Chapter 3: My Lady-like Image

Mu Wanqing had completely forgotten about being nervous; her eyes were filled with wild fervor. Suddenly, she realized the little girl was looking at her with slight astonishment, and her cheeks flushed red. Oh, how improper—she should try to maintain some ladylike composure…

Yet she could not resist the temptation of the liquid spiritual energy. After mustering her courage, she finally timidly handed her cup to Chen Die’er. “Um… Die’er, I’m still a bit thirsty. Could you pour me another cup of water?”

“Of course, Sister.”

Chen Die’er took the cup and poured another glass for Mu Wanqing, whose face once again brimmed with fanatic enthusiasm. The turbulent spiritual energy nearly drove her mad, and a primal cry echoed in her heart:

I want to drink water!!

Her earlier admonitions to herself vanished in an instant.

And so—

Another cup.

And another…

Before long, Mu Wanqing had downed eight full cups of water, her stomach round and distended.

“Hic…” She gave an exaggerated burp, her pretty face flushed crimson as she wished she could disappear into the earth. Suddenly, she snapped back to reality.

Damn it, wasn’t I supposed to maintain a refined image? How foolish!

“Sister, do you want more water?” Chen Die’er blinked her bright eyes, gazing at Mu Wanqing’s mingled madness and shyness, sighing inwardly—this sister is amazing at drinking water!

Could it be… she grew up drinking water?

Mu Wanqing desperately wanted more, but having drunk so much, she was too embarrassed to meet Chen Die’er’s gaze. She murmured, “I’m not thirsty anymore, thank you, Die’er… what wonderful water!”

Chen Die’er replied, “This water comes from the well my father dug. The supply is endless and never dries up. Sister, you can drink as much as you like.”

Mu Wanqing was completely petrified. To dig a well and have liquid spiritual energy flow forth—what kind of otherworldly means were needed to achieve such greatness?

Too… too terrifying!

Crack!

At that moment, a faint sound echoed from within her. An endless tide of spiritual power surged forth. The injuries Blood Wuchang had left on her body healed in the blink of an eye.

A marvelous feeling swept through her entire being. Those obscure realms she had always struggled to comprehend suddenly became crystal clear.

She had broken through!

The Dao Initiation Realm!

On the Snow Chant Continent, cultivation levels were divided as follows: Mortal Body, Transcendent, Dao Initiation, Dao Transformation, Extreme Dao, Perfect Dao, and Grand Yan Venerable.

Each major realm was subdivided into five minor stages.

Mu Wanqing sat there, her eyes filled with shock.

She had broken through to the Dao Initiation Realm just by drinking a few cups of water!

Was this really not a dream?

Then, wild joy overtook her. Thank goodness she shamelessly asked for several cups earlier, or how could she have received such fortune?

She hurriedly rose and gave Chen Die’er a respectful salute. “Thank you, Die’er!”

“Sister, you don’t need to thank me, really.” The little girl was startled by the gesture and waved her hands frantically.

Please spare me! It’s just a few cups of water—do you really have to thank me so much?

At that moment, Chen Changsheng emerged, holding a small wooden skewer with a fish on it. However, this fish, like the two on the table, was thoroughly charred and blackened.

“Miss Mu, your injuries?”

Chen Changsheng immediately noticed Mu Wanqing’s healed wounds and asked in surprise.

“Senior Chen, my injuries have fully healed,” Mu Wanqing replied with utmost respect. This young and handsome father was simply too terrifying; she dared not be even slightly disrespectful.

“Hm?” Chen Changsheng’s surprised expression shifted to mild displeasure. “Senior Chen? Miss Mu, do I really look that old?”

“Ah, Chen… Young Master Chen.” Mu Wanqing was startled and quickly corrected herself, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Chen Changsheng shrugged with an indifferent smile. “Miss Mu, no need to be so nervous. I’m just an ordinary mortal, while you’re a lofty immortal. If anyone should be nervous, it ought to be me.”

He marveled inwardly—cultivators truly were remarkable. Injuries healed without doctors, in the blink of an eye.

All thanks to that troublesome system; if only it had given him a proper entry, he might one day hope to become an immortal himself. But now, there was nothing at all… Alas, too much talk brings only tears!

An ordinary mortal?

Mu Wanqing was taken aback, then thought secretly: of course, those hidden masters always carry themselves with great dignity, calling themselves ‘mortals’ to avoid worldly entanglements.

Since he possesses such dignity, if she acts overly restrained, it might displease him.

With all these thoughts swirling, Mu Wanqing tried her best to relax.

“Miss Mu, have some fish.” Chen Changsheng took the fish off the skewer and placed it on a plate.

Mu Wanqing looked at the charred fish; having just drunk eight cups of water, she truly had no appetite. She waved her hand apologetically. “Young Master Chen, I filled up on water just now, so I really can’t eat anymore. Sorry.”

Filled up on water?

Chen Changsheng was stunned, then recalled that in films back on Earth, immortals never ate grains or ordinary food.

“All right, then Die’er and I will eat more.”

Chen Changsheng didn’t insist. He picked up a fish, peeled off the charred layer to reveal tender yellow flesh beneath, and a rich aroma instantly filled the air.

He carefully removed all the bones, then offered it to Chen Die’er.

Chen Die’er stretched out her little mouth and took a small bite, her face brimming with delight. “Wow, Daddy’s grilled fish is so fragrant—so delicious!”

“As long as Die’er likes it.” Chen Changsheng handed her the boneless fish, then picked up another, peeled away the burnt layer, and took a big bite, savoring it slowly. “Hmm, not bad—the doneness is just right.”

So this was how the father and daughter ate grilled fish.

Mu Wanqing was a bit dazed; the intense aroma stirred her appetite.

She suddenly regretted refusing the fish—if only she hadn’t, she could be tasting it now.

How foolish!

Gurgle~

Though she had just filled up on water, her stomach now rumbled loudly, and Mu Wanqing let out a startled cry, her face burning red.

Chen Changsheng looked at her oddly. “Miss Mu, are you sure you filled up on water? Try some—it tastes pretty good.”

“I…” Mu Wanqing’s face grew even redder. She really did want to eat… oh, how embarrassing!

“No need to be so reserved—it’s just grilled fish. If you want to eat, go ahead; there’s no shame in it.”

Chen Changsheng smiled gently.

Mu Wanqing looked at the last fish on the plate, discreetly swallowed her saliva, and finally gathered her courage. “Hmm, then I’ll try it.”

She picked up the small fish, imitated them by peeling off the charred layer, and took a small bite.

Fragrant!

So very fragrant!

The delicate fish melted in her mouth, its deliciousness beyond description.

Even more astonishing, Mu Wanqing discovered the fish contained a mysterious Dao essence.

Indeed, a hidden master; even his grilled fish contained Dao essence, which even Extreme Dao experts might not comprehend.

Smack~

Smack~

Her refined image was once again cast aside as Mu Wanqing, overwhelmed with joy, finished the small fish in just a few bites, even licking her fingers for good measure.

“I…”

Noticing Chen Changsheng and his daughter staring at her strangely, Mu Wanqing finally realized her lapse, her breath caught, and her pretty face blushed like peach blossoms.

My refined image, oh…

To eat a simple grilled fish so outrageously.

Chen Changsheng laughed inwardly. Are immortal maidens all so adorable?

Perhaps these immortals had never tasted grilled fish before; it made sense for their first time.

But Mu Wanqing suddenly froze. She felt wild spiritual energy surge within her, almost overwhelming her meridians.

A marvelous sensation swept over her, making her feel as if she were floating in immortality.

Crack!

A faint sound echoed.

Mu Wanqing clearly felt her internal spiritual power break through to a higher level, instantly comprehending things she’d never touched before.

Just from eating a grilled fish, she had broken through again.

Mu Wanqing sat there, utterly stunned.