Stone Village, Amidst a Vibrant Spring
A quick tally revealed over a hundred spiritual herbs, some so rare that even Stone Village's elders couldn't identify them, yet their extraordinary nature was undeniable.
"Dog-Leaf Vine, Jade Orchid… Snow Moon Ginseng…" The villagers gasped, their hearts trembling with awe at the sight of such a bounty, their emotions indescribable.
The pile of herbs exuded an intoxicating fragrance, shimmering with radiant strands of light, vibrant and multicolored, a dazzling display of beauty.
The Dog-Leaf Vine, jet-black, had leaves carved like jade, each shaped like a ferocious hound, utterly peculiar.
The Blood Phoenix Grass bore leaf veins resembling a fire phoenix spreading its wings, its flowing essence burning like flames.
Stone Village's people were simple and honest. Though the herbs stirred their hearts, they wouldn't touch what wasn't theirs.
Besides, Lin Fan had done so much for them— healing the elders' injuries, hunting legacy beasts, and providing treasure blood and potent medicines.
"Grandpa Village Chief, I'll be counting on you," Lin Fan said earnestly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation for Stone Village's elixir recipes, known to unlock the body's hidden potential for rapid breakthroughs.
Even in the Formation Arrangement and Venerable Realms, these recipes remained effective, leaving no adverse effects.
Lin Fan suspected these recipes were tied to Milk Hao's future physical prowess, likely originating from the Stone Clan at the frontier, a legacy of the Stone Immortal King lineage, crafted for their descendants' baptisms—priceless treasures.
"No trouble at all! That you value our recipes is the village's honor," Shi Yunfeng said with a warm smile, relieved to have a way to repay Lin Fan's kindness.
With the five recipes in hand, Lin Fan's heart raced with excitement, ripples of anticipation coursing through him. These would propel him forward, sparing years of grueling cultivation.
"Grandpa Village Chief, these recipes are precious and vital to my cultivation. I won't take advantage—here, take these Eight Delicacy Chickens as a gift."
From his Qiankun Bag, Lin Fan produced two plump, round chickens, their earthy yellow feathers resembling common pheasants.
The chickens were timid yet intelligent, their eyes wide with fear at the sight of so many people.
They especially dreaded Lin Fan, who had a habit of slicing chunks of their flesh, only to heal them with his treasure technique. The cycle of pain and recovery was torturous, leaving the chickens longing for death yet unable to escape. Oh, the misery!
"Wow, such fat chickens!" Little Dot exclaimed, his eyes glinting hungrily, practically drooling at the thought of roasting them.
The Eight Delicacy Chickens shrank back, twisting their bodies in a frantic attempt to flee.
Smack!
Shi Yunfeng's hand shot out, swatting Little Dot's head. "No mischief!"
"Ow…" Little Dot pouted, rubbing his head, wincing in pain.
He couldn't fathom why Grandpa Village Chief was so cautious over two mere chickens.
"Young friend, please take them back. These chickens are too precious. You've helped our village so much, and it's just a few recipes," Shi Yunfeng said, struggling to contain his excitement.
These were Eight Delicacy Chickens, one of the ancient Eight Delicacies, a culinary marvel said to make even gods salivate. Their flavor was unmatched, a rare treasure.
Beyond their taste, their spiritual blood was a potent tonic, and their eggs were medicinal treasures of immense value.
"Grandpa Village Chief, don't worry. My elders raise flocks of these chickens back home—we eat them all the time," Lin Fan said nonchalantly.
"What? Flocks?!" Shi Yunfeng's jaw hung open, his voice booming.
But reflecting on Lin Fan's mysterious origins, he calmed. What he saw as treasures might be mundane to Lin Fan.
"I'd also like to borrow that black cauldron," Lin Fan added.
"Use it as long as you need! And take Little Dot—" Shi Yunfeng caught himself, grinning ear to ear, clutching the chickens tenderly, reluctant to let go.
"What's gotten into Grandpa Village Chief?" Little Dot scratched his head, feeling oddly less valued than two chickens.
Lin Fan, clutching the recipes, beamed with uncontainable joy, eager to test their effects.
"Hey, they're just a few recipes. Can they really compare to the sect's heritage?" Yue Chan approached, her lotus steps graceful, her red lips parting slightly, her voice like celestial music, ethereal and enchanting.
She was breathtaking—oval face, luminous forehead, arched brows, long lashes framing starry eyes that shimmered with radiance. Even without makeup, her youthful beauty was peerless, a vision of elegance.
Lin Fan tossed back, "You wouldn't get it."
"This guy's infuriating!" Yue Chan gritted her teeth, her pearly incisors gleaming, her delicate fist itching to bop his head.
But then Lin Fan smiled at her. "Didn't you want a baptism? Let's start now."
Inside a Rustic Stone House
A black cauldron stood at the center, flames roaring beneath it. A faint golden glow emanated from within, mist swirling around it.
As a woman, Yue Chan needed to enter the cauldron unclothed, so the baptism was held indoors, shielded by an isolation array.
One person, however, remained—Lin Fan, standing firm, showing no intention of leaving.
"What are you still doing here? Get out!" Yue Chan snapped, shooting him a glare, exasperated by his obliviousness.
"No can do. This baptism is critical. I need to monitor the flames to prevent any mishaps," Lin Fan said, his face deadly serious, as if entirely for her sake.
Yue Chan was floored. How does he make peeping sound so righteous? "Just get an auntie to watch it," she countered.
Lin Fan shook his head, resolute. "This is about opening your tenth Heavenly Passage. There's no room for error. A single mistake could be disastrous, and those aunties are mere mortals, unfit for the task."
Yue Chan was stumped, unable to argue. You make too much sense!
But…
"I'm a woman, and you're a man. Is it proper for you to stay?" she pressed, her voice tinged with frustration.
"First, I'm your fiancé—we'll face this sooner or later. Second, I'm just a kid. What impure thoughts could I have? No need to worry," Lin Fan replied, his logic unshakable.
His reasoning was so sound that Yue Chan found herself speechless. The baptism was crucial, no room for carelessness.
Finally, her cheeks flaming, she muttered weakly, "Could you… turn around first?"
Lin Fan didn't tease, recognizing the gravity of the moment. Without a word, he turned, closing his eyes, his demeanor utterly earnest.
Yue Chan exhaled in relief. Soon, the soft rustle of clothes being shed filled the air.
Splash!
Water rippled as Yue Chan leapt into the cauldron. Her flawless, crystalline body was a work of art, perfection incarnate.
Submerging herself in the pale golden liquid, only her head remained above, she let out a long breath. "You can turn back now."
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 100+ chapters and other stories join: patreon.com/Caluem