Chapter Eight: Skillful Techniques

Xu Xing turned his head, his gaze lingering on the mat behind him, where the roots and stems of the sensitive plant lay, his mind tangled with worry and doubt.

The withered sensitive plant gathered together, forming what looked like a tail. Xu Xing reflected carefully, and suddenly thought of someone—highly suspicious.

It was the person who had delivered his meal late at night just a few days ago.

The details of that person's physique included a fox’s tail, and his words were intriguing, especially his remark about a pleasant collaboration—why would he say that? Most crucially, his temperament resembled that of Li Chunyi, Xu Xing’s former archrival at Beihai Academy.

The matter concerning his brother, Xu Hai, was certainly more complicated than it appeared. Yet now, Xu Xing had no clue where to begin, nor where to search for the person in question, but he was determined to clear his brother’s name.

Suddenly, his stomach let out a rumbling growl. Embarrassed, Xu Xing glanced at Xu Hai, who chuckled along with Su Mei. Su Mei winked and said,

“Look how hungry your second brother is—he hasn’t eaten for two days. Allow me to cook personally and make some seafood noodles.”

With that, Su Mei drew a universe pouch from beneath her skirt, and from within it, astonishingly, she produced broad noodles, several pieces of seafood, and a whip.

Xu Xing stared at the whip in surprise—was this its intended use? Clearly, Su Mei was no ordinary woman.

Noticing the brothers’ startled expressions, Su Mei asked,

“What’s wrong?”

The brothers gazed at the whip, unable to find words. Su Mei flicked it lightly, inspecting for wear, then awkwardly put it back in the pouch.

“It’s not what you think. Oh, don’t overthink it—this is my mythic weapon.”

A mythic weapon, imbued with ancestral power. Everyone could own only one, capable of vastly enhancing their strength, but the price was to bear certain ancestral wills.

She approached, watching the two speechless men, and tapped each of their heads.

“Don’t think too much. Just wait—I’ll cook the noodles, and my culinary skills will leave you sleepless tonight.”

Xu Xing was intrigued by the noodles and seafood she produced, sensing a strong spiritual energy in them. He asked, “These noodles and seafood must be quite rare.”

“Of course. The noodles are made from highland barley harvested atop Divine Mountain in Sea City, and the seafood is deep-sea catch—impossible to buy. It was gifted to me yesterday by an extremely powerful old man! As for who he is, don’t ask.”

“That old man said these ingredients are full of spiritual energy. We’ll eat together, and after this meal, your strength will soar. You and your brother might even break through!”

With that, the three headed for the kitchen, choosing not to trouble the servants.

Noodles went into the pot, seafood was cooked, and the aroma wafted through the courtyard, making the brothers’ mouths water.

“How about it? My noodle-making skills are pretty good, right?” The two nodded in praise.

Watching Su Mei’s industrious manner, Xu Xing thought to himself, “With such a woman at home, even wolfberry can’t cure one’s woes.”

Soon, the noodles were ready. Xu Hai could hardly wait to taste them, but they were piping hot—his pampered brother had not anticipated this, devouring them greedily regardless.

Page 1/3

“Ah, it’s burning me! Su Mei, come help, blow on this, it’s so hot!” Xu Hai cried.

His tongue had turned pale from the heat. Xu Xing grinned beside him—his brother really did expect food to arrive at his mouth and clothes to appear at his hand.

“Blow for yourself! Eat slowly, no one’s fighting you for it. Well, Xu Xing, how’s your sister’s cooking?” Su Mei pursed her lips and smiled at Xu Xing.

Taking a gentle sip of the broad noodles, Xu Xing found the taste unique—the barley noodles were soft, and their encounter with his tongue was unforgettable. The seafood brought a rich, distinctive aroma, making it a heavenly delicacy. Satisfied, Xu Xing nodded and said,

“Sister Su Mei, your cooking is superb. If possible, I’d love to eat your noodles every day.”

Su Mei smiled contentedly. It was the first time someone had praised her so. In truth, it wasn’t her cooking but the mysterious old man’s ingredients that made the dish so delicious. Su Mei laughed,

“Alright, if we have free time in the future, you brothers can eat my noodles every day.”

“In that case, I, Xu Hai, will cook for you and Xu Xing’s wife when I have time during cultivation. Let’s see how my noodles taste.”

“Then as the younger brother, I have to learn some culinary skills too. I’ll cook personally for Sister Su Mei and my sister-in-law, and let you judge—who’s better, me or my brother?”

“Something feels off here,” Su Mei raised an eyebrow, and the three chatted for a while.

Once the noodles had cooled a bit, the trio began slurping them—they were chewy, perhaps a bit astringent from the seafood.

After a hearty meal, the three lounged in their chairs.

At that moment, Xu Xing felt a surge of fullness within, a burning heat. It was Su Mei’s noodles—the ingredients, he realized, contained abundant spiritual energy. Astonished, he exclaimed,

“Am I about to break through? I really must thank Su Mei for this meal.”

He sat in meditation, and Xu Hai did likewise—after the noodles, he too began his breakthrough. Clearly, these ingredients were potent.

Su Mei reclined in her chair, her whole body flushed and radiant, intoxicated by the sensation. She marvelled,

“These ingredients have such strong effects? But why were they given to me?”

All three began to break through in the courtyard.

Above the Xu family courtyard, clouds patterned like dragon scales gathered densely, and thousands of birds circled the sky. Among them, seagulls predominated, flocking together as if under some command.

Su Mei’s face was rosy, bathed in radiant light, feeling blissfully comfortable. She was the first to break through, advancing directly from the middle to the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Xu Hai broke through from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, with a white tiger flickering around him—the courtyard echoed with tiger roars.

When the two had finished their breakthroughs, they gazed at Xu Xing in astonishment—what was happening to him?

His entire body was enveloped in golden light. The dead branches beneath the willow outside and the wilted sensitive plants rose into the air, encircling him in meditation.

Leaves spun rapidly, and the room was swept with wild winds, thunder rumbling in the sky.

Page 2/3

“What’s happening to him? Xu Xing is only in the middle stage of Qi Refining, but his breakthrough has changed the very heavens—could he…”

To induce celestial phenomena during a breakthrough meant one was destined for greatness. Yet his younger brother had squandered so much time; could he really rise again now?

Leaves intertwined and spun rapidly, so complex that for a moment their colors were indistinguishable. When the leaves dissolved, Xu Xing was enveloped in a seven-colored radiance. Each breath he took stirred awe in the other two.

Su Mei spoke in amazement, “Could it be that the True Dragon of the Xu family lives again?”

“Is it true? Could our ancestor’s prophecy have been right?” Xu Hai wondered aloud.

Xu Xing opened his eyes, his aura tranquil but vastly changed, more powerful than before. Seven-colored radiance danced across his skin.

“Sister Su Mei, I must say, these noodles were not only delicious—they aided my cultivation. I am truly grateful.”

He placed his fists together in front of his chest and bowed slightly in thanks.

“It’s nothing. We see each other often. But in future, if you come to my house, don’t sneak in from the back—it hurts.”

Xu Xing recalled—a memory from his former self, not one he was proud of. Since Su Mei was his sister-in-law’s sister, her family often had many fruits at home.

Sea City was scarce in peaches, but Su Mei’s family had them—large, rosy, and juicy, Xu Xing’s favorite.

His former self was an unabashed foodie, obsessed with those big peaches, which also improved his strength. He schemed every way to eat them, until eventually the family’s gatekeeper had blacklisted him.

Thinking of this, Xu Xing felt embarrassed—his past self truly was a glutton. Now, he had to redeem his image. He cleared his throat and said,

“Thank you, Sister Su Mei. I won’t sneak in from the back anymore. From now on, I’ll walk in openly.”

Seeing Xu Xing’s embarrassment, Xu Hai stepped in to help, saying,

“Who would have thought these noodles could help us break through? In the future, we’ll have to ask Xu Xing’s wife to cook more noodles for us—so we can become stronger.”

The three laughed and chatted freely.

The celestial phenomena above the Xu family courtyard faded away, and the seagulls flew toward the seawall.

“By the way, what realm did you break through to? Late-stage Qi Refining?”

“Qi Refining Perfection! I just had an epiphany and learned a lot.”

At that moment, a voice drifted into the courtyard—Xiao Feng was surprised. How could it be him?

Page 3/3