Chapter 38: I Wish for Immortal Ascension (7)
Liu Sheng responded and walked towards the dark, black fields.
However, she didn’t dare to step inside, fearing she might trigger something she shouldn't, like stepping on the Pig-Head Chef’s beloved cabbages, or falling into a rabbit hole and ending up in another world.
She directly extended her Little Tentacle from afar, reached out to pick a few ugly eggplants that looked diseased and covered in tumors, gathered them in her apron, then scooped water from the bucket to wash them clean before taking them into the kitchen for the Pig-Head Chef.
During the process, Liu Sheng completely blocked out thoughts about where the water in the bucket came from; thinking less would make her happier.
The Pig-Head Chef took the eggplants, examined them up and down, and nodded in satisfaction, “You picked them very well. These eggplants are all very beautiful.”
Liu Sheng was full of questions, indicating in her heart that she couldn't appreciate them.
But being praised was a good thing, so she accepted it.
“I’ll teach you how to make grilled eggplant, which seems to have come from the Eastern Immortal Island.”
The Pig-Head Chef first sliced the eggplant into thin pieces, about one finger's width, then told Liu Sheng, “You do it. Fry until both sides are golden brown.”
Liu Sheng nodded in agreement, pouring a generous amount of oil into the iron pot on the stove. Her father had told her that eggplant absorbs a lot of oil, so more oil was needed.
Indeed, as slices of eggplant were added, more than half of the oil quickly disappeared.
Liu Sheng gently stirred with her chopsticks until the eggplant was fried golden brown on both sides. Immediately, the Pig-Head Chef poured in the specially prepared sauce, cooked it for a while, and then flipped it.
“Go get five bowls of rice.” The Pig-Head Chef pointed to the rice steamer on the stove. “The bowls are in the cabinet.”
Liu Sheng served five bowls of rice as instructed by the Pig-Head Chef, placing them on a tray. Just then, the eggplant had simmered until the sauce was thick. So the Pig-Head Chef dished out the eggplant, dividing it evenly into five portions and placing them neatly on top of the freshly served rice. The dark sauce seeped into the plump grains of rice, making it very appetizing.
“Take them out,” the Pig-Head Chef told Liu Sheng.
Liu Sheng placed five pairs of chopsticks on the tray, picked it up, and walked out of the kitchen.
The previously empty dining hall now had three figures seated: two men and one woman, all dressed in Daoist robes and with Daoist topknots.
These three looked no different from ordinary people, unlike the Pig-Head Chef and the Meatball Weird, who looked so terrifying. However, their faces full of corpse spots, dissolved and diffused irises, and bluish skin all indicated that they were also weird objects.
Liu Sheng remained calm, placed the tray on the long table in the dining hall, bowed slightly, and then handed them three bowls of rice and chopsticks one by one.
The three weird objects, however, did not even look at Liu Sheng.
The Pig-Head Chef also came out, bringing a large platter of steamed meat, whose type was unknown, and placed it before the weird objects.
He pointed to the long bench nearby and said to Liu Sheng, “Come, let’s eat together over here.”
Liu Sheng had long been waiting for this sentence. She served the Pig-Head Chef his rice, picked up her chopsticks, and eagerly waited to start eating.
The Pig-Head Chef and the three bizarre Daoists began to slowly eat their food. Their eating manners were not as terrifying as Liu Sheng had imagined; in fact, they were quite refined, and they all praised the Pig-Head Chef's cooking skills.
“Your food is always so delicious! I wish I could eat it every day!” a female weird objects exclaimed.
It was indeed good. The eggplant was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, savory, and soft, perfect with rice. The steamed meat was also tender and juicy, with a faint fresh aroma of mushrooms, though it was a pity she didn't know what kind of meat it was. Liu Sheng ate with trepidation.
Just then, one of the male weird objects, who appeared to be the oldest, put down his chopsticks, looked at Liu Sheng, and a profound glint flashed in his eyes: “Who is this young girl? This is my first time seeing her here.”
Liu Sheng's heart tightened. The Pig-Head Chef opportunely interjected, “Esteemed Elders, this is my new kitchen helper. She’s quite diligent.”
The male weird objects simply uttered a soft “Oh” and said no more.
The female weird objects, however, questioned, “I see she has a seven profound token on her. She should be a Disciple too, right? You can’t lie about this.”
As she spoke, a malicious smile appeared on her lips, splitting open to her ears, revealing sharp fangs, as if once it was confirmed that Liu Sheng was a Disciple, she could act without restraint.
Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng nervously clutched the jade pendant inside her sleeve.
The Pig-Head Chef explained, “She is here part-time, studying and working. Although she is a Disciple, she belongs to Qiongxiang Hall.”
When he said the last sentence, he enunciated each word, his tone heavy, and his eyes narrowed, looking directly at the female weird objects.
The female weird objects retracted her smile and snorted, knowing she couldn't touch Liu Sheng for now.
She turned to Liu Sheng and said ominously, “No matter. You're bound to go to Qingxu Hall, aren't you? We'll be waiting for you there.” Then she stood up, flicked her sleeve, and disappeared into the night.
The other two weird objects sneered and glanced at Liu Sheng, then followed closely, walking out of Qiongxiang Hall.
Liu Sheng was puzzled but knew she had temporarily escaped another predicament.
After tidying up the bowls and chopsticks, Liu Sheng glanced at the moonlight. It was almost time again, so she hastily bid farewell to the Pig-Head Chef.
Before she left, the Pig-Head Chef said, “They are right, if you want Immortal Ascension, you must go to Qingxu Hall.” After saying that, he turned and went back to the kitchen to continue his work.
Liu Sheng deeply remembered these words and hurried back to Xichun Dormitory.
...
Back in her room, having dodged the next wave of the new moon and full moon, Liu Sheng went out again.
This time, she wanted to try her luck at Qingxu Hall.
Qingxu Hall, the lecture hall of Seven Profound Academy, is a place for imparting the Dao, receiving instruction, and resolving doubts. It is the most important place in the academy, naturally built in the central area of the academy.
All the way, her thoughts raced.
Although those few weird Daoists from Qingxu Hall were full of malice and threats, she believed the Pig-Head Chef would not lie to her.
Indeed, now that she had solved the problem of food and clothing in Qiongxiang Hall, she no longer had to worry about starving to death. But she couldn't keep hiding and dodging weird objects like this forever; when would it end?
She still didn't know how to complete this high dimension analysis.
At this moment, the only relatively clear main thread was to escape the predicament.
Even though it sounded like there was almost no possibility of escaping alive during the weird disaster, she still had to try.
Now, it seemed Qingxu Hall might no longer just be a place of study, but more like a dangerous trial ground, harboring a glimmer of opportunity for cultivation and Immortal Ascension.
Wasn't Liu Sheng's reason for choosing to enter the high dimension analysis of the seven profound token precisely to seek opportunities for cultivation?
Perhaps, this was her opportunity.
...
Liu Sheng walked along the small path paved with bluestone, passing through rows of ancient trees that towered into the clouds. The clear, cold moonlight shone down through the treetops, casting dappled shadows upon her.
Qingxu Hall was situated on an open plaza, surrounded by a dense layer of black mist, like a barrier, vaguely exuding mystery and eeriness, making it unclear to see.
As she approached, Liu Sheng's heart rate quickened.
As soon as she stepped onto the plaza, she could feel a powerful energy, as if an indescribable presence was circulating all around, filling the entire space with a sense of oppression.
Passing through layers of mist, before her was a towering staircase of white marble, and Qingxu Hall stood atop the steps.
And at this moment, there were quite a few Disciples scattered on the steps.