"Boring, so boring, why is life so boring?" Xiao Feng rolled ok the ground, feeling his future life was hopeless.
In the beginning, the novelty of cultivation made him excited, and he cultivated diligently. But with the passage of time, he was slowly getting tired.
If system strengthening didn't cost so much, he would probably give up cultivating directly.
Although this world is dangerous and the Xiao family is even more dangerous, Xiao Feng could just run away to another world for safety. He didn't believe that Hun Tiandi could chase him across worlds. That old man didn't have a system.
If he just wanted to survive, he could just come back decades later when Xiao Yan became an Emperor and killed that old bastard.
A cool breeze blew across the mountain, and the sun gradually climbed higher and higher in the sky. But the irritation in Xiao Feng's heart didn't calm down.
"Sigh, I can't fall asleep. My thoughts are a mess." Feeling annoyed, brushed his hair and then started practicing punches and kicks.
No matter how much he said he wanted to be lazy, his body was still honest. In this world where strength was supreme, diligent training was the only way to become stronger.
So what if the system could increase his cultivation, it couldn't increase his martial arts and combat experience. It couldn't hone his will and state of mind.
Xiao Feng's experience as an ACG enthusiast told him that only a strong mind could cultivate a strong power. If he didn't have the proper state of mind and will, he would be just an inflatable balloon with strong cultivation but poor character.
He didn't wish to become like those Chinese protagonist. Few of them understood morality and humanity. Most were just heinous bastards in human skin.
Punching and kicking seem to be very simple motions, but once they're repeated too many times, it becomes boring. But no matter how boring it is, Xiao Feng still has to do it.
Once he finished practicing punching and Kicking, Xiao Feng took out an iron sword from the system space, which he bought for 10 system points.
He practiced kendo in his past life. So Xiao Feng was very fond of swordsmanship. Although he couldn't find a katana here, he would just train with a normal sword first.
He planned to forge a katana for himself later on.
Swordsmanship was just as boring as the previous training. Back and forth swinging could easily make people bored.
But Xiao Feng liked kendo. So he didn't feel bored.
After completing his daily routine exercise, Xiao Feng sat down on a rock, contemplating.
It had been a few days since he pushed his cultivation to 9-star Dou Zhe Qi and comprehended Chaos Devouring Technique; it was time to consider the next step, which was to condense a cyclone and break through Dou Zhe.
Dou Zhe is a watershed, and countless people can't get through it and condense a cyclone easily. The process is hard and dangerous. If you don't succeed, it's easy to fall into cultivation.
The golden time for cultivation is wasted in this way. Those big forces just focus on improving their realm, and all will be fine after taking a Qi Gathering Powder. There is no need to go through so much trouble.
Thinking of Qi Gathering Powder, a fourth-grade elixir, he looked up the price in the mall.
It cost 9000 points.
There was almost no difference between it and using the strengthening function to break through.
But if he waited to gather enough system points, it would take almost 4 months to gather enough points.
Xiao Feng couldn't wait that long. He would be bored to death like this. At least let him experience the thrill of meditation and go further in cultivation. It will at least provide some novelty.
Once he became a Dou Zhe, he could also learn Alchemy or unlock (learn) other sub-professions to pass his time.
In fact, Xiao Feng didn't have to be so tangled if it was just about the breakthrough.
He could expose his cultivation and ask his grandfather to buy a Qi Gathering Powder. He believed that the family would be happy to cultivate a prodigy like him.
But doing so would completely expose him to the outside world. It was against his true intentions.
Hiding in the shadows and developing steadily was a kingly trope. With the Soul clan our there, exposure was impossible. Absolutely impossible.
Pretending to be a pig and eating a tiger is the kingly trope in cultivation novels. At critical moments, it's very useful to give the enemy a righteous backstab.
Since the way of the grandfather was blocked, Xiao Feng could only cultivate slowly.
But if he wanted to rely on his own Cultivation, he estimated it would take at least half a month and even then whether he would be successful was hard to say.
"Sigh, it's really hard to earn money. If only I had points." Xiao Feng sighed again. But soon he put his matter aside as it was noon!
"It's almost time for lunch. Should I make something or go back?"
He glanced at the sun, which was on his head. It was autumn, and the sun wasn't too scorching. The temperature was just perfect.
But going back and forth from the back mountain would take a lot of time. Plus, the food in this world couldn't compare to Earth, as this world was similar to ancient times.
It's better to cook himself. As a hobby, cooking could also help pass his time.
One by one, Xiao Feng bought out pots, pans, vegetables, oil, spices, and salt from his storage space, then assembled the nearby rocks to form a do stone stove. All the items were bought from the system for a few points. The daily items cost wasn't as outrageous as cultivation.
It was time to light the fire and start cooking.
With a flick of his hand, he ignited the fire.
The reason he could do this was because his innate attribute was all encompassing, the five elements, and yin and yang. He only had to release his Dou Qi and control the attribute to release a burst of fire.
Taking out the veggies, now it was time to slice and dice.
Chopping onions, slicing green chilli, garlic, ginger, potato, tomato, or local substitute vegetables.
Xiao Feng's movements were smooth and flowing.
He learned cooking during his college life, and ever since, he liked to cook in his free time. From deserts to various street foods, local cuisine, etc. He learned everything he could.
Putting the pan on the stove and pouring the oil by measuring it with his eyes, he tossed the chopped onion, sliced green chili, and garlic inside.
Most of these materials were brought from the system to hide his skills from the family. He didn't want others to notice his peculiarity and question him.
After a while, he tossed in his handmade Sabji Masala.
In this world, many cooking materials like powdered Sabji Masala and all didn't exist. So Xiao Feng had to grind his own.
Of course, the grinding was done in secret in the back mountain so others wouldn't notice.
Xiao Feng stirred the masala, forming a slurry of gravy. In an instant, the aroma spread out and covered the surroundings.
Once the aroma spreads, it's time to toss in the vegetables and add spices. After perfectly mixing the gravy, Xiao Feng covered the pot with a lid.
Now just let the veggies shimmer. We can cook the rice.
Xiao Feng took out an Earthen Pot, which he bought together with the pots and pans, for just 1 point. It was so cheap that he couldn't believe it when he bought it.
He could only sigh that cultivation was too hard.
When he finished adding rice to the pot. He noticed the leaves behind him rustling and saw the pink figure behind them.
"Come out, little rascal!" Xiao Feng put the lid on, then looked in that direction.
The pink figure trembled and quickly hid, but then she poked out her head from a corner, her face flushed, and drool dripping from her mouth. Her cute little face looked so adorable that Xiao Feng couldn't help but want to pinch it.
"Th-that, Feng gege. It smells so good. Are you cooking again? What did you make?"
Xiao Mei walked out of the bushes, and her big watery eyes were fixed on the shimmering pot and pan, swallowing saliva.
The aroma was just too tempting.
"Hm, today we are having Rice, stir-fried lentils, Chickpea Leaf Curry, and stir-fried potatoes. There is also Kheer(Rice Pudding) as a dessert."
Listening to the names of the dishes, Xiao Mei couldn't help swallowing her saliva.
"But Xiao Nizi, haven't I told you that you can come directly? Why are you still playing hide and seek?" Xiao Feng's tone was a little stern, and he looked at the cute little loli, feeling amused, giving her a light head chop.
Though his first meeting with her wasn't very pleasent and she often forced him to play together, he quite liked this innocent and lively girl.
Two weeks ago, when he missed the taste of his hometown, he cooked in the back mountain just like today.
That day, this little jelly popped out from nowhere. When she asked to eat together, his heart was pierced by that cuteness. So despite his secret hideout being found out and his plans disrupted, Xiao Feng didn't chase her away and shared food with her.
Being bonked on her head, Xiao Mei covered her head, looking at Xiao Feng with her big watery eyes, and pouted lightly, "Feng gege, you bully people. I just wanted to surprise you."
"Don't pretend. I didn't hit you hard. It's impossible to hurt you. If you still want to eat, then just stay still until I finish cooking." Xiao Fend was amused by her pouty face and smiled faintly.
This look, it was too cute. Why don't I have a camera at hand? I want to capture this moment. Her cuteness reminded him of several daughters in various animes. They were all cute daughters.
He also wished to have such a cute daughter in the past life. Unfortunately, he was single his whole life, and no girl liked him, an average-looking Otaku, until he transmigrated.
Xiao Feng couldn't help but reach out and pinch her delicate pink cheeks.
"Hm-huh-hm!" Xiao Mei rubbed her cheeks, feeling slightly sore, "Feng gege, stop pulling... Mh-my cheeks will be swollen."
Her cute voice and pouting face were like special attack, full of cuteness. It caused critical damage to Xiao Feng's heart.
Xiao Mei's small protest faded away, leaving only the soft bubbling sounds from the pot and the rich aroma drifting through the air.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop." Xiao Feng chuckled and withdrew his hand, as if nothing had happened, then calmly turned back to the stove.
Xiao Mei secretly glanced at him. Seeing that he had no intention of "bullying" her further, she finally relaxed. But in the very next moment, her attention was completely captured by the simmering pot.
"Feng gege… when can we eat?" She tiptoed forward, hands clasped behind her back, leaning in like a curious little kitten.
Xiao Feng stirred the vegetables with a wooden spoon, his expression calm, "Good food takes time. Rushing it will only ruin the taste."
That was what he said aloud. In his heart, however, he couldn't help but laugh. This little girl arrives more punctually than anyone else. .
When he lifted the lid, a cloud of steam burst upward, carrying with it a deep, intoxicating fragrance. The surrounding air seemed to grow warmer, as if even the mountain breeze had slowed down to savor it.
Xiao Mei's eyes widened instantly.
"Wow…"
Her mouth opened slightly, and she swallowed hard, unable to look away.
Xiao Feng added a pinch of salt, adjusted the flame with a thought, and then nodded in satisfaction. The control of Dou Qi over fire might not be useful in combat at this level, but when it came to cooking, it was nothing short of miraculous.
He moved to the earthen pot and checked the rice. The grains had absorbed enough water, swelling evenly, releasing a faint, comforting aroma.
"All done,"
Hearing those words, Xiao Mei straightened up immediately, her eyes sparkling.
"Really?!"
"Hm!" Xiao Feng nodded.
"Before we eat, you must wash your hands." Xiao Feng handed her a jade bottle filled with water.
Xiao Mei took it and opened it, washing her hand with the cold water.
Xiao Feng placed the dishes aside, portioned the rice, and handed her a bowl.
"Careful. It's hot."
Xiao Mei nodded vigorously, holding the bowl with both hands as if it were some precious treasure. She blew on it gently, then took a small bite.
The moment the food touched her tongue, her whole body froze.
The next second—
"So good!" Her voice rang out, bright and sincere.
Xiao Feng leaned back against a rock, watching her eat with unrestrained enthusiasm. A faint smile appeared on his lips without him realizing it.