Shen Yue

  "Aiyo, this air is brutal." Shen Yue sneezed hard.

  Shen Yue never visited this side of the city. The Eastern Quarters felt entirely foreign to her, its narrow streets and weathered buildings unlike her usual surroundings.

  Shen Yue hurried through the Eastern Quarter, sidestepping a murky puddle and wrinkling her nose at the stench of rotting food.

  Even the energy here felt coarse to her trained senses.

  She had come early morning to search for a specific text housed in the old temple, planning to complete her task and leave quickly.

  At first glance, she didn't like the Eastern Quarters.

  Without meaning to, she found herself listing the district's flaws with the same care she used when studying old texts.

  However, she noticed the people seemed more open and friendly than those in the Central or Inner Quarters. Their greetings were genuine, their smiles reaching their eyes. Her work at the temple concluded with unexpected speed, and now she walked briskly toward the district's edge.

  "Aiyo, a rat!" She leaped sideways as a gray rodent scurried across the broken cobblestone street.

  Her heart pounded against her ribs. The sudden movement disrupted her thought process.

  "Just a few more minutes, Yue, and you will be out of this place."

  She clutched the bundle of ancient scrolls from the old temple against her chest. If she maintained her current pace, she might still arrive in time for her first class at the School for Poor Children.

  The school held special meaning to her. Her father had taught there for decades before his passing, and now she carried his mantle. She taught underprivileged youth who showed cultivation potential.

  Her thoughts drifted to Kai Sa, her most promising student. Once, Kai Sa had shown remarkable cultivation talent, but the awakening crystal had deemed her a failure.

  Her stomach suddenly grumbled, the sound embarrassingly loud in the quiet morning street. She had rushed out so quickly she'd forgotten the egg pudding she'd prepared last night.

  She hesitated. Eating in the Eastern Quarters wouldn't suit her palate. But she had heard about a new eatery opened at the district boundary by the Ye family.

  "Aiyo, I can do that."

  She giggled softly, changing direction toward this safer option.

  "What is this?"

  She froze when she sniffed an unexpected aroma. The scent carried notes of fragrant herbs and savory broth that made her mouth water instantly. More surprisingly, her cultivation senses detected threads of refined qi woven through the steam.

  She hadn't expected to find such energy in this district.

  Her gaze settled on a small stall nestled under a sprawling tree. A tall young man worked with practiced movements, preparing food in the golden light of early morning. Steam rose from his cooking vessels, carrying that enticing smell.

  "Sunrise Servings. It wouldn't hurt to look at the dish once."

  As she approached the stall, she saw the young man sending his qi into the dish he prepared. Steam rose softly, carrying the rich aroma of herbs and broth.

  "Qi Infusion. Is he a cultivator?" she wondered aloud. She hadn't brought her Qi Measurement Stone; otherwise, she would have tested him. "His qi looks pure. Is he using Ren and Du channels? Or something else?"

  As she reached closer, she recognized the wood and fire qi mixed in the young man's method. The sight of the glowing energy intertwining with the food fascinated her. She stepped outside of the stall, staring intently at the dish and his fluid movements.

  Yes, he was a cultivator.

  The young man noticed her approach. His movements followed the Six Harmony pattern, though he likely used it unconsciously. Morning light caught the steam rising from his ladle. Tiny motes of golden energy swirled within the vapor. They were visible through her Celestial Eye technique.

  "Good morning," she said, keeping her excitement in check. "Your food smells wonderful."

  He looked up, wariness briefly crossing his features before being replaced with polite attention.

  "Good morning, miss. Would you like to try something?" he asked.

  "I would, yes." She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Whatever you recommend."

  "I have rice porridge with fresh ginger today. It's good for health and energy."

  Her scholarly mind immediately noted his choice of words. Common cooks emphasized flavor or taste. This young man spoke of health and energy.

  These terms matched the language in cultivation texts about food properties.

  "That sounds perfect."

  While he prepared her portion, Shen Yue studied his method. His hands moved with the Circular Return technique common in basic Dao cultivation. Sometimes, his fingers formed partial seals when adding ingredients. The focus in his eyes suggested he did this on purpose.

  She observed the smooth, practiced movements of his hands, each gesture precise. The wooden spoon in his grip stirred the porridge with deliberate, circular motions. The subtle glow of qi shimmered briefly around his fingers, blending seamlessly with the steam.

  "Here you are."

  He placed a steaming bowl before her. She could see the qi content visibly increasing as it approached her.

  "Three coppers."

  She paid, then lifted the bowl for careful assessment. The flavors registered one by one across her trained palate. The ginger's sharpness came first, followed by the earthiness of rice. More importantly, she felt qi flowing along her Conception Vessel. Her mind became clearer, and her fatigue from the morning's research faded away.

  "This is remarkable," she said, genuinely impressed. "I've never tasted anything quite like it."

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  "Family recipe," he replied.

  "Are you sure?" she asked.

  "Yes." He reinforced on his word, his posture shifting slightly to a defensive stance. His shoulders squared up. Curious eyes stared at her.

  "I am Shen Yue," she offered, setting down her bowl. "I teach cultivation theory at the academy in the Central District for commoner children."

  "Lin Fan." He nodded respectfully. "This stall belonged to my father before his passing." His voice quivered as if he recalled his father at that moment.

  "Your father must have been talented." She chose her words carefully. "This food shows qualities I've only seen in proper qi manipulation techniques."

  His eyes narrowed slightly. She noticed his qi circulation increase, visible in the subtle color change of his aura.

  "I merely use quality ingredients with proper preparation methods," he said.

  Shen Yue noticed his defensive reaction. It made sense. Independent cultivators often faced exploitation by established sects.

  "I have studied many unconventional cultivation methods," she said, lowering her voice. "Your technique looks remarkably similar to diagrams in old cultivation texts about food."

  "I consider myself simply a cook. A simple one who follows my father's footstep."

  His shoulders remained carefully relaxed, but she sensed a subtle change in his qi.

  Before Shen Yue could continue, movement at the edge of the counter caught her attention. A sleek green form moved between cooking implements. She instinctively pulled back.

  "A snake! Aiyo." She stepped back, her heart reaching her throat.

  "Please remain calm," Lin Fan said with a smile. "That is merely Noodle. He helps me select ingredients."

  Shen Yue frowned. "Did you say he help you select ingredients?"

  "Yes," Lin Fan said. "He can sense bad ingredients."

  Shen Yue studied the little snake. The creature showed clear signs of qi absorption. It had scaled patterns with a beginning glow.

  "This snake is becoming a spirit beast!" she whispered with excitement. "It's still in the early stages, but the signs are unmistakable. How long has it been with you?"

  Lin Fan's careful composure slipped momentarily.

  "You can see this?"

  "My specialty is studying unusual qi manifestations," she said, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

  "And what is that?"

  "The old texts describe how animals can become spirit companions when they live near cultivators," she said. "This is a rare chance to observe! According to the records, only one such case has been noted in the past century."

  The snake looked at her with an emerging awareness. Its tongue seemed to taste the surrounding qi particles with purpose.

  "He appeared less than a week ago," Lin Fan admitted. "He continues to return despite my attempts to send him away."

  "That matches the theories perfectly," Shen Yue said, setting aside her food to focus on this discovery.

  "Miss, could you explain it simply? I don't understand what you mean."

  She smiled. Her students often said similar things when she got caught up in technical language and forgot to simplify.

  "I'll make it clear. Your cooking has qi in it, and it draws sensitive creatures. Does he react to your mood or feelings?"

  Lin Fan's expression revealed the answer before he spoke.

  "How did you know that?" He stopped stirring the pot.

  "The ancient cultivation scrolls explain this in detail," she said excitedly. "Have you had any formal training in cultivation?"

  "I have not," he replied firmly.

  "Did you teach yourself, or did you learn from your family's methods?"

  She spoke respectfully while seeking clarity.

  Lin Fan looked around to ensure no one was listening. He then leaned forward a little.

  "My father left me recipes and instructions. I only recently understood they were actually cultivation techniques."

  Shen Yue nodded in understanding. "I understand why are are you unknown to your techniques…" She sighed. "I bet it's a hidden family legacy. Many families passed their techniques this way."

  She took another sip of the broth, noting how it stimulated her meridians with precise effect.

  "Your skill is remarkable for someone without formal training. You channel qi through food with impressive precision." She wondered if she should ask him that question.

  "You can actually feel the energy in the food?" Lin Fan asked, showing both caution and interest.

  "Years of study enhance one's sensitivity to qi patterns," she said.

  "Can you tell me more?" Lin Fan asked, leaning forward once again. Their breaths mingled in the cool morning air, and Shen Yue suddenly realized they were close enough to kiss.

  Red rushed to her cheeks as she leaned back, her heart fluttering. At twenty-five, she had little experience with men. Lin Fan looked no older than eighteen or nineteen. Though of marriageable age, he surely wasn't courting her by coming so close.

  "Forgive me, please." He leaned back, smiling sheepishly.

  His smile was warm and genuine, revealing both intelligence and a hint of weariness.

  "What you're doing is called Essence Infusion in classical texts. It's considered a branch of alchemy."

  Lin Fan's expression changed from guarded to intellectually engaged.

  "My father's notes mentioned essence but didn't explain it fully." He tapped on the wooden counter.

  "The basic idea is simple," she explained. "You share your energy with the food to enhance its properties."

  She drew a simple circulation pattern on the counter with a touch of qi.

  "Most cultivators focus only on internal energy or battle. Using it in food and medicine is actually an older tradition, and not everyone can do it."

  Lin Fan studied the fading diagram with evident interest.

  "What about seasonal energy changes? How do they affect the process?"

  Shen Yue was impressed by his perceptiveness.

  "That's an excellent question." She smiled, her eyes lighting up. "People often overlook how seasons affect their internal qi. They just want to rush into battles and swing their weapons, but cultivation is more intimate than that. Cultivation is life, and people keep forgetting it."

  "You sound brittle when you speak about war," Lin Fan asked, as if he had noticed the flicker of pain in her voice.

  Her body tensed, and she looked away. Memories of losing her father to an unnecessary brawl surfaced, making her dislike anything related to fights and wars.

  "Let's get back to our topic," she said, her voice steadier. "Spring is good for health and healing. Every season is different. Have you noticed this yourself?"

  "I'm trying to capture spring essence in a dish," he admitted. "It's proving more difficult than I expected."

  "Spring essence needs balance," she explained. "Too much raw spring energy creates patterns that fall apart when consumed."

  She drew a simpler diagram showing seasonal transitions.

  "Try using some winter elements as anchors. Winter water energy works perfectly to stabilize spring wood energy."

  Their conversation continued, becoming increasingly detailed. Shen Yue explained basic theories while Lin Fan asked insightful questions. She lost track of time. She was startled to realize more than an hour had passed. Her students would be waiting.

  "I must leave," she said reluctantly, gathering her scrolls. "However, I would very much like to continue our discussion another time."

  "Your insights have been extremely helpful," Lin Fan replied with genuine appreciation. "Please visit my humble stall when you are free, miss, or should I call you teacher?"

  "Miss is fine. I'm not too old for you." She smiled. Shen Yue considered for a moment before making a decision.

  "I could bring some texts that would help explain what you're developing. In exchange, perhaps you would allow me to observe your techniques? Purely for research, of course."

  "An exchange of knowledge?"

  Lin Fan thought briefly before nodding. "That seems fair."

  "Excellent."

  Shen Yue felt excited as she mentally chose suitable scrolls from the academy archives. A practical thought struck her before leaving.

  "You seem quite busy managing this stall alone. My student, Kai Sa, is looking for work. She has basic training in qi theory and is reliable. Perhaps she could help you?"

  "Thank you for the offer, but I prefer to practice my father's techniques by myself for now."

  "I completely understand," she said. "Shall we meet again tomorrow?"

  "The stall opens at sunrise," he confirmed.

  As Shen Yue walked toward her teaching duties, her mind raced with theories. She had discovered a culinary cultivator operating in the Lower East Quarter. He was implementing qi infusion with remarkable skill. He even had a developing spirit beast as a companion. This was an unprecedented research opportunity. She walked faster as she planned the detailed notes she would write that evening.

  ***

  Lin Fan watched the beauty hurrying away from the stall, her steps soft and her movement graceful. Her simple academy robes fluttered in the morning breeze.

  Shen Yue's silhouette stood out among the bustling market-goers, her arms clutching scrolls tightly to her impressive chest. Sunlight caught in her dark red hair, giving it a subtle amber glow that matched the warmth of her intellectual enthusiasm.

  Behind her, Lin Fan stared at a glowing blue message that had appeared:

  System: Seasonal Quest: Create a Dish that Captures Spring Essence

  System: Reward: Increased Qi absorption rate

  For the first time, thanks to Shen Yue's explanation, he truly understood what he needed to do. Balance. Stability supporting growth. He needed to rethink his approach.

  Noodle returned to his usual spot, seeming pleased with the scholarly visitor. Lin Fan absently stroked the snake's head, his thoughts already turning to new recipe experiments and the knowledge Shen Yue would bring.

  The path to understanding often came from unexpected places, like a cultivation scholar wandering into a humble food stall on an ordinary spring morning.