Li Tan was a cultivator at the Pinnacle of the Bloodstained Realm. It's likely his soul had already broken through the limits of life and death, achieving a state where he could seize a body for rebirth and cultivate again in the Reincarnation Phase. He also cultivated the Deification Grand Canon, and with the power of incense and prayers washing and strengthening it, his Divine Soul Force was incredibly thick and substantial. It's just a pity that my Star Absorption Skill couldn't completely digest his Divine Soul Force. Most of it was wasted. If I could have absorbed one hundred percent of his Divine Soul Force, I wouldn't have needed to cultivate my soul further before reaching the Pinnacle of the Bloodstained Realm.

Upon understanding his current Divine Soul Realm, Qi Xiu, in his Yin God form with a blurred face, showed a trace of regret.

Though the Star Absorption Skill was formidable, it couldn't fully assimilate the power it absorbed. Being able to retain ten percent was already the best outcome.

Whether it was Cheng Junie or that mysterious Heart Demon woman, they both mistook my Star Absorption Skill for the Devouring Heaven Demon Skill. Although they seem similar, their essence is vastly different.

The Devouring Heaven Demon Skill, as the Food Demon Sect's foundational scripture, was infamous, and Qi Xiu naturally had glimpsed some isolated records about it in various rare ancient texts. It's said that this grand demonic scripture was created by the founding patriarch of the Food Demon Sect after observing a strange phenomenon Outside the Domain. He treated everything in the world—all energies, all Spirit Beings, and even all Daos—as ingredients. With every power devoured, one's strength would rise to another level, becoming increasingly formidable. Practicing this Demonic Skill was like tasting all kinds of delicacies in the world; the more one devoured, the more terrifying one became, growing uncontrollably like a snowball rolling downhill.

Precisely because the Devouring Heaven Demon Skill was too unnatural and injurious to heavenly harmony, Cultivators who practiced it often suffered divine retribution and a decline in their fortunes. Moreover, its ability to devour others' cultivation, souls, and even their bloodlines and physical constitutions was so terrifying that it led the Food Demon Sect to become an enemy to the entire world. Ultimately, it vanished mysteriously from this land.

Wait, ingredients?

Suddenly, a spark of Spiritual Light flashed in his mind. With a thought, Qi Xiu brought up the proficiency panel before his eyes.

[Cooking: 98.9]

Is it possible?

Staring at the Cooking skill on the panel, Qi Xiu felt somewhat skeptical.

But then again, it wasn't entirely impossible.

The Mysterious Abilities he possessed, other than Alchemy, were almost all very common before they were upgraded. Calligraphy, painting… But after the upgrade, the Divine Marvel Power they possessed made everyone envious. To verify this, he had to test it and see the results for himself.

With a thought, he commanded his soul to return to his physical body. Qi Xiu slowly opened his tightly closed eyes, adjusting to the sensory differences between his soul and his physical body.

No wonder! Once the soul reaches the Wandering Spirit Phase, its flying speed can surpass the top Escape Skills of the Dao-Entering Realm. The soul is insubstantial and unaffected by Geomagnetic Elemental Force, making it lighter than air. Flying is unimpeded, so the speed is naturally astounding.

He moved his shoulders a couple of times, and an indescribable feeling of heaviness made Qi Xiu shake his head and chuckle. He left the bedroom and walked directly towards the kitchen in the residence.

At that moment, Qingyi, along with a group of little people whom Qi Xiu had brought to life using his "Painting Falsehood into Reality" skill, were bustling about, busily preparing the meal. The air was filled with the rich aroma of food. Fish sizzled in the pan, releasing mouth-watering steam. Vegetables were quickly chopped into various shapes, dancing in the wok. The stove fire roared, boiling fiercely around the large iron wok.

When Qi Xiu arrived, a little person with braided hair hurriedly tugged at Qingyi's skirt.

"Master, why have you come? The meal will be ready soon. I will bring it to you shortly."

Seeing Qi Xiu, Qingyi thought she had been too slow and quickly bowed, explaining that the meal would be ready soon.

"I'm not saying you're slow. It's just that I have something I need to verify using your kitchen."

Walking into the kitchen, under Qingyi's stunned gaze, Qi Xiu skillfully picked up a kitchen knife. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! He finished chopping the vegetables left on the cutting board. Though his Cooking skill hadn't yet advanced to a new realm, he still possessed fundamental culinary abilities. With a moment's recollection, he could perform common cooking techniques.

"Master, what are you…"

Unable to believe that her Master, who could soar through the skies, suppress demons, and vanquish devils, was actually wielding a spatula and stir-frying dishes, Qingyi felt her worldview being rocked.

He skillfully scraped the bottom of the wok and placed a steaming hot plate of blackened scrambled eggs with green peppers in front of Qingyi. Facing this dish that was hard to look at directly, the group of white little people gulped and carefully slipped away from the doorway.

Qi Xiu let down his rolled-up sleeves and smiled faintly. "Give it a try."

After all, it had been over a decade since he had last entered a kitchen or stir-fried a dish. Though its appearance might be a little unappetizing, the taste should still be quite good.

Picking up a piece of crispy egg, Qingyi slowly put it into her mouth and gently chewed with her soft cheeks.

"It's… acceptable, just a bit too salty." Her voice noticeably several pitches lower, Qingyi nodded with a smile.

It was a dish made by the Master himself. Even if it were salty, even if it were poisoned, she would still have to praise it.

"Is it?" Qi Xiu casually pinched a piece of egg and tossed it into his mouth. He chewed only once when his pupils suddenly constricted.

"Indeed, it's a bit salty. You continue."

Walking out of the kitchen, Qi Xiu glanced down at the proficiency panel.

[Cooking (First Realm): 0%]

Having successfully elevated Cooking to a Mysterious Ability, Qi Xiu stepped into the courtyard. He studied the lush green Wutong tree in front of him, eyeing it up and down. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed at the tree.

A fleeting Divine Marvel passed through his hand, a suction force similar to that of the Star Absorption Skill, and then it vanished.

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