Chapter 48: Crisp Peaches and Crisp Melons Are the Best
Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Crisp Peaches and Crisp Melons Are the Best
These fruits all had the effect of clearing the mind and improving vision. They were good for ordinary people’s health, so there was definitely a market for them.
Lu Wu decided to prepare six flavors of ice powder this time.
’As for the more bizarre flavor pairings... I’m not sure if customers will go for them.’ But with normal combinations like mango ice powder to fall back on, Lu Wu wasn’t worried about failing her mission.
Purchasing the fruit was the main expense, but the powder for making the ice powder itself was the most crucial ingredient of all.
It was a type of seed from the False Sourpulp plant. Even though the environment was different, it could still be found in the Green Origin Realm.
She also needed to buy some nuts, milk, and coconut milk as toppings.
Lu Wu had never been to the Fire Secret Realm, but she had read plenty of novels, and the Green Origin Realm had its own share of adventure tales.
In these kinds of Secret Realms, you might not be able to leave until a certain amount of time had passed.
To avoid running out of ingredients midway, Lu Wu bought a large quantity of everything and stocked up on extra fruit, only stopping when her storage bag was nearly bursting.
Lu Wu returned from her shopping spree, laden with goods.
She had barely been back inside for a moment when she heard a knock... no, a rap on the wall.
Ignoring the door and hopping the wall instead—that was Uncle Li for you, old in age but young at heart.
After getting Lu Wu’s go-ahead, Uncle Li landed in the small courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back.
He had the perfect bearing of a master, but Lu Wu wasn’t fooled.
"Haven’t gone to bed yet?"
Uncle Li said, trying to start a conversation.
Lu Wu glanced at the blazing sun overhead, skeptical.
’Did the old man eat something bad? Is he delirious?’
"I couldn’t nap this afternoon, so I went out for a walk and did some shopping."
Lu Wu decided to play along with Uncle Li.
’The old man has to save face, after all.’
Hearing that Lu Wu had been shopping, Uncle Li glanced at her storage bag, dying to ask what delicious food she planned to sell at her stall next.
But there was a more important matter at hand. Uncle Li reined in his gluttonous thoughts and put on a serious expression.
"Lass, a Secret Realm is about to open. Do you want to go take a look around?"
"I hear there’s a lot of good stuff inside."
Uncle Li leaned closer to Lu Wu and lowered his voice. Even though he was talking about something good, his expression made him look a bit like a thief.
"A Secret Realm?"
"What kind of Secret Realm?"
She was curious about the Secret Realms of the Green Origin Realm, but she was also well aware of her own abilities.
With her level of cultivation, entering a Secret Realm would basically be serving herself up on a platter.
’The will is there, but not the strength.’
At that thought, the light in Lu Wu’s eyes dimmed.
"The Fire Secret Realm."
"I know what you’re worried about, but don’t you worry. I’ve arranged everything. You’ll have an escort to protect you, I guarantee you’ll be completely safe once you’re inside."
"Besides, anything you find in the Secret Realm this time is yours to keep."
"And if anyone gives you trouble, I’ll teach them a lesson for you."
Uncle Li promised. In his eyes, Lu Wu was a beloved junior.
His wife had passed away long ago, and he had no children of his own.
He had been lonely for the latter half of his life until he met Lu Wu. As they spent time together, he realized what a good kid she was. Her heart was pure, free of the mercenary scheming typical of other Cultivators in the Green Origin Realm.
And crucially, the child’s incredible cooking skills had captured the heart of an old monster like him who had lived for far too long.
Uncle Li genuinely saw Lu Wu as one of his own.
With an opportunity like this, he naturally hoped Lu Wu could get some good things out of it.
Uncle Li told Lu Wu his plan.
Those two, Qin Zhan and Lou Xiaotian, were no simpletons. They would be more than enough to protect the little lass.
As for Lu Wu, upon hearing the name ’Fire Secret Realm,’ her gaze grew distant.
’She couldn’t help but feel that Uncle Li was just like an NPC from a video game, appearing at a crucial moment to give her a quest to unlock the next stage.’
’A quest lay before her. Of course she had to accept.’
"I trust you, Grandpa Li. I’ll follow all your arrangements."
Lu Wu’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes still as clear as water.
She wanted to go, and she wasn’t going to be coy about it.
"Good girl."
Uncle Li patted Lu Wu’s head. His gentle, doting gesture made Lu Wu lower her gaze, hiding the slight redness welling in the corners of her eyes.
From the terror of her initial arrival to finally gaining a foothold in the Green Origin Realm, Uncle Li had been the one guiding her through it all.
She knew very well that her adoring foodie customers probably couldn’t offer much help in a real crisis.
’It’s better to rely on yourself than on others.’
She had to seize this opportunity.
And she had to repay Grandpa Li’s kindness.
Rubbing her stinging eyes, Lu Wu looked up and smiled.
"I’ll be gone for a few days on this trip, Grandpa Li. Let me make you something delicious to eat while I’m away."
Uncle Li had mentioned he couldn’t enter this Secret Realm.
Recalling the plots of novels she’d read, it wasn’t hard to guess why.
So, she planned to prepare some of that refreshing ice powder in advance, so Grandpa Li would have something to eat every day.
"Ah, that sounds wonderful."
Uncle Li hadn’t come just for the food, but if the little lass wanted to show her appreciation, he would certainly accept.
Uncle Li had seen plenty of strange and wonderful things in his time, but he had truly never seen what the little lass was making now.
"It’s called ice powder. I’m making a fruit-flavored version."
Seeing Uncle Li’s childlike curiosity, Lu Wu smiled faintly.
’This way of eating it hasn’t been invented in the Green Origin Realm yet.’
The method for making ice powder was actually quite simple.
Lu Wu poured the ice powder into a pot, adding a little white sugar to enhance the base flavor.
She added the right amount of water, stirred until it dissolved, and brought it to a boil.
On the surface, it just looked like a pot of sugar water. Uncle Li pondered for a moment; he felt this wasn’t nearly as appealing as her previous buns and pork knuckles.
"Is this really going to be good?"
Uncle Li muttered, for once doubting Lu Wu’s culinary skills.
It didn’t really have a scent, and it looked so watery. ’Am I just supposed to drink this until I’m full?’
"I’m only just getting started,"
Lu Wu said with an amused laugh.
While it came to a boil, Lu Wu took out several kinds of fruit.
You had to admit, the fruits of the Green Origin Realm had an incredibly rich, natural aroma.
A single mango was the size of a washbasin and could be cut into many pieces. Its flesh was a brilliant gold, with almost no visible fibers.
Lu Wu tried a piece. It was very sweet, with a strong mango flavor and no astringency.
Uncle Li also snuck a few pieces to satisfy his own craving.
After washing the fuzz off the fist-sized honey peaches, Lu Wu peeled and sliced them.
Lu Wu loved honey peaches. Not only were they juicy and succulent, but their unique, fragrant, and crisp sweetness was one of a kind among fruits.
They were purely sweet, with no trace of sourness.
The watermelon, however, was an even more pleasant surprise.
It was a seedless watermelon, but not because of any modern technology or artificial additives. The massive, crisp red flesh split open with just a light touch of the knife.
Watermelon was great for quenching thirst, though it was easy to get full from all the water content.
Crisp peaches and crisp melons are the best!
Fight me if you disagree!
Seeing Uncle Li’s disdainful expression, Lu Wu decided not to use the other three types of fruit.
"Don’t eat too much, or you won’t have room for the main event."
Lu Wu shelled some hazelnuts and walnuts, crushing them and placing them in a small bowl.
By now, the ice powder mixture was ready.
She poured it into a flat-bottomed container.
"This needs to cool and solidify before we can use it."
Lu Wu explained to Grandpa Li.
In the Green Origin Realm, however, there was no need to wait.
She channeled her Spiritual Power, and a fine ice mist enveloped the container. The liquid’s temperature plummeted, and within moments, it began to congeal.
When Lu Wu revealed the container again, the ice powder inside had already set.
Its sparkling, translucent appearance was like a flawless crystal.