The night was deep, the light dim and serene.

Afterward, Chen Xu entered the Fire and Smoke Kitchen three more times consecutively.

He discovered many patterns, the most important being: the time differential of the Fire and Smoke Kitchen only became effective when he personally entered it.

If he did not enter, the potted plants would grow naturally inside the Fire and Smoke Kitchen, just like they would outside.

It's worth noting that the Fire and Smoke Kitchen here refers to the Firewood House within it.

As for the shelves in the Main Kitchen, they had the function of storing great amounts in small spaces, as well as the ability to keep things in constant preservation.

No matter what ingredients were placed inside, they would remain unchanged, and potted plants inside would be naturally kept intact.

Within the Firewood House, there was no such concern.

Afterward, Chen Xu used the Genesis Talisman of All Creation to cultivate six pots of Red Vermilion Pill, picking over sixty Red Vermilion Robes—

The number of results from the Red Vermilion Robe wasn't certain, sometimes yielding twelve or thirteen, sometimes only seven or eight, showing some fluctuation.

Each time he cultivated, the consumption of the Genesis Talisman ranged from five to six to seven to eight talismans.

Chen Xu almost depleted his stock of Genesis Talismans, leaving just ten for future use.

Aside from the Spirit-Transformed Red Vermilion Robe, he also obtained twenty figs, twelve golden plums, thirty-five small golden oranges, and eleven raspberries.

The overall yield was not high, but the efficacy of all the spiritual fruits was quite good.

[Fig: Basic Level Spirit Fruit, functions to detoxify and repel evil, slightly raises the Divine Soul.]

Figs can actually increase the Divine Soul!

Even though it's just a slight increase, overall, spirit foods that can enhance the Divine Soul are typically more precious than Qi Blood Spiritual Food.

And spirit foods that can increase Essence are even more valuable.

Until now, Chen Xu hadn't even seen any spirit food that could increase Essence.

As for golden plums and raspberries, after using the Genesis Talisman of All Creation, they each displayed their own peculiarities.

[Golden Plum: Mutated Basic Level Spirit Fruit, orally toxic, has a certain chance to induce a drunken state, can be brewed into fruit wine or thrown to create explosions, its power comparable to gunpowder, capable of blasting through rocks.]

[Raspberry: Mutated Basic Level Spirit Fruit, can be made into Spirit Fruit Wine after processing, can stabilize Essence Qi, long-term use can turn white hair black.]

Overall, the mutated raspberry somewhat leaned towards increasing Essence.

Although it does not directly increase Essence attributes, turning it into spirit wine would certainly be of high value.

Unfortunately, Chen Xu only had a mere dozen or so, too few to make wine right away, requiring some accumulation over time.

Mainly because the raspberry yield is low; an entire pot's wilting often results only in three to five surviving mutated raspberries.

Additionally, Chen Xu was considering the issue of seed preservation.

He was not adept at planting; the cultivation of these potted plants relied heavily on the Genesis Talisman of All Creation's forced growth.

However, he had plenty of time and energy and if given a chance, he should learn some plant propagation techniques.

Take the raspberry at hand, the first-generation cultivated spirit fruit can only "stabilize Essence Qi, long-term consumption turns white hair black," what about the second generation?

If he could save seeds and cultivate them again, could more surprises be in store?

Chen Xu noted down these thoughts one by one, planning to seek out some agricultural books to read the next day.

If none were available, he could directly ask flower farmers at the flower and bird market.

The next step was to sort and prepare all the spirit foods at hand that could be immediately made.

With the time differential of the Fire and Smoke Kitchen, Chen Xu could do many things in several "quarter-hours."

He focused diligently, cooking and cultivating, enjoying the concentration and tranquility in the deep night, feeling an extraordinary fullness in his heart.

Little did he know, on this same night, some tossed and turned, some gazed at the winds and clouds, some had a tumultuous heart like a boiling cauldron...

Great Li's Splendor Record had been introduced from the Capital Dao into Celestial South Dao, and although Yunjiang Prefecture was a little remote, given that even Lv Ji had received it, naturally, much of the medium-upper circle in Yunjiang Prefecture had received it too.

The spread of information often doesn't proceed layer by layer but more like a tightly woven spider's web, flowing across mountains and rivers.

Once it starts circulating from a certain level, it often relays from one to another, reaching all directions in an instant.

Cui Mansion.

Cui Yunqi, ever since opening that Great Li's Splendor Record, had locked himself silently in the Cultivation Room for a long time.

In Great Li's Splendor Record, three on the Celestial List, thirty-six on the Earth List, seventy-two on the Profound List.

Yet, there wasn't a single mention of him.

This made Cui Yunqi realize, more deeply than ever before, that although he considered himself one of the top talents in Yunjiang Prefecture, compared to the world's true prodigies, he seemed still slightly lacking.

Cui Yunqi used to be someone with an unwavering gaze, and among his peers, he only ever respected and admired Chen Xu.

Yet, in Great Li's Splendor Record, he was not there.

But fortunately, in Great Li's Splendor Record, there was Chen Xu!

Cui Yunqi paced back and forth in the Cultivation Room, suddenly pushing the door open in the deep night, gazing at the starless and moonless dark night sky.

The pitch-black night sky was mysterious and boundless, seemingly filled with endless unknowns and dangers and brimming with infinite futures and possibilities.

"Brother Chen, oh Brother Chen..." Cui Yunqi murmured softly.

Previously, during the literary gathering on Qihai Mountain, Cui Yunqi actually had a hidden intention to compete with Chen Xu.

But now, after seeing the Great Li's Splendor Record, the slight desire to win had, at this moment, entirely toppled like grass bent under the blow of a fierce wind.

Yet, simultaneously, amid the inner turmoil and tumult, another great and wild thought emerged in Cui Yunqi's mind.

"The Ghost King of Pufeng Mountain, it was Brother Chen who vanquished him; I underestimated him before."

"Thirty-First of the Xuan List, not enough, it's far from enough."

"With the ability to open the Sea of Literature ahead of time and vanquish the Ghost King, how could he only rank Thirty-First on the Xuan List?"

Suddenly, Cui Yunqi summoned his attendant, Guan Feng, who was standing by.

Poor Guan Feng, who had to toil along with his master in the middle of the night, dared not complain, dared not speak, quickly listening to Cui Yunqi's instructions:

"Guan Feng, for those few who sent invitations saying they want to accompany me to Pingyang for the exam, decline them all."

In the middle of the night, refusing them all?

Guan Feng dared not voice concerns, could only promptly agree, then cautiously asked, "Master, the Jiang Family...should we also decline the Jiang Family?"

Unexpectedly, Cui Yunqi looked at him and replied, "Don't you understand what 'decline them all' means?"

No, Guan Feng understood!

But...

Guan Feng was near tears, but could only hurriedly say in distress, "But Master, the Jiang Family, they're coming from the Capital City..."

"So what?" Cui Yunqi sneered, gazing at the night sky, full of ambition.

The Jiang Family's presence was puzzling and arrogant.

His father, out of respect for a few individuals, had treated them with extra courtesy, but Cui Yunqi couldn't help but be cautious.

Why decline these people's companionship?

It was naturally to ensure that Chen Xu was not affected by any unexpected events before the exam.

Mere Thirty-First of the Xuan List, how is that enough?

This autumn's top scholar must move up more spots on the list.

And then, step by step, leap to the heavens!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.