The next day.

The last day of the year 537 of the World Calendar.

Afternoon.

There was a banquet this evening, but Lin Guang was not preparing the evening meal in his villa.

Because, before that, he had other things to do.

When Remyu fetched Zumama and Liko to the 999th floor of the Vast Sea Secret Realm, Lin Guang quietly left alone.

He arrived at the campus of Longteng University, then skillfully made his way to the top floor of the first teaching building, and stood before that ancient redwood door.

Today was not a class day, so he specially knocked on the door.

"Teacher, it's me."

After waiting for more than ten seconds, he pushed the door open as usual and went in.

The scene before him instantly transformed as always, the dim study turned into that familiar, ancient pavilion halfway up the mountain.

The art table was still there. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"…What are you here for today?"

That cool and lazy voice finally echoed in the valley, albeit with a hint of puzzlement.

Lin Guang looked up at the sky.

"I think I might have an idea on painting the unseen."

"...…"

The voice came back faintly: "Such lofty aims aren't a good habit."

Lin Guang chuckled silently, not arguing.

"And then, I wanted to make something for you."

"...…"

He didn't wait for a response, nor did he pick up the brush, but instead used his finger as the pen and his spiritual power as the ink to start drawing.

Before long, a black iron pot, a sharp kitchen knife, a chopping board, and a small clay stove formed solidly from the illusory lines, appearing in the pavilion.

"...…"

Lin Guang set up the drawn kitchen tools, and then took out various fresh spiritual materials from his art space.

His hands lit up with the color of the starry river.

The next moment, the Samadhi True Fire spontaneously ignited in the stove.

The essence of the Butcher's Heart was fully displayed as he sliced the ingredients.

The newly invested two starlights by the cultivator brightened the secondary talents of Flavor Repository and Food Spirit Secret Manual, working together to enhance the taste and the ether, spirituality, and nutrition within to the pinnacle.

It was all in preparation for the upcoming third-level Hand of Full Mastery, also marking Lin Guang's further sublimation in the culinary arts.

Lin Guang said nothing, focusing solely on the cooking at hand.

Soon.

Over a dozen sumptuous dishes were served, along with a small pot of warming yellow wine.

He placed these meticulously prepared dishes, along with bowls, chopsticks, and wine cups, on an exquisite large tray.

Then, he finally looked up, softly speaking to the empty pavilion:

"Teacher, happy New Year."

With that, he used his spiritual power to hold up the tray, waiting for a response.

The voice echoed faintly again: "...New Year of the new calendar? I never celebrate such things."

Lin Guang smiled: "Then for the old calendar New Year, I'll come again."

"...…"

The other voice said no more.

Only the tray carrying the dishes disappeared silently as if merging into the water.

...

In the dim and cluttered studio, the flame of the oil lamp flickered quietly.

The woman remained with her back to the entrance, sitting before the large art table.

Suddenly, before her, on that pristine piece of rice paper, a tray filled with over a dozen steaming dishes and a pot of warm wine appeared out of nowhere.

The aroma, full of earthly life, warm and intricate, instantly filled the studio. The eternally cold ink scent seemed to be dispelled.

The woman's hand, holding the brush, paused.

This time, her pause was exceptionally long.

She slowly lowered her gaze, looking at those over a dozen dishes.

Undoubtedly a master chef.

Lin Guang's culinary skills were in no way inferior to his painting skills after inheriting, concealed within a kind of earthly life familiar to her.

In an instant, those unchanged red pupils, like an ancient well, seemed to flash with a glimmer of remembrance.

Only after a long while.

Did she finally move?

That inhuman right hand, covered with dark blue dragon patterns, slowly stretched out, picking up the clean chopsticks.

The cuisine seemed to come from all over, with flavors from everywhere.

However, she first took a piece of the fiery red dish, not the richly glazed braised pork.

She raised her slender hand, seemingly painted with green dye, used the chopsticks to pick up a slice of fish soaked in red oil, looking incredibly spicy, and after a slight hesitation, put it into her mouth.

The next moment, a tiny but cute crack appeared in her seemingly frost-bound expression.

Her eyes widened slightly, a faint blush emerged on her fair cheeks, and she involuntarily let out a soft "hiss," extending a hint of her pink tongue to quickly lick her lips, trying to alleviate the sudden spicy sensation.

"...…"

She also seemed to find it amusing, smiling and shaking her head, with a smile that was part helpless, part nostalgic, and a tinge of faint bitterness that even she did not realize.

Then, she reached out to hold the still warm wine cup.

She raised the cup to her lips, speaking to the empty darkness with her usual lazy and cool tone, softly saying:

"...Happy New Year."

Straight after, she drank it all in one go.

......

When Lin Guang returned to the valley, the sky had already darkened.

When he returned home, the six had already started noisily doing what needed doing in the villa.