Who was the person standing behind Lin Yu?

She possessed a pure, stunning beauty. Standing together, the two of them looked less like sect sisters and more like actual siblings.

Once the Paper Crane touched down, Jiang Chen asked, “What brings you two here together?”

Lin Yu hopped off and explained, “I just happened to run into Senior Sister Zhang on my way out. When she heard I was looking for you, she decided to tag along.”

Wang Bing stepped forward, her voice soft and polite. “We aren’t disturbing you, are we?”

Jiang Chen waved a hand dismissively. “Not at all. Make yourselves at home.”

Both Lin Yu and Wang Bing offered relieved smiles.

Jiang Chen turned back toward his hut. “I was just about to eat. Do you two want to join me for breakfast?”

Lin Yu’s eyes instantly lit up. “Well, I’ve already eaten, but… I suppose I could taste a little bit.”

Jiang Chen wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

This girl was a certified foodie. If there was delicious food involved, her stomach was a bottomless pit. Even if she had just come from a banquet, she would still find room to sample the flavors.

Wang Bing, however, looked surprised. “You’re only having breakfast now?”

Jiang Chen nodded. “I’ve recently started cultivating Moonlight Grass. It only grows at night, so I have to stay up late to tend to it. My schedule is a bit inverted.”

Hearing this, both women instinctively scanned the Spirit Farms on either side of the path.

They quickly spotted the grayish-white, grass-like plants in the right-hand field. The sprouts were barely an inch above the soil.

Neither of them recognized the species. Since it looked like a common weed, they didn’t pay it much mind.

The trio entered the wooden hut.

Since it was just a quick breakfast, the spread wasn’t particularly lavish.

One plate of egg-fried rice. One bowl of boiled cabbage soup.

Despite the simplicity, the presentation was striking. The fried rice grains were plump and distinct, crystalline like jade beads. Bits of golden, slightly browned egg dotted the mound, exuding a glossy, oily sheen.

The cabbage leaves in the soup were snow-white and translucent, looking like carved ice floating in water. The broth was crystal clear, shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow of Spirit Qi.

Even though Lin Yu and Wang Bing weren’t hungry, the sight alone made their mouths water.

Lin Yu felt the dishes looked familiar, yet somehow different. Curiosity got the better of her. “What are these dishes called?”

Jiang Chen smiled, assuming the air of a culinary master.

“These aren’t simple dishes. The one on the left is called [Golden Clouds Stir-fry Sun and Moon]. The one on the right is [Tai Su White Jade Soup].”

The preparation was basic, but the branding was high-end.

The names sounded so lofty and grand that one might assume only Immortals were qualified to taste them.

They looked delicious. They smelled fragrant. And the names commanded respect.

Lin Yu and Wang Bing audibly swallowed.

Seeing their reaction, Jiang Chen picked up some spare bowls and chopsticks. He served them each a portion of the rice and soup.

The two women couldn’t wait. They shoveled a spoonful of [Golden Clouds Stir-fry Sun and Moon] into their mouths and their eyes immediately widened.

The broken egg yolk released a slight, savory toasted aroma upon biting.

It was just rice and egg, yet the flavor was explosive.

After the first bite, the body demanded a second.

In moments, their bowls were polished clean.

Next came the [Tai Su White Jade Soup].

The name alone carried an immortal quality. The broth was incredibly fresh and sweet, tasting as if they had taken a bite directly out of a Spirit Spring.

The aftertaste was subtle and light, leaving their bodies feeling exceptionally comfortable and warm.

Wang Bing couldn’t help but praise him. “Fellow Daoist Xu, with culinary skills like this, you could already qualify as a Spirit Chef.”

Jiang Chen paused. “What is a Spirit Chef?”

“It’s a profession specialized in creating spirit delicacies,” Wang Bing explained earnestly. “They are even rarer than Alchemists or Formation Masters. It is said that powerful Spirit Chefs can help cultivators break through realms just by eating a single meal.”

Jiang Chen let out a thoughtful “Oh.”

He only half-understood. He was simply cooking according to memories from his previous life. The process hadn’t changed; the only variable was that the ingredients here were imbued with rich Spirit Qi.

However, the deliciousness had a consequence.

Jiang Chen barely managed a few bites before the two women swept everything clean.

Looking at the empty porcelain bowls, Lin Yu grinned sheepishly.

It was her standard tactic: As long as I don’t feel awkward, the awkwardness belongs to someone else.

Wang Bing, on the other hand, looked genuinely apologetic. “I’m so sorry. We accidentally ate it all.”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Chen said, feeling a strange sense of accomplishment. “As long as you enjoyed it.”

Any cook wants their food to be recognized. Even if his stomach was still growling slightly, he wasn’t angry.

Wang Bing still felt guilty. She thought for a moment, then stomped her foot decisively. “How about this? I’ll cast a [Minor Rain Spell] for you once, free of charge. How does that sound?”

Lin Yu nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes! We won’t eat your food for nothing!”

Jiang Chen’s lips quirked upward.

He put on a performance of polite refusal. “Oh, no, no. How could I possibly let two guests cast spells on my humble Spirit Farm?”

“It’s no trouble, really!” Wang Bing waved her hand, turned around, and marched straight toward the fields.

Lin Yu tipped her bowl back to drink the last drop of soup, then skipped happily after her Senior Sister.

Jiang Chen stood in the doorway, holding his empty chopsticks. He watched their retreating figures with absolutely no intention of stopping them.

“Well, thanks for your hard work~”

The more polite he was, the guiltier they felt.

“Okay, the field on the right has fewer plants. You take that one, Junior Sister!”

“Got it! Then I’ll leave the left field to you, Senior Sister!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t shortchange Fellow Daoist Xu!”

Immediately, the two women took their positions on the ridges and began chanting.

Jiang Chen finished washing the dishes and walked out to supervise. What he saw made his eyes widen.

Logically, Wang Bing was older and had cultivated longer. Her [Minor Rain Spell] should have been superior.

Unexpectedly, the younger Lin Yu was the one showing true skill.

Two acres of land. Wang Bing on the left. Lin Yu on the right.

Lin Yu’s spell had already condensed into something resembling a dark, oppressive storm cloud. The Spirit Rain falling from it was dense, heavy, and rich in energy.

In contrast, Wang Bing’s cloud covered a wider area, but the color was pale. It looked less like a storm cloud and more like a heavy mist.

Jiang Chen wasn’t the only one who noticed.

Wang Bing glanced over and was shocked to see her Junior Sister outperforming her.

To avoid losing face in front of their host, she grit her teeth and poured more Water Spirit Power into the spell.

Whoosh.

The volume of rain on the left side surged, clattering loudly against the leaves. The rice seedlings drank greedily, absorbing the sudden influx of nutrients.

On the right side, Lin Yu saw her Senior Sister ramping up the intensity. She inexplicably felt provoked.

Oh, we’re doing this?

She channeled more power, intensifying her own downpour.

The atmosphere between the two women shifted from cooperative to weirdly competitive.

They were supposed to be helping Jiang Chen nourish his plants. instead, it had turned into a silent duel.

Neither was willing to yield. It became a test of stamina.

The problem was, Water Spirit Root cultivators were famous for their endurance. Their reserves were vast, often described as “long and continuous.”

At first, Jiang Chen was delighted. Free labor and extra nutrients were always welcome.

But as time passed, the water in the furrows rose higher. And higher.

The soil became saturated. Puddles turned into ponds. The water level began creeping up the stalks of his precious crops.

Panic set in.

Jiang Chen rushed forward, waving his arms frantically.

“Stop! Stop quickly! My spirit plants are going to drown!!!”