Formless Lotus!

Chen Xu didn't expect that by casually comforting Xu Wenyuan with a word, he could actually touch his Dao Heart feedback?

It's conceivable that although Xu Wenyuan appeared unchanged in recent days, his inner self evidently went through countless grindings and transformations.

He claims to be of mediocre aptitude, but is Xu Wenyuan truly a mediocre person?

Chen Xu suddenly asked Xu Wenyuan, "Brother Xu, do you know how many students there are in Yunjiang Prefecture?"

Xu Wenyuan answered blankly, "Well, little brother does not know."

Chen Xu gestured forward with his hand, indicating Xu Wenyuan to continue walking with him.

As he spoke, "I recently befriended an elder brother and learned that there are more than seventeen thousand two hundred students under the age of forty in Yunjiang Prefecture."

"So many?" Xu Wenyuan was instantly surprised, "But this year, there are only over three thousand students attending the prefecture examination."

"Naturally, many have given up the exam, or perhaps they will take it next year," Chen Xu said, "Among the students, a significant portion has certain family backgrounds and wealth."

He spoke softly, "Brother Xu, each year, only eighty-two Scholars are selected from the prefecture.

You come from ordinary origins, perhaps even impoverished, having no elders to guide you whenever needed, nor private collections with endless books.

Nor have you had adequate supplementation from Spiritual Food or Spiritual Medicine. As our origins are similar, I know better than anyone how difficult it is for you to reach where you are now.

Yet despite that, you still stood out in the annual examinations and became one of the eighty-two Scholars.

Do you truly believe you are of mediocre aptitude?

Where in the world is this kind of mediocrity?"

Chen Xu laughed, hearing this, Xu Wenyuan felt a lightning bolt flash through his mind like fire strikers chiseling a spark.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he hardly knew how to express himself, but with anxiety in his voice, he said, "But Brother Chen, how can I compare to you?"

Chen Xu continued, "Though people may have similar circumstances, their essence is never the same; there is no need to compare people to each other."

Meanwhile, he allocated some Heart and Spirit to examine the Formless Lotus he had recently obtained.

[Formless Lotus, when used as the main ingredient for cooking, can randomly produce various flavors such as sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty.

Different tasters experience different flavors.

Some may taste the Dao while some may find it tasteless, gaining nothing.

If diners gain something, the cook receives double feedback.]

Ah, a new Spiritual Material indeed.

Another unexpected effect, one that Chen Xu had never thought of before.

The Formless Lotus, compared to the Thousands of Tribulation Ashes, though difficult to judge which has the stronger ability, is undoubtedly peculiar and fascinating.

Chen Xu has recently felt a surprising joy of unintended success, noticing that as his cultivation improves, the ways to acquire Spiritual Materials also broaden.

However, even though the ways have broadened, their randomness remains strong.

For example, returning from Pufeng Mountain, though huddling with the shepherd boy, farmer, and little Daoist in philosophical discussions touched Chen Xu's heart, he didn't gain any Spiritual Materials then.

Yet, now by only speaking some casual words with Xu Wenyuan, he gained Spiritual Materials.

What distinguishes the two situations?

Was it that Chen Xu spoke up, or that the other party sincerely gained insight?

Or perhaps both, coincidentally with Xu Wenyuan's Dao Heart being more steadfast?

Judging solely by appearances, Xu Wenyuan hardly seemed the type to comprehend Dao.

This proves that judging others by looks or status is inherently wrong.

Walking through two long streets together, Xu Wenyuan's expression gradually became firmer.

He said, "Brother Chen, you are absolutely right, I shouldn't belittle myself. But I must recognize my abilities; currently, they still have many shortcomings.

I won't go to Qihai Mountain tomorrow. If I go, I fear my mindset may waver.

My mindset may not be steady enough now, but that doesn't mean it'll be the same years later.

This time returning home, I will bury myself in studying hard, aiming for the county examination in three or five years.

Becoming a Scholar isn't easy, even if it takes three to five years, or even ten, so what?

Xu Wenyuan's tone gradually carried an indescribable strength, resolving not to fear time depletion.

Be it three, five, or ten years, even twenty, what is there to fear?

He isn't the youthful genius like Chen Xu, but he has his own path to follow.

Upon returning to the inn, Xu Wenyuan saw Chen Xu head straight to the kitchen.

Xu Wenyuan: ...

Suddenly struck speechless, Xu Wenyuan began to doubt himself.

What exactly did he see?

Is there something wrong with his eyes, or is it his mind?

Xu Wenyuan wandered dazedly to the inn's second floor, meeting Master Wu and Master Yao, and they asked whether he had obtained his Seal.

"Yes, yes I did," Xu Wenyuan answered blankly.

Wu Zhengze asked, "Where is Xu?"

Xu Wenyuan stammered, "I, I... could I be mistaken? Brother Chen, Brother Chen seemed to be in the inn's kitchen?"

After saying this, Xu Wenyuan saw a sudden laugh erupt from the Master:

"Indeed, Xu must be thinking of those flavors in the pot and balancing the yin and yang! Could this be from receiving the Seal and gaining insight again?"

Xu Wenyuan was somewhat bewildered, comprehending every word the Master said, yet unable to understand the sentences as a whole.

Until Wu Zhengze mentioned, "Since the Scholar's Seal is obtained, this afternoon you and Xu should each send a greeting note to Prefect Ding's residence.

Though he may not meet you, the note must still be sent. If no reply is received after three days, we'll set off for Jichuan."

Wu Zhengze actually believed that though Prefect Ding might not want to meet Xu Wenyuan, he would unquestionably meet Chen Xu.

There's no need to say such things to discourage Xu Wenyuan.

Little did they know, Xu Wenyuan began to strive to understand: flavors in the pot, balancing yin and yang?

Gradually, he felt as if he started to grasp Wu Zhengze's words, guessing: Could it be that the key to Chen Xu's insights lies in these flavors?

As he pondered, Xu Wenyuan's eyes gradually illuminated.

He suddenly felt he might have found the direction for his future studies —

Governing a great country is like preparing a small dish.

Though a young student does not govern a country, he learns the principles of governing a country.

Shouldn't Xu Wenyuan learn the way of the kitchen too, to understand the wisdom of ancient sages and distinguish the truths within books?

Suddenly with a light-hearted voice, Xu Wenyuan quickly narrated the conversation he heard between the small officials with Chen Xu in the Prefecture Government.

After speaking, he said, "Master, this student won't go to Qihai Mountain tomorrow. I'll go see Brother Chen instead..."

Before finishing his sentence, he hurriedly ran towards the kitchen.

Arriving at the kitchen door, he suddenly heard Master Hong announcing the dishes.

"Silky Tofu, Wine-steamed Chicken, Fried Yellowfin, Steamed Perch, Shredded Chicken with Silver Fungus...

Hey, Mr. Chen, you're learning all my skillful specialties.

Is there anything more you want to learn? Knife skills, heat control, hot and cold dishes? Haha, you've asked the wrong person for that.

When it comes to cold dishes, I, Master Hong, am not proficient!"

Inside, he heard Chen Xu's voice asking, "Then which chef masters them?"

Master Hong chuckled, "You'd never guess who in all of Yunjiang Prefecture is the most skilled at cold dishes!"

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