Chapter 417: Chapter 146: The Might of Thunder, Awing the Heroes with a Fist and a Saber; Fusion of the Nine Tribulations Blood Prison Saber and the Twelve True Forms Fist

"Twelve True Forms Fist!"

Chu Fan slowly opened his eyes, visions of roaring divine beasts, spreading frost, and the flowing Yellow Springs flashing through them before vanishing in an instant.

He could clearly sense it. ’This new Martial Art combines the shifting forms of intent, the chill of the endless night, and the deathly aura of the Yellow Springs. Its profundity and power probably surpass even the Nine Tribulations Blood Prison Saber!’

Ignoring his fatigue, Chu Fan swallowed a Body Refining Elixir and began to train ferociously in the Twelve True Forms Fist.

As the wind from his fists howled, he was at times like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, utterly unstoppable.

At other times, he would summon Cold Qi, condensing frost and forming ice.

And with every shift of his fingers and palms, he exuded the faint, deathly stillness of the Yellow Springs, a display of extraordinary profundity.

Just as he was fully immersed in the mental realm of his fist technique, the sound of extremely light and somewhat hesitant footsteps came from the edge of the Martial Arts Arena.

Chu Fan stopped his practice and looked toward the sound, only to see a graceful figure standing quietly where the moonlight met the lantern light. It was Li Qingxue.

"Senior Sister?"

Chu Fan was slightly surprised; it was already late at night.

Under the dim lantern light, Li Qingxue wore a simple, clean practice uniform, which accentuated her slender yet agile figure.

Her usually cool and distant face seemed to be tinged with a faint blush in the flickering light, but because the light was dim, Chu Fan didn’t notice this subtle change.

He saw her carrying an exquisitely designed three-tiered food box, walking slowly towards him.

"Senior Sister?"

Chu Fan called out again, truly unable to imagine why Li Qingxue would come here so late at night.

Zhao Tianxing, who was training nearby, brightened. He sniffed the air loudly and immediately ran over, yelling, "Senior Sister! Your timing is perfect! I’m so hungry my stomach was about to eat itself!"

Li Qingxue gave a small smile and didn’t say much. She just walked to the stone table at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena meant for resting, gently set down the food box, and opened the three lids one by one.

Instantly, a tempting aroma—a mix of the fresh scent of Spirit Plants and the rich smell of meat—filled the air, immediately overwhelming the smell of sweat and dust in the Martial Arts Arena and making one’s mouth water.

The first tier held several delicate snacks.

There were Crystal Lotus Cakes, the cakes themselves as clear as a frozen spring, containing pale pink flower petals and giving off an elegant lotus fragrance.

There were Golden Honey Jujube Tea Cups, which were pitted jujubes filled with crushed nuts from Spirit Plants, coated in glistening honey that stretched into fine golden threads when pulled.

There was also a dish of Jade Dew Pastries, whose flaky crusts were layered as thin as a cicada’s wings, looking as if they would shatter at the slightest touch, with a single jade-green pine nut in the center.

The second tier was the main course, with two tureens of Hundred Herbs-Braised Spiritual Pheasant placed in the center.

Lifting the lids, a warm, rich steam billowed out to greet them.

The broth was as clear as tea yet dense with essence. A few pieces of Spiritual Pheasant, stewed to perfection, floated within, accompanied by warming spiritual medicines like goji berries and Solomon’s seal.

Beside it was a large platter of Charcoal-grilled Lamb Chops. They were made from Northern Snowfield Spirit Antelope Lamb, marinated simply with coarse salt and herbs, then charcoal-grilled until the outside was crisp and the inside tender. The rendered fat gave off a primal, tempting, charred aroma.

"GULP."

Zhao Tianxing stared, his eyes wide, and swallowed hard. He rubbed his hands together and said, "Senior Sister, this... this is too sumptuous! It’s a hundred times better than the food in the dining hall!"

Chu Fan was also touched. He looked at Li Qingxue and said, "Senior Sister, you’ve gone to so much trouble."

Li Qingxue’s ears grew warm under their gazes. She turned her head slightly and said softly, "Training is hard, so it’s good to replenish your Primordial Energy. I just used my sect rations to trade for the ingredients and threw this together. You two... go on, eat while it’s hot."

Though she claimed to have just "thrown it together," the exquisite food box and the obvious care put into each dish were clearly anything but casual.

Zhao Tianxing couldn’t hold back any longer. With a quick word of thanks, he grabbed a lamb chop and took a huge bite.

It was so hot he hissed, but he still mumbled praise, "Mmmph... delicious! This is amazing!"

Chu Fan smiled, first ladling a bowl of Seven Treasures Spirit Rice Porridge and handing it to Li Qingxue: "Senior Sister, you should have some too."

Li Qingxue hesitated for a moment before accepting it. She took small bites, her eyes drifting to Chu Fan from time to time.

Chu Fan popped a piece of the Jade Shrimp into his mouth. It was sweet and succulent, with a pleasant firmness—cooked to perfection.

He then tasted the Hundred Herbs-Braised Spiritual Pheasant. The broth was exquisite, and the meat melted in his mouth. A gentle warmth spread through his entire body, nourishing the Primordial Energy he had expended during his training.

He couldn’t help but sigh, "I always knew Senior Sister’s Sword Technique was superb, but I never knew your cooking was this incredible."

Li Qingxue lowered her head to sip her porridge, hiding the joy in her eyes.

Under the moonlight, by the stone table, the three of them sat together.

Zhao Tianxing ate like a storm, devouring everything in sight;

Chu Fan ate slowly, savoring both the Spiritual Qi and the care put into the meal;

Li Qingxue sat quietly to the side, and as she watched them eat with such enjoyment, her normally cool expression unconsciously softened with a hint of satisfaction.

When the two had eaten their fill, Li Qingxue asked softly, "I... I didn’t disturb your training, did I?"

Her voice was softer than usual, hiding a subtle nervousness.

Beneath the table, her hands unconsciously tightened on the hem of her clothes. She had worked up the courage to come this late, afraid of disturbing him yet unable to suppress her desire to be closer to him.

"Of course not," Chu Fan smiled, casually wiping the sweat from his brow. "If you hadn’t come, Senior Sister, Tianxing and I would have forgotten to eat altogether."

Li Qingxue took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind. She looked up at Chu Fan, her gaze as calm as she could make it. "Chu Fan, I... I’d like to ask you to teach me the Seven-Star Bead Slash."

Chu Fan was taken aback.

Fearing he would refuse, Li Qingxue quickly added, "I’ve practiced this sword technique since I was a child and thought I had mastered its essence. But after seeing you perform it today... I finally understand that there are always new heights to reach. I want... I want to achieve a greater breakthrough."

Her words were a sincere request for guidance, but deep in her heart, she hid a deeper desire—to spend more time with him, to watch him, to hear him speak.

Chu Fan didn’t overthink it. He just saw his senior sister as diligent and eager to learn, and he felt a sense of admiration. He readily agreed, "Oh, I see. That’s not a problem at all."

He took a few steps to the side and unsheathed his long saber.

But just as he raised the saber and swung out the opening stance, his movement suddenly froze.

His brows furrowed slightly, as if he was contemplating something more important.

His sudden pause made Li Qingxue, who was full of anticipation, feel her heart clench.