Chapter 27: Will Not Reach Six Ears

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Will Not Reach Six Ears

"Junior Brother, this is a recipe I brought from my family. It should be helpful to you."

After lunch, Yang Haichen had calmed down. Without hesitation, he took an ancient-looking piece of paper from his robes and placed it on the table.

"Oh?!"

Liu Chen was a little curious. It was the first time he had ever seen a Spirit Chef’s recipe. ’If it’s real, then this meal was definitely worth it.’

Liu Chen opened the so-called recipe. It looked like a perfectly ordinary recipe, and the cooking method was also very simple. The only thing that wasn’t simple were the ingredients it described.

They were all ingredients Liu Chen had never seen before.

"Improves aptitude and enhances Talent after consumption?"

Looking at the recipe’s description, Liu Chen was momentarily stunned. ’If the effect is real, wouldn’t that be the same as the legendary Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill? I haven’t seen a single Elixir Pill in Purple Cloud Valley yet. It seems Alchemy Masters are even rarer than Spirit Chefs.’

"Don’t look at me. After my family obtained this recipe, they made two copies and sent them to the Spirit Chefs in the other two of the Three Immortal Sects. But to this day, no corresponding Spiritual Cuisine has appeared. I don’t know if there’s a problem with the recipe, or if the Immortal Sects don’t allow it to be circulated."

Yang Haichen spoke very casually. Although he was a disciple of Purple Cloud Valley, most families had intricate and complex relationships with all of the Three Immortal Sects. For hundreds of years, open conflict among the Three Immortal Sects had all but vanished, replaced by covert struggles.

On the surface, the Cultivation Realm of the Great Xia Dynasty was completely harmonious. The best way for a family to protect itself was not to pledge allegiance to one side, but to spread its favors evenly among them.

"I’d guess it’s the latter. Although I’ve never heard of the ingredients listed, a power on the scale of an Immortal Sect could surely find them. The cooking method is also relatively simple. If it were fake, someone would have come forward to say so by now."

Liu Chen accepted the recipe. ’Regardless of whether its special effects are real, Spiritual Cuisine cooked with these special ingredients is bound to contain a lot of Spiritual Qi. Whether or not it enhances one’s Talent is another matter, but it will definitely be helpful for cultivation.’

’However, if everyone is after it for its reputed effects, the price of the corresponding ingredients will surely be inflated. If it turns out to be useless, then the loss would outweigh the gain.’

"It’s up to you to consider, Junior Brother. There’s not much I can do to help."

Yang Haichen nodded. ’I don’t know if it’s real or fake. Even if my junior brother here figures it out, he’s not likely to tell me.’

"You jest, Senior Brother."

Liu Chen shook his head. ’This is an unexpected surprise. Whether it’s useful or not, at least it proves Senior Brother Yang didn’t just show up on the dot to freeload a meal. In that case, I’m still happy to engage with him.’

"Junior Brother, is there really no way you can make a bit more Spiritual Cuisine?"

Yang Haichen moved on from that topic and returned to his true purpose. The recipe was just incidental. If he could establish a long-term partnership, his Body Tempering speed would surely surpass that of the veteran Outer Disciples, and his chances of successfully entering the Inner Sect would increase greatly.

"How about this: five stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass in exchange for a single serving of Spiritual Cuisine. You provide your own Spirit Rice and Bamboo Shoots. This offer is limited to you alone, Senior Brother. How does that sound?"

Liu Chen thought for a moment. ’I should still have a great need for Purple Bamboo Grass. The effect of two Body Tempering sessions plus one stalk of Purple Bamboo Grass is equivalent to five sessions without it. In that case, my Proficiency will definitely increase faster.’

"Thank you, Junior Brother! Rest assured, this matter will not fall into Six Ears."

Yang Haichen swore solemnly. ’Clearly, this junior brother needs Purple Bamboo Grass. I’m well aware of this. The effect of Purple Bamboo Grass on me is already negligible, but Spiritual Cuisine is different.’

"That sets my mind at ease."

Liu Chen nodded, but he didn’t believe a word of it. ’This guy is the Grand Elder’s disciple. Even if he’s as tight-lipped as a clam, the Grand Elder will definitely find out. Besides, he’s just an Outer Disciple with a monthly quota of only five stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass. Where would he get extra to trade for Spiritual Cuisine?’

The two exchanged some pleasantries, and then Senior Brother Yang took his leave. After he was a good distance away, Liu Chen first glanced at the kitchen and saw that his two junior sisters had already finished washing the dishes. Then, he headed straight for his master’s residence.

’I should let Master know about this. If he forbids it, then I’ll just have to start avoiding Senior Brother Yang.’

"I am already aware. You may set your mind at ease."

However, before Liu Chen even reached his master’s Bamboo Garden, his master’s voice drifted over to him on the wind. Liu Chen bowed slightly, then returned to his own Bamboo Garden.

He took out a stalk of Purple Bamboo Grass, consumed it, and began his Body Tempering.

Meanwhile, Yang Haichen went directly to the Grand Elder’s Bamboo Garden and was whispering something by the Grand Elder’s side.

"Five stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass... That’s a reasonable deal."

The Grand Elder stroked his beard after listening. Purple Bamboo Grass was crucial for Body Tempering Realm Cultivators, but for Meridian Passage Realm Cultivators, it was merely better than nothing. At his realm, it just added a bit of flavor to his tea.

Under such circumstances, trading Purple Bamboo Grass for Spiritual Cuisine was naturally not a problem at all.

"But we only have a dozen or so stalks of Purple Bamboo Grass left over each month."

Yang Haichen sighed. For the other party to even make an offer was already quite good. His plan was to offer a serving to his master once a month as a sign of respect. As for his own training, at this price, he naturally couldn’t afford to use it for his regular cultivation.

"Fool. How many Spirit Stones does the Yang Family give you each month?"

The Grand Elder shook his head. ’This boy is usually quite smart. Why is he being so foolish right now?’

"One hundred Spirit Stones a month."

Yang Haichen didn’t understand. He had been saving all those Spirit Stones, and now had a total of six hundred. He usually had no use for them at all; the Spiritual Qi Density here with the Grand Elder was high enough that using Spirit Stones made no difference.

"You can just buy Purple Bamboo Grass on Purple Bamboo Peak, can’t you? Purple Bamboo Peak might be short on other things, but it has more than enough Purple Bamboo Grass."

The Grand Elder pursed his lips. ’Does he really need me to teach him something so simple? If everything goes smoothly, this boy can complete his Body Tempering before the Inner Sect assessment. He might even have a chance to break through to the Meridian Passage Realm. If that happens, he’ll be exempt from the assessment entirely.’

’Compared to such an achievement, a reserved spot would be trivial.’

"Master, your insight is profound!"

Yang Haichen’s eyes lit up. He had personally seen others buying it before, and the price back then was merely five Spirit Stones per stalk.

"If anyone asks, just tell them you’re buying it for me to brew tea."

The Grand Elder shook his head. ’A large-scale acquisition of Purple Bamboo Grass would definitely attract attention. But if it was for me to brew tea, no one would dare come and ask if it was really true.’

’With my name attached, the price of the Purple Bamboo Grass surely wouldn’t get too high. Using my own "insignificant" reputation in exchange for my disciple’s future feels well worth it. Besides, it isn’t some kind of stigma. Is there something wrong with enjoying tea brewed from Purple Bamboo Grass?’

"This disciple thanks you, Master."

Yang Haichen understood his master’s thoughts. In the past, after people learned that he had become the Grand Elder’s disciple, many had tried all sorts of ways to get him to make an introduction. Having experienced that, he naturally understood his master’s painstaking efforts to protect him.

"Now hurry up and go."

The Grand Elder slowly closed his eyes.