"Could it be that I really can't hear Master's inner thoughts... Why? No matter how you look at it, Master is the most suspicious, right?"

Leaving the bamboo house and retracing his steps, Xiao Lin continued to disturb the animals engaged in their romantic affairs while deep in thought. "However, not hearing inner thoughts doesn't necessarily mean anything. It could be because Master isn't a transmigrator, or because Master's cultivation level is far beyond mine, or maybe it's simply because my ability to hear inner thoughts only works on my fellow disciples..."

In any case, Xiao Lin still believed there was something off about his Master.

According to Uncle-Master Dongfang, Master hadn't taken any disciples in the past, but in the last twenty years, he suddenly accepted five of us. Given the current situation, everything seems suspicious... Could it be that Master disagreed with my resignation because he noticed something?

When people are deeply pondering certain issues, they often overlook their surroundings.

So when Xiao Lin snapped out of his thoughts, he found himself standing in front of the small courtyard at the mountaintop.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary courtyard with blue bricks and gray tiles, nothing remarkable.

However, a cultivator with a slightly higher realm would notice that the bricks used in this courtyard were actually made of Spirit Marrow Jade, a precious material needed to craft most Earth-Grade Magic Treasures.

Not to mention the top-tier First-Rank Spirit Gathering Array beneath the courtyard—if the spiritual energy concentration outside the array was like a gentle drizzle, then inside the array, it was like an ocean.

In fact, achieving a First-Rank level with a relatively simple array like the Spirit Gathering Array isn't difficult, but covering such a large area and gathering so much spiritual energy tests the array master's skills greatly.

That's why the cultivators from the academy who specialize in studying array formations have tried multiple times to visit the Flowing Cloud Sect for observation, but were always turned away by Leng Youxue.

Of course, while outsiders might be amazed, Xiao Lin, having lived here for many years, naturally felt nothing special.

Just as he placed his hand on the door, ready to push it open, he heard...

[Mmm... smells so good, I really want to eat... No, no! Senior Brother hasn't arrived yet, I can't sneak a bite... Recite the cultivation technique, recite the cultivation technique to distract myself... Mind and intention as one, control qi with intention, move the body with qi, respond with the body, fragrant crispy pork chops, spirit fish with pill fragrance, honeyed red fruit, spirit herb noodle soup...]

Fourth Junior Sister, is this how you recite cultivation techniques?

Listening to Ning Yunmiao's inner thoughts, Xiao Lin didn't know how to evaluate his junior sister.

But to prevent her from actually sneaking a bite, Xiao Lin quickly pushed open the door.

A young girl in a light pink dress immediately appeared in his sight.

"Se... Senior Brother!" Ning Yunmiao, sitting by the stone table in the courtyard, stood up immediately upon seeing Xiao Lin at the door, calling out somewhat guiltily.

[Senior Brother probably didn't notice I wanted to sneak a bite, right?]

Sorry, I noticed... But if you want to eat, just eat, I'm not stopping you...

Xiao Lin controlled his facial expression, then nodded lightly, "Hmm... Did you bring back the Spirit Cuisine?"

On Green Lotus Peak, it was always Ning Yunmiao's responsibility to bring meals from the Spirit Cuisine Hall for the fellow disciples of Green Lotus Peak.

Some might ask, aren't cultivators supposed to practice inedia? Why do they still need to eat?

Ning Yunmiao: Mind your own business?

Well, truth be told, once cultivators advance from the Body Tempering Phase to the Qi Refining Phase, they can practice inedia, relying purely on spiritual energy to sustain themselves.

However, since this world has pills made from rare medicinal materials, naturally there can be Spirit Cuisine made from rare ingredients—when these Spirit Cuisines enter a cultivator's body, they transform into spiritual energy, and this energy, "cooked" by Spirit Cuisine chefs, can have various miraculous effects, such as expanding meridians, nurturing the dantian, or nourishing the physical body.

Spirit Cuisine is somewhat similar to pills, except that pills have some toxicity, and no matter what kind, they can't be consumed excessively. Spirit Cuisine, on the other hand, has no adverse effects on a cultivator's body.

...But one can only have two meals a day.

The principle behind this is quite complex, but according to research by some Spirit Cuisine experts, under normal circumstances, a cultivator can only absorb two meals of Spirit Cuisine a day; any more would be a waste.

This novel is available on "p𝑎wread.com".

Although the Flowing Cloud Sect isn't among the "One Sect, One Temple, One Peak, One Academy, Two Sacred Lands," as the so-called "seventh sect among the six great sects" widely known in the cultivation world, it naturally has dedicated Spirit Cuisine chefs to prepare daily Spirit Cuisine, so disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sect have developed the good habit of eating on time.

There's even a saying that "not being proactive about meals indicates a problem with one's mindset..."

"Brought it back."

Upon hearing Xiao Lin's question, Ning Yunmiao immediately raised her hand to proudly indicate the several dishes on the stone table, "I even got two servings of Spirit Fish Roasted with Red Jade Fruit!"

"Hmm? You actually managed to get the Spirit Cuisine Hall's special supply?"

Xiao Lin was a bit surprised.

After all, the special supply is something he and Ning Yunmiao couldn't always get even when they went together, especially since the recent intake of new inner disciples has made the Spirit Cuisine Hall even more crowded...

"Hehehe, with me, Ning Yunmiao, of course I could get it!" Ning Yunmiao placed her hands on her hips, slightly tilted her head, and looked very pleased with herself.

[Actually, it was two junior brothers who helped me get it, and they even competed to escort me back... Hehehe, being helpful, this batch of junior brothers is quite nice.]

Is that really being helpful? I feel embarrassed to point it out... Every time there's a new intake of inner disciples, there are always new ones who don't know your identity and try to curry favor with you. Haven't you noticed anything odd?

Watching Ning Yunmiao's adorably proud expression, Xiao Lin thought for a moment and then said, "Fourth Junior Sister, when you go down the mountain for training in the future, make sure you're not alone."

"Huh? Why?" Ning Yunmiao was initially puzzled, then seemed to think of something and lowered her head slightly, feeling a bit wronged, "Although... although my cultivation level is the lowest on Green Lotus Peak, I really can protect myself..."

"No, no, what I mean is... Hmm, Fourth Junior Sister, you're so beautiful, if you train alone, it's too easy to encounter danger," Xiao Lin said with a straight face.

"Huh? Is that so? Hehehe... Actually, I'm not that beautiful."

Hearing Xiao Lin's words, Ning Yunmiao scratched her head and replied, but her bright eyes curved into crescent moons with her smile.

One must admit, when a sweet-looking girl smiles, it's truly heartwarming.

But seeing this, Xiao Lin thought to himself...

Tsk, Fourth Junior Sister, you're so straightforward and simple, how have you managed to hide your identity as a transmigrator from me for so many years? Am I blind?

Shaking his head slightly, Xiao Lin said, "Alright, go ahead and deliver the Spirit Cuisine to the others."

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Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan