The Heroine Fell Deeply For Her [Quick Transmigration] 55p2

Chapter 55: Disciple and Wife p2

Cen Dianshuang occasionally came down to offer guidance, but most of the time, Tao Ning cultivated alone, understanding the importance of strength in the cultivation world. After her daily practice, she would seek out Cen Dianshuang.

She wasn’t one to shy away from learning. She intended to absorb as much knowledge as possible in this world.

With multiple responsibilities, she was a busy disciple.

Cen Dianshuang would look at her with a mixture of exasperation and affection. She remembered her senior siblings’ warnings against excessive doting, but couldn’t bring herself to refuse her disciple’s attention. She gave her a communication bell.

“If you need me, just ring this. The path up the mountain is long and dangerous for someone with your cultivation level.”

Besides, her cave dwelling wasn’t ready for visitors. It was still… spartan. It would be embarrassing.

She was finally learning the meaning of “setting an example,” understanding why her senior siblings presented a different face in public.

Tao Ning, instead of returning to her room, headed towards the kitchen. As she entered, a small fireball shot past her face.

Walking towards the table, she said calmly, “If you burn anything, I’ll ask my master to douse you with Thousand-Year Ice Water. It’s the perfect counter to your Flame Dragon breath.”

The fireball stopped mid-flight, retreating back into the furnace.

The Flame Dragon Furnace had indeed developed a spirit. Confined within Cen Dianshuang’s storage ring for so long, it was now thriving under Tao Ning’s care, its sentience growing daily.

Tao Ning, preparing ingredients with her back to the furnace, continued, “The Flame Dragons are extinct in the Radiant Realm. You’re the last ember. Don’t ask how I know. I knew how you were created the moment I saw you.”

The flames flickered, like a child caught between defiance and curiosity.

Tao Ning wasn’t swayed. “If you don’t cooperate, your spirit is unnecessary. I can nurture you, and I can destroy you. Don’t underestimate me just because my cultivation is low. You can test me if you like.”

This combination of threat and promise subdued the unruly furnace.

Arriving at the window, the snow-white bundle almost didn’t recognize the obedient Flame Dragon Furnace, its flames now under Tao Ning’s control.

“Well, well. Look who it is. The ungrateful little thing.”

Tao Ning, meditating in a chair, opened her eyes, surprised to see the familiar white bundle.

The bundle, drawn by the aroma, had intended to leave before she woke up, but now it was frozen.

Then, realizing what Tao Ning had said, its beady eyes narrowed in anger.

You’re the ungrateful one!

“It really is you.” Tao Ning was certain now. No other bird had such a volatile temper.

She stood up, lifting the lid of a steaming bamboo basket. A sweet aroma filled the air, accompanied by a cloud of white steam.

She picked up a molten custard bun, placing it aside to cool.

The bundle, about to leave, hesitated, captivated by the scent, tilting its head to observe the girl’s back.

What is she doing?

Did she burn herself? Or is she just impatient?

What is that golden thing?

Tao Ning wasn’t burned. She was simply remembering her previous life, her wife, who, despite her youthful appearance, had the tastes of an old man, indifferent to sweets, except for molten custard buns, a childhood favorite. Tao Ning had learned to make them just for her.

Sitting down with the plate of buns, she beckoned to the bird. “How did you get in? Didn’t the formation stop you? I suspected you belonged to someone. Are you being raised by someone in the Hanshan Sect?”

The bundle, hopping onto the edge of the plate, sensing the warmth of the buns, pretended not to understand, tilting its head from side to side.

They looked like steamed buns, but softer, finer, made with spiritual rice flour. Clearly made with care.

In short, tempting.

“Want one?” Tao Ning pulled the plate away just as the bird was about to peck at a bun. The bundle ruffled its feathers in frustration.

“You’re shedding feathers again. Look, another one.” Tao Ning bent down to pick it up.

The bundle puffed up its feathers, settling onto the table, its unspoken thoughts forming a giant “ungrateful disciple” sign above its head.

Holding the tiny feather between her fingers, Tao Ning examined it closely. “Such a small feather. Are you a chick?”

The bundle bristled, its feathers radiating indignation.

“You won’t even chirp for me. You just eat and leave. They say even a small kindness should be repaid. You’re so tiny, I don’t expect much, just a single chirp.”

The bundle didn’t understand Tao Ning’s obsession with its chirping. What difference did it make?

No one would recognize its species anyway.

“You’ve forced my hand,” Tao Ning declared.

The bundle, remembering Tao Ning’s penchant for mischief, especially when unsupervised, considered leaving.

Tao Ning: “I heard a song while traveling. It’s considered the national anthem of the bird world. It’s called the ‘Happy Clapping Song.’”

The bundle hesitated, intrigued. It had never heard of such a song. Its library contained thousands of musical scores, but none with that title.

It was probably some vulgar tune. Few songs were unknown to a Music Cultivator, but it was curious to see what Tao Ning was up to.

Tao Ning, instead of singing, picked up a cooled bun and tore it open, the golden custard oozing out like lava, still steaming.

Nothing special, yet the bundle was captivated, its desire evident.

Tao Ning tore off a small piece, dipping it in the custard, and placed it on the plate, humming softly. “Here. It’s not poisoned. I’m giving the rest away later.”

The bundle, initially hesitant, hearing the words “giving away,” immediately hopped over and began eating.

If it was meant for someone else, it definitely deserved a taste. A large taste.

Tao Ning continued humming, offering small pieces of the bun, tapping her fingers on the table at the end of each line. “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands…”

After a while, another sound joined her humming.

A soft, short, “Chirp, chirp.”

The bundle, not realizing it had made a sound, continued eating.

Tao Ning froze, her hand hovering over the plate. As the bundle looked up at her with confusion in its beady eyes, she spoke. “You’re a Shangxi bird.”

The bundle tilted its head, its tail twitching, feigning ignorance.

Tao Ning continued, adding details that made the bird’s heart flutter nervously. “You’re a Shangxi chick. Your chirping brings good fortune, dispels heart demons, and summons rain clouds. You’re considered an auspicious bird, bringing bountiful harvests. But your song can also suppress heart demons, which is why your kind is nearly extinct.”

She pointed towards the window. “Haven’t you noticed? It’s raining. A light drizzle.”

The only response was the flapping of wings as the bird vanished.

Tao Ning, staring at the empty plate and scattered crumbs, frowned. “Strange.”

520: 【What’s strange?】

Tao Ning, her arms crossed, said, “The original storyline barely mentioned Shangxi birds. It only said the protagonist wanted one as a pet, but none of his followers could find one. Even the Demonic Beast Realm princess who adored him said they were extinct.”

Yet a live Shangxi chick was regularly visiting her for snacks.

520, after a moment of contemplation, asked, 【Is there a problem?】

Tao Ning’s expression turned serious. “Yes.”

520 was alarmed. 【What is it?】

Tao Ning pushed herself away from the table. “I’m hungry. Time to summon Master for a taste of my molten custard buns.”

520: …Sometimes I don’t understand your sudden devotion to your master.

Cen Dianshuang, halfway down the mountain, hearing the bell, looked at the steaming buns in the basket: “…”

She hadn’t intended to come, but after establishing a routine, breaking it would only fuel Tao Ning’s overactive imagination.

She hadn’t expected the buns to be for her. A thoughtful gesture.

But the mention of Shangxi birds…

Cen Dianshuang understood her senior sisters’ exhaustion. She was grateful her disciple didn’t know her master’s true nature.

In the Radiant Realm, beasts that took human form were considered demons.

Even an auspicious beast was still a demon.

Tao Ning couldn’t know. Not for any reason.

Tao Ning poured her some spiritual tea, then sat down, her voice cheerful. “Master, I made these pastries with spiritual rice flour. You can eat them, right?”

Cen Dianshuang: …Pastries? Are you trying to tell me to use my brain?

Looking at her disciple’s eager expression, she sighed deeply.

Being a master was hard.