"I am no great master of any kind," Ye Qingyun said with a sheepish smile.
Upon hearing this, the master and disciple immediately recalled what the dog Demon King had said earlier.
*He must be right. The master wants to experience the mortal world as an ordinary person; we mustn't disturb his peace of mind.*
The white-haired old man, Shen Tianhua, said to himself and shot a meaningful glance at Xiao Shi. Xiao Shi caught his meaning instantly.
"It was rude of me to be so forward, Young Master Ye. I hope you will forgive me."
Shen Tianhua’s demeanor shifted instantly.
Xiao Shi chimed in, "Young Master Ye, my master saw the story you wrote and the painting you created. He found them incredibly fascinating, so he asked me to bring him here to pay you a visit."
It was a decent enough excuse. Ye Qingyun believed it right away.
"Oh, so that’s it." Ye Qingyun nodded. "Come in and sit for a while."
"Yes, yes, of course." Shen Tianhua nodded repeatedly.
The two stepped into the courtyard, walking cautiously to avoid stepping on the various rare treasures scattered across the ground.
Once they entered the house, Shen Tianhua was stunned once again. Every single object his eyes fell upon seemed to faintly emit a divine aura.
*This entire house... it’s filled with nothing but treasures!* he thought, trembling inwardly.
He glanced from the writing brush to the broom leaning against the wall.
*Tsk, tsk!*
The aura was potent! These were definitely not ordinary items!
Shen Tianhua possessed a collection of treasures himself, but compared to what filled this house, his own items were mere trinkets, utterly unworthy of mention. If he took out any one item from this room, all of his own "junk" put together probably wouldn't compare to it.
"Please, have a seat," Ye Qingyun invited.
Shen Tianhua sat down, but Xiao Shi dared not. After all, Shen Tianhua was her master. How could a disciple sit on equal footing with her teacher? That would be a grave breach of etiquette.
"Young Master Ye, I’ve seen that painting of yours. The technique is truly masterful—it is quite something to behold," Shen Tianhua said as soon as he sat down, using the painting as a way to strike up a rapport.
Ye Qingyun felt a bit embarrassed. "Oh, I just drew it casually. It’s quite mediocre, not as good as you make it out to be, sir."
*Casually?*
*He drew it casually, yet it contains the profundity of the Great Dao? If he were to draw something seriously, wouldn't it cause people to reach enlightenment on the spot?*
"I have always loved calligraphy and painting. Might you have any other works that I might admire?" Shen Tianhua asked cautiously, fearing that his request might displease Ye Qingyun. After all, he had come here uninvited; asking to see more of the host's work was arguably quite impolite.
Ye Qingyun, however, didn't mind at all. "Sure! I happened to finish a painting last night. Let me show it to you."
With that, Ye Qingyun walked to a side desk and picked up a scroll. "Take a look, sir."
Ye Qingyun opened the scroll. A painting of a lotus pond filled with flowers instantly appeared before the eyes of Shen Tianhua and Xiao Shi.
Shen Tianhua was struck with awe. Xiao Shi’s face was frozen in astonishment.
*This painting!!!*
It was simply beautiful! It felt as if a pond of blooming lotuses had truly manifested before them. The leaves were a lush, vibrant green; the lotus blossoms glowed with a delicate red. It was breathtakingly, exquisitely beautiful.
Xiao Shi could only tell that the painting was incredibly pleasing to the eye, clearly the work of a master painter of the highest caliber. But Shen Tianhua was different. He sensed a unique charm emanating from the work. Moreover, it seemed to be beneficial to his cultivation. Just from watching it for a few moments, his cultivation level—which had been stagnant for years without a hint of progress—actually showed signs of breaking through.
This shocked Shen Tianhua to his core. *Could it be? After having lived most of my life, with so little time left, I might still have a chance at a breakthrough? And this chance lies right here in this painting!*
"This painting is truly a peerless masterpiece!" Shen Tianhua couldn't think of any other words to express the admiration in his heart.
"Is it really that exaggerated?" Ye Qingyun was a bit speechless. He didn't see anything particularly special about it himself; in his view, it was just mediocre.
"Master, there are two lines of poetry here!" Xiao Shi pointed to the empty space in the corner of the scroll.
Shen Tianhua’s attention had been entirely on the painting, so he had missed the poem. Hearing Xiao Shi’s prompt, he immediately looked over.
"'Rising from the silt, yet unstained'?"
"'Washed by clear ripples, yet not wanton'?"
Seeing these two lines, Shen Tianhua went completely blank. He sat in his chair, dazed, his soul seemingly drifting away, his lips moving as he repeated the two lines over and over.
Xiao Shi, standing by his side, grew worried, fearing her master might suffer from qi deviation. Ye Qingyun looked at Shen Tianhua with a strange expression. *Does this old man have dementia?*
The next moment, a flash of golden light surged from the center of Shen Tianhua’s brow. Immediately after, a surge of vibrant life force spread throughout his body.
*Hummmm!*
Only Shen Tianhua could hear the sound echoing within him—the sound of his blood and qi rejuvenating and flowing with newfound vigor. This meant Shen Tianhua had broken through! His life force was renewed, and he had gained more longevity!
"I’ve broken through!"
"I’ve broken through!"
Shen Tianhua trembled with excitement. His appearance even looked significantly younger than it had moments before. His heart was filled with boundless joy.
He had spent hundreds of years in cultivation, struggling his way to the Mid Heaven Reaching Realm, and had become a dominant power. Looking across the seven nations of the Southern Wasteland, one could count those who could rival him on one hand. Yet, for many years, his cultivation had not improved. Shen Tianhua knew his age was catching up to him, and his path of cultivation had reached its limit. Without some heaven-sent opportunity, any further breakthrough was impossible.
But to his surprise, the catalyst he had been searching for had appeared right now. It was effortless; a natural progression. There had been no warning, just a smooth, sudden breakthrough.
The surprise was so sudden it left him breathless. Shen Tianhua stood up immediately and bowed deeply to Ye Qingyun. His demeanor was solemn, filled with profound respect, much like a junior seeking guidance from a great master.
This left Ye Qingyun feeling utterly bewildered. "What are you doing, sir?" He helped Shen Tianhua up.
Tears were almost streaming down the old man’s face. "Young Master Ye, I am merely overwhelmed with emotion at seeing such a peerless masterpiece. I couldn’t help myself."
Ye Qingyun breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, that’s fine. If you really like this painting, sir, I’ll give it to you."
Shen Tianhua trembled. "Young Master, are you serious?"
"I am."
"You are really willing to give this painting to me?"
"I am."
Ye Qingyun blinked, not a hint of hesitation or reluctance in his expression. It was just something he had drawn on a whim. He could churn out dozens of these a day; he didn't feel a shred of heartache. In his eyes, these paintings were completely worthless.
"Thank you, Young Master! Thank you!" Shen Tianhua’s hands shook with excitement.
"No problem, no problem. If you like them, I can give you a few more, it’s no big deal." Ye Qingyun said with great generosity.
But this terrified Shen Tianhua. He waved his hands frantically. "One is enough! One is enough!"
*Are you kidding?* Just this one painting was enough for him to contemplate for a long time. If he took more, he feared he would be too greedy, ultimately harming his own progress.
Shen Tianhua felt around his storage pouch and pulled out a crystal. "Young Master Ye, this is something I obtained years ago. While it cannot compare to the value of your painting, it is the most precious item I possess. Since you have gifted me this, I must naturally return the favor. Please, I implore you to accept this!"
Ye Qingyun took the crystal out of curiosity. It was deep blue, slightly larger than a fist, and felt slightly warm to the touch. Other than that, Ye Qingyun saw nothing special about it, though it did look quite pretty.
"Hmm, this is a nice rock." Ye Qingyun nodded and tossed it casually onto the table.
Xiao Shi felt a bit indignant. That was something her master had given away; it had to be an incredibly rare treasure, yet it was being treated so carelessly.
But Shen Tianhua didn't mind at all. In fact, he felt it was only natural. *Though this Ancient Mysterious Stone is precious, in the eyes of such a high-level master, it probably counts as nothing more than a common trinket. I’ve traded an Ancient Mysterious Stone for such a precious painting—I’m the one who got the better deal.*
If any other martial artist heard of this, their jaws would drop. An Ancient Mysterious Stone! It was rumored to be the very material used to forge divine weapons. You probably wouldn't find another one in the entire Southern Wasteland. Yet here was Shen Tianhua, using it to trade for a painting—and feeling like he’d made a profit.
"By the way, why don't you stay for a meal?" Ye Qingyun invited them warmly. Eating alone was too boring; it would be more lively with more people.
Shen Tianhua was naturally delighted. Although he had practiced *bigū* (abstinence from grain) for years, how could he decline an invitation from such an expert? This was his honor.
"Please wait a moment, let me prepare." Ye Qingyun headed off to prepare dinner.
Seeing Ye Qingyun about to cook for himself, Shen Tianhua was stunned. *How could we let a master do the cooking himself?* He immediately looked at Xiao Shi. "Disciple, go and help Young Master Ye."
Xiao Shi hesitated, feeling awkward. It wasn't that she didn't want to—she had been raised in the lap of luxury in the Xiao Family and had never done such a thing. She couldn't even name half the vegetables grown in the fields. But she didn't dare disobey her master, so she followed Ye Qingyun into the kitchen.
Before long, Xiao Shi scurried out, looking dejected.
"What happened?" Shen Tianhua asked, sounding displeased.
"Young Master Ye kicked me out. He said I was clumsy and just getting in the way," Xiao Shi said, feeling wronged. She was indeed indignant—she was a young lady of the Xiao Family, and to be dismissed like that just because she couldn't cook!
Shen Tianhua was speechless. "Alright, just sit quietly over there."
"Yes, Master." Xiao Shi sat back down, becoming more annoyed the more she thought about it. *I want to see what kind of delicacies you can actually make!*
Not long after, waves of fragrance wafted out from the kitchen. Xiao Shi’s stomach growled immediately upon smelling it. Shen Tianhua, who had not eaten grain for years, felt his appetite stirring as well.
"It smells so good," Shen Tianhua said in surprise. Even he, an old man, felt a sense of anticipation for what Ye Qingyun would produce.
A moment later, however, a wave of stench rolled out from the kitchen. The master and disciple’s faces turned black. The smell was... well, it smelled just like *that*. Anyone who didn't know better would think Ye Qingyun was having stomach trouble in there.
"Master, should we just leave?" Xiao Shi whispered, feeling terrified.
Shen Tianhua remained steady, appearing light and breezy. "Do not worry. A master acts in ways others cannot fathom. Perhaps this is a test for us."
*A test?* That was possible. But the smell was so foul it made Xiao Shi want to gag. The fragrance mixed with the stench created a bizarre odor that filled the entire house. The master and disciple sat on pins and needles, feeling a mix of anticipation and dread.
"Here we are! Sorry to keep you waiting." Ye Qingyun finally emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with three dishes: a plate of braised pork, a plate of stinky tofu, and a plate of tomato scrambled eggs.
Ye Qingyun placed the dishes on the table. "There’s a soup still stewing; let’s start with these." He then served them both a huge bowl of rice, piled high like a mountain.
The master and disciple stared at the rice, stunned.
"Uh... I don’t think I can eat this much," Xiao Shi said awkwardly.
Shen Tianhua glared at her. She quickly corrected herself: "I... I will try my best to finish it."
Ye Qingyun grinned. "Eat up, then. The food I make tastes quite good."
*Tastes good?* The two of them looked at the three dishes, especially the black, foul-smelling tofu. They were very curious as to what definition of "good" Ye Qingyun was using.
"Pick up your chopsticks! Don't be polite. It’s best while it’s hot," Ye Qingyun said, wasting no time as he began to chow down. For a true foodie, this was the most sacred of times.
The master and disciple had no choice but to follow suit. Xiao Shi wouldn't even look at the stinky tofu, and the braised pork looked a bit too greasy for her. She started with the tomato scrambled eggs.
*Hm? This taste...*
Just one bite made Xiao Shi’s eyes light up. The eggs and tomatoes were blended perfectly, making her appetite soar.
Shen Tianhua, meanwhile, had stuffed a piece of braised pork into his mouth with a frown. But as soon as it hit his tongue, his brow smoothed out.
"So tender!"
"So fragrant!"
"Delicious!"
Shen Tianhua chewed and swallowed. His appetite was instantly awakened. Braised pork and tomato scrambled eggs were the most common home-cooked dishes, but in this world, such things didn't exist at all. The master and disciple felt as if they had opened the door to a new world; they couldn't stop eating.
"You should try this stinky tofu!" Ye Qingyun urged them.
The master and disciple froze. The disciple looked at the master; the master looked at the disciple. Finally, Xiao Shi bit the bullet and, with a heavy heart, picked up a piece of stinky tofu and forced it into her mouth.
The next second, her expression changed. The tofu smelled foul, but once eaten, it had a unique, rich flavor. Paired with the sauce Ye Qingyun had prepared, it was spicy, savory, and incredibly delicious.
"Master, it’s good!" Xiao Shi exclaimed.
Shen Tianhua was suspicious. *Is this girl trying to trick me?* With skeptical intent, he took a bite. It was a marvelous taste. For some reason, Shen Tianhua instantly fell in love with it—he even felt it was better than the other two dishes.
Soon, the two had finished their bowls. They were still hungry, staring at their empty bowls in embarrassment.
"Let me get you some more," Ye Qingyun said enthusiastically, filling their bowls again.
The master and disciple continued to feast. While eating, Xiao Shi suddenly froze.
"Master, I think I’ve realized something!" Xiao Shi said, dazed.
Shen Tianhua was shocked. Looking at his disciple, he realized she was indeed in a state of enlightenment. Her eyes were clearer than ever, and a faint light radiated from her brow. *Enlightened! She really is enlightened!* Compared to a breakthrough, this kind of realization was far more precious; it determined how far a person could go on the path of cultivation.
"Enlightened? Can you get enlightened just by eating dinner?" Ye Qingyun muttered, not paying much attention and continuing to eat.
Xiao Shi stared at the rice in her bowl. *Could it be? Did I reach this state because I ate so much?* She began to eat even more vigorously.
Before long, Xiao Shi felt the spiritual energy in her body surging.
*She was breaking through!*
*Hum!*
As her blood and qi surged, Xiao Shi’s cultivation realm jumped from the Mid Source Gathering Realm straight into the Late Source Gathering Realm.
"Master, I’ve broken through."
"What?" Shen Tianhua was dumbfounded. She had gone through enlightenment *and* a breakthrough just from a meal? It was terrifying.
*No way. As her master, how can I lose to my disciple?* Shen Tianhua felt he couldn't lose face. He guessed that Xiao Shi’s breakthrough had to be connected to the food. This was a gift from the master in disguise. If he couldn't see even that, he would have wasted his last few hundred years of cultivation.
"Do you have a large basin?" Shen Tianhua asked.
Ye Qingyun was startled. "Uh, I do have one."
"I want to eat out of a basin!" Shen Tianhua declared with full vigor.
Ye Qingyun nearly choked. *What the? Is this old man losing his mind? Wanting to eat out of a basin? Is he not afraid of exploding from overeating?*
"Sir, perhaps you shouldn't push yourself," Ye Qingyun advised. It wasn't that he was stingy with the rice, but if something happened to this old man, he would be held responsible.
"It is fine. I have always had a large appetite; I usually eat out of a basin," Shen Tianhua said with a serious face.
"Alright then." Ye Qingyun brought him a basin piled high with white rice. As the basin was placed before Shen Tianhua...