Chapter 8: It’s Fine for Junior Sister Ye to Watch

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: It’s Fine for Junior Sister Ye to Watch

"I am pleased you have reached Body Tempering Beginner. But remember, the path of cultivation is built on daily accumulation. Do not neglect your practice. You may take any Purple Bamboo Grass from the garden. You’ve worked hard during my absence."

Mo Xuan spoke calmly. As the acting Peak Master and the sole candidate for the next one, the allocation of resources like Purple Bamboo Grass was naturally his responsibility.

"Master, my junior sister’s Talent is much greater than mine."

Liu Chen couldn’t help but ask. He relied on Proficiency, whereas his junior sister seemed to rely entirely on her Talent. He had been prepared to help her circulate her Spiritual Qi, but she had succeeded all on her own.

"You’re not wrong, but what Suyao has isn’t Talent, it’s foundation. One of her elders was once an Outer Disciple of Purple Bamboo Peak."

Mo Xuan nodded. There wasn’t much difference between foundation and Talent. On the path of cultivation, the two were interchangeable, but only in the early Realms. Later on, what truly mattered was one’s character.

Of his three disciples, Ji Suyao was naive to the ways of the world, and Ye Linglong was burdened by personal matters. He had accepted them both out of obligation.

Only Liu Chen was chosen for his character. Back when Mo Xuan had appeared as a common man, even other Mortals would look upon him with disdain and keep their distance. Yet Liu Chen not only treated him with courtesy but also showed no resentment. Only after observing him for a few days did Mo Xuan decide to bring him back to the sect.

’Otherwise, it was just a bamboo grove. If no one was tending to it, who would have the idle time to complain?’

"Suyao’s foundation is now spent, so her cultivation will naturally slow down. You’re the senior brother; take good care of your two junior sisters from now on. Go and rest."

Mo Xuan spoke calmly. Liu Chen was confused. ’Isn’t Ji Suyao my only junior sister here in the Bamboo Garden?’

’Where did the other one come from?’

Just as Liu Chen was about to ask, a gentle breeze swept through, and the bamboo leaves rustled. His master’s figure was gone from the Bamboo Garden.

[Spirit Chef Proficiency +50]

Breakfast was ready, but before Liu Chen could call for his junior sister, he saw her appear at the end of the path, yawning as she ambled over.

"Junior Sister, did you try Body Tempering yesterday?"

After breakfast, Liu Chen channeled a stream of water to clean the tableware and asked casually. He still wasn’t sure who the other junior sister his master had mentioned was, but he had his duties to attend to.

"I couldn’t sustain my Cultivation for more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. My whole body felt sore and weak, and I still haven’t recovered."

Ji Suyao recalled the previous night’s events with some dejection. Her grandfather had once told her she would surely surpass her peers. Setting aside her senior brother, who was technically of the same generation, the sheer pain of Body Tempering made her question whether all her diligent training as a Mortal had been of any use.

Liu Chen put away the tableware and nodded slowly. "Junior Sister, for a Mortal to control the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, they must endure pain. Just focus on your cultivation and be at ease."

After he finished speaking, Liu Chen headed straight into the bamboo grove to begin his daily regimen. Ji Suyao fell silent for a moment before dragging her aching body after him.

[Withering Skill Proficiency +40]

He quickly finished twenty repetitions of the Withering Skill. Liu Chen then explained the principles of the Skill to his junior sister, including how to mobilize the minuscule amount of Spiritual Power in her body, before starting his second Body Tempering session of the day.

[Purple Bamboo Scripture Body Tempering Chapter: Beginner, 140/500]

By the time Liu Chen finished his cultivation and opened his eyes, his junior sister, who had been studying the Withering Skill, was gone. On a clear patch of ground nearby sat a small pile of half-withered weeds.

Liu Chen shook his head and began harvesting Bamboo Shoots. ’She must have gone to find that friend of hers,’ he thought. ’The fellow disciple who’s interested in me because I’m a Spirit Chef. I hope she doesn’t cause any trouble.’

Around Noon, Liu Chen didn’t rush to prepare a meal. Instead, he waited quietly. Since his junior sister’s friend could arrive at any time, he couldn’t just throw something together.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea later, two figures appeared one after the other at the end of the path.

They both walked with an awkward gait, though in different ways. This was a side effect of just beginning Body Tempering, a sight that put Liu Chen’s mind at ease.

’At least my junior sister wasn’t tricked by some senior brother or sister from another Bamboo Garden. Although her choice of friends is none of my business, this person is obviously here because of my status as a Spirit Chef.’

"Linglong, this is the Senior Brother Liu I told you about."

Ji Suyao pulled Ye Linglong forward to introduce them. Before Liu Chen could say anything, the junior sister called Linglong gave a slow, formal bow.

"Ye Linglong, it is an honor to meet you, Senior Brother Liu."

Liu Chen smiled faintly at this, feeling himself relax. Junior Sister Linglong’s polite bearing spoke volumes. With an upbringing like that, even if she had an agenda, she wouldn’t resort to any shameless or underhanded tactics.

"Junior Sister Linglong, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to our future interactions."

Liu Chen returned the bow, and Ji Suyao promptly invited Ye Linglong to take a seat.

"Please wait a moment, Junior Sisters. I’ll go prepare some food."

’Everyone’s here, so I can finally start cooking.’ Although he had no cultivation scheduled for Noon, the disruption to his routine still left Liu Chen feeling a little out of sorts.

"Senior Brother Liu, I have an impertinent request to make."

As Liu Chen neared the kitchen, Ye Linglong stood up abruptly. This made Ji Suyao, who was already looking forward to lunch, glance over in confusion. ’It’s just a simple meal, isn’t it?’

’What’s going on?’

"Please, Junior Sister Ye, feel free to speak your mind."

Liu Chen felt a bit weary but maintained his polite demeanor. He had anticipated something like this when he agreed to his junior sister bringing a friend over. He just wondered exactly how "impertinent" this "impertinent request" would turn out to be.

"I have studied the culinary arts since I was a child, for seven years now. My goal has always been to become a Spirit Chef. I beg you, Senior Brother, please allow me to enter and observe."

Ye Linglong spoke with great humility, lowering her head in embarrassment as she finished. Ji Suyao watched from the side, baffled. This was the first time she had ever seen her friend act this way.

Now that she thought about it, that day in the Marketplace, Ye Linglong had spoken privately for a while with a senior brother who claimed to be a disciple of the former Spirit Chef.

In the end, however, she had returned looking wronged, which was why they had lost all interest in continuing their shopping.

Though she didn’t know the full story, Ji Suyao peeked at her senior brother. She saw a look of confusion on his face. He didn’t seem angry about the request; instead, he appeared to be contemplating something else.

"It’s just some simple cooking. Junior Sister Ye is welcome to watch."

Liu Chen agreed immediately. He had been wondering just how outrageous her "impertinent request" would be, but upon hearing she only wanted to watch him cook, he began to suspect he had been overthinking it.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. Linglong is deeply grateful."

Ye Linglong’s anxious heart finally settled somewhat. The last time this happened, that so-called Spirit Chef’s disciple in the Marketplace had demanded she "visit him late at night" to discuss it. She wasn’t a fool; she knew the hidden meaning behind that suggestion.

But this time, regardless of whether she succeeded, she owed this Senior Brother Liu an enormous debt of gratitude.

The kitchen was quite lively today. Liu Chen bustled about his work, Ye Linglong stood to the side looking as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words, and Ji Suyao stood there as well, feigning comprehension by nodding and shaking her head from time to time.

"All done~"

Liu Chen scooped the cooked Bamboo Shoots out of the wok. A fresh, clean aroma wafted over them, and both the hesitant Ye Linglong and the posturing Ji Suyao found their eyes glued to the dish.