ã€ŠAI Cultivator: The Ultimate Cheat to Immortalityã€‹


 Chapter 01: Second Generation Heir

    Chapter 01: Second Generation Heir

    Translator:Krukist

    "Year-end grand discount sale at Ganoderma Hall! For just three Spirit Stones, you can become our esteemed VIP member¡ªfree consultation fees and all medicinal herbs at half price!"

    "Three Spirit Stones¡ªno losses, no scams! Just three Spirit Stones!"

    "Don''t miss out as you pass by! It''s the last day of our Membership Day sale! The very last day!"

    ¡­

    The bustling long street was filled with people coming and going. Amid the crowd, a young man clad in rough linen clothes stood with a stack of paper flyers, shouting at the top of his lungs.

    The scorching sun blazed overhead, yet no one paid him any attention. His throat was dry, almost burning, and sweat dripped onto the ground.

    Ganoderma Hall was a grand pharmacy offering both medical consultations and herbal prescriptions. The three-story building had an attached courtyard at the back, and its entrance bore a large plaque with three golden characters, testifying to its once-glorious heritage.

    Unfortunately¡­

    That was all in the past. Now, Ganoderma Hall was on the verge of collapse. No patients had visited for over half a year, and the medicinal herbs in the shop were nearly growing mold.

    ¡°Sigh!¡±

    With a long sigh, Lin Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and slumped onto the stone steps outside the shop. Watching the endless stream of pedestrians, a deep sense of sorrow welled up in his heart.

    If he couldn''t scrape together his younger sister''s tuition fees soon, she would be expelled from Heavenly Cloud Academy. On the Heavenly Sun Continent, martial arts reigned supreme, and spell arts were held in the highest regard. His sister''s admission into Heavenly Cloud Academy to study Arcane Spell arts was a rare blessing for the Lin family.

    Truthfully, Lin Yu wasn¡¯t originally from this so-called Heavenly Cloud Continent. He had transmigrated from a place known as Earth. In his past life, he had been a lowly internet caf¨¦ administrator.

    A miserable job with meager pay. He had a decent girlfriend¡ªuntil, on his birthday, she got into a rich man¡¯s BMW and never looked back.

    Heartbroken and furious, he had been working a night shift at the internet caf¨¦ when disaster struck¡ªsomeone had secretly downloaded some¡­ illicit videos, which infected every single computer with a virus.

    Desperate to avoid his boss¡¯s wrath, he went from PC to PC, running antivirus software. Just as he was about to finish, the last machine froze at 99% every time he tried to disinfect it. Rebooting didn''t work. The only option left was to unplug it.

    Then, that damn knockoff power strip had a leakage issue¡­ and then¡­

    Then, he transmigrated.

    The body he now occupied also belonged to a Lin Yu, a so-called "Medicine Heir" in Heavenly Cloud City. His father had been a highly respected Third-Grade Spiritual Alchemist.

    Lin Yu also had a younger sister who was blessed with an exceptional talent for cultivation. She had been admitted into Heavenly Cloud Academy to train as a spellcaster, the most prestigious profession on the continent.

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    However, Lin Yu himself was born with an abnormal meridian structure¡ªSeven Meridians and Eight Vessels completely blocked. Forget becoming a Arcane Martialist¡ªeven the lowest-tier profession, a Body Forging Warrior, was beyond his reach. Left with no other path, he followed his father¡¯s footsteps and studied medicine. Unfortunately, his talent in this field was pitiful, and after more than a decade of training, he was barely considered a novice.

    A year ago, his father ventured into the untamed Savage Mountains outside Heavenly Cloud City, searching for a spiritual medicine that could cure his congenital meridian disorder. He never returned.

    Lacking skill and experience, Lin Yu had struggled to keep the family business afloat. To make matters worse, a medical accident six months ago had utterly ruined Ganoderma Hall¡¯s three-hundred-year reputation. The pharmacy was now on the brink of closure.

    As a transmigrator, Lin Yu had read plenty of web novels back on Earth. Almost every protagonist who transmigrated started as a useless loser but then unlocked a golden cheat ability, rising to dominate the world.

    Yet six months had passed¡­

    The "useless loser" part was spot on!

    Where was his damn golden finger?!

    He had already lived a miserable life on Earth¡ªwas he doomed to suffer the same fate here?!

    "Oh, Xiao Yu, so you¡¯re running a discount sale? Doesn¡¯t look like anyone¡¯s interested!" A woman¡¯s voice rang out, her tone dripping with schadenfreude.

    Li Chaohua¡ªLin Yu¡¯s second aunt.

    Lin Yu¡¯s father, Lin Wen, had only one younger brother, Lin Dong. Ten years ago, after their grandfather passed away, Lin Dong had been expelled from the family for unethical medical practices, while Lin Wen inherited Lingzhi Hall.

    Over the years, Lin Dong and his wife set up a small pharmacy in the western part of the city, but they had always coveted Ganoderma Hall. When Lin Wen was around, they didn¡¯t dare make a move. Now that he had been missing for over a year, presumed dead, they had started scheming openly.

    In fact, the "medical accident" that destroyed Ganoderma Hall¡¯s reputation was largely orchestrated by Lin Dong and his wife. The previous Lin Yu, unable to withstand the pressure, had perished¡ªallowing him, the transmigrator, to take over this body.

    Recognizing Li Chaohua¡¯s voice, Lin Yu didn¡¯t even bother looking up. His inherited memories painted a clear picture of her scheming nature.

    Li Chaohua, undeterred by his silence, sauntered over with a smug grin. She was nearing forty, slightly plump, with a conspicuous mole at the corner of her mouth.

    "Final exams at Heavenly Cloud Academy are coming up soon, aren¡¯t they? Ling¡¯er¡¯s tuition for next year must still be short," she said in a falsely sympathetic tone. "Heavenly Sun Continent values Arcane Spell arts above all else. Ling¡¯er¡¯s chance to study at the academy is a blessing for the Lin family. If she completes her training, she¡¯ll be set for life."

    Her voice turned dramatic. "But if she gets expelled over something as trivial as tuition fees¡­ what a pity! That girl is so headstrong¡ªbecoming a Arcane Martialist is her dream. If she loses that dream now, I wonder if she¡¯ll¡ª"

    "That¡¯s none of your business!" Lin Yu cut her off coldly, glaring at her with sharp eyes.

    "Heh¡­"

    Li Chaohua remained unfazed. Smiling, she continued, "Xiao Yu, you need to be realistic. Your father is gone. You¡¯re the head of the household now. You have to think about Ling¡¯er¡¯s future.

    "Besides, Ganoderma Hall is doomed in your hands. Your second uncle and I can¡¯t bear to see the family legacy crumble. We admit that the price we offered before was a bit low, so we discussed it again. Since we¡¯re all family, we¡¯re willing to increase our offer a little."

    A month ago, Li Chaohua had tried to buy Ganoderma Hall at an insultingly low price. Even though its reputation had been tarnished, selling at market value was still possible. But the offer she gave was pure robbery. Naturally, Lin Yu had thrown her out.

    "Not for sale!"

    Lin Yu¡¯s tone was firm. Regardless of his personal grudge against this scheming aunt, as a transmigrator, there was no way he¡¯d sell his family¡¯s legacy right off the bat!

    Even without a golden finger, he was still a transmigrator! A transmigrator had to have some pride!

    Ding¡ª

    A sudden chime echoed in his mind, like a soft piano note¡ªclear and melodious, yet with a lingering undertone.

    In the pitch-black depths of his consciousness, a flicker of light appeared. It was faint at first, then flashed twice before stabilizing.

    Lin Yu saw it clearly.

    A computer.

    A desktop computer.

    The screen was frozen at 99% on an antivirus scan¡ªjust a sliver away from completion.

    It was stuck.

    This¡­

    Lin Yu¡¯s spirit jolted.

    Was this his golden finger?!

    Was this¡­ the very computer that got him transmigrated?!

    Damn!

    As reality set in, Lin Yu felt the urge to curse.

    Other protagonists got divine systems, ancient inheritance, or peerless cultivation manuals.

    And he?

    He got a computer.

    Not just any computer¡ªthis was the worst, most outdated mac

    hine in the internet caf¨¦ he used to work at!

    Was he doomed to be a repairman in this world too?!

    query: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter 02: Golden Finger

    Chapter 02: Golden Finger

    Translator: Krukist

    Despair!

    My heart aches...

    For a moment, I really couldn''t figure out what this sudden computer that appeared in my sea of consciousness could do. The key was that it was stuck on a frozen screen. If it were a normal computer, I could perhaps use it as a calculator and become a math whiz in the Tianyang Continent.

    The spiritual energy in the Heavenly Sun Continent is far denser than that of my previous Earth village. People here live longer and have higher IQs. But even with high intelligence, it wouldn''t surpass the capabilities of a computer from my past life. In every field, there are exceptional talents, and if I could be the best in mathematics across the continent, I shouldn''t have to worry about a comfortable life in the future.

    Or, even if I didn''t become a math genius, as long as it could be used normally, I could play games to pass the time when I was bored, which would still be putting it to good use.

    But the problem was that this computer was frozen, and my attempts to click on it didn¡¯t yield any response.

    Normally, I could just unplug it, but where would I find a power source in my sea of consciousness...

    Life is unfair!

    It must be because I didn''t help an old lady cross the street in my previous life, which led to insufficient cultivation. I even peeked at the neighbor''s... bathing, leaving a mark on my destiny.

    That''s why...

    "Help!"

    Just as Lin Yu was pondering, a woman suddenly ran past him like the wind, cradling a swaddled bundle in her arms, entering the hall.

    Lin Yu felt a fragrant scent wafting up to his nose, and he regained his composure.

    Li Chaohua was still there. She had just seen Lin Yu dazed and thought he was weighing his options, not knowing that he never intended to sell Ganoderma Hall.

    The pride of a time traveler!

    ¡°Pharmacist, please save me! My child is dying, please help it!¡±

    The woman in the hall was around twenty, wearing a colorful silk dress, looking panicked as she hurriedly searched around. She was out of breath, having rushed in, and a thin layer of sweat glistened on her forehead.

    Lin Yu raised an eyebrow; this young woman was quite oblivious. How could she not see a living person standing right at the entrance? Did people in the Heavenly Sun Continent also have the same notion as in Earth Village where a doctor''s age was paramount? Was it a must for physicians, especially traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, to be elderly, otherwise, they¡¯d be ignored?

    ¡°Miss, I can¡¯t help,¡± Lin Yu walked into the hall and said sincerely.

    ¡°Wh-why?¡± The woman¡¯s face immediately darkened in despair. This was already the sixth shop she had visited, and all had turned her away.

    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t have money; wearing colorful silk in Heavenly Cloud City was a symbol of wealth.

    And it wasn¡¯t because the swaddled bundle contained a difficult-to-treat human, but rather...

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    ¡°I¡¯m an incompetent doctor.¡± Lin Yu maintained a sincere attitude, without an ounce of shame.

    Ah?

    The woman was momentarily stunned, doubting whether she had misheard. She had seen many pharmacists, but it was the first time meeting one who actively admitted to being incompetent and seemed perfectly unashamed about it. What a thick-skinned person!

    Plop...

    The next moment, the woman knelt on the ground, looking up with tears in her eyes, ¡°Sir, please save my child! It really can''t go on like this. If it dies, I can¡¯t...¡±

    As she spoke, she opened the swaddled bundle, and Lin Yu was somewhat dazed, his expression frozen.

    Inside the swaddled blanket was not a human but... a cat!

    This cat was completely snow-white, plump and round, looking auspicious and prosperous. But at the moment, its eyes were closed, appearing listless and obviously unwell.

    From his experience back on Earth, this cat resembled one of Persian lineage.

    Lin Yu glanced once more at the woman on the ground, secretly scolding. Whether in his previous life on Earth or the current Heavenly Sun Continent, wealthy young women all shared a common folly¡ªtreating their pets like children.

    He wouldn¡¯t dare treat a human; the medical incidents in this world were frightening, and medical disputes were even scarier.

    But treating a cat? That should be plausible, right? Even if he couldn¡¯t cure it, he wouldn¡¯t make it worse, would he?

    After all, he was a fairly trained pharmacist.

    ¡°Put it on the examination table beside us.¡± Lin Yu collected himself and instructed.

    ¡°Thank you, thank you, pharmacist!¡± The young woman quickly stood up, a look of gratitude on her face as she carried the cat to the examination table.

    The examination table was simple, just a wooden board, but it had worn smooth over the years, polished by many people who sought medical help.

    Standing at the door, Li Chaohua, upon seeing Lin Yu actually treating a cat, immediately yelled as if her tail had been stepped on, ¡°No! You can''t treat that cat!¡±

    The Lin family had a long-standing rule that female members, whether daughters or daughters-in-law, were strictly forbidden from entering the front hall of Ganoderma Hall. In other words, it was a patriarchal tradition established by the ancestors, who believed that women would bring misfortune to the shop.

    Li Chaohua had never set foot in the front hall before, but now she dashed in recklessly without a care.

    Lin Yu, having crossed over from Earth, had long discarded patriarchal views, but seeing Li Chaohua¡¯s excited expression, he had just reached out to examine the cat when he paused, frowning at her, ¡°Ganoderma Hall is still part of our family for now; whether I treat it or not is none of your concern!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re being foolish!¡± Li Chaohua cried, filled with anguish and indignation. Since she planned to take over Ganoderma Hall, she couldn¡¯t bear to watch it be ruined by Lin Yu.

    She didn¡¯t bother to explain further, turning to the young woman in the colorful silk dress, speaking in a colder tone, ¡°Miss, judging by your attire, you must be from the Soutwestern Marquis¡¯s residence. The beloved pet of Miss Nalan, a precious blue bamboo cat worth a fortune, is probably this very one. Miss Nalan has been away hunting with the royal family recently, and you were responsible for caring for this cat. Due to your negligence, it appears to have come down with some illness. If it dies, you¡¯ll certainly be punished by Miss Nalan when she returns. I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re going to face grave consequences here in Heavenly Cloud City.¡±

    Lin Yu had a poor impression of Li Chaohua and thus did not believe anything she said and looked down on her from the bottom of his heart. However, as soon as she finished speaking, the young woman in the colorful dress turned pale, her eyes dropping, no longer daring to meet Lin Yu¡¯s gaze. Her hands tightly clutched her dress, clearly realizing the truth in Li Chaohua¡¯s words.

    Li Chaohua wasn¡¯t trying to help Lin Yu; she was worried he would end up killing Miss Nalan¡¯s pet, which could implicate Ganoderma Hall. If that happened, Ganoderma Hall might be shut down by the Soutwestern Marquis¡¯s estate, which would jeopardize her acquisition plans.

    ¡°Please, please¡­¡± The woman¡¯s voice dropped, knowing the truth was laid bare. She remained hesitant and still looking down, pleading, ¡°If the treasure dies, I will definitely be punished by my mistress. I truly have been caring for it; I don¡¯t know why it suddenly got sick this morning. Wuwu¡­¡±

    As she spoke, her voice choked, tears cascading down her cheeks.

    ¡°Begging won¡¯t help!¡± Before Lin Yu could speak up, Li Chaohua coldly interjected, ¡°We at Ganoderma Hall won¡¯t take this risk. I advise you, no pharmacy in Heavenly Cloud City would gamble their future over a mere cat. You should seek your own fortune.¡±

    ¡°You should leave now.¡± Lin Yu finally spoke up at this moment.

    Li Chaohua had spoken nothing but truth. Having heard that, the young woman also recognized that further pleading would be futile, so she prepared to pick up the examination table''s blue bamboo cat to leave, feeling despondent and aggrieved, trembling in fear at the thought of seeing it dead when her mistress returned.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean for you to leave.¡±

    Lin Yu then spoke again, his gaze steady as he looked at Li Chaohua, ¡°What I meant was¡­¡±

    query: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter 03: Blue Bamboo Cat

    <b>Chapter 03:</b> <b>Blue Bamboo Cat</b>

    <i></i><b>Translator: Krukist</b>

    "You, you unreasonable child! Do you truly wish to bury Ganoderma Hall with your own hands? If your Lin family ancestors were watching from above, they certainly wouldn''t forgive you!"

    "Even if you won''t think of yourself, at least consider Ling''er. Next semester''s..."

    "Blacky."

    As Li Chaohua continued her angry tirade, refusing to leave, Lin Yu called out toward the corner of the pharmacy hall. A large black dog lying in the corner shook its fur and snarled at Li Chaohua with bared teeth, letting out a fierce bark. Li Chaohua trembled in fear¡ªif she didn''t leave now, the black dog might pounce at any moment.

    "You... you inexperienced brat who won''t listen to advice. Ganoderma Hall will... will eventually be ruined by you..."

    Woof!

    The black dog barked again, frightening Li Chaohua so badly that her whole body shook. She hurriedly fled toward the door, stumbling on her way out, which drew laughter from the neighbors who had gathered to watch the commotion.

    Lin Yu didn''t care about what was happening outside Ganoderma Hall, but now he faced an awkward situation. He had called to the black dog hoping to scare away Li Chaohua, but after those two loud barks, the already weak Blue Bamboo Cat suddenly went into cardiac arrest. It let out a pitiful meow before going completely limp.

    Xia Ran looked at the now-dead Blue Bamboo Cat, then raised her head to stare woodenly at Lin Yu. She had come seeking a glimmer of hope, but now all hope was lost.

    Feeling the girl''s scrutinizing gaze, Lin Yu''s face twitched. Back in Earth, he had always dreamed of becoming a doctor, but his dismal performance during the nine years of compulsory education had ultimately relegated him to watching over computers in an internet caf¨¦.

    Finally getting a chance at transmigration, he had at least become an entry-level physician. However, since a medical accident six months ago, Ganoderma Hall hadn''t received a single patient¡ªmeaning he hadn''t had any opportunity to exercise his medical aspirations since his arrival.

    Today, someone had finally come to him, and although it was just a Blue Bamboo Cat, it was at least a chance to practice his skills. But before he could even take its pulse, the cat had been frightened to death...

    This was far too awkward!

    "Miss, this..."

    "Never mind."

    With matters having reached this point, the last glimmer of hope in Xia Ran''s heart was extinguished. Young Lady Nalan would return tomorrow, and whether she lived or died would be up to fate.

    Plop...

    Tears welled up in her eyes and fell to the ground as Xia Ran prepared to pick up the Blue Bamboo Cat.

    "Wait!"

    Lin Yu was soft-hearted and couldn''t bear to see a woman cry. Besides, when the girl first brought the cat in, it still had a breath of life. Now that it had completely stopped breathing, this could be considered another medical accident. Moreover, this cat was the beloved pet of some Young Lady Nalan. If he did nothing, he wouldn''t feel right about it.

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    At the very least, he should check its pulse, examine its eyelids, and make some sort of inspection to prove he had tried his best.

    Xia Ran raised her head to look at Lin Yu, her face filled with sadness and disappointment. She sighed softly and said, "Young sir, thank you for your kindness. No other pharmacy would take us in, only you allowed me to enter. You''re a good person. Rest assured, Zhao Cai''s death has nothing to do with you. The Southwestern Marquis Manor and Young Lady Nalan won''t trouble you over this."

    Having said this, Xia Ran continued preparing to take the Blue Bamboo Cat away.

    "Hmph, I''ve finally found you, you worthless servant! To think the Young Lady trusted you to care for Zhao Cai, yet you tried to poison it. Wait until the Young Lady returns to see how she punishes you!"

    Suddenly, a shout came from the doorway as a group of people filed in¡ªthree women in front followed by two men dressed as household servants.

    The woman leading them was around forty with a round face and a fierce countenance. The two women behind her were in their twenties, also with tough expressions.

    As for the two servants, they too wore arrogant and domineering looks.

    Within Heavenly Cloud City, there were four marquises¡ªEast, West, South, and North. Among them, the Southwestern Marquis was most favored by the current emperor. With such powerful backing, their servants naturally behaved somewhat overbearingly.

    "Madam Liu, it''s not like that. I''ve been taking meticulous care of Zhao Cai, it''s just that..."

    Upon seeing the group enter, Xia Ran''s face immediately showed panic as she began to explain.

    This Madam Liu was the middle-aged woman leading the group, the housekeeper for the female servants at the Southwestern Marquis Manor. Although Xia Ran was Young Lady Nalan''s maid, she was still under Madam Liu''s authority.

    "Just what? I''ve suspected you for a while, and if I hadn''t been vigilant, you would have escaped. You took Zhao Cai out, planning to flee, didn''t you? Zhao Cai is a rare Blue Bamboo Cat¡ªeven dead, its pelt and flesh could fetch several dozen gold pieces, enough for a worthless girl like you to squander for quite some time!"

    Madam Liu approached, pointing her finger at Xia Ran''s nose as she spat her words: "You snake-hearted woman, don''t try to make excuses. Now the evidence is clear. The Young Lady has always treated you well, but just wait until she returns tomorrow to punish you. Not only will you suffer, but your family will also..."

    Madam Liu''s scolding was fierce. Her imperious and aggressive manner immediately pressured Xia Ran into lowering her head. The two other maids and household servants she had brought along also began to surround and attack Xia Ran. With her naturally weak personality, Xia Ran had no strength to explain or retort, and could only bow her head.

    "Take her away!"

    At Madam Liu''s command, the two maids and servants moved to forcibly take Xia Ran away.

    "Wait."

    Lin Yu suddenly spoke up. Originally, he hadn''t wanted to get involved¡ªhe had heard of the Southwestern Marquis Manor and knew its people were not to be trifled with. But watching them bully someone so blatantly was too much. This Madam Liu had clearly come in with accusations, giving Xia Ran no chance to explain. Others might not know, but he could see that when the fat cat died, Xia Ran was more heartbroken and anxious than anyone.

    To say she deliberately harmed this precious fat cat¡ªLin Yu couldn''t believe it. A young woman with a fair appearance and pure character couldn''t be so black-hearted.

    When Lin Yu called out, Madam Liu and her group all froze and turned to look at him.

    Under their fierce glares, Lin Yu immediately felt some misgivings, but he maintained an outwardly composed appearance, saying: "What... what do you think Ganoderma Hall is? A place where you can come and go as you please!"

    Slap...

    Without a word, Madam Liu stepped forward and swung her hand toward Lin Yu''s face. Fortunately, Lin Yu reacted quickly and raised his arm to block the blow, avoiding being slapped.

    Madam Liu cursed loudly: "You little nobody! Who do you think you are? When Lin Wen was here, Ganoderma Hall had some reputation, but now everyone knows you''re an incompetent waste. Six months ago, you nearly killed someone, and you still haven''t closed shop. You dare interfere in the Southwestern Marquis Manor''s affairs? You''ve gone too far...

    You want to meddle, do you? Oh... I understand now. You must be in cahoots with this worthless Xia Ran, conspiring together to harm our Young Lady''s Blue Bamboo Cat. Well, you despicable couple, today I''ll take you back together. Just wait for the Young Lady to return and pass judgment!"

    With that, Madam Liu waved her hand, and the four servants immediately advanced toward Lin Yu...

    <i>query: [email protected]</a></i>

 Chapter 04: Purging The Poison

    <b>Chapter 04:</b> <b>Purging The Poison </b>

    <i></i><b>Translator: Krukist </b>

    The Blue Bamboo Cat owned by Lady Nalan of the Western Marquis Manor was famous throughout Heavenly Cloud City. Many commoners had heard of this cat''s name but had never seen the most precious feline in the entire kingdom. As a result, a crowd quickly gathered outside Lingzhi Hall to witness the spectacle.

    Inside the Hall¡­

    The servants of the Western Marquis Manor were about to seize Lin Yu, prompting discussions among the bystanders.

    "Lin Yu, that boy¡­ Not only is his talent lacking, but he also seems to have no sense! Does he really think he can afford to offend the Western Marquis Manor? Ganoderma Hall is doomed now!"

    "If they take him to the Western Marquis Manor, even if he doesn''t die, he''ll lose a layer of skin!"

    "If the Blue Bamboo Cat is truly dead, his entire Lin family will have to pay the price!"

    Standing at the best vantage point outside Ganoderma Hall, Li Chaohua watched the drama unfold with cold amusement. Lin Yu was bringing his own doom, and it had nothing to do with her. She had already warned him, but the fool didn''t appreciate her kindness. It seemed that her elder brother¡¯s bloodline was about to be completely wiped out.

    However, when she heard someone say that the entire Lin family might be implicated, her smirk froze. Her expression darkened instantly. If this little brat truly dragged their entire family down with him, that would be utterly unjust!

    A single pair of fists couldn''t fight off four hands¡ªespecially for someone like Lin Yu, a so-called waste who had never cultivated before. Fortunately, desperation sparked a cunning idea. He shouted loudly:

    "Wait!"

    He turned to glance at the fat cat lying on the diagnosis table and spoke with a serious expression.

    "This cat might still be saved! If you attack me now, you''re effectively killing it yourselves!"

    Hearing this, Liu and the others immediately halted.

    This cat was their lady''s most treasured pet. If it could be saved, that would be ideal. Even if it couldn''t, at least they wouldn¡¯t be blamed. But with so many people watching, if they harmed this boy and delayed the cat¡¯s rescue, they could be accused of negligence. Lady Nalan would definitely hold them accountable.

    "Hmph! You say you can save Fortune?" Liu sneered.

    "I can¡­ but I¡¯m not sure."

    Lin Yu had only blurted that out to buy time. Otherwise, he would be beaten up and dragged to the Southwestern Marquis Manor. Delaying things gave him a chance to think of a real plan.

    A glimmer of hope flashed in Xia Qian''s originally despairing eyes. She looked at Lin Yu and asked eagerly, "Little physician, can you really save Fortune?"

    Lin Yu forced a smile. "Not sure."

    Save it? How? His medical skills were so poor he couldn¡¯t even cure a cold! The cat was obviously dead. Unless he had some heaven-defying technique capable of bringing the dead back to life¡­

    Ding!

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    A crisp, pleasant sound echoed in his mind. Lin Yu quickly focused his consciousness inward, looking into his Sea of Awareness.

    On the screen of his ever-present computer, the stuck antivirus program suddenly responded. The progress bar, which had been frozen at 99%, finally reached 100%! However, no completion dialog appeared. Instead, the 100% mark flickered continuously.

    Overcome with excitement, Lin Yu instinctively reached out to click it.

    This computer had followed him all the way from Earth to the Heavenly Sun Continent. It was finally finishing its virus purge!

    But although he was operating within his Sea of Awareness, his real hand moved as well¡ªnaturally landing on the fat cat atop the diagnosis table.

    Its fur was smooth and silky, plump and well-fed. This cat lived better than most people in Heavenly Cloud City.

    The moment Lin Yu touched the cat, the flickering progress bar stopped and a new dialog box popped up:

    Detected Host: Blue Bamboo Cat

    Host Attributes: Grade-A Pet

    Host Status: Paralyzed due to Interrupted Intestine Grass Poison; Remaining Survival Time: 30 Seconds. Perform Virus Purge?

    Next to this message, a countdown had begun¡ª30 seconds remaining!

    Lin Yu was stunned. But he quickly snapped back to reality. Without hesitation, he selected "Yes".

    In an instant, the antivirus software interface flickered, and a notification popped up:

    Virus Purge Complete!

    Then, the computer screen went dark. The entire Sea of Awareness returned to silence.

    "Meow!"

    The fat cat on the diagnosis table suddenly opened its eyes and let out a cry. With a nimble roll, it flipped itself over and stood up¡ªcompletely lively, without a hint of weakness!

    Narrowing its eyes, the cat tilted its head up at Lin Yu. As if recognizing its savior, it rubbed its fluffy head against his hand affectionately.

    Lin Yu stared at the cat in disbelief. Did I¡­ just revive it?

    His Sea of Awareness still contained the computer, though the screen remained dark.

    So, this is my golden finger?

    As long as the computer is on, the antivirus program can purge poison and heal injuries? Not bad at all!

    Lin Yu vividly recalled this computer¡ªit was the one he always used at the internet caf¨¦. Because its system was unstable, veteran customers avoided it.

    But this machine didn¡¯t just have an antivirus program¡ªit had all sorts of other software! If a single antivirus program was this powerful, then what about the others?

    "Heh¡­ Hehehe¡­"

    For over half a year, Lin Yu had struggled in the Heavenly Sun Continent, but now he had finally awakened his golden finger! His path to turning the tables and dominating the world had officially begun!

    Tremble before me, Heavenly Sun Continent!

    "Physician Lin, are you alright?"

    Xia Qian''s gentle voice broke his dazed laughter. Seeing Lin Yu standing there foolishly, she was slightly concerned.

    Lin Yu snapped out of his thoughts and scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, I was just too happy that I managed to save the cat."

    Xia Qian sighed in relief. She had been the most anxious one in the room, and now that the cat was alive, she couldn''t stop her tears from flowing again.

    "Physician Lin, thank you!"

    Wiping her tears, Xia Qian sincerely expressed her gratitude. She then pulled out a wrapped handkerchief from her sleeve and took out some Spirit Stones, offering them to Lin Yu.

    "This is your consultation fee. Although it doesn¡¯t compare to saving Fortune¡¯s life, this is all I have for now. I hope you won¡¯t mind."

    "No problem, just a small effort on my part." Lin Yu smiled and took the Spirit Stones.

    Reviving the priceless Blue Bamboo Cat and receiving only ten Spirit Stones in return was indeed too little. But Lin Yu didn¡¯t mind. He had saved the cat purely by luck¡ªby stumbling upon the power of his antivirus software. The amount didn¡¯t matter; what mattered was that this was his first-ever consultation fee, making it significant.

    Outside the hall, the onlookers were in utter shock before bursting into heated discussions.

    "Isn''t Lin Yu supposed to be a well-known waste among Heavenly Cloud City''s physicians? Did he really just cure Lady Nalan''s Blue Bamboo Cat? Am I seeing things?"

    "Maybe he''s been hiding his talents all along? He just checked its pulse, and the cat miraculously sprang back to life!"

    "Lin Wen is a Grade-Three Spirit Pharmacist. His son can¡¯t possibly be useless! We all must¡¯ve misunderstood Lin Yu. He¡¯s actually a genius!"

    The chatter grew louder. Lin Yu didn¡¯t mind them talking; the more they spread the news, the faster Ganoderma Hall''s reputation would rise again. That meant his sister¡¯s tuition fees were secured.

    Even though he had no real medical skills, he could rely on his antivirus software to purge poisons. Who even needed medicine?

    "You¡­ You just got lucky!"

    Liu Ama, whose face had been thoroughly slapped, finally exploded in anger. Her voice rose sharply.

    "The Blue Bamboo Cat is naturally mischievous! It must have been playing a prank while Lady Nalan was away! You just happened to touch it right as it woke up! You didn¡¯t heal it¡ªit woke up on its own!"

    <i>query: [email protected]</a></i>

 Chapter 05: Researching The Computer

    <b>Chapter 05:</b> <b>Researching The</b> <b>Computer</b>

    <i></i><b><i>Translator: Krukist</i></b>

    Liu led her group away, and Xia Ran was also forced to leave while holding the Blue Bamboo Cat. Before leaving, she cast a deeply grateful glance at Lin Yu¡ªher gaze filled with¡­

    A feeling of affection?

    Lin Yu quickly shook his head. In his previous life on Earth, he had never been particularly sensitive to love. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been oblivious for so long when his ex-girlfriend was cheating on him. When they first got together, they could barely keep their hands off each other. In that regard, Lin Yu was quite confident in his own abilities.

    But then, all of a sudden, she refused to let him touch her anymore¡­

    Why?

    Looking back now, it was clear¡ªshe had been saving herself for that rich fool.

    The past was the past. Everything on Earth was gone. Now, in this world of the Heavenly Sun Continent, fate had given him a second life. More importantly, it had granted him a high-tech golden finger. With such an opportunity, how could he allow himself to fall into despair? The peak of his new life was not far off¡ªno, it was definitely within reach!

    Although he had successfully saved Lady Nalan¡¯s Blue Bamboo Cat¡ªthe most precious pet in the entire Heavenly Cloud Kingdom¡ªhe had hoped to use this as an opportunity to revive the reputation of Ganoderma Hall and introduce his antivirus software as a medical tool to heal people. But that Liu dismissed it all by claiming the cat was simply mischievous, pretending to be dead to tease the servants.

    In other words, the cat¡¯s sudden recovery had nothing to do with Lin Yu.

    His plan to restore Ganoderma Hall¡¯s name was crushed, but this didn¡¯t discourage Lin Yu. Instead, it gave him the perfect excuse to take time and properly study the computer within his Sea of Consciousness.

    Apart from the antivirus software, what other programs were installed? What effects did they have?

    "Hmph!"

    As the crowd dispersed, Li Chaohua did not leave immediately. Standing at the entrance of Lingzhi Hall, she let out a cold snort and said Ganoderma, ¡°Lin Yu, you were lucky today. That Blue Bamboo Cat was just playing dead. But if you keep stirring up trouble in the future, don¡¯t think for a second that it has anything to do with our family!¡±

    Lin Yu ignored her and began closing the shop early for the day. Not that anyone had come for treatment anyway¡­

    Seeing that he wasn¡¯t responding, Li Chaohua became even angrier. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you, you useless fool? Your father is gone now! Do you really want to let the Ganoderma Hall, which has stood for three hundred years, be destroyed in your hands? Do you not feel ashamed before your ancestors?

    Listen up! If you sign the contract today and transfer Ganoderma Hall to me and your second uncle, we¡¯ll cover Ling¡¯er¡¯s school fees for the next two years. But if you don¡¯t sign today, you won¡¯t get such a good deal tomorrow!¡±

    Lin Yu was carrying the last wooden plank to close the entrance when he suddenly paused. Li Chaohua immediately felt triumphant, pretending to remain indifferent while internally gloating.

    Stolen story; please report.

    Hah! You hesitated at the mention of Ling¡¯er¡¯s tuition, didn¡¯t you?

    Still too inexperienced!

    The contract was drafted by Li Chaohua herself. It clearly stated that Ganoderma Hall would belong to her and Lin Dong, but it didn¡¯t mention any specific payment date or method. In other words, she had no intention of paying at all.

    In Heavenly Cloud City, legal disputes were settled based on connections. Back when Lin Wen was still around, Ganoderma Hall had some influence. But now that Lin Wen¡¯s fate was unknown, who would stand up for a useless nobody like Lin Yu?

    "Get lost!"

    Lin Yu spat out a single cold word before slamming the last door panel shut.

    Li Chaohua froze for a moment, then shouted a few curses at the closed door. She wanted to continue ranting, but the large black dog inside Ganoderma Hall barked twice, sending a chill down her spine. Muttering a few more insults under her breath, she left unwillingly.

    Lin Yu locked the door and headed to the backyard. The Lingzhi Hall¡¯s courtyard had several buildings. In the past, when the Lin family was prosperous, it housed a large extended family.

    His mother had passed away early, leaving him to grow up with his father and younger sister.

    His father wasn¡¯t just a Third-Grade Spirit Pharmacist with outstanding medical skills¡ªhe also enjoyed tending to the courtyard. The spacious backyard had been carefully maintained, featuring pavilions, rock formations, and flowing streams. In the corners of the yard, small plots of land were cultivated with medicinal herbs and vegetables.

    Against the western wall, a rose bush had been planted long ago. It was his mother¡¯s favorite flower before she passed away. Despite the passing years, the rose bush remained unchanged¡ªneither flourishing nor withering. Right now, it was in full bloom, its pink petals particularly vibrant.

    Lin Yu made his way back to his room. Just as he was about to close the door, the large black dog¡ªBlacky¡ªfollowed him inside.

    Hei Chai was the same age as him. The year Lin Yu was born, his father had found the stray puppy at the entrance of Ganoderma Hall and decided to take it in.

    The Heavenly Sun Continent was rich in spiritual energy. The average lifespan of ordinary people was 150 years, and even animals lived longer than their Earth counterparts. For example, while dogs on Earth rarely lived beyond ten years, those in the Heavenly Sun Continent typically lived over twenty.

    Hei Chai was already nineteen. Its time was running out. Over the past month, its appetite had noticeably decreased, and it slept more than ever.

    Lin Yu saw this and felt a deep sorrow in his heart.

    According to the original owner¡¯s memories, although he was considered a worthless cultivator, his family had always given him warmth. His father was strict but kind, and over the years, he had spent a fortune trying to cure Lin Yu¡¯s congenital meridian deficiency. Even this last trip to the Savage Peaks in search of rare medicine was for his sake.

    His sister possessed extraordinary talent, earning the envy of many, but she never showed arrogance in front of him. She rarely even mentioned cultivation, fearing it would wound his pride.

    And then there was Blacky¡­

    His childhood companion.

    Whenever he was bullied by other children, Blacky would rush to his side, scaring them away. Other kids had pets too, but no matter how strong their animals were, Blacky never backed down¡ªeven if it meant fighting until he was covered in wounds.

    Lin Yu shut the door, gently stroking Blacky¡¯s head. The old dog rubbed against his hand affectionately, its eyes full of loyalty and warmth.

    From a cupboard, Lin Yu took out a large piece of dried beef and placed it on the stone floor.

    "Eat some first," he said. "I need to study something."

    With that, he sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and focused on the computer in his Sea of Consciousness.

    As if responding to his consciousness, the once-dim screen flickered faintly. The glow was weak, as though it could disappear at any moment¡ªjust like a dying laptop on Earth about to shut down due to low battery.

    Lin Yu ran his hands over the computer¡¯s chassis but found no power input.

    If this thing runs out of energy, how do I recharge it?

    And why is it only appearing now, after more than half a year in this world?

    Since this computer was an Earthly artifact, it must have arrived with him when he transmigrated. Something he did must have triggered its activation.

    Could this activation process be related to charging it?

    <i>query: [email protected]</a></i>

 Chapter 06: The Freakish Failure

    Chapter 06: The Freakish Failure

    Translator: Krukist

    A series of questions flooded Lin Yu¡¯s mind as he watched the dimming screen of the computer in his Sea of Consciousness, its light flickering as if it might vanish at any moment. For now, he pushed aside the questions of cause and effect and focused on exploring the antivirus software.

    If the software could eliminate viruses¡ªessentially ¡°detoxify¡±¡ªit must have other functions. Back on Earth, antivirus software wasn¡¯t limited to just killing viruses. As it evolved, it included toolkits for diagnosing system security and integrity, offering features like repairs and vulnerability fixes.

    With this in mind, Lin Yu quickly navigated the antivirus interface, relying on his memories from his past life. Sure enough, the software mirrored what he remembered. It had all the functions: System Emergency Kit, System Security Patches, System Risk Prediction, and more¡­

    Ding!

    Just as Lin Yu was busy exploring these features, a light, melodious chime echoed in his Sea of Consciousness. The antivirus software automatically popped up a dialog box:

    [Detected Host: Lin Yu]

    [Host Attribute: Human of the Continent]

    [Host Status: Congenital Blockage of the Seven Meridians and Eight Vessels. Blockage is divided into three levels: Mild, Moderate, and Severe. Host¡¯s blockage is classified as Extremely Severe.]

    Lin Yu broke into a cold sweat. After spending over half a year on this continent, he was well aware of the basic requirements for cultivation. The original owner of this body had always pretended not to care, but deep down, he desperately wanted to become a cultivator. Even if he couldn¡¯t become a Arcane Martialist, he would have settled for being a True Martialist. Failing that, even a Body Forging expert would have sufficed. But fate had played a cruel joke on him¡ªhis physical constitution was so poor that he couldn¡¯t even achieve the most basic level of Body Forging.

    Even the most ordinary Body Forging required some innate physical talent. No matter how strong one¡¯s willpower was, a naturally weak body couldn¡¯t endure the rigors of Body Forging.

    Body Forging was somewhat similar to fitness training on Earth, but without modern gym equipment, it relied on methods like lifting stone locks and mountain climbing. For someone like Lin Yu, who grew breathless after a short walk, attempting Body Forging would be suicidal.

    In normal humans, the Seven Meridians and Eight Vessels were unobstructed, serving as the foundation for cultivation. These meridians were also graded, and while some people had blockages, they typically fell into one of three levels: Mild, Moderate, or Severe. Lin Yu, however, had broken the scale entirely, landing in a category of his own: Extremely Severe.

    In fact, he was probably the only person in the entire Heavenly Cloud Kingdom with such a condition. Forget Body Forging¡ªeven True Martial or Arcane Martial cultivation was out of the question. The fact that he had survived this long was nothing short of a miracle, thanks to his father constantly feeding him various Spiritual Medicines.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Ding!

    Just as Lin Yu was wallowing in despair, the chime sounded again, and the text in the dialog box changed:

    [Detected Host: Lin Yu]

    [Host Attribute: Human of the Continent]

    [Host Status: Congenital Blockage of the Seven Meridians and Eight Vessels. Blockage is now divided into four levels: Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Extremely Severe. Host¡¯s blockage is classified as Freakishly Severe.]

    Lin Yu was stunned. What did this mean? Originally, there were three levels, and he had broken the scale to become the fourth¡ªExtremely Severe. Now, there were four levels, and he had somehow surpassed even that to become the fifth¡ªFreakishly Severe.

    What was this trying to say? That his talent wasn¡¯t just bad¡ªit was catastrophically, unprecedentedly terrible? So bad that it defied the natural order of the Heavenly Sun Continent?

    His heart ached, and he felt utterly crushed.

    But just as Lin Yu was sinking into despair and questioning the meaning of his transmigrated life, a new button appeared at the bottom of the dialog box: [Repair?]

    Below it, a countdown timer appeared, just like when he had detoxified the Blue Bamboo Cat. Thirty seconds.

    Lin Yu didn¡¯t need a single second to think. He immediately clicked the repair button. The heavens had given him this golden finger to escape his fate as a failure, and he wasn¡¯t about to let it slip away.

    [Repair in progress¡­]

    Seeing these words, Lin Yu nearly shouted in excitement.

    But then, the already dim computer screen suddenly went completely black.

    Crashed?

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    Lin Yu wanted to curse. The most terrifying thing in the world wasn¡¯t despair¡ªit was seeing a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair, only to have it snatched away. Just as he thought his future was bright, the light vanished, leaving him back in the abyss.

    Lin Yu opened his eyes and let out a long breath. Though frustrated, he quickly calmed down. In his past life on Earth, he had been a ¡°salty fish¡±¡ªsomeone content with mediocrity, neither discouraged nor overly ambitious.

    If the computer in his Sea of Consciousness could appear, activate, and even successfully ¡°detoxify¡± the Blue Bamboo Cat, it meant there was some energy source in the Heavenly Sun Continent that could power it.

    All he had to do was find that energy source, and he could use it again.

    Blacky lay by the window, asleep. The large piece of beef jerky beside him remained untouched.

    Blacky had always loved beef jerky. Lin Yu did too. As kids, they¡¯d often fought over it. But now, Blacky couldn¡¯t even eat it.

    When death approached, appetite faded¡ªwhether for humans or dogs.

    Lin Yu looked at the dozing Blacky, his heart heavy. For now, he set aside thoughts of finding the energy source to activate the computer. He got out of bed and gently stroked Blacky¡¯s head.

    Blacky immediately opened his eyes and licked Lin Yu¡¯s hand.

    It was already evening. Lin Yu hadn¡¯t eaten since noon, and his stomach growled. He headed to the kitchen to prepare a meal. The ingredients in the Heavenly Sun Continent were similar to those on Earth, but the cooking methods were entirely different. None of Earth¡¯s culinary traditions existed here¡ªat least, not in Heavenly Cloud City, as far as Lin Yu knew.

    With memories from two lifetimes, Lin Yu was no stranger to the kitchen. The original owner had been a decent cook, skilled at making homely dishes. Over the past six months, Lin Yu had tried to adapt to this world¡¯s cuisine, rarely cooking Earth-style meals.

    But tonight, as he looked at Blacky¡¯s aging form, an idea struck him. He caught one of the small meat chickens raised in the yard and prepared a feast: Kung Pao Chicken, Spicy Diced Chicken, Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms¡­

    All made in the Earth style.

    Soon, the aroma of the dishes filled the kitchen. Blacky, who had been listless, suddenly perked up, his old eyes gleaming with hunger. He even licked his lips, drool dripping from the corner of his mouth.

    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s that amazing smell?¡±

    A young girl¡¯s voice drifted in from outside the courtyard wall¡­

    query: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter 07: Eating Chicken

    Chapter 07: Eating Chicken

    Translator: Krukist

    A young girl in a white dress, her face half-hidden behind a veil, suddenly stopped outside the Lin family¡¯s courtyard wall. Her large, watery eyes were filled with fascination.

    Beside her stood a woman in her thirties, dressed in a green robe. Tall and poised, she had her black hair tied up neatly, exuding an air of confidence. On her chest was an emblem of three moons and seven stars, the threads of the design shimmering with a faint purple glow, giving it a lively appearance.

    Seeing the girl suddenly stop, her eyes filled with longing, the woman felt a mix of surprise and relief. Without waiting for the girl to speak, she stepped forward and knocked on the small gate next to the courtyard wall.

    Lin Yu, who had just finished preparing a few hot dishes in the kitchen, heard the knock and called out, ¡°Who is it?¡±

    Lin Yu didn¡¯t have many friends in this world. Aunt Liu, who lived a street away, had been helping him since his father disappeared six months ago. Aunt Liu, in her forties, was a widow raising her daughter Liu Xiaofei alone. Lin Yu¡¯s father had often helped her, and the two shared a special bond.

    While his father had many friends, they all seemed to vanish after his disappearance. Only Aunt Liu continued to visit and lend a hand.

    At this moment, Lin Yu thought it might be Aunt Liu bringing over some food. His chicken stew with mushrooms was almost ready, and he wanted her to try it.

    Creak¡­

    The door opened, but instead of Aunt Liu, two strangers stood outside.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Lin Yu asked, eyeing the two women. The girl¡¯s face was partially veiled, but the translucent fabric hinted at her beauty. As for the woman in the green robe, when Lin Yu noticed the moon and star emblem on her chest, he was stunned.

    A Third-Grade Seven-Star Arcane Martialist!

    Becoming an Arcane Martialist was already a rare feat. Out of the thousand students admitted to Heavenly Cloud Academy each year, fewer than ten would graduate as Arcane Martialists. In the entire Heavenly Cloud Kingdom, there were fewer than a hundred Third-Grade Arcane Martialists, and even fewer who reached the Third-Grade Seven-Star level by their thirties.

    Since arriving in this world, this was the first time Lin Yu had encountered a Third-Grade Arcane Martialist.

    But that wasn¡¯t the main point. What stood out was that this Third-Grade Seven-Star Arcane Martialist was strikingly beautiful, with a charm reminiscent of the elegant women from Earth. Her confident demeanor only added to her allure.

    Qing Luan sniffed the air, confirming that the enticing aroma came from within the courtyard. She asked coldly, ¡°Is someone cooking in this yard?¡±

    ¡°I was just in the kitchen¡­¡± Lin Yu felt a bit nervous. The aura of a Third-Grade Seven-Star Arcane Martialist was naturally intimidating.

    Qing Luan didn¡¯t pay much attention to Lin Yu. Instead, she glanced at the girl beside her. Her expression was calm, not holding much hope. In the past, when they had encountered similar situations, the girl would lose interest as soon as the door opened.

    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    ¡°What delicious food did you make?¡± The girl, unlike before, seemed even more excited after entering.

    ¡°I¡­¡±

    Lin Yu wasn¡¯t sure why these two had come, but it seemed like they were here for a meal. A Third-Grade Seven-Star Arcane Martialist was a rare sight in Heavenly Cloud City, and it appeared she was deferring to the veiled girl.

    This girl must be from a wealthy family,* Lin Yu thought. *And she seems really interested in my chicken¡­

    Before Lin Yu could respond, the girl squeezed past him into the courtyard, sniffing the air with delight. ¡°It smells amazing! So fragrant!¡±

    Lin Yu stood frozen as Qing Luan also brushed past him into the yard.

    ¡°Hey, you two!¡±

    Lin Yu hurried after them. These two had barged in without an invitation, which wasn¡¯t exactly polite.

    At the kitchen door, Blacky stood alert. Despite his age, the old dog showed no fear in the face of the Third-Grade Arcane Martialist. Instead, he bared his teeth and growled lowly, ready to defend his territory.

    ¡°Young man, don¡¯t misunderstand. We mean no harm,¡± the girl said sweetly, batting her large, watery eyes at Lin Yu. ¡°Could you bring out the food you made? I¡¯ll pay you in Spirit Stones, okay?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡±

    A single chicken wasn¡¯t a lot, but it was enough for Lin Yu and Blacky. He had slaughtered the chicken today to give Blacky a treat.

    Now, with two unexpected guests, even if they were girls, the food wouldn¡¯t be enough. But since the girl offered to pay in Spirit Stones, this was a good opportunity. Lin Yu was in desperate need of Spirit Stones¡ªnot just for his sister¡¯s tuition but also for basic household expenses.

    Over the past month, he had relied on Aunt Liu¡¯s help to get by. Without her, he might have starved.

    ¡°Please, young man, your food smells so good. Let me try it. I won¡¯t eat for free. If you¡¯re worried, we can agree on a price first,¡± the girl said earnestly.

    ¡°Miss, you really won¡¯t eat for free¡­¡± Hearing the phrase ¡°eat for free¡± spoken so seriously by the girl, Lin Yu felt a bit awkward and added, ¡°That¡¯s good to hear.¡±

    ¡°Of course! Name your price, and hurry up. I can¡¯t wait!¡± the girl said eagerly.

    ¡°Well¡­¡±

    Lin Yu had been running a medicine hall, not a restaurant, but he had some idea of the local prices. A regular plate of chicken would cost around 5 Spirit Stones. Given that his Earth-style cooking was unique, charging 10 Spirit Stones didn¡¯t seem unreasonable.

    Lin Yu held up one finger, though his expression betrayed a lack of confidence. After all, his price was double the market rate, and while the food smelled good, there was no guarantee the girl would like it.

    ¡°1 Spirit Stone?¡±

    The veiled girl smiled. ¡°No problem. Hurry up and bring it out!¡±

    ¡°¡­¡± Lin Yu was speechless.

    ¡°Too low?¡± The girl looked puzzled. Qing Luan leaned in and whispered something to her. The girl immediately smiled apologetically. ¡°You meant 10 Spirit Stones, right? Let¡¯s not haggle over 1 or 10. How about 8? That¡¯s my final offer.¡±

    Before the girl could finish, Lin Yu firmly stated, ¡°8 Spirit Stones, my bottom line!¡± Whether or not the girl liked the taste, his Earth-style cooking was one-of-a-kind, and that justified the higher price.

    The girl¡¯s expression shifted slightly, then she generously said, ¡°I¡¯ll give you 100 Spirit Stones. Can you please hurry and bring out the food?¡±

    100 Spirit Stones¡­

    This was an exorbitant price. A chicken in Heavenly Cloud City cost about 5 Spirit Stones. Even if the girl ate all the chicken he had prepared, Lin Yu could easily buy another chicken and still have plenty of Spirit Stones left.

    Rich people¡¯s money is indeed easy to earn!

    Lin Yu quickly brought out the dishes: Spicy Diced Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms, each served in small portions along with a bowl of white rice.

    The veiled girl, not wanting Lin Yu to see her face, sat with her back to him, while Lin Yu and Qing Luan stood behind her.

    The girl removed her veil, picked up her chopsticks, and took a bite of the Kung Pao Chicken.

    Lin Yu, standing behind her, felt his heart race. He was counting on the promised 100 Spirit Stones. If the girl liked the food, the money was his. If not, he¡¯d be out of luck.

    As the girl brought the chicken to her lips and took a bite, she suddenly froze¡­

    Lin Yu¡¯s heart sank. The last time he had cooked an Earth-style dish for Aunt Liu, she had forced a smile and said it was ¡°not bad,¡± but her expression had clearly said otherwise¡­

    query: [email protected]</a>

 Chapter 08: The Southwestern Marquis Manor!

    Chapter 08: The Southwestern Marquis Manor!

    Translator: Krukist

    Different worlds, different continents, and naturally, different tastes and appetites.

    When the girl froze after taking a bite, Lin Yu¡¯s heart sank.

    100 Spirit Stones¡­ That would cover his food for a month and leave enough for his sister¡¯s allowance. But now, it seemed the girl didn¡¯t like the food, and his hopes for the Spirit Stones were dashed.

    Sigh¡­

    Lin Yu sighed inwardly. Beside him, Qing Luan remained calm.

    Suddenly, the veiled girl¡¯s shoulders trembled slightly. Qing Luan¡¯s expression darkened, and she grabbed Lin Yu by the neck, shouting, ¡°What did you put in the food? Did you poison it?¡±

    Lin Yu, choked and unable to speak, struggled in her grip.

    As a Third-Grade Arcane Martialist, Qing Luan¡¯s physical strength far surpassed that of an ordinary person. She lifted Lin Yu off the ground, his toes barely touching the floor. He gasped for air, on the verge of passing out.

    ¡°Qing Luan, stop.¡±

    The veiled girl spoke, her voice trembling. ¡°There¡¯s no poison in the food. It¡¯s just¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ sob¡­¡±

    Tears streamed down her face, and a single teardrop fell onto the stone floor of the courtyard.

    Plop.

    ¡°Miss, you¡­¡± Qing Luan released Lin Yu and rushed to the girl¡¯s side.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡±

    The girl¡¯s voice quivered. ¡°It¡¯s so delicious. I¡¯ve never tasted chicken like this before. No one has ever cooked such a dish for me¡­ sob¡­¡±

    Delicious!

    So delicious it moved her to tears!

    Lin Yu sat on the ground, gasping for air. His neck felt like it had been nearly crushed. He couldn¡¯t help but lament the violence of cultivators in this world.

    I must become a cultivator myself someday, he thought. If only for self-defense. Otherwise, I might die without even knowing how.

    One chicken, three dishes.

    The veiled girl¡¯s appetite was astonishing. Lin Yu¡¯s heart raced as he watched her devour everything. Despite her delicate appearance, she finished all the food¡ªand even had three bowls of rice!

    Even Lin Yu couldn¡¯t eat that much.

    Is her family starving her or something?

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°500 Spirit Stones.¡±

    The girl patted her slightly rounded belly, her expression one of pure satisfaction. She looked at Lin Yu with a newfound softness in her eyes.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Lin Yu was confused.

    "Your cooking is amazing. I¡¯ll give you 500 Spirit Stones, but on one condition,¡± the girl said sweetly. ¡°I¡¯ll come here often to eat.¡±

    ¡°Sure, you¡¯re welcome anytime!¡±

    Lin Yu¡¯s mind raced. 100 Spirit Stones just became 500! Maybe I should switch from running a medicine hall to a restaurant. With just this rich young lady as a regular customer, I¡¯d be set for life.

    ¡°However¡­¡±

    The girl¡¯s tone shifted, and a hint of embarrassment crossed her face. She didn¡¯t finish her sentence, leaving it to Qing Luan to explain.

    Qing Luan looked at Lin Yu directly for the first time, her voice calm. ¡°We didn¡¯t bring any Spirit Stones with us this time. We¡¯ll return to our manor and have someone deliver the 500 Spirit Stones to you later.¡±

    Lin Yu¡¯s excitement faded, replaced by a frown. Are they trying to skip out on the bill? Though unhappy, he didn¡¯t dare voice his concerns. A Third-Grade Arcane Martialist could easily obliterate him with a single spell.

    The two women left the courtyard, and Lin Yu slumped onto a stone bench. His last chicken was gone, and the only one left in the coop was reserved for his sister¡¯s favorite chicken soup tomorrow.

    Not only had he lost the 100 Spirit Stones, but he also had to make do with roasted sweet potatoes for dinner. Blacky, asleep by the wall, seemed oblivious. Lin Yu muttered, ¡°Sorry, Blacky.¡±

    As he ate the sweet potatoes, his thoughts returned to the computer in his Sea of Consciousness¡­

    ---

    The Southwestern Marquis Manor.

    The setting sun bathed the grand Southwestern Marquis Manor in a golden glow. Located in the heart of Heavenly Cloud City, the manor was second only to the imperial palace in scale and grandeur.

    The Heavenly Cloud Kingdom had four great marquises, each guarding a cardinal direction. Among them, the Southwestern Marquis, Nalan Zhan, was the kingdom¡¯s only Sixth-Grade Arcane Martialist besides the emperor himself. A legendary war hero, Nalan Zhan had once led a thousand cavalry to defeat an enemy army of ten thousand, earning his fame. Over the years, he had expanded the kingdom¡¯s western borders, driving back the barbarian tribes.

    Now, resting in the capital, Nalan Zhan sat at a large dining table laden with sumptuous dishes. Beside him was his wife, Qin Caiyun, a beautiful woman in her forties whose flawless skin made her appear much younger.

    Despite the lavish spread, the maids and servants standing nearby could only watch and silently swallow their envy. The feast had been prepared by the renowned chef Situ Deng, Heavenly Cloud City¡¯s newest Culinary King. At just twenty-five, Situ Deng¡¯s dishes were said to be infused with spiritual essence.

    Nalan Zhan and Qin Caiyun admired the table with satisfaction, but their faces betrayed worry.

    Their daughter, Nalan Ziyan, suffered from anorexia. Over the past three months, she had grown alarmingly thin and had become increasingly withdrawn. Hoping to lift her spirits, Nalan Zhan had arranged for her to join a royal hunting excursion with young princes and princesses. He hoped the fresh air and wild game might stimulate her appetite, as relying solely on spiritual medicines was unsustainable.

    Nalan Zhan had three sons and one daughter, but it was his youngest daughter whom he and his wife cherished the most.

    They had consulted countless physicians and chefs to cure her anorexia, but their hopes dwindled with each failed attempt.

    Creak...

    The courtyard gate opened softly, and a graceful figure slipped in, followed by a woman in a green robe. If Lin Yu had been there, he would have immediately recognized her as the veiled girl who had devoured his chicken.

    Nalan Ziyan froze upon entering the courtyard. In the center stood a large dining table, her parents seated at it, surrounded by servants. The scene was so quiet she hadn¡¯t noticed it earlier.

    ¡°Father, Mother, you¡¯re here¡­¡± Nalan Ziyan forced a smile. Before her parents could question her, she quickly explained, ¡°I felt out of place with the princes and princesses, so I sneaked back. Why are you eating in my courtyard? It¡¯s fine, you can use it.¡±

    She tried to slip away to her room, but her mother, Qin Caiyun, stood up with a warm smile.

    ¡°Yan¡¯er, wait.¡±

    Her voice was gentle. ¡°We know you sneaked back. It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t enjoy their company. We prepared this feast especially for you¡­¡±

    Before her mother could finish, Nalan Ziyan caught a whiff of the food and immediately vomited¡­

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 Chapter 09: Charged Up

    Chapter 09: Charged Up

    Translator: Krukist

    The young and dashing Situ Deng was the direct descendant of the Situ family in Heavenly Cloud City. While the Situ family wasn¡¯t as prestigious as the Southwestern Marquis Manor, they were still one of the wealthiest families in the city.

    Situ Deng had been obsessed with cooking since childhood, showing no interest in cultivation. In the Heavenly Cloud Kingdom¡ªand even the entire continent¡ªhe was considered an oddity.

    Born into a wealthy family with innate cultivation talent, he had abandoned the bright path of cultivation to immerse himself in the kitchen, spending his days with knives and cutting boards. For Situ Deng, cooking wasn¡¯t just a hobby¡ªit was his true passion.

    At twenty-five, he had recently been crowned the Culinary King of Heavenly Cloud City, a remarkable achievement. While martial arts and arcane arts dominated the continent, food remained a fundamental necessity for the people.

    The ambitious young Situ Deng loved culinary challenges. When he heard about Lady Nalan¡¯s anorexia, which had stumped all the chefs in the city, he secluded himself for three months to create a new dish. Confident in his abilities, he arrived at the Southwestern Marquis Manor, hoping to cure Lady Nalan¡¯s condition and cement his reputation.

    He had prepared a lavish feast, showcasing his finest skills. As he brought out his final dish¡ªa lightly salted vegetarian chicken¡ªhe witnessed Lady Nalan retching at the sight of the food¡­

    ¡°It must be because the dishes on the table are too familiar. Please try my new creation¡ªthe Lightly Salted Vegetarian Chicken. Its unique feature lies in its simplicity and subtle flavors. While preserving the natural freshness of the chicken, I¡¯ve added fragrant herbs, five-colored leaves, and green jade aroma¡­¡±

    Situ Deng, undeterred, approached Lady Nalan with his new dish, his steps confident and graceful. Despite her notorious temper, Lady Nalan was also renowned for her beauty. It was said that her anger could shake Heavenly Cloud City, while her smile could captivate the entire Heavenly Sun Continent.

    Curing Lady Nalan¡¯s anorexia would not only make him famous but might also win the heart of this stunning beauty. Becoming the son-in-law of the Southwestern Marquis Manor would elevate him to unparalleled heights.

    ¡°Take¡­ take it away!¡±

    Lady Nalan clutched her chest, her voice strained as she looked at the bland, pale chicken. It not only failed to stimulate her appetite but made her stomach churn even more. She had enjoyed a full meal earlier and thought her anorexia might be cured, but now¡­

    ¡°Lady Nalan, please trust me. You¡¯ll love this dish.¡±

    ¡°Please try it, Lady Nalan.¡±

    ¡°Lady Nalan?¡±

    Ugh¡­

    Lady Nalan vomited again, this time more violently than before.

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    Situ Deng stood frozen, his face twitching with disbelief. He had spent three months in seclusion, pouring his heart into this dish, only to face such a humiliating outcome.

    ¡°Ah, Marquis, Madam, Lady Nalan has vomited something!¡± A maid in red suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the mess on the ground.

    ¡°Drag her out and execute her!¡±

    Nalan Zhan¡¯s face darkened. His daughter¡¯s anorexia was already a source of immense frustration, and now this maid dared to mock the situation? She was asking for death.

    ¡°Marquis, Madam, I¡¯m innocent!¡± The maid was immediately seized by two armed guards and dragged away to be executed.

    ¡°Wait, my lord.¡±

    Qin Caiyun, the marquis¡¯s wife, called out, her eyes fixed on the vomit. Unlike the usual yellow bile or green medicinal fluids, this time, there were traces of actual food. Though unrecognizable, it was clear that Lady Nalan had eaten something.

    Everyone¡¯s gaze fell on the vomit, including Situ Deng¡¯s. His initial despair turned into profound sorrow. He had once boasted that only he could cure Lady Nalan¡¯s anorexia, but now, not only had he failed, but she had already eaten elsewhere¡­

    The slap to his face was deafening.

    ---

    While the Southwestern Marquis Manor celebrated Lady Nalan¡¯s newfound appetite, Lin Yu sat meditating in the backyard of Lingzhi Hall.

    How can I recharge the computer?

    What¡¯s the energy source?

    After much contemplation, as the sun began to set, Lin Yu had a breakthrough. He deduced that the computer in his Sea of Consciousness had been activated by confidence, righteousness, and helping others.

    In both his past and present life, he had always been timid and hesitant, never standing up for himself. But today, when no one dared to treat the Blue Bamboo Cat and the manor¡¯s servants were threatening him, he had stepped forward with unprecedented confidence. That was when he heard the Ding and the computer appeared.

    This was just a preliminary theory, but it gave him some peace of mind.

    As night fell, Lin Yu prepared to return to his room. Just then, the side gate of the courtyard creaked open, and a young girl¡¯s voice called out, ¡°Brother¡­¡±

    It was his sister, Lin Ling¡¯er. Lin Yu immediately turned and walked toward the gate.

    ¡°Brother, did you miss me?¡±

    Lin Ling¡¯er wore a floral blouse, her fair face glowing with mischief. Her bright, sparkling eyes were full of life.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you supposed to come back tomorrow?¡± Lin Yu asked, puzzled. The Heavenly Cloud Academy wasn¡¯t far, but it still took over an hour to travel home. The academy operated on a closed system, allowing students to return home for one day each month. Ling¡¯er usually came back on the last day of the month, stayed for a day, and then returned to the academy.

    ¡°I missed you, so I came back early,¡± Ling¡¯er said, holding a small cloth bag. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she called out, ¡°Brother, I¡¯m hungry. Can you make me something to eat?¡±

    ¡°Wait here.¡±

    Lin Yu adored his sister. After merging with the memories of this body, he felt nothing but affection for her. Ling¡¯er had always been smart and caring, often acting more like an older sister than a younger one.

    The least he could do was cook her favorite dishes.

    When their father was around, Lin Yu hadn¡¯t needed to worry about anything. Now, with their father gone, Lin Yu had matured overnight. His priority was ensuring Ling¡¯er had enough Spirit Stones to pay her tuition and graduate from the academy.

    He slaughtered the last chicken in the coop and prepared the same three dishes as before: Kung Pao Chicken, Spicy Diced Chicken, and Chicken Stewed with Mushrooms.

    Lin Yu finally realized why Aunt Liu hadn¡¯t liked his Earth-style cooking before. He had used the wrong seasonings. While the ingredients in this world were different from Earth¡¯s, their basic properties were similar.

    As expected, Ling¡¯er was amazed by the unfamiliar dishes and devoured them enthusiastically, exclaiming how delicious they were. Blacky also enjoyed a hearty meal.

    ¡°Brother, this is for you.¡± Ling¡¯er tossed the small cloth bag to Lin Yu.

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Lin Yu smiled as he opened the bag. Inside was something long and snake-like, but it wasn¡¯t a snake.

    ¡°It¡¯s a Thunderworm, from the Eastern Sea. Its body can generate instant electricity¡­¡±

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Before Ling¡¯er could finish, Lin Yu let out a cry as his hair stood on end like a porcupine¡¯s. At the same time, he froze¡ªthe computer screen in his Sea of Consciousness had lit up¡­

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 Chapter 10: The First Repair

    Chapter 10: The First Repair

    Translator: Krukist

    ¡°The computer is charging¡­ no, it¡¯s absorbing energy!¡± Lin Yu stared at the glowing charging icon on the computer screen in his Sea of Consciousness, momentarily stunned. He quickly realized that the Thunderworm Ling¡¯er had brought home was the source of this energy.

    Without wasting time to study the computer further, Lin Yu grabbed Ling¡¯er¡¯s hands and eagerly asked, ¡°Ling¡¯er, where did you get this Thunderworm? Do you have more?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Ling¡¯er was momentarily speechless, but seeing Lin Yu¡¯s spiky hair, she couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. ¡°Brother, this Thunderworm was given to me by my mentor. It¡¯s considered quite gentle among spirit beasts. I thought it might be useful for you.¡±

    ¡°Gentle? Look at my hair!¡± Lin Yu pointed at his electrified hairstyle. However, he quickly focused on the key detail. He examined the faint purple worm in the cloth bag. It seemed lethargic, perhaps exhausted from releasing electricity.

    Lin Yu stroked his chin, deep in thought. Does the computer need electricity from thunder-attribute spirit beasts to charge? Or would any spirit beast work?

    Seeing Lin Yu lost in thought, Ling¡¯er didn¡¯t mind. The food on the table was too delicious, and she couldn¡¯t resist eating more until her stomach felt full. Reluctantly, she put down her chopsticks and said, ¡°Brother, are you really interested in this thing?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a pity, though. This was a reward for being in the top three of this month¡¯s exam. I heard it¡¯s quite rare outside, so I could only get one.¡± Ling¡¯er pouted, then clenched her fist with determination. ¡°But next month is the quarterly exam, and I heard the rewards will be even better¡­¡±

    ¡°Brother, if you really want more Thunderworms, I¡¯ll ask my mentor to exchange the rewards for them.¡±

    Ling¡¯er¡¯s tone was full of confidence, as if winning rewards in the exams was a given. Lin Yu finally snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes filled with pride. His sister was a top talent, even among the prodigies of Heavenly Cloud Academy.

    Since entering the academy, Ling¡¯er had brought home many rewards from monthly exams. Thinking of this, Lin Yu¡¯s resolve hardened. Starting tomorrow, I must figure out how to use this computer properly!

    ¡°Only then can I earn more Spirit Stones! Ling¡¯er is destined to become an Arcane Martialist. I can¡¯t let her be expelled from the academy¡­¡±

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    Later, Ling¡¯er demonstrated some basic arcane techniques she had learned at the academy. Though she wasn¡¯t a full-fledged Arcane Martialist yet, her talent and hard work had already allowed her to perform simple spells.

    Lin Yu watched with envy, then sighed. ¡°If only I could become an Arcane Martialist¡­¡±

    As if responding to his sigh, Lin Yu¡¯s consciousness blurred, and the computer in his Sea of Consciousness suddenly lit up brightly. The familiar text appeared before his eyes:

    [Detected Host: Lin Yu]

    [Host Attribute: Human of the Continent]

    [Host Status: Congenital Blockage of the Seven Meridians and Eight Vessels. Blockage is divided into four levels: Mild, Moderate, Severe, and Extremely Severe. Host¡¯s blockage is classified as Freakishly Severe.]

    A new pop-up appeared: [Repair?]

    Lin Yu was momentarily stunned. Didn¡¯t the repair fail earlier? Has absorbing the Thunderworm¡¯s energy made it possible now? Without hesitation, he clicked, Yes before the 30-second countdown ended.

    Previously, the computer had crashed at this point. But this time, the screen remained bright, and a progress bar appeared in Lin Yu¡¯s vision. However, it moved painfully slowly and stopped at just 2%.

    As the progress bar reached 2%, the screen dimmed again. Lin Yu knew this meant the energy was depleted. He was dumbfounded. What¡¯s the point of repairing 2%? I still can¡¯t cultivate! This is no different from before!

    But there was a difference. At least it was progress from 0%. More importantly, he now knew a crucial piece of information: with enough energy, he could fully repair his meridians in no time.

    Just then, Ling¡¯er¡¯s exclamation pulled Lin Yu back to reality. ¡°Brother, brother! How long has it been since you last bathed? Why is there so much filth on your body? And why does it smell so bad? Wait, this doesn¡¯t look like grime¡­¡±

    Ling¡¯er stared at the semi-solid substance oozing from Lin Yu¡¯s skin, her expression puzzled. ¡°This looks like the impurities expelled by Body Forging practitioners after a breakthrough!¡±

    She sniffed delicately, then grimaced. ¡°And it smells like it too! I always smell this when I pass by the Body Forging Institute. There¡¯s no mistake¡­ Brother, have you started Body Forging training?¡±

    Lin Yu was about to say he bathed regularly, but Ling¡¯er¡¯s next words made him pause. A wild thought crossed his mind: Could repairing just 2% of my meridians have made me capable of Body Forging?

    Lin Yu wanted to ask Ling¡¯er more about Body Forging, but she had already pinched her nose and retreated to a corner, clearly unwilling to let the foul-smelling Lin Yu near her. Sighing, Lin Yu decided to wash up first.

    After a thorough bath, Lin Yu, now dressed in a simple shirt and shorts, rushed back to the courtyard. He was eager to ask Ling¡¯er about Body Forging and, most importantly, whether he now had the potential to cultivate.

    ---

    Unexpected Visitors

    To his surprise, the courtyard was no longer empty. A group of uninvited guests had arrived. On the makeshift dining table, a small wooden box lay open, filled with neatly stacked Spirit Stones that glowed faintly.

    ¡°How many Spirit Stones is that? At least a few hundred?¡± Lin Yu¡¯s breathing quickened. This was a fortune to him, especially in his current financial state. The Spirit Stones seemed to beckon to him like little sprites.

    Lin Yu took a step forward, then noticed the two elegantly dressed middle-aged figures sitting at the table¡ªa man and a woman. The man exuded an air of authority, while the woman looked at Lin Yu with gratitude, her beautiful eyes filled with emotion.

    However, her composure remained impeccable as she simply watched Lin Yu¡­

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 Chapter 11: The Disappointed Marquis Couple

    Chapter 11: The Disappointed Marquis Couple

    Translator: Krukist

    ¡°Who are you? Why have you barged into my home? And where is my sister?¡± Lin Yu¡¯s guard was immediately up, his brows furrowing slightly. The middle-aged man, in particular, exuded an oppressive aura that made it hard for Lin Yu to breathe.

    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re Master Lin?¡± The middle-aged man was none other than Nalan Zhan, the Southwestern Marquis. He had expected to meet an elderly, white-bearded master, not a young man. The absurdity of the situation left him momentarily speechless.

    Could this young man really have cured Ziyan¡¯s anorexia? Or were we deceived? Maybe Ziyan just didn¡¯t like Situ Deng¡¯s cooking? Nalan Zhan couldn¡¯t help but whisper his doubts to his wife, Qin Caiyun.

    Qin Caiyun also found Lin Yu¡¯s youth surprising, but she frowned at her husband¡¯s words. ¡°He¡¯s standing right in front of us. What are you saying? Though, I admit, he doesn¡¯t look like a Culinary King.¡±

    Though they spoke in hushed tones, Lin Yu, standing right in front of them, heard every word. However, he was still confused and couldn¡¯t make sense of their conversation.

    ¡°If you have something to say, just say it. And have you seen my sister?¡± Lin Yu was more worried about Ling¡¯er.

    ¡°Haha¡­¡± Nalan Zhan was momentarily taken aback, then burst into laughter. He pointed at himself and said, ¡°You don¡¯t recognize me? Is there someone else in your family skilled in cooking? If so, please invite them out. I am Nalan Zhan.¡±

    When he announced his name, Nalan Zhan couldn¡¯t help but lift his chin proudly. After all, this was his territory, and he couldn¡¯t imagine anyone in Heavenly Cloud City not knowing his name. He expected Lin Yu to be shocked and bow in reverence.

    ¡°Nalan Zhan¡­ that name sounds familiar¡­¡± Lin Yu muttered to himself. Seeing that Nalan Zhan still hadn¡¯t answered his question, he grew anxious. ¡°My family only has me as the adult here. What have you done with my sister?¡±

    ¡°If you have any business, deal with me directly. Don¡¯t involve my sister. She¡¯s still young¡­¡± Lin Yu¡¯s mind raced, trying to recall if he had offended anyone or if Lingzhi Hall had any old enemies.

    But this ¡°enemy¡± seemed strange. They had piled hundreds of Spirit Stones on the table as if showing off their wealth.

    ¡°You¡­¡± Nalan Zhan was stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected this reaction and felt a bit deflated. Qin Caiyun, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t help but giggle. It was the first time she had seen the marquis so thoroughly humbled.

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    ¡°Brother, something¡¯s wrong with the Thunderworm. It seems to have lost all its spiritual energy¡­¡± Ling¡¯er suddenly walked out of another room, holding the Thunderworm. ¡°I won¡¯t leave it with you. I¡¯ll take it back to school and show it to my mentor.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll also ask if I can exchange it for a more lively one.¡±

    As Ling¡¯er entered the courtyard, she noticed Nalan Zhan and Qin Caiyun sitting at the table. Her delicate face paled, and she exclaimed, ¡°Marquis Nalan! And Madam! What are you doing here?¡±

    Ling¡¯er recognized Nalan Zhan because she had seen him during a monthly exam at Heavenly Cloud Academy. Back then, the marquis had been full of confidence, even angering the academy¡¯s principal. But now, he looked so dejected.

    She quickly moved to Lin Yu¡¯s side and whispered, ¡°Brother, did you cause trouble?¡±

    Lin Yu was also in shock. Though he had guessed from the couple¡¯s attire that they were wealthy, he hadn¡¯t expected the marquis himself to show up.

    No wonder Nalan Zhan had been so proud earlier. In Heavenly Cloud City, anyone who heard the name ¡°Nalan Zhan¡± would immediately think of the Southwestern Marquis. Only Lin Yu, hailing from Earth, hadn¡¯t made the connection.

    Lin Yu quickly clasped his hands in a respectful gesture. ¡°My apologies, Marquis. I was rude earlier. I couldn¡¯t find my sister and thought something had happened to her¡­¡±

    Nalan Zhan waved his hand dismissively, his expression still gloomy. He glanced at Qin Caiyun, who was still amused, and his mood worsened. However, he had come for a reason. ¡°You¡¯re Lin Ling¡¯er¡¯s older brother? The new owner of Lingzhi Hall?¡±

    Lin Yu¡¯s father had been a rare Third-Grade Spirit Pharmacist in Heavenly Cloud City, and Lingzhi Hall had once been prosperous. Nalan Zhan had even heard of it. But when he learned that the hall was now in decline under the management of a mediocre physician, he had lamented in his manor, thinking Lin Yu was unreliable and had tarnished his family¡¯s legacy.

    Little did he know that he would soon seek out this very person¡­

    Seeing her husband lost in thought, Qin Caiyun knew he had fallen into one of his habitual reveries. She turned to Lin Yu and asked, ¡°Young Master Lin, are you really the only adult in your family?¡±

    Lin Yu glanced at the pile of Spirit Stones on the table and thought of the girl who had eaten his chicken earlier. Suddenly, everything clicked. He smiled and said, ¡°Madam, I¡¯m indeed the only adult here.¡±

    Ling¡¯er, standing nearby, protested, ¡°Brother, I¡¯m already sixteen year old! Doesn¡¯t that count as an adult?¡±

    Lin Yu shot her a glare. Why is she interrupting at a time like this? But he calmly replied, ¡°Until you¡¯re married and have children, you¡¯re a child in my eyes. If you never marry, you¡¯ll always be a child.¡±

    Qin Caiyun¡¯s eyes filled with envy as she watched the siblings. If only she could have given Nalan Ziyan a younger sibling¡­

    ¡°Ahem,¡± Nalan Zhan coughed, breaking the moment. ¡°It seems Young Master Lin and his sister have a wonderful relationship. However, since there¡¯s no elder in your family skilled in cooking, we must have come to the wrong place.¡± He stood up, preparing to leave.

    Qin Caiyun¡¯s expression turned even more disappointed.

    This time, their disappointment wasn¡¯t due to Lin Yu¡¯s youth. It was because curing Nalan Ziyan¡¯s anorexia would require at least a Culinary King¡¯s expertise. But Lin Yu was a physician¡­ Could he really cure her with medicine?

    It wasn¡¯t impossible. If Lin Yu¡¯s father, a Third-Grade Spirit Pharmacist, had made such a claim, Nalan Zhan might have believed it. The problem was that Lin Yu himself was a ¡°notorious¡± quack¡­

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 Chapter 12: Looks Expensive

    Chapter 12: Looks Expensive

    Translator: Krukist

    ¡°Wait a moment.¡±

    Just as the marquis and his wife were about to leave, Lin Yu suddenly spoke up, stopping them in their tracks. Nalan Zhan turned around, his expression puzzled. ¡°Young Master Lin, is there something else? I have other urgent matters to attend to¡­¡±

    Lin Yu smiled, his eyes brimming with confidence. He tilted his head slightly and declared proudly, ¡°To be honest with you, Marquis, and I dare not hide it, I am actually a mediocre physician!¡±

    ¡°Cough, cough, cough¡­¡± Ling¡¯er choked on her own breath, coughing violently. Although she knew her brother wasn¡¯t particularly talented in medicine, this was the first time she had heard him admit it so openly¡ªand with such pride, no less!

    Brother, are you proud of being a mediocre physician?

    Not only was Ling¡¯er confused, but Nalan Zhan and Qin Caiyun were also taken aback. They exchanged glances, silently agreeing: This kid might be a bit slow, this is kind of scary.

    Lin Yu quickly realized his mistake and waved his hands to explain. ¡°What I mean is, being a physician is just my cover. My true identity¡­ is actually a chef.¡±

    At this point, Lin Yu flashed a bright, confident smile, revealing two rows of white teeth. ¡°Now you know why I stopped you, right? I can make anything you want to eat¡­¡±

    Lin Yu¡¯s thoughts were simple. Since the marquis and his wife were here looking for a chef, they must be food enthusiasts. And for foodies, the greatest temptation is, of course, food.

    Although he wasn¡¯t a master chef in his previous life, he had watched plenty of cooking shows. In this world, where culinary techniques were monotonous, dominating with his cooking skills would be a breeze. Especially since the Southwestern Marquis and his wife seemed so curious about his abilities¡­

    Lin Yu¡¯s smile widened. Who would have thought his rise to fame would start with a simple chicken stew with mushrooms? But at the same time, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder:

    Is my chicken stew really that good? Good enough to attract the marquis and his wife? And who was that girl from this afternoon? Could she really be the legendary young master of the marquis¡¯s household? Lin Yu¡¯s mind was flooded with questions.

    Hearing Lin Yu¡¯s words, Nalan Zhan¡¯s eyes narrowed. He said sternly, ¡°Lin Yu, you should understand that if you¡¯re lying to me, the consequences will be severe¡­¡±

    He quickly deduced that since Lin Yu had emphasized his identity as a ¡°chef,¡± he must be the mysterious cook Qing Luan had mentioned¡ªthe one who had ¡°fed the young lady until she was full.¡± But looking at Lin Yu¡¯s youthful face and considering his reputation, Nalan Zhan still found it hard to believe.

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    Qin Caiyun, however, was growing impatient. Her eyes reddened as she thought of her beloved daughter¡¯s years of suffering, unable to eat even a grain of rice. She tugged at Nalan Zhan¡¯s sleeve and scolded, ¡°You brute, what are you saying?¡±

    She took a deep breath and forced a gentle smile. ¡°If Young Master Lin is indeed a chef, then you must be the person we¡¯re looking for¡­ However, we¡¯re not looking for an ordinary chef. Could you demonstrate your skills?¡±

    Demonstrate his skills?

    Lin Yu wanted to, but looking around, he realized there was almost no food left in the house, and he was short on money. He couldn¡¯t possibly serve wild vegetables to the marquis and his wife, could he? Lin Yu¡¯s expression turned troubled.

    Qin Caiyun seemed to misinterpret his hesitation. She called out, ¡°Fenghuang.¡±

    A graceful woman suddenly appeared outside the courtyard, dressed in an exquisite Arcane Martialist robe. Lin Yu immediately noticed the three moons and seven stars embroidered on her clothing¡ªjust like Qing Luan, she was a Third-Grade Seven-Star Arcane Martialist.

    Ling¡¯er, standing nearby, looked at the woman with admiration. An Arcane Martialist of this level could easily be her mentor at Heavenly Cloud Academy. Yet, in the Southwestern Marquis Manor, she seemed to be just a high-ranking servant?

    ¡°Fetch some Spirit Stones and prepare some ingredients,¡± Qin Caiyun instructed. She then pointed to the 500 Spirit Stones on the table and smiled. ¡°If Young Master Lin can satisfy us, these Spirit Stones will be yours.¡±

    Lin Yu had only wanted some ingredients, but now, seeing the Spirit Stones on the table, his breathing quickened. His mind raced, but he maintained a calm exterior. ¡°Madam, this is only the price for the chicken stew with mushrooms from this afternoon.¡±

    Qin Caiyun raised an eyebrow, amused. Lin Yu¡¯s intention was clear¡ªhe wanted to negotiate further. It was interesting to see him trembling with excitement yet trying to maintain a composed demeanor.

    This young man is more complex than he appears to be. Qin Caiyun glanced at Nalan Zhan, who immediately understood. He smiled and said, ¡°If you can create dishes that satisfy us, we certainly won¡¯t shortchange you.¡±

    With his goal achieved, Lin Yu smiled broadly. ¡°Since the Marquis and Madam have spoken so generously, I won¡¯t hold back. Once the ingredients arrive, I promise you won¡¯t be disappointed.¡±

    Before long, Fenghuang returned with the ingredients. Lin Yu¡¯s eyes widened as he took in the array of delicacies¡ªmountain treasures, seafood, and fresh seasonal vegetables, still glistening with water as if freshly picked.

    Is this how the wealthy live?

    The Red Jade Chicken alone was worth dozens of Spirit Stones. An ordinary family of three might not spend that much on food in a month. And the Red Jade Chicken wasn¡¯t even the most luxurious item. Lin Yu also spotted a shellfish resembling an oyster, but its shell was a gem-like purple-red, exuding an air of extravagance.

    This was the common theme among these ingredients¡ªthey all looked incredibly expensive.

    Lin Yu glanced at the ingredients. Many were unfamiliar to him, but with his culinary knowledge from his past life, he felt confident he could impress the marquis and his wife. He pointed to the Red Jade Chicken and the purple-red shellfish. ¡°These two will do.¡±

    ¡°Also, prepare some flour and oil¡­ I¡¯m going to fry this.¡± Lin Yu requested a few more seasonings, and Fenghuang quickly arranged everything. Just as Lin Yu was about to start cooking, a figure suddenly appeared at the courtyard entrance.

    ¡°I¡¯d like to see for myself who this master chef is, capable of making Ziyan eat¡­¡±

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 Chapter 13: The Country Bumpkin

    Chapter 13: The Country Bumpkin

    Translator: Krukist

    A sour voice suddenly rang out, causing Lin Yu, who was preparing ingredients, to pause momentarily. His nose twitched slightly as he muttered in confusion, "Why does the air smell a bit sour?"

    He cast a glance at Lin Ling¡¯er. "Ling¡¯er, go check the kitchen. Did a rat knock over our vinegar jar?"

    Lin Ling¡¯er was puzzled. "Brother, we don¡¯t even have a vinegar jar at home."

    Only then did Lin Yu remember¡ªthis wasn¡¯t Earth. Many of his jokes wouldn¡¯t make sense to others. He felt a bit melancholic, but his hands remained as steady as flowing water. With the special knife provided by Fire Phoenix, he swiftly cut the Red Jade Chicken into several pieces.

    Lin Yu also deliberately separated the fattier parts, ensuring the dish would taste fresher and less greasy.

    This was a fundamental kitchen technique, yet the onlookers¡ªNalan Zhan, Qin Caiyun, and the newly arrived Situ Deng¡ªwere all dumbfounded. In their world, chickens were always cooked whole; no one ever thought of cutting them into portions!

    ¡°This¡­ this¡­¡± Situ Deng was momentarily speechless. If an elderly chef had done this, he might have attributed it to experience. But seeing Lin Yu, who was only in his twenties, perform such a technique ignited a fire of jealousy in his heart.

    Was it Lin Yu¡¯s cooking that made Nalan Ziyan vomit at the sight of my food? The image of Nalan Ziyan retching fueled Situ Deng¡¯s anger, which eventually erupted in a cold snort. ¡°Hmph, can¡¯t even cook a chicken properly?¡±

    ¡°Is this really the chef who made Ziyan eat? I think it was just a fluke.¡± Situ Deng turned to Nalan Zhan and said, ¡°Marquis, I¡¯ve studied under many Culinary Kings and seen many new dishes, but I¡¯ve never seen anyone cut a whole chicken into pieces like this.¡±

    In this world, being a chef wasn¡¯t a lowly profession¡ªit was highly respected. However, no matter how precious the chicken was, it was still just chicken. Most chefs didn¡¯t bother innovating with it, focusing instead on other ingredients.

    So, cooking a whole chicken was the norm. After all, if it wasn¡¯t finished, it could simply be thrown away.

    Nalan Zhan frowned. He knew Situ Deng was resentful of Lin Yu. After all, Situ Deng had worked tirelessly for years to get Nalan Ziyan to eat, only to have Lin Yu swoop in and succeed where he had failed.

    But Situ Deng¡¯s words weren¡¯t entirely wrong. What chef would cut a chicken into so many pieces? However, questioning Lin Yu directly might come off as disrespectful. What if Lin Yu truly was a once-in-a-generation culinary genius?

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    Offending Lin Yu could have consequences. Nalan Zhan himself didn¡¯t care, but the fact remained that Nalan Ziyan had only eaten Lin Yu¡¯s food in years. Lin Yu couldn¡¯t be provoked.

    Meanwhile, Lin Yu paused briefly. He picked up two chicken legs, coated them in flour, then took the oyster-like ingredient and rolled it in flour as well. Next, he dipped them in egg wash and coated them again. Every movement was performed under the watchful eyes of the onlookers.

    The Lin family¡¯s kitchen was too small, and since Lin Yu was cooking for the marquis and his wife, he couldn¡¯t be too secretive. After all, while the Southwestern Marquis was highly respected, he also had many enemies. Lin Yu might even be mistaken for a spy.

    Though Lin Yu knew he wasn¡¯t a spy, explaining himself would be difficult. So, he had the servants set up a makeshift stove outside.

    The efficiency of the Southwestern Marquis Manor¡¯s servants was impeccable. But what made Lin Yu envious was their decision to use Spirit Stone fragments as fuel¡ªa display of extreme luxury.

    Spirit Stone fragments, when polished, became Spirit Coins. Ten Spirit Coins equaled one Spirit Stone. For this single meal, dozens of Spirit Stone fragments were burned as fuel.

    ¡°Even in another world, poverty still limits my imagination,¡± Lin Yu sighed inwardly. His gaze then fell on Situ Deng, who was standing nearby. After a moment¡¯s thought, Lin Yu said, ¡°Young master, do you have a problem with me?¡±

    The oil in the wok was just heating up, giving Lin Yu a moment to address the issue. Situ Deng had been staring at him since he entered, and while Lin Yu was preparing the ingredients, he felt as if someone was scrutinizing him under a magnifying glass. It was uncomfortable.

    Only later did Lin Yu realize that Situ Deng harbored hostility toward him. The problem was, Lin Yu didn¡¯t even know who Situ Deng was.

    What¡¯s this guy¡¯s deal?

    Situ Deng turned his head away arrogantly and snorted. ¡°A country bumpkin who doesn¡¯t even know how to cook a chicken. I have no opinion of you¡ªyou¡¯re not worth it.¡±

    His words dripped with the condescension of an upper-class noble looking down on a commoner. Even Nalan Zhan, who had risen from humble beginnings, felt a pang of discomfort. He said coolly, ¡°Situ Deng, watch your tone.¡±

    Qin Caiyun, however, smiled and said, ¡°Marquis, Situ is still young. It¡¯s normal for him to be a bit hot-headed. We shouldn¡¯t blame him¡ªafter all, he¡¯s only thinking of Ziyan.¡±

    Though Situ Deng had failed to get Nalan Ziyan to eat after years of effort, Qin Caiyun appreciated his dedication. While Situ Deng was indeed a bit arrogant, she considered it a minor flaw.

    Nalan Zhan frowned. ¡°Just don¡¯t anger Master Lin.¡±

    Even he found Lin Yu¡¯s methods a bit unconventional. While Lin Yu¡¯s movements were smooth and precise, none of his steps matched what Nalan Zhan had seen before. He had witnessed many chefs at work, but Lin Yu was the only one he couldn¡¯t figure out.

    Yet, Lin Yu was their only hope. If Lin Yu truly had the skills, Nalan Zhan didn¡¯t want to risk offending him.

    These culinary masters always have the quirkiest personalities.

    Qin Caiyun chuckled. ¡°Master Lin is so talented and has such a good temperament. He probably won¡¯t mind Situ¡¯s words¡­ Besides, a little rivalry between young people is normal.¡±

    Situ Deng, initially nervous after seeing Nalan Zhan¡¯s displeasure, felt emboldened by Qin Caiyun¡¯s support. He declared proudly, ¡°Madam is right! I¡¯ll prove my skills with my cooking!¡±

    ¡°Ziyan will only eat my food. What happened earlier was just a fluke! Even if it wasn¡¯t, it was just a coincidence. Ziyan would never eat the food of a country bumpkin!¡± Situ Deng¡¯s words were dripping with disdain, directly labeling Lin Yu as a country bumpkin.

    Lin Yu couldn¡¯t help but frown¡­

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