Chapter 60 Cooking Only for You

The sun was shining brightly, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, radiant and brilliant. The young girl rested her delicate and exquisite figure against the edge of the jade vat, supporting her chin in boredom. Her spirited eyes gazed blankly ahead, and she hummed a humorous tune, her voice clear and sweet. With her charming smiles and alluring glances, she was indescribably lively and adorable.

The young man stopped in his tracks, gazing deeply at the beautiful girl who looked like a painting before him.

After singing for a moment, the girl subconsciously turned her head. A flash of pleasant surprise crossed her bright eyes, and then she lowered her head shyly.

That momentary shyness and gentleness was deeply imprinted in the young man's mind like a painting, never to be escaped for the rest of his life.

That gentle and shy lowered head was so bright that it blinded him, and he could not help but reach out to hold her hand, asking softly, "Have you finished picking the herbs?"

"Mm." She nodded happily with a blushing face, pointing at the neatly arranged herbs in the jade vat. "Elder, look, they are all sorted. Am I a competent alchemy boy?"

The way she looked at him was strange, a mix of shyness and joy, so cute that it made one want to pull her into an embrace.

He wiped the dirt from her face and said softly, "Your wounds have fully healed. Would you like to go to the hot spring to soak, while I go prepare dinner?"

Mingyue raised her small face and asked in surprise, "Elder, I only chewed a few fruits this morning and was almost starving to death. What are we having for dinner?"

"Go on. When you're done, come to the canyon, I'll be waiting." Feng Qingcheng couldn't help laughing at her adorable, foodie-like expression, reaching out to lightly flick her small nose. "You'll know when you get there."

Mingyue looked herself up and down, only to find that her skirt and sleeves were covered in dirt, making her look almost like a mud doll. Moreover, she felt sticky all over and seemed to smell a faint sour odor. Then, looking at Feng Qingcheng, who was clean, fresh, and fragrant, she couldn't help feeling extremely embarrassed.

She took a few steps, then turned back to ask, "But, that's a medicinal spring. Will there be any side effects if I go soak in the medicinal water?"

Feng Qingcheng explained patiently, "Remember not to use any internal energy while soaking, so that the Immortal-Slaying Divine Grass in the pool won't affect you."

Mingyue cried out happily, "Alright, Elder, I'm heading over right now."

She was about to skip over joyfully when she suddenly stopped, looking at Feng Qingcheng with a shy, hesitant expression, wanting to say something yet stopping.

Feng Qingcheng looked at her in confusion, paused for a moment of thought, and suddenly realized. The hot spring pool was at the entrance of the canyon, and she was worried it would be inconvenient if he passed by there while she was bathing.

Feng Qingcheng smiled, took her hand, and said, "Come, I'll walk with you." With that, he collected the jade plate and herbs, and the two of them walked together to the sacred spring.

Mingyue watched Feng Qingcheng's figure disappear at the path leading to the back mountain by the spring, and only then did she relax. She quickly stripped off her clothes, left only her undergarments, and jumped in.

The medicinal spring water was lukewarm and exceptionally comfortable. Mingyue soaked until she grew drowsy, the fatigue of a whole day's labor instantly swept away. She felt so comfortable she almost groaned aloud.

Not knowing how long she had soaked, Mingyue saw the sky gradually darkening, and thinking that the Elder was preparing dinner for her, her mood instantly brightened.

After washing her body and carefully washing her hair, she also washed her outer garments before jumping ashore. She used immortal energy to dry her clothes and hair, put them on, and spun around feeling refreshed. Remembering that the Elder was personally preparing dinner for her, a mere alchemy boy, her mood became delightfully cheerful.

Deep within the peach blossom forest under the moonlight, beside the fountain of youth, a beautiful young girl dressed in light blue clothes possessed skin fairer than snow and exquisite, flawless facial features. Her beautiful long hair draped down to her waist, and her distinct black-and-white eyes shimmered with brilliant light, overflowing with spiritual energy. Purity and sweetness carried a hint of adorable innocence, making her look like an elf who had fallen into the mortal world.

When Mingyue walked jubilantly toward Feng Qingcheng, a flash of astonishment crossed Feng Qingcheng's eyes. The girl walking toward him had bright eyes and white teeth, pure and beautiful like the brightest, purest dewdrop of early morning. Pure, elegant, sweet, adorable, and vibrant, all backgrounds paled before her, making her as lovely as a lotus emerging from the water, arresting his gaze instantly.

Yet the girl seemed completely unaware of how peerless and extraordinary she was. That adorable and naive appearance only made people feel a surge of tenderness.

The young girl wrinkled her cute little nose, took a deep breath, and cried out in pleasant surprise, "Wow, it smells so good! Elder, what are you boiling that smells this fragrant?"

From afar, the girl saw a pitch-black earthenware pot hanging in front of Feng Qingcheng. The firewood beneath it was burning vigorously, and the pot was bubbling with fragrant hot steam. Feng Qingcheng was sitting gracefully on a stone, poking at the stove fire.

Seeing him dressed in white surpassing snow, with that elegant and detached temperament, it looked less like he was cooking food and more like he was surveying the realm.

Mingyue admired the rare scenery before her as if appreciating a painting, secretly marveling that he truly was a demonic existence. No doubt the girls at the academy all referred to him as the "Great God."

Feng Qingcheng had once been an ignored prince, but now he was not only the chief prince of the Fengluan Kingdom, but also the chief disciple of the Shushan Immortal Sect. In the future, he would probably also be an elder of the Alchemy Sect and a high-ranking alchemist. There were probably very few people in this world fortunate enough to eat food personally prepared by this favored child of heaven, Feng Qingcheng.

Thinking this, Mingyue couldn't help a wave of pride swelling in her heart, telling herself that even if poison were being boiled in that pot, she would willingly eat it.

"Come and taste it." Feng Qingcheng took two jade bowls from the side, lifted the lid of the earthenware pot, scooped a bowl with a wooden spoon, and handed it to her. "I prepared these things here previously, make do with them."

Mingyue lowered her head by the firelight and looked. The soup was golden and fragrant, seemingly filled with some light golden mushrooms. She hurriedly took a sip, instantly finding the flavor rich and lingering, with an aftertaste that went on and on. Her appetite was suddenly stimulated, and she finished a bowl in one breath before asking, "Elder, what kind of mushroom is this? Why is the taste so sweet and delicious?"

Seeing her eating with such delight, Feng Qingcheng felt an incomparable sense of satisfaction in his heart, even happier than if he had eaten it himself.

Feng Qingcheng explained, "This mushroom is called truffle, an extremely rare variety. Legend has it that they only form on nights with thunder and lightning. When they grow, the plants around them wither into charcoal because of their growth. A mature truffle has a unique aroma, a lingering and delicious taste, and the miraculous effect of enhancing physical fitness and preserving youth. I accidentally wandered in here more than ten years ago and discovered them."

He scooped a bowl for himself, sat opposite her, and ate in small, elegant bites. With his calm and composed temperament and noble, elegant posture, he didn't look like he was having a picnic on a rock in the wild, but rather dining on an exquisite feast in a grand palace.

Remembering her own wolfing down of the food just moments ago, Mingyue couldn't help but feel deeply ashamed.

"So truffles are formed in such a unique way! I never expected the Elder to not only have supreme immortal powers but also such wonderful culinary skills. Being able to eat food personally made by the Elder is truly a blessing," Mingyue praised with a smile. "I am so fortunate! Elder, do you cook often?"

Feng Qingcheng raised his eyes to look at Mingyue and said indifferently, "I have only ever cooked for you." Ever since he achieved penury and stopped eating regular food, he rarely ate, let alone cooked.

Hearing this, Mingyue was stunned for a moment, and instantly her heart blossomed with joy. A smile of extreme happiness bloomed on her face, as beautiful as peach blossoms opening.

Watching her smile of absolute joy, Feng Qingcheng felt that he would willingly cook gourmet food for her for the rest of his life.

With her spirits high, the young girl's appetite opened wide. She entered a gluttonous mode, consuming four bowls of truffle soup in one breath. Only when the earthenware pot was nearly empty did she reluctantly put down her bowl.

Meanwhile, Feng Qingcheng had only eaten a single bowl before setting down his utensils.

Watching the young girl before him eating happily and joyfully, as if tasting the most delicious thing in the world, he felt an incomparable sense of happiness deep in his heart.

Once upon a time, he had always lived alone in silence, his heart like still water, without grief or joy. Her accidental intrusion into his life now seemed to color his world, sending ripples crashing through his heart. It was as if bright spring sunshine was illuminating the deepest parts of his soul, making his life vibrant and radiant.

When Mingyue was finally full and put down her bowl, seeing Feng Qingcheng looking at her with a smile, she couldn't help saying with embarrassment, "Elder, I'm sorry, I seem to eat a bit too much."

Feng Qingcheng looked at her gently and said softly, "If you like it, eat more."

"Elder, I'm stuffed. Any more and I'll turn into a pig," Mingyue said playfully, sticking out her tongue and patting her round belly. She then nimbly picked up the bowls and chopsticks to wash them by the water.

Watching her busy figure and recalling her cute and naive expression while eating, which really did resemble a cute little pig, Feng Qingcheng couldn't help chuckling silently.

The two strolled side by side into the depths of the peach blossom paradise to walk off the meal. The moonlight flowed through the peach forest like water, and the air was suffused with the sweet scent of peach blossoms. The moonlight was perfect, insects chirped in the grass, and the peach branches bore enchanting blossoms, glowing brilliantly.

Feng Qingcheng held Mingyue's hand, as if he had already grown accustomed to strolling like this, holding her hand. With the warm tactile sensation transmitted from her hand, Mingyue felt a sense of reliance and peace deep in her heart. She recalled the accidental intimate contact between the two of them that morning, and a bittersweet feeling welled up in her heart.

Mingyue couldn't help thinking: "What is his true attitude toward the accidental kiss this morning?"

Feng Qingcheng had grown up in the imperial palace and had seen countless beauties; how could he possibly keep her in his heart? Thinking this, Mingyue grew dejected, plagued by doubt and anxiety.

She thought, forget it, it's better not to think so much. As long as she could stay by his side, she would be happy and content, wouldn't she?

She remembered Nalan Meidai's words: "In the future, he will return to the Fengluan Kingdom to be its emperor."

Would he then possess three palaces and six courtyards, seventy-two concubines, and countless beauties? When that time came, would he remember that he once had a little alchemy boy who brewed medicine for him every day and prepared a dish of dark plums for him?

Mingyue thought with a pang of heartache: If that day truly comes, let us just brush past each other. In this lifetime, she must have a love belonging to just one man and one woman, just like the ancient god of this peach paradise, Dongfang Longze.

Seeing her lowered head in silence with a conflicted expression, Feng Qingcheng asked softly, "What are you thinking about again?" This little fellow letting her imagination run wild all day really gave him a headache.

Mingyue suddenly remembered the words carved on the stone tablet: "Oh, ask the world what love is, that it makes people pledge life and death to one another." She couldn't help asking, "Elder, did Senior Shangguan Qianmo and Senior Dongfang Longze really stay here for a very, very long time?"

"According to the notes written by the Great God Dongfang, they lived here for more than two hundred years before ascending," Feng Qingcheng turned around and looked at Mingyue in confusion.

Mingyue said with immense envy, "They were truly happy. There are flowers and singing birds here, hot springs and delicious food, like an otherworldly paradise. Especially this peach blossom forest, which always makes me feel a special sense of familiarity."

Feng Qingcheng's slender, phoenix-like eyes stared at Mingyue, his gaze deep and distant, and he remained silent.

Mingyue looked at Feng Qingcheng and suddenly asked coyly, "Elder, Mingyue has a somewhat presumptuous request." Feng Qingcheng asked out of curiosity, "Speak."

Mingyue asked with great embarrassment, "Elder, in the future, can I... still come to the Peach Paradise? It's so beautiful here, I like it very much." There was also the sweet memory of her first kiss here, which she would treasure deep in her heart.

Feng Qingcheng lowered his head in thought and nodded, "Later I will teach you the detailed method of entering and exiting. Remember, this is a secret that belongs only to the two of us."

A secret belonging only to the two of us? Upon hearing this, Mingyue's heart blossomed with joy.

Feng Qingcheng demonstrated the array formations for entering and exiting when the spacetime array was activated in detail for Mingyue. The spacetime array was a major array that derived a small spirit-gathering array as the key to enter the gates of the Peach Paradise. As long as one mastered the rules of the spirit-gathering array, entering and exiting was not actually difficult. If one entered by mistake without mastering the rules of entry and exit, they would remain trapped here forever. Mingyue memorized it after learning it once. Mingyue thought for a moment and asked again, "Elder, will you still come in the future?"

Feng Qingcheng gazed into the distance, seeming to fall into eternal memories. "This is my final secluded cultivation; I will come less often in the future." After more than a decade of treatment, his body had fully recovered, and he no longer needed to come every month.

Mingyue looked at Feng Qingcheng and said sincerely, "Elder, this place is too beautiful. If there's a chance in the future, I will definitely come in to take a look again."

Feng Qingcheng looked at her and nodded, his gaze gentle. In the future—who could ever know what the future would hold?