Chapter 20 Spicy Ginger Chicken Feet

Luo Yuzhu’s cheeks were tinged with a delicate blush, a trace of sweat glistening on her brow—clearly, this ordeal had left her quite exhausted. In a moment of impulse, Cao Chengyu reached out and gently wiped the sweat from her face.

Both of them froze in surprise.

“Um, Sister Luo, I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s alright…” Luo Yuzhu glanced at him hesitantly before continuing, “The process of refining the Human Poison Pill has been a bit taxing for you as well. Go home and rest for a week before returning. But remember, do not reveal anything about the refining process to anyone.”

“Otherwise—!”

“I understand,” Cao Chengyu replied quickly.

Good heavens, when she needs something, it’s ‘Little Chengyu,’ otherwise, it’s straight to threats—how authentic. Judging by Luo Yuzhu’s delight, this must be her first successful creation of the Human Poison Pill, though he had no idea what use it might serve.

After leaving him with a hundred spirit stones and three bottles of Meridian-clearing Pills, Luo Yuzhu departed the underground chamber ahead of him. Compared to the rewards listed on the Scarlet Board, she had given him much more; as for contribution points, those would only be distributed after the mission was confirmed at the task hall.

The Meridian-clearing Pill was a notch better than the Qi-gathering Pill. After all, the early Spiritual Refinement realm was also known as the Meridian-passing realm, focused mainly on unblocking the body’s finer meridians—a more effective approach than simply gathering qi to break through.

Still, this reward left Cao Chengyu feeling rather used.

He glanced at the favorability score.

[Luo Yuzhu: Favorability 60]

So true to life.

He retrieved a spare set of clothes from his storage pouch, changed, and left Chunhua Pavilion directly—a fruitful venture indeed. With some time to absorb these resources, his cultivation would surely advance.

Returning to the Skydome Tower, he first headed to the mission hall to complete the task. Brother Liu, seeing him safe and sound, clicked his tongue in amazement and couldn’t help asking what had happened. Cao Chengyu merely exchanged a knowing look—one only men understood.

Cunning as ever.

Back at the dormitory, among the privileged heirs, only Liu Yun was there, and his cultivation had already reached the early Spiritual Refinement realm—clearly benefiting from the top-grade Qi-nourishing Pill.

Seeing Cao Chengyu return, Liu Yun grinned and handed him a bag of spirit rice, which felt to be nearly five jin in weight.

“Brother Cao, this is Jade Spirit Rice. It refines spiritual energy and helps speed up cultivation. It’s your share.”

Cao Chengyu accepted it without protest.

Had it not been for his earlier gifts of the courtesan and the pills, he doubted he’d have received such a fine thing. Courtesy begets deeper friendship.

Liu Yun clearly understood this as well, which was why he hadn’t gone carousing with Luo Yongsheng but had waited specifically to give him the gift.

“Thanks, and congratulations on your breakthrough to the Spiritual Refinement realm,” Cao Chengyu said.

“Not at all—it’s thanks to your blessing.”

“You’re a natural talent, Brother Liu. I merely added a bit of icing on the cake, haha.”

They shared a laugh, saying little more. Liu Yun went off to join Luo Yongsheng, while Cao Chengyu returned to his room to cultivate.

He began by gathering spiritual energy into a flame to cook a portion of the Jade Spirit Rice, then swallowed a Meridian-clearing Pill and, with the aid of a spirit stone, officially began his training.

With the help of these two spiritual items, his speed was much improved.

Five days passed, and his cultivation had advanced to 37% of the early Spiritual Refinement realm.

The last time he’d used a Qi-gathering Pill and spirit stones, he’d only advanced by 11%. This time, he’d jumped by a full 26%—a remarkable improvement.

But cultivation always grew harder the further one progressed. The same aids would never yield such results again.

With five days gone, there were still two left before his appointment with Luo Yuzhu.

Cao Chengyu considered returning to his old trade.

He would use fine cuisine to break the ice—if the favorability exceeded 60, there would be a trace of affection beyond the ordinary between them. Seize that, amplify it—the ace pilot applies for action!

The ranking information had included her preferences: she liked green and spicy foods.

This was his specialty. Moreover, Luo Yuzhu admired versatile juniors—so it was time to show his talents.

Alchemy, artifact-crafting, poetry (albeit fake), culinary arts, seventy-two varieties of skills—he was proficient in them all.

He wasn’t sure how broad her definition of "versatile" was. Whether for her or for other purposes, he needed to learn much more.

He decided to start with a musical instrument—guqin, xiao, or flute—he could learn them all. With a wealth of skills, he could do as he pleased.

He jotted down a study plan, but first: a culinary offensive!

When he’d left home, he’d packed a generous supply of spices, always thinking ahead.

He took samples of each and set out through the capital to find suppliers, ensuring he’d never run short.

Once arrangements for regular deliveries were made, he set off to visit Little Wind (his pony), and on the way, chanced upon a spirit chicken farm on the outskirts.

Spirit chickens had more tender and delicious meat than ordinary fowl—far beyond the reach of common folk, reserved for cultivators.

Moreover, the capital favored sweeter flavors, and spirit chickens were often stewed with low-grade spiritual herbs; their innards, heads, and claws were discarded as waste to mortal taverns.

A business opportunity!

After negotiating, Cao Chengyu used the "vast sum" of two spirit stones to secure all the chicken claws from the farm for the next week.

He took thirty claws for himself, storing them in his pouch, and had the rest sent to the Skydome Tower.

He skipped visiting Little Wind and went straight to a cultivator’s tavern, borrowing a kitchen.

He intended to prepare spicy ginger chicken claws.

The ginger here, too, was a spirit variety, infused with a trace of spiritual energy; such ingredients abounded in a cultivator’s tavern, and as a member of the Skydome Tower’s White Guard, no one would object if he took a little.

Besides, these taverns had multiple kitchens—there was no issue with him using one for a while.

These independent taverns would never dare offend a bona fide White Guard from the Skydome Tower.

Thus, everything went smoothly for him.

He trimmed the claws, cut them in half, and washed them clean.

He blanched them with salt, yellow wine, ginger slices, and his own blend of spices to remove the odor; after five minutes, they were ready.

Next came the stir-frying.

He heated a wok, added oil, tossed in the claws and fried them until just golden, then added salt, his own blend of chicken essence, dark soy sauce for flavor and color, more ginger slices, and dried chilies. After mixing well, he poured in spirit water and covered the pot to braise.

Naturally, during this process, he added generous helpings of his own chili bean paste, hot sauce, and red oil—spicy as could be.

After braising for twenty minutes, he sprinkled on scallions and cilantro, and the dish was done!

Lifting the wooden lid, a wave of spicy fragrance assailed his nostrils, making his mouth water uncontrollably.

It had been ages since he’d cooked for himself—he wondered if his skills had dulled.

He grabbed a bright red claw and popped it into his mouth—tender and smoky, the heat soaring, the thick sauce clinging to the skin, and with a gentle tug, a mouthful of meat came free.

His mouth was full of collagen—what a joy! Especially with that fiery kick—perfect!

Given the circumstances, this was enough to win over most palates.

He tucked the dish into his storage pouch, keeping it warm.

After thanking the owner, he left the tavern and headed straight for Chunhua Pavilion.