38: Chapter 38 Like a fish, I, I want to eat

Behind the leeward side of the rocks near Ningyin Hall, a small bonfire was crackling, its orange flames licking at a makeshift wooden spit. Two silver Spirit Fish, cleaned and coated with a little juice from wild herbs found in the rock crevices, were skewered upon it.

Grease was forced out by the flames, dripping onto the charcoal and making a sizzling, alluring sound. Mixed with the crisp scent of herbs and the fresh aroma of the fish itself, it transformed into wisps of white smoke carrying the breath of the Mortal world, curling upwards and drifting away with the wind.

Xu Ruyu squatted beside the fire, carefully turning the grilled fish. His eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the fish skin, which was gradually turning golden and crispy, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Since his Transmigration yesterday, he had experienced life-and-death speed, seductive traps, and a grueling series of battles. Both his spirit and Physical Body had suffered greatly. At this moment, the aroma of this most primitive food was more soothing to his weary body and mind than any Spirit Pill.

He took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes in satisfaction, temporarily casting aside those annoying demons, his stern Revered Master, his bizarre Physique, and the uncertain three months ahead.

At this moment, he was just a Mortal craving a full meal.

However, for that former Saint Realm Expert inside the Main Hall, this alluring aroma became another kind of irresistible, and even slightly cruel, temptation.

Xiao Nianyin leaned against the cloud bed, not truly in deep meditation.

The soreness and emptiness deep within her body, exacerbated by last night's absurd demands and today's emotional fluctuations, washed over her like waves.

What made it even more embarrassing was a distinct, rumbling sound, uncontrollably emitting from her flat lower abdomen, appearing exceptionally abrupt in the silent hall.

Hunger.

This primitive sensation belonging to the Mortal Physical Body, which had been forgotten for hundreds of years, was now torturing her with vivid clarity.

If her cultivation were still present, let alone a few days, even if she went decades without eating or drinking, simply by absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and refining the essence of Medicinal Pills, it would be enough to maintain an immortal Physical Body and keep her Divine Soul and Qi full.

The desire of the palate had long since become insignificant dust in her distant memories.

But now, all her Saint Realm cultivation had been transferred to the body of the boy outside who was clumsily grilling fish. She had a powerful Divine Soul and past experience, but her Physical Body was so weak that she couldn't even maintain the most basic state of fasting.

Last night's intense 'exercise' had completely exhausted the little strength and essence she had left.

At this moment, she felt soreness throughout her limbs, her Dantian and Qi Sea were empty, and she was even struggling to maintain her body temperature and resist the faint chill in the hall.

The scent of the grilled fish drifting in from outside the hall, initially just a faint wisp, quickly became clear and persistent.

The charred aroma of fat being roasted by flames, mixed with the meaty scent of some crisp herbal essence, seemed to have hooks, drilling straight into her nasal cavity and precisely triggering the most instinctive cravings deep in her stomach.

Xiao Nianyin's throat bobbed involuntarily. She closed her eyes, attempting to circulate the minuscule amount of remaining Divine Thought to suppress this damn physiological reaction, and even wanted to reprimand Xu Ruyu for engaging in such vulgar acts in a Cultivation Holy Land, coveting the desires of the palate.

But the words reached her lips only to be swallowed back down.

Reprimand? On what grounds? As the Sect Master, it was only right to teach her Disciple to focus on cultivation and discard external distractions.

But... how long could she maintain her 'strict Revered Master' persona in her current state? More importantly, she could not show the slightest flaw.

When Su Mei and Qingyan were here just now, she had forced herself to appear, establishing a ban with the authority of the Sect Master. While it was indeed to protect (or rather, isolate) Xu Ruyu and buy time, wasn't it also to hide her own weakness?

If someone like Su Mei, who was skilled at reading expressions and already suspicious of her taking on a Disciple, noticed that her breath was unstable, or even... that she needed food? The consequences would be unimaginable.

Therefore, even though her stomach rumbled like a drum, she dared not show it at all just now, and could only let Xu Ruyu 'handle' that basket of fish while she quickly retreated into the hall.

But now, the ban had been communicated, and outsiders dared not come again for the time being.

The alluring aroma grew stronger, and the emptiness in her stomach intensified, as if a small hand were constantly scratching inside.

Xiao Nianyin opened her eyes, a rare flash of struggle and embarrassment crossing her cold, clear eyes.

She was the noble Sect Master of Hehuan Sect, a top Saint Realm Expert in the Cultivation World (formerly); was she really going to act like a common Mortal woman, and for a bite of food, just...

Another louder 'rumble' interrupted her thoughts, completely shattering her last bit of pointless reserve.

Forget it... In extraordinary times, take extraordinary measures.

Survival, recovering her cultivation, and regaining control of the Sect were the priorities.

A little Face... let it go for now.

She took a deep breath, barely suppressing the discomfort in her body and the strangeness in her heart, tidied her slightly messy collar and hair, and tried to make her gait look composed again. She pushed open the door of the Main Hall once more and walked out.

The afternoon sun was perfect, warmly spilling onto the platform in front of the hall.

Xu Ruyu was focused intently on the fish that was about to be done when he suddenly heard familiar footsteps behind him. He jumped in fright, and the wooden spit in his hand almost fell into the fire.

He turned around in a panic to see Xiao Nianyin walking towards him slowly. The sunlight plated a layer of pale gold onto her plain white robes, making her appearance look even more cold and ethereal, though her complexion seemed a bit paler than before.

Xu Ruyu's heart skipped a beat, thinking that his vulgar act of 'lighting a fire and cooking' had displeased his Revered Master.

He hurriedly put down the wooden spit, stood up like a child caught doing something wrong by their parents, and with his head lowered and hands rubbing together in a fluster, he stammered an explanation:

"M-Revered Master... Disciple... Disciple just still... still cannot quit this desire of the palate... I was greedy for a moment, so, so..."

The more he spoke, the quieter his voice became, and his head hung even lower, preparing to welcome his Revered Master's reprimand.

However, the cold reprimand he expected did not come.

Xiao Nianyin walked up close, her gaze sweeping lightly over the bonfire and the golden, alluring grilled fish above it. The aroma lingering at the tip of her nose caused another slight spasm in her stomach.

She forced herself to remain calm, averted her gaze to the distant mountains and drifting clouds, and spoke in a flat tone. Her words left Xu Ruyu stunned on the spot:

"Go, bring a chair for this Seat."

"Ah?"

Xu Ruyu thought he had heard wrong and looked up in confusion.

Xiao Nianyin did not look at him, still gazing into the distance, her voice devoid of emotion: "The sun is nice today."

Xu Ruyu finally realized that his Revered Master was not here to reprimand him, but... wanted to sunbathe? And asked him to move a chair? This, this style feels a bit wrong, right?

A Fairy like his Revered Master, shouldn't she be sitting on a jade throne surrounded by clouds and mist, or in a cold and lofty palace? Why would she want to sit on this open-air platform and watch him grill fish?

Although full of doubts, his Revered Master had given an order, and he dared not disobey.

Xu Ruyu hurriedly replied "Yes", turned and ran into the side hall, and moved out the only wooden Taishi chair in his room that looked sturdy enough and was carved with simple patterns. He carefully placed it behind Xiao Nianyin in a spot where the sun was best and it wouldn't be too close to the fire.

"Revered Master, please sit."

Xu Ruyu said respectfully.

Xiao Nianyin nodded slightly and sat down gracefully on that ordinary Taishi chair, her back straight, hands folded on her lap. Her gaze fell back onto the bonfire and the grilled fish, still expressionless, just calmly instructing:

"Continue grilling your fish."

After a pause, she added another sentence, as if explaining why she was sitting here: "This Seat... will just watch."

Her tone tried hard to maintain calm and a trace of the dignity of a Revered Master, as if she really just came out to sunbathe and incidentally supervise whether the Disciple was slacking off.

But the slightly pursed lip line and the gaze that seemed casual but actually glanced at the grilled fish from time to time revealed a hint of something unusual.

Although Xu Ruyu felt it was strange, he didn't dare ask more. He obediently replied "Yes", squatted back down beside the fire, and continued to turn the two Spirit Fish that were already grilled to a crispy exterior and tender interior, overflowing with fragrance.

Only this time, he felt a gaze behind him like a shadow, making his movements for grilling fish become somewhat stiff and unnatural.

Soon, the fish was grilled.

Xu Ruyu took the grilled fish off the fire and placed it on a large, washed leaf.

The golden fish skin burst slightly, revealing the snow-white and delicate fish meat inside, and the heat mixed with the aroma rushed towards his Face, making his appetite surge.

Xu Ruyu looked at these two grilled fish, but suddenly fell into a dilemma.

Should he... invite his Revered Master to eat together?

Reasonably speaking, when there are good things, one should show filial piety to their Revered Master.

But... his Revered Master is a Saint Realm Expert!

She has been fasting for hundreds of years!

This Mortal thing he grilled, although it smelled good, in his Revered Master's eyes, it was probably no different from the dust on the roadside, right?

Inviting her to eat, would it seem too abrupt, too disrespectful? Or even a profanity towards her?

But if he didn't invite her... his Revered Master was just sitting here watching, and him devouring it alone, it didn't seem quite right, did it?

Moreover, his Revered Master just said "just watch", could it be a subtle hint? But what if it wasn't?

Two little people were fighting in Xu Ruyu's mind, and he was agonizing over it. He secretly glanced at Xiao Nianyin, who was sitting upright on the Taishi chair, and saw that she was still looking into the distance with an indifferent expression, as if she didn't care at all about the grilled fish in front of her.

Forget it, forget it!

Better safe than sorry!

Xu Ruyu hardened his heart and made a decision.

He might as well not eat either, to avoid embarrassment!

He took a deep breath, picked up the large leaf holding the grilled fish, stood up, bowed to Xiao Nianyin and said: "Revered Master, Disciple suddenly feels that since I have joined under your tutelage and am determined to cultivate, I should no longer covet these Mortal desires of the palate and indulge in pleasure.

This grilled fish... Disciple will not eat it, I will go throw it away now, so as not to defile your place of quiet cultivation."

After speaking, he carried the grilled fish and turned towards the edge of the platform, preparing to throw these two hard-earned, fragrant grilled fish off the cliff.

"Ruyu."

Just then, Xiao Nianyin's voice suddenly sounded, slightly lower than usual, and... it seemed not so steady.

Xu Ruyu paused his steps and turned around in confusion: "Revered Master?"

Xiao Nianyin was still sitting on the Taishi chair, not looking at him, but with her head slightly turned, her gaze seeming to land on a certain cloud in the distance. Her side profile shone with a jade-like luster in the sunlight, but her long eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.

She seemed to hesitate for a moment, and in those eyes that were always cold and without waves, a flash of extremely rare, almost embarrassed expression passed by very quickly, so fast that Xu Ruyu thought he had hallucinated.

Then, he heard his Revered Master say in a low voice, with a sound that was almost inaudible yet clearly reached his ears:

"Ruyu..."

She paused again, as if she had used all her strength to say those words that were hard to utter:

"I... I want to eat."

The voice was very soft, carrying a trace of a very faint, almost imperceptible tremor, but it was like a huge rock thrown into the lake of Xu Ruyu's heart, stirring up stormy waves!

Xu Ruyu was completely dumbfounded, carrying the grilled fish, frozen on the spot, his eyes wide open, mouth slightly agape, as if he had heard some fantasy.

Revered Master, Revered Master said what?

She... she wants to eat?!

Eat... the fish he grilled?!

How is this possible?! That is a Saint Realm Expert who has been fasting for hundreds of years! The Sect Master of Hehuan Sect! The ice-cold Fairy Xiao Nianyin!!!

Xu Ruyu's brain completely crashed, and he was completely unable to understand everything happening before him. He looked at his Revered Master's back, which was still straight but seemed to reveal a trace of tension, looked at those perfect, jade-like earlobes that were slightly red in the sunlight, and then looked at the two grilled fish in his hand that were emitting a "Mortal" aroma...

The world seemed to become a bit unreal at this moment.