Chapter 138 : 102: Human Heart and Human Nature [Subscribe Please]
Although the mistress of the "Green Frost Cave,"
Master Liu Shiyun was quite caring toward her disciples and didn't forbid them from bringing cultivators from outside the sect to the cave as guests.
Thus, when Liu Shiyun arrived at the entrance of the cave with Zhou Chun, she simply greeted one of the senior sisters guarding the Mountain Protection Array and easily brought Zhou Chun inside.
Perhaps because the successive masters of the cave all practiced Kundao, the interior of the "Green Frost Cave" boasted a special feminine touch.
For instance, many trees on the mountain were fruit trees capable of blossoming beautifully, complemented by a myriad of flowers and plants blooming during different seasons, as well as delicately designed pavilions and towers.
The residence of Liu Shiyun was a large courtyard at the foot of the main peak.
This courtyard was much larger than the one Zhou Chun lived in on Pagoda Peak, at least three times the size.
The courtyard housed more than a dozen buildings with various functions, all exquisitely elegant, revealing tremendous care in their construction.
"This courtyard originally belonged to a certain great-uncle of Shiyun, who sat in meditation until passing away a few years ago, leaving no descendants, so Master bestowed it upon Shiyun to dwell in,"
Seeing the surprise in Zhou Chun's eyes as he looked at the courtyard, Liu Shiyun promptly explained, then opened the door and invited Zhou Chun in.
Once inside the courtyard, Zhou Chun soon saw Liu Qingshan, who had heard the commotion and came out to greet them.
Zhou Chun wondered if the land and water of the Green Lotus Temple truly had such a nourishing effect; after a period of absence, he noticed that Taoist Friend Liu not only had broken through to the twelfth level of the Qi Refinement Realm, but he also appeared to have rejuvenated by several years.
At that moment, upon seeing Zhou Chun and Liu Shiyun arrive, Liu Qingshan laughed heartily and said, "Hahaha, Taoist Friend Zhou has finally arrived. Liu has prepared the wine and dishes; today we must drink to our heart's delight and not return until we're drunk!"
Hearing this, Zhou Chun immediately smiled and said, "After a long time, not only has Taoist Friend Liu's cultivation level made a breakthrough, but you also look even younger. Could it truly be that the Green Lotus Temple's land and water are so nourishing?"
"Hahaha, perhaps it's because after seeing Shiyun join the Green Lotus Temple and find a good master, all the burdens in my heart melted away; Liu now feels as light as a feather!"
Liu Qingshan laughed again, his face overflowing with joy.
As a father, to see one's child accomplish great deeds and lead a satisfying career would likely bring the same pride and happiness as it did to him.
Although Zhou Chun was not a father himself, he still understood the sentiment.
He then went along with Liu Qingshan's words and praised Liu Shiyun again, bringing wide smiles to both father and daughter.
The three of them subsequently went to the living room to dine.
Upon seeing the dining table, Zhou Chun was taken aback. It was full of dishes made from Demon Beast meat, Spiritual Medicine, and Spirit Grass, impeccable in both craftsmanship and ingredients.
This sight left Zhou Chun somewhat stunned; he hadn't expected the Liu father-daughter duo to prepare such an extravagant feast just for him.
Just as he was still marveling, Liu Qingshan looked at him with a grateful face and said, "Taoist Friend Zhou is a great benefactor to us; Liu previously said that once I gained my freedom, I would definitely treat Taoist Friend Zhou to a meal at the Heavenly Immortal Tower."
"Now that Heavenly Immortal Tower is not an option, fortunately inside the gates of Green Lotus Temple, we have spirit chefs who specialize in preparing Spirit Meals. This table full of Spirit Meals should not be inferior to those signature dishes of the Heavenly Immortal Tower!"
As he spoke, he stepped forward, took a jade pot from the table, poured a glass of golden Spiritual Wine, and handed it to Zhou Chun, saying, "And this jar of 'Golden Liquid Jade Dew Wine' was a gift from Shiyun's senior sister when she first became a disciple. It's said to be worth a hundred Spirit Coins for just one jar. Today, it's perfect to try something special with Taoist Friend Zhou!"
"You two are holding Zhou in too high regard!"
Zhou Chun opened his mouth and let out a sigh, a wry smile on his face.
He hadn't expected that the Liu father and daughter would go to such lengths for just him.
He accepted their kind intentions, but truly, it was unnecessary.
Perhaps, being Loose Cultivators before joining the Green Lotus Temple, the father and daughter had never eaten Spirit Meals, so they were very much looking forward to it.
Or perhaps, they were conditioned by having heard other Loose Cultivators extol how delicious and beneficial for cultivation the Spirit Meals were.
That's why they thought serving Zhou Chun an abundant Spirit Meal was the way to show their appreciation and gratitude.
However, Zhou Chun had already eaten Spirit Meals more than once and knew they were like the gold-plated meals from his previous life, purely for show.
In reality, the taste of Spirit Meals was not better than ordinary food, and their effect on enhancing cultivation level couldn't compare to that of Elixirs, unless one dined on them daily.
If Zhou Chun had to choose, he felt that the Liu father and daughter giving him an Elixir to advance his cultivation or a Hundred-Year Spirit Herb would make him much happier.
"It's just a small token; compared to the great kindness Taoist Friend Zhou has shown us, this is nothing,"
Liu Qingshan, unaware of Zhou Chun's inner thoughts, assumed Zhou Chun felt awkward about their extravagant treatment and laughed it off with a gesture, showing he didn't mind.
Zhou Chun knew the best thing for him to do at that moment was to accept their "good intentions."
So he could only smile bitterly in his heart as he sat down to dine and drink with the Liu family father and daughter.
And unexpectedly, maybe because the spirit chefs of the Green Lotus Temple were truly skilled or because they used better seasonings, the taste of the Spirit Meals on the table was indeed much better than the Spirit Meals Zhou Chun had before.