With a book basket on his back, Zhao Tiansheng always seemed to wear a faint smile. It was as if he had worn this vibrant, life-filled smile since the day he first gained consciousness, and it had a way of spreading to others.
Of course, he had to smile. He’d been given the chance to come to this world with the memories of his past life. Wouldn’t it be a waste of such incredible fortune not to?
In Zhao Tiansheng’s eyes, he had to be grateful for such an opportunity—grateful to this world and for this twist of fate.
Even though this world was largely unfamiliar to him, it also had its familiar aspects.
For instance, there were the names of famous people, places, and kingdoms that he seemed to have heard of before.
The Jiu Province of the World were each different. Celestial Province, for example, was very similar to the Zhou Dynasty he had heard of in his past life. Not only did they place extreme importance on propriety, but their cuisine was also based on ancient recipes.
Sheng Province, where he lived, was another example. It was remarkably similar to the Tang Dynasty from his previous life. The common people loved tales of Immortal Gods and valued travel. Its cuisine was famed for its noodle dishes, and its preparation of beef and mutton emphasized fresh, savory broths. They also had a notable fondness for sweet flavors and desserts.
Of course, what truly surprised Zhao Tiansheng was this world’s completely open path of Cultivation.
Besides the kind of Cultivation he’d heard of—one that depended on immortal fate and one’s innate Talent—there was another, more common path, yet one with far more daunting requirements.
Sacrificial Cultivation!
...
’In the beginning of antiquity, there were only the Dao and Sacrifice. Feasting the Nameless above, comforting the masses below.’
This was a saying that everyone in this world, young and old, knew by heart.
It also explained the very roots of Sacrificial Cultivation... ritual and cooking!
Unlike ordinary paths of Cultivation, the key to Sacrificial Cultivation lay in achieving a mutual benefit with all living beings and the world itself.
Thus, the barrier to entry was so low that anyone who could sense Primordial Qi could begin. Almost everyone could be considered a Sacrificial Cultivator.
But advancing to the next stage was incredibly difficult. Progress depended solely on one’s own comprehension; simply relying on Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures or the experience of predecessors was of little use. However, even a novice Sacrificial Cultivator could enhance their own Cultivation path. For this reason, anyone in Sacrificial Cultivation who advanced beyond the entry level into the Low Tiers was considered a treasure in many places.
In this world, Cultivation Realms were divided into the Sun Realm Three Great, the Moon Realm Seven Forms, and the Star Realm’s Nine Tiers.
Originally, Zhao Tiansheng had almost no hope of Cultivating at all, let alone entering the path of Sacrificial Cultivation.
The reason this world divided Cultivation into "Sun, Moon, and Star" was naturally because Cultivation was almost entirely related to the celestial bodies in the sky. Countless streams of Primordial Qi originated from the boundless Outer Heaven, as well as from the power of the stars that descended day and night.
However, Zhao Tiansheng’s body was completely unable to sense this Primordial Qi. Even when he consumed special ingredients, they only served to strengthen his Blood Qi, making his body stronger and his spirit more vigorous, but it had nothing to do with Cultivation whatsoever.
But having been reborn once was already a huge win, so Zhao Tiansheng wasn’t too disappointed by this. Instead, he inherited the small restaurant of this body’s deceased parents and kept up his habit of cooking. While it was a shame he couldn’t experience the Cultivation World, this world had more to offer him than just that one novelty.
All in all, just being able to see so many different sights made him feel like he couldn’t be any luckier.
At this thought, the smile on Zhao Tiansheng’s face grew even more radiant and sincere.
’I really am too lucky.’
’And then I even met Sister Chi, who helped me truly set foot on the path of Sacrificial Cultivation...’
Behind him, the woman—who could not be seen by outsiders unless she willed it—seemed to perceive his thoughts and couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.
’And how is this not my good fortune as well?’
...
The daylight began to fade, but the outline of the small town was already visible in the distance. Suddenly, the aura around Zhao Tiansheng’s entire body seized up before flowing freely, as if it had just broken through some kind of barrier.
The Power of Star Essence, which had previously only been able to travel through a few of his meridians, suddenly plunged into the hidden channels of his body, forming a far greater circulatory path that resonated with the myriad stars in the sky.
Active Primordial Qi poured continuously into his body, yet it seemed unable to surpass a certain limit and remain in his qi channels. It could only serve as a supplement, not increasing the amount of his Star Essence by even a single iota.
To many Cultivators, this would have been a sign that further progress was nearly impossible, but Zhao Tiansheng seemed to be used to it.
Sensing that his Cultivation had finally advanced another tier, a hint of joy was added to the smile on his face.
’See, Sister Chi? Isn’t this proof that being good to others is being good to yourself?’
’I’ve been stuck at Tier Two for so long, and of all times, I break through to Tier Three today.’
’What a great day!’
Sister Chi, whose expression was usually cold and only softened when she looked at Zhao Tiansheng, showed a look of both relief and resignation.
’Your constitution is special. Even if you were to enter the Seven Luminaries Major Tier of the Star Realm—what the mortal world calls the Realm of True Master—it would only cause a slight transformation in you. A hundred days of your Cultivation would be equivalent to a single day for an ordinary person. Your Cultivation can only grow when you cook for another Cultivator and their Mental Realm resonates with Enlightenment, providing you with feedback.’
’Even with your outstanding skill, Tiansheng, you’re still in the Foundation Establishment Stage. The chances of a diner’s Heart Spirit entering Enlightenment are simply not high enough.’
’Those Wangling Ghosts just happened to be injured, and your bowl of Qi-Nourishing Porridge was exactly what they needed for their Heart Spirits to achieve Enlightenment. Otherwise, this breakthrough of yours would have been delayed for quite some time.’
It seemed only with Zhao Tiansheng would this Sister Chi, whose real name was Chi Xuan, be so talkative.
This tendency to worry and say so much, something he had long since gotten used to, made Zhao Tiansheng feel the warmth of family.
’I’m the one holding Sister Chi back. Otherwise, how could a companion of a Jade Food Immortal be like me, still completely unknown in a small town after so many years?’
However, Zhao Tiansheng’s thought brought a look of guilt to Sister Chi’s face. While being a Jade Food Immortal signified a being of great Destiny, it also came with considerable restrictions.
’You’re not holding me back. I’m the one holding you back...’
As Zhao Tiansheng stepped into the small town, the figure of the woman in dark robes gradually faded from sight once more.
Unlike in the wilderness, within these towns and cities, even a ’Jade Food Immortal’ like her—one born from legendary cuisine and ingredients—had to abide by certain rules. The ironclad rule was to never reveal herself before the majority of people.
Even though ’Jade Food Immortals’ were a type of Immortal Spirit, as long as they were considered non-human, they had to respect this iron law.
This was a... rule, jointly established within Jiu Province by the Daoist Ancestor and the Master!
...
"Oh, Tiansheng! You’re back?"
A man carrying firewood on his back by the roadside watched Zhao Tiansheng walk into town. He couldn’t help but squint, his smile sincere.
"Yes, Uncle Changshu! How come you still have so much firewood left today?"
Zhao Tiansheng replied enthusiastically, a pleasant smile on his face.
"I saved it on purpose. We’re running low on firewood at my place lately!"
"By the way, Tiansheng..."
Uncle Changshu quickened his pace and came up beside Zhao Tiansheng.
"You’ve been gone the last few days, and I saw Liu San and his gang of thugs from town hanging around your restaurant. Don’t know what they’re plotting."
He lowered his voice, indicating that he didn’t want too many people to know about this.
"If there’s any trouble, don’t try to handle it all by yourself. Those guys have started dabbling in Cultivation, so they won’t be easy for you to deal with alone."
"If something happens, just give a shout! All the strong folks in town, the ones who’ve started on the path, will come help!"
Hearing this, Zhao Tiansheng felt a little confused, as he couldn’t recall offending anyone. Still, he nodded repeatedly and thanked Uncle Changshu for his kindness.
"I know, Uncle. If there’s real trouble, I promise my shout will be louder than anyone else’s in town!"
Uncle Changshu said no more and just patted him on the shoulder.
"As long as you know. With how sharp you are, Liu San and his cronies are no match for you."
With that, he shouldered the pile of firewood and quickly disappeared into another of the town’s alleyways.
After watching Uncle Changshu’s figure disappear, Zhao Tiansheng turned and headed for home. He didn’t finally let out a sigh of relief until he was standing in front of an unremarkable, rather old, but exceptionally clean house on the west side of town.
"Home!"
He then went around to the back of the house and saw a neatly stacked pile of firewood, knowing Uncle Changshu must have prepared it for him in advance.
’Looks like I’ll have to add some extra-potent ingredients to Uncle Changshu’s meal next time.’
A smile touched his lips.
Zhao Tiansheng took a Jade Pendant from his robes and pointed it at the door. An invisible ripple spread out, and the sealed door swung open instantly. At the same time, Chi Xuan’s figure reappeared.
’As I thought, someone is spying on this place.’
’Tiansheng, should I...?’
This Sister Chi—whose Cultivation was extraordinary, though limited by Zhao Tiansheng’s own Realm, making her nonetheless unfathomably powerful—quickly assessed the situation around the restaurant, which was also Zhao Tiansheng’s home. She discovered several talismanic markings of varying strengths.
’It doesn’t matter. Let them watch. I’m afraid they’re in for some bad luck later.’
Zhao Tiansheng was a naturally optimistic and enthusiastic person, but that didn’t mean he was the type to meekly accept whatever came his way. When it came to his opponents, he was always happy to watch them make fools of themselves and suffer a little.
’So, even on such short notice, you’re still going to light the lantern?’
The elegant woman in dark robes seemed to know what Zhao Tiansheng was planning.
’Mhm. The non-human beings around Jinning Town have always been peaceful. I want to know what happened to them while I was away for just a short time.’
’To think they would go to war with another group of non-humans!’
Perhaps due to the limitations of his constitution, it had been extremely difficult for Zhao Tiansheng to start Cultivating, but once he did, he awakened quite a few special Talents.
This was especially true for his ability to sense all kinds of auras.
The beings collectively known as ’non-human’—Demon Fiends, ghosts, Elves, and other strange species—could not escape his notice, even if they were warring in the mountain forests, far beyond the sight of mortals.
’Are you so sure they’ll come?’
The elegant woman in black showed a hint of surprise.
’In a war between non-humans, they still need to rest and recuperate.’
’Especially a conflict between a local power and an invading force.’
’Sister Chi, don’t underestimate this bunch who’ve been enjoying my cooking for two years!’
While answering the elegant woman’s question, he put away his book basket and all his things. Then, he hung an unlit red lantern by the entrance of the small restaurant.
Immediately after, a red light that ordinary people couldn’t see—a light visible only to Sacrificial Cultivators who had reached the Star Realm’s Five Micros tier—began to shine, covering a hundred-li radius around Jinning Town.
And in the mountain forests, countless dark figures that had been lying low and licking their wounds seemed to receive a summons, and all at once, they turned to look toward Jinning Town!
"Well now, has the Zhao Family’s boy returned?"
Inside the Water God Temple in the northern part of Jinning Town, an old man with salt-and-pepper hair, smoking a dry pipe, broke into a smile and stood up.
"Holding a feast at a time like this... with all the chaos around, I suppose this old Daoist will have to go and keep things in order..."
He said as much, but the trace of a craving at the corner of his mouth—the kind that only appears when thinking of something delicious—betrayed the fact that his intentions weren’t entirely benevolent...