Chapter 68: A Taste of Home in the Wilderness Sanctuary

Not long after the trio returned to camp, a hemispherical sanctuary, meticulously crafted from pure earth elements, stood majestically upon the intertwined tree branches.

The high-level earth magic, Earth’s Embrace, cast by Su Liyue, not only perfectly replicated the layout of their academy dormitory but also showcased her magical prowess in its intricate details.

It could regulate the indoor temperature, ward off beastly intrusions, and featured a double-layered roof, designed for ultimate comfort.

Most striking were the two distinct earth beds within.

The one on the left was simpler, with Mu Wanqing’s favorite star and moon patterns carved into the headboard, and its surface was covered in a layer of finely baked clay, hardened and insulated by fire magic.

The bed on the right, noticeably larger, was far more luxurious.

Its frame was inlaid with several magic crystals that emitted a soft glow, and the mattress was woven from hundreds of highly elastic earth elemental fibers, even thoughtfully sculpted with ergonomic curves.

“After all… it’s been so long since we last shared a bed…” Su Liyue feigned tidying her storage ring, her gaze, however, stealing glances at Ye Xingchen through the strands of her hair as he prepared ingredients.

While she could justify it with a grand reason like ‘dual cultivation to boost cultivation speed,’ only she knew that the true reason for her restless nights was that natural, human-shaped pillow.

Ye Xingchen’s slender fingers deftly processed the wild crucian carp.

Using a magic carving knife, he meticulously peeled off the scales, leaving them spotless, then with fluid motions, sliced the fish into transparent fillets as thin as cicada wings.

He deliberately set aside a few whole crucian carp for Su Liyue and Mu Wanqing to roast over charcoal.

The flickering firelight illuminated Mu Wanqing’s hesitant expression.

“Yueyue, your sanctuary… it even copied the bedside table?” Her gaze swept over the earthen furniture with its drawers, noticing even a mirror solidified from water magic on its surface.

This level of luxury was extravagant not just for wilderness training, but even for a noble estate.

Su Liyue, simultaneously roasting three fish with fire magic, responded with a sly smile, “We’ll be staying for five days, after all… Ah!”

She suddenly remembered something.

With a surge of earth elements, a small compartment extended from the side of the sanctuary, its door curtain woven from ivy magically grown from vine seeds.

“A simple restroom,” she said, winking at the dumbfounded Mu Wanqing.

“Considering nighttime use, I even prepared moonlight moss for illumination… Huh? Qingqing, why do you look so pale?”

“The instructor said… wilderness training is about experiencing the most primitive… the most arduous…”

“We certainly are experiencing it,” Su Liyue declared innocently, pointing to Ye Xingchen, who was using his Saint-tier cultivation to ward off mosquitoes.

“Look, even repelling insects requires our own effort – how primitive~”

The campfire suddenly crackled, spitting out several sparks that highlighted Mu Wanqing’s expression of utter despair.

“So, Yueyue, are we really going to be holed up in this ‘luxurious fortress’ for the next five days?” Mu Wanqing asked, half-joking, gently poking her bamboo bowl with chopsticks.

“How could we? I’ve got our itinerary packed,” Su Liyue replied, giving a mysterious wink.

Just then, Ye Xingchen approached, carrying a large iron pot steaming with warmth.

Su Liyue quickly adjusted the output of her fire magic, controlling the flames to a gentle simmer, perfect for hotpot.

The dancing firelight illuminated their faces as the broth in the pot began to gurgle with tiny bubbles.

“Come, let’s eat first,” Ye Xingchen said gently, distributing the meticulously crafted bamboo utensils to the two girls.

“Let Wanqing taste a specialty from our hometown too.”

“A taste of home?” Mu Wanqing leaned curiously towards the iron pot, only to see a dish completely beyond her understanding.

The broth was crystal clear, with various oddly shaped plants floating on top – some resembling leaves, some roots, and even small, spherical fruits she had never seen before.

This was a stark contrast to the ‘dark cuisine’ Su Liyue had described in her memories.

What surprised her even more was how Ye Xingchen had conjured such a large iron pot, given that kitchen utensils were strictly forbidden during training.

Noticing her best friend’s puzzled expression, Su Liyue chuckled and explained,

“This is a broth made with cilantro, ginger slices, peppercorns, and bell peppers, paired with garlic and oyster mushrooms you recognize, and freshly caught wild crucian carp and wild vegetables.”

As she spoke, she gently stirred the pot with a bamboo ladle.

“Though it lacks a bit of chili oil, the sweetness of the crucian carp combined with the fresh fragrance of the oyster mushrooms…”

With that, she carefully scooped a bowl of milky white fish soup, with a few tender green wild vegetables floating on the surface.

“Here, try this soup first.”

Mu Wanqing took the bamboo bowl, and a complex aroma she had never encountered before wafted up with the steam.

She hesitantly glanced at the glistening fish meat and emerald-like wild vegetables in the bowl, then at the two pairs of expectant eyes opposite her…

The moment the first sip of hot soup slid down her throat, Mu Wanqing’s eyes widened abruptly.

An unprecedented burst of umami flavor exploded on her tongue, the rich fish soup infused with the unique freshness of oyster mushrooms, interspersed with an unfamiliar spiciness, like tiny flames dancing lightly on her taste buds.

“How is it?” Su Liyue and Ye Xingchen asked in unison, identical expectant smiles gracing their faces.

Mu Wanqing, without waiting to answer, eagerly picked up a piece of snow-white crucian carp.

The fish melted in her mouth, its sweet juices mingling with the spicy aroma of the broth, causing her to involuntarily narrow her eyes.

Another tender slice of oyster mushroom went into her mouth; the mushroom’s unique plump texture perfectly blended with the broth, proving even more delicious than the high-grade monster meat she had tasted.

“Yueyue… is this really a dish from your hometown? I never knew these ordinary ingredients could create such a flavor…”

Mu Wanqing felt this was the best fish soup she had ever tasted in her life.

Ye Xingchen chuckled as he refilled their bowls, the milky white broth swirling within the bamboo.

“This is just the most basic version.

When we have the chance… we can make spicy hotpot, mushroom hotpot…”

“I guarantee you’ll want to swallow your tongue then~” Su Liyue interjected, raising her soup bowl to gently clink it against Ye Xingchen’s.

The bamboo clinked with a crisp sound.

Under the starry sky of this otherworldly realm, a simple fish soup hotpot allowed Su Liyue to taste the long-lost flavors of home.

She sipped the fish soup slowly, almost believing she was back in a hotpot restaurant on Earth.

If one were to ignore the surrounding magical elements and the distant roars of magical beasts, that is.