Chapter 110 : Inquiry
Chapter 110: Inquiry
A First-Tier Culinary Master could merge many spiritual ingredients and food materials together, cooking medicinal dishes with effects comparable to entry-level pills, yet without fear of pill poison, allowing them to be eaten daily.
However, most of these medicinal dishes shared a flaw that cultivators found hard to ignore—they tasted terrible.
Indeed, cooking medicinal dishes was different from cooking delicious food.
The former emphasized the medicinal effect, while the latter emphasized color, aroma, flavor, and presentation.
It was no exaggeration to say that an outstanding Culinary Master, in order to maximize the effect of the ingredients, could even sacrifice the balance of taste.
In Chen Beiwu’s eyes, this was undoubtedly outright heresy.
What a joke—different ingredients could be combined to produce different flavors.
To preserve medicinal effects, even the most basic five flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty—could be abandoned. Was that not just putting the cart before the horse?
In short, in Chen Beiwu’s view, food was meant to satisfy the cravings of the palate.
To ensure the food was delicious, he was even willing to sacrifice part of the ingredients’ medicinal efficacy.
It was precisely because of this that Lady Huang Xiaoling usually did not allow Chen Beiwu, this so-called theoretical master, to take charge of cooking.
After all, for cultivators at the bottom, preserving the effects of spirit beast meat was far more important than flavor.
Seeing Chen Beiwu’s reaction, Li Wan’er blinked and asked with anticipation, “Can you do it?”
“It’s possible, but I must remind you of one thing, Senior Sister.”
“What is it?” Li Wan’er widened her eyes.
“I have no experience cooking Treasure Rooster eggs, so I can’t guarantee that the Pure Yang energy within won’t leak out,” Chen Beiwu said truthfully.
Although he usually liked to relax by reading miscellaneous books, and even had some knowledge of cooking spirit fish, he had never cooked such a precious ingredient as a Treasure Rooster egg.
“That’s all?” Li Wan’er waved her hand. “That little bit of Pure Yang energy doesn’t matter. If it’s wasted, so be it. What’s important is that it tastes good.”
As she spoke, her gaze instinctively shifted toward Chen Beiwu’s storage pouch. “Junior Brother, do you still have any of those triangular cakes and crispy fish patties from last time?”
“I still have some.” Chen Beiwu took out the crispy fish patties he had cooked a few days ago.
When Senior Sister Wan’er had first met him, she had gifted him half a stalk of Profound Marrow Ginseng. To express his gratitude, Chen Beiwu had specially shared some homemade hometown delicacies with her a few days back.
Compared to Profound Marrow Ginseng, these foods were worth little money, but they carried sincerity—better than giving nothing at all.
Biting into the crispy fish patty, Li Wan’er’s face showed a satisfied smile.
“Mmm, not bad. This is the taste.” She gave Chen Beiwu a thumbs-up, a new form of praise she had learned recently.
“As long as Senior Sister likes it.” Chen Beiwu smiled and prepared to begin cooking.
“High-grade ingredients often need only the simplest cooking methods.
Mao-Day eggs have yolks that are golden-red and molten, with a tender texture. The egg whites are foamy and loose.
Adding some salting crystals while beating them can fully blend the yolk and egg white. This not only locks in the Pure Yang energy but also enhances the texture of the egg liquid, making it rich without being overly loose—so tender it melts in the mouth.”
Hearing Chen Beiwu’s explanation, Li Wan’er couldn’t help but swallow and felt even more convinced of her choice.
“The Mao-Day eggshells are also valuable. After washing them clean and grinding them into powder, adding Second-Tier Spirit Spring Water can activate the faint Pure Yang energy within.
As the powder turns golden, adding spirit rice ensures that the cooked grains are distinct and separate.”
At this point, Chen Beiwu turned his gaze toward Senior Sister Wan’er.
“Why did you stop talking?” Li Wan’er pursed her lips.
“Does Senior Sister have Second-Tier Spirit Spring Water and Second-Tier Spirit Rice?” Chen Beiwu asked softly.
“Yes.” Realizing what he meant, she quickly pulled out over a dozen bags of spirit rice and dozens of jade bottles from her storage ring. “See which ones are suitable.”
With a sweep of his spiritual sense, Chen Beiwu picked out one bag of Second-Tier Wood-Attribute Spirit Rice and a bottle of Second-Tier Spirit Spring Water.
“Whatever Junior Brother needs, just say it.” Li Wan’er patted her chest.
“Alright, Senior Sister.” Chen Beiwu replied.
Ever since learning from Senior Sister Shu You about Wan’er’s true identity, Chen Beiwu was no longer surprised at whatever she took out.
“Ziii, boom!”
As time passed, when Chen Beiwu drizzled half a spoon of scallion oil along the rim of the wok, a rich fragrance of eggs instantly filled the entire residence.
【Mao-Day Egg Fried Rice】
【Jade Marrow Egg Dumplings】
【Snow Lotus Baked Eggs】
【Spirit Spring Egg Custard Soup】
Three dishes and one soup, all possessing perfect color, aroma, and taste. Before he even finished all of them, Chen Beiwu already noticed that Senior Sister Wan’er’s voice had changed.
“Senior Sister, why not first try my cooking?” Chen Beiwu directly handed her a bowl of golden-colored fried rice that faintly glowed.
“Wouldn’t that be improper? Junior Brother, you haven’t finished cooking yet.”
Her words were modest, but her hands did not pause at all.
The moment the rice entered her mouth, the delicious freshness and tingling sensation on her tongue made Li Wan’er unable to stop praising.
“Mmm, this is so good.”
No sooner had she spoken than she finished the entire bowl of fried rice in one go.
“Want another bowl?” Chen Beiwu served her another portion.
“Junior Brother, aren’t you eating?” Li Wan’er asked in surprise.
There were only two bowls of fried rice in total. If she ate them both, what would Junior Brother Chen eat?
“My cultivation is too weak, I can only eat a little.” Chen Beiwu smiled.
Hearing this, Senior Sister Wan’er relaxed and took the bowl with peace of mind.
A quarter-hour later, Li Wan’er gave a satisfied burp. Looking at the empty bowls and plates on the table, she sincerely said, “Junior Brother, your cooking is amazing!”
Compared to her junior brother’s dishes, the meals from the Culinary Hall were simply trash.
“Can I ask you to cook eggs again next time?” Li Wan’er asked expectantly.
“I usually spend much time in seclusion. If Senior Sister likes, just inform me in advance.” Chen Beiwu did not refuse.
Although he had only eaten a little of today’s egg feast, he had benefited greatly, saving at least a year of bitter cultivation.
If he had this once or twice more, he might even reach the Tenth Level of Qi Refining within a year.
“Alright.” Li Wan’er stood up and yawned.
Every time she was full, she always felt drowsy—something quite unbelievable for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
After agreeing on the next egg feast, Chen Beiwu walked her to the door and respectfully sent Senior Sister Wan’er off.
Back in his residence, he took out Deacon Yun’s communication talisman to inquire about his doubts.
……
On Moon-Supporting Peak, inside a residence named Clear Heart Dwelling.
A sandalwood table held a celadon teapot and three jade cups.
Yun Yishu picked up a teacup. Without minding the mist rising from the rim, she drained it in one gulp.
The green-robed female cultivator opposite her smiled faintly. “Junior Sister Yun, do you have something troubling you lately?”
Yun Yishu raised her head and gave Jiang Yuyan a glance, her tone calm. “Don’t beat around the bush. Speak directly.”
“I want Golden Palace Pills.”
“Senior Sister, take care. I won’t see you out.” Yun Yishu cut her off decisively, not even interested in hearing the terms, as her gaze shifted toward the communication talisman that had suddenly appeared outside the residence.