Morning began, as it usually did for Ash, with a stubborn weed and a surprisingly intelligent onion.
He was kneeling in the garden, coaxing a Fireleaf sprout into its bed, when the ghost rabbit squeaked three times.
It was their code for "We have company. Big ego. Worse shoes."
Ash stood up just as the sound of a heavy fan snapping open echoed through the quiet garden path.
A tall, elegant young man walked into the Green Reed Garden like he owned it — silver robe, embroidered slippers, hair tied with a phoenix comb.
He didn't so much walk as float politely while judging everything he saw.
"So… this is where the so-called Soup Cultivator works."
Ash blinked. "You want stew or sarcasm? I only serve one at a time."
The man raised an eyebrow. "I am Liu Xuan, senior disciple of the Brothless Peaks Culinary Sword Path."
Ash blinked again.
"That's not real."
"It is," Liu Xuan sniffed. "We reject broth. Liquids dilute conviction. We boil only dry ingredients to strengthen our edge."
"…Sounds dry."
[System Prompt: New Encounter – Liu Xuan]– Intent: Prideful Challenge– Threat Level: Socially High, Spiritually Moderate– Weakness: Overspiced foods, people with a sense of humor
A Challenge is Served
Liu Xuan walked to Ash's garden wok stand and tapped it with his fan.
"I challenge you to a Spiritual Culinary Exchange. Three dishes. One witness judge. If you lose, you will admit the inferiority of your soup-based cultivation to the sword-skewer techniques of the Peaks."
Ash yawned. "And if I win?"
Liu paused. "Then… I'll cook broth. Once."
Ash grinned.
[System Trigger: Challenge Accepted]– Mini-Event: Duel of Dishes– Round 1: Flavor– Round 2: Utility– Round 3: Mystery Ingredient Round– Judged by: Elder Tian's Personal Tasting Clone™– Stakes: Ego, Reputation, Future Invitations
Round 1: Flavor
Liu Xuan drew a single skewer, stabbed three spirit onions, roasted them with silent blade strikes, and dusted them with snow pepper powder. The scent was sharp, piercing, and elegant.
The clone nodded once. "Refined. Pierces the tongue. Memories of regret."
Ash, meanwhile, sautéed fireroot with fermented plum soy, reduced it with wild nectar, and drizzled spirit chili oil in a spiral as it cooled.
The clone's eyes glazed over.
"…Tastes like being loved by a grandmother who was also a battle general."
Ash won the round.
Round 2: Utility
Liu Xuan whipped out a dry-cooked skewer of iron lotus core. Upon biting, a weak cultivator in the audience clenched his fists and broke through a body refinement wall.
Ash looked at his pot.
He threw in marrow broth, green soul leeks, and pressed a palm against the ladle.
[Skill Activated: "Broth Barrier"]– Passive Qi Infusion– Cooked energy layered through body-repairing currents
The clone sipped it.
Then stood, looked at the crowd, and backflipped.
No reason. Just joy.
"Round Two: Draw."
Round 3: Mystery Ingredient Round
Elder Tian arrived with a single, fat Sky Potato and placed it on the table like it was an ancient relic.
Liu Xuan sliced it instantly into precise, thin slivers, roasted it in mountain ash, and dusted it with powdered jade salt.
It was clean.
Efficient.
Soulless.
Ash, meanwhile, stared at the Sky Potato.
Then he whispered, "What if…"
He mashed it with spiritual butter, added fermented green garlic, folded in minor illusions with his "Flavor Weaving" skill — so every bite triggered a memory of comfort.
[Optional Bonus Activated: "Taste of Home"]
The clone took a bite and cried.
Tears streamed down its cheeks as it sobbed, "I remember my childhood dog… and I've never even HAD one!"
Aftermath
Liu Xuan stood stiffly, then bowed.
"Your broth… has conviction."
Ash offered him a ladleful. "Want a taste?"
The proud cultivator took a sip.
And made a small, quiet sound of revelation.
System Update
[Challenge Complete]– Rewards: Enhanced reputation across outer sects– Liu Xuan has bookmarked you for future rivalry– New Skill Option Available: "Memory Marinade"
A flavor effect that resonates with the emotions of the eater– New Passive Unlocked: "Kitchen Duelist"Small bonuses to confidence and energy when cooking competitively
That night, Ash sat under the stars again.
The ghost rabbit slept curled beside a warm stewpot.
He wasn't just cultivating.
He was cooking his path forward.
And in a world of swords, qi, and strange sects, that might just be the sharpest edge of all.
End of Chapter 9