Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’ Chapter 711: The Cultivation Insights of a Genius√

The autumn afternoon turned increasingly crisp, with leaves rustling softly under the influence of a cool breeze.

Inside the bright, tidy kitchen, Ying Bing sat with a serene yet focused expression, her eyes narrowed in quiet determination. She appeared to be on the verge of uncovering some divine technique or a mystical recipe.

Tian Xun found herself drawn in by this intense aura. With a serious look on her small face, she asked,

“What does Young Hero Li love to eat the most?”

“.....”

“Ice Sister?”

“Oh... he has a good appetite and isn't picky at all. Lately, he’s been eating quite a lot.”

Ying Bing spoke while crossing her arms, fighting back the strange sensation that came with preparing what felt like baby food.

“And what about your preferences, Ice Sister?”

“I like sour and spicy flavors.”

Tian Xun squinted thoughtfully. “In that case, let’s prepare a spicy and sour stew for him.”

“Li Mo has made that before,” Ying Bing replied, tilting her head as she tried to recall the dish.

“Young Hero Li is also skilled in cooking?”

Tian Xun’s eyes sparkled, as if a competitive spark had been struck within her.

“Since we are both chefs, I must display my signature skills and let Young Hero Li experience the finest cuisine of East Lin!”

Beyond being a disciple of the Yantian Sect, Tian Xun held another identity—she was the daughter of the owner of Haiyue Pavilion in East Lin. It was the largest and most prestigious restaurant in the region, where many legendary figures had left their mark.

It was a very popular location for social media check-ins.

Regardless, the point was that Tian Xun had been obsessed with culinary arts since she was a child. Even though her father insisted she pursue a broader path, she had secretly amassed a collection of rare ingredients.

“Ice Sister, if you learn this from me, it will be perfect.”

“Okay, okay. What is our first step?”

Ying Bing nodded slightly, paying close attention.

“Now that the dish is decided, we must prepare the ingredients.”

Tian Xun retrieved a jar from her Xumi artifact.

As the lid was opened, a potent aroma made Ying Bing wrinkle her nose.

“What is this?”

“Ancient vinegar from the Shang Dynasty. My father treasures it deeply, only bringing it out for special occasions.”

“When would those be?”

“For instance, the last time a distinguished guest visited our restaurant and ordered nine dishes in a row, complaining that none suited his palate and criticizing everything. My father personally prepared a dish using this ancient vinegar. The guest’s expression shifted instantly, and he departed without finishing—likely completely convinced.”

East Lin was crowded with restaurants, and rivals often arrived to find fault.

Whenever her father stepped in, his culinary prowess won them over, and the seasonings he utilized were nothing short of miraculous.

“Uh... I think I forgot to bring the chili peppers,” Tian Xun said, scratching her head.

“I have some here. We should use less this time. I went a bit overboard recently.”

“How long did you let them simmer?”

“Ten seconds.”

“Let’s try eight seconds this time; it should be fine.”

Tian Xun took a gentle sniff of the Black Death Wood oil, and goosebumps broke out across her skin.

Hmm, perhaps just five seconds would be better.

“Ice Sister, could you please slice these potatoes? Be gentle, or they might explode.”

“Potatoes can explode?”

“Haha, this is a very rare ingredient called Potato Landmines. They were given to me by my father as a prized possession. Today is finally their time to shine.”

On that day, Tian Xun had departed in such a rush that she failed to hear her father's parting words.

“If you encounter villains, just throw these at them.”

It was a well-known fact that the Empress Palace Mistress possessed exceptional insight—to the point where describing her as an expert in everything from astronomy to geography was no exaggeration.

Except when it came to cooking ingredients.

Next, Tian Xun taught with great seriousness while Ying Bing operated with total concentration. Everything appeared to be progressing unusually smoothly.

“While I wait for Young Hero Li’s surprise, I’ll interview him,” Tian Xun thought cheerfully, eager to go above and beyond her task.

......

“Mom took Grandpa and Grandma to the market today, so Ying Bing is the one preparing the surprise for me.”

Little Li sat in the front courtyard lost in thought, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips. “I hope it isn't the kind of surprise my parents wouldn't want me to see.”

The thought made him feel a bit excited.

“Hey, by the way, where did Clan Leader Shang and Sect Leader Qin go?”

Li Mo paused suddenly, realizing that the courtyard, which had been bustling moments ago, was now silent except for Old Huang tinkering nearby.

He still needed to speak with them.

“No idea,” Huang Donglai replied without looking up, fully absorbed in studying the methods of internal realm Cultivation. He hadn't noticed when they left.

“Even Tian Miao is gone. That's strange.”

Li Mo was confused. Since Ying Bing was preparing a surprise, how could Clan Leader Shang miss such an event?

He soon discovered the reason.

A short while later.

“Hiss…”

Huang Donglai suddenly bolted upright, alert and tense as if facing a mortal foe, his entire body strained to the limit.

“Old Huang, have you figured out how to break through to the next realm?”

“No, that's not it. I just have an unprecedented, overwhelming sense of crisis!”

Huang Donglai’s instincts regarding danger were always incredibly sharp.

“Oh?”

Li Mo also stood up, his expression turning grave. Huang would never fabricate such a feeling.

But this was their home beneath Qingyuan, and Qin Yuzhi, a Seventh Realm expert, was right there.

What kind of threat could trigger such an explosive sense of crisis in Old Huang?

Li Mo frowned, unable to find an answer.

They exchanged a meaningful look, their understanding clear without speaking.

Suddenly, the sound of two soft footsteps echoed at the door. Huang Donglai let out a low growl, “Brother Li, combo attack!”

“Got it!”

“?”

Ying Bing and Tian Xun entered the courtyard carrying a large pot, only to see Li Mo riding on Huang Donglai’s back, the two of them forming a ‘bin’ character.

“What is this?”

Tian Xun blinked, looking confused.

“This is... their combined attack mark, their bond or something like that,” Ying Bing explained helplessly.

“.....” Tian Xun opened her mouth but remained silent.

The bond between Li Mo and his companions: Check.

But how was she supposed to record this on the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Wind and Cloud Rankings?

“Ying Bing?”

Li Mo was stunned. Why was she the one walking in?

Wait...

“Stop playing around, come and eat,” Ying Bing said, setting the pot down and gesturing with a gentle smile.

Li Mo swallowed hard.

His mount-brother’s knees suddenly buckled, and he was gently lowered to the ground.

So... that was the source of the crisis.

So... this was the surprise?

“I taught Sister Ying how to cook this, come have a taste,” Tian Xun said.

When the lid was lifted, the stew inside was unexpectedly colorful, releasing a fragrant, sour, and spicy scent. With meat and vegetables combined in one dish, the smell alone was enough to make one’s mouth water.

It looked... perfectly normal?

Li Mo glanced toward Huang Donglai.

He saw his mount-brother staring blankly, his eyes devoid of thought.

It seemed Old Huang’s sense of crisis was mistaken this time, which explained his dazed state.

And indeed, Tian Xun was the successor of the Donglin Pavilion; the dishes she taught... should be perfect, right?

“Go ahead and try it,” Ying Bing said softly, offering him the chopsticks.

“...Alright.”

Li Mo swallowed nervously, but eventually, he nodded and reached for a piece of potato.