As the sun sets and the afterglow fades, the forest is gradually tinged with darkness. The moon silently climbs above the branches, reflecting the light onto a clear, shimmering pool.
Song Yanqing was still consolidating his cultivation. He was surrounded by a soft halo, and spiritual energy flowed around him, gradually merging into his body and cleansing his meridians.
Shang Shujue sat on the rock next to him, a small fire burning in front of him, holding a simply prepared grilled fish in his hands. He had marinated the fish very well with seasonings, and now it was grilled to a golden brown on both sides, sizzling with oil and smelling exceptionally delicious.
But Song Yanqing remained unmoved. He was completely immersed in cultivation. His cultivation technique was running smoothly, and his meridians were being replenished and expanded by spiritual energy. After entering the Nascent Soul Stage, his cultivation was as if he had divine assistance.
As a result, Xingyun's cultivation speed also increased a bit. At this moment, Xingyun is also cultivating, and he is not sticking to Tangyuan's side all the time, which makes Tangyuan feel a little uncomfortable.
"Master, the fish you grilled smells so good! Can we eat it now? I really want to try it."
Although Tangyuan wasn't quite used to not having Xingyun, that clingy guy, around, he wasn't so upset as to act unreasonably. Right now, all he could see was the fish Shang Shujue was grilling, his eyes sparkling with longing.
"Wait a little longer, it's not cooked yet."
Shang Shujue gently tapped Tangyuan's little head. After speaking, he took a look at the grilled fish to make sure it was fully cooked. Finding that it would take about ten more minutes, he didn't let Tangyuan taste it.
"Once it's cooked, you can have the whole fish. The other five fish will be almost done too."
Shang Shujue held the fish in his hand, simply because he felt a bit bored not to do something. All the other fish were suspended in mid-air, being roasted and turned over over the fire.
"Okay, okay~" Tangyuan was very happy, and her anticipation for the food increased even more.
After Shang Shujue's grilled fish was fully cooked, Tangyuan got the whole fish as he wished. He hugged it and ate it with great joy. At that moment, he felt that he was the happiest person in the world, ah, no, the happiest spirit.
"Mmm~ It tastes so good~"
Looking at Song Yanqing, who was still cultivating beside her, Shang Shujue unconsciously took a bite of the delicious grilled fish in her hand. The crispy and tender texture suddenly exploded in her mouth.
"Huh? Am I really that good at cooking?" Shang Shujue chewed on the food in her mouth, somewhat incredulous that she had made this grilled fish. She took another bite. "This grilled fish smells so good!"
"Waaah! Master, did you really bake this? Don't doubt your abilities, you're amazing!"
As Tangyuan spoke, he had already finished half a fish, and his little belly was gradually becoming round and plump. Shang Shujue glanced at him, smiled, and gently tapped his little head before looking away and finishing the fish in their hands together.
Perhaps it was the overpowering aroma of the grilled fish that caused Song Yanqing to gradually break free from his meditative state amidst the alluring fragrance. The spiritual energy surrounding him also entered his body, filling his dantian.
At this point, his Early Nascent Soul Stage cultivation has been stabilized. With further cultivation and absorption of elements from vastly different realms, he will surely be able to smoothly advance to a higher level of cultivation.
However, at this moment, these are all secondary things. The most important thing is that he and Shang Shujue are together now, and they are partners.
Song Yanqing composed himself, controlled his last breath, and once his breath stabilized, he withdrew his spiritual energy, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and then opened his eyes.
A warm yellow light greeted my eyes, and as my vision gradually cleared, I saw the light transform into a bonfire, upon which sat golden-brown, crispy roasted fish.
A burst of crispy aroma wafted into his nostrils, arousing the cravings dormant within him. He unconsciously swallowed twice and turned to look at the warm source of heat beside him.
" A-Jue..."
Song Yanqing's voice was hoarse, a hoarseness from just emerging from a meditative state, as well as the excitement and joy of seeing his beloved. When Shang Shujue saw that he was awake, he smiled and handed him a grilled fish that was golden brown and crispy on both sides.
"Try my grilled fish, it tastes pretty good. Call Xingyun out and let him have some too. Tangyuan is eating it now, and he thinks it tastes excellent."
Song Yanqing paused for a moment, then reached out and took the grilled fish from Shang Shujue. He then called out Xingyun, who had finished his cultivation. As soon as Xingyun came out, he immediately clung to Tangyuan's side.
" Tangyuan ~ I miss you so much~"
Tangyuan pinched his cheek, then handed him the grilled fish she couldn't finish. "Here, I can't eat anymore, you can have it. It tastes amazing, my master is so powerful."
"Okay, okay."
Xingyun happily accepted the grilled fish that Tangyuan handed him, not caring at all that it was leftovers. He even took it with great joy, as if afraid that Tangyuan would change his mind.
Seeing Tangyuan like this, Shang Shujue couldn't help but smile and gave Xingyun his share. " Xingyun, this is yours. Take it. I'll bake more if it's not enough."
"Ah ah, thank you, Brother Jue." Xingyun accepted the grilled fish and expressed his gratitude to Shang Shujue. Then he whispered something in Tangyuan's ear, and the two flew away hand in hand.
Shang Shujue and Song Yanqing both knew that the two of them were probably going to be gone for a long time, so they didn't bother with them. If they were in any danger, they would teleport back to their two masters. Besides, no one could beat them.
" A-Jue, you're a great cook! Can you teach me? Next time you want to grill fish, I'll grill it for you."
Seeing that the two little light bulbs had left, Song Yanqing openly moved closer to Shang Shujue. He still had a stick left in his hand, so he burned it and shoved it close to Shang Shujue, leaning his head against his neck.
"Okay, I'll write down the steps when we get back, and you can follow along. There's still quite a bit left, eat some more, don't waste it."
Shang Shujue felt uncomfortable from the hot breath Song Yanqing sprayed on his neck when he got close, and his ears turned red. He raised his hand and pushed him away, urging him to eat some more.
Seeing his red earlobes, Song Yanqing knew he was shy, so she smiled gently, sat up straight, and pressed her shoulder to his. "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."