CHAPTER 197: 196, UPPER PROFOUND REALM – BIYUE PIAOLING (1/4)

As Lin Kewu left, the others also paused their cultivation.

Compared to cultivating in the Gravity Field for an hour or two, the benefits from the Spiritual Cuisine were naturally greater. Each session of Purification came with a realm breakthrough, which was something the Gravity Field could not provide.

"Let’s go!"

"This junior brother just arrived a few days ago, hasn’t learned anything, yet he’s already picked up Brother Lele’s habit to rush in when there’s a benefit!" Qin Mo couldn’t help but tease from the side, glancing at Yang Lele.

Zhao Qing chimed in, "Maybe he doesn’t know that the Sect Leader now has a profit-sharing rule."

Yang Lele rolled his eyes at the two of them while maintaining an awkward yet polite smile, then dashed out of the Gravity Field, following Lin Kewu.

Before long, Yang Lele and the others found themselves outside the kitchen window, peeking through the gaps to see inside, able only to catch glimpses of what was happening. Though curious, no one dared to open the door without permission since Wen Ping preferred to keep it closed while preparing Spiritual Cuisine.

Inside the kitchen, Wen Ping was well aware of their presence outside.

Yet, he had no intention of driving these disciples away; in fact, the dumplings he was making were for them.

The dumplings weren’t of much use to him. He didn’t require Purification, thanks to his Fire Spirit Body. Qin Shan and others at the Profound Realm wouldn’t gain much; the most it could do was enhance their Purity Body. But for his disciples, it was incredibly effective.

After observing them for a while, Wen Ping called out to the people outside, "Go cultivate first and come back in two hours. Oh, and if Elder Yun awakens, bring him along too."

"Okay."

The crowd nodded and then dispersed.

However, no one went far; they chose to wait nearby in the dormitory area, chatting and watching the fountain.

As time ticked by, after Wen Ping had finished chopping all the ingredients, he began kneading the dough and rolling the skins. After being busy for a while, he then started heating the herb broth.

Once the flame was lit and the dumplings were in the pot, the system’s voice chimed, "Since this is a Spiritual Cuisine, it should have a name. Host, please name these dumplings."

Wen Ping paused in surprise, "Give it a name?"

He’s fine eating it.

He’s fine making it too, thanks to the automatic correction of errors by the Spiritual Cuisine cooking area, which didn’t require much thought from him.

But naming these dumplings was quite challenging.

Wen Ping lazily came up with one, since it was evolved from the Moonlight Dumplings, it’s called, "Let’s call them Upgraded Moonlight Dumplings then!"

"Hmm..."

The system fell silent.

Wen Ping fell silent too.

Perhaps the name was too awkward, simply intolerable.

After a long pause, the system continued, "Host, the Upgraded Moonlight Dumplings can no longer use the free welfare system. If you want to eat them, you’ll have to pay a price of a thousand gold per bowl. Otherwise, you can only look at them."

"Why a thousand gold per bowl?"

"Spiritual Cuisine is a rare commodity and cannot be made valuable with the word ’free.’ The effects of the upgraded Moonlight Dumplings are even more impressive, meaning they can no longer be free. Most importantly, the cost of the ingredients was covered by the host, and repayment of costs is required."

Wen Ping nodded in understanding.

"I like this rule."

Having said that, Wen Ping stepped away from the stove; after the dumplings were in the pot, he didn’t have much else to do.

Simply waiting for an hour—for the dumplings to cook—was all that was required.

He thought of making a round to check on Yun Liao, but just as he was about to leave, the voice of the Evil Spirit Knight reached his ears.

"Upper Profound Realm on the mountain!"

Wen Ping felt his heart skip at these words.

He wasn’t scared, just curious. The Upper Profound Realm cultivators in East Lake are considered ancient myths, always striving to reach the Divine Profound. They wouldn’t come to Cangwu City to seek revenge over recent matters, would they?

The crucial point was that the Evil Spirit Knight hadn’t sensed malice from his body.

This made him even more curious. Who could be coming to Yunlan Mountain without malice but with persistence?

After closing the kitchen door, Wen Ping went to the back, watching as a "young man" stepped leisurely over the branches and leaves.

Of course, he only appeared young, using techniques to remain youthful. Yet, in essence, he was likely a hundred-year-old elder. Who in East Lake could cultivate to the Upper Profound Realm and not be a centenarian?

As Wen Ping prepared to examine his information, the man in the distance waved and called out, "Sect Leader Wen, how have you been?"

In no time, the man drew near.

Wen Ping scrutinized him closely, first noticing his luxurious attire studded with various jewels, as glamorous as could be. Wen Ping then asked, "Senior, have you come to the Immortal Sect alone for any specific purpose?"

"Sect Leader Wen, forgotten already? You once said, if we had the chance, you’d be willing to be friends. I figured you wouldn’t visit Huangli City again, so I’m here to find you and have some fun."

The young man spoke with a smile, wrapping an arm around Wen Ping.

Wen Ping wanted to resist but sensed no malice from the other, and what he said seemed oddly familiar.

Slap!

After the young man released him, Wen Ping slapped his forehead.

"Senior, are you the mysterious owner of Biyue Pavilion?"

A person who never showed face.

At least during his many days at Biyue Pavilion, he had never seen him.

"I am Biyue Piaoling, remember that." The young man in luxurious attire laughed and walked past Wen Ping, then turned back, "Not bad, just opened the Meridian Gate and you’ve already killed Wei Qianjue, my boiling your water was not in vain. Impressive!"

Hearing this, Wen Ping was dumbfounded.

The Upper Profound Realm boiled water for him?

Wen Ping believed it was true, for no one would fake it as a kind gesture.

"Senior, you?"

"Don’t worry, I’m just here to have a bit of fun, nothing more, and also to make friends with you."

"Alright then."

Back then, Wen Ping had said it in passing, but forming friendships surely requires some understanding of each other?

Especially since he was an Upper Profound Realm cultivator, a true hegemon of East Lake.

Biyue Piaoling seemed to assume Wen Ping was still concerned, so he hastily explained, "Not long after you left, I sold Biyue Pavilion. In fact, I have to thank you for making me understand."

Wen Ping asked, "Thank me?"

Biyue Piaoling continued, "Of course. I used to think of hiding in the mundane world, listening to the noise of carriages and horses, and spending my remaining days. But in reality, I couldn’t let go of too many things. But you’re different; countless geniuses fought to participate in the Ten Talents Trial, while you took your disciples to Huangli City, stirred up trouble, secured a trial spot, and then didn’t participate. This kind of letting go enlightened me. Since I don’t have long to live, I decided to travel around and make a few friends."

Listening to Biyue Piaoling’s praise, Wen Ping was on cloud nine.

But he thought to himself: It’s not that I didn’t want to participate, it’s that the ten-day task period was over.

Of course, those words couldn’t be spoken. Wen Ping simply looked at Biyue Piaoling. On his handsome and young face, there were no signs of near-death, so he asked, "Senior, why don’t you come over to my place for a visit?"

(If the update doesn’t happen in the morning over the next few days, it will be at 5 PM. Sorry for any inconvenience, I’m studying for an exam on the 6th...don’t want to fail. Currently, I owe two Chapters as bonuses for rewards, and four daily updates. Once the exam on the 6th is over, I’ll start repaying them...)