Chapter 33: He Made a Spirit Feast Too?

  Transtor: Krukist

  “Master Han, you’re finally here!” Lin Ling’er rushed frabbing the newer’s arm and pouting. “If you’d been any ter, my brother would’ve been bullied to death! If he dies, I’m not being your first disciple anymore.”

  Lin Yu smiled wryly, a flicker of affe in his eyes. He hadn’t expected Lin Lio have a backup pn against the Situ ’s wrath. pared to her, his own strategy felt g.

  Sure, he had fidence, but without these surprises, he might still be trapped under Situ g’s pressure. If Nan Zhan and his wife couldn’t stomach the Braised Pork, they wouldn’t have saved him—might’ve even decred him the loser, f him to cook for Nan Ziyan endlessly.

  If she ate his Chi Mushroom Stew yesterday but rejected it today—along with everything else—he’d be worthless. Then, with the Situ ’s power, he’d be a dead man walking. Fear crept in, but Shuitian’s arrival and now Lin Ling’er’s mentor shifted the odds. This mentor was no pushover—why else show up at the manor now?

  Lin Yu pieced it together. A mere instructor from Heavenly Cloud Academy’s Mystistitute wouldn’t barge in like this, catg even Nan Zhan off guard.

  Nan Zhan blinked, stunned. Another arrival—and Lin Ling’er’s mentor, no less? He’d thought a random teacher crashing the manor was grounds for punishment, but seeing her face, he swallowed his words and forced a grin. “You’re here too?”

  Her name was Han Ya, her features as striking as Lin Ling’er’s or Nan Ziyan’s, but she radiated a bold, unyielding spirit. Her robe, white with blue hints, screamed prestige.

  Han Ya nodded slightly, smirking. “Didn’t expect such a lively se.”

  “Heh heh…” Shuitian’s ugh boomed, his eyes glinting with approval at Han Ya, then Lin Ling’er. “So you’re the genius from humble roots everyoalks about?”

  Lin Ling’er faltered. She knew she had talent, but this niame was news. She waved it off. “Genius? Not in front of you all.” Her gaze slid to Han Ya with admiration. “My mentor’s the real genius.”

  Shuitian gave Han Ya a teasing look. “Oh? Is that so?”

  Han Ya’s cheeks flushed as she bowed slightly. Shuitian—one of Heavenly Cloud Academy’s three Puye—was her superior, deserving respect, especially with his other titles. “I didn’t expect you here, Shuitian. My disciple’s brother must be something special?” Curiosity tinged her voibsp;

  She’d vetted Lin Yu when taking Lin Ling’er as a disciple, digging into the Lin family. Lin Ling’er was , but her brother? A quack doctor. How’d he end up in a cooking duel with Situ Deng?

  Situ Deng’s rep wasn’t small. Before pivoting to cooking, his spiritual aptitude raop ten at the Academy—a bona fide prodigy. His shift to ary arts for love had folks sighing, but he’d since risen fast, being the kingdom’s you Cooking King—a First-Grade Spirit Chef—with rumors of recipe breakthroughs.

  A quack versus a ary genius? Laughable. Han Ya had e to save Lin Yu, knowing how cheap a oner’s life was to the Situ d Southwestern Marquis. Yet here was Shuitian, and Qin Caiyun’s words—telling Situ Deng to surrender—hit her ears.

  “My hearing’s off? She told Situ Deng to quit? No way. Qin Caiyun’s fair, if a bit soft. Southwestern Marquis wouldn’t have picked her otherwise.” Han Ya knew secrets from her status, but this threw her. Was Qin Caiyun different now, or was Lin Yu that good? Doubt clouded her eyes.

  Shuitian’s warning—taste it, and Situ Deng’s spirit could shatter—sounded insane. Really?

  Seeing her fusion, Shuitian poi Lin Yu’s Braised Pork. “Questio a piece.”

  Han Ya didn’t hesitate, popping one in. She froze, then snapped back, grabbing Lin Yu. “Lin Yu, right? You made this Spirit Feast? Why didn’t you give it to Ling’er before? If she’d had it st month, she might’ve broken through in her exam, being a ranked Mystic Martialist!”

  She stared at his wry smile, pausing. “I get it—maybe the ingredients are pricey. But she’s your sister. You’ve got to think of her future.”

  “Spirit Feast?” Situ Deng yelped, disbelief etched on his face. He noticed Situ g—silent after a bite—looking unnervingly quiet. “He made a Spirit Feast too?”

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