Chapter 27: Gathering Meal

By the time Wang Changsheng returned to Qinglian Mountain, it was already completely dark. He went to his father's study, a room where clan affairs were managed. Wang Mingyuan was currently poring over some books.

"Father, I'm back."

Wang Mingyuan put down his books and asked, "Do you know why I called you back?"

"I don't know, Father. Please tell me."

"It's like this: the Profound Gold vein will eventually be depleted. After discussions with the clan elders, we've decided to select five clan members for training. These five are just initial selections; after a period of cultivation, they'll undergo an assessment. The two most outstanding individuals will be trained as artifact refiners. You are among these initial selections, and whether you become a key artifact refiner for the family will depend on your performance. You must study diligently and strive to become one. The future of our family rests on your young generation, do you understand?" Wang Mingyuan impressed upon him earnestly.

Wang Changsheng was instantly overjoyed. He eagerly responded, "I understand, Father. I will definitely work hard."

If he could become an artifact refiner, he wouldn't have to worry about cultivation resources in the future. Even without his father's encouragement, Wang Changsheng was determined to work hard.

"By the way," Wang Mingyuan suddenly remembered, "have you encountered any problems with your cultivation?" He inquired about Wang Changsheng's daily practice.

He himself cultivated the Cloud-Rain Art and could offer Wang Changsheng some guidance.

Wang Changsheng thought for a moment before replying, "The incantation for the fifth layer is a bit obscure and difficult to understand. When I cultivate according to it, it feels somewhat unnatural."

"Unnatural?" Wang Mingyuan frowned. "Describe it in detail."

"When guiding the spiritual energy within my body, it feels as if..."

After listening to Wang Changsheng's explanation, Wang Mingyuan pondered for a moment. "The spiritual energy on Lotus Island is scarce, so it's normal for your cultivation to feel unnatural. However, you should also be cautious. Take some time to visit the Scripture Hall and read through the cultivation experiences of our predecessors who practiced the Cloud-Rain Art. It should be helpful."

"Yes, I understand."

Just then, Liu Qing'er walked in, smiling as she asked, "What are you two talking about?"

"Mom, Dad is guiding me in cultivation!"

Liu Qing'er's face lit up. "There's no rush for cultivation. I've finished making dinner. You two hurry to the kitchen to eat before the food gets cold."

Upon entering the kitchen, Wang Changsheng saw a large table laden with dishes. Their enticing aroma made him unconsciously swallow.

There were four dishes and one soup: Purple Bamboo Shoot Egg Drop Soup, Stir-fried Snail Meat, Scrambled Egg with Mulberry Leaves, Cold Mixed Purple Bamboo Shoots, and Steamed White Water Caltrop Fish.

"It's just the three of us," Wang Mingyuan said, frowning slightly. "Why did you make so many dishes? The spiritual energy in food fades if it's left out for too long."

"Who said it's just the three of us?" Liu Qing'er retorted. "I also invited Changxue and Changyu. They often help me, especially Changxue, who brings things for Sheng'er every year. I've been wanting to treat them to a casual meal for a long time. I've already notified them, and I'm sure they'll be here soon."

No sooner had Liu Qing'er finished speaking than Wang Changxue's voice called from outside, "Third Aunt, my seventh sister and I are here to join you for dinner!"

"Changxue, Changyu, come on in!" Liu Qing'er called. "You're family, there's no need to be so formal."

Liu Qing'er quickly walked out and brought Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu in.

"Third Aunt, you've made so many delicious dishes! We're truly lucky tonight," Wang Changxue exclaimed. "I brought two spirit taros; they'll be ready to eat once steamed." She produced two fist-sized taros from her sleeve.

"Third Uncle, Ninth Brother," Wang Changyu said, pulling out an exquisite wine pot and placing it on the table, "this is the Azure Cloud Brew I made myself, from first-grade low-rank spiritual grain, Azure Cloud Rice. Please don't be too critical."

"You two girls!" Liu Qing'er chided, "You should just come! Why bring anything? You're not strangers."

"It's good manners to bring a gift!" Wang Changxue said with a giggle. "Third Aunt, you've made such a lavish meal, we couldn't possibly come empty-handed."

"You all start eating first," Liu Qing'er said. "I'll just wash the spirit taros and put them on the stove to steam. They'll be ready quickly."

Liu Qing'er picked up the two taros and headed for the stove, while Wang Changsheng quickly urged his two female cousins to take a seat.

"Changxue, Changyu, you're family, so make yourselves comfortable and start eating!" Wang Mingyuan said pleasantly, picking up a ladle to serve soup to Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu.

Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu thanked him and took a sip of the soup.

"Third Aunt's soup is always the best," Wang Changxue said with a sweet smile, praising it. "My mother can never make soup this delicious."

"Oh, you girl," Liu Qing'er teased, "your mouth is as sweet as if it's been smeared with spirit honey! You're skilled at cultivation and an excellent cook. Whoever marries you will be truly blessed."

She washed the spirit taros clean, placed them on the pot to steam, then walked over and sat down.

A blush crept up Wang Changxue's cheeks as she lowered her head to drink her soup.

"Third Uncle," Wang Changyu casually asked, "Why is Ninth Brother back? Wasn't he stationed in Ping'an County?"

"The clan intends to cultivate its own artifact refiners, and Sheng'er was chosen," Liu Qing'er explained with a smile. "He's returned to learn the art of artifact refining. Since he was a child, I've been teaching him artifact refining knowledge. I hope he studies hard and becomes an artifact refiner!"

Hearing this, Wang Changxue nodded. "That's right! I remember when we were children, after coming back from the Lecture Hall, we could all eat, but Ninth Brother still had to recite artifact refining knowledge. He could only eat after memorizing one type of material. One time, he was being lazy. After leaving the Lecture Hall, he went straight to my house to hide. It wasn't until Third Aunt came to my house with a bamboo stick that Ninth Brother finally went back obediently."

"I heard Ninth Brother was beaten so badly by Third Aunt that time," Wang Changyu said with a suppressed smile. "He couldn't even sit for half a month and had to stand during lectures at the Lecture Hall."

Wang Changsheng's face reddened slightly as he listened to his cousins' teasing. He gave an embarrassed smile and explained, "I was ignorant when I was little. Who hasn't done foolish things when they were young? I remember Second Sister going to Seventh Uncle's house in the middle of the night to pick peaches and accidentally falling from the tree. And Seventh Sister, craving honey, went to the Spirit Mulberry Garden to steal spirit honey before dawn and got stung all over her head by the Red-winged Spirit Bees! Luckily, my mother found her in time, and the Red-winged Spirit Bees stopped. For a whole month after that, Seventh Sister wasn't seen in the Lecture Hall."

As these old stories were brought up, Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu also looked a little embarrassed.

After reminiscing about their childhood antics, Wang Changxue and Wang Changyu became less reserved. They continued eating, chatting, and laughing, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

Before long, the spirit taros were steamed. Liu Qing'er cut them into small pieces and placed them on the table.

The spirit taros were purplish-red, and a pinch of salt was sprinkled on top.

Wang Changsheng picked up a piece of spirit taro with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. The taro melted instantly, leaving a fragrant taste. After he swallowed, a small surge of spiritual energy rose in his abdomen.

"Second Sister, this spirit taro is so fragrant!" Wang Changsheng exclaimed, then casually added, "Did you grow it?"

"Yes," she replied. "I cultivated a small spiritual field in front of the gate and planted some spirit taros and spirit beans to feed my Snow Cloud Chickens. They won't lay eggs if they're not full. I estimate if I raise it for another ten years, it'll advance to first-grade high-rank. Then it will lay more eggs, and the spiritual energy in those eggs will be even richer. Oh, and Ninth Brother, you could cultivate a spiritual field in your courtyard and plant some first-grade low-rank spiritual grains and beans to feed your Dual-Pupil Rat. It would help its advancement."