Fang Cheng felt a slight stir in his heart and took steps toward the kitchen. In the kitchen, Dong Yunchuan was tying an apron, holding a kitchen knife, aiming it at a piece of pork belly on the cutting board. He was muttering to himself, exuding the demeanor of a chef about to showcase his skills. "Uncle Dong, let me help you." Fang Cheng walked over. "No need, just wait to eat." Dong Yunchuan didn’t even lift his head, his voice brimming with confidence. Fang Cheng smiled and didn’t insist further. Instead, he picked up a freshly descaled grouper from the sink nearby and asked: "How are you planning to cook this fish?" "Braised, my specialty!" Dong Yunchuan patted his chest with assurance. "The fish needs to be scored first for better flavor absorption." Saying this, Fang Cheng casually picked up another clean kitchen knife from the cutting board. Then, he gently held the slippery fish with his left hand, and with a flick of his right wrist, there was a flash of cold light. A light "swish swish swish" sound was heard. In just a couple of seconds, he smoothly returned the knife to its original position. Dong Yunchuan curiously leaned over for a look and was instantly dumbfounded. The fish was evenly scored with multiple cuts at some point without him noticing. The depth, length, and even the angle of the fish skin being sliced were almost completely uniform. Google seaʀᴄh novel fire.net As if it had been measured and cut with the most precise instrument, it was a masterpiece. "This knife skill... Where did you learn it?" Dong Yunchuan asked in surprise. "When I graduated from college, I worked in the kitchen as an assistant." Fang Cheng casually explained. Zhang Haixiang, who had just walked in carrying a processed chicken, heard the commotion and came over for a look, exclaiming in wonder. In the time that followed, the leadership in the kitchen subtly changed hands. Fang Cheng didn’t hold back and directly took over the stove. Cutting vegetables, seasoning, tossing the pan, and adjusting the flavor — every action was smooth and fluid, faintly embodying a peculiar rhythmic sense and muscle control. It was as if he wasn’t cooking but rather performing a set of exquisite martial arts moves. The heavy iron wok in his hands felt as light as a feather. With each stir-fry, the dishes within the pot traced a perfect parabola in the air, landing securely with not a single drop of sauce spilled. Dong Yunchuan, who prided himself on his Cooking Skill, could only stand aside, assisting wholeheartedly. He gradually got used to the successive surprises and became almost numb. There’s no helping it; this kid was just too exceptional. He naturally thought: people with Talent are ; when you’re proficient in one field, you’re proficient in all fields. It’s something ordinary people simply can’t compare to. After more than half an hour, a sumptuous luncheon was laid on the large round table in the hall. The braised grouper was vibrant and aromatic; the spicy chicken cubes were numbing and delicious, whetting one’s appetite. Additionally, there were several wild delicacies, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, meticulously crafted and golden in color. Though not numerous, each dish was fragrant and exquisite, like it came from a chef at a star-rated hotel. Meanwhile, Ma Jianguo had returned from the back mountain, wearing his usual harmonious smile. Clearly, Ma Donghe must have caused only a minor problem, nothing serious. As the host and chairman, he raised a glass in toast: "Today is a joyous day for our Martial Arts Research Association, thanks to Fang Cheng. Enjoy the food and drinks, everyone, don’t stand on ceremony!" "Come, come, taste it. This is all handmade by the future pillar of our Martial Arts Research Association!" Dong Yunchuan was the first to pick up his chopsticks, although the head chef position was snatched, his pride at this moment was even greater than when he cooked himself. Everyone was informal, casually sitting and starting to eat, picking up the dishes and sending them to their mouths. "Mm, delicious! This fish is crispy on the outside and tender inside, the sauce has seeped right into the bones!" "This chicken, perfectly timed, a bit more would be overcooked, a bit less would be raw, incredible!" Fang Cheng smiled slightly as he looked at the prompt information appearing before him. [Cooking Skill Experience +20] [Cooking Skill lv1 (168/250)] How could it not taste good? To organize this feast, he applied the subtle force control techniques taught by various masters to perfect the timing, each stir-fry’s strength just right. The growth in Cooking Skill Experience naturally was faster than usual, directly boosting significantly. The elders couldn’t stop praising, and the atmosphere at the dinner table became increasingly lively. Everyone raised their glasses and exchanged stories about the martial arts world, their children and grandchildren, and their hopes for the future. It was a joyful gathering. The meal went on joyfully until two in the afternoon. Afterwards, everyone gathered in the courtyard to drink tea and digest the food, chatting for a long time. It wasn’t until the sun began to set in the west and the sky turned dark that Fang Cheng rose to say goodbye. The other elders also started to lose interest and began to bid farewell, preparing to leave. Just as Fang Cheng was about to get into the SUV, Ma Jianguo suddenly called out to him. The Tai Chi Boxing Master looked at Fang Cheng with a solemn expression at this moment. "There were some things I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier. When you first started practicing Qigong, I warned you that you were just laying the foundations, and it was harmful to delve into the ’Visualization Method’ too soon." "But now it seems..." He changed the tone, gazing at him with deep anticipation. "With your current foundation and mindset, perhaps you might be ready to approach this high-level spiritual cultivation technique ahead of time." Fang Cheng’s heart was stirred. Regarding the Visualization Method, he had indeed thought about how to broach the topic with Ma Jianguo. However, he had secret concerns about the Memory Palace on his spiritual level, as well as some hidden peculiarities. He worried about unintentionally revealing them during training, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings, which is why he hadn’t spoken up. "However, before doing that, you need to be well-prepared." Unaware of Fang Cheng’s thoughts, Ma Jianguo then meticulously instructed: "When you return, don’t rush into it. It’s best to change clothes and bathe, and meditate sitting quietly for two hours each morning and evening, maintaining this for around a week to completely calm your mind, free from external thoughts and impurities." "Only when your entire body and mind reach the purest and most peaceful state should you come to me to attempt the Visualization Method training, for then you could achieve twice the result with half the effort." Upon hearing these familiar four words, Fang Cheng’s expression turned somewhat peculiar. This weekend, a plan against the Noah Organization may unfold at any moment. He still planned to play a role in the bloody game and wreak havoc. Despite his internal complaints, he nodded earnestly on the surface. After all, he was very curious about what differences the so-called "Visualization Method" might have from his meditation. Fang Cheng thanked him again, smiling and waving goodbye to everyone. Then he drove away from Tianxin Village in his black SUV, under Ma Jianguo’s comforting gaze. The car wheels kicked up dust as the village road faded away. In the rearview mirror, Fang Cheng’s face was clearly reflected. The gentle smile had long vanished, replaced by a cold sternness. The SUV merged into the main road of the suburbs, and the traffic began to grow denser. The city’s silhouette emerged in the dusk. Pinpricks of light began to illuminate, replacing the sunset’s afterglow, painting the sky with an enchanting hue. Fang Cheng held the steering wheel with one hand, took out his phone from his bag, and glanced at it. The call log was empty, with no missed calls. "It’s already Saturday; hasn’t Cheng Jiashu made any moves yet?" With a slight frown, Fang Cheng felt a bit disappointed. The night quietly descended at this moment, swallowing the last trace of sunset glow beneath the horizon. When the vehicle drove into the underground garage of Sea Sky Garden, it was already entirely dark outside. With a "click," the door closed behind him. Returning home, he was greeted by pure darkness and silence. Fang Cheng didn’t turn on the lights, casually tossed his bag onto the sofa, and sat down himself, sinking into the soft leather cushions. His eyes flickered slightly in the dark as if brewing electricity within. After sitting for a moment, he slowly closed his eyes. His entire being condensed to an extreme focus, seemingly merging with the surrounding darkness. Fang Cheng submerged his consciousness deep into his mind, reaching out to the floating golden orb in the Memory Palace. His spiritual power extended like an invisible thread, instantly traversing the city’s steel and concrete, through countless noises and crowds. Ultimately, it precisely locked onto a familiar mental coordinate. At the moment of successful connection, a surge of bustling pop music and noisy voices flooded his mind. The perspective switched in an instant. Through the other’s pupils, the surrounding crowds surged, traffic flowed like weaving, all situated in a bustling commercial street. Ahead, several skyscrapers stood tall, with glass curtain walls broadcasting commercials, casting dazzling lights that almost illuminated half the night sky. Fang Cheng steadied his mind, and his consciousness condensed into a voice within the target’s mind: "Ah Ren, any news from Noah Pharmaceutical?"
