Danger and Opportunity

He knew in his heart that this token was both a favor and a mark.

The Heaven Dou Empire has extended an olive branch; accepting this recognition means standing on the Heaven Dou side.

Overall, there are advantages and disadvantages. At least for now, he needs this stability to accumulate strength.

As I stepped out of the banquet hall, a slightly chilly night breeze swept over me.

Xiao Wu was waiting for him on the steps. When she saw him come out, her face lit up immediately, and she skipped over. "Brother Lin Chen, what did the Prince say to you alone? Did he give you something good?"

They gave me a token, saying it would make things a bit easier when I move around in Heaven Dou City.

"A token?" Xiao Wu tilted her head. "Can I exchange it for something delicious?"

Lin Chen paused for a moment, then curled his lips into a slightly annoyed smile, "Maybe... perhaps."

"That's good!" Xiao Wu nodded contentedly, then skipped over to Lin Chen's side. "Let's go, let's go back. I'm starving. I was so busy chatting with Sister Xue that I didn't eat much—"

Lin Chen glanced at her sideways; the moonlight fell on her cheeks, making her eyes appear exceptionally bright.

A slight thought crossed his mind. He looked away and said softly, "I'll cook you a super delicious bowl of noodles when we get back."

"Really? Then I'll add two eggs!"

"Okay, add four more."

The moonlight, as white as frost, blanketed the long street. The two shadows stretched long behind them, occasionally overlapping and then separating.

The night dew had just condensed, and fine glints of water glistened on the stone table in the lakeside courtyard.

The Heaven Dou City of the day faded away in the spring night, leaving only the occasional ripples on the lake.

Several late-blooming cherry trees outside the courtyard wall were in full bloom. A night breeze blew by, and occasionally a petal would twirl and fall in, landing on the stone table, on the bluestone slab, and on Xiao Wu's upturned hair.

The courtyard gate creaked open.

"Finally back--" Xiao Wu stretched lazily as soon as she entered the door, the hem of her pale yellow dress swaying gently in the night breeze. "Brother Lin Chen, I want to eat super delicious noodles!"

Lin Chen closed the courtyard gate behind him, looked into her bright eyes, and smiled slightly, "Okay, almost done."

He told Xiao Wu to go change her clothes first, while he went into the kitchen. A moment later, the soft sound of a knife cutting into a cutting board could be heard from the kitchen.

Lin Chen's movements were swift and clean; he boiled water, chopped scallions, prepared seasonings, and fried eggs all in one smooth motion.

Eggs sizzle in the oil, releasing a fragrant aroma, while chopped scallions fall into the hot soup, their fragrance drifting through the window into the yard.

Xiao Wu changed into some home clothes and came out, leaning against the kitchen door frame, watching Lin Chen busy at the stove.

Amidst the rising steam, his profile was warmed by the firelight, losing the sharp edge he displayed on the Soul Fighting stage and gaining a more homely, domestic air.

She was so engrossed in watching that after a long while, she finally smiled and said in a voice so soft it was as if she were afraid of startling something, "Brother Lin Chen, you... you actually look quite like a master chef."

Without turning his head, Lin Chen scooped the noodles into a bowl, added four fried eggs, and sprinkled some bright green scallions. "Then you'd better finish this tonight, don't let the chef's skills go to waste."

Xiao Wu chuckled. She skipped into the kitchen, took out two celadon bowls from the cupboard, and two pairs of bamboo chopsticks, arranging them neatly by the stove as if it were a momentous occasion.

"The noodles are ready." Lin Chen placed the bowl on the table, and steam rose up, passing through the coolness of the spring night and landing between the two of them.

Xiao Wu was already sitting properly at the table, waiting. She took the bowl, bent down, and slurped down a big mouthful, panting as it was scalding hot. But between breaths, she gave a thumbs-up and mumbled, "Delicious! The soup is so flavorful!"

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you." Lin Chen sat opposite her, watching her eat her noodles with her head down, and also picked up his chopsticks to stir the noodles in his own bowl before taking a bite.

Xiao Wu ate about half a bowl, then suddenly looked up at Lin Chen, her expression unusually serious. "Brother Lin Chen, aren't you tired? You've been busy from morning till night today, cultivating, attending the celebration banquet, and dealing with that smiling but treacherous prince... Just watching it makes me tired." She paused, her voice lowering, "If you're tired, you don't have to put on a brave face in front of me."

Lin Chen paused, his chopsticks still. Soft moonlight shone through the branches of the flowering trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground and illuminating the undisguised concern in Xiao Wu's eyes.

He lowered his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and when he looked up again, his gaze was softer than before. "With your words, I'm not tired anymore."

Xiao Wu paused for a moment, then smiled and said nothing more, lowering her head to continue eating the noodles in her bowl.

Just as Xiao Wu finished eating the noodles and toppings in her bowl and put it down contentedly, a very soft sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate. It sounded like the rustling of clothes in the wind.

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. He put down his chopsticks and looked up, only to see a tall figure already standing in the courtyard. Wearing a green robe, he stood with his hands behind his back; it was none other than Dugu Bo.

"Master?" Lin Chen stood up. "What brings you here?"

Dugu Bo turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two still-steaming empty bowls on the table. He sat down on the stool and tapped the table with his fingertips. "Oh my, you two are quite good at managing your finances."

This teasing remark inexplicably made Xiao Wu feel a little lighter than the tense atmosphere before. She secretly stuck out her tongue, quickly cleared away the dishes, and retreated back into the kitchen.

Dugu Bo then withdrew his gaze and gestured for Lin Chen to sit down. "Kid, there's an opportunity here, ask if you want it."

"An opportunity?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "What opportunity?"

"Don't rush to ask." Dugu Bo waved his hand, his tone becoming more serious. "If you really want this opportunity, you need to figure out two things first— the Moon-Eroding Nether Poison, and the Blood Moon Devil Lotus Nether Blood Pool."

Lin Chen frowned slightly. He had never heard of either of those names before.

When Dugu Bo them, the solemnity in his eyes seemed genuine. Anything that could command such seriousness from this old man who stood at the pinnacle of the poison path was probably no ordinary spiritual object.

In the kitchen, Xiao Wu was placing bowls and chopsticks into the water basin when she heard those two names. Her movements slowed down, and she listened intently, muttering, "Blood Moon Devil Lotus? That sounds so sinister. Is it Immortal Herb?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was still clear in the quiet courtyard.

"It's a poisonous lotus, but also a priceless treasure." Dugu Bo didn't look at her, but took over the conversation, saying calmly.

"I won't go into the specifics now. Go to the academy's library and search through the ancient books to find out the medicinal properties of the Moon-Eroding Nether Poison, the growth environment and characteristics of the Blood Moon Devil Lotus. Once you've truly understood it, you can decide for yourself whether or not to take this opportunity."

He paused, then stood up. "Now that you've secured the admission, you have plenty of time. Take a few days to investigate, and once you've figured it out, I'll come back to you."