Chapter 10: with translation of chapter title

The flaming broom, in this Menial Disciple's hand, was practically a fire wheel.

"It's on fire, Junior Brother Cheng, the broom's on fire."

Seeing this, the other Menial Disciples shouted in unison; hearing that, Junior Brother Cheng only then realized his broom had been completely burnt.

Just now he only thought about finishing the sweeping quickly and then having his meal, completely failing to notice this.

He quickly stomped out the fire with a few steps, then said to the broom in frustration.

"Not fit for use, it nearly ruined my plans."

Saying that, he casually tossed it aside and said to the other Menial Disciples:

"Shī xiōng, may I borrow the broom?"

"Eh…… Junior Brother, are you alright?"

He asked with some concern, "This guy's condition is clearly off," but Junior Brother Cheng just shook his head, took the broom, and started sweeping again.

They hadn't been to the canteen, so they naturally didn't know what the three of them were thinking; after sweeping, they'd knock off work and go eat.

Not only the three of them, but the other Menial Disciples did the same, hurriedly speeding up their actions, just wanting to finish quickly and get in line.

However, everyone tacitly kept it to themselves.

They're not stupid; the canteen only has Ye Zhangqing, and with just a few dozen people it's already barely enough—if more came, there'd be nothing left to eat.

So those who had been to the canteen chose to conceal it—one less person means one less mouth, letting them eat a couple more bites; it makes perfect sense, no problem.

Not only were the Menial Disciples anxious; at this moment, in the Inner Disciple area, a woman in a white long dress, with an aloof demeanor, was hurriedly searching for something.

"Junior Brother, have you seen Junior Sister Lu Youyou?"

This woman is also an Inner Disciple; she hadn't seen Lu Youyou since early this morning, and after searching around she still couldn't find her.

Hearing that, the disciple shook his head.

"I haven't seen her, but last evening Junior Sister Lu Youyou seemed to have rushed down the mountain; I also know what it's about."

Hearing that, the woman nodded and hurriedly headed down the mountain.

She had searched the mountaintop area thoroughly and still hadn't seen Lu Youyou, so she could only try her luck at the mountain's base.

"But what is that girl doing running to the mountain's base? Isn't that the Menial Disciples' area?"

As the final closed‑door disciple of Divine Sword Peak's Peak Master, Lu Youyou was extremely favored among her senior brothers and sisters; her sudden disappearance naturally caused anxiety.

As for Lu Youyou at this moment, she was in the canteen, staring at the just‑finished small stir‑fried meat, drooling, while other matters had long been tossed to the back of her mind.

"It smells so good."

"Senior Sister, want a taste?"

As he spoke, Ye Zhangqing handed over a pair of chopsticks, smiling; hearing that, Lu Youyou took the chopsticks blankly.

"May I?"

"Of course."

Having obtained Ye Zhangqing's agreement, Lu Youyou hesitated not, picked up a chopstickful of stir‑fried meat and shoved it into her mouth.

In an instant, the meat's aroma filled her mouth, an indescribable sensation that made Lu Youyou narrow her eyes and wear a look of enjoyment.

Delicious, extremely delicious—tastier than braised noodles, and moreover this stir‑fried meat actually has the effect of boosting qi and blood.

Although for Lu Youyou this boost is negligible, for a Body‑Refining cultivator it would be quite useful.

If one could regularly eat such food, it would definitely give a Body‑Refining cultivator twice the result with half the effort in their Xiūliàn.

After that one chopstick, Lu Youyou was completely conquered; looking at Ye Zhangqing, she repeatedly praised him with a satisfied face.

"Delicious, really too delicious."

"As long as Senior Sister likes it."

Afterward Lu Youyou couldn't help but snatch a few more chopsticks, each time her face flushing with embarrassment, for after all this was the lunch prepared for everyone, and her actions amounted to stealing food, yet she simply couldn't resist.

"Just the last bite, really just the last bite."

Each time she makes that excuse, but not long after she can't help but grab another chopstick.

Not long after, Ye Zhangqing brought the big bucket of cooked rice and the small stir‑fried meat to the kitchen door, setting up a large table as before.

At the same time, the first batch of disciples arrived; upon entering the courtyard they smelled the aroma and their appetites were instantly stirred.

"Is this Junior Brother Ye Zhangqing's new dish?"

"It smells good."

Seeing someone arrive, Lu Youyou darted forward and instantly took the first spot; although she had already snuck a fair amount earlier, it still wasn't enough, and she wanted to keep eating.

Seeing that, the others also naturally lined up.

As time passed, more and more people showed up, and soon the queue stretched outside the courtyard.

Everyone waited for the meal to begin, their anticipation so intense it was almost painful.

But just then, a woman flew from the horizon; seeing the crowd below, she initially found it strange—what were all these people doing lined up here?

But when she saw the first person, Lu Youyou, she was startled and immediately descended from the sky.

"Junior Sister."

She landed directly in the courtyard; hearing that, Lu Youyou turned her head and instantly broke into a sweet smile.

"Second Senior Sister Liu Shuang."

The woman's name was Liu Shuang, also an Inner Disciple of Divine Sword Peak of the Dao Yi Sect.

Having finally found Lu Youyou, Liu Shuang spoke with an expressionless face.

"Little Junior Sister, what are you doing here?"

Liu Shuang's nature has always been cold; over the years at Divine Sword Peak she has hardly ever been close to anyone, and even among her fellow Inner Disciples few could exchange words with her.

Only after Lu Youyou became a disciple did their relationship become relatively good.

"Just waiting to eat."

Faced with Liu Shuang's questioning, Lu Youyou answered without thinking, but hearing this, Liu Shuang was taken aback.

Eating? You, an Inner Disciple, come to the cookhouse to eat?

"Junior Sister, are you serious?"

She stared at Lu Youyou doubtfully for a moment, then asked softly.

"Well, Senior Sister Liu Shuang, don't underestimate Junior Brother Ye Zhangqing—his cooking skills are excellent."

Both Lu Youyou and Liu Shuang had long since given up grains, yet who would have thought that one day Lu Youyou would have her appetite stirred.

This made Liu Shuang unconsciously turn her gaze toward Ye Zhangqing.

Seeing that he had only minor accomplishment in the Body Refining realm, aside from being somewhat handsome, he had no other remarkable qualities; she frowned slightly and said.

"Junior Sister, don't make trouble, come back with me—Master is still waiting for you."

Liu Shuang completely didn't believe what Lu Youyou said; although the courtyard was indeed filled with fragrant aroma, she, Liu Shuang, the Second Senior Sister of Divine Sword Peak, would not be swayed by such a scent.

As for that, Lu Youyou firmly shook her head and refused, insisting on finishing her meal before leaving.

Their conversation also failed to draw any notice from the many disciples present; even though Liu Shuang herself had said Lu Youyou was an Inner Disciple, to everyone present there was nothing but plain rice, regardless of her status as an Inner Disciple.

Even the person standing behind Lu Youyou whispered.

"Senior Sister Lu, if you have business, go ahead—but don't keep Peak Master waiting."

"Exactly, exactly, Senior Sister Lu, if you have business, go quickly—but don't delay important matters."