Wait a minute, where is my master?

"Old Dean, are you saying..."

Jiang Xiulan's eyes quickly cleared of confusion.

The Old Dean nodded gravely, giving a deep hum of assent.

Chef Jiang's expression changed several times in an instant, and he raised his hand to cover his children's eyes, whispering words of comfort.

"What kind of riddle are you two speaking in?"

The little Taoist frowned slightly as he listened to their conversation and asked.

At that moment, Yu Yaoer, who was "binding" Little White, came over and timely explained to her young master.

"Master, the Seven-orifice Exquisite Heart Fruit can replace a human heart and has the power to revive the dead and defy fate. However, it has a minor side effect: anyone who consumes it will become exceedingly benevolent. As for the severity, it differs from person to person.

However, at the very least, it will make it difficult for one to easily take another's life.

As for Miss Nan Er, who becomes so heartbroken at the sight of a small animal, it seems she has a more severe reaction."

After Yu Yaoer finished speaking, the "bound" Little White in her arms quickly devoured the rabbit leg in its hand.

"Brother Jin's demon servant is quite knowledgeable."

The Old Dean praised, then continued after Yu Yaoer, "The efficacy of the Seven-orifice Exquisite Heart Fruit is indeed as such. There's an interesting story about this fruit from years ago.

Once, a Cultivator of the Righteous Path saw his entire family slaughtered by a Demon Cultivator, with only him narrowly escaping death. This cultivator dedicated himself to study and practice, and eventually captured the Demon Cultivator.

But he felt that killing the adversary too easily would be letting him off too lightly.

So, he went to great lengths to find a Seven-orifice Exquisite Heart Fruit and fed it to the Demon Cultivator.

Afterward, the Demon Cultivator's heart was replaced, and his temperament changed drastically. He lived in constant regret and remorse, deeply regretting the evil he had done in his earlier years.

Finally, after ten years of inner torment, his life was ended by the Cultivator of the Righteous Path."

"Damn, even King Yan has to watch out for the cultivators of the Nine Provinces Realm."

Jin Xu couldn't help but think this after hearing the Old Dean's story.

At the same time, he was inwardly cautious, making a note to be careful not to accidentally consume the Benevolent Heart Fruit.

According to Little Yu and the Old Dean, if the side effects were minor after eating the fruit, that would be fine, but if they were more severe...

What about all those small animals that can't be skipped at any meal!

Meanwhile, Jiang Xiulan, seeing his daughter continuously crying, choking out words like how cute the rabbits, ducks, and pigs were, had no choice but to gently use his Spiritual Power to put his daughter to sleep for the time being.

"Little Taoist, fellow Taoists from Qingmu Academy, I had anticipated my daughter's condition and was mentally prepared. This state is much better than her continuously sleeping in that ice coffin.

However, I didn't expect the severity of her side effects to be this grave. I must take my leave now.

I will remember today's kindness, Xiulian. If you ever need my assistance in the future, just contact me through the Communication Jade Token."

Chef Jiang rose to his feet, holding his daughter, and bade farewell to everyone with one hand.

The others offered him a few words of comfort, indicating they would be willing to help if he encountered any difficulties.

The Old Dean even sent a private message inquiring if he'd be interested in becoming the head chef in the Qingmu Academy's canteen.

But Jiang Xiulan politely declined.

...

After Chef Jiang had left, everyone took their seats again.

The little Taoist let out a soft sigh, preparing to bring up the subject of the "heartbroken man" to remind the Old Dean, when he heard Yu Yaoer beside him utter a sigh filled with both admiration and determination.

"The title of the Number One Chef of Nine Provinces is about to change hands!"

"Hmm?"

"Given how much Brother Jiang dotes on his daughter, he probably parted ways with the business of slaughtering animals before the little girl knew any better!"

"And as a chef, how could you possibly become the best chef in the Nine Provinces if you can't cook meat dishes?"

"So, during this time, the title of the best chef in the Nine Provinces is definitely mine!"

Little Fish Demon spoke with absolute certainty, her tone brimming with excitement.

"Even if Brother Jiang only makes vegetarian dishes, they're still tastier than your meatballs!"

Jin Xu silently scoffed to himself, then raised his hand to gently tap on Yu Yaoer's head, saying, "Little Fish."

"Hmm? What is it, young master?"

"Wake up."

"Oh."

Yu Yaoer stopped speaking and focused on "restraining" Little White in her arms.

The three from Qingmu Academy had yet to witness Little Fish Demon's culinary skills.

The Old Dean, seeing this demon pet so full of confidence, instinctively remarked,

"Brother Jin, hearing your demon pet speak, she seems to be quite the master chef herself. When there's a chance, she should demonstrate her cooking for us, so I can broaden my horizons."

As someone who had invited Chef Jiang to cook together with Tianxing Taoist, Elder Yan Chu was also a connoisseur of food.

Yu Yaoer's eyes flashed with intense excitement at the chance of someone voluntarily wanting to try her cooking.

Just as she was about to speak, the Taoist was quick to block her mouth with a rabbit leg.

Amidst her muffled sounds, Jin Xu gently said, "Brother Yan, let's talk about this some other time. I came across a strange person in the Secret Realm, who seemed to be dressed like a Confucian Practitioner.

"He ran off on his own when I was leaving the Secret Realm, and I'm not sure if you encountered him outside the Qingmu Secret Realm."

After all, this was his makeshift master's old friend and the person who had resolved the matter of the ink jade fishing rod for him.

The Taoist thought it best not to let the Old Dean have this particular experience unless necessary.

Upon seeing Jin Xu deliberately avoiding the topic of his demon pet's cooking skills, Yan Chu didn't understand why but chose not to dwell on it.

He stroked his beard and said in a deep voice, "Brother Jin, could you use magic to recreate the person's appearance so I can record it? Afterwards, I can have the disciples who were on guard check, and then we'll know where he went."

The Old Dean thought the young Taoist was looking for someone.

Upon hearing this, Jin Xu fell silent.

He hadn't expected his attempt to provide a clue would unintentionally hurt someone.

"...Ahem, I'm not too skilled at the magic of restoring appearances. However, that person was wearing a green robe, holding a handkerchief, and kept mumbling things like 'Why did it explode, how could it have exploded' and such."

Upon hearing this, Qingyun, who had been fiddling with the Communication Jade Token at the table, suddenly looked up.

"Senior Jin, may I ask where you encountered this person?"

Though the young Taoist in front of him, wearing a mask, was indeterminate in age, since he called his master 'brother,' Qingyun respectfully reduced his own seniority.

"It was in the Second Layer of the Qingmu Secret Realm. I was preparing to rescue the roots of the Che Liang Wood, and I happened to break through the ground of the third layer, falling into a river in the second layer. That's when I came across him attempting to drown himself, so I just pulled him up."

The Taoist spoke earnestly.

But Qingyun was baffled.

"Trying to drown himself?"

"Yes, it seemed to me that he had suffered an emotional blow."

Qingyun was even more confused now.

Based on Jin Xu's description of the man in a green robe with a handkerchief who was muttering to himself, he had been sure that it was their academy's missing disciple.

But their young generation's top scholar attempting suicide in the Qingmu Secret Realm over a romantic grievance?

That was just absurd...