Time passed.
A peculiar scene unfolded in a corner of the Sword Holding Department's cafeteria.
All LV3-ranked Sword Holders were seated stiffly at a long dining table, their expressions grave, as if sitting on pins and needles.
Even Bai Lian sat obediently, not daring to activate the team's voice channel—after all... the master would surely detect the fluctuations of their abilities.
So, she could only curse Gu Yan inwardly.
Damn it, how dare a mere mortal cook for my master?
Do you really think your cooking is any good?
Surely, the master is just humoring you to save your pride.
If she had tasted my cooking... she would have been moved to pat my head and say, "Bai Lian, you've worked hard!"
That should have been the script!
Shangguan Miaoyin also wiped the smirk off her face, turning utterly serious.
She couldn't quite grasp the master's intentions behind this move.
Unless...
Her eyes widened as a thought flashed through her mind.
She... understood now.
First, the Gu family had become the largest civilian martial force in Jianghai.
And since the master was the head of the Sword Holding Department, she was using this mundane servant in front of everyone to make it clear who held the higher status!
This would further emphasize the master's authority and command greater respect!
So that's it!
As expected of the master!!!
Shangguan Miaoyin was filled with admiration—the master's level of insight was truly beyond their reach.
Murong Ci and Liu Jianxing sat together. The two were old acquaintances, having fought side by side in the No. 5 Forbidden Zone.
Later, when the Sword Holding Department was established, Liu Jianxing joined the Jianghai branch.
They became comrades on the surface.
Liu Jianxing didn’t know Murong Ci’s true identity, but the oppressive silence at the table weighed heavily on him.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he lowered his head.
Tsk...
So Brother Gu really is in a relationship with the head of the Sword Holding Department.
Long ago, Brother Gu had often boasted about how wonderful his wife was and how much he adored her.
Seeing it now... this pair is truly unique.
But the atmosphere here was downright eerie.
Department Head Leng was usually decisive and aloof.
It was hard to imagine her saying something like "I want to eat your cooking" to Gu Yan...
Unless!
Liu Jianxing clenched his fists and swallowed hard.
Was Department Head Leng using this as an opportunity to reprimand Gu Yan for disappearing for a month?
Brother Gu... you're in trouble...
However.
Contrary to everyone's expectations.
Leng Qingqiu's expression was calm, but inwardly, she was growing impatient.
Hmm? Why isn’t this damn man done yet?
He’s usually much faster.
Oh, right—it’s because there are more people now. How annoying! Why did you have to add that last bit about making extra?
Now I have no choice but to keep Shangguan and the others here!
Fine, let them all taste my man’s cooking!
Consider yourselves lucky.
[...]
[That’s enough...]
Little Cold, don’t rush me. I’ll let you out after I finish eating.
[?]
Time passed.
Finally.
As a tantalizing aroma filled the air, the tension at the table shattered.
Everyone turned toward the source of the fragrance—and froze.
Gu Yan flicked his fingers lightly.
Streams of true qi carried plate after plate toward the table.
Murong Ci’s eyes narrowed. Such precise control over true qi—impressive as always.
Liu Jianxing, relieved by Gu Yan’s arrival, was also astonished. So Gu Yan really could cook?
Bai Lian sniffed the air, her expression shifting. Huh?
This scent... was her nose playing tricks on her?
In moments, the plates landed gracefully on the table, arranged with impeccable precision.
A lavish spread of dishes covered the surface.
The sight alone made everyone’s mouths water.
Wait a minute.
This... wasn’t what they expected.
Gu Yan stepped behind Leng Qingqiu, resting his hands on her shoulders.
Under the stunned gazes of the others, he leaned down and murmured by her ear, "Dig in. I made all your favorites."
Then, glancing at the group, he added, "Don’t hold back. Consider this a special treat from our Qingqiu."
Leng Ling'er, used to this at home, didn’t hesitate to grab a fried chicken leg. "Hehe, Brother-in-law, you’re the best! You remembered I love these!"
Leng Qingqiu picked up her chopsticks and said calmly, "Let’s eat."
Only then did the others dare to move, sampling the dishes with cautious curiosity.
The presentation was exquisite, the aroma irresistible.
But!
Bai Lian picked up a bite with her chopsticks, sneering inwardly. Pretty plating means nothing if the taste is—
Her thoughts cut off abruptly.
Huh?!
Her breath hitched, her pupils contracting.
An indescribable burst of flavor exploded in her mouth.
What... what is this?
"Tsk!"
"This taste..."
"How is it so incredible?!"
"Brother Gu, your cooking is amazing!"
Liu Jianxing had guessed Gu Yan’s skills were decent from the presentation, but this was beyond expectations!
Department Head Leng... eats like this every day?!
Murong Ci savored a piece of foie gras and nodded approvingly. "Searred low and slow, golden on the outside, tender within. The balance of tart blackcurrant sauce and sweet figs is perfection."
"Gu Yan, your skills rival those of a state banquet chef."
"Though I’ve never seen foie gras of this quality. Where did you source it?"
Is it really that impressive?
Shangguan Miaoyin frowned skeptically and tried a cold appetizer.
Instantly!
A sensation of vibrant, natural vitality surged through her.
And more importantly—
"My cultivation... actually improved?!" she blurted out.
The others checked their own states.
"The boost is minimal, but it’s real?!"
"Good heavens, this isn’t just food—it’s spirit cuisine that enhances cultivation!!!"
Everyone stared at Gu Yan in awe.
This man... could cook spirit cuisine?!
Leng Qingqiu ate quietly, wholly focused on her meal.
Mmm, just like I remember.
After a month, I finally get to taste it again!
Gu Yan, while slicing a steak for Leng Qingqiu, explained to the group, "I used ingredients infused with true qi."
"For example, the foie gras comes from a mutated breed of demonic beasts cultivated artificially by the Gu family—we call them 'spirit beasts.'"
"The vegetables are edible spirit plants transplanted from the Forbidden Zone and grown by our family."
Gu Yan smiled and said, "By the way, the civilian martial artist factions under our Gu Family will soon introduce [Spirit Cuisine] that can improve meridians and enhance cultivation."
"We’ll also establish restaurants of this type. Everyone is welcome to visit, and we’ll prioritize offering these benefits to martial artists through their respective departments."
Hearing this, all members of the Night Organization turned their gazes toward Leng Qingqiu in unison.
Seeing her calmly eating without a change in expression, they exchanged knowing glances the moment they looked away.
So that’s how it is.
They... all understood now.
The reason for having Gu Yan cook wasn’t just to showcase his skills—it was to send a message: the Gu Family had now mastered the artificial cultivation of [Spirit Plants] and [Spirit Beasts]!
This was a groundbreaking technological advancement capable of reshaping the world’s current balance of power!
Which meant... their master’s true intention was to demonstrate just how crucial Gu Yan was. The next step would surely be to seize control of the Gu Family!
As expected of their master!
Once again, admiration swelled in the hearts of every Night Organization member.
e school belle recognized by the whole school, a genius girl from the kendo club. She also has a hidden identity, the youngest legendary demon hunter. Chen Shuo just transmigrated and found himself turned into a weak, helpless little vampire. He was caught by Su Xiyen and taken home at the very beginning. Since then, Chen Shuo's life creed only had two items. "First, classmate Su Xiyen is always right." "Second, if classmate Su Xiyen is wrong, please refer back to item one." Many years later, Chen Shuo, who had turned back into a human, led a pair of twins to appear in front of all the vampires to share the secret of how he turned back into a human. "It's simple, I tricked a female demon hunter into becoming my wife!"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
ose... to cooperate with the protagonist! Shen Yuan: I have a system! Protagonist: What? System: Holy crap, you're just spilling it out like that? Shen Yuan: Let's team up, we'll split the system rewards! Protagonist: Fifty-fifty split? Shen Yuan: No way! Protagonist: What!? I'm the one getting beaten up, and I don't get half? Shen Yuan: Forty-sixty split, I get forty, you get sixty! Protagonist: Deal! Big brother, come on, hit me! As long as it doesn't kill me, beat me like you mean it! Shen Yuan: Don't worry... I will definitely protect all of you! No one but me can lay a finger on you! Guard our Heaven's Chosen Ones! I'm the only one allowed to bully them!
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
