Chapter 54

"My God, this is simply delicious!"

"I have never had such tasty fried rice before. Give me another bowl... no, two bowls!"

"Dudu's cooking skills are worlds apart from Second Brother's!"

In the school's canteen, the disciples praised Liu Wanshi's cooking while devouring the fried rice, not leaving a single grain behind.

Such delicious fried rice left them speechless with delight.

Even Lu Qianqian, with her usually icy demeanor, sat alone at a table in the corner, eating slowly.

Not to mention Li Qingyang.

After tasting Liu Wanshi's fried rice, he could only describe his previous cooking skills as 'garbage.'

Xiao Gui savored every grain of rice, his face changing with every bite, secretly exclaiming, "Heavenly food!"

Jun Changxiao, after eating two bowls, leaned back in his chair and sighed contentedly.

Across from him, Liu Wanshi rested her cheeks on her hands, blinking her eyes as she asked, "Head, how was my cooking?"

Jun Changxiao praised, "It's much better than the chef at Xingyuelou!"

He felt incredibly lucky now. If Liu Wanshi hadn't cried and begged to join the Ironbone Sect, where would he have found such an amazing chef?

Liu Wanshi smiled and said, "The chef at Xingyuelou is just an ordinary chef, but I am a senior chef. When I reach a higher level, my cooking can even enhance your strength."

"So powerful?" Jun Changxiao was astonished.

Lu Qianqian, overhearing, gave a slight glance before continuing to eat her fried rice.

Liu Wanshi grinned, "Head, can I stay in the Ironbone Sect?"

"Yes," Jun Changxiao replied without hesitation.

Liu Wanshi's fried rice brought the disciples great satisfaction. They returned to their residences, whispering praises as they went.

...

As night fell and the moon rose high, Lu Qianqian sat on the roof of the hall, hands on her knees, chin resting on her arms, gazing at the distant mountains and forests.

"It's so late, and you're not asleep yet? How will you handle your tasks tomorrow?" Jun Changxiao asked, jumping up from below.

Lu Qianqian remained silent, her eyes fixed on the distant scenery, her hair fluttering in the cold wind.

Jun Changxiao sat down a short distance from her. "If you have any thoughts, talking to someone can make things better."

"I have no thoughts," she replied.

"Sitting on the roof in the middle of the night just to look at the stars and moon?"

"Yes."

"... Good Yaxing."

Lu Qianqian said, "Head, Liu Wanshi is not simple."

"Why not?" Jun Changxiao asked.

Lu Qianqian replied indifferently, "As far as I know, only the Ouyang family from Tiancheng King City can cook meals that enhance strength."

"Tiancheng King City?"

Jun Changxiao had never heard of it, but from the name 'King City,' it must be a remarkable place.

"But Dudu is not named Ouyang."

"Names can be changed, and surnames can be hidden."

"Like you?"

Lu Qianqian remained silent, then jumped down.

Watching her graceful figure, Jun Changxiao called out, "Lu Qianqian, remember, you will always be a big disciple of the Ironbone Sect."

"I know," she responded.

"If you have enemies or grudges, when the sect becomes stronger, I will help you. Don't be reckless or do anything foolish."

Lu Qianqian's eyes flashed with emotion before she opened the door, entered her room, and closed the door behind her.

Jun Changxiao yawned and returned to the main hall.

Leaning against her room door, Lu Qianqian whispered, "It seems he knows quite a bit about me."

...

The next day.

Just after dawn, Liu Wanshi, wearing an apron, busied herself in the kitchen. Soon, the aroma of her cooking filled the entire yard, causing the newly awakened disciples to feel hungry.

"Mmm... it smells so good!"

"I feel like eating this every day!"

"Give me a bowl of soup!"

In the canteen, the disciples devoured their meals, fully appreciating Liu Wanshi's culinary skills.

After eating, they felt energized and headed to the training ground for a new day of practice.

"Qingyang, go ahead and do the task," Jun Changxiao said, biting a toothpick as he walked out of the canteen.

"Bang!"

Suddenly, a booming noise erupted, and a red-lacquered door flew out from the side, shattering on the ground in the distance.

Someone knocked down my door...

Jun Changxiao's toothpick fell from his mouth, and he turned stiffly to look at the door.

"Tread."

Yesterday's swordsman stepped in, speaking loudly, "Wandering Swordsman Ma Yongning, here to challenge the head of the Ironbone Sect!"

...

At the training ground.

Jun Changxiao held the Blue Dragon Shovel, his eyes filled with anger.

After eating and drinking, he had just walked out with a toothpick, only to have the door kicked in. Anyone would be furious.

The swordsman, Ma Yongning, stared at him, slowly drawing his sword and tossing the scabbard aside.

"Confirmation, my foot!"

Jun Changxiao stepped forward, channeling over two thousand pounds of force into the Blue Dragon Shovel and swinging it down.

Without the galloping charm's enhancement, the strike lacked the elegance and power he displayed when fighting the elder from Lingquan Sect.

"Ding!"

Ma Yongning blocked the attack with his sword, surprised, "You're not even a martial artist yet?"

"Brush!"

Jun Changxiao swung again, but Ma Yongning easily parried it, saying, "I've challenged over thirty martial arts schools, and I've never seen someone as weak as you!"

"So much nonsense!"

Jun Changxiao swung his sword again, but Ma Yongning deflected each strike effortlessly.

After several defensive moves, Ma Yongning retreated to the edge of the training ground and said, "Kid, you're too weak. It's not worth Ma's time to fight you."

"Is that so?"

Jun Changxiao tossed aside the Blue Dragon Shovel and drew the Cold Light Sword, asking, "Do you dare take on this sword?"

Ma Yongning glanced at the Cold Light Sword, recognizing its quality, but said lightly, "Do you think a high-quality weapon can bridge the gap between us?"

He took a stance, ready for combat.

"Brush! Brush! Brush!"

Jun Changxiao executed the Nine Overlapping Waves Sword Technique, advancing through each form until he reached the ninth, where he unleashed the ultimate strike, the Sky-Rending Slash.

Having opened eleven meridians and practiced the Yijinjing, the power behind his strike was greater than ever before!

"Whoosh——"

The sword energy gathered into nine overlapping waves, cutting through the air.

Ma Yongning sneered, crossing his sword in front of him, channeling spiritual power into the blade, ready to withstand the ninth form of the Nine Overlapping Waves Sword Technique.

"Ding!"

The sword energy collided with the blade, spreading cold and forceful energy, blowing dust from the floor instantly.

"Crack!"

In the next moment, the sound of breaking metal rang out. The spiritual energy-infused blade was cut in half by the sword energy, and the remaining force slashed Ma Yongning's shoulder.

"Boom!"

The Nine Overlapping Waves Sword Technique struck the ground, leaving a half-meter-long sword mark. The broken sword was embedded in the stone slab.

Ma Yongning looked stunned, then fell to the ground, clutching his broken sword, and wailed, "My sword—"