Food System in Cultivation World

Chen Xu walked through the distant mountains in the wind and rain, emerging from the forest onto the main road.

At that time, the road was covered with a few inches of water, and the water level of the river beside the road had risen by half a foot.

There were frog croaks and fish leaping, loaches darting around.

The silhouette of a distant farmhouse was concealed in the misty rain. Walking on the main road, Chen Xu seemed to be taking his time step by step, yet he was actually light and untainted by dust or water.

The little hedgehog rolled over in his arms and suddenly woke up with a start, leaping up.

Then, Wei Yuan froze completely in Chen Xu's hand, too embarrassed to make any movement.

Its toes almost tensed up, the soft spines on its head stood upright, and its small eyes widened in confusion.

The gradually diminishing wind and rain, and the roadside scenery passing by Chen Xu's side all left Wei Yuan bewildered, almost unaware of the passage of time.

But it finally remembered that it seemed to have gotten drunk while drinking.

How could a gentleman end up dead drunk?

Wei Yuan hung its head down again, not daring to look at Chen Xu.

Until a light chuckle came from above, and a familiar voice said, "Wei Daoist, you're awake. I'm very pleased. How is the taste of my Intoxicated Spirit Wine?"

Wei Yuan stammered, "Good, very good, extremely delicious. I shouldn't have indulged."

[Like +100]

After all, it was a spirit wine mixed with Demon Flowing Juice. Wei Yuan praised the wine for the second time and received another 100 likes.

It was ashamed and guilt-ridden, but Chen Xu said, "What relieves worries, only wine by Dukang. Not indulging always, just a moment of drunkenness. Why not loosen up and enjoy yourself, my friend?"

Wei Yuan was stunned and looked up to ask, "Can I really indulge? But the teacher said a gentleman must stand upright and remain diligent. If I get drunk, can I still be considered upright and diligent?"

"Did your teacher tell you not to be happy?" Chen Xu strolled in the rain, gazing at the silhouette of a city coming into view, smiling as he countered.

Wei Yuan tilted its head, thinking seriously, "No, the teacher never said I couldn't be happy."

After a moment, it murmured to itself, "How could the teacher tell me not to be happy? The teacher even said he hopes I can always be carefree and happy."

Chen Xu laughed, "Indeed, tension and relaxation, the way of civil and martial arts. Without relaxation, neither civil nor martial arts can succeed; too much relaxation leads to failure.

Wei Daoist, the ancient sages also said, 'A hundred days of labor, one day of joy.' You've been studying hard every day, it's time to enjoy yourself."

After saying this, he laughed heartily.

The sound was rare light-hearted and pleasing, more so than in many days past.

The little hedgehog studying daily called it hard work, but Chen Xu's ten years of diligent study were even more tirelessly demanding without a moment's slack?

Wei Yuan felt as if the voice next to its ear was like a breeze of freedom;

Like a cluster of lush green bamboo that had broken free from the shackles of life, soaring upwards, unbound, and it struck at the heart long locked within.

It let out a cry of "Ah", suddenly went up on tiptoe again, and spun around sharply.

"Ouch." The little creature cried again, this time spinning too quickly, causing its nose to bump against Chen Xu's chest.

With a thud, Wei Yuan plopped down into Chen Xu's palm.

This time it wasn't in a rush to feel embarrassed but said earnestly, "Mr. Chen, I understand now. The teacher often said I was foolish, not open-minded, so I could only study diligently but found it hard to truly grasp the meaning.

I used to be like this, but today, for some reason, I feel my mind isn't as dull now.

I've truly realized something; I understand what you said."

What did it understand?

Initially, even though the little hedgehog spoke earnestly, its words were still vague and unclear, like clouds and mist.

Although it claimed understanding, in reality, it didn't seem like it truly understood at all.

Just then, the Food Cauldron Celestial Book suddenly jumped out with a prompt:

[You fed Little Demon with Demon Flowing Juice, gaining its enlightenment, receiving a Like +300.]

[Obtained Spiritual Material: Cloud of Heartlessness.]

[Unlocked new spiritual material, Fireworks Value +300.]

As the series of prompts appeared, the little hedgehog's voice changed from constrained to joyful and upbeat.

It said gleefully, "Mr. Chen, no wonder the teacher often said I only knew how to read dead books, stupid books. Now I finally realize that when I can't comprehend, I can let go for a while.

After long restraint, I, too, can get drunk now and then.

Even though I'm drunk, I'm not indulging in wrongdoing. With you watching, I can rest assured and get drunk.

If you weren't watching over me, I certainly still wouldn't drink."

Well, it seemed it truly did understand... but Chen Xu didn't expect it to comprehend this.

The joyful little hedgehog straightened up from Chen Xu's palm and hurriedly clasped its hands to him, saying, "Mr. Chen, I need to go train for a while; my cultivation seems to have another small breakthrough.

I'll come back to thank you once I've made this breakthrough."

With that, the little hedgehog leaped off from Chen Xu's palm.

It landed on the ground and its figure instantly disappeared into the rain-drenched, muddy earth, never to be seen again for the moment.

Compared to Chen Xu, it seemed dull-witted, but in reality, it was even more carefree.

Truly as the saying goes, come without a trace, go without a trace, like cloud and water unbound by heart, unbothered by staying or leaving.

Chen Xu only stood in place for a moment before continuing to walk in the direction of the city amidst the wind and rain.

This time he didn't feel a sense of longing, instead feeling a clarity and openness contrary to the current wind and rain.

Upon entering the city, the soldiers guarding the city gates checked Chen Xu's Scholar's Seal, and watched his departing back with a very peculiar and strange expression.

These soldiers might have thought there was something wrong with Chen Xu, for walking leisurely in the wind and rain.

Chen Xu didn't mind other people's gazes at all, and he trudged through the wind and rain back to the inn.

In the inn, Master Wu saw him return and said with a smile, "Xu Zhi, having walked in the rain and wind, have you gained anything?"

Chen Xu clasped his hands and replied, "The wind and rain are my teachers, the heavens and earth like sages."

Master Wu stroked his beard with a smile and said no more.

That day, upon returning to the inn, Chen Xu didn't train further, nor did he inspect the many new ingredients in the Fire and Smoke Kitchen.

He even abandoned his usual practice of daily self-reflection and meticulous planning, choosing instead to rest his mind for a day.

At night, he went to sleep peacefully and slept soundly until dawn.

The next morning, Wu Zhengze brought a snow-white carrier pigeon to Chen Xu.

He handed the pigeon to Chen Xu, saying, "I call this bird White Clothes. It has some spiritual nature. If you have Spirit Rice, you can feed it a bit.

If not, just share some of whatever you're eating with it.

If you need anything, let it deliver a message. It flies fast. If it's flying from Yunjiang to Jichuan, it only takes a half-day round trip."

Wu Zhengze, keeping his earlier promise, indeed gave his pigeon White Clothes to Chen Xu.

The friendship with the master was profound; it couldn't be repaid with a simple feeling of gratitude.

He accepted the pigeon and reciprocated with two jars of five-pound spirit wine to the master.

Finally, Chen Xu packed some belongings and entrusted Master Wu to send them back to his hometown.

After his colleagues and superiors from Jichuan County left, Chen Xu was to devote himself fully to preparing for the provincial exam in Prefecture City.

On that day, the rain had cleared, and far away an eagle soared across the sky, while the water level of Cloud Water River rose by half a foot.

Chen Xu checked the Food Cauldron Celestial Book, observed the smoke curling from the city, and felt at peace.

He didn't know that his name had already spread beyond Yunjiang and was gaining some reputation throughout the Seven Prefectures of the South.