Chapter 171: A Kiss? Maybe Another Day.

"Bragger!"

Qian Renxue watched Dai Chengfeng's back, muttering softly under her breath.

She wasn't sure whether she was calling him out for exaggerating about making a feast or whether she simply couldn't believe that someone would actually abandon a god position—something everyone on the continent envied so deeply.

In the shadows, Qian Daoliu also shook his head and chuckled silently.

"Young people these days will say anything to save face in front of a girl."

Dai Chengfeng paid no mind to it. After all, he wasn't afraid of whether they believed him or not. In their understanding, how could anyone possibly resist the temptation of becoming a god?

---

Death Canyon, the twilight draped like gauze over the land.

The babbling stream wound through jagged rocks, its surface shimmering with tiny silver lights that rippled with the water's movement.

Dai Chengfeng stood by the water's edge, his dark robes fluttering in the evening breeze. He flipped his palm slightly, and several strands of dark wind energy quietly slipped into the water.

Not far away, on a smooth stone, Qian Renxue approached and leaned her body casually.

She carelessly tossed aside her high heels, adorned with golden threads and carved with angel wing patterns at the heels.

Her pale, flawless feet dangled gently into the water, their creamy white skin glowing softly in the twilight. Her delicate ankles looked as if they could be easily encircled by a single hand.

Her toes were small and round, neatly trimmed nails gleaming faintly like pearls under the water's reflection.

As she moved, her feet swayed lightly, water droplets sliding down the arch of her foot, leaving crystal-clear trails along her ankle before dripping down the curve of her calf.

Occasionally, a few fallen petals drifted by on the stream, brushing softly against her instep…

Playfully, she used her toes to pinch the petals, then released them suddenly, watching them swirl away as she let out a clear, tinkling laugh.

Out of the corner of his eye, Dai Chengfeng caught sight of those feet faintly visible beneath the water. His heart skipped a beat, and an absurd thought involuntarily flashed through his mind:

"Foot fetishists would be in heaven!"

Just as he was lost in thought,

Qian Renxue noticed his distraction and smirked mischievously. With a sudden flick of her toes, several sparkling splashes of water arced playfully through the air, landing precisely at Dai Chengfeng's feet.

"Tell me, do you think they're pretty? Do you want to kiss them?"

Her voice rang out like a silver bell, the teasing lilt at the end of her words rippling through the twilight, gently tugging at his heartstrings.

Dai Chengfeng snapped back to reality, but a mischievous smile curled at the corner of his lips as he spoke nonchalantly.

"Maybe another day."

"Hmph~"

Hearing this, Qian Renxue let out a soft snort, tilting her chin up proudly. The diamond-encrusted hair accessories in her locks sparkled with her movements. "You're not even appreciating this?"

"Others beg me for such attention, and I don't even give them the time of day!"

As she spoke, her beautiful peach-shaped eyes landed on the water where Dai Chengfeng had yet to catch any fish. She raised an eyebrow slightly. "Just catching a few fish? Haven't managed yet? Do you need this lady's help?"

However, before she could finish her sentence—

Bam!

Dai Chengfeng suddenly waved his hand, and the dark wind energy exploded violently on the water's surface, like a small bomb dropped into the stream.

A massive splash shot into the air, forming a curtain of white water in the twilight, startling a few waterbirds resting on the shore.

Several fish, their bellies turned white, were flung into the air by the force of the blast. They traced graceful arcs before landing heavily on the grass near the bank, their tails still thrashing.

But the commotion was too great, and some of the cool water splashed onto Qian Renxue, soaking her delicate skirt and the skin at her collarbone.

"Dai Chengfeng!"

Qian Renxue stomped her foot, her beautiful eyes wide with indignation. Her cheeks flushed faintly with anger as she glared at him, looking like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on—adorable yet carrying a hint of menace.

Dai Chengfeng, however, seemed oblivious to her fury. He turned and walked toward the camp, speaking casually as he went:

"If you hadn't interfered, I'd have finished ages ago!"

Inside the camp, the orange glow of the bonfire crackled merrily, illuminating the surroundings.

Dai Chengfeng retrieved a pot from his spirit ring, arranging various seasoning bottles neatly on the stone table.

Qian Renxue returned shortly after, arms crossed, sitting opposite Dai Chengfeng. Her golden hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, the ends slightly curled.

Her gaze was wary, her lower lip bitten lightly between her teeth, the pinkness of her lips growing more vivid with pressure:

"Are you going to make that weird West Lake Vinegar Fish again?"

"I'm not falling for it this time. Don't even think about tricking me into eating it!"

Dai Chengfeng didn't look up as he washed the fish in the water, skillfully slicing open its belly. His long fingers moved fluidly, every motion practiced and precise.

"This time, it's steamed fish—a proper feast."

"If I weren't tired of dry rations, I wouldn't bother cooking. Besides, back then, cooking was always my uncle's job. It's not easy for me to cook just once."

"If you don't eat, it's your loss."

Qian Renxue bit her lower lip, her mind involuntarily recalling the bizarre taste of yesterday's West Lake Vinegar Fish—neither sour nor sweet, the fishy smell mingling awkwardly with the strange sweetness. It had been a complete disaster for her taste buds.

In short, the fish had died a tragic death!

Thinking about it, she shuddered slightly, the pearl hair accessory in her hair swaying gently. She resolved not to try anything Dai Chengfeng made again.

The way Dai Chengfeng focused on cooking was completely different from his usual self.

Qian Renxue watched his lowered brows and concentrated profile, the firelight casting a warm golden hue over his features. His eyelashes cast long shadows beneath his eyes.

She had never seen this side of Dai Chengfeng before, and her heart stirred with subtle ripples.

So this was what he looked like when he was serious… utterly captivating…

---

As time passed, the aroma of the steamed fish gradually wafted through the air, threading its way into Qian Renxue's nostrils.

Unlike the odd scent of West Lake Vinegar Fish, this aroma carried the fresh fragrance of the fish meat and the subtle scent of spices, blended with unique seasonings.

Qian Renxue unconsciously swallowed, but her gaze remained stubborn.

Dai Chengfeng lifted the steaming fish, white steam rising around him, forming a hazy mist. He raised an eyebrow and looked at Qian Renxue:

"Still not eating?"

Qian Renxue shook her head vigorously, grabbing a piece of dry rations and biting into it with a loud crunch:

"I'm not eating it!"

"I'd rather starve to death outside than touch your cooking ever again!"

Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng didn't press further. Smiling, he sat down, tore off a piece of dry ration, and began devouring the tender fish meat with relish.

In his past life, while practicing cultivation on the mountain, takeout was an impossible luxury—if his master saw him ordering food, what would he think?

If he wanted good food, he had to cook it himself.

Over the years, his culinary skills had reached mastery.

This time, he hadn't intentionally teased Qian Renxue. Though the steamed fish lacked some of the seasonings from his past life, similar substitutes in this world ensured the dish tasted excellent.

At least, Dai Chengfeng enjoyed it immensely, occasionally letting out satisfied murmurs of appreciation.

Qian Renxue stole glances at Dai Chengfeng, watching him savor the meal with such enjoyment. The dry ration in her mouth suddenly tasted like cardboard, and her curiosity grew uncontrollably.

Was it really that good?

At this moment, Dai Chengfeng seemed to sense Qian Renxue's gaze. A barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he paused his actions:

"Come on, give it a try?"

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