Immortality and Cultivation: Starting with Improved Spirit Rice

Chapter 11 Young Master, why is your mouth crooked?

"Knock knock".

Shen Yanshan didn't say much, but simply tapped the table in front of him lightly before returning to the podium.

"Today's lesson is now over."

Shen Yanshan left the classroom with his hands behind his back.

Immediately, the surrounding area was filled with the sounds of students discussing and packing their books.

Zhao Cheng'an sat in the chair, feeling as if he were immersed in warm seawater, exuding an indescribable sense of comfort.

His mind was buzzing; he had a dream come true, a feeling that was extremely unreal.

Does this mean I passed the test?

But what does knocking on the table twice mean? Does it mean I should go find him in the middle of the night, like Bodhi Patriarch hinted to Sun Wukong?

Just as Zhao Chengan was lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a servant dressed in gray standing in front of him.

This servant was actually a young woman.

Her simple gray cloth dress couldn't conceal her beautiful and refined face. Especially her bright and clear eyes, which seemed to radiate a captivating spirit.

At this moment, she was giving Zhao Cheng'an a gentle and kind smile.

"Who are you……"

Zhao Cheng'an looked at the servant's clothes on the other person's body, but he dared not be careless in the slightest.

He stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed politely.

"My name is Chu Lingwei, and I am a Daoist disciple under the Grand Master. Young Master Zhao, you can just call me Lingwei."

Her voice was clear and melodious, like mountain spring water flowing over jade.

"Congratulations, Zhao, on passing the test set by the Imperial Academy. Now, please come with me to meet the Chancellor."

"it is good."

Zhao Chengan agreed without hesitation.

Happiness came so suddenly that he now feels like he's walking on clouds, as if he's in a dream.

As he followed Lingwei out of the school, the bright autumn sunlight poured down on him without reservation.

A gentle autumn breeze blows across Cangwu Mountain, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Zhao Cheng'an suddenly jolted awake, finally feeling his feet firmly planted on solid ground.

I can cultivate immortality now.

I can finally cultivate immortality!

Zhao Cheng'an's lips twitched slightly involuntarily.

Fortunately, having lived two lives, he was far more mature and composed than his peers, and he quickly suppressed his overwhelming joy, his expression returning to calm.

"Young master, why is your mouth crooked?"

Xiao Wu suddenly appeared out of nowhere, standing to the side scratching the back of his head, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

Zhao Cheng'an turned his head expressionlessly. "Was my smile that obvious?"

Xiao Wu nodded very honestly.

"Yeah, his mouth was practically stretched to his ears."

"..."

Xiao Wu is a good person in every way, except that he is sometimes too honest.

Zhao Cheng'an was speechless.

Lingwei, who was standing beside them, did not urge the two to hurry up when she saw them talking. She waited with a smile on her face.

Xiao Wu then noticed Ling Wei beside him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

As the personal bodyguard of the third prince of the Dayin Dynasty, he had seen quite a bit of the world and many beautiful women in the imperial city.

But he really couldn't recall ever seeing many women like Lingwei, who possessed such a refined and elegant temperament, untouched by any artificiality.

It wasn't that Xiao Wu had any wicked intentions.

The main reason is that although Lingwei was wearing ordinary servant's clothes from the Imperial Academy, the ethereal and otherworldly temperament she possessed could not possibly be cultivated by an ordinary family.

This is indeed a bit strange.

"Who is this young lady?" Xiao Wu asked instinctively.

"I am a servant under the Grand Master. The Grand Master has some matters to discuss with Young Master Zhao, which may take up a little of his time," Lingwei said softly, meeting Xiao Wu's gaze with composure.

At this point, Lingwei winked playfully and made a little joke.

"Don't worry, we won't do anything to the young master. We guarantee he'll be back safe and sound in an hour."

Zhao Cheng'an also turned his head and said succinctly to Xiao Wu, "It's a good thing."

Xiao Wu was relieved and nodded vigorously.

Looking at the relieved expression on Zhao Cheng'an's face, he didn't know exactly what had happened, but he was genuinely happy for his prince.

He had witnessed Zhao Cheng'an's tireless efforts during this period, even neglecting to eat.

Now the rewards are finally coming.

Xiao Wu grinned and then chuckled foolishly.

"Alright! Go ahead, young master. Last night, while I was keeping watch in the back mountains, I was lucky enough to shoot a wild goose. When you return, I'll personally cook it for you to celebrate!"

Wild geese are a rare delicacy in the Seven Kingdoms region, with tender and delicious meat and excellent nutritional benefits.

It was usually only served as the grand finale delicacy when a student passed the imperial examination or when a major celebration was held.

Looking at Xiao Wu's honest face, Zhao Cheng'an felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Xiao Wu is usually carefree and easygoing, but I didn't expect him to be so particular about rituals at times like this.

Even Lingwei, who was standing to the side, showed a hint of interest on her face.

"Goose meat? Can I eat with you?"

"sure."

Zhao Chengan agreed without hesitation.

……

After parting ways with Xiao Wu, Zhao Cheng'an followed Ling Wei away from the noisy teaching area.

The two walked down a winding mountain path covered with fallen leaves.

Not far ahead, Zhao Cheng'an saw a beautiful valley and could faintly hear the sound of flowing water.

A look of surprise crossed his face.

The valley is not in a remote location, only a few kilometers away from the teaching area.

However, the original owner spent three whole years in the Imperial Academy, yet had absolutely no memory of this place.

This is really quite strange.

Lingwei walked ahead, seemingly noticing Zhao Chengan's confusion.

She slowed her pace and explained softly, "This place is set up with a visual illusion, based on the idiom 'a leaf before the eyes obscures the mountain.'"

"Although this is just one of the lowest-level formations in the cultivation world, it is still very effective against mortals. It can make a specific area completely hidden in plain sight, so that even if the valley is right in front of you, ordinary people will hardly be able to detect its existence."

It turned out to be the case.

Zhao Cheng'an sighed inwardly. The methods of cultivators were indeed miraculous.

"Let's go, the Grand Master is still waiting for you inside."

Led by Lingwei, the two passed through an invisible barrier and officially entered the valley.

The scenery in the valley is beautiful. Although it is autumn, it does not feel desolate at all. Flowers are in full bloom, trees are lush and green, and snow-white cranes descend from mid-air to preen their feathers by the stream.

A small bridge spans the stream, and as you pass a bend, you can see a large field of rice paddies on the riverbank deep in the valley, gleaming golden in the sunlight.

A delicate fragrance wafted on the breeze, making Zhao Cheng'an's mouth water, and he subconsciously swallowed.

Lingwei followed his gaze and explained with a smile, "That's spirit rice. This kind of thing has very demanding growing conditions, requiring extremely high levels of spiritual energy and water quality."

"This field of spirit rice was personally tended by Master Qi; he protected these rice plants like treasures."

"From now on, when you have nothing to do, don't go near here casually. Otherwise, if you step on even one of them, you'll definitely get a good scolding from Master Qi."

Master Qi?

Zhao Cheng'an immediately pictured the gaunt old man wearing a straw hat who had scared away the master assassin in the blind man's workshop.

After crossing the arched bridge over the stream, the two arrived at the other side of the valley.

A three-story wooden house appeared before us. It looked ordinary, but standing under it gave us a sense of solidity.

Lingwei turned around and looked at Zhao Chengan's slightly tense body and somewhat nervous expression, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Just go in openly, the Grand Master doesn't eat people."

Immediately afterwards, Lingwei looked at Zhao Chengan with an undisguised look of envy.

"Long confined in a cage, I have finally returned to nature."

"Young Master Zhao, once you step through this door, you will see the true nature of this world."

Zhao Cheng'an took a deep breath. "Thank you, Miss Lingwei."

He stepped forward, raised his hand, and gently knocked on the door of the wooden house.

Then, he pushed open the door and strode inside.