The morning began with three things:
A carrot that tried to bite him,
A training dummy stuck in a cauldron, and
A new assignment.
Ash squinted at the scroll delivered to him just after sunrise.
**"Congratulations, Apprentice Ash. By informal decree of Elder Tian, you are now a Provisional Culinary Hall Disciple.
You are to assist with meal preparation for martial disciples for one week. Improve their diet. Nourish their bodies. No poison. Unless supervised."**
He glanced down at the ghost rabbit, who was busy licking the side of a spice jar.
"So," Ash murmured, "we're officially cooks now."
The rabbit burped.
The Martial Meal Hall
It was a different world from the garden.
Dozens of sweaty cultivators stomped through the doors at regular intervals, demanding food that would "strengthen my dantian," or "make me punch a tree in half," or "taste like my mom used to make, but also spiritually realign my meridians."
Ash was given a corner wok and told to "try not to accidentally enlighten anyone unless you're ready to take responsibility."
He stared at the ingredients: stone meat, scale gourd, and Iron-Spiced Pepper Leaf, which was known to cause nosebleeds in weaker cultivators.
He rolled up his sleeves.
[System Prompt: You may now create up to 3 Custom Skills]– Current Skill Slots Available: 2– Recommendation: Culinary-Movement Hybrid Path Detected– Unlock Suggestion: ⚪ "Soup-Fu" – Tier 0
A martial art derived from fluid stirring and sudden heat burstsEffects: Basic ladle-based strikes, minor energy burst with circular motions, steam parryPotential: Evolves with usage, ingredients, and combat relevance
Ash stared at the suggestion.
Then glanced at the steaming wok.
Then at the big, angry cultivator who just shouted "I said MORE PUNCH, not more carrots!"
He accepted.
Skill Created: Soup-Fu – Tier 0
– Subtype: Martial / Culinary Hybrid– Form: Flow-Based, Ladle-Compatible– Current Techniques:• Stir Strike• Boiling Palm• Steam Dodge– Passive Bonus: Cooking motions now double as low-tier martial arts
Ash gripped the ladle.
He swirled the wok in a slow arc. Steam rose, wrapped around his hand. He pushed it down with a sharp chop. The broth bubbled with precision.
Behind him, a clumsy disciple spilled hot oil and flailed. A flying cleaver spun toward Ash's head.
He ducked, ladle flicking sideways in a smooth, circular motion.
["Steam Dodge" Activated]
The cleaver missed.
The stew didn't even spill.
One of the head chefs watched from the side and muttered, "That kid just dodged with a soup technique."
Rumors and Rice
By the end of the day, strange whispers started spreading:
"The new guy stir-fried a guy's qi circulation straight."
"His soup can make your spiritual veins unclog."
"He roundhouse ladled a spirit wolf into submission last week."
Ash denied all of them.
Except the last one. That one happened. Sort of.
He didn't ask for this attention.
But the system seemed pleased.
[Skill Growth: Soup-Fu – Tier 0 → Tier 1]– New Move Unlocked: Broth Barrier
Create a thin energy shield using boiling spiritual soup. Can block weak ranged attacks or shame someone splashing you with sauce.
He smiled at the panel.
His stomach growled.
He'd forgotten to eat.
Body Cultivation Begins
Later, back at Green Reed Garden, Mei tossed him a red root and said, "Eat this. It's got punch."
"What kind of punch?" Ash asked, sniffing it.
"Cultivation punch."
He took a bite.
It tasted like spicy mud.
Then—
[System Detected New Body-Refining Ingredient]– You have consumed "Fiery Mudroot"– Effect: Increases muscle tension, minor enhancement to blood circulation– Side Effect: Numb tongue– Assimilation Possible via Passive Absorption over Meals– Bonus Option: Create Skill from Root's Effect?
Ash blinked.
A new idea formed.
[Skill Concept: "Internal Seasoning"]– Passive– Your body absorbs medicinal effects of consumed spirit food more effectively– Converts a portion of flavor-aligned energy into physical gain
He confirmed it.
[Skill Created: Internal Seasoning – Tier 0]– Passive Enhancement– Converts 5–8% of food's spiritual effects into steady bodily growth– Growth rate increases with flavor harmony– Note: Overeating may cause rapid biceps
Ash looked down at his thin arms.
Then at the pot.
"…Time to eat smart."
The Hidden Ingredient List
Later that night, the system glowed with something new.
[Inventory: Special Ingredient Detected – "Bitterdew Orchid Oil"]– Collected from accidental spillage– Rare Grade– Hidden Effect: Temporary expansion of energy channels in the lungs– Recipe Hints: Works best with light broth and wind-aligned spices
Ash exhaled slowly.
He didn't fully understand the world yet.
But now, he had soup that could dodge.
Food that could strengthen.
Flavors that might shape the future.
And a ghost rabbit that had apparently stolen three chili seeds and buried them in the onion plot.
He'd cultivate quietly.
Cook cleverly.
And someday, stir up something truly legendary.
But tonight?
He made spicy dumpling stew, stirred it twice clockwise, once to the side, and finished with a little steam pulse to warm the bones.
[Skill Experience Gained][Flavor Weaving Progress: 42%][Soup-Fu Progress: 16%]
Ash sat, ate slowly, and watched the stars shimmer through the misted bamboo.
End of Chapter 8