That evening, the snow had not ceased.
An invitation was delivered into Song Yan's hands.
On an unknown piece of beast hide, it was written in red sand: "Linglong Valley Exotic Beast Association", "Song Yan, Shadow Puppet 334".
"Bring this invitation and your identity token, and wait at South Bamboo Peak in half a month.
Master Shi will send someone to take you to Linglong Valley for beast observation.
Among the exotic beasts hides a divine presence; seeing a hundred beasts leads to knowing a hundred beasts. Only skin masters who can paint the divine appearance, or those with sufficient talent, are allowed to go.
This was a request from our senior brother to the master for you, so go see the world."
Zhang Yin finished speaking and then softly added, "However, this spot is a temporary addition.
Master Shi is rigid by nature and likely doesn't like such things, so he might completely ignore you. If there's a disciple nearby good at reading the room, they might mock you to curry favor with Master Shi...
All this nonsense, I'm letting you know in advance. Be prepared to prevent things from turning sour or encountering unexpected problems.
In short, remember, even though you have talent, you're still a junior. This trip is for learning, so speak less, listen and observe more."
Song Yan smiled and said, "Thank you, senior brother, for the advice. I won't forget this favor."
Zhang Yin left, feeling happy and affectionately patted his shoulder.
Song Yan looked at the invitation in his hand, feeling a tinge of anticipation.
These days, he was indeed practicing Life Span Calculation on the "Skin Painting Technique", but upon reaching a certain level, he encountered a bottleneck.
For the "Skin Painting Technique" to reach perfection, it requires one condition: to observe as many demon beasts as possible.
This means the environment must be suitable.
In a place without demon beasts, even if he practiced for hundreds or thousands of years, he couldn't progress with the "Skin Painting Technique", since he can't conjure demon beasts out of thin air.
Honestly, this was troubling him.
But unexpectedly, it was as if the pillow was delivered to him just when he needed it the most.
He glanced at the tightly closed stone door of the cave mansion not far across.
He remembered Qi Yao had been confined there for some time.
He really didn't know how this "Nanwu Sword Sect's little spy" would break out of her predicament, but he wouldn't lend any more help.
He didn't mind helping a good person in need, but if his own safety was at stake, he wouldn't foolishly get involved.
Returning to his cave mansion, he shut the stone door.
Because of the snowy weather, there was little light inside the cave mansion, giving it a somewhat dismal atmosphere.
Miss Qiu and the Princess Consort were busy sorting "fire-breath pepper", along with some spirit flowers and herbs brought by Wang Susu and Zhang Yin.
These flowers and herbs had little practical use, mainly "air purification", "non-toxic", or even "edible".
The two women sat by the stone table, meticulously arranging the spirit soil in the flower beds and ensuring equal spacing between each flower...
Apart from skin making, tending to flowers was all they could do.
Muddling through life...
Just like that.
...
...
Having received the Linglong Valley invitation, Song Yan felt he could finally breathe a little easier. After dealing with the two ladies at night, he said, "Tomorrow I plan to visit the market at the foot of the mountain. I remember there's a restaurant there. I'll bring back some dishes from the restaurant for us to eat together."
Even though Fasting Pills kept them from feeling hungry, they also took away the joy of eating.
The two women brightened up.
Even such a small thing as sharing a meal was something they looked forward to.
...
...
The next day...
Song Yan confidently descended the mountain, firstly purchasing "Strengthening Ginseng Pill", and then heading to the restaurant at the market. He spent 1 Contribution Point to buy a box of three pots of gourmet delicacies, each a supreme culinary masterpiece. According to the restaurant owner, the chef was an Imperial Chef, formerly serving at national banquets.
He then "incidentally" spent 199 Contribution Points to acquire the "Soul-Searching Skill".
Balance: 1324 Contribution Points.
However, what appeared on his panel was "Soul-Searching Skill (not entry-level) (threshold: Refining Profound Third Layer)", clearly showing that this magic requires reaching a certain level of cultivation to execute.
Song Yan shook his head.
Advancing his realm was the most critical task.
But he already knew quite a bit about realms.
Realms aren't about comprehension, so unless there's a great fortuitous encounter, it's impossible to make rapid advances.
Advancing in realm is all about "Profound Root Talent", "Cave Mansion", "Furnace", "Elixirs" and so on... If he suddenly claimed he had achieved perfection in "Refining Profound Second Layer" and sought advice on how to cultivate "Refining Profound Third Layer", he would definitely be in trouble.
Back in the mountains, he opened the lunchbox and placed the three pots of dishes on the spirit wood charcoal furnace to steam and heat.
The aroma and steam filled the air, making the three, who hadn't eaten a proper meal for a long time, drool.
The two women eagerly watched the delicious food on the charcoal stove, then glanced at Song Yan, who was also waiting expectantly, unable to restrain a knowing smile.
Perhaps at this moment, the three of them truly had an "emotional resonance".
But it was just for this moment.
Upon closer inspection...
There really isn't any deeper connection.
Song Yan never really believed the Princess Consort didn't resent him. If he were to hand her a knife in a safe place and tie himself up, he felt the Princess Consort might still stab him.
However, even though he was asleep now, he was more alert than an ordinary mortal due to his high realm.
So, even if he sometimes slept with the princess consort at night, he wasn't afraid at all.
And the princess consort wasn't foolish enough to make a move against him in the cave mansion.
"It's heating up."
Miss Qiu happily watched the furnace while setting the bowls and chopsticks delivered with the lunchbox, swallowing her saliva in anticipation.
The princess consort's mood also brightened.
Song Yan raised his hand to lift the pot lid.
However, at the instant his fingers touched the lid, a phrase suddenly popped into his mind.
It was the boast of the tavern owner in the market.
"Our chef is an imperial chef, used to cooking state banquets. You are in for a treat, sir."
Pa.
He put the pot lid back down.
"What's wrong?" Miss Qiu asked in astonishment.
Song Yan casually replied, "Not hot enough yet."
After saying that, he suddenly had an idea. He closed his eyes slightly, focusing his attention on the "[Cultivation Technique: Profound Qi Guiding Technique (Life Span Calculation possible)]".
He added a psychological suggestion: 'Use the contents of this pot as a medicine, spend one year of life span, and start the calculation.'
[You invested one year of life span to cultivate "Profound Qi Guiding Technique". There's no Evil Element here, and your Evil Element is full, unable to increase further.
But you feel that consuming the delicious food in front of you could serve as an opportunity for cultivation.
You consumed the delicacy from these three pots.
That night, your stomach was in agony.
You died.
Returning the remaining three hundred and sixty-four days of life span]
Song Yan:...
He had once again discovered a method to use his panel: poison testing.
At the same time, he also realized... there really was poison in this dish.
Song Yan sighed, deliberately lifted the pot lid, sniffed, and said, "Poison."
"Poison?" The princess consort was taken aback.
Song Yan said, "The Great Wei remnants, the palace's imperial chef..."
Princess Consort:...
"Ordinary poison shouldn't affect you, right?" The princess consort forced a smile.
Song Yan said, "It might not be ordinary poison. The remnants on your side might have already colluded entirely with the Nanwu Sword Sect. They got poison from the Nanwu Sword Sect and launched a suicidal attack on the Puppet Sect. Truly... loyal and righteous."
Princess Consort:...
Song Yan patted her hair and said, "To be fair, I didn't expect such a thing to happen either. But since it's happened, I have to report it."
With that, he grabbed the iron pot and went to find Zhang Yin.
...
...
That night...
The leader Zhang Yin, along with Song Yan, Wang Susu, and others, arrived at the market entrance.
The market was already in an uproar because many disciples of the evil sects in the Jianghu had died from poisoning.
Zhang Yin ordered the disciples to block the front and back doors and directly apprehended people.
And that tavern chef hadn't left, just stood on the rooftop looking north, passionately shouting, "I, Hua Wuxian, have never betrayed the royal grace! Your Majesty, I'm coming!"
After saying this, blood flowed from his seven orifices, and he fell from a height, dying before hitting the ground, with eyes wide open, filled with hatred as he looked at the disciples of Shadow Puppet Peak amidst the firelight in the distance.
Zhang Yin, however, said nothing, continuing to apprehend people, then used Soul-Searching Skill with a "swish swish".
In a short time, they captured a few more suspects and executed them directly.
Wang Susu stood under the lanterns in the snowy night of the market, with a charming smile, twirling a small red oil-paper umbrella, savoring the scent of blood in the air.
Song Yan looked at the tragically dead chef, and then at Senior Brother Zhang, who had returned from the killing, unable to resist asking, "Have you caught King Wei?"
Zhang Yin waved his hand and said, "Escaped, probably died in some desolate mountain or wilderness."
Song Yan, for some reason, suddenly shivered.
Wang Susu leaned close to Senior Brother Zhang, speaking in a voice only the three of them could hear, coquettishly saying, "Senior Brother, my furnace is no longer viable. Can you give me another royal family member?"
Zhang Yin awkwardly glanced at Song Yan beside him, then scanned the other disciples not far away, lowering his voice, "Sure, sure, sure."
Then he said in an even lighter voice, "Junior Brother Song, do you want one? I can get you another one, guaranteed to be younger than the previous one."
Song Yan shook his head, "Thank you for your offer, Senior Brother."
Wang Susu cast a sidelong glance at Song Yan, saying, "Junior Brother Song is such a compassionate person, how about... showing some compassion for Senior Sister too?"
With that, she covered her lips and laughed with a "goose goose goose".
Song Yan smiled speechlessly.
However, he was already used to Senior Sister's style.
Senior Sister was the standard demoness.
And true demonesses are all shattered shoes.