The Xuan Dog nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Thank you, Qing Feng."
Qing Feng patted the Xuan Dog's head: "Don't mention it. We're all guys abandoned by the world. It's only right that we help each other."
After bandaging the wound, Qing Feng took out some clean water from his system space and handed it to the Xuan Dog: "Drink some water. I'll find you something to eat later."
The Xuan Dog then began to follow Qing Feng.
Qing Feng started cooking, then brought the plate of dark cuisine to Zi Yun, carefully pried open her mouth, and fed her the stir-fried Blood Ginseng bit by bit.
"I hope this stuff works," Qing Feng silently prayed in his heart.
Zi Yun was in a coma for a full half month. When she finally slowly opened her eyes, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar cave.
Although her body was still weak, her aura was much more stable than before.
"What... what's going on?" Zi Yun frowned slightly, but then suddenly remembered what had happened before.
She sat up abruptly, discovering that not only had she recovered her cultivation, but she had even broken through to the mid-stage of the Cavern Profound Realm.
"This is impossible," Zi Yun murmured to herself. Suddenly, her gaze fell upon Qing Feng, who was sitting beside her.
Qing Feng was sitting on the ground, holding a tattered book in his hand, mumbling: "Refining pills with cooking skills, refining pills with cooking skills..."
Zi Yun looked at him and couldn't help but ask: "Did you save me?"
Qing Feng looked up and, seeing Zi Yun awake, showed a simple and honest smile: "Senior, you're awake?"
Zi Yun nodded and slowly said: "Tell me, what exactly happened?"
Qing Feng scratched his head and recounted everything that had happened before, including that "dark cuisine."
After listening, Zi Yun couldn't help but laugh: "You child, you actually used ten-thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng to cook and made me consume it. If others knew about such a spiritual item, it would likely bring about a fatal disaster."
Qing Feng, however, didn't care: "Senior, aren't you fine! And my cooking skills seem pretty good, at least you've recovered your cultivation now."
Zi Yun shook her head, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes: "You little fellow, you're truly a freak. However, thanks to you, I was able to break through to the mid-stage of the Cavern Profound Realm."
Qing Feng scratched his head, suddenly remembering the system's new quest. He took out a pile of medicinal herbs from his space and excitedly said: "Senior, I want to refine pills. Can you see if my method works?"
Zi Yun looked at Qing Feng, "Since that's the case, I'll help you take a look."
Qing Feng chuckled: "That would be great!"
Over the next few days, under Zi Yun's guidance, Qing Feng began his journey of "refining pills with cooking skills."
He held a giant cauldron and flipped it like a wok, stir-frying the medicinal herbs as if they were ingredients, even adding some seasonings.
Zi Yun watched Qing Feng's actions and couldn't help but shake her head: "Your method is truly unheard of."
"Senior, how's the heat?" Qing Feng, however, didn't care.
Zi Yun smiled slightly: "The heat is well controlled, but this method is simply too peculiar."
Qing Feng nodded and continued to busy himself.
Finally, after one flip of the cauldron, a rich aroma emanated from within. Qing Feng carefully took out the contents of the cauldron, which turned out to be several golden glowing pills.
"It's done!" Qing Feng shouted excitedly.
Zi Yun looked at the pills, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "This... it actually worked."
Qing Feng handed the pills to Zi Yun: "Senior, try them."
Zi Yun took the pills and sniffed them slightly: "The medicinal effect of these pills is so powerful. Your method, though peculiar, is indeed effective."
Qing Feng scratched his head, looking simple and honest: "That's good, I need to keep working hard."
Zi Yun looked at Qing Feng and smiled slightly: "You little fellow, you're truly a freak."
"However, I want to take you as my Disciple. Are you willing?"
Upon hearing this, Qing Feng immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Zi Yun: "Master!"
"Good, good, good! I will definitely teach you well."
When Zi Yun returned to the Beast Taming Sect with Qing Feng, dusk was approaching.
The Disciples of the Beast Taming Sect were all discussing the Sect competition, which was a competition among the Disciples of various peaks.
Zi Yun then called her Disciples and introduced her newly accepted Disciple, Qing Feng, to everyone, and then told them to prepare well for tomorrow's competition.
The next day, Zi Yun brought Qing Feng to meet Qin Heng, the Peak Lord of Chen Ming Peak.
"Senior Sister Zi, you're back." A young Disciple dressed in a cyan Daoist robe saw Zi Yun and quickly came forward to greet her.
He saw Qing Feng beside Zi Yun.
"Who is this?" The young Disciple looked at Qing Feng, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
"He is Qing Feng, my friend." Zi Yun smiled slightly, her tone carrying a hint of protection, "He will also participate in this competition."
Upon hearing this, the young Disciple's eyes flashed with surprise, then he nodded slightly: "So it's Senior Brother Qing Feng, I apologize for my rudeness. However, are you sure he can handle the competition?" He scrutinized Qing Feng from head to toe.
Qing Feng felt the other party's disdain but merely smiled faintly: "We'll know if we try, won't we?"
Zi Yun smiled slightly and patted Qing Feng's shoulder: "Junior Brother, don't mind him. Just do your best in this competition."
After the two met with the Peak Lord, Qin Heng, the Peak Lord of Chen Ming Peak, led the Disciples forward on their swords. Only Qing Feng rode his Black Dog at the end of the line. The group quickly arrived at the Sect's central plaza.
The competition venue was a huge circular plaza, surrounded by many seats, clearly prepared for the Disciples watching the competition. In the center of the plaza, various magic weapons and weapons had already been laid out, clearly for the competition.
At this time, many Disciples had already gathered in the plaza. They were either chatting in groups of three or five, or meditating alone with their eyes closed, clearly preparing for the upcoming competition.
"All Disciples, the competition is about to begin." A middle-aged man dressed in a golden Daoist robe stood in the center of the plaza, his voice booming, "This competition is to select inner Sect Disciples. I hope everyone will do their best and show the demeanor of a Beast Taming Sect Disciple."
Qing Feng stood in the crowd, feeling a little nervous. He had never experienced such a large-scale competition, and he didn't know if he could stand out in it.
"Qing Feng, don't be nervous." Zi Yun's voice sounded in his ear, "You have your advantages, don't underestimate yourself."
Qing Feng nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself down.
Qin Heng pursed his lips, and his sword light suddenly accelerated, landing first on the Ziyan Peak Sword Testing Platform.
A crimson sword light tore through the air, and Qi Yuancheng, the Peak Lord of Hu Ji Peak, stood with his hands behind his back and laughed: "If Martial Brother Qin feels sorry for his Disciple, it's not too late to concede now." Beside him, the young man Zhao Yu stepped forward, bowed with clasped fists, and said loudly: "Thank you, Shibo Qin, for giving up the Thousand Lake World quota."