A top star in the Chinese entertainment industry, but also a Taoist priest.

Chen Shouyi couldn't help but laugh: "Benefactor Sun, consecration is for statues of deities, not for amulets."

"Huh?" Sun Yi was taken aback. "Isn't that what everyone says? 'Consecrated bracelets, consecrated jade pendants,' and stuff like that!"

"That's what people outside say," Chen Shouyi explained.

"Consecration is the process of inviting the spirit of the gods to infuse the statue with their own spirituality. This is used on statues of gods that are worshipped."

Amulets, bracelets, and jade pendants—these personal items are called "enlightenment" in Taoism. It involves using incantations and spiritual power to imbue these objects with protective properties, which is completely different from "consecration."

"Oh—" Sun Yi suddenly realized, and then said generously, "Then give me a blessing! Bless me, just let me be safe and sound."

Chen Shouyi glanced at her. Sun Yi's hand was still outstretched in mid-air, palm up, looking self-righteous.

This girl is really shameless. But then again, you can't be an actress without thick skin.

Chen Shouyi recalled the weapon crafting module he had reviewed last night. He hadn't gathered enough materials for the Qingxin Jade Talisman yet, but there were a few simpler items in the system that didn't require complete crafting. He could just use the existing materials and infuse them with spiritual energy.

For example, jujube wood struck by lightning contains natural pure yang energy, making it an excellent material for warding off evil spirits in Taoism.

He had previously found a small piece of jujube wood that had been struck by lightning in the wasteland, and he had casually kept it, which came in handy.

"Wait a moment." Chen Shouyi got up and walked to the backyard. A moment later, he came out with a small piece of lightning-struck jujube wood and a piece of red braided rope.

The jujube wood is only the size of a finger joint, with a jet-black cross-section and clear grain.

Sun Yi took it and examined it carefully, turning it over and over: "Why is this wood black?"

"Lightning-struck wood, jujube wood that has been struck by lightning."

"Really? You can wear something that's been struck by lightning?"

"It is precisely because it has been struck by lightning that it has the effect of warding off evil. Lightning is the pure energy of the heavens, and jujube wood struck by lightning naturally possesses pure yang energy. Wearing it on your body can calm the mind and ward off evil."

Sun Yi weighed the piece of lightning-struck wood in his hand, then looked at it closely. Although he didn't quite understand, he felt it made sense.

She deftly hung the lightning-struck wood, threaded through the braided rope, around her neck, tucked it into her collar, and patted it with satisfaction.

"I'll wear it and not take it off, thank you, Taoist priest!"

She took another sip of tea, glanced at the time, and quickly stood up to pat her pants.

"Oh, I have to go now, I have things to do this afternoon. Daoist Master, please don't see me off, I can go out by myself."

Chen Shouyi still stood up and escorted her to the mountain gate.

Sun Yi walked to the door, then turned around and waved to him, his smile as bright as when he arrived.

"Master, I'll come see you again when I'm famous, and I'll bring you an even bigger red envelope then!"

Chen Shouyi smiled and waved, watching her walk away along the stone path. He felt a little more favorably disposed towards Sun Yi.

She is ambitious, but also worldly-wise, warm and cheerful, but not the kind of person without boundaries.

When Shouzhuo and Zhang Ruonan returned, Chen Shouyi was sorting through a pile of things that Sun Yi had brought.

From outside the mountain gate came Shouzhuo's strong voice: "Master! We're back!"

As Chen Shouyi walked out of the main hall, he saw two people carrying large and small bags into the courtyard.

Shouzhuo carried two of the largest shopping bags in his left hand, a bucket of oil in his right, and a bag of rice tucked under his arm.

Zhang Ruonan followed behind him, carrying two fully loaded eco-friendly bags in her arms. Her chin was pressed against the opening of the bags, and she could barely see where she was going.

"Did you bring the supermarket back?" Chen Shouyi walked over and took the bag from Zhang Ruonan's hand.

"We didn't buy much," Zhang Ruonan said, wiping her sweat. "Shouzhuo said that fresh vegetables at the market are cheaper than at the supermarket, so we went there again on the way."

"Of course," Shouzhuo said, unloading the things onto the stone table and shaking his hand.

"The vegetables there are all grown by local farmers, and they're much fresher than those in the supermarket. Sister Ruonan has a good eye; the vegetables she picks are always exceptionally fresh."

Zhang Ruonan felt a little embarrassed by his praise and was about to say something modest when her gaze fell on the pile of things that had not yet been put away on the stone table.

"Master, what are these?"

"A benefactor named Sun came to fulfill a vow this morning, bringing some gifts." Chen Shouyi didn't even look up.

"This is way too much." Zhang Ruonan looked at the two woven bags, then at the plastic bags on the table that hadn't been fully unpacked, and suddenly realized that the pile of stuff she had bought at the market wasn't so outrageous after all.

Shouzhuo flipped through the things Sun Yi had left behind, his eyes widening in disbelief: "Master, this ginseng is quite large, and there's also deer antler. Benefactor Sun is certainly generous!"

"They're being sincere, so just accept it." Chen Shouyi stood up, glanced at Zhang Ruonan, and said, "Ruonan, lunch is up to you."

Zhang Ruonan nodded, rolled up her sleeves and began to clear the pile of vegetables on the table. She then picked up the bag of hazel mushrooms that Sun Yi had brought from next to the woven bag and brought it close to her nose to smell them.

"This smells so good!" She waved the bag of hazel mushrooms at Chen Shouyi. "Daoist Master, shall we stew this with chicken for lunch today? I just bought a small free-range chicken."

"Hazel mushrooms?" Chen Shou paused for a moment. He had been too busy stopping Sun Yi from taking things out to pay attention to what she was carrying.

"Yes, it's a big bag, all dried out." Zhang Ruonan took the bag out.

Chen Shouyi took it and smelled it; it was indeed a genuine Northeastern hazel mushroom, and its appearance was not bad.

Hazel mushrooms of this quality are not cheap in Beijing, so Sun Yi's decision to carry them all the way here shows his dedication.

He glanced at the free-range chicken next to him; stewing chicken with this stuff would be a perfect match.

"Okay." Chen Shouyi nodded. "You do it."

So Zhang Ruonan carried the chicken and hazel mushrooms to the kitchen, but after taking a few steps, she turned back and asked somewhat uncertainly:

"Taoist Master, do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"No, just make whatever you like."

Zhang Ruonan nodded and walked confidently into the kitchen.

Shouzhuo watched her retreating figure and rubbed his hands together with satisfaction: "Master, we're in for a treat from now on."

Chen Shouyi didn't respond. He felt that something was not quite right, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Zhang Ruonan busied herself in the kitchen, the sounds of pots and pans clattering and occasionally punctuated by her humming.

Shouzhu poked his head in from outside: "Sister Ruonan, do you need my help?"

"No need, no need, just wait and eat." Zhang Ruonan took the soaked hazel mushrooms out to drain. "They'll be ready soon."

Chen Shouyi stopped watching and turned to sit in the courtyard. Shouzhu followed him out and sat opposite him.

"Master," Shouzhuo lowered his voice, "Sister Ruonan looks like she's quite good at cooking."

"Hmm." Chen Shouyi took a sip of tea. "Better than the two of us."

Shouzhuo nodded in complete agreement. The two of them were indeed evenly matched when it came to cooking, neither of them could say anything against the other.

After working for about an hour, Zhang Ruonan came out of the kitchen carrying a large pot of steaming hot stewed chicken with hazelnuts.

"Chicken soup is here!"

In the center of the table sat a large pot of stewed chicken with hazelnuts, the broth a deep brown color and steaming hot.

There were also stir-fried greens with garlic, cucumber salad, a plate of scrambled eggs, and a pot of rice. With meat and vegetables, soup and dishes, it looked quite presentable.

Zhang Ruonan took off her apron and sat down on the stone bench opposite Chen Shouyi.

She looked at the table full of dishes, breathed a sigh of accomplishment, then looked up at Chen Shouyi and Shouzhuo with bright, sparkling eyes, her face saying, "Praise me!"

"Great, Ruonan-jie!" Shouzhuo had already sat down and picked up his chopsticks. "It looks delicious!"

"Hehehe, that's right." Zhang Ruonan was clearly quite satisfied with her results. "Try it, try it."