Chapter 72: Stay on Guard

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“Little Jiu, hurry up, we’ve been waiting for you. Just tell me what needs to be done, and I’ll handle it,” Meng Chengfang said, unable to conceal his impatience.

The ingredients prepared by Little Jiu always tasted far better when cooked, much more delicious than any fasting pill.

Staring at the whole, expertly-prepped Xuanbing lamb, Ji Jiuxuan's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“How about we try roasting the whole lamb?”

She couldn’t help but recall the flavor of roast lamb she’d had in the modern world. Instinctively, she swallowed, then pulled out all the tools she’d prepared earlier.

“We’ll do whatever you say. Anything you need help with?” Meng Chengfang, Qin Yuzhou, and Feng Hanxiao eagerly looked forward to the prospect as soon as they heard her suggestion. Off to the side, Meng Shaoying also watched her curiously, assuring her that she only needed to ask if she needed help.

“Build a roasting pit big enough for the whole lamb,” Ji Jiuxuan thought for a moment—that seemed to be the only thing missing. All the other tools were neatly set out on the nearby table.

Before Meng Chengfang could speak, Feng Hanxiao joyfully exclaimed, “Building a pit is what I do best, Xuanxuan, just wait and see!”

She walked over to a spot and stood firm, forming incantation gestures with her fingers. Instantly, the earth beneath her feet began to tremble. A massive mound of earth rose up, surrounded by sparkling earth-element energy, obscuring the interior.

With a sudden whoosh, the elemental energy dispersed, revealing a gigantic, sturdy clay oven where the mound had been.

Ji Jiuxuan beamed at the sight of the oven.

She slung an arm around Feng Hanxiao’s shoulder, joking, “Hanxiao, you’re truly an essential companion for travel and adventure. Teaming up with you for future expeditions would be unbeatable.”

Feng Hanxiao grinned, “Really? You promise? Next time you go out to train, don’t forget to bring me along! Adventuring with you would definitely be something special.”

Every time she went out with Xuanxuan, she always found delicious food and fun things to do, and the two got along splendidly. No wonder Feng Hanxiao looked forward to it so much.

“Alright, next time I head out for training, I’ll call you.”

Just as Ji Jiuxuan finished speaking, Qin Yuzhou hurriedly chimed in, “Be sure to call me too.”

But everyone immediately turned to look at him, and the flustered, chubby Qin Yuzhou stiffened his neck, trying to seem indifferent as he said in a nonchalant tone, “I just think it’s dangerous for you two girls to go alone.”

Meng Shaoying saw his son acting so tsundere, clearly wanting to join his friends but refusing to say so outright. He thumped him on the shoulder, exasperated. “Silly boy, if you want to go out with them, just say so. What’s with the attitude? If it were up to me, I wouldn’t take you at all.”

Qin Yuzhou looked puzzled at his mother. Though not always eloquent, he could read the room. As soon as she finished, he straightened his posture and said, a bit embarrassed, “I do need to go out for training soon. If you’re all planning to go, it wouldn’t hurt to have another companion.”

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Feng Hanxiao and Ji Jiuxuan exchanged a smile. With a mock-serious face, Feng Hanxiao said, “We’ll see if the timing works out. If you really need to go for your cultivation, then go ahead. There will be plenty of chances for us all to go together.”

Ji Jiuxuan nodded sincerely. She had been quite busy lately, and her schedule was uncertain.

Originally, she and Feng Hanxiao had just vaguely agreed to go together whenever they were free, without fixing a date. Now that Qin Yuzhou was at the stage where he needed to go out and train, their schedules didn't quite line up.

Seeing Qin Yuzhou’s disappointed expression, Ji Jiuxuan explained, “We’ll just arrange another time. You should go on your training when you need to; otherwise, I’m afraid the timing won’t work out and you’ll be delayed.”

Time was precious for cultivators. Missing the window to go out and train could easily cause one’s cultivation to stagnate, which would be a serious setback.

“The lamb skewers are ready, Jiu. What do we do next?” Meng Chengfang came over, shooting a look of disdain at Qin Yuzhou. “Don’t mind him, this kid’s just thick-skinned. He’ll be fine in a bit. Go train when you need to, and you can all get together next time you’re free.”

Meng Chengfang’s words made Qin Yuzhou breathe a sigh of relief.

What was wrong with him just now? That awkwardness was so unlike him.

Seeing everything was fine, Ji Jiuxuan got up with a smile and walked over to the Xuanbing lamb now hanging over the oven. She couldn’t help but miss her uncle’s puppet from last night.

So many chores could be delegated to it—efficient and professional.

She resolved to check out her gifts when she got home. Her uncle said he’d given her several of them!

She was quite looking forward to it.

Igniting the flames in the oven, Ji Jiuxuan began roasting the lamb, removing impurities from the meat as she went.

In the past, she would have prepped everything before roasting. But after yesterday’s experience making dragon-phoenix broth, she now preferred to remove impurities as she cooked—the resulting soup was even tastier. She wondered how this method would affect the roast lamb.

Meng Chengfang stood to the side, helping turn the whole lamb so each part would roast evenly. “Little Jiu, I heard you were there this morning when Wang Xunji got thrown out of the Spirit Beast Garden?”

He asked curiously, “Was it satisfying to see her get tossed out? I’ve been dying to see that happen.”

Mentioning Elder Xunji, Ji Jiuxuan was surprised to see Meng Chengfang so excited to see her misfortune. “Yes, I was there. My uncle took me to pick a spirit beast egg.”

That made Meng Chengfang even more animated. “Was it Nie Xingyuan who threw her out?”

He slapped his thigh with glee. “I knew he’d eventually snap and toss that fancy peacock as far as possible.”

Fancy peacock?

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Thinking of Wang Xunji’s style, it did seem appropriate—and her eyes-always-above-others attitude was indeed grating.

She shook her head. “No, it was the Divine Gale Eagle that tossed her, sent her flying with a flap of its wings.”

Meng Chengfang burst into hearty laughter. “Serves her right.”

But recalling Wang Xunji’s ways, he reminded, “Little Jiu, be wary of Wang Xunji and her disciple. Those two are infamous for holding grudges and always go out of their way to make people miserable.”

“But you don’t need to worry. Since it was the Divine Gale Eagle who dealt with them, it’s not really your concern. Besides, to make the sect’s guardian beast act personally, they must have gone too far.”

Meng Chengfang’s warning brought to mind what Ji Jiuxuan had read about Wang Xunji in the gossip records.

She really was a venomous woman. And after what happened earlier today, Ji Jiuxuan figured she was already on their blacklist.

She didn’t know about the elder herself, but Wang Xunji’s disciple had looked at her as if she wanted to skin her alive.

“Thank you for the warning, Uncle Meng.”

Meng Chengfang waved it off with a smile. “It’s nothing. Just make sure to keep your distance from them.”

By now, the oven was already sending out tantalizing aromas, making everyone present swallow hungrily.

“Don’t worry, Little Jiu. If that woman, Xunji, gives you any trouble, just come find me. I’ll stand up for you,” Meng Shaoying said, glancing at the oven and then at his son before turning to Ji Jiuxuan. “Little Jiu, don’t be polite with your uncle. Women know best how to deal with other women. When your mother was bullied by that vile woman back in the day, I was the one who sorted her out.”

He added with a wink, “And I promise you, the results are always perfect.”

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