Chapter 519 - 519: Han Yuan, the Divine Cook!

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--- Chapter 519 ---

"Yes! Yes! Yes! We're finally here!" Mu Xi declared excitedly as the familiar skyline of Eastsea Station appeared in the distance.

She quickly gathered the pile of snack wrappers scattered across her lap, tossed them into the trash bin, and began rummaging around for her luggage.

Xing Lan shook her head gently at her disciple's chaotic motion. "Calm down, Mu Xi. The station isn't going to run away."

"Look at Xiao Yuan... he's stayed completely calm and collected. In fact, he's been meditating the entire trip while you were busy eating snacks."

"I... I was cultivating too!" Mu Xi protested, slinging her small bag over her shoulder.

"Oh? And what exactly were you cultivating, Sister Xi?" Han Yuan slowly opened his silver eyes, wrapping up his mental communication with Xu Deming. A light, teasing smirk touched his lips.

"I was cultivating my stomach!" Mu Xi proudly patted her flat tummy.

"..."

Han Yuan and Xing Lan stared at the girl in silence. After a moment, both of them sighed and shook their heads helplessly. Only Mu Xi could deliver such a ridiculous statement with confidence.

Ultimately, the high-speed Spirit Guidance Train glided smoothly to a stop at the platform as the conductor's deep, crisp voice resonated over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at Eastsea Station, Platform 11. Please ensure you have all your personal belongings as you disembark. We hope you enjoy your stay in Eastsea City!"

Han Yuan couldn't help but feel mildly amused as he stood up. 'It seems the Spirit Guidance Rail system is actually quite safe when normal people ride it. Then again, I'm not Tang 'Soul Train Killer' Wulin, so I won't have Evil Spirit Masters raiding the train out of nowhere.'

"Let's go!" Mu Xi bounced out of her seat, practically sliding on the floor, with Han Yuan and Xing Lan following closely behind.

As they stepped off the sleek train, they were immediately met by a VIP reception crew. A good-looking female attendant bowed respectfully and guided the group through a private, restricted concourse away from the crowded public corridors.

Following her lead, they arrived at the VIP arrival zone.

Waiting beside a sleek, expensive-looking white Spirit Guidance Car stood Mu Chen, alongside a mature, elegant woman in a modest crimson dress whose features shared a striking resemblance to Mu Xi.

Mu Xi's eyes lit up the instant she saw the woman. "Mom!"

She sprinted forward and threw her arms around the red-dressed woman in an emotional embrace, leaving Mu Chen standing with his arms hanging awkwardly in mid-air, having fully expected his daughter to hug him first.

"Uh..." Mu Chen stared at his empty arms blankly.

"Mhm, it's so good to see you healthy..." The woman praised Mu Xi with a gentle smile, stroking her hair. "It seems staying in Heaven Dou City for a year has made my daughter even more beautiful!"

Mu Xi's mother, Yuan Bao'er, was a composed and dignified woman. Even so, seeing her baby girl grow so mature after nearly a year made her eyes glisten with warmth.

Looking past her daughter's shoulder, she naturally noticed two figures standing nearby.

Smiling warmly, she said, "You two must be Her Excellency, the Nebula Douluo, and your godson, Han Yuan."

"Thank you both so much for looking after Mu Xi all this time," She bowed politely. "She can be quite mischievous. I hope she hasn't caused you too many headaches."

"MOM!" Mu Xi screeched, not really expecting Yuan Bao'er to tease her the moment they reunited. She felt like she was completely losing face in front of her teacher and Han Yuan.

Xing Lan covered her mouth, letting out a soft giggle. "Ah, it's quite alright. Mu Xi is a very energetic girl, but what young girl isn't a bit lively at her age? Besides, I have plenty of patience when teaching her."

"Teacher! Not you too!" Mu Xi looked at Xing Lan in utter disbelief.

Han Yuan stepped forward, giving Yuan Bao'er a courteous greeting with a respectful bow. "It's an honor to meet you, Aunt Yuan."

"I'm Han Yuan, and please don't worry, I actually enjoy Sister Xi's lively personality very much."

"She brings color to my world!"

"Oh, my! You certainly are good with words." Yuan Bao'er giggled, casting an appreciative, warm gaze at the silver-haired boy.

Although this was their very first time meeting, she already carried a deep impression of him, and it was blatantly clear her daughter adored him just as deeply.

Handsome, brilliant, and impeccably spoken.

Now that was a fine prospective son-in-law!

"Alright, let's head home... I've already prepared several specialties for everyone," Yuan Bao'er smiled faintly before glancing at Mu Chen. "So, dear... drive."

"O-Okay, Honey..." Mu Chen could only sigh before getting into the Spirit Guidance car and turning the engine on.

The drive to the villa didn't take long, as it was located near the Eastsea City Blacksmith Association. Yet, just looking at the paved avenues and surrounding skyscrapers, Han Yuan could tell that Mu Chen's regional influence was immense.

Then again, it made total sense.

A Saint Craftsman might not be a Divine Craftsman, but the status was still immensely prestigious, especially in a major hub like Eastsea City. Spirit Forged Metal was priceless anywhere on the continent, and Mu Chen was the sole Saint Craftsman residing here.

Upon arriving at the grand villa, Yuan Bao'er helped Han Yuan and Xing Lan settle into the luxurious guest rooms on the second floor. Afterward, they gathered in the dining room for lunch.

As they ate, Mu Chen finally broke his silence.

"Mu Xi... Dad didn't get to ask this earlier, but what level is your Spirit Power at now?"

Mu Xi, who ate her mother's home cooking with gusto, paused for a second before answering, "Level 35."

"Hiss..." Mu Chen sucked in a sharp breath.

"This..." Yuan Bao'er was equally stunned by her daughter's words.

Mu Chen did the mental math instantly. "Level 35... starting from Level 21, you've gained 14 levels in just a single year! That's an average of more than one full level every month!"

"That's mostly because Xiao Yuan helped me," Mu Xi replied, gesturing toward the silver-haired boy sitting beside her.

"Cultivating near him makes my starlight-dense spirit energy grow much faster. But the main reason I grew so quickly is because of the pills he gave me."

"Pills?" Mu Chen frowned slightly, worried that his daughter might be led astray because consuming pills could leave behind harmful impurities in her meridian channels.

Xing Lan stepped in to reassure him. "Ah, you don't need to worry about impurities remaining in Mu Xi's body. Every pill Xiao Yuan crafts is exceptionally pure."

"His innate ability and unique methods ensure that any pills he refines are completely free of impurities. Unfortunately, they only work best on starlight-attributed or energy-aligned martial souls."

"Even then, the boost they provide is undeniable."

"I've even tried them myself, and even as a Title Douluo, his pills still have a noticeable effect on me."

Yuan Bao'er blinked, looking at the silver-haired youth in awe. "T-This is..."

"Xiao Yuan... you're an alchemist as well? My husband told me you were an extraordinarily gifted blacksmith, but this is something else entirely."

"Hmm, you can view it that way," Han Yuan replied calmly. Naturally, he wasn't about to blabber about the Sky Poison Pearl to anyone.

As far as the world was concerned, he was simply an alchemist, the cook.

However, he's more than that.

He is the Master—No, Divine Cook!