In the afternoon, the basic disciples' cultivation session came to an end.
Along with the other disciples, Fang Yang respectfully bowed to Zhang Chunjiu before leaving Panhuan Courtyard. Before stepping out, he glanced back and caught a glimpse of a slender, bewitching figure flashing into one of the rooms.
"Lord Zhang is going to do Dual Cultivation again. I'm so jealous!"
"Indeed, Lord Zhang's wife is breathtakingly gorgeous. She truly is a top-tier cauldron."
"Well, it's not just Lord Zhang anymore—Brother Fang is just as enviable."
"Too bad Brother Fang's cultivation is too low to practice Dual Cultivation Harvesting. What a waste of a fairy wife! Hahaha!"
After exchanging a round of envious remarks, the surrounding Demon Sect disciples cast looks filled with jealousy and mockery toward Fang Yang.
Yet Fang Yang showed no sign of anger or annoyance at the taunts. Instead, he smiled and replied, "What you brothers say is true. I am already content just having a wife; how could I dare hope for anything more?"
Seeing that Fang Yang actually mocked himself, the men hardly knew what to say and simply dispersed in different directions.
Watching their retreating backs, Fang Yang silently noted the appearances of the few who had just mocked him.
By now, evening was approaching. Instead of returning straight to Wuni Alley, Fang Yang headed to the market located on Changhuan Street.
Protected by Yunyu Town, the Changhuan Market was a place where talisman paper, medicinal pills, spiritual herbs, puppet materials, monster beast pelts, and monster cores were bought and sold.
However, Fang Yang could not yet afford such items, so he headed for the vegetable market on the edge of the bazaar.
After making a round through the stalls, he realized he couldn't afford the spiritual meat either, so he settled for a pound of beef, two pig kidneys, a silver carp head, and a block of tofu.
Qin Xueyan enjoyed good food, and since he was asking for her help, he naturally needed to cater to her preferences.
With his purchases made, he returned to Wuni Alley. As he pushed open the door, Qin Xueyan hurried forward to greet him, her face wreathed in gentle smiles:
"Husband, you're back."
Fang Yang smiled back. "I went to buy some groceries, so I'm a bit late."
"It's no trouble, Husband. Let me help you carry them into the kitchen."
Acting very sensible, Qin Xueyan took the items from Fang Yang's hands and carried them into the kitchen. She looked down with a trace of aversion at the blood-stained beef, pig kidneys, and fish head.
During her time on Biyue Peak, she had focused solely on cultivation, never lifting a finger for mundane chores, let alone handling raw, unprocessed ingredients.
Though she wanted to put on the act of a virtuous wife, she stood completely helpless before the ingredients arrayed in front of her.
"Wife, go rest for a moment. I'll make dinner."
"Husband, your wife doesn't know how to cook. I've put you to trouble."
Qin Xueyan wore an expression of apology and guilt, to which Fang Yang replied softly, "You are a fairy from the heavens to begin with; it is my good fortune to have you as my wife. How could I ever blame you?"
Since Qin Xueyan had already delivered an Oscar-worthy performance, Fang Yang naturally refused to be outdone.
The two gazed into each other's eyes, brimming with deep affection, until Fang Yang gently urged her, prompting Qin Xueyan to reluctantly leave the kitchen.
The moment she was out of Fang Yang's sight, her expression instantly turned ice-cold.
*You think cooking two meals will make me willingly submit?*
*The little thief is daydreaming!*
She slowly sat down and closed her eyes.
In half a year, she would be able to dissolve the medicinal power of the Spirit-Sealing Pill and completely restore her cultivation.
Until then, she had to find a way to reach Tianhuan City.
Before long, appetizing aromas began to drift out of the kitchen.
Qin Xueyan opened her eyes and instinctively touched her stomach.
Without her cultivation, hunger struck much faster.
Soon, Fang Yang brought out three dishes. The spicy, fresh fragrance made Qin Xueyan's nose twitch involuntarily.
Arranging the dishes, Fang Yang said to her, "Wife, let's eat."
"Alright, Husband."
With a soft reply, Qin Xueyan walked over to the dining table and sat down. Catching the spicy aroma, her tongue involuntarily darted out to wet her lips.
Just by the smell alone, these three dishes were a hundred times better than anything the cooks on Biyue Peak could make!
With a smile, Fang Yang introduced them to her: "Wife, this is boiled beef in spicy broth, this one is stir-fried pork kidneys, and the last is fish head and tofu soup, which helps soothe the spice."
He had figured out as early as this morning that the number one fairy of the righteous path liked spicy food.
That was why his two main dishes were Sichuan-style.
"Boiled beef in spicy broth? Stir-fried pork kidneys?"
These were names Qin Xueyan had never heard before. Looking at the bright red chili peppers garnishing the beef and kidneys, she felt her mouth automatically begin to water.
Fang Yang smiled and picked up a piece of beef and a kidney slice for her respectively.
"Wife, these two dishes are best eaten while hot."
"Thank you, Husband."
Qin Xueyan flashed a radiant smile at him and eagerly lowered her head to eat.
Fang Yang paused slightly. That smile just now didn't seem like acting?
Unaware of her own lapse, Qin Xueyan was already immersed in the enjoyment of the delicious food.
*If I thoroughly crush the Demon Sect in the future, I might just spare this little thief and drag him back to Biyue Peak to cook for me exclusively.*
*Qin Xueyan, what are you thinking?*
*Demon Sect scumbags are all vicious and treacherous. How could you be bewitched by a few slices of beef and kidney?*
Guarded in her heart, Qin Xueyan didn't stop her chopsticks, and the two plates were soon scraped clean.
The boiled beef was numbing and spicy, while the stir-fried kidneys were tender and fresh. Qin Xueyan ate so quickly that her soft lips were dyed a spicy red.
Fang Yang had already scooped a bowl of tofu soup for her: "Wife, have some soup."
Smarting from the spice, Qin Xueyan let out a couple of small gasps, hurriedly took the bowl, and—abandoning all decorum—lifted it up to tilt her snow-white neck, finishing it in just a few gulps.
The fiery burn in her mouth was instantly replaced by a rich, mellow fragrance, transforming into a just-right, tingling numbness.
Setting the bowl down, Qin Xueyan lingered in the aftertaste.
After a long moment, she finally delivered the most elegant summary befitting the number one fairy of the righteous path:
"So delicious! *Hiccup!*"
She had actually let out a burp.
Qin Xueyan felt a tinge of embarrassment. Back on Biyue Peak, she had always maintained the cool, detached air of an immortal; even when eating, she was graceful and poised. When would she ever make such a fool of herself in front of others?
Yet Fang Yang remained completely calm, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Hastily changing the subject, Qin Xueyan asked, "Husband, how did you make this beef so tender and smooth, how are the kidneys so fresh, and why is there no fishy smell at all in this soup?"
When the cooks on Biyue Peak had tried making fish soup in the past, they could never suppress the fishy odor. Disliking it, Qin Xueyan had ordered them to stop making it altogether.
Yet the bowl of fish soup she had just drunk was rich and fragrant, entirely free of fishy taint.
With a smile, Fang Yang replied, "I added ginger slices."
Knowing nothing of culinary arts, Qin Xueyan found his casual, effortless explanation unfathomable yet impressive.
"Husband, you're amazing!"
Delighted, Fang Yang said, "Wife, if you like it, I'll make it for you every day."
"Thank you, Husband!"
In the small house, the delicious dinner had added a touch of warmth and coziness.
Once Qin Xueyan was full, Fang Yang cleared the table and took the bowls into the kitchen to wash them.
Watching him busy at work, Qin Xueyan thought of Ning Miaomiao. The Demon Sect scumbag who had won her in the lottery had not only forced himself upon her but also made her get up early every morning to buy groceries and cook.
Compared to that, she was far luckier to have ended up with Fang Yang.
Perhaps... this little thief wasn't truly all that bad?
After all, he had already cooked two delicious meals for her.
When Fang Yang finished washing the dishes and came out, he poured a pot of tea. As the husband and wife sat together drinking tea, the atmosphere grew even more harmonious.
Qin Xueyan suddenly spoke up:
"Husband, I've heard that Tianhuan City is the largest city in the sect. When can you take me to see it?"