Leaving the Tianquan Building, the afternoon sun spilled over them, carrying a somewhat lazy warmth.
Having just finished a thrilling Dungeon journey and returning to the peaceful campus, the four of them actually felt the illusion of a lifetime having passed.
"10,000 credits..."
Lin Xiyue was still happily savoring this number. Even her walking posture had changed, every step exuding the arrogant aura of "I'm a rich woman now."
"Sis, what do you think we should trade these credits for?"
"Prioritize leveling up!" Lin Qingyue answered instantly. "Being a low level restricts everything we do."
Beside them, Su Wan suddenly spoke up.
"We can consider the credits later, there's no rush."
Her voice was as cold as ever, but the slight tremble in her trailing words and her startlingly bright eyes still betrayed the turbulent emotions in her heart.
"Everyone worked hard today, and we've made great contributions. I think... we should celebrate a little."
Hearing this, Lin Qingyue's eyes lit up. She immediately clapped her hands, a brilliant smile blooming on her face, and heroically announced,
"Yes, yes, yes! We must celebrate! This head chef is in a good mood today and will personally cook! To celebrate our triumphant return!"
"Yay! Sis is going to cook personally!"
Lin Xiyue jumped up excitedly on the spot, her saliva already starting to secrete uncontrollably.
Su Wan and Xia Lian also immediately cheered, the light bursting from their eyes even more dazzling than when they saw Epic Equipment.
They had personally experienced Lin Qingyue's craftsmanship.
That taste was simply a longing engraved in the depths of their souls.
That wasn't cooking at all; that was magic!
"Then... won't it be too much trouble for you?"
Su Wan made a token polite remark, but those sparkling eyes had already completely betrayed the reserve of her aloof Young Mistress persona.
"What trouble? It's a piece of cake."
Lin Qingyue waved her hand casually, adopting the demeanor of a Grandmaster who had "everything under control."
Joke, I am a woman who inherited Xiangling's Culinary Arts! Cooking a meal is nothing!
Besides, the culinary arts I obtained from the System aren't just dead data, but Master Xiangling's very own spirit of endless exploration in cooking!
My skills are improving every day!
It just so happens that when we were eating roast meat at the Elven Royal Palace before, I was outshone by that centuries-old royal chef, and I've been keeping a fire in my belly ever since.
Now that the equipment is complete and the ingredients are abundant, I'll let you see what true Liyue flavor is. Even Lord Rex would say it's good!
"Then it's settled!" Lin Qingyue decided. "Let's go back to the dorm and have a big feast!"
The four of them walked toward the dormitory area, talking and laughing.
Lin Qingyue and Lin Xiyue lived on the second floor, while Su Wan and Xia Lian were on the third floor.
When they arrived downstairs, Lin Qingyue said to Su Wan and Xia Lian, "You guys go back to your room to rest up first, take a shower, and change clothes. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
"Okay."
Watching Su Wan and Xia Lian go upstairs, Lin Qingyue finally pulled her sister back to their second-floor dormitory.
As soon as the door was opened, a familiar scent of fresh bamboo leaves mixed with sunlight washed over them.
"Ah... it's still most comfortable at home!"
Lin Xiyue threw herself onto the soft living room sofa in a spread-eagle posture, letting out a soft sigh of satisfaction.
Lin Qingyue smiled and shook her head at her boneless appearance, then followed suit and sat on the sofa, thoroughly relaxing.
Although the Elven Royal Palace was nice, and they even had the queen sleeping beside them, it was ultimately not as freeing as being on their own turf.
"Sis, what delicious food are we making?"
Lin Xiyue lifted her head from the sofa cushions, her eyes sparkling with little stars.
"Hmm..."
Lin Qingyue stroked her chin as Xiangling's culinary wisdom surged through her mind.
"For the main course, let's do boiled fish. It's spicy, fresh, and appetizing enough to go down perfectly with rice."
"Then we'll have spicy diced chicken—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bite-sized. It'll definitely hit the spot."
"For the vegetable dishes, a simple stir-fry of seasonal greens, and a smashed cucumber salad to cut the grease."
"For the soup, we'll make tomato and egg soup."
"And rice for the staple food."
With every dish she named, Lin Xiyue gulped.
"Yes, yes, yes! Let's have exactly that!"
Lin Xiyue nodded frantically, drool already hanging from the corner of her mouth.
"What about the ingredients? Does the school supermarket sell them? Do you want me to run errands?"
"Don't worry. Next is the moment to witness a miracle."
Lin Qingyue smiled mysteriously, got up, and walked to the kitchen.
Under Lin Xiyue's shocked gaze, she pulled things out one by one from the [Purified Miniature Church].
A fresh fish still flopping about.
Cleanly prepared chicken pieces.
Various vegetables dotted with morning dew and exuding a natural aura.
There was even a whole set of brand-new professional kitchenware and a dazzling array of top-tier seasonings.
These were all the Elven Royal Special Supply that Queen Ilanier had specially ordered someone to prepare and stuff into her Space Equipment.
The Queen's intention was for her to eat and drink well while away, so she wouldn't mistreat herself.
"Sis! You're using the Church as a grocery market?!"
Lin Xiyue looked at the small mountain of ingredients piled on the kitchen counter, her eyes almost popping out in shock. "God would cry if they knew!"
"God? God has to eat too, and eat well, otherwise where would they get the strength to bless their believers? This is called 'Divine Power Replenishment', understand?"
Lin Qingyue smugly tilted her chin up.
"Besides, this is the Elven Royal Special Supply, top-tier ingredients imbued with the power of nature. You deserve it."
She clapped her hands, rolled up her sleeves, and fully unleashed her aura.
"Alright, rich lady, stop lounging around and come help me out!"
"Coming!"
Lin Xiyue scrambled up from the sofa and excitedly ran into the kitchen.
The two sisters, one the head chef and the other the sous-chef, got busy in the small kitchen.
The crisp sound of the knife hitting the cutting board and the sizzling crackle of ingredients dropping into the hot oil pan, accompanied by the sisters' occasional bickering and laughter, intertwined into a warm symphony full of the breath of everyday life.
More than an hour later.
Su Wan and Xia Lian knocked on the door.
The moment the door opened, a spicy and savory aroma—ten times more domineering than the roasted meat from last time—swept through all their senses like a raging tide.
The fragrance was unreasonably intense.
It seemingly materialized, violently grabbing their nasal passages and piercing their lungs, almost forcibly dragging their souls out of their bodies and pinning them firmly at the dining table.
The two stood at the door, their breath taken away by this domineering aroma.
Their eyes fell on the dining table and froze instantly.
Their throats bobbed in unison.
That basin of Sichuan boiled fish was a glossy red. The snow-white fish slices, having been doused with boiling oil, sizzled and trembled slightly amidst a dense layer of dried chilies and peppercorns.
Just looking at it caused their mouths to water uncontrollably, and a tingling sensation spread across their scalps.
In the other dish of spicy chicken, golden chicken pieces were buried under a mountain of fiery red chilies, each piece seemingly broadcasting an arrogant "come eat me" signal.
Beside them was a plate of emerald green stir-fried seasonal vegetables and refreshing smashed cucumbers.
That touch of fresh green managed to carve out a reassuring haven within this blazing sea of red.
Su Wan's body swayed slightly. She instinctively gripped the doorframe, her fingertips turning white from the force.
A clear crack appeared on her face, which otherwise always maintained an aloof and dignified expression.
A pure, undisguised shock was crumbling her composure.
"This smell... is basically cheating..."
Her voice trembled, carrying a trace of desire she hadn't even noticed herself.
"They're clearly just home-cooked dishes, so why... why is the aroma so aggressive?"
"Of course! This is a culinary inheritance acknowledged by God."
Wearing a cartoon apron and holding a spatula in one hand, Lin Qingyue proudly raised her chin.
"You must look at a person with new eyes even after just a few days apart."
She harrumphed and added, "My culinary skills evolve, too!"
"Never mind these home-cooked dishes. Even if I were to grill meat right now, the taste would definitely be three times better than last time!"
Lin Qingyue boldly proclaimed.
"I guarantee that after eating this meal, you'll think the barbecue from the Dungeon last time was an appetizer at best!"
Su Wan stared blankly at Lin Qingyue, her eyes filled with disbelief.
It was truly difficult for her to connect the girl in front of her—wearing a cartoon apron with "hurry up and praise me" written all over her face—to the "God" who summoned meteorites on the battlefield and dominated everything.
This stark contrast was hard for her to get used to right away.
"Come sit, sit! Try my Sis's cooking!" Lin Xiyue greeted enthusiastically.
"Don't just stand there, let's dig in!" Lin Qingyue proudly puffed out her chest.
The four of them sat around the dining table.
A sumptuous celebration dinner officially began.