranged for suitable pork belly to be delivered. The chapter ended with Chen An saving his time for cultivation while Rongrong prepared to continue her lessons.

• Chen An learned that the crispy sweet-and-sour pork had received a hundred genuine positive reviews and unlocked the Twice-Cooked Pork recipe.
• Chen An inspected the kitchen’s ingredients and decided he needed evenly layered skin-on pork belly for the new dish.
• Chen An asked Uncle Zhou to arrange a small piece of suitable pork belly for a trial meal the next day.
• Chen An told Fang Ming he would let him taste the new dish tomorrow and would serve it to Xue Qinghe only if it turned out well.
• Rongrong collected her Soul Beast book, asked about sitting beside Chen An when Xue Qinghe visited, and planned to practice with Grandpa Bone the next morning.
• Chen An went to cultivate and did not light the kitchen fire again that evening.

Chen An prepared and served Twice-Cooked Pork, carefully boiling and slicing the pork belly before rendering it with chili bean paste, fermented black beans, and green garlic. After the first batch pleased the diners, Ning Fengzhi sent word that Xue Qinghe would arrive before noon the next day, and Chen An decided to cook the meat fresh that morning.

• Uncle Zhou stopped the delivery worker and let Chen An inspect the evenly layered pork belly for the new dish.
• Chen An boiled the pork belly until just tender, saved the broth for soup, prepared the seasonings, and sliced the cooled meat evenly.
• Chen An rendered the pork in batches, seasoned it with chili bean paste and fermented black beans, then added the green garlic stalks and leaves.
• Fang Ming, Shao Heng, Rongrong, and the other diners ate the Twice-Cooked Pork, and Fang Ming helped wash the bowls afterward.
• Chen An judged the first attempt successful and went to cultivate after eating.
• Ning Fengzhi told Uncle Zhou that Xue Qinghe would arrive the next day, and Chen An chose to boil the meat fresh that morning.

Xue Qinghe visited Ning Fengzhi and shared Chen An’s Twice-Cooked Pork with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples. Impressed by their orderly routines and the meal’s apparent effect on Shao Heng, he arranged for his two guards to eat with them the next day.

• Xue Qinghe discussed academy business and repair costs with Ning Fengzhi before joining him for lunch.
• Rongrong advised Xue Qinghe to serve himself rice first because Chen An’s Twice-Cooked Pork was spicy.
• Xue Qinghe ate Chen An’s pork and noticed Shao Heng seemed more relaxed after his meal and training.
• Xue Qinghe asked Ning Fengzhi and Chen An to let his two road-weary guards try Chen An’s cooking the next day, and they agreed.
• Xue Qinghe stayed in the guest courtyard to review more letters, while one guard asked where they could train without disturbing the sect’s disciples.

Xue Qinghe watched his two guards eat Chen An’s freshly cooked Twice-Cooked Pork and observed how a proper meal eased their fatigue after training. After returning to the city, the guards found themselves thinking about the dish and wondering who would accompany Xue Qinghe on his next trip.

• Chen An cooked extra Twice-Cooked Pork for Xue Qinghe’s two guards, who ate after their morning training.
• Xue Qinghe observed the guards relax and recover after the hot meal, and discussed the value of proper meals with Ning Fengzhi.
• Xue Qinghe thanked Ning Fengzhi and Chen An, then left the mountain with the guards after they checked the carriage and helped one another with their gear.
• Chen An returned to cultivating, while Fang Ming helped wash dishes and Rongrong asked whether Chen An would cook the dish again.
• At dinner in the city, one guard searched for garlic shoots and asked who would accompany Xue Qinghe next time, while his companion warned him not to try switching places.

Chen An quietly broke through to level thirty-four after three months of cooking and cultivation. He left the kitchen duties to Uncle Zhou for dinner, while Ning Fengzhi invited Chen An and Rongrong to watch the sect’s upcoming Martial Soul Awakening ceremony.

• Chen An finished cultivating and crossed the threshold to level thirty-four.
• Chen Xin examined Chen An’s Soul Power and confirmed his breakthrough was stable.
• Rongrong and the others congratulated Chen An, and Uncle Zhou insisted on cooking dinner while Chen An rested.
• Chen An shared dinner with Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, Chen Xin, Rongrong, and Uncle Zhou.
• Ning Fengzhi invited Chen An and Rongrong to watch the children’s Martial Soul Awakening ceremony in a few days.

During the sect’s awakening ceremony, Chen An helped reassure families worried about children with food martial souls by revealing his own three-ring Dragon-Transforming Pot. After the families shared a meal, Chen An planned a special dinner for them three days later and began arranging for saltwater duck.

• Chen An finished helping with kitchen preparations before joining Rongrong to watch the children’s awakening ceremony.
• Rongrong helped Xu He recover his name tag and directed him to the correct spot; Xu He awakened a steamed-bun martial soul and had innate soul power rank three.
• Ning Fengzhi reassured Xu He’s worried mother, then asked Chen An to show his martial soul to the families.
• Chen An revealed his Dragon-Transforming Pot and three soul rings, and Ning Fengzhi explained that Chen An’s cooking could help disciples recover soul power.
• Xu He and his mother ate with the other families, while Rongrong pushed his record sheet safely onto the table.
• Chen An arranged a saltwater-duck dinner for the families three days later, and Rongrong checked how many guests would attend.

Chen An prepared Salted Duck for the feast, carefully salting, brining, gently cooking, and cooling four ducks before dividing them among the tables. The meal began as Uncle Zhou carried the platters inside and Fang Ming hurried to set out chopsticks.

• Chen An told Uncle Zhou he would make Salted Duck for the gathering and asked Han Cheng to bring back four suitable ducks.
• Chen An toasted coarse salt with Sichuan peppercorns and rubbed it over the cleaned ducks, then left them covered overnight.
• Chen An soaked the salted ducks in clear brine, then hung them to drain before gently cooking them in hot broth.
• Chen An let the cooked ducks cool, chopped them, and divided them among four platters.
• Uncle Zhou carried two platters inside as Fang Ming set out chopsticks for the feast.

Chen An’s Salted Duck brought the families of the newly awakened children together for a lively meal, and Xu He asked to return the next day. After Rongrong saved Chen An two pieces of duck, they discussed making sweet lotus root for a future meal.

• Uncle Zhou served Chen An’s Salted Duck, and the families gathered in the front courtyard eagerly tried it.
• Rongrong gave Xu He a drumstick, and the diners praised the duck as Xu He enjoyed his meal.
• Ning Fengzhi served Rongrong a piece of duck, while the children and adults joked and shared the remaining food.
• Xu He asked Rongrong whether he could come back for a meal the next day, then hurried to ask his mother.
• Rongrong gave Chen An two pieces of duck she had saved, and they discussed cooking the fresh lotus roots Uncle Zhou brought for tomorrow.