“What are you afraid of? What are you even thinking?” Xiao Jing reached out and held Chu Chu’s soft, jade-like hand.
At the same time, he said in his mind to the system, “System, learn the Whale Swallowing Technique.”
[Beginning to learn Whale Swallowing Technique (Heaven-grade)]
[Consumed 1,000 Cultivation Points. Whale Swallowing Technique upgraded to 1st layer.]
[Consumed 5,000 Cultivation Points. Whale Swallowing Technique upgraded to 2nd layer.]
…
[Consumed Cultivation Points. Whale Swallowing Technique upgraded to 5th layer—Perfection.]
Xiao Jing looked at the system prompt and mentally calculated. How much did it cost altogether?
He had only learned one glutton’s technique, yet it consumed even more Cultivation Points than upgrading from the Body Refining Realm to the Foundation Establishment Realm?
The system immediately explained, [Whale Swallowing Technique is a Heaven-grade cultivation method. The higher the grade of a cultivation technique or martial skill, the harder it is to cultivate and the more Cultivation Points it requires.]
“Fine.”
It seemed that to enhance overall strength, he would need far more Cultivation Points than he had expected.
He’d need to work harder to get his Binding Target to spend Spirit Stones!
Just as he was thinking that, the system popped up another prompt:
[Reminder:]
[According to expense usage rules, Whale Swallowing Technique is disabled for the Host, but the Host may still transmit it to the Binding Target.]
“…”
Xiao Jing’s face darkened at the prompt.
He cursed inwardly—he hadn’t expected the system to pull such a move.
Killing his idea before it even formed?
What a harsh restriction!
Disabling the Whale Swallowing Technique meant he couldn’t consume too much spiritual food himself, which naturally prevented any violations of the expense policy.
Alright, alright, letting Chu Chu eat more wasn’t a bad thing either.
Xiao Jing spoke to the system again, “System, transmit the Whale Swallowing Technique to Mu Lanchu.”
[Distance too far.]
[Please press your forehead against the Binding Target’s forehead.]
Oh.
Xiao Jing thought just holding hands or touching palms would be enough for the transmission—he hadn’t expected it to require forehead-to-forehead contact.
He leaned in close and pressed his forehead against Chu Chu’s.
Mu Lanchu blushed even harder.
“Husband, don’t do that… if someone sees us, how embarrassing…”
[Congratulations Host. Hearts Aligned as One. Consumed Cultivation Points. Binding Target Mu Lanchu has received Whale Swallowing Technique (Perfection).]
As the system’s prompt sounded, Mu Lanchu, who had been lightly trying to pull away, froze.
“Husband, this is…”
She looked at Xiao Jing, her eyes full of surprise and admiration!
“Husband, you managed to cultivate a Heaven-grade technique to perfection in such a short time? I didn’t even see when you practiced! And you can transmit it to me so I instantly master it?”
“That’s right. It’s my secret talent. Now that you know, don’t tell anyone else.”
Xiao Jing said seriously, then casually pinched her porcelain-smooth cheek.
At that moment, the waiter came over with a teapot to refill their tea and check whether they were ready to order.
He happened to see the two of them face to face, whispering to each other.
The waiter froze in embarrassment, turned away, and made a bit of noise as he backed off.
“My apologies! I didn’t mean to intrude…”
Xiao Jing let go of Mu Lanchu.
“No worries, we were just about to order.”
Saying that, he picked up the menu and began to browse.
Every dish, from its name to the ingredients, was something he had never seen before.
Fortunately, the menu listed the ingredients and cooking methods for each dish.
“Roaring Rabbit – Grade 2 spirit beast, braised, half per serving, 89 Spirit Stones.”
“Star-spotted Goo – Grade 2 spirit beast, stewed with Jade Spirit Wood, Yao Fan Grass, and other spiritual herbs, 1 bowl, 178 Spirit Stones.”
“Fire-feathered Sparrow – Grade 3 spirit beast, grilled with cassia spice, half per serving, 236 Spirit Stones.”
“Silvermoon Deer (air-dried jerky) – Grade 4 spirit beast, thinly sliced and stir-fried, 1 tael per serving, with Jade Tendon Flower, 399 Spirit Stones.”
…
At a glance, dish prices ranged from a few dozen to several hundred Spirit Stones.
The highest spirit beast grade on the menu was Grade 4; most were between Grade 2 and Grade 3.
On the Mystic Heaven Continent, spirit beasts were divided into nine grades, corresponding to human cultivators’ realms: Body Refining, Foundation Establishment, Steel Body, Profound Understanding, Clarity of Mind, Spirit Harmony, Freedom, Cave Heaven, and Tribulation Ascension.
Xiao Jing was deeply disappointed. He found it strange—why was the Immortal Spirit Restaurant in the capital of the Yan Empire mainly selling low-grade spirit beast meat?
The waiter laughed and explained, “You must be new, customer. Let me explain.”
“Hunters around Changtian City generally only hunt spirit beasts one or two grades lower than themselves. No one wants to risk their lives for little gain.”
“Spending time hunting a Grade 5 spirit beast? Might as well catch a few Grade 3 ones instead.”
“Plus, cultivators above Clarity of Mind rarely rely on hunting to make a living.”
“Not every spirit beast can be eaten either.”
“High-grade or rare types are more suited as battle beasts or mounts.”
“And people mainly come here for the ambiance and taste. If you really want to boost cultivation, taking pills is more cost-effective.”
Xiao Jing nodded.
That made sense. Hunting wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t easy for spirit beasts to survive and cultivate either.
After the waiter’s explanation, eating Grade 4 spirit beast meat suddenly didn’t seem so bad.
He kept flipping through the menu, all the way to the end.
“Today’s Special: Blackwater Boar – Grade 5 spirit beast, slow-cooked with Purple-patterned Ginseng and other herbs. 3 taels per serving. 2,666 Spirit Stones. (Limited to one day, while supplies last).”
Even more disappointing.
The most expensive dish was only 2,666 Spirit Stones?
But then he remembered—Haina Pavilion’s assistant only earned 50 Spirit Stones a month, already above average.
High-Grade Yellow martial arts manuals cost 300 Spirit Stones, Low-Grade Profound ones 1,000.
Buying a manual had permanent value. A meal? Gone in half a day.
In comparison, eating here wasn’t cheap at all.
Ordinary cultivators would have to save for months just to order a few Grade 2 dishes.
Low-level cultivators might never afford to eat here in their entire lives…
This restaurant clearly catered to the wealthy elite of the city. Get faster updates on g.com.
Xiao Jing sighed and decided—he would order every single dish on the menu.
And order multiple portions of the expensive ones!
He closed the menu.
“I’ll take one of everything.”
“Take what?” The waiter was confused, clearly not understanding.
“I mean every dish on the menu. And for the ones priced at over 300 Spirit Stones, bring me ten portions each, including the most expensive one—the 2,666 Spirit Stone dish. For the cheaper ones, just bring one of each to try.”
The waiter’s mouth formed an O.
Mu Lanchu was startled. “Husband, these dishes are expensive. Ordering so much is wasteful.”
Xiao Jing waved his hand, “My princess deserves only the best!”
If you don’t eat more, how am I going to gain Cultivation Points?
“This customer, you’ve really ordered too much,” the waiter looked at Xiao Jing and Mu Lanchu. “And judging by the young lady’s Realm… and as for you, sir, I can’t sense your Realm at all… but in any case, eating so much spirit beast meat at once could cause your body to explode.”
“My wife has cultivated a special technique,” Xiao Jing explained.
“Whale Swallowing Technique?” The waiter, quite knowledgeable, immediately guessed it.
“Yes.”
“But this young lady is only at the 7th stage Body Refining Realm. Even if she cultivated the Whale Swallowing Technique, she could only reach the 1st layer at best and wouldn’t be able to eat much. Three to five servings would be her limit. Any more and she’d burst.”
“I’ve cultivated Whale Swallowing Technique to perfection,” Mu Lanchu said softly.
The waiter’s eyes widened.
These two were really something.
What kind of cultivator would go out of their way to max out Whale Swallowing Technique just to eat here?
Most came for Shopkeeper Su’s exquisite cooking!
Cuisine was first. Class was second!
But someone at 7th stage Body Refining Realm fully mastering Whale Swallowing Technique? Wasn’t that putting the cart before the horse?
Wouldn’t that time be better spent improving her base Realm?
Xiao Jing smiled, “Just serve as I said. We may become regulars here.”
“Alright, fine.”
The waiter no longer tried to dissuade him.
Big spenders like this weren’t common. And even if they did overeat, the shopkeeper wouldn’t just stand by. As long as no one died, it’d be fine.
“Oh right, sir. There might not be enough of the Blackwater Boar to prepare ten servings. I’ll have to ask the shopkeeper.”
“Not enough for ten?”
The waiter nodded honestly, “Yes. Grade 5 spirit beasts aren’t something we get every day.”
“You’re lucky today. Some hunters got lucky this morning and caught an injured Blackwater Boar and delivered it to us. But that boar wasn’t very big.”
“Also, the Sixth Prince has standing orders. Anytime a rare, fresh spirit beast arrives—regardless of grade—we must reserve three portions for him.”
“So I’ll check with the shopkeeper to see how many are still available.”
“Alright, go ask. Just serve the rest first.”
“Got it!”
The waiter collected the menu and hurried off.
As if he was afraid Xiao Jing might try to eat the menu too.