Longevity through Upgrading Buildings-Chapter 256 - 157: Closed-door Disciple

Chapter 256: Chapter 157: Closed-door Disciple
A Golden Core talking to a Foundation Establishment disciple like this carries great weight.
Ji Yuan was almost moved enough to take out the last pot of Heart’s Desire Wine from his Storage Bag, but in the end, he restrained himself. Bringing it out now wouldn’t have much effect, and it would just show that he was holding back in front of her.
"Disciple thanks Master."
With this assurance, Ji Yuan could feel a little more at ease in the Water Dragon Sect from now on.
At least he wouldn’t have to worry about other Golden Cores giving him a hard time...This Heart’s Desire Wine was indeed offered at a worthy price, of course, only offering it to Hua Yaoyue would have this effect.
Offering it to any other Golden Core might not have much use.
"Master, Master."
Suddenly, a cheerful voice came from outside the door.
Soon after, the door was pushed open from outside, and a young woman in a bright red dress hopped in, but as soon as she entered, she instinctively stopped when she saw the scene inside the room.
"Xiao... Little Junior Brother, why are you here too?"
Phoenix Peach wanted to say more, questioning why he was here, and even more so, why he was having a private conversation with the Master behind closed doors... but the words were swallowed back down.
"Just here to consult Master on something."
Ji Yuan didn’t mention anything about the Heart’s Desire Wine.
Unexpectedly, Hua Yaoyue directly announced, "From now on, Ji Yuan is my Closed-door Disciple."
"What?!"
This time it was Phoenix Peach’s turn to be surprised.
Her tiny cherry-shaped mouth opened wide, momentarily forgetting to close.
"Master, you, Little Junior Brother, you..."
"I have limited energy, having taken you four as disciples is about enough."
Hua Yaoyue uncharacteristically explained, not revealing anything about Ji Yuan offering the Heart’s Desire Wine.
Was it because she didn’t want Phoenix Peach and them to know she took him as a Closed-door Disciple because she needed his wine, or was it that she didn’t want others to know she could use the wine for cultivation... Ji Yuan couldn’t help but guess.
But there was soon no need to guess, as Hua Yaoyue’s voice echoed in his mind using Telepathy.
"The matter of using wine for cultivation, it’s enough that you know, no need to tell outsiders."
Ji Yuan didn’t dare to respond; while Hua Yaoyue’s Telepathy wouldn’t be noticeable by Phoenix Peach, if he used Divine Sense to respond, Phoenix Peach, being late-stage Foundation Establishment, would likely sense it.
So Ji Yuan calmly nodded in acknowledgment.
"That’s right."
Phoenix Peach nodded half-believingly, feeling like Hua Yaoyue and Ji Yuan were hiding something from her, but she dared not ask.
"What business do you have with me?"
"Actually, it’s nothing much, today is the 39th anniversary of disciple’s apprenticeship, so I thought to come and chat with Master for a while, just happened that Little Junior Brother is also here. Master, let me tell you, Little Junior Brother’s cooking is delicious, really fragrant!"
Phoenix Peach exclaimed excitedly, as if remembering something.
Hua Yaoyue furrowed her elegant brows, "Already at Foundation Establishment, still indulging in such gluttony."
"..."
"Truly delicious."
Half an hour later, when Hua Yaoyue tasted Ji Yuan’s dishes, she couldn’t suppress her thoughts, praising Ji Yuan.
"Little Junior Brother, how did you learn such cooking skills? It’s one thing to cultivate so quickly, but to cook so well too."
Phoenix Peach mumbled.
Ji Yuan had a drink with Hua Yaoyue, then smiled and answered, "Senior Sister may not know, I was born in Cloud Rain Marsh, growing up making a living with my parents fishing. Sometimes when my parents didn’t return, I had to cook for myself, over time, these cooking skills naturally improved."
Of course, if that were truly the case, Ji Yuan’s cooking wouldn’t be as delicious as it is.
It has more to do with the [Kitchen], which enhances the taste by 20%. What counts as an enhancement in taste?
Everyone has different tastes.
So Ji Yuan believes that this 20% is a subjective enhancement, no matter the taste, as long as they eat Ji Yuan’s cooking, they’ll find it suits their taste.
So they all find Ji Yuan’s cooking delicious.
Otherwise, given that everyone is different, it’s unlikely everyone would find Ji Yuan’s cooking so tasty.
"I see."
Ji Yuan took the opportunity to ask, "What about you, Senior Sister, where do you come from?"
The earlier friends all came from Cloud Rain Marsh, a bunch of companions who shared hardships, knowing each other’s pasts well, not much to say there, but Phoenix Peach should be different.
"As for me."
Phoenix Peach pondered for a moment before saying, "I come from a Mortal Realm in the south, detected to have a true Spirit Root, and was brought back to the sect for cultivation."
"Oh? Senior Sister, which country are you from?"
Ji Yuan had never been to this Mortal Realm, hearing that Spiritual Qi there is scarce, and cultivation is exceedingly difficult, even if there are cultivators, the majority are Loose Cultivators in the Qi Cultivation Stage.
Very impoverished.
"West Feng Kingdom."
After Phoenix Peach said this, Hua Yaoyue added, "And a princess of West Feng Kingdom at that."
"Senior Sister is a princess?"
Hearing this, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but take a few more looks at Phoenix Peach. Indeed, with her appearance and attire, she was more than fitting for a princess identity.
"Old princess at that."
Phoenix Peach rolled her eyes, "Recently heard that the Emperor of West Feng Kingdom changed a few times. Now the Emperor is a little child, who would probably call me old aunt if they saw me."
Ji Yuan then inquired about the background of his second Senior Brother, Yun Qianzai.
"Second Senior Brother, he’s from Coastal City in the east, hailing from a Foundation Establishment family, with even a Peak of Foundation Establishment elder at home. Of course, his current strength could also be considered elder-level."
"Heard last time he went back, he caught hold of his third uncle, made him call him ancestral elder, which made me die of laughter."
Phoenix Peach couldn’t stop laughing, covering her mouth.
Ji Yuan couldn’t help but laugh as well, as that indeed was something Yun Qianzai’s personality could pull off.
Afterwards, the two of them chatted for a long time.
Hua Yaoyue sat beside them, occasionally sipping a little wine, occasionally spacing out, not saying anything, but if Ji Yuan and they asked, she would answer.
Just that she spoke little.
Ji Yuan stayed on Wan You Island until nightfall before leaving.
It wasn’t until he left that Hua Yaoyue’s voice sounded again in his mind.
"The Heart’s Desire Wine is good, just don’t give me any that’s been drunk next time."
Which made Ji Yuan, who was already on the Flying Boat, stumble and quickly said: "Yes, yes, just a moment of carelessness on my part, please forgive me, Master."
"It’s fine, you can go."
Hua Yaoyue retained her lazy demeanor.
Then Ji Yuan continued south without stopping at his home, heading straight to Mist Island.
This return trip would allow the Fish Pond to upgrade.
He had been looking forward to the spirit effect of the Level 3 Fish Pond for a long time, especially the Rainbow Carp to Serpent, which had a chance to produce a Tier Three Demon Beast cub!