In the pitch-black night sky, apart from the stars and a crescent moon, a large shadowy figure loomed above. There appeared to be a small flickering light on it, like a tiny firefly, blinking as if desperately trying to catch everyone's attention.
As the large shadow slowly descended, the crowd finally saw what it was—a large basket. The lid of the basket was tightly sealed, with a handle engraved with small symbols.
Liang Zhonghuai, who had seen much in his day, immediately recognized those symbols as formation patterns. However, the long row of patterns seemed to have no other function than to emit flashes of light. He couldn't help but marvel at the intricate and casual craftsmanship of whoever had designed such formations in Lingxian Sect.
On the lid of the basket was a piece of paper with two large characters written on it: "Dinner."
The group immediately reached out and lifted the lid. Instantly, a tantalizing aroma flooded out from the basket, causing someone in the crowd to exclaim, "It smells amazing!"
Already ravenous, the group wasted no time, working together to carry the large basket over to the flat stone slabs near the grass huts. One by one, they took out the meals from the basket.
In preparation for this, Iron Head, Lin Lei, and others from the artifact refining hall had been busy for quite some time. Mo Yuanjiao even pitched in to help on occasion. Together, they worked day and night to create enough insulated food containers and this large, remotely controlled flying basket to deliver the meals.
The insulated food containers were meticulously crafted, designed to preserve the food's warmth and freshness. They were made in large quantities, so there were plenty of spares for future recruits. Even though cultivators could eventually transcend the need for food, the elders still felt it was necessary to provide proper meals for the new disciples during their early training stages.
Besides, even for cultivators who no longer needed food to sustain themselves, that didn't mean they wouldn't enjoy a good meal! These containers were also handy for travel, keeping meals warm on long journeys.
Iron Head and his team had carefully considered the different types of food and how best to store them. They had to design compartments for all sorts of dishes, including fried and frozen foods. For example, fried foods could easily go soggy if kept warm improperly, and no one wanted their crispy treats to lose their crunch.
The food containers featured multiple compartments to keep various dishes in optimal condition, preserving the original flavor and texture as much as possible. The containers were quite large, but every disciple was given one. And of course, the older members of the sect didn't miss out either—they each received one as well.
Each new disciple was handed a meal and, without hesitation, found a spot to sit and dig in. After all, their stomachs could no longer wait, and to delay eating would be disrespectful to their hunger.
As the aroma of the food filled the air, every bite was a sublime experience, awakening their taste buds and making some sigh with contentment. The meals, prepared by Jiang Youfu, were rich in spiritual energy but gentle enough not to overwhelm the bodies of mortals. The excess energy slowly dissipated, leaving their bodies feeling invigorated.
After finishing the meal, many felt a warm flow of energy spreading through their bodies, making them feel completely refreshed. The older disciples felt a return of the vigor they had long since lost, while the younger ones felt so light they could practically jump six feet in the air. Even Yuan Jinsheng, whose cultivation had reached the Golden Core stage, could feel the subtle healing of old internal injuries.
Having spent most of his life fighting for the Zhao royal family and cultivating under their guidance, Yuan Jinsheng had limited knowledge of many aspects of cultivation. Spiritual food, for instance, was something he had never encountered. However, he quickly realized its extraordinary value—this meal contained more spiritual energy than a single spirit stone, providing effects that simple energy absorption could never achieve.
Such meals, given freely to new disciples on their first day, left him in awe. No sect he had ever known would go to such lengths for their disciples.
He glanced at his son, who was carefully enjoying his food, and felt a new glimmer of hope. Perhaps this sect truly had a way to help Yingzi succeed in his cultivation. If not, why would they accept a disciple who couldn't cultivate, wasting a valuable spot?
Comforted by this thought, Yuan Jinsheng felt more at ease than he had in years. With a wave of his hand, he cast a dust-removal spell to clean his food container, then carefully placed it into his storage pouch.
In a corner near the grass huts, two children, eight-year-old Xie Rong and eleven-year-old Yin Xiaoxiao, sat holding their containers, savoring every bite but looking slightly troubled.
After swallowing a mouthful of food, Xie Rong sighed, "Little Fourth Sister, do you think Hua Xiao'er and Xu Duojin have already gone home?"
Yin Xiaoxiao, equally careful with her food, swallowed before responding, "I'm sure they have. They've probably gone home only to get whipped again."
Xie Rong, stuffing his mouth with another bite, wanted to reply but didn't dare speak with his mouth full. He chewed slowly, savoring every bit of the meal. Yin Xiaoxiao, also not wanting to waste any food, took another bite herself.
This meal was unlike anything they had ever tasted. They had to cherish it—who knew if they would be given such luxurious food again?
When their containers were almost empty, Xie Rong sighed again, staring at the last morsel of food. "I wonder if those two idiots can even find their way home without us."
After all, their homes were in Liaoju Province, quite a distance from here, and they hadn't told their families they were leaving.
However, Yin Xiaoxiao gave Xie Rong a look, as if he were being silly. "Before we left, I made sure to tell someone to notify their parents."
Despite being the eldest of the group, Yin Xiaoxiao had always taken her responsibility as their big sister seriously. There was no way she would have left without ensuring their safety.