Chapter 58: Words from the Heart

  Transtor: Krukist

  Hong Yaozu felt as if he was about to cry. This wasn’t the first time he had eaten something so delicious, but as someone deeply invested in the culinary arts, he understood just how many challenges had been overcome to create this simple fried chicken.

  Clearly, it was a deep-fried dish, yet the batter had perfectly sealed in the moisture of the Red Jade Chicken, ensuring a crispy exterior and succulent meat within.

  And though it was undeniably oily, the dipping sauce Lin Yu had prepared—casually named tomato sauce—completely neutralized that greasy sensation.

  With just one bite, Hong Yaozu realized that the technique itself wasn’t difficult. However, simply thinking of such a method in the first pce was enough to prove Lin Yu’s extraordinary talent. If he had to put it into words, Hong Yaozu felt utterly conquered by Lin Yu’s culinary philosophy.

  Unlike Situ Deng, who had scoffed at Lin Yu’s butchering skills and dismissed him as clueless, Hong Yaozu saw something unfathomable in him.

  One dish after another, Hong Yaozu ate his fill—even those that weren’t Spirit Feasts. Each one made him feel as if he were swallowing his own tongue in delight. The perfect pairing of young chicken and mushrooms, the masterful use of seasonings, the heavenly tempura, its crispy shell encasing the freshest of ingredients…

  Finally, he took a bite of the braised pork belly.

  At that moment, an illusion seemed to appear before his eyes. He saw himself as a young boy, tasting a Spirit Feast for the very first time.

  Born into a prestigious family yet cast aside as an illegitimate son, it wasn’t until he was sixteen that he first experienced the taste of a Spirit Feast…

  And that very same day, he lost both of his parents.

  ---

  “Safe travels.”

  Nan Ziyan grinned mischievously as she watched Lin Yu, battered and bruised, board the carriage. For some reason, she felt incredibly satisfied.

  The elderly woman surnamed Liu gnced at her and chuckled. “The young dy of the Southwestern Marquis Manor came all the way to the academy? I suppose it makes sense—I heard Lin Yu’s culinary skills are truly outstanding. And since Miss Nan can only stomach his cooking, you must feel quite fortunate to have him around.”

  Nan Ziyan giggled. “Senior Liu, it’s just my luck. I’ve had this illness for years, and yet I happened to meet a chef like him.”

  Recalling Hong Yaozu’s stunned expression from the night before, she added, “Lin Yu’s cooking skills are simply incredible.”

  “If not for the fact that he has to fight He Wu in a little over half a month, I wouldn’t even want to let him leave. But don’t worry, Senior Liu—I made him prepare plenty of dishes, and I froze them with Frost Arts. Now I can reheat them whenever I want.”

  Senior Liu was a bit surprised. “So Frost Arts can be used that way?”

  Nan Ziyan herself was amazed. “It was Lin Yu’s idea! If he hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have thought of it at all. I really don’t know how his mind works. Even my father has praised how practical and brilliant all his ideas are.”

  The elderly woman smiled. “Perhaps that’s why Chen Pushe took a liking to him.”

  “The hour is getting te. I must be off now.”

  ---

  As the carriage left Heavenly Cloud Academy, Lin Yu couldn’t help but stick his head out. Though he knew Han Ya wouldn’t harm him, he still felt uneasy. Gncing around warily, he asked, “Senior Liu, where exactly are we headed?”

  The elderly woman smiled. “Two days ago, Miss Nan entered the imperial pace and borrowed a training ground. It’s at the foot of the Savage Peaks—that’s where we’re going.”

  She paused briefly, then sighed. “I must say, Chen Shuitian truly has an unparalleled talent for instructing students.”

  “In just three days, you’ve advanced from First-Grade, Second Stage to Sixth Stage. Even knowing you possess the Spirit-Devouring Physique, I suspect Chen Shuitian arranged special medicinal baths for you.”

  “Or perhaps… he crafted a custom spiritual brew for you.”

  “Otherwise, there’s no way your body could have grown this resilient. But judging from your injuries… it seems like someone gave you quite a beating.”

  Lin Yu was momentarily stunned. He recalled how, every night for the past few days, Chen Shuitian had given him a small cup of a sweet and sour drink. He hadn’t expected that it was part of stabilizing his cultivation.

  But when he heard the tter half of her words, he couldn’t help feeling embarrassed.

  Who could have predicted that Nan Ziyan, who appeared so delicate, would actually be so violent?

  She was about the same age as Lin Linger, but she had started cultivating earlier. Now, she was already a Second-Grade expert, not only mastering foundational Arcane Spells but even some Entry-Level Spells.

  Last night, Lin Yu had dueled her in Chen Shuitian’s boratory for an entire night. At first, Nan Ziyan wasn’t going all out, so Lin Yu had felt at ease—he could even counterattack. Feeling overconfident, he had foolishly asked her to “increase the difficulty.”

  Only then did he realize…

  The moment Nan Ziyan unleashed her full power, her arcane energy surged like a vast ocean, and her spellcasting speed became utterly terrifying—like a spell-firing turret.

  At first, Lin Yu tried to dodge, but dodging one spell only meant that another was already forming. Eventually, he had no choice but to tank the attacks with his tougher body parts. In the end, he still suffered quite a bit.

  Fortunately, Chen Shuitian had long since prepared spiritual medicine in advance.

  While it healed his internal injuries, his external wounds still remained.

  Hearing Senior Liu’s question, Lin Yu awkwardly recounted the events of the previous night. The elderly woman blinked in surprise before chuckling.

  “So it was a combat training session?”

  “With Chen Shuitian’s methods, that does sound like something he would do.”

  “Well, since he already started the process, I suppose I should tell you—your next seven days of training will be intense. Today, for example, you’ll spend six hours learning the most basic martial technique.”

  She paused for a moment, then asked, “Lin Yu, do you have a preferred weapon? Or would you rather focus on barehanded combat?”

  Lin Yu gnced at the passing scenery outside the carriage, then grinned. “Going barehanded is too much of a disadvantage. I’d rather become a bde-wielder, free to roam the world as I please.”

  Senior Liu couldn’t help but smile. “Sometimes, you seem so mature… and other times, you’re still just a child.”

  Lin Yu smirked. “Senior Liu, this is only the second time you’ve met me. Why do you already feel that way?”

  The elderly woman didn’t answer. Instead, she let out a soft sigh.

  “Lin Yu, the challenges you’ll face in the future will only grow. The schemes and conspiracies you see now are merely a drop in the ocean.”

  “No matter what happens, you must learn to rely on yourself.”

  “Even if Chen Shuitian has the power to shake the heavens, he cannot protect you forever.”

  These were words from the heart.

  Lin Yu listened intently, then nodded solemnly. “I understand, Senior Liu.”

  “…As long as you understand.”

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