In reality, Chen Baiqing had no idea how to cook.

The moment she stepped into the kitchen, she was like Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden, standing there dumbfounded.

This kitchen was completely different from the one at her home.

Here, the only thing she recognized was the large iron pot on the stove.

Chu Xingchen immediately understood Chen Baiqing's predicament. He picked up a small stool nearby, brought her to the stove, and had her sit down.

With a casual flick of his hand, he sent a flame into the stove, igniting it. Chu Xingchen pointed at the fire and said, "Just let it burn like that."

Hearing this, Chen Baiqing breathed a sigh of relief, nodded her little head, picked up a small piece of wood, and focused intently on the fire in front of her.

These pieces of wood were already in the kitchen. Chu Xingchen usually used fire control techniques to cook, using his spiritual power to manipulate the pots and pans.

By letting Chen Baiqing do something within her capability, she could feel needed, which naturally gave her a sense of security.

There weren't many dishes to prepare. Chu Xingchen simply made a few and steamed some rice.

While cooking, Li Xingtian, who had gone to buy candy and preserves, returned first. He walked into the kitchen with a large bag, placed it on the table, and opened it.

Li Xingtian took out a small bag from inside, walked over to Chen Baiqing with the bag of preserves, and offered it to her:

"Junior Sister, have some."

Chen Baiqing looked up in surprise, sensing that this Senior Brother in front of her seemed genuinely concerned for her.

She cautiously glanced at Chu Xingchen, who gave her a gentle wink.

"Thank you... Senior Brother." Chen Baiqing reached out and took the preserves from Li Xingtian's hand.

Li Xingtian nodded slightly, then turned to his Master and asked, "Master, do you need help?"

"No need. Your Senior Sister said she'd rather die than eat your cooking."

Hearing this, Li Xingtian wanted to explain but could only sigh and leave the kitchen, avoiding any further trouble.

After Li Xingtian left, Chen Baiqing looked down at the preserves in her arms. Even though they were well wrapped in oil paper, a faint aroma seemed to waft out.

She had never tasted preserves, but she had seen others eat them.

People in her village would eat them in front of her, telling her they were very sweet and delicious.

Something she could never have in her lifetime.

That night, Chen Baiqing dreamed of eating lots and lots of preserves. They were indeed sweet... though she still didn't know what sweetness tasted like.

But she remembered the dream for a long time, even to this day.

"Go ahead and eat, you're practically drooling," Chu Xingchen teased.

Chen Baiqing looked up to see Chu Xingchen still smiling, giving her a gentle wink.

She seemed to understand... what Master meant.

Without much hesitation, she unwrapped the thick oil paper, revealing a bag of preserves lying quietly in her small hand.

She picked the smallest one and carefully placed it in her mouth.

"Master... it's really sweet."

Chu Xingchen glanced over while stir-frying, noticing the small smile finally appearing on Chen Baiqing's face.

It didn't take long for Li Yingling to return, carrying a package and full of enthusiasm, taking Chen Baiqing to change clothes.

As Chen Baiqing left, Chu Xingchen used his full spiritual power to quickly bring several dishes to the stone table and chairs in the courtyard.

While there was a table in the kitchen, when they really wanted to enjoy a meal, the three of them would sit at the stone table outside in the courtyard.

Li Xingtian was already waiting outside, as he usually didn't come to eat unless Master specifically called him.

Today, however, he came on his own.

It wasn't long before Li Yingling led Chen Baiqing out of the room.

Chen Baiqing's already pretty face was even more striking with the clothes she wore.

Li Yingling led Chen Baiqing over, proudly saying:

"Master, how is it? Doesn't this outfit look great?"

Chu Xingchen didn't answer but instead looked towards the gate.

A figure flashed in from outside the courtyard wall, and Yaoqin's gaze quickly locked onto Chen Baiqing.

Yaoqin nodded gently, "It does look good."

"Perfect timing," Chu Xingchen said to Yaoqin, "Is everything arranged?"

Yaoqin nodded lightly and naturally sat on a stone chair:

"Everything is more or less settled, but tomorrow I still need to wrap things up at Qingfeng Sect, and over at Wind Sword Sect, I suspect we've alerted them."

"Should I go with you?"

"No need, you've already helped me a lot. The rest can be handled by Bamboo-Jade Courtyard." Yaoqin looked at Chen Baiqing and asked, "Are you planning to take her as a disciple?"

Chu Xingchen nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes, she's now my third disciple."

"If you're taking her, then I'm relieved."

After saying this, Yaoqin's gaze drifted to the dishes on the stone table.

Seeing this, Chu Xingchen decisively instructed Li Xingtian:

"Xingtian... go get a set of utensils for your Uncle Yaoqin."

With Li Xingtian bringing another set of utensils, the dinner officially began.

Chen Baiqing felt a bit uneasy, silently eating her rice. If not for Li Yingling constantly giving her food, she might have only eaten plain rice tonight.

Yaoqin didn't say much, seemingly just there for the meal.

Li Yingling, however, was responsible for livening up the atmosphere:

"Master! This time going out with Uncle Yaoqin must have been exciting, right?"

Chu Xingchen replied without hesitation:

"Of course it was exciting! Your Uncle Yaoqin was utterly impressed by your Master's performance!"

Yaoqin paused her chopsticks and softly retorted:

"If you hadn't misunderstood my last words, that might be true."

"Yaoqin! Quickly, tell me! Have you been led astray by Yingling?"

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"Master! You're slandering me!"

Chen Baiqing watched as her Senior Sister spiritedly bantered with Master, while her Senior Brother calmly picked at his food, quietly eating.

The usually cold Yaoqin had a slight smile on her face, watching the two bicker.

Chen Baiqing felt she understood the term "Master" a bit more deeply.

The joyful dinner eventually came to an end.

After finishing her meal, Yaoqin took her leave.

That night, Chen Baiqing slept with Li Yingling.

Li Xingtian was about to return to his room to continue his cultivation when he received a reminder from his Master.

"Your mastery of Divine Ability is lacking, practice more in the future."

Li Xingtian was a bit puzzled... but agreed nonetheless.

——————

The next morning.

The courtyard door was knocked on.

When Li Yingling opened her eyes, she found that Chen Baiqing had already eagerly jumped out of bed, running barefoot to open the door.

"Wait! Put on your shoes first!"

Chen Baiqing obediently put on her shoes and then ran to open the door.

Li Yingling sighed helplessly and followed Chen Baiqing to the door.

The one knocking was a young woman with a white veil over her face. She looked at the two of them with curiosity and then softly asked:

"Excuse me, is this where Senior Chu Xingchen lives? Yaoqin asked us to personally deliver something to him."

Li Yingling nodded in response, "Uncle Yaoqin? Yes, I am Chu Xingchen's First Disciple. You can give it to me."

"Sorry, Yaoqin said to give it to him personally."

"Then wait a moment, I'll go call Master."

Just as Li Yingling was about to turn and knock on the door, she saw her Master already coming out, yawning.

Chu Xingchen stretched and walked up to the veiled woman, "That's me. What did Yaoqin send?"

"A storage ring and a letter." The veiled woman handed the items to Chu Xingchen, "The delivery is complete, I'll take my leave."

Chu Xingchen nodded slightly, glanced at the storage ring, and chose to open the letter first.

Inside were just two short lines.

[See you again at ninety thousand miles]

[Signed: Xie Lingyu]

Chu Xingchen folded the letter back up and extended his consciousness into the storage ring.

Inside were countless Spirit Stones.

There must have been at least a thousand.

————