Chapter 20: The system is treating me to lotus root?
Huh? Fortune Lotus Root? What is that? I've only heard of the Fortune Jade Disc and the Fortune Blue Lotus, okay?
"Swish!"
A shriveled piece of lotus root suddenly appeared on Li Tianyi's large bed.
Li Tianyi walked over to the bedside and examined his Level 3 gift pack, speechless.
The lotus root on the bed looked malnourished, shrunken and unrecognizable.
Its shape was quite unique, branch-like, with about six or seven sections, each with a small gap between them, connected by a dark substance.
"Huh!"
Li Tianyi noticed something unusual. Shouldn't a normal lotus root be yellow-brown on the outside and white on the inside? Why was this one a jade-silver color?
Li Tianyi picked up the slender length of lotus root and examined it carefully, but he couldn't make any clearer observations.
"Old man, wake up!" Li Tianyi clapped his ring.
Haha, you're silent when things are going on. None of you are reliable. Guess I have to rely on myself.
"I heard lotus root can replenish blood and qi?"
Li Tianyi pinched the shrunken, silver-jade lotus root in his hand, swallowed, and a glint in his eyes.
"Looks like it's time to improve the food."
The night was silent and still, with stars twinkling in the sky and the occasional chirping of insects on the ground.
"What's going on? They don't even need to post a guard?"
Li Tianyi concealed his position and quietly explored several times before successfully groping his way into the kitchen.
The silver-jade lotus root floated in the pot, tumbling and rolling with the boiling water.
Li Tianyi busied himself in the kitchen, chopping and scrambling. He had not only found the seasoning, but also discovered several large, unidentified chickens in a cage.
"Beep, beep," the pot was about to boil. Li Tianyi tossed the diced chicken into the pot along with the seasoning. The clear water in the pot took on a rich, appetizing color as the seasoning soaked in.
He closed the pot, found a small stool, rubbed his hands, and sat down to wait expectantly.
Staring at the pot, Li Tianyi sighed with emotion. It seemed the system had finally learned to be filial to me, an old man. Knowing the last gift package had let me down, it had specially sent me some medicinal herbs to nourish me.
Soon, the delicious aroma of meat and the refreshing scent of lotus root filled the kitchen. Li Tianyi swallowed instinctively and, eagerly, lifted the lid.
"Huh?"
A wave of question marks crossed Li Tianyi's face, and he quickly picked up the lotus root with a spoon.
He looked at the lotus root and then at the chicken in the pot.
What the hell? The chicken is already cooked to the point where it can't be any more rotten, and you still give me a dry look?
In anger, Li Tianyi didn't even think about eating the whole lotus root. He held both sides with both hands and tried to bend it hard.
Li Tianyi puffed his cheeks and tried his best to exert his strength, but found that he still couldn't bend the lotus root at all. After a long stalemate, Li Tianyi gave up.
Damn, it turns out this is a mallet. I can bend an iron rod directly, but I can't bend this thing?
He finally figured it out this time. Except for the bloodline, nothing given by the system is normal.
Li Tianyi threw the silver jade lotus root into the ring space. He took a look at the delicious chicken flopping in the pot and felt a little relieved.
Taking a sip of chicken soup, Li Tianyi smacked his lips.
"Wow, so refreshing!"
"It's rich but not greasy, with a hint of the delicate fragrance of lotus root." He smacked his lips. "Looks like this lotus root would be great in chicken soup too."
The next day, "Good morning, Senior Brother!"
"Have you eaten?"
Li Tianyi walked towards the main hall with a stern face. He nodded politely to those who greeted him. He tried to twitch his lips again, but found that a smile still wouldn't come.
"Did you hear anything?" Two women on the side of the road were whispering mysteriously.
"What did you hear?"
"A thief broke into the sect last night!"
"A thief? How could that be?"
Li Tianyi's ears twitched slightly and perked up, deliberately slowing his pace to listen to the two women's conversation.
"The Yuhua Qibao chicken specially provided for the sect master last night was plucked and stewed!"
"How could that be? Who would be so bold!" The woman exclaimed in shock, covering her red lips.
"Hush! Keep quiet. I heard the Sect Master is furious. From now on, not only will the outer city be patrolled at night, but the inner city will be patrolled as well."
Li Tianyi rubbed his nose sheepishly. Sorry, my fellow patrollers! Just because of a rookie, I've inadvertently made you work overtime.
Approaching the main hall, he saw only Ning Fengzhi, standing with his hands behind his back.
"Sect Master Ning, you're looking for me?"
Ning Fengzhi turned and smiled. "Xiaotian, is there anything you're not used to in the sect?"
"Everything's fine!" Li Tianyi observed Ning Fengzhi's foxy smile, feeling a lingering suspicion that he was plotting something against him.
Ning Fengzhi nodded, then suddenly asked, "Did you know something was lost in the sect yesterday?"
Li Tianyi remained calm, feigning surprise. "How could that be? Who would dare to come to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and lose something?"
Ning Fengzhi's shrewd eyes glared at Li Tianyi suspiciously, then quickly changed the subject, saying, "It's lost, so be it. It's no big deal."
Hearing the other person's nonchalant tone, Li Tianyi felt a sense of relief.
He wasn't afraid of being held accountable, but rather of being discovered to have stolen the chicken. What a shame!
Would it be unacceptable for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's senior brother to steal a chicken late at night?
"Xiaotian, remember what I promised you yesterday?"
"Hmm?" "
There's an auction tonight in Qibao City. I'll take you there to see it."
Li Tianyi nodded. As a newcomer, he was filled with curiosity about auctions in this world.
How many people who've traveled through time have had lucky breaks at auctions?
What about himself? Li Tianyi couldn't help but feel excited.
The Qibao Auction House was located in the most prosperous area of Qibao City.
The massive golden semicircular archway showcased the auction house's grandeur and luxury.
The four uniformed girls standing on either side of the entrance were extremely graceful and beautiful. Their demeanor revealed they had been carefully selected to serve as receptionists.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi and Li Tianyi approach, the four uniformed girls simultaneously leaned forward, their soft voices echoing.
"Hello, Sect Master!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded in satisfaction, patted Li Tianyi on the shoulder, and said, "This is our sect's senior brother. From now on, seeing him will be like seeing me!"
Four beautiful girls looked at Li Tianyi, who stood there with a cold face. Surprise flashed in their eyes, and they bent forward, saying in unison, "Hello, senior brother!"
Ning Fengzhi noticed Li Tianyi's embarrassment and led him into the auction hall.
After the two men left, several girls stood straight, their lips moving.
"Is this the sect's legendary new senior brother?"
"He looks so small."
"No way! Don't you think the senior brother looks so manly?"
"Yes! He looks so cool with a cold face. Just my type."
"Go away! How could a senior brother of his status be interested in a youngster like you? Only someone like me would be." As the girls spoke, they straightened their proud postures.
"Bah, shameless."
"What are you four doing?" the voice of the woman in charge echoed from the venue.
The girls stuck out their tongues, not daring to speak any more.
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(End of this chapter)