Wang Mu flew over on his sword and greeted with a cupped fist salute, "I am Wang Mu of the Sword Sect, traveling through Li State..."
"Wang Mu of the Sword Sect?" The Suihe Temple Master was taken aback. "Are you the Wang Mu who is the Taoist couple of the Dan King Sect's Old Ancestor?"
Wang Mu was bewildered. What did that an? What was this about being the Taoist couple of the Dan King Sect's Old Ancestor?
A corner of Wang Mu's mouth twitched. So, the impression cultivators from the Outer Continent have of has remained at this level? Compared to being the Taoist couple of an Ascension Realm expert, my title as number one on the Heavenly Pride Rank isn't worth ntioning, is it?
"A guest is a guest!" The Suihe Temple Master sized Wang Mu up and said very enthusiastically, "Co, co! Since you've co to my Tianlu Temple, how could I not show you proper hospitality?"
Wang Mu was speechless.
The Jinmao Rat beside him picked its nose, a look of comprehension on its face. It gazed at Wang Mu with eyes full of envy. If only I had a Taoist couple in the Ascension Realm, I could swagger through most of the Nine Provinces Cultivation World.
With a gentle wave from the Suihe Temple Master, an ancient, quaint Taoist temple instantly appeared in the center of the plain below.
He rely ford a simple spell, and a Light Gate opened. Cultivators bustled in and out of the Taoist temple, all looking extrely rushed.
"Well..." Wang Mu said politely, "I'm just here for a visit..."
"A visit is wonderful!" The Suihe Temple Master clapped his hands. "My Tianlu Temple hasn't had a visitor from the Outer Continent in a long ti. Coincidentally, it's the ripening season for our Tianxiang Daosui. Young friend, if you'd care for a bowl of Deer Antler Fried Rice... you'll be a friend of Tianlu Temple."
Wang Mu was still speechless. The Master's enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming for him to accept at that mont.
Upon entering the Taoist temple, a fragrant aroma, rich with the scent of the Mortal World, assailed Wang Mu's nostrils.
Ever since leaving Anle Village, it had been a long ti since Wang Mu had slled such an everyday, worldly scent.
Within the Sword Sect, usually only the Wine Sword Sect had a touch of this worldly atmosphere. Most Sword Sect disciples had little interest in food; a new model of Flying Sword would captivate them far more.
Deer Antler Fried Rice... Wang Mu thought, the na sounding familiar. He recalled it being one of Senior Brother Xiao Yu's signature dishes... Essentially, it was deer at fried rice, made with so secret ingredients and special cooking techniques. In the ga, it was one of the recipes that could enhance one's Qi and blood. The original ga had many ways to play. Farming wasn't necessarily weaker than other paths; in fact, the farming route was all about food. As long as you fard well and ate plentifully, even soone with the poorest aptitude could beco a Food Hero of their generation. In the Sect, if you built a good relationship with Xiao Yu, you could not only unlock the romance route for the most difficult and complex female lead but also consu various dishes cooked from recipes, thereby gradually increasing your base Attributes and growing stronger step by step. Although the improvent wasn't as great as learning a Supre Divine Skill, the enjoynt was still significant. On the Love Saint Route, Wang Mu had very good relationships with several senior brothers in the Sect. Although he hadn't invited them to join his party, their affinity with him was extrely high. However, considering the situation after the cataclysmic change in the world, those people were likely all gone. All that remained was their legacy.
The Suihe Temple Master led Wang Mu into the main hall of the temple.
To Wang Mu, the temple felt very ordinary, far from the ethereal quality of the Sword Sect or the mysterious aura of the Fengyue Sect. It only possessed an atmosphere that blended with the Mortal World. However, the Cultivation of the temple's disciples was not weak.
After a short while, the Suihe Temple Master looked up at the sky and said, "It is noon, the perfect ti for a al!"
Hardly had his voice faded when a disciple approached with a tray and placed it on the guest table in the center of the hall.
"Master, the Deer Antler Fried Rice is ready," the disciple said. After delivering the food, he departed, though not before casting a peculiar glance at Wang Mu.
The Suihe Temple Master picked up a bowl and ate heartily, much like a common farr, thoroughly enjoying his al.
The Jinmao Rat also jumped down, its eyes shining, and began to eat.
"Many years have passed, and you, little rat, have grown quite plump," the Master said after gulping down several large mouthfuls and letting out a satisfied burp. He chuckled, looking at the Jinmao Rat.
"The sa goes for you, Senior," the Jinmao Rat replied, its cheeks bulging with food as if it hadn't eaten in eight lifetis. "You still look as old, and your temperant is as carefree as ever."
Wang Mu picked up his bowl of rice, took a few bites, and then paused.
He finished his al in silence.
"How do you find it, young friend?" the Master asked, pouring a pot of tea. He took a delicate sip and smiled.
"A delight of the Mortal World," Wang Mu nodded.
"A 'delight of the Mortal World,' indeed!" The Master paused for a mont, then laughed heartily. "This delicacy is made with Heavenly Fragrant Rice and high-quality spiritual fat deer at, blended with over a dozen types of Spiritual dicine as seasoning. It's an Immortal delicacy that many cultivators in the outside world rarely get to taste. For you to describe it as such... this is the first ti I've heard such an evaluation."
The Master's expression shifted, and he suddenly looked reflective.
"But, that truly is the best praise for Deer Antler Fried Rice...
"Back then, our sect's founder also said it was a 'delight of the Mortal World.' My Tianlu Temple has improved it over generations. The flavor has gotten better and better, yet it long ago lost that original 'delight of the Mortal World' quality. Cultivation, after all, is ultimately different from the Mortal World."
The Temple Master suddenly stood up, his expression turning solemn. "Young friend, I know you haven't co to my Tianlu Temple rely for sightseeing. You must have another purpose... But, I would like to ask you for a favor."
"How do you know I have another purpose?" Wang Mu asked curiously.
"So ti ago, I perford a divination," the Master said. "The hexagrams indicated that my Tianlu Temple is about to face a great calamity. We can only overco it with the help of a benefactor, or by enduring the hardship and successfully Crossing our Tribulation."
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