Qian Renxue nodded:
"That's true. I heard that older people like to collect things. Maybe it's Grandpa Ju's treasured collection."
Lin Feng's lips curled slightly as he thought to himself, Could it really be what I'm imagining? Sharing some art with a buddy, huh? Truly best friends.
"By the way, where's Sister Ling Yuan?"
Qian Renxue narrowed her eyes slightly and pointed toward the kitchen, where smoke was rising from the chimney.
"If I'm not mistaken, she should be there."
Lin Feng was surprised. "When did Sister Ling Yuan learn to cook?
Should we go take a look?"
"Sure."
Qian Renxue hooked her arm through Lin Feng's and pulled him along.
"A pinch of salt, a pinch of sugar, a pinch of soy sauce..."
Ling Yuan stared at the recipe, looking anxious.
"A pinch, a pinch, why is everything a pinch? Who knows how much that is?"
"This is so frustrating! How dare they call this a store treasure and charge me ten gold soul coins for it?!"
The smell of something burning wafted from the pot, and Ling Yuan tossed the recipe aside, looking disheartened.
Lin Feng and Qian Renxue exchanged a glance as they stepped into the kitchen, both smiling.
"Sister Ling Yuan? How's the learning going?"
"Ah, you're back. Guess you saw me make a fool of myself..."
Lin Feng scooped the unrecognizable fish out of the pot, the clinking sound against the porcelain bowl making Ling Yuan's cheeks flush.
What was supposed to be braised fish had turned into a burnt mess...
"Sister Ling Yuan, for things like this, it's better to have someone teach you in person."
"You can't make delicious food by just working behind closed doors."
Ling Yuan sighed helplessly:
"But we can't bring anyone here, right? I can't just kidnap a chef and force them to teach me, or sneak into a restaurant to learn, can I?"
Lin Feng pointed at himself with a smile:
"Why sneak around? There's a ready-made teacher right here.
If you want to learn, I can teach you."
Both Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan's eyes lit up. Ling Yuan excitedly asked:
"Really? I've never seen you cook before."
Lin Feng chuckled. "After I turned seven, you guys took care of all my food, clothing, housing, and travel. I never needed to cook."
"But if we're talking about my skills, even the dean would still remember them fondly."
"Teach me."
Without hesitation, Ling Yuan grabbed Lin Feng's other hand, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"No problem. Let's start with the simplest dish—tomato and egg stir-fry. It's perfect for beginners. The steps are easy, and the dish tastes great.
I'll make it first, and when it's your turn, I'll guide you. It's easy to pick up."
"First..."
Two and a half cups of tea later, Lin Feng stared at the table, where one dish was perfect, and the other was a black, burnt mess.
Qian Renxue's eyes darted around, her cheeks red as she mumbled:
"It's definitely because it's my first time cooking. Sister Ling Yuan was like this at first too..."
Lin Feng picked up a bit of Qian Renxue's creation with his chopsticks and tasted it carefully.
"The flavor is... unique. You did great. Next time, I'll cook."
Qian Renxue stomped her foot, her beautiful eyes filled with playful anger:
"If you don't want me to cook, then fine. You'll be the one cooking from now on!"
Lin Feng gave Qian Renxue an apologetic look. Sorry, Xue'er, but I really can't let you do this.
Ling Yuan covered her mouth, secretly delighted. It seemed she was better than Xue'er in at least one area—Xiao Feng had acknowledged her.
Lin Feng thought for a moment:
"How about I handle today's meal? Usually, it's Grandpa Ju who cooks. Let me show you my skills."
"Sure, sure."
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled. As the saying goes, to win a man's heart, you must first win his stomach.
The reverse was also true, and perhaps even more effective. Pairing excellent skills with a mastery of cooking was absolutely lethal.
"Can I help you?"
Ling Yuan asked.
"Of course."
Qian Renxue wasn't about to be outdone:
"Then I'll... uh... I can wash the vegetables."
Lin Feng looked at the scene before him with satisfaction. Soon, the kitchen was bustling.
From time to time, exclamations and words of admiration came from Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan.
...
After finishing the last piece of fried shrimp, Qian Renxue licked her lips and patted her slightly full stomach.
She propped her head up with her hands and smiled at Lin Feng.
"Mm, I've decided. From now on, the happiness of our taste buds is in your hands, Xiao Feng."
Ling Yuan also nodded:
"Xiao Feng is amazing. I still have a lot to learn."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo patted the Ghost Douluo's shoulder:
"Old Ghost, how's the taste? Not bad compared to my cooking, right?
Too bad the Bloodthorned Douluo and Snake Douluo are still outside. They won't get to taste it, haha."
The Ghost Douluo remained expressionless:
"You can't compare to him."
"Uh..." The Chrysanthemum Douluo looked awkward, his gaze filled with resentment.
"Old Ghost, you're going to lose me like this.
But I agree with the young master's suggestion. From now on, Xiao Feng should handle the meals."
Qian Renxue hmphed:
"Making meals for so many of us every day would just tire Xiao Feng out.
Xiao Feng, listen to me. Just make lunch and dinner for three people. Grandpa Ju can cook for himself."
You're really spoiling him!
The Chrysanthemum Douluo grumbled internally. What about all the times I cooked for everyone? I was tired too...
Then he suddenly realized something. Why could Ling Yuan join in? Could it be...
He glanced cautiously at Ling Yuan, only to be met with two icy, warning looks. He quickly looked away.
Women are truly terrifying. My bro is much better.
With a long sigh, the Chrysanthemum Douluo dragged the Ghost Douluo away.
...
Night fell, and stars dotted the sky outside the window.
Under the lamplight, Lin Feng sat deep in thought, staring at his notes.
His intuition told him that his earlier thoughts about the laws of soul rings weren't wrong.
If that was indeed the case, then when he absorbed his second soul ring, the existence of his first soul meridian must have deepened his understanding of the laws that suited him.
That was why he was able to achieve secondary use of his soul skill right after absorbing the second soul ring.
This was because his body was already adapting to the laws within his soul meridian, gradually internalizing the principles of heaven and earth.
If this was true, then the absorption of his third soul ring would reveal more.
As long as his control over his third soul skill improved another level, his guess would be confirmed.
After jotting down his thoughts, Lin Feng was about to turn off the light and rest.
But just then, the door creaked open.
Standing in the doorway was Qian Renxue, dressed in her pajamas.
Hugging the Innate Treasure Pearl, she stroked its surface and smiled:
"Xiao Feng, it seems like it wants to sleep holding you. After all, it's your martial soul. It's not good to be too far apart."
Lin Feng's mouth twitched. Are you sure it's the Innate Treasure Pearl that wants to sleep holding me, and not you?
Should I ask it and see if it can respond?
He shrugged and lifted a corner of the blanket, patting the mattress.
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, quickly closed the door, and locked it.
She tiptoed over and lay down beside Lin Feng, placing the Innate Treasure Pearl next to him.
After a moment's thought, she moved it to Lin Feng's side.
"See? It really missed you."
Then she rested her head on Lin Feng's arm and fell into a sweet sleep.
Lin Feng soon drifted off as well.
---
Sorry for the delay. My 10+ years laptop finally decided to take a break.