"Quick, put on your clothes!"
Leng Feiyan looked at Lin Jichen, who was still standing shirtless in front of her, with a slightly strange expression.
Lin Jichen smiled wryly. He had just woken up and hadn’t intentionally remained undressed.
After he put his clothes back on, Leng Feiyan immediately resumed her demeanor as a master.
"I promised you a surprise after you crossed your tribulation."
"Really? Where is it?" Lin Jichen asked eagerly, his eyes lighting up.
He was already fantasizing about whether it was another divine weapon or a peerless secret manual. He had been looking forward to it for a long time and was sure it wouldn't disappoint him.
"It's outside. Go see for yourself."
Lin Jichen immediately turned and ran out. When he reached the inner temple, something on a table caught his attention.
The table was filled with strange items in black, red, green, and white. What were these things?
Lin Jichen didn't pay much attention and continued walking, but Leng Feiyan called him back.
"The surprise is right in front of you. Why are you still walking away?"
Lin Jichen stopped, looked around again, and finally focused his gaze back on the new Eight Immortals table.
"Master... are you saying these... are the surprise for your disciple?" Lin Jichen asked, pointing doubtfully at the bizarre items on the table.
Leng Feiyan nodded with a smile, her eyes sparkling with pride and a hint of bashfulness.
"Yes, didn't you say you wanted to taste my cooking? I made these while you were unconscious. Eat them while they're hot."
Lin Jichen inexplicably swallowed, looking at the dishes on the table.
If Leng Feiyan hadn't said so, he wouldn't have recognized them as food.
This surprise... was indeed both surprising and 'pleasant'!
He wanted to say he wasn't hungry, but seeing Leng Feiyan's expectant eyes, he finally gave in.
Who told him to have a big mouth and insist on Leng Feiyan cooking?
Thinking back, he felt like a fool. Leng Feiyan had never touched kitchen utensils. She was a cultivator, for heaven's sake.
Even Ren Lan, a modern person, could make dark cuisine despite never having cooked before. Leng Feiyan, who had been practicing inedia for years, would be even worse.
Leng Feiyan had been practicing inedia for years. Even when she was young, the entire sect catered to her needs. Did she ever need to cook?
Now, he was reaping what he had sown.
Lin Jichen sat down with a complex expression, while Leng Feiyan gracefully sat beside him, ready to watch him eat.
With a heavy heart, Lin Jichen picked up his chopsticks and pointed at the first black, charcoal-like dish. "Master, what is this dish?"
"Flower Pork Wontons, made with flower pork and the wings of flying cloud pigeons. I just didn't control the heat well, so it's a bit burnt," Leng Feiyan explained seriously.
Lin Jichen listened, half-believing, and thought it might just be a bit burnt and still edible.
With that thought, he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.
Leng Feiyan watched his expression closely.
"Oh my! Master, your cooking skills are amazing!"
Lin Jichen looked surprised and picked up another piece, eating it with relish.
Leng Feiyan immediately smiled and asked, "Really?"
"Yes! It's really good! I'll have another piece!"
Lin Jichen ate another piece.
At this moment, no one noticed his vitality was decreasing.
[Extremely salty! Overwhelming! -300!]
[Extremely salty! Overwhelming! -300!]
[Extremely salty! Overwhelming! -300!]
Yes, he was eating this at the cost of his life.
If Leng Feiyan hadn't already replenished his vitality, he might have died from food poisoning before the thunder tribulation could kill him.
[Ding! Leng Feiyan's affection level for you +5! Current affection level: 55 points (Intimate)]
See? Sacrifices must be made; this was a great opportunity to increase affection!
Leng Feiyan didn't notice Lin Jichen's decreasing vitality.
After his praise, she smiled sweetly and said, "Then try another dish."
"This is Steamed Spirit Fish, made with Spirit Fish from the Vast Sea. You just crossed your tribulation and your body is weak, so this is perfect for you," Leng Feiyan introduced enthusiastically.
Lin Jichen picked up a piece of the colorful fish, which was as fragile as jelly.
In the end, he used a spoon to scoop it into his mouth.
"Mmm! Not bad, not bad! Delicious! This is even better than the dishes at Drunken Immortal Pavilion!"
Lin Jichen looked 'enjoyed' and scooped another spoonful.
But then, his face turned a bit green.
Leng Feiyan asked curiously, "Disciple, why is your face so green?"
Lin Jichen belatedly checked his status.
[Poison attack! -1500! Lasts 5 seconds!]
Lin Jichen suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Master, when you prepared the Spirit Fish from the Vast Sea, did you remove its poison sac?"
He knew about the Spirit Fish. It was delicious but as poisonous as a pufferfish. The poison sac had to be removed before eating.
Leng Feiyan suddenly remembered and adorably said, "Oh no, I forgot."
Lin Jichen collapsed onto the table, foaming at the mouth.
Leng Feiyan quickly helped him up and fed him an elixir.
Lin Jichen slowly regained consciousness.
Leng Feiyan said awkwardly, "I forgot to remove the poison sac. My fault, my fault. Let's not eat this fish. Try something else."
Holding his chopsticks, Lin Jichen was on the verge of tears. Others' cooking might just be unpalatable, but his master's cooking was life-threatening.
But thinking about how Leng Feiyan, a dignified sect master and a peak Feather Transformation Realm expert, had humbled herself to cook because of his casual remark, Lin Jichen decided that even if he died from poisoning today, he had to show his appreciation!
And so, Lin Jichen ate dish after dish.
His vitality kept decreasing.
After finishing all the dishes on the table, he looked at his health bar, which was only half full.
As long as he wasn’t dead.
"Phew! That was so satisfying. Master’s cooking is truly a feast for the senses, unforgettable!" Lin Jichen praised.
Leng Feiyan was already beaming with joy, her eyes filled with happiness, and she modestly said, "I only learned for a few days, so it’s not perfect. The only regret is forgetting to remove the poison sac from the Spirit Fish."
"But it's okay. If you haven't had enough, I can make another batch for you now."
Leng Feiyan was about to get up, but Lin Jichen, pale-faced, quickly stopped her.
"No need, Master. Your disciple is already very full and can't eat anymore."
"Is that so? Then maybe tomorrow?" Leng Feiyan said with some regret.
Lin Jichen inwardly groaned and quickly said, "Master, we are cultivators. Always indulging in food is not good. Inedia and cultivation are the true paths."
Leng Feiyan agreed, "You're right, disciple. But it's okay to indulge occasionally. How about this, after my next closed-door cultivation, I'll make you a big feast!"
Lin Jichen wanted to refuse but could only agree.
"Master, are you going into seclusion?" Lin Jichen asked, feeling a bit reluctant.
"Yes, now that you've crossed your thunder tribulation, I can safely go into seclusion for enlightenment," Leng Feiyan replied.
Lin Jichen felt an inexplicable emptiness in his heart and couldn't help but grab Leng Feiyan's cold, jade-like hand.