[Effect One: Enhanced Flame Perception] [Effect Two: Precise Flame Manipulation]

Since the [Blazing Oil Technique] was a low-tier manual, it didn’t come with any dazzling special effects.

Jiang Chen was quite satisfied with this. It was better than nothing.

After all, many of the techniques and spells available in the Loose Cultivator markets were low-grade versions, often incomplete fragments.

Only the immortal sects, major cultivation clans, and top-tier powers possessed the complete, high-quality legacies.

Jiang Chen waited until the first light of dawn appeared before gently moving Da Huang’s head off his foot.

He then began his daily routine.

Cleaning up the spirit beasts’ waste. Pulling weeds from the Spirit Farm. Checking the detailed condition of every spirit plant. Applying the Spirit Finger technique to each one in turn. Finally, absorbing the trace amounts of Wood-attributed Spirit Qi that the plants had gathered overnight.

By the time everything was done, the sun had fully risen.

Da Huang and the pearl chickens had also woken up and were wandering around the yard on their own.

“Finally, time to cook.” Jiang Chen eagerly entered the kitchen.

The stove had been repaired by Tie Zhu. Most importantly, it had been specially reinforced. Even a Fire-attributed Spirit Root cultivator at Qi Condensation Perfection would find it difficult to damage this thing if they operated it properly.

Jiang Chen extended his left hand.

Puff.

A wisp of red spirit flame emerged. He could clearly sense the terrifying power contained within the flickering light.

Not daring to be careless, Jiang Chen hurriedly activated the [Blazing Oil Technique]. Using his newly acquired control, he continuously lowered the temperature of the flame.

In the end, although its form hadn’t changed much, the raw power it released had weakened considerably.

He tossed the flame onto the prepared dry firewood.

Hiss.

It immediately caught fire, spreading at a visible rate. But this time, there was no explosion or cracking of the stove.

Temperature, power—every aspect had become controllable.

“That’s more like it.” Jiang Chen looked at the burning red flames and sighed in relief.

Next, he placed the large black pot on the stove. He poured in slightly cold spring water.

As the water temperature gradually rose, he didn’t rush to add the Spirit Rice. Instead, he picked up a wooden brush nearby and stirred the water back and forth.

He only stopped when the water became murky. Then he poured out this first pot of water, refilled it with clean spring water, and only then added the Spirit Rice.

Compared to other cultivators, Jiang Chen’s cooking philosophy was simple: large quantities to ensure fullness.

Let alone Top-quality Spirit Rice, even high-quality Spirit Rice was something everyone else treasured greatly. Most cultivators ate only two meals a day—one in the morning, one in the afternoon.

Jiang Chen didn’t need to do this.

Three meals a day. Each meal made from Top-quality Spirit Rice produced from his second-grade Spirit Farm. Plus various top-quality fruits and vegetables rich in Spirit Qi.

In short, he indulged however he pleased and ate whatever tasted best.

Even ordinary spirit beasts like Da Huang and the pearl chickens, having benefited from his lifestyle, far surpassed their peers in size and condition. It could be said that since following Jiang Chen, they had never suffered hardship—except when being teased, played with, or mocked by him.

Half an hour later, breakfast was finally ready.

To eat: A large basin of Spirit Rice. Two fried eggs. Cold-dressed top-quality watermelon rind. Top-quality sweet potatoes steamed over the rice.

To drink: Clean spring water. Masterwork-grade Golden Wine.

The pearl chicken was the first to smell the aroma, hopping in from outside the door.

However, just as it was about to reach the dining table, a sudden “ill wind” blew from behind.

As this wasn’t the first time, the pearl chicken reacted quickly. Without even looking back, it leaped sideways into the air.

The next second—Whoosh!

A yellow gust swept past where it had been standing moments before. It turned out Da Huang had also smelled the food and come running back. This time, surprisingly, he hadn’t managed to send the pearl chicken flying with an elbow strike.

Da Huang felt quite surprised and tilted his head curiously. He noticed a flash of disdain in the pearl chicken’s eyes.

Tap tap tap!

Jiang Chen picked up his wooden chopsticks and tapped them against his white porcelain bowl a few times. “You two, stop fooling around.”

Only then did Da Huang and the pearl chicken behave. Then one person, one dog, and one chicken gathered around the table for breakfast.

About twenty minutes later, as they were finishing up…

“Old Jiang! I’m here to water your crops for you!” Mo Yu’s voice sounded from outside.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen hurriedly walked out of his house.

Without needing any greeting, Mo Yu had already begun casting the [Minor Rain Spell].

Jiang Chen was long accustomed to this. In fact, Mo Yu came by every few days. The main reason was to express gratitude.

After all, if not for Jiang Chen and Jin Fugui, Mo Yu would still be a penniless fisherman. Unlike now—earning Mid-grade Spirit Stones every day. Sometimes one coin, sometimes several. No longer needing to scrimp and save. When buying things, he no longer had to obsess over prices.

As Jiang Chen approached, Mo Yu asked, “Is Fire Peak still holding those sparring matches lately?”

Mo Yu nodded. “Not just holding them—even more geniuses have emerged.”

He continued, “Remember that pre-competition ranking list? Wasn’t Long Ao first and Shui Wuhen second?”

Mo Yu chuckled. “Now they’ve dropped to fourth and fifth place.”

“What?” Jiang Chen showed an expression of disbelief.

He had personally witnessed the arranged duel between Long Ao and Shui Wuhen back then.

One first place. One second place. Both were incredibly powerful.

Yet who would have thought that after just ten days or half a month, their rankings would plummet to fourth and fifth?

Mo Yu said with a playful expression, “Formal disciples, especially those with Metal, Fire, or multiple Spirit Roots, mostly complete various difficult, high-reward missions outside the sect. That’s why people like Shui Wuhen and Huo Ling, who rarely go out, managed to show off their prowess initially.”

With less than a year remaining until the Formal Disciple Grand Competition, more and more disciples were returning to the immortal sect. Among those returning, many had encountered some kind of fortuitous encounter or opportunity. Therefore, their strength had become far greater than before.

Jiang Chen couldn’t help but ask, “Who is in first place now?”

“A young man named Mo Sha. He hails from the northern desert region and awakened three Spirit Roots: Wood, Fire, and Earth. His comprehension is heaven-defying; he even cultivated a high-tier fire art to the max level.”

There was a hint of envy in Mo Yu’s tone.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen clicked his tongue in admiration. “I originally thought Long Ao with dual Water and Wood Spirit Roots was already heaven-defying. Yet now there appears an even more monstrous existence with three mutually generating Spirit Roots.”

Mo Yu deeply agreed, saying, “This person was already selected to become a core disciple. But in order to obtain the Formal Disciple Grand Competition’s first-place reward—especially that thousand-year Vermilion Bird Fruit—he refused to join early. He would rather wait a year!”