CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: MICROSCOPIC, LOTUS WISDOM SOUP

At midnight, Song Yan knelt in front of Lin Yuan and recounted in detail all the actions of Lin Qi during his lifetime.

In front of the spirit hall, ghostly paper money burned in the brazier.

Suddenly, Lin Yuan grabbed a vase next to him and smashed it toward Song Yan’s head.

He cursed, "Insolent fool, why didn’t you tell me earlier?"

With a "bang," Song Yan knocked his head to the ground, crying profusely, wailing incessantly.

In Ping’an Lane, the sound of firefighting from afar had completely subsided, and the world seemed to have plunged into the serenity of night.

Chen Xu tidied up his complex emotions, extinguished the oil lamp on the table, and then opened the Food Cauldron Celestial Book in the dark to check his latest gains.

[Accumulated Likes: 863]

[Free Attribute Points: 23]

[Fireworks Value: 409]

Harvest time!

[I cooked a Human Demon with fierce fire, and the world called it spectacular], directly added 96 likes for Chen Xu.

Although this seemed less than the time Old Madam Lai sold pancakes once, Chen Xu watched as [+1+1] continued to pop up on the Celestial Book Plate, knowing well that once this matter spread, the likes he could gain would surely continue to increase.

The long-tail effect brought by such legendary events was immeasurably stronger than merely cooking a few meals or selling some food.

Chen Xu suddenly had a thought; it seemed he had found a new path.

However, whether in life or work, one shouldn’t overreach. With multiple paths available, one should proceed steadily and first grasp what is within reach.

Continuing to check his gains, there were three peculiar items worth noting.

[Evil Thought Pearl], [One Liang Pain Quick Three Fen Melancholy], [One Mace of Heart Fire Divine Lotus].

The former two need not be elaborated as Chen Xu had mainly found a way to obtain more [One Liang Pain Quick Three Fen Melancholy].

It was speculated that acquiring such peculiar items was related to Chen Xu’s "evil slaying."

As for [One Mace of Heart Fire Divine Lotus], its effects surprised Chen Xu.

When used as the main ingredient to brew [Lotus Wisdom Soup], it could greatly enhance a person’s memory with moderate improvement in understanding.

Chen Xu’s memory wasn’t poor to begin with, and after realizing the practical application of the Divine Soul, he had almost reached a realm of near-photographic memory.

But this photographic memory often had instantaneity.

That is to say, he could remember everything at once but would easily forget upon revisiting, requiring repeated review to truly memorize something.

But what if his memory could be enhanced once more?

And understanding, enhancing understanding is even more precious than memory!

Chen Xu immediately consumed 100 Fireworks Value to enter the Fire and Smoke Kitchen.

He spent 80 Fireworks Value to unlock the Lotus Wisdom Soup and 160 Fireworks Value to unlock Level 2 Chopping Wood.

As a result, his Fireworks Value was reduced to just 69 points.

Despite the apparent harvest, Fireworks Value is always in short supply, not even enough to buy Level 2 Fire Control, which is helpless.

The rest of the night passed without disturbance, and it was morning without a word.

Chen Xu diligently practiced in the Fire and Smoke Kitchen, resting occasionally and eating the [Lotus Wisdom Soup] he carefully brewed.

This item only required Jade Dew Spring Water and polished rice as auxiliary ingredients, which Chen Xu quickly mastered after unlocking it.

Until he used up the entire twelve hours in the Fire and Smoke Kitchen, he returned to reality and fell asleep in the tranquil night.

...

Upon waking the next day, Chen Xu felt refreshed, particularly sensing strength in his arms and clarity in his thoughts.

Although his Tri-Attribute didn’t increase by one bit, he felt inexplicably stronger than the night before.

The flow of every bit of Qi Blood in his body appeared as clear as daylight, manifesting vividly within his perception.

His eye power had also become terrifyingly sharp; under the eaves, a spider was spinning a web, and with a casual glance, Chen Xu instantly saw every pattern on the spider’s body.

Including the tiny short hairs, each fragile joint node on its limbs, even the spot where the spider produced silk, everything was clearly visible to Chen Xu.

Or rather, instead of "seeing" with the naked eye, he was using a combination of eye power and Divine Soul to engage in a microscopic perception.

This is Level 2 Chopping Wood: Microscopic!

Level 1 Chopping Wood was about Qi Blood Transport, and Level 2 was about seeing the minute details.

Seeing the minute details and identifying the weak points in the woodwork, only then can one achieve the greatest outcome with the least force.

Just like Butcher Ding dismembering an ox, chopping wood follows the same principle.

[Level 2 Chopping Wood (21/1000)]

Chen Xu was in high spirits; even just scratching the surface of Level 2 Chopping Wood gave him a sense of immense control.

Improvement in strength always brings a unique sense of security.

Now, everything was in place, and he just needed to gather 1000 likes to instantly fill up his Tri-Attribute Points and achieve Perfect Foundation Establishment!

Chen Xu was delighted but not complacent. After freshening up, he immediately went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

In the kitchen, all the food he left overnight was gone, and a small item appeared on the stove.

[Worry Relief Grass, consuming it can make living beings feel joyful, lasting ten breaths; side effect: within a quarter of an hour, the consumer will have a compelling urge to express themselves. Can be brewed with hawthorn and pippin into Clearing Worry Fruit Tea.]

This was the Mouse Demon’s reward.

Chen Xu found it quite amusing, took the Worry Relief Grass, which looked indistinguishable from withered grass, and put it into his sleeve, actually transferring it to the Fire and Smoke Kitchen.

Then, he quickly made a big pot of breakfast, consisting simply of five-colored porridge and egg pancakes.

He didn’t use meat because he had already used it up yesterday, and Chen Xu hadn’t had time to resupply at the market.

Additionally, due to last night’s experiences, he didn’t want to eat or prepare meat dishes for at least two or three days.

The aroma of breakfast had just started wafting when Old Madam Lai came over voluntarily.

First, she settled the copper coins from selling the meat and scallion pancakes yesterday, totaling one hundred coins, of which fifteen were her commission.

Additionally, Chen Xu entrusted her with selling this morning’s pancakes as well.

Old Madam Lai happily accepted the goods, carried the basket, and left, leaving a chain of likes for Chen Xu; even the little neighbor, Little Stone, kept liking, "So fragrant, so fragrant, egg smells good, porridge pancake smells good, I want to eat!"

[Like +1+1+1...]

It was an excellent start to the day.

After sending Old Madam Lai off, Chen Xu quickly ate some food himself, and then went to South Market Street to purchase a large batch of ingredients.

This time, he mainly bought various auxiliary materials for Spiritual Food, such as red beans, red rice, and red ginseng needed for [Five-Red Blood Nourishing Soup] and leeches, centipedes, and ticks required for [Mud Embryo Pill].

He had already unlocked the eligibility for several Spiritual Food recipes, but hadn’t had time to purchase and prepare them.

Firstly, because the Fireworks Value was insufficient, and secondly because of a lack of auxiliary materials.

Chen Xu swiftly purchased all the available auxiliary materials on South Market Street; for those unavailable, he visited the pharmacy.

In addition, he bought many common ingredients and condiments, all of which he prepared to store in the Fire and Smoke Kitchen for emergencies.

After organizing and arranging, Chen Xu filled the three-tier storage shelves in the Fire and Smoke Kitchen to the brim.

He diligently worked inside the house, mentally planning the Fire and Smoke Kitchen, and while enjoying his satisfaction, the outer gate was knocked on again.

It turned out to be a servant from the Lin Family delivering a funeral notice. The steward-looking person, wearing mourning white, with a face full of grief, said to Chen Xu, "My family’s elder son has decided to hold a seven-day vigil for the second young master, conducting several rituals.

Starting tomorrow, we will be receiving friends and relatives for mourning, and we sincerely hope Mr. Chen will not forget to send our second young master on his journey."