Chapter 340: A Grand Nourishment
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The moment the mist dispersed, a sliver of sunlight spilled onto the earth.
Lu Yan Shu was the first to awaken. “Chao Chao!”
He jolted upright, only to see Lu Chao Chao crouched obediently beside a clay pot, an enticing aroma filling the air.
Shaking his head, he felt a lingering dizziness clouding his mind.
Fear gripped him as he scanned the surroundings—inside and outside the ruined temple, every single guard had collapsed.
“Chao Chao, what happened?” The terror in Lu Yan Shu’s eyes had not yet faded, deeply worried that something had befallen his little sister.
Scooping her up, he anxiously examined their surroundings.
“Nothing, big brother! Maybe everyone was just too tired!” Lu Chao Chao mumbled to herself.
Lu Yan Shu’s eyelids twitched violently. Had that old black tortoise from the Su Family come?
What had it transformed into? Say that again!
Lu Chao Chao grinned mischievously. “Big brother, an old mountain turtle fell into the pot last night! You’ll be in for a treat soon…”
She secretly mused—her scholarly big brother had actually awakened faster than everyone else. His constitution was quite something.
Lu Yan Shu stared in shock at the bubbling pot of soup.
Lu Chao Chao was hugging a massive turtle shell, gnawing happily on the tender meat within.
The wild mushrooms that Little Heavenly Dao had gathered were fresh and fragrant, most of them from deep in the mountains.
Simmered overnight with the millennia-old black tortoise, the broth was incomparably rich and aromatic.
“Big brother, while they’re still unconscious, have another bowl!” Lu Chao Chao immediately ladled out a generous portion for him.
“This is a rare delicacy! Eat up!” The little one didn’t even lift her head as she devoured her meal.
Inside the ruined temple, the two siblings sat cross-legged, their bellies already round by the time the others regained consciousness.
When Nan Mu Bai woke up, he caught the lingering fragrance in the air, his nose twitching instinctively.
Then, in an instant, he snapped to full alertness.
“What happened?!” He shot up, his expression grave.
The others stirred awake, quickly realizing that everyone had been rendered unconscious, cold sweat breaking out all over them.
“The Southern Kingdom is rife with malevolent spirits. Perhaps some mountain demon passed through last night,” Ming Lang murmured, still shaken.
Yet Nan Mu Bai sensed something amiss, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “A demon capable of knocking us all out silently—that would be quite terrifying.”
“There is always someone stronger. Perhaps it was a reclusive master.” Ming Lang tried to rationalize, his fear mounting. “That they did not harm us last night is already a great fortune.”
His palms turned clammy at the mere thought—if their unknown assailant had ill intent, none of them would have survived.
“Where is Xiangliu? Wasn’t Lord Xiangliu keeping watch outside the temple?” Nan Mu Bai turned toward the entrance, seeking the divine beast.
Xiangliu lay trembling outside the temple.
Too terrifying. Too damn terrifying!
Tears streamed down its face. It had sensed the presence of the old black tortoise early on, knowing full well that it practiced dark cultivation, devouring souls to strengthen itself.
Xiangliu had calculated that letting the black tortoise test Lu Chao Chao first would determine if it stood any chance against her.
But who would have thought…
The most vicious elder of the Seven Great Clans had been beheaded in a single stroke.
A boy had appeared at the temple gate out of nowhere, meticulously butchering the tortoise. The pressure radiating from him had Xiangliu completely subdued, its body pressed flat against the ground in sheer terror.
To put it bluntly, it had shivered all night.
There was no hope of resistance in this lifetime!
Lu Chao Chao was still as monstrously powerful as ever.
“Lord Xiangliu, did you sense anything unusual last night?” Nan Mu Bai raised his glowing hand, attempting to read its thoughts.
But before he could, Xiangliu lashed its tail at him, sending him flying.
Its entire being rejected the idea.
To recall that nightmarish suppression? Xiangliu would rather not think about it at all.
“Lord Xiangliu!” Nan Mu Bai looked disgruntled.
Ever since Xiangliu had returned from Northern Zhao, it had changed completely. No one knew what had happened.
“Divine beasts have their pride. Even His Majesty must coax them. Let it be—we should remain vigilant from now on.” Ming Lang sighed, seeing how reluctant Xiangliu was.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao ignored them entirely.
She carried a small bowl filled with golden broth, wobbling as she brought it to her mother.
“Mama, come try some old turtle soup!”
“I added mountain delicacies—it’s super tasty. It’ll be good for you and the baby too!” She beamed.
Little Heavenly Dao had purified it himself, leaving only the millennia-old tortoise’s spiritual essence. A rare treasure indeed.
“Daddy, your morning sickness is severe. You should drink some too!”
In just a few days, Rong Che had turned pale from nausea.
He had expected the rich aroma to make him gag, yet, upon taking a sip, he felt a wave of comfort wash over him.
“Oh? This soup is surprisingly delicious!” Rong Che, a warrior long accustomed to battlefield fare, had always preferred hearty meals.
His recent morning sickness had made life miserable, but now, he found his appetite returning. He drank two full bowls and ate a large serving of meat.
“This broth is truly nourishing. Just look—your father already looks healthier after a few bowls!” Shi Yun took a couple of sips and felt refreshed.
“Where did you get this turtle? Cleaning and cooking one is a hassle—how did you manage it?” Shi Yun finally asked.
Lu Chao Chao twirled her spoon, her eyes darting about mischievously.
“Ahem, Chao Chao handled it herself. Do you believe me?” The little one grinned cheekily at her mother.
“Next time, you’re not allowed to do it alone. You’re only three and a half! You shouldn’t be handling such things.” Shi Yun glared at her disapprovingly.
“Yu Shu, store the rest in a small jar. Your father’s morning sickness has been severe—this will help nourish him.” A delicacy like this was a grand supplement for warriors.
“Understood.”
“What are you all eating?” Nan Mu Bai stepped into the temple, the thick aroma growing stronger.
Lu Chao Chao stiffened.
After all, this was his maternal ancestor.
Shi Yun’s hands trembled.
Feigning calm, she held onto her bowl, though she was shaking inside.
“Chao Chao caught a turtle in the mountains to nourish her father,” Shi Yun said, following her daughter’s thoughts, avoiding Nan Mu Bai’s gaze.
Lu Chao Chao, having finished her meal, placed the turtle shell under her bottom, using it as a stool.
“I recall the Su Family bloodline abstains from eating turtles?” Ming Lang chuckled.
Nan Mu Bai sighed regretfully. “Yes. The Su Family’s ancestor was a black tortoise, so Su descendants do not eat turtle meat.”
“My royal grandmother was a direct descendant of the Su Family. When she married into the imperial clan, she bore my mother, and we all inherited the Su Family’s gifts. So, we follow their customs.” Nan Mu Bai swallowed hard, the rich fragrance lingering in his nose.
“This spirit tortoise must have cultivated for centuries—it carries strong spiritual energy. Would Your Highness really not like a bowl?” Ming Lang’s mouth watered as he saw a portion had been set aside.
“Give me a bowl! Princess Sunshine, will you spare some?”
“Go ahead. The rest will be used to cook porridge for the maids. The journey ahead is long—they need nourishment too.” The little one was exceptionally generous toward her own people.
Deng Zhi handed Ming Lang a bowl, prompting immediate gratitude.
The maids smiled in delight. Their masters had called it a rare treasure—how could they not appreciate it?
“Thank you, Princess.”
Ming Lang took one sip, his eyes widening. “This soup is brimming with spiritual energy! It’s even more effective than cultivating in the Purification Pool!”
Nan Mu Bai hesitated, his resolve wavering.