Feeling significantly refreshed and with a clear plan forming in his mind, Lin Yun decided the bath had served its purpose. He rose from the water, droplets cascading down his skin.
He grabbed the rough, clean towel from the stool and wrapped it around his waist, tucking the end securely. His hair was a sopping wet mess, dripping onto his shoulders and the wooden floorboards.
He unbolted the door and stepped out into the cooler air of the bedroom, intending to find a cloth to dry himself properly.
Almost instantly, Yu Tao'er appeared, as if she had been waiting just outside. She took one look at him—dripping wet, towel around his waist—and her eyes widened slightly before she adopted a look of efficient purpose.
"Young Master, you'll catch a cold!" she chided gently, raising her right hand.
Before Lin Yun could utter a word of protest, a soft, warm energy washed over him. It wasn't a blast of air, but a gentle, pervasive wave of dry heat that emanated from her palm. It felt like stepping into a perfectly warmed room on a cold day.
He watched, utterly stunned, as the water beaded on his skin and hair simply vanished.
In the span of a single breath, his body and hair were completely, perfectly dry. Not a single damp spot remained. His skin felt smooth and warm, not parched or tight.
So that's how it's done, he thought, looking at his now-dry hands in amazement.
The sheer, mundane convenience of using Qi for everyday tasks was a revelation.
On Earth, this would have taken several minutes with a hairdryer and a lot of toweling. Here, it was a flick of spiritual energy. No wonder cultivators always look so put together, he thought with a hint of amusement.
His moment of wonder was cut short as Yu Tao'er bustled away and returned moments later holding a set of pristine white inner robes and undergarments. "Here you are, Young Master! Let me help you—"
"I've got it! Thank you, Tao'er!" Lin Yun said, perhaps a bit too quickly, snatching the clothes from her hands.
Yu Tao'er stood there, her hands hovering in the air where the clothes had been. A fresh wave of confusion washed over her face. Her Young Master was acting so strangely today. First refusing a bath scrub, now dressing himself? He usually just stood there with his arms out, expecting her to do everything.
Lin Yun hurriedly dressed, fumbling slightly with the unfamiliar ties and fastenings of the robes. Finally decent, he turned back around. Yu Tao'er was still staring at him, her head tilted.
"Is... is everything truly alright, Young Master?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "You seem... different."
"Just a lot on my mind after the accident," Lin Yun deflected smoothly, offering a reassuring smile. "That's all. It's given me a new perspective."
Yu Tao'er seemed to accept this, though she still looked unsure. "Well... are you hungry? You missed the midday meal."
Growl…
As if on cue, Lin Yun's stomach gave a low, audible rumble. He blinked. So cultivators still needed to eat. It made sense; until one reached a high enough realm to draw all sustenance from spiritual energy, food was still necessary.
He placed a hand over his protesting stomach. "Actually, yes. I'm hungry."
A bright smile returned to Yu Tao'er's face, pleased to have a task she understood. "I'll prepare a meal right away! Go sit in the main room, Young Master!"
Lin Yun did as he was told, settling onto a cushion at the low table in the main room. He didn't have to wait long. Soon, Tao'er emerged from what must have been a small kitchen area, carrying a large tray laden with dishes.
The aromas that hit him were incredible. It was a symphony of savory, earthy, and subtly sweet scents that made his mouth water. Tao'er deftly set the dishes on the table.
Lin Yun's eyes widened. There was a plate of glistening, emerald-green vegetables that shimmered with a faint internal light—Jade Cabbage.
A bowl of steaming rice, each grain plump and pearlescent, emitting a gentle spiritual aura—Spirit Grain.
A small tureen of soup with chunks of what looked like radiant root vegetables, and a main dish of thinly sliced meat that seemed to be lightly seared, glistening with a savory glaze.
He had seen pixelated versions of these ingredients a million times in his game inventory. But this... this was real. The colors were more vibrant, the aromas more complex and tantalizing.
He picked up his chopsticks, his movements slightly clumsy with the unfamiliar utensils, though the body's muscle memory soon took over. He picked up a piece of the Jade Cabbage and took a bite.
A burst of fresh, clean flavor exploded on his tongue, followed by a faint, cooling energy that spread through his mouth and down his throat. It was incredibly delicious, far surpassing any vegetable he'd ever eaten on Earth.
He tried the spirit grain rice next. It was perfectly cooked, each grain distinct and chewy, carrying a wholesome, nutty flavor and a warm, comforting energy that settled in his stomach.
"This is amazing," he couldn't help but murmur, eating with a gusto the original Lin Yun had probably never displayed.
The food wasn't just nourishment; it was a low-grade form of cultivation in itself, replenishing his energy and soothing his recently traumatized body.
Yu Tao'er watched him eat, a small, satisfied smile on her face, though her eyes still held that strange look. "Young Master seems to have a good appetite today. Usually, you just pick at your food."
Lin Yun paused, a piece of meat halfway to his mouth. He had to be more careful. He couldn't change his personality overnight without raising suspicion.
"Ah, well, nearly dying gives you an appreciation for the simple things," he said, hoping it sounded like a joke.
Yu Tao'er nodded slowly, seemingly accepting the explanation. Then her expression grew a bit more serious. "Young Master, I... I took the liberty of sending a message to the Second Young Miss about the accident."
"You did what?" Lin Yun was stunned.
Through the flood of memories, the figure of his Second Sister, Lin Wanrou, materialized. She was a beautiful, fiery-tempered young woman, a prodigy in her own right, and she possessed a fiercely protective, almost smothering love for her little brother. If she heard he'd been in an accident...
Yu Tao'er shrank back slightly at his tone. "It-It is my duty to report any harm that befalls the Young Master to the main family, especially to the Second Young Miss! She would have my head if she found out I kept it from her!"
Lin Yun sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could already imagine the storm that was coming. "Tao'er, she's going to fly here on a spiritual sword and interrogate the entire academy. She'll probably try to drag me back home."
"I'm sorry, Young Master!" Tao'er said, wringing her hands. "But the rules are clear!"
Lin Yun waved a hand dismissively, picking up his chopsticks again. "It's fine. It's done. No use crying over it now."
He'd just have to deal with his overbearing sister when the time came.
As he resumed eating, Tao'er spoke again, her voice softer. "Also, Young Master, please do not forget. Next week, we must return to the clan compound for the old patriarch's birthday celebration."
Lin Yun paused again. More memories surfaced. His grandfather, Lin Zhen, the stern and powerful former patriarch of the Lin Clan. His birthday was a major event, requiring all direct descendants to be present. It was a show of family unity and strength.
"Right. The birthday," Lin Yun said, nodding. "What should I prepare as a gift? Any ideas?"
A look of profound awkwardness crossed Yu Tao'er's face. She shifted from foot to foot. "Well... Young Master... about that..."
"What is it?"
"We... we don't have any money," she whispered, as if ashamed. "Your monthly allowance from the clan is barely enough to cover our food and my wages. There's nothing left for... for gifts."
Lin Yun was speechless. He stared at her. He was broke?