Chapter Seventy-Three: The Kitchen

Ye Sansi held Ling Shuang’s hand, preparing to step down from the platform, but Li Taiyi blocked their way.

Ye Sansi said, “Taiyi, don’t feel regretful. Now that we’re leaving Fangcun Immortal Island, there are still countless places for us to go. The world is vast; wherever we go, we can make something of ourselves.”

Li Taiyi patted Ye Sansi’s shoulder, anxiously saying, “Sansi, you truly value friendship. I was childish, it was just a joke…”

Ling Shuang asked, “So Taiyi, does that mean you’ve passed this trial?”

Taiyi nodded, replying, “I didn’t expect you both to take it so seriously, to give up your chance for my sake. I’m truly moved. It was I who deceived you…”

Seeing Taiyi’s guilty expression, Ye Sansi laughed heartily, placing a hand on Taiyi’s shoulder. “It’s nothing. We’re brothers; there’s no talk of deception. It was all in jest. Taiyi, you’re truly mischievous, and I believed you! Hahaha.”

As the next candidate was slow to arrive, Fang Yuan began urging from the training ground. Ling Shuang hurriedly ran over, and the five on the platform all wished her well.

Strangely, where most people took only half an incense stick’s time for two candidates, Ling Shuang spent a full incense stick alone. Ye Sansi and the others were anxious for her.

Ling Shuang finally returned, her face from afar filled not with worry but joy, indicating she had passed.

Ye Sansi stood up, ready to head to the training ground. Ling Shuang waved them over and approached the five, saying, “The Island Master said the four of you don’t need to take the aptitude test. During the previous trial of heart, you were already observed. Just inform the others.”

Jin Sun hurried off to deliver the message. Ye Sansi scratched his head, saying, “How curious. What makes us four so different? It’s said Fangcun Immortal Island is strict in recruiting disciples, but now it seems so lax?”

Li Taiyi laughed, “Sansi, don’t say that. Surely the four of you possess outstanding aptitude, so much so it’s obvious at a glance. The Island Master of Fangjian is highly respected throughout the land, impeccable in conduct. This is an important matter for Immortal Island—how could it be handled carelessly?”

Jin Sun soon returned with delight. “Haha, this is wonderful! I thought the aptitude test would be harsh and hard to pass, but before we even reached the training ground, they said we could stay. Such luck! Ling Shuang, what did you say to the Island Master to have such effect?”

“Me? I didn’t say anything special.”

“Ling Shuang, don’t be modest. The first time I saw you, your clothes and bearing marked you as from a prominent family, and you possess martial skills, so your background must be exceptional.”

Ling Shuang smiled, “Honestly, it wasn’t because of me. The Island Master just asked me some questions, which I answered. At the end, I casually said, ‘The other four traveling with me need not come; they were already observed during the trial of heart—no need to trouble further.’ That was all.”

Li Taiyi asked, “Ling Shuang, what kind of questions did the Island Master ask you?”

Ling Shuang thought for a moment. “Mainly about Sansi—when and where I met him, and what sets him apart from others. I answered each in turn.”

Taiyi asked, “How did you answer?”

“The truth: we met a month ago at Buyun Mountain. He’s exceptionally perceptive and strong, more righteous than the rest of us. When I said that, the Island Master stopped me. Oh, and also asked about Nian’er.”

Lin Nian’er leaned forward, softly asking, “Asked about me? What did they want to know?”

“Nothing much, just similar questions as for Sansi—background, and what makes you different from others. I answered honestly. There shouldn’t be any issue.”

Li Taiyi waved his hand with a smile, “There shouldn’t be. Just the questions that need asking—no problem.” Though he said this, his brow was deeply furrowed.

The others felt grateful for having passed, but Taiyi was troubled, thinking: I thought only the senior of Tianluo Mountain could recognize Tiannu, yet even here at Fangcun Immortal Island, trouble follows. The Island Master surely knows Sansi’s identity—if we stay, they might act against him.

Ye Sansi noticed Taiyi’s unease and asked quietly, “Taiyi, what’s wrong? Is something on your mind?”

“Haha, Sansi, you can see through people’s hearts. I won’t hide it—I’m worried the Island Master knows your identity. If they have a grudge against your father, they may resent you and cause you harm. That wouldn’t be good.”

“Taiyi, don’t worry. The Immortal Island is praised for its righteousness—a major sect for those seeking immortality and the Dao. The Island Master is highly respected; why trouble a junior like me? Besides, I have a trump card. I can face immortals and gods in battle, so there’s no need to fear.”

Ling Shuang, full of admiration for Sansi and curious, leaned close and asked, “What trump card? Can you tell us?”

“It’s a pill. After taking it, my cultivation will increase ten thousandfold. If Tiannu’s power attaches to me, such force would be terrifying.”

Taiyi replied, “If that’s true, this power could split heaven and earth. To say you can battle immortals and gods is no exaggeration.”

As they spoke, the second trial—the aptitude test—finished, and those who passed sat on the platform. Ling Shuang looked around and counted carefully: exactly thirty-two people remained. Compared to previous years, this was truly few.

The thirty-two who succeeded were mostly about Ye Sansi’s age, with only two slightly older, just around forty, showing that the requirements for this assembly had increased.

It made sense. Yesterday’s unexpected guests had made Fang Jian cautious; the world was not as it once was. Now, Duke Wei wielded great power, gathering and dominating all sects, his influence vast.

Over a decade ago, Wei Feiliang was just a minor noble. Fangcun Immortal Island knew of his misdeeds but had to consider the emperor’s reputation, so sent disciples to secretly intervene.

Yet the scattered disciples’ power was weak. They watched as the Wei family’s small spark grew into a wildfire. Now, even the Wei family’s accompanying Iron Army can easily defeat senior disciples of the Immortal Island—an unsettling thought.

Fang Jian continued, “The hour grows long. Follow Fang Yuan to the Eastern Dining Hall to eat and rest. In two hours, return here to the Eastern Training Ground for the third trial—testing martial arts.” With that, he soared away on his sword.

Fang Yuan coughed to signal everyone to follow him. With fewer people now, it was quiet and orderly. Many had lost their companions, so only Ye Sansi’s group of six could comfort each other.

At the Eastern Dining Hall, the space felt empty—reduced from several hundred to just thirty-two, truly harsh.

But fewer people had its advantages; Brother Wang quickly spotted Xiong Gang, hurried over, and brought the six to a long table.

Xiong Gang smiled, “Brother Wang, what’s this?”

“Brother Xiong, did you have breakfast? How was it?”

“It was fine, tasted as usual. Why?”

“Today is your big day—you must eat well. I personally cooked some dishes, plenty for everyone, and I guarantee they're tastier than what the others make.” He left to instruct disciples to bring the food. The dishes looked impressive.

When the food was served and chopsticks laid out, Brother Wang said, “Don’t be shy. Dig in before it gets cold.”

Before they could start eating, Fang Yuan approached. Seeing the scene, he asked, “Wang Qi, what’s going on? Who allowed you to eat here?”

Wang Qi quickly pulled Fang Yuan aside, saying, “Master Uncle, the Island Master said outer disciples must pay for food. These six paid extra, which I submitted. If I asked for a refund, the Island Master and elders would be too busy. So I prepared good dishes to make up for the extra money—makes things easier.”

Fang Yuan saw the logic. Today’s assembly kept all disciples busy, so this solution spared the leaders trouble. He nodded, permitting them.

It had been over six hours since their last meal, and hunger gnawed at them. They raised bowls and chopsticks, eating the food.

The taste was indeed superb—the meat tender and melting on the tongue, delicious with rice. Even the wild vegetables were cooked perfectly, crisp and tasty, not inferior to meat.

Ye Sansi ate and gave a thumbs-up. “This meat is amazing, a hundred times better than my roasted dishes. I always thought wild boar from the mountains was the best food in the world, but this surpasses it.”

Wang Qi laughed, “Young hero, eat as much as you like. Rest well, and win at the Qiankun Training Ground. If you become Immortal Island disciples, I’ll cook for you every day.”

Ling Shuang, eating with interest, asked, “Brother Wang, you seem older than Brother Fang Yuan. Why call him Master Uncle?”

“My teacher is Master Fang Yuan’s junior brother, so that’s the proper address. Though he’s not older, he entered the sect earlier. He’s an eleventh-generation disciple, I’m twelfth. Today’s assembly is for recruiting the thirteenth generation. If you’re chosen, you’ll call me Master Uncle, haha.”

Curiously, since Ye Sansi and the others had woken up, over six hours had passed, yet the day hadn’t darkened—the sky remained as it was at dawn, no matter how much time passed.

Ye Sansi asked casually, “Brother Wang, several hours have gone by. By rights, it should be night, but the sky hasn’t dimmed. It’s bright, but there’s no sun. How odd.”

Wang Qi laughed, “That’s because of the recruitment assembly. The Island Master cast a spell so the sky over Fangcun Immortal Island doesn’t change. Amazing, isn’t it? If you study diligently after joining, you can learn all these arts.”

Li Taiyi smiled, “Brother Wang, you speak as if we’re certain to be chosen. The assembly is strict—I wonder if we can make it to the end.”

“Ah, you’re still young. Since you’ve passed the aptitude trial, even if you don’t stay on the Island, you’ll achieve something outside. Unlike me, who only knows how to cook—most disciples master the arts, while I only grasp the basics.”

Ye Sansi continued eating ravenously, chewing as he spoke, “Brother Wang, your skill is rare enough. Everyone has their strengths; as long as you have one, that’s good. Your cooking is far better than any inn or tavern.”

Wang Qi replied, “Young hero, your words are wise, haha. I’ll remember them all my life. After you finish eating, rest for a few hours. When it’s time, I’ll wake you up.”

“Alright,” they all agreed.

After their meal, when the disciples had cleared the table and dishes, they lay down on the table and slept…