Learning to play games, a 40-year-old woman achieves a remarkable turnaround.

Chapter 242 New Test Mission

Chapter 242 New Test Mission

Then, Laozi gently opened the stopper of the purple-gold gourd, and in an instant, a rich and mellow fragrance filled the entire Tushita Palace.

Lao Jun took a deep breath and exclaimed, "How fragrant! Just by smelling this aroma, I know the taste must be excellent."

He couldn't wait to take out a plate of braised pork intestines and savor it.

The familiar delicious flavors spread across the tongue, with sour, sweet, fragrant, spicy, and salty flavors blending perfectly, resulting in a tender and juicy texture that is rich yet not greasy.

Lao Jun's face was full of delight, and he kept nodding and praising, "Little fairy, your skills are becoming more and more exquisite. Every dish is as delicious as the ones we tasted before, or even better."

Seeing that Laozi was so satisfied, Yuan Bao was overjoyed and said, "I am so happy to have gained Laozi's approval. If Laozi wishes to eat any more delicacies from the mortal world, please just give the order, and I will do my best to find them for you."

Laojun laughed heartily, his laughter echoing throughout the palace: "Good, good! My little immortal is so thoughtful, I will certainly not be polite. You have rendered great service this time, and I will definitely reward you handsomely."

After saying this, Laozi reached into his sleeve and rummaged around for a while, then took out an exquisite jade box. He slowly opened it, and inside lay two round and plump pills that emitted a mysterious halo. Runes flickered on the surface of the pills, and auspicious light flowed faintly.

Lao Jun raised his eyes to look at Yuan Bao, his gaze full of admiration, and said, "Little immortal, these are two Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pills, which are the supreme treasures of my Tushita Palace."

This elixir can not only bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded, ensuring survival in critical moments, but also greatly enhance cultivation and resolve many hidden dangers during cultivation.

This is a well-deserved reward, and also recognition of you and the smart assistant, Xiaobai.

Yuan Bao's eyes instantly lit up with surprise and shock. She knew how precious the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill was, a legendary treasure even in the Immortal Realm.

With trembling hands, she accepted the jade box. A warm and mellow spiritual energy emanated from the box, invigorating her spirit.

Yuan Bao immediately knelt down and respectfully kowtowed in gratitude: "Thank you for your generous gift, Lord Lao! I will cherish this precious treasure and do my utmost to serve the immortal realm in the future."

After standing up, Yuan Bao hesitated for a moment before respectfully saying again, "Lord Lao, this Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill is extremely precious. I am truly humbled by this generous gift."

Little White deserves much credit for the swift completion of this task.

It focuses on culinary skills and has a thorough understanding of the characteristics of various ingredients and cooking techniques. When making braised pork intestines, it is precise and flawless in every step, from cleaning the intestines to seasoning and braising, far surpassing ordinary people.

If Lord Laozi doesn't mind, I humbly request that you also bestow a reward upon Little White, to encourage it to continue improving its culinary skills.

Upon hearing this, Laozi stroked his beard and laughed heartily: "Little Immortal, you are loyal and righteous, and you do not forget the merits of your companions. This is truly rare. Since this intelligent assistant, Little White, has such abilities, I, the immortal, shall certainly reward you." After speaking, Laozi flicked his finger, and a golden light entered Yuan Bao's body.

Yuan Bao felt as if a set of exquisite information had suddenly appeared in his mind, which turned out to be a unique method of culinary cultivation - "The Record of Divine Diet".

Lao Jun slowly explained, "This is the 'Record of Spiritual Food and Divine Communication,' which you can transmit to Little White."

By cultivating this technique, one can perceive the spiritual essence of ingredients with spiritual power, making the cooked food not only exceptionally delicious but also imbued with magical spiritual power. The diner can receive this spiritual nourishment, aiding in their cultivation.

Yuan Bao was overjoyed and prostrated himself in gratitude again: "Lord Lao is merciful. If Little White knew, it would be overjoyed. This humble immortal thanks Lord Lao on its behalf."

Lao Jun smiled warmly, waved his hand kindly, and said, "Alright, Yuan Xiaoxian. Your task with me is temporarily over."

I've heard that the celestial maiden has recently acquired a magnificent painting and is searching far and wide for kindred spirits to appreciate it with her. Why don't you go and join her in admiring this masterpiece?

If you ever find any new and exotic delicacies in the world, don't forget to send some to this immortal for a taste.

Yuan Bao readily agreed, carefully carrying the jade box containing the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill, his heart filled with Laozi's expectations, and left the Tushita Palace with light steps.

The thought of appreciating the paintings with the celestial maiden filled her with anticipation, and she couldn't wait to head towards where the celestial maiden was.

Before long, Yuan Bao arrived at the residence of the Nine Heavens Fairy.

When the celestial maiden saw Yuan Bao's figure from afar, her eyes lit up instantly. She greeted him with great joy and said enthusiastically, "Oh my, you've finally arrived! The painting immortal Wang Ruoxu retired to the mountains and forests in his early years. His whereabouts are elusive and he has disappeared without a trace. Very few of his paintings have survived to this day."

I've been experiencing both joy and sorrow lately.

To my delight, by sheer coincidence, I acquired three of his masterpieces.

The worry is that such exquisite paintings cannot find a kindred spirit to appreciate them together.

"What a coincidence that you've arrived at this time! Come with me and see which of these three paintings pleases your eye and suits your taste the most?"

Yuan Bao followed the fairy and strolled to the three paintings.

The first thing that catches the eye is a painting of flowers and birds, in which a bird perches leisurely on a branch covered with pink flowers, seemingly chirping softly, its lively spirit leaping off the paper.

The other is a traditional Chinese ink painting, depicting a flower in full bloom.

The simple ink lines outline the vigorous branches, with strong and varied lines.

A few pink flowers are scattered throughout, and although the brushstrokes are few, the delicate beauty of the flowers is vividly displayed through the ink wash technique.

Another painting is also in ink wash style, with several swallows soaring in the picture and bamboo leaves swaying gracefully beside them.

The swallow's design is simple yet lively, and the ink on the rice paper is applied in varying shades, cleverly creating a sense of depth and texture in the feathers.

Those vibrant red beaks and red feathers are like the finishing touch, adding a touch of liveliness and brightness to the picture.

The bamboo is meticulously outlined with ink lines, and the sparse and dense bamboo leaves fully display an elegant demeanor, perfectly showcasing the exquisite essence of Chinese painting's "capturing the spirit through form," as if one can feel the tranquility and elegance of a gentle breeze.

Yuan Bao's gaze lingered between the three paintings, reluctant to leave.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with amazement and fascination, and exclaimed sincerely, "Fairy, these three paintings are truly masterpieces!"

Take this flower and bird painting, for example. The way the birds perch on the branches is so lifelike that I can almost hear their clear chirping.

Looking at these ink-wash flowers, with just a few strokes, the vigorous branches and delicate flowers leap off the paper, it's simply amazing;

And then there are these paintings of swallows and bamboo leaves. The swallows are so lifelike, the ink so exquisite, the bamboo so graceful—every detail reveals the extraordinary skill of a master painter. I truly adore every single one of them.

Upon hearing this, the celestial maiden's face lit up with a radiant smile, her eyes filled with satisfaction and joy. She said, "That's wonderful! You share my taste! It's truly a blessing to meet someone who appreciates art."

After saying that, she paused slightly, her expression becoming somewhat mysterious, and said softly, "By the way, a new message just came from the Heavenly Palace: the Palace Maid Division seems to have some hidden secrets."

I had planned to go and investigate, but I was tied up with other matters and couldn't get away.

Would you be willing to go in my place and help investigate?

Yuan Baoxin understood; this was probably the start of a new testing mission.

She clenched her fist slightly and nodded without hesitation, replying, "Rest assured, fairy, if I can help, I will do my best!"