The voice was a moment away in the distance.
The next second, it seemed to be right beside him.
Ding Ling looked toward the sound and saw an elderly man not far away on the ancient mountain path, his face glowing, his eyes fixed brightly on the roasted deer leg and dishes Ding Ling had made.
He kept shouting, āSo fragrant, so aromatic!ā
He walked very quickly.
Close enough.
Seeing more clearly now.
He had a long square face, a short beard beneath his chin, large coarse hands and feet, and his clothes were covered in patches but very neat, without a speck of dirt.
He held a green jade-like staff in his hand and carried a large vermilion lacquered gourd on his back.
Full of righteous qi.
Clearly someone extraordinary.
Especially when Ding Ling noticed he only had nine fingers, his heart couldnāt help but skip a beat, and a name suddenly surfaced in his mind: āNine-fingered Divine Beggar Hong Qigong!ā
āCould this be the Northern Beggar, one of the Five Extremes in the world?ā
Ding Ling glanced at the old man casually and stopped looking.
This man was extraordinary in demeanor, had nine fingers, and held an extraordinary bamboo staff; if Ding Ling couldnāt guess who he was, then he wouldnāt be a true player.
"Young man."
The old man came up to Ding Ling, although he was speaking to Ding Ling, his eyes were glued to the deer leg and dishes, obviously captivated by the food in his eyes, his heart:
"Could you let this old beggar taste this delicious food?!"
After speaking, he finally looked at Ding Ling and Little Dragon Girl, saying eagerly:
"Just a little bit."
"Ding Ling."
Being stared at by the old man, Little Dragon Girl blushed slightly, a bit embarrassed as she said:
"Why not give him some? Weāve made so much."
After suggesting that, feeling it might not be appropriate, she added: "I can eat a little less later."
She was inherently kind.
Always considerate of Ding Ling.
Naturally, Ding Ling couldnāt criticize her over a few dishes and besides, if it were Hong Qigong, he planned to use these dishes to tempt him.
Find a way for him to pass on his supreme skill.
Thinking this way, Ding Ling nodded, took out a short knife, cut a big piece of deer leg, picked up a plate of stir-fried pork, and gave the old man a pair of chopsticks, saying:
"Here."
"Generous!"
The old man was stunned for a moment, then gave Ding Ling and Little Dragon Girl a thumbs-up:
"You both are truly kind to let an old beggar eat such delicious food."
Ding Ling smiled without speaking.
Little Dragon Girl also smiled and said nothing.
Ding Ling and Little Dragon Girl continued to eat.
The old man mimicked them, sitting cross-legged on the grass; he began with some pork, and as he ate, he found it a refreshing taste with endless aftertaste.
Unable to resist quickly picking up food to eat.
The more he ate, the lingering fragrance intensified, mouth-watering!
Toward the end, he couldnāt stop his chopsticks, eating rapidly, almost swallowing his tongue.
"Delicious, delicious."
Finishing the pork, eating the deer leg with excitement, nearly moved to tears:
"Too good. This old beggar feels as if heās wasted the first half of his life!"
Heās a gourmet.
Like a traveler, seeing the most beautiful scenery in the world, emotional tears welled up in his eyes.
Just as emotional now.
Purely unable to suppress his surging, excited emotions within.
"Why didnāt I meet you two young people earlier? If I had encountered you sooner, my life wouldnāt have been so empty."
He sighed, his eyes still fixed on Ding Lingās other dishes.
Little Dragon Girl was taken aback.
Ding Ling, however, handed him another bowl of food and cut another big piece of deer leg.
"How could I accept this?!"
The old man blushed slightly, said so, but truly couldnāt resist in front of such fine food;
"Young man, then I wonāt stand on ceremony."
Before his words fallen.
He already started eating again, speaking unclearly as he ate:
"Perfect in color and taste, rich but not greasy, countless times tastier than the delicacies Iāve had before. What even Immortal Gods in heaven eat must be like this."
Little Dragon Girl watched and listened beside him, unable to help feeling proud.
This was her husbandās cooking!
"Who made it?"
The old man asked.
Little Dragon Girl immediately replied:
"My husband did."
Her face alight with blush, she said proudly:
"Regardless of the dish, meat or vegetable, heās excellent, making them irresistible. Since I started eating my husbandās cooking, I canāt stomach anyone elseās dishes."
Her testimonial prompted the old manās heart to surge, and he couldnāt help but saying:
"Oh?! Even vegetable dishes are this good?!"
"Naturally."
Little Dragon Girlās voice was as clear as a mountain spring flowing through dense forest, quite pleasing:
"This cannot be faked."
"Makes sense."
The old manās eyes burned with anticipation, heart scorching, hoping:
"Young man, can you teach me..."
He was uncertain how to express it.
Ding Ling said, "Speak plainly."
Seeing Ding Lingās forthrightness, the old man steeled himself and uttered: "Will you teach me your culinary supreme skills?"
"Sure."
"Really?!"
The old man initially couldnāt believe it, but after confirming multiple times, he was elated, laughing heartily toward the sky:
"Hahaha, this old beggar will have a feast for the rest of his days."
Ding Ling smiled.
After the three were full, they went hunting again.
Then Ding Ling began teaching the old man his supreme skill.
The old man had an extraordinary talent, learning quickly.
After just a short session.
He gained a basic understanding of grilling.
But still struggled with the essence.
Ding Lingās Full Level Chef God skill captured the culinary essence of the real world, Three Kingdoms World, and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer World.
It could definitely be said.
His culinary skill was top-notch.
Guiding, teaching the old man was naturally nothing difficult.
But mastering it in short order was absolutely impossible.
The old man suddenly slapped his thigh, remembering an urgent matter and said:
"Oh no! I forgot the Five Uglies of Tibet!"
"Whatās wrong?"
Ding Ling glanced sideways.
The old man had spent several hours with Ding Ling, perceiving Ding Lingās generosity, goodness, and kindness, his recognition had risen to the highest level.
Not long ago.
Ding Ling heard a notification sound.
[Received E-level Achievement Medal: You have gained high recognition from Nine-fingered Divine Beggar Hong Qigong.]
[Note: Hong Qigong was extraordinarily chivalrous but exceedingly greedy. He tasted countless delicacies across Great River, the Jiangnan, and Tibetan Border. He tired of familiar foods and made unheard-of dishes himself.
His research, passion for cuisine is deep-rooted.
And you conquered him with your Full Level Chef God skill!
Your character, amiable attitude, also earned his preliminary recognition!
Little Dragon Girlās innocence and kindness further convinced him of your goodness. Otherwise, how could you have such a virtuous, pure-hearted wife?
Little Dragon Girlās disposition and character elevated his recognition of you further.
Your unselfish teaching of supreme skills moved him deeply! His commendation, admiration reached the utmost!]
Hearing this notification.
Ding Ling knew it was time.
Seeing Hong Qigong mention the Five Uglies of Tibet, Ding Ling seized the opportunity, saying:
"Sir, if you have urgent matters, you can leave at once. If destiny allows, I will surely pass onto you the supreme skill of crafting vegetarian dishes."
"This..."
Hong Qigong felt quite embarrassed, couldnāt resist asking:
"Young man, what reward do you want?"
"Reward?"
Ding Ling glanced at Little Dragon Girl.
Little Dragon Girl hesitated, then understood, immediately said:
"If sir has any supreme skill, could you teach it to my husband? Heās obsessed with Martial Dao, can learn anything quickly and with proficiency.
He is indeed a rare teacher. If sir could guide him a little, that would be excellent."
Little Dragon Girl truly offered a divine help again.
Ding Ling secretly praised Little Dragon Girl, thinking it was right to teach her these things over time. Now, theyāre immediately useful.