Chapter 11: What Grievance is There to Speak Of?

Chapter 11: Chapter 11: What Grievance is There to Speak Of?

[Spirit Chef Proficiency +50]

Dinner was ready. Liu Chen frowned slightly. This increase in Proficiency completely shattered his previous understanding of how Spirit Chef Skill Proficiency worked.

If Proficiency was determined by quantity, he should have gained far more than this. This could only mean his initial theory was wrong.

"Did you notice anything, Junior Sister?"

Liu Chen’s gaze fell upon Ye Linglong. If she was just a junior sister visiting before, now that everything was out in the open, it was clear he would be interacting with her and Ji Suyao frequently from now on.

Besides, if one ignored the influence of Spiritual Qi, her culinary skills were undoubtedly far superior to his. Liu Chen could tell that just from the cookbook she had.

The simple Stir-Fried Bamboo Shoots, which was currently Liu Chen’s best dish, wasn’t even worthy of a place in that cookbook. The names of the dishes in it were all incredibly elaborate.

"I didn’t see the secret behind it."

Ye Linglong shook her head. She hadn’t seen any technique to seal in Spiritual Qi, nor had she seen him use Spiritual Qi to assist in the cooking. Every one of his movements seemed less than perfect, even making her feel a bit uncomfortable to watch. Yet, the final result was Spiritual Cuisine infused with Spiritual Qi.

"What if we remove the veil of Spiritual Cuisine and treat it as a mundane dish?"

Liu Chen fell silent for a moment, his curiosity piqued. Since the Proficiency bonus for his Spirit Chef Skill wasn’t what he had previously guessed, the only thing he could think of was that he had improved.

His Cultivation Technique absorbed Spiritual Qi, which in turn strengthened the inscribed patterns in his body, thus stacking Proficiency. After reaching the Beginner realm, he could absorb more Spiritual Qi, so the Proficiency he gained would naturally increase.

Magic, on the other hand, gained Proficiency by improving his control over elemental Spiritual Qi. Liu Chen’s uniqueness lay in the fact that while others might practice painstakingly for a lifetime and remain stuck in one Realm, he could advance to the next Realm just by repeatedly practicing, even without any personal enlightenment.

"Senior Brother, your knife work and heat control have improved somewhat compared to last time."

Ye Linglong mustered her courage to speak. These were the most basic fundamentals, yet it wasn’t that her Senior Brother’s execution was bad—in fact, others might find it quite strong. But she had been trained in this aspect since childhood.

The difference was obvious in comparison.

"I see."

Liu Chen nodded. He had a rough idea now, but he would probably have to wait until tomorrow to verify it. In any case, grinding his Spirit Chef Skill was limited to three meals a day. It wasn’t that it was unimportant, but that there was no need to spend extra time deliberately grinding it.

The dinner was very strange. Setting aside Ji Suyao, who had suddenly become like a different person, even Ye Linglong’s demeanor was completely different from how she had been at noon.

In addition, Mo Xuan and Bai Qiulan also seemed a bit awkward. If there was anyone who appeared completely unaffected, it was Liu Chen, lost in his own thoughts.

"From now on, we will live in the other bamboo grove. The three of you will live in this one. Liu Chen, take good care of your two junior sisters."

After dinner, Master Mo Xuan left this instruction and departed with Mistress Bai Qiulan. Liu Chen nodded to show he understood.

Ye Linglong’s expression didn’t change; she had clearly known about this for a while. As for Ji Suyao, the moment the two elders left, she darted over to Ye Linglong’s side, her face full of joy.

"Senior Brother, you can go ahead and leave. Suyao and I can clean up here."

Ye Linglong spoke slowly. Since things had come to this, she could only hope to build a good relationship with Liu Chen as soon as possible to make it easier to borrow his strength later.

"No need to go to such trouble."

Liu Chen slowly shook his head. With a point of his finger, he used the Purification Technique, summoning a stream of water to clean the dishes.

Ji Suyao quickly dried the clean dishes and put them back in their original place.

Ye Linglong watched this scene, her eyes filled with bewilderment. ’That’s Magic, isn’t it? According to Master, you only reached the Beginner realm half a month ago. How have you already mastered Magic, and even become a Spirit Chef?’

"It’s getting late. I’m afraid you two junior sisters will have to share a room tonight. When I have time tomorrow, I can help you build a Bamboo Garden to use as a place for cultivation."

Liu Chen said calmly. There was already a Bamboo Garden in the grove, but that was where his Master used to live. Nothing else needed to be said; that Bamboo Garden had to be preserved as a residence for his Master and Mistress.

"Senior Brother, you jest. Suyao and I have been friends since childhood. How could this be an inconvenience?"

Ye Linglong smiled faintly. That was the truth. Their brief interaction had already allowed her to understand this Senior Brother’s personality. With him, the kind of trouble one might encounter in other places would simply not occur.

’I just wonder if this Senior Brother will still be so easygoing when I have a favor to ask in the future.’

"Exactly! What inconvenience?"

Ji Suyao pouted. Although she knew her Senior Brother certainly didn’t mean to look down on her, she couldn’t help but speak up. In the past, when she was alone, she could only complain in her heart. Now that her best friend was here, there was no need to hold back.

Suddenly arriving in a strange environment, even she felt a sense of loneliness. But thankfully, Ye Linglong had come too.

-----------------

"How did it go?"

Bai Qiulan couldn’t help but ask as she watched Mo Xuan walk through the door. The man had been out for an hour. Just buying daily necessities shouldn’t have taken that long at all.

"He’s been sent to the Law Enforcement Hall. Although he never harmed any disciples within Purple Cloud Valley, he secretly used his status to trick women from the village below the mountain. He even has blood on his hands."

Mo Xuan shook his head. There was one thing he decided not to mention: that man had made improper advances toward Linglong. It was better not to bring up something so unpleasant, lest it upset his wife.

"Sigh... Most disciples don’t care about the Life and Death of Mortals."

Bai Qiulan shook her head. Within Purple Cloud Valley, newly initiated disciples might still treat them with courtesy. But after succeeding in Body Tempering, those common people became "ants" in their mouths—beings they could kill at will.

"They will never be able to cultivate to greater heights."

Mo Xuan declared this indifferently. Bai Qiulan turned to look at him but ultimately chose not to press the topic.

「Meanwhile, inside the bamboo house, Ye Linglong was preparing to write a letter.」

She had wanted to write a letter since yesterday, and the urge had grown even stronger after noon. Now, she finally had the time.

Moreover, compared to before, she was now clearly more confident. Her originally cautious probing could now become more direct.

"Linglong, if you’re writing a letter, help me write one too. Just say I’m doing very well here, so the old man doesn’t have to worry."

Ji Suyao said with a yawn. The fatigue from helping Ye Linglong move, combined with her Body Tempering cultivation, had left her completely drained of energy.

For her, writing a boring letter was torture on a normal day, let alone in her current state.

"Alright. But... aren’t you going to introduce Senior Brother to *that* person?"

Ye Linglong blew the ink dry on the letter and set it aside. ’My friend’s position in the Royal Family isn’t very secure. It’s better to resolve her crisis as soon as possible.’