7: Returning to the courtyard, the kindness of the master's wife

As the two talked, they nearly reached the residential area.

This area was inhabited solely by Outer Sect Disciples.

Because of the large number of Outer Sect Disciples, there weren't enough Immortal Caves to allocate, so the Sect built dormitories, each only about ten square meters in size.

Just enough to accommodate one person.

Even Outer Sect Elders lived in this residential area, but compared to the Disciples' small rooms, they had their own exclusive courtyards.

The houses were larger, but the Origin Qi concentration in the surroundings was the same.

Only after advancing to the Inner Sect would the Sect arrange exclusive Immortal Caves, which had Formations carved within them to gather Origin Qi for the Sect members to Cultivate and live in.

The two arrived at the entrance of Qin Ren's courtyard, only to see that the nameplate of the courtyard's owner, carved beside the main door, had been removed and replaced by a notice.

"According to Sect regulations, after the death of an Outer Sect Elder, their residential courtyard shall be returned to the Sect. Family members are requested to retrieve the original owner's belongings within three days. A new Elder will then move into this courtyard."

Looking at the words on the notice, both couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

Qin Ren, as an Outer Sect Elder, had made many contributions to the Sect during his life. It was one thing for him not to receive compensation after his death, but for the Sect to immediately reclaim the usage rights of his courtyard was truly heartless and ungrateful.

However, it was not surprising that the Cloud Ripple Sect acted this way; Outer Sect members held little value to the Sect, so they naturally wouldn't expend resources or effort for a dead person.

Not just the Cloud Ripple Sect, but all major and minor powers in the Cultivation world were like this.

Loyalty would always come after profit in their eyes.

"Come in, Lin Yuan, let's go tidy up your Revered Master's belongings with me."

Gu Shuqin took out a key, unlocked the door, and pushed it open, saying.

Lin Yuan followed her in.

He was already very familiar with this courtyard; he used to live here with his Revered Master and his wife.

Next, the two spent some time organizing all the daily tools, big and small, packing them into a Storage Pouch.

Actually, there weren't many things; for Cultivators, daily life mostly consisted of meditating and Cultivating, then eating a meal together.

Cultivators in the early Realms still needed to eat; only upon reaching the Core Formation Realm could they convert the Origin Qi of heaven and earth into food to satisfy their hunger, achieving the effect of Fasting Pill.

Even so, lower-Realm Cultivators could also use Fasting Pill to replace food; eating one Fasting Pill could keep them full for three days, thus allowing more time for Cultivation.

The two tidied up the belongings, and by the time they finished, the sky had already darkened.

"Grumble."

It was dinner time, and the Revered Master and Disciple's stomachs began to rumble from hunger.

Gu Shuqin said gently, "Lin Yuan, wait a moment; your Revered Master's wife will go cook for you."

Fasting Pill were expensive, and Qin Ren was reluctant to buy them, so the Beautiful Woman always cooked for their family of three.

"Mm."

Lin Yuan nodded and sat cross-legged in the courtyard, digesting the energy gained from their combined Cultivation during the day.

Before long, smoke could be seen curling up from above the courtyard, and wafts of meaty aroma drifted from the kitchen.

Lin Yuan couldn't help but open his eyes, just as his Revered Master's wife emerged, carrying a plate.

"Come, Lin Yuan, you eat first."

"Revered Master's wife, aren't you eating?"

"There's still a dish of braised pork ribs with scallion oil to make; we'll eat together when it's done."

"Okay."

Cultivators could use Origin Qi to roast, stew, fry, and deep-fry, which was much faster than building a fire. So, Gu Shuqin soon prepared four dishes and one soup, neatly placing them on the table in the courtyard.

"Revered Master's wife, your cooking is truly superb! I could eat your dishes my entire life and never get tired of them!"

Lin Yuan finished a piece of pork rib and praised her from the bottom of his heart.

Gu Shuqin smiled softly, "Silly Lin Yuan, when we Breakthrough to the Core Formation Realm later, we won't need to eat anymore."

"Then we should still occasionally taste it and satisfy our appetite."

"You just want to eat the dishes Revered Master's wife makes, don't you?"

"Yes! Especially your braised tofu, it's too delicious!"

"Then how about I make it for you every day from now on?"

"Yes! Good Revered Master's wife, your Disciple loves you to death."

"Stop being glib, hurry and eat, or the dishes will get cold."

The two chatted and ate, and soon Lin Yuan was full. Looking at the remaining dishes on the plate, he couldn't help but ask, "Revered Master's wife, why is the portion of today's dishes the same as usual?"

Gu Shuqin's expression froze, and she forced a smile, "I was used to making portions for three people; I momentarily forgot that your Revered Master is no longer here."

At these words, the atmosphere immediately fell silent.

"Ahem."

Lin Yuan broke the silence, chuckling dryly, "I'm full, Revered Master's wife, how about you?"

"I'm full too."

"Then let's clear the dishes."

"Mm."

The two poured the leftover food from the plates into the slop bucket, then Gu Shuqin condensed water with Origin Qi and rinsed the dirty plates clean.

Lin Yuan exclaimed, "Revered Master's wife, this trick is really convenient."

After a Cultivator reaches the Condensing Core Realm, they can condense objects with Origin Qi. Not just water, but also fire, wood, metal, silver, and other items can be condensed.

Gu Shuqin smiled faintly, "It is indeed much more convenient. Before, I needed to boil water for bathing, but now I can wash myself."

Lin Yuan teased, "Boiling water is too troublesome. Next time, why don't we bathe together? That way, we won't waste water."

Gu Shuqin gave him a charming glare, "You little brat, you really dream big. Your Revered Master never even bathed with me, and you dare to have such improper thoughts." (Because the Revered Master was ascetic and never touched his Revered Master's wife, she was clean from head to toe.)

"Your Disciple just wants to spend more time with Revered Master's wife."

"There's plenty of other time; no need to spend it during baths."

"Oh, Revered Master's wife doesn't dote on Lin Yuan anymore."

Lin Yuan feigned disappointment.

"Alright, alright, put away your wicked thoughts and let's get to business first."

Gu Shuqin ended the topic and took out two brocade boxes from her Storage Pouch.

Upon opening them, two round Medicinal Pills lay inside.

They were Marrow Cleansing Pill and Tong Mai Pill!

Lin Yuan's expression changed slightly as he asked, "Are these two Medicinal Pills for me?"

Gu Shuqin nodded and explained, "Yes, the Marrow Cleansing Pill can cleanse your body and thoroughly remove the Impurities within you, while the Tong Mai Pill can help you open your Meridians and officially step into the Opening Meridian Realm."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan couldn't help but be moved.

When he was a Utility Disciple, he only received one Origin Stone a month. To buy these Medicinal Pills, he couldn't possibly do it even if he worked until he died of old age.

Yet, his Revered Master's wife was not stingy with him at all, directly buying two Medicinal Pills, even spending all her family possessions, and even selling the token of love his Revered Master had given her.

How could he repay such a great kindness?

"Revered Master's wife, this kindness is too great. I'm afraid I won't be able to repay it in the future."

Lin Yuan said, biting his lip.

Gu Shuqin flicked the man's nose, chiding, "Silly boy, why do you say such things? Revered Master's wife doesn't expect you to repay me."