Actually, every Jade Maiden Sect disciple who tasted Ian Song's cooking felt the same way. Some even couldn't help but cry out in surprise and admiration.
So the dishes meant for a hundred and fifty people were snatched up by dozens of disciples. By the time they left the canteen, their bellies were all a little round.
By noon, the news that the canteen food was unbelievably delicious had already spread throughout the Jade Maiden Sect.
Women are naturally fond of gossip—even female cultivators are no exception. With nothing to do but train, the girls of the Jade Maiden Sect especially loved to gossip.
So in just two hours, the news about the amazing canteen food had reached almost all the third-generation disciples, and even quite a few second-generation disciples had heard.
That night, before dinner even started, more than fifty female disciples rushed to the canteen to wait.
Figuring there’d be more people at night, Ian cooked enough for nearly two hundred. But within just half an hour, everything was snatched up, leaving the latecomers disappointed and hungry.
Just like that, a week flew by.
Now, at every mealtime, the canteen was packed. Not just third-generation disciples—even second-generation disciples who could normally live on spiritual energy came to eat.
One evening, after all the disciples had left, Ian was cleaning up in the canteen when a staggering figure burst in.
Even from across the room, Ian could smell the alcohol on her.
No doubt about it—this was his former savior, the legendary female drunkard of the Jade Maiden Sect, Fairy Lena Ling.
"Fairy Lena Ling, why did you drink so much? Come on, let me help you sit down!"
Ian quickly put down his cleaning tools and went over to support Lena, concern written all over his face.
Unlike most women in this world, Lena kept her hair short, tied into a spirited ponytail with a simple string.
Her outfit was a scholar’s robe.
Overall, she gave off a distinctly unconventional vibe.
Of course, Lena was also stunningly beautiful—an oval face, willow brows, eyes like a sky full of stars, a charming nose, and lips so pink and soft you’d want to take a bite.
Thanks to her cultivation, Lena was almost thirty, but looked barely twenty.
With Ian’s support, Lena sat down and slapped the table: "Deuce, go get me another bottle of wine!"
"Okay, just wait a moment!"
Ian agreed and ran to the kitchen, quickly brewing a bowl of sobering soup.
When he came out with the soup, Lena was already asleep on the canteen table.
From Second Fool’s memories, Ian felt deep gratitude toward Lena—he’d even die for her. After merging those memories, Ian also felt an indescribable closeness to her.
Mainly, it was because Lena really had treated Second Fool well.
"Fairy Lena Ling, wake up—the wine is here!"
Ian gently shook Lena’s shoulder and called out to her.
"Wine? Where is it?"
At the mention of wine, Lena woke up instantly.
"Here it is."
Ian hurriedly offered the sobering soup with both hands.
"Gulp gulp!"
Lena took the soup, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one go. She wiped her mouth and stared blankly at Ian. "Deuce, this wine tastes kinda weird."
Seeing her cute and silly expression, Ian couldn't help but laugh. He quickly said, "Fairy Lena Ling, you probably drank too much."
"Really? I’ll just lie down for a bit, then!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Lena lay down on the table and fell asleep again.
This time, Ian didn't wake her up. He just kept cleaning the canteen.
Half an hour later, Ian finished tidying up and saw that Lena was awake again.
"Come here, Deuce, I have something to tell you." Lena beckoned to him.
Ian hurried forward and bowed. "Greetings, Fairy Lena Ling."
Seeing this, Lena frowned. "Deuce, how many times have I told you? There's no need to be so formal between us. Sit down, I have something to discuss with you."
"Yes."
Ian obediently sat down in front of Fairy Lena Ling.
Fairy Lena Ling spoke again, "You should have received the notice to leave within three months, right?"
"Mm!" Ian nodded.
"Do you want to leave?" Lena looked into his eyes and asked.
"No!" Ian replied firmly.
Lena's face darkened a little. "Even if you don't want to, you can't stay. First, our sect's ancestral rules forbid adult men from remaining. Second, the Jade Maiden Sect only has cultivation methods for women, so you wouldn't be able to practice here anyway!"
"But I still want to stay in the Jade Maiden Sect!" Ian protested.
"What nonsense!" Lena snapped, glaring at him. She took a letter from her storage ring and handed it to Ian.
"What’s this?" Ian asked curiously.
Lena explained, "It’s a recommendation letter. If you take this to the Four Beasts Sect, they’ll accept you as a disciple!"
Ian was stunned for a moment, then felt deeply moved. The Four Beasts Sect was even stronger than the Jade Maiden Sect and very strict about admissions—countless people dreamed of joining but never got the chance. Lena had given him a direct way in.
How could he not be moved?
He was sure the recommendation letter wasn’t easy to get. For the sake of an ordinary person, Lena had done so much for him—her kindness was beyond words.
"I’m not going!"
Ian put the recommendation letter on the table and acted sullen.
"Smack!"
Lena slapped Ian on the back of his head. "Deuce, listen up! I went to great lengths to get this recommendation letter. If you dare not go, I’ll smack you dead!"
Getting smacked by a Foundation Establishment girl was embarrassing, but Ian had to bear it to complete his mission.
"Lena, I want to join the Jade Maiden Sect!" Ian pleaded.
"Impossible!" Lena shook her head.
Ian thought for a moment. "There are still more than two months left, right? I’ll keep trying. If I can join the Jade Maiden Sect, that’s best. If not, I’ll go to the Four Beasts Sect."
After a moment’s hesitation, Lena nodded. "Alright, I agree. But if you can’t join the Jade Maiden Sect, you must go to the Four Beasts Sect!"
"Don’t worry, I won’t let you down!" Ian promised.