Chapter 66: The Phoenix Egg
Bai Tao handed the cumin powder to them, and the disciples were deeply moved. “Thank you, Young Master, thank you, Second Young Master!”
“Meow meow meow…”
It was the first time Little White accompanied Jiang Yan on an adventure, and it discovered that going out meant delicious food!
Excited, it spun in circles, twirling around the large pot simmering with delicacies several times.
Black Flower slapped Little White’s forehead with a green leaf. “Can you stop spinning? You’re making me dizzy!”
The little dwarf dragon rolled its eyes dramatically. “Why don’t you come down and walk yourself? Look at how lazy you are.”
Scolded by its own father, Black Flower jumped down from Little White’s head, aggrieved.
Trying to salvage its image in its father’s eyes, it hurried to defend itself, “Master Dragon, I’m very diligent, not lazy at all.”
But the little dwarf dragon paid no attention, completely absorbed by the delicious aroma wafting from the pot, staring hungrily and urging, “Jiang Yan, why isn’t the meat ready yet? Little White says it can’t wait!”
“I think it’s you who can’t wait. Don’t worry, it’ll be done soon.”
Jiang Yan replied to the little dwarf dragon while continuing his work.
Moments later, the scent of meat filled the air, rich and tempting, making everyone’s mouth water.
The disciples inhaled the aroma and couldn’t help swallowing, secretly thinking how much they had missed out during their fasting cultivation. Such enticing food was impossible to resist!
Jiang Yan took several bowls from his storage pouch and called out to the disciples, “You can try some as well.”
Once again, the disciples were moved—Second Young Master was truly generous!
They brought their own roasted meats to Jiang Yan and his companions.
Jiang Yan first served a large bowl each to the little dwarf dragon, Bai Tao, and himself, then a small bowl to Little White.
Seeing it had nothing, Black Flower immediately asked, “What about me?”
Jiang Yan replied in confusion, “Aren’t you a flower? Can flowers eat meat?”
Black Flower responded anxiously, “I can drink soup!”
“Alright then.”
At its words, Jiang Yan ladled a small bowl of soup for Black Flower.
Then he said to the disciples, “There’s plenty left in the pot. Here are some bowls—help yourselves.”
“Thank you, Second Young Master!”
“Thank you, Second Young Master!”
The disciples thanked him, even offering two roasted cuckoo beasts and red rabbit beasts to Jiang Yan and his friends.
That evening, everyone ate to their heart’s content.
Especially the little dwarf dragon—it devoured the remaining barbecue in a whirlwind, then let out a satisfied burp.
Black Flower drank ten small bowls of soup, looking utterly pleased.
Little White, ever disciplined as a cat, stopped eating once its tiny belly was full.
True to its principle of not wasting food, the little dwarf dragon finished off Little White’s leftovers.
Bai Tao burped contentedly, praising, “Jiang Yan, your cooking is as superb as ever!”
Jiang Yan laughed, “Of course! Even cultivators shouldn’t abandon the pursuit of fine cuisine!”
Bai Tao nodded in agreement, “Exactly, Jiang Yan. If cultivation meant giving up good food, I’d rather be killed outright than endure that.”
The little dwarf dragon picked its teeth nonchalantly with its claw. “I never refuse any delicacy. You human cultivators are strange—ignoring tasty food to chew on bland fasting pills.”
Qi Yu suddenly approached, respectfully saying to Bai Tao and Jiang Yan, “Young Master, Second Young Master, please rest now. We’ll take care of the cleaning.”
Bai Tao replied, “Alright, Qi Yu, thank you for your hard work!”
Qi Yu quickly responded, “It’s our honor to lighten your burdens.”
Jiang Yan felt that ever since Bai Tao stopped hiding his true identity, his entire aura had changed—this was exactly the temperament of a wealthy heir: confident and magnanimous!
Following the cultivation manual, Jiang Yan used his spiritual power to set up barriers around both bamboo huts.
Bai Tao watched this, a hint of envy in his eyes. “Jiang Yan, your cultivation has advanced rapidly. Now you can set up barriers on your own.”
Jiang Yan smiled modestly, “It’s alright, though the range isn’t very large. Tonight, I’ll stay in the left bamboo hut with the little dwarf dragon and the others, and you take the right one.”
Bai Tao nodded, “Alright, Jiang Yan.”
They each entered their bamboo huts, while the accompanying disciples found their own resting spots in the trees.
…
Qilin Sect.
Inside a resplendent, golden hall, Lin Qi’s gaze was fixed on a fiery red divine beast egg. After a moment, he asked, “Chu Xue, you said this egg was found in the Desert of Death?”
Ji Chu Xue replied, “Yes, Master. Can you tell what kind of divine beast egg it is?”
“What else could it be? Clearly a phoenix egg. Yet, how could a phoenix egg appear in the lower realm desert? It’s truly puzzling.”
Lin Qi was utterly perplexed—why would a phoenix egg show up in the lower world?
Beside him, Xie Lingzhou asked curiously, “Master, can you tell when it will hatch?”
Lin Qi replied with feigned mystery, “If it hadn’t met me, it wouldn’t hatch for a hundred years at least!”
Ji Chu Xue asked, “Master, do you have a way to help it hatch sooner?”
“Yes, indeed. My fire attribute matches its own, so I can assist it in hatching early. Leave this phoenix egg to me.”
With that, Lin Qi tapped it lightly with his finger, sending a deep crimson flame into the egg, which instantly absorbed it.
Ji Chu Xue and Xie Lingzhou exchanged glances, their eyes full of awe.
Lin Qi continued, repeatedly channeling flames into the phoenix egg, each one swallowed greedily.
The phoenix egg was like an endless fire devourer, accepting every bit of heat offered without hesitation.
Only when beads of sweat appeared on Lin Qi’s forehead did he finally stop.
Ji Chu Xue spoke with concern, “Master, are you alright?”
“It’s nothing, just a bit tired. I’ll continue tomorrow.”
“Yes, Master. We won’t disturb your rest then.”
With that, Ji Chu Xue and Xie Lingzhou turned and left for their own quarters.
Once his disciples departed, Lin Qi ignored the phoenix egg and hurried off to his sleeping chambers.
This so-called bedchamber was more like a treasure vault, filled with piles of gold and silver, and a dazzling array of colorful spirit stones.
Lin Qi flopped down onto the treasures, rolling about. Immersed in these riches each day, his mood was always especially cheerful.
He casually picked up a purple premium spirit stone, bit it apart without hesitation, and swallowed it. The stone’s energy was absorbed instantly by his inner qi, transforming into his own strength.
“Ah, what a marvelous flavor. My unruly disciples, you must work hard to earn more spirit stones, or your master will be starved thin.”
With that, he popped a few more spirit stones into his mouth, the crisp sound of breaking stones echoing in the quiet chamber.
Crunch, crunch, crunch…
Crunch, crunch, crunch…