Chapter 17

The four of them walked along and soon arrived at the waist of the mountain.

At the side of the mountain waist, there was a faint shadow of a roof beam, surrounded by green trees and drifting white clouds. If one did not look carefully, it would be easily overlooked, truly a good place for seclusion.

Upon closer inspection, a quadrangle courtyard came into view, emitting a transcendent and ethereal atmosphere amidst the mist and clouds.

This was the abode of the immortal!

Only here could match the transcendent demeanor of the immortal!

The four of them could not help but feel their hearts rise, and they stepped towards the quadrangle courtyard with utmost respect.

"Senior Sister Lin, Master Li's name is Li Nianfan, and he is devoted to the life of the mortal world! When you meet him, do not show any surprise. Master Li only wants to live as a mortal, so remember to treat him as one, or he will not be polite!" Bai Luoshuang reminded.

Lin Qingyun nodded, indicating her understanding.

Recluses all have their own quirks.

Bai Luoshuang then cautiously called out to the gate, "Master Li, are you at home?"

Li Nianfan was having breakfast in the inner courtyard. Just as he was about to drink his porridge, he paused, looking at the door in surprise.

The voice sounded familiar.

There were few people who could visit him, and he quickly recognized the owner of the voice.

Bai Luoshuang and the other three were standing outside, full of anxiety.

At this moment, Bai Wuchen did not look like a powerful cultivator but rather like a student meeting a teacher, not even daring to breathe loudly.

Creak.

The door opened.

Li Nianfan's face showed surprise.

Four people had come at once, and they were all standing outside respectfully, even smiling warmly when they saw him.

Cultivators actually came in a group to visit him, a mere mortal, and with such respect.

He looked at Bai Luoshuang and said, "It's you, welcome."

"Master Li, these are my parents. We came to thank you for the painting you gave us last time," Bai Luoshuang said respectfully.

Bai Wuchen and Su Ya nodded friendly at Li Nianfan.

Seeing their attitude, it was no wonder they could raise such a polite and well-mannered daughter as Bai Luoshuang.

"The painting last time was just a defective one, there's no need to thank me. Please come in," Li Nianfan said with a smile.

It turned out they liked his painting. It seemed that Bai Luoshuang's parents were art lovers, which was why they came to visit in person.

He found it quite normal. Even cultivators would have their hobbies, and his painting skills had been recognized by the system. The title of "Painting Sage" was not given for nothing, so it was not surprising that cultivators would like his work.

"Thank you for the trouble," Bai Wuchen said respectfully.

"I am Lin Qingyun, a friend of Luoshuang. I came to visit with them," Lin Qingyun said, somewhat incoherently due to her nervousness.

Li Nianfan smiled and said, "Please come in."

He thought to himself, another beautiful woman. In the five years since he had come to this world, he hadn't met any, but recently, they seemed to be gathering.

"Welcome, guests," Xiao Bai, the butler, came out to greet them.

Bai Wuchen and Su Ya had heard about Xiao Bai from Bai Luoshuang, so although they were still shocked, they managed to remain calm.

Lin Qingyun, however, was different. Her body trembled, and her beautiful eyes stared at Xiao Bai in surprise, exclaiming, "Spiritual Artifact!"

Li Nianfan felt a bit tired and didn't bother to explain. He couldn't possibly explain it to everyone he met, could he? That would be exhausting.

Bai Luoshuang quietly pulled Lin Qingyun and whispered, "Senior Sister Lin, stay calm. Seeing anything unusual here is not strange, but remember to treat this place as the mortal world and don't mention anything about cultivation!"

Lin Qingyun then noticed that Li Nianfan's expression was a bit off and felt very guilty for her overreaction.

Li Nianfan sat back at the table, with half a bowl of porridge left. However, looking at the four people standing beside him, he felt a bit awkward.

He invited them, "Why don't you... have some?"

"No need," Bai Wuchen and the others quickly shook their heads.

Although it smelled delicious, they did not dare to be so presumptuous, for fear of offending the great person.

"Um, I want to have some,"

Suddenly, Bai Luoshuang said weakly.

She bit her lip, forcing herself to say it.

The impression left by the water purifier and air purifier last time was too deep. She had a feeling that the food the great person ate would be extraordinary, and she had to try it.

"Luoshuang, didn't you have breakfast at home?" Su Ya quickly pulled her daughter.

Why was her child acting so foolish? It was just a bowl of porridge. They could eat enough when they got home. How could she take the great person's polite offer seriously?

"Luoshuang, don't be silly!" Bai Wuchen also scolded her quickly.

Bai Luoshuang pouted, feeling wronged. Her parents must have forgotten that even the water Master Li drank was spiritual water. They couldn't understand her feelings at all.

"Ha ha ha, it's just a bowl of porridge, no need to be so polite."

Li Nianfan found Bai Luoshuang cute and laughed, "Xiao Bai, serve a bowl for Miss Bai!"

Bai Luoshuang stuck out her tongue and sat opposite Li Nianfan.

Taking the bowl of white rice porridge from Xiao Bai, Bai Luoshuang examined it carefully.

She noticed that each grain of rice was plump and immersed in milky white broth, reflecting a crystalline luster, like a starry sky.

Although it was just a bowl of white rice porridge, Bai Luoshuang believed it would not disappoint her.

She lifted the bowl and took a sip.

The thick porridge enveloped her lips and smoothly slid into her mouth, instantly spreading a warm sensation throughout her body.

Delicious!

The exquisite texture combined with the unique aroma of the white rice porridge made Bai Luoshuang's cheeks flush.

At the same time, she realized that the water used to cook the porridge was the same spiritual water she had drunk last time!

This wasn't just white rice porridge; it was clearly the nectar and ambrosia of the immortals!

Such deliciousness made her try to persuade her parents, "Dad, Mom, you should have some too. This porridge is really delicious, very, very delicious!"

She didn't dare to mention the spiritual water, only hinting at it indirectly.

"Eat your own, don't talk!" Bai Wuchen's face turned red with anger.

Wasn't this embarrassing in front of the great person? What if it left a bad impression?

Bai Luoshuang, feeling helpless, could only continue to drink the porridge.

"I usually have a light breakfast. A bowl of white rice porridge with some pickled vegetables is a good match," Li Nianfan said with a smile.

He had planted various vegetables in the back yard, and the pickled vegetables were made by himself, something that did not exist in the cultivation world.

"Pickled vegetables? What are these?" Bai Luoshuang looked curiously at the small dish of pickled vegetables on the table, mimicking Li Nianfan and eating a bit with the porridge.

The light white rice porridge paired with the pickled vegetables created a unique and unprecedented deliciousness in Bai Luoshuang's mouth.

"Delicious, so delicious!"

Her eyes sparkled, and she felt as if she had opened a new world.

The simple combination of white rice porridge and pickled vegetables, though seemingly rudimentary, was far more delicious than any delicacy she had ever tasted!

Her speed of eating clearly increased, skillfully picking up the pickled vegetables and drinking the porridge, repeating the process with great enjoyment.

At this moment, her mind was filled with only one thought: "Eat it, eat it!"

Bai Wuchen and Su Ya's faces turned green.

Was this glutton really their daughter?

It was just a bowl of white rice porridge, was it really that delicious?

Was it really necessary?

Fine, they admitted they were also craving it.

The aroma of the white rice porridge was not strong at first, but as time passed, it gradually seeped into their souls, making them involuntarily salivate and feel a strong desire.

Combined with Bai Luoshuang's performance, they felt like they wanted to rush over and have a few sips.

Even Lin Qingyun, looking at the crystal-clear white rice porridge, couldn't help but swallow her saliva.