Chapter 105: Grilled Fish (Part Two)

My fish, my fish, my fish...

The fish on the grill sizzled with oil and smoke, its skin already turning blackened. Dao Sansheng stood in front of the grill, smiling foolishly. Only when he heard Du Xuetao’s words did he come back to his senses.

But the Unihorn Dust Mouse had long since darted over, struggling with its mouth to turn the grill. Its four paws pushed hard against the table as it moved. When it saw Dao Sansheng’s hand reaching out, it slipped away in an instant, giving him no chance—clearly afraid of being caught.

Dao Sansheng immediately turned his own grill. Half of the fish was already charred. Staring at the half golden, half blackened grilled fish, he shook his head and sighed repeatedly.

Such a pity—my grilled fish again, another one burnt. It’s all because of you two troublemakers, not staying where you belong and coming over here to watch me grill. Now two fish are already ruined.

As he turned the fish, Dao Sansheng tried to ease the awkward atmosphere. Being distracted just now in front of the two was embarrassing beyond words.

I’ll eat these two. I’ll take them all.

Du Xuetao stretched out his hand, eagerly waiting for the nearly finished fish, gazing at it with hopeful eyes, promising it was his.

Dream on. I’ve already given them all to you to eat, and I’m still not full. Fine, I’ll give them to you, but there’s no more after this. Once I finish these, I have other things to do—I won’t be grilling fish anymore.

Reluctantly, Dao Sansheng handed over the two fish in his hands, then licked the chili oil off his fingers, still carrying the aroma of the grilled fish.

Du Xuetao grabbed the fish and immediately dashed back to his straw hut, afraid that Dao Sansheng would take them back.

The Unihorn Dust Mouse happily followed Du Xuetao, wagging its tail as if to show goodwill. But Du Xuetao paid no attention to it, busily stuffing the fish into his mouth. The mouse anxiously paced in circles, squeaking and jumping as it called out.

Dao Sansheng ignored the two who had gone far off, then took out five fish and began grilling them all at once. The aroma of the grilled fish made his stomach rumble loudly. Since morning, he had only eaten one meal, and now it was already afternoon—he hadn’t had lunch yet.

Though cultivators no longer needed to eat grains and could fast to aid their practice, these grilled fish were no ordinary fish—they were spiritual beasts. Eating them could enhance cultivation. But more importantly, who could let such delicious food quietly slip away right before their eyes?

Unconsciously, his mouth watered. Dao Sansheng wiped the saliva away and recalled Du Xuetao’s words from earlier. Now was not the time to lose focus—he couldn’t burn the fish again. He reminded himself and concentrated, carefully flipping the fish, sprinkling seasoning, and adding his own special spices.

Sparks flew as the fish sizzled, the aroma growing even more tantalizing. This truly awakened the hungry beast inside him. After this final step, the grilled fish would be ready to eat.

Finally, the fish were done. Dao Sansheng blew gently on the hot fish and ate slowly. Before long, all five grilled fish were devoured clean—only some bones remained, with every scrap of meat picked off. The bones were as white as new.

He took out some wine and drank, but then noticed someone standing at the door—Du Xuetao again. He had just sent him away, so how had he come back? His audacity was greater than Dao Sansheng’s own.

Du Xuetao smiled at him, then pointed at the wine in Dao Sansheng’s hand and made a drinking gesture. Dao Sansheng was speechless—didn’t he have wine of his own? Why come steal the last drop from him?

The wine I brought from outside has already been finished. Now I’m drinking my own brew. Didn’t you try it last time? I could smell your wine from afar. Master, I haven’t drunk any outside wine in thirty years—just let me have a taste.

Dao Sansheng looked at the wine in his hand, feeling a pang of reluctance. If it weren’t for Zhao Jinqian’s gift, he wouldn’t have had any wine at all. This was a famous wine from Purple Immortal City. Well, he could afford to be generous to this guy. Dao Sansheng tossed the wine jar over to him.

I guess I’m just unlucky to have you as my master. All the good things get snatched away.

Du Xuetao took the jar with a smiling face, deliberately drank in front of Dao Sansheng without any consideration, smacking his lips and humming as he slowly walked away.

The meal was filling, but the wine was taken after only a few sips. Dao Sansheng could only sit cross-legged and cultivate. This was already his habit. After entering meditation, his cultivation method circulated through his body three times before concluding.

This time, however, Dao Sansheng did not take his pills to continue cultivating. Instead, he entered his spirit sea and headed straight for that familiar land.

From afar, he saw the land and was shocked. It was still the same place, but now it was vibrant with colors, flowers and plants everywhere—just like a perfectly blooming, colorful world.

Soul Die was now lying beneath a large tree, holding a large bouquet of fresh flowers. The tree and surrounding plants seemed to gently nourish Soul Die with some kind of energy. Dao Sansheng felt the energy flowing—it was his spirit sea, something undetectable from the outside.

Soul Die was deeply focused on cultivation and did not sense Dao Sansheng’s arrival. She had temporarily closed off her five senses and was currently breaking through her cultivation limits.

The Greenleaf clan cultivated by absorbing the souls of flowers, plants, and trees—some from the dead, some from the living. This was their unique cultivation method.

The energy within Soul Die’s body was pure green, flowing rapidly. Soon, it began to surge violently, the fluctuations growing stronger. The surrounding flowers and grass started to yellow, and even the green grass beneath Dao Sansheng’s feet turned yellow.

Seeing this, Dao Sansheng, who had planned to ask questions, was now unable to interrupt Soul Die’s cultivation. As her master, he should have been pleased, but he wasn’t. He didn’t know when his own matters would be resolved.

As time passed, Dao Sansheng remained by Soul Die’s side. Her entire body became enveloped in a green mist, which eventually dissipated to reveal a large green energy cocoon. Soul Die lay within the cocoon.

No one knew how long had passed as Dao Sansheng waited outside. The cocoon began to loosen, then a large hole appeared. The cocoon gradually dissolved and was absorbed.

Soul Die emerged, her wings transformed into milky white. When she fluttered them, she looked like a sacred fairy. Fully revealed, her legs were fairer and longer than before, clad in a pink dress.

The dress was patterned with countless Soul Die emblems. Slowly opening her eyes, her large watery orbs shimmered with a blend of blue and green. Her black eyebrows were exquisitely shaped. She yawned softly, mouth slightly open.

Delicate fingers of one white hand covered her mouth, exhaling the yawn into her palm.