At midday, thick fog swirled atop Lintai Mountain.
A dazzling light suddenly burst forth from Lintai Mountain. Shortly after, the light grew brighter, tearing through the veil of white mist.
Halfway up the mountain, the mist parted to reveal a pathway leading to an unknown destination. Standing before the entrance of the Lintai Hunting Valley, the waiting cultivators could faintly see a lush green forest at the end of the pathway, with glimpses of beasts darting through the forest.
The cultivators present felt a sense of unease.
The environment of the Lintai Hunting Valley changed each time it opened, and the level of danger was unpredictable, leaving cultivators to rely solely on their luck. Yet, despite the risks, no one wanted to miss this rare opportunity for training and the hope of obtaining valuable resources within the valley.
“The Lintai Hunting Valley has opened. Please proceed with caution,” Emperor Chenghao announced in a loud voice as he presided over the trial.
Leading the way were disciples of the Ning clan, headed by the Third Prince, Ning Zhezhou. They were followed closely by the disciples of Dongling Kingdom’s four great clans—Wen, Zhao, Sun, and Zheng. Behind them were the disciples of the second-tier families of Dongling Kingdom.
“Let’s go,” Ning Yuzhou said, holding Wen Qiao’s hand as they stepped into the Lintai Hunting Valley, escorted by fifty Qianlin Guards.
Emperor Chenghao and the elders of other families stood watching as the participants entered.
The moment they entered the Lintai Hunting Valley, a wave of Yuan spiritual energy, far denser than outside, rushed toward them. The energy was so invigorating that it opened every pore on their bodies, making them eager to sit down and cultivate on the spot.
However, recalling the abundant cultivation resources within the Lintai Hunting Valley, the cultivators suppressed the urge and held themselves back.
Once inside, the cultivators formed groups based on their family affiliations and chose directions to explore.
Ning Zhezhou turned back to glance at Ning Yuzhou, Wen Qiao, and their Qianlin Guards. With a slight nod, he led the Ning clan disciples away without accompanying them. This action puzzled disciples from other families at first, but upon noticing the imposing Qianlin Guards surrounding Ning Yuzhou and Wen Qiao, they quickly understood.
The purpose of entering the Lintai Hunting Valley was to train and search for resources, not for leisure. It was only natural for Ning Zhezhou to avoid traveling with the couple, who clearly seemed to be on a casual excursion.
As the disciples of the Wen clan passed by, Wen Mei glanced at Wen Qiao, who was surrounded by Qianlin Guards, before following the group onward.
Wen Qiao paid no attention to the stares from those around her, her gaze fixed on the lush peaks in the distance.
Everything about the Lintai Hunting Valley fascinated her, and her curious eyes darted about incessantly, leaving her no time to mind others’ gazes.
What delighted Wen Qiao the most was the rich Yuan spiritual energy in the valley, which was far denser than outside, as well as the abundance of spiritual herbs. Within her perception range alone, she had already spotted several kinds of spiritual herbs. Although their age was relatively short and their grade not high, the vitality contained within them was far greater than that of ordinary plants. Surrounded by this vibrant energy, even her chronically fatigued body felt noticeably lighter.
Wen Qiao was very fond of this place.
Unlike other cultivators scrambling for pathways, Ning Yuzhou waited until most of the others had departed before casually choosing an unoccupied direction to explore.
The vegetation around them was dense, occasionally interrupted by glimpses of low-level beasts darting past. Amidst the damp greenery, there were occasional patches of spiritual herbs of modest age.
“Can I dig them up?” Wen Qiao couldn’t help but ask.
With a gentle smile, Ning Yuzhou replied, “If you like them, of course you can.”
Wen Qiao happily responded, pulling a jade spade from her storage pouch. Carefully, she dug out the spiritual herbs, roots and all, and placed them into a jade box, planning to replant them in pots once they returned.
After harvesting several herbs in a row, Wen Qiao looked up and noticed Ning Yuzhou standing nearby and the Qianlin Guards remaining vigilant around them. Feeling slightly embarrassed, she quickly packed up her things and said, “Sorry for keeping you waiting.”
Ning Yuzhou took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the dirt from her fingers, his tone warm as he said, “There’s no rush. We can take our time. We’re not in a hurry.”
Ning Yuzhou said to take their time, and they truly took their time—very, very slowly.
They resembled nobles in the mundane world, hunting on a mountain with their guards. They wandered casually, looking around, and whenever they encountered a beast, the Qianlin Guards would take it down and store it in their storage rings to use as food.
Unknowingly, they lagged far behind the other cultivators. Soon, there was no trace of other cultivators in the area—they were completely alone.
Since this was still the outer perimeter and a group of cultivators ahead of them had already cleared the path, many beasts had been frightened off. The journey was unusually calm, and they only came across harmless beasts. Wen Qiao didn’t sense any danger either.
By evening, they still hadn’t crossed a single mountain and decided to camp for the night.
The Qianlin Guards were extremely efficient. They quickly selected a safe spot to set up camp, laid traps around the area, pitched tents, and lit a fire to roast beast meat.
Wen Qiao sat on a wooden stool carved by the Qianlin Guards, watching as Ning Yuzhou took a cauldron handed to him by one of the guards.
Just as she was wondering what he intended to do with a cauldron, she saw another guard bring over a few low-grade fire talismans. They activated the talismans and tossed them under the cauldron. Orange flames rose up, and Ning Yuzhou rotated the cauldron, preheating it.
Wen Qiao was filled with questions.
Ning Yuzhou smiled at her but offered no explanation.
Next, a batch of prepared ingredients was brought over by the guards. These were the finest parts of the beasts they had hunted earlier. Ning Yuzhou threw them one by one into the cauldron, added water, and placed the lid on top.
Wen Qiao’s expression became rather peculiar.
She finally understood—Ning Yuzhou was using the cauldron to make soup.
The fire talismans were of the Yellow Grade, the lowest tier of talismans, with negligible offensive power. They were perfect for use as fuel. As demonstrated now, they provided a stronger and cleaner heat than regular firewood, making them ideal for cooking.
In less than half an hour, an incredibly rich and overpowering aroma began wafting through the air.
Wen Qiao’s face showed a look of astonishment as she stared at the cauldron. She never imagined it could be used to make soup. This was the first time she’d seen someone use a cauldron for cooking—and to good effect, no less.
At that moment, Ning Yuzhou removed the lid and tossed in a handful of tender green spiritual herb leaves.
Wen Qiao recognized these herbs as ones they had harvested earlier. He had plucked the freshest, most tender parts and added them directly to the soup as ingredients.
An hour later, the soup in the cauldron was finally ready.
Ning Yuzhou lifted the lid, ladled out a bowl of soup, and placed it in front of Wen Qiao. “See if it tastes good,” he said.
It had to taste good—the savory, dominant aroma of the soup filled the air around them. Wen Qiao was even worried the smell might attract other beasts.
She glanced at him, said nothing, and picked up a spoon to slowly taste it.
The soup was delicious. From the very first sip, an intense, savory flavor burst across her taste buds.
It was the most exquisite and flavorful soup Wen Qiao had ever tasted. She was momentarily stunned.
“Is it good?” Ning Yuzhou asked.
Wen Qiao nodded seriously and said, “It’s very good. You should have some too.” Realizing that all the ingredients had been used to brew just one bowl of soup, she immediately wanted to share half with him—she couldn’t drink it all by herself.
After all, all the essence of the ingredients was concentrated in this one bowl.
Ning Yuzhou smiled. “This is the Six Yang Seven Flavors Profound Yin Soup, made with the essence of six types of beasts and seven kinds of spiritual herb buds. It’s perfect for nourishing the body of someone afflicted with fire poison.” (TL: Long ass name for a soup)
Hearing this, Wen Qiao immediately understood that the soup had been specially prepared for her. Her emotions became somewhat complicated.
It turned out that earlier in the mountains, the beasts hunted by the Qianlin Guards had all been carefully selected to meet the requirements for making the Six Yang Seven Flavors Profound Yin Soup. While she was busy digging up spiritual herbs, Ning Yuzhou had also been picking tender leaves from medicinal herbs, all for the purpose of preparing the soup. And all of this was for her.
Suddenly, Wen Qiao had an odd feeling—perhaps Ning Yuzhou’s decision to come to Lintai Hunting Valley this time was for her sake. The variety of beasts and spiritual herbs in Lintai Hunting Valley was far richer than outside, making it easier and faster to find the required ingredients here.
After dinner, Wen Qiao and Ning Yuzhou retreated to their tent to rest, while the Qianlin Guards kept watch outside.
Wen Qiao stared at Ning Yuzhou, who was reading a book, hesitating to speak.
Ning Yuzhou put down his book. Seeing her gaze fixed on him, he took her hand into his palm and played with it, smiling as he asked, “Ah Chuo, is there something you want to ask?”
Wen Qiao hummed softly and said in a quiet voice, “How do you know how to use a cauldron to prepare medicinal dishes?”
Earlier, when drinking the soup, she had only thought it tasted delicious. But after finishing the bowl, her whole body felt warm, and the persistent pain in her meridians eased considerably. The effect was even better than taking a spiritual pill, though the soup seemed to offer something more—it was difficult to describe. What was certain, however, was that the soup had greatly benefited her body.
Wen Qiao quickly realized that the Six Yang Seven Flavors Profound Yin Soup had been specifically prepared by Ning Yuzhou to suit her physical needs.
But how could a mortal man know such things?
Ning Yuzhou smiled and said, “Though I cannot cultivate, it doesn’t mean I know nothing. If I want to understand the ways of the cultivation world, I can. I’ve studied quite a bit and learned some things over time. I told you before—I won’t let you die. You need to trust me.”
Wen Qiao said nothing.
The first time he said this, she hadn’t taken it to heart. But hearing him say it again now, a strange feeling stirred within her.
In truth, when she decided to accompany him to Lintai Hunting Valley, she had already resigned herself to life and death.
Since she was young, she had known that her life would be short. Though she tried not to think about it, as she grew older and felt her body weaken day by day, time became nothing more than something to endure. This was also why she hadn’t objected to the marriage. Since she would die soon anyway, what did it matter whether she married or not? If Ning Yuzhou wanted to marry her, then she would marry him.
Her decision to come to Lintai Hunting Valley was made with the same mindset. If there was no danger, so be it. But if she encountered danger and died in the valley, it wouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t feel regret. In fact, she would be quite happy to finally step out of the imperial city and see the outside world, even just once, during her short life.
These had been all of Wen Qiao’s thoughts.
But now, she realized that while she had been living with the belief that she would soon die, there was someone by her side who didn’t want her to die.
“Thank you.”
Wen Qiao looked at him as she spoke, silently making a decision in her heart: she would also strive to live, so as not to waste his efforts.
Ning Yuzhou’s lips curved slightly, and he could easily guess her thoughts. He sighed inwardly.
What a soft-hearted and simple girl she was.
Smiling, he said, “There’s no need to thank me. You’re my wife. Everything I do is as it should be.”
Wen Qiao smiled too. As she did, a small dimple appeared on her cheek, and even a tiny tiger tooth peeked out, making her seem adorably soft and sweet. Gone was the usual aloof, quiet demeanor.
Ning Yuzhou lowered his eyelids, suppressing the flutter in his heart, and refrained from doing anything impulsive.
His little wife was so unbearably cute… he almost couldn’t hold himself back!