The Black Book: Seven Deadly Sins

Feeling a bit confused, Zhu Haomiao gradually shook off the sense of detachment from waking up from a big dream, letting out a long sigh of relief.

"Chirp!"

Diao Chan eagerly dashed to the bedside, pulling a phone out of its mouth and plugging in the charger.

"...…"

Does this damn rat have an internet addiction?

Narrowing his eyes, Zhu Haomiao picked up the engrossed Diao Chan watching videos, ignoring its grunting, and pried open its mouth.

"Don't move, let me see!"

After confirming that its little tongue had no injuries, Zhu Haomiao finally felt reassured and tossed it aside.

Although theoretically, injuries sustained at the Initial Heavenly Position shouldn't reflect in reality, Zhu Haomiao wasn't quite sure about the damage caused by high-level divinity.

He pulled open his collar to check his intact chest and abdomen, finally heaving a full sigh of relief.

Putting his worries aside, Zhu Haomiao grabbed his phone, only to be greeted by a string of messages the moment he turned it on.

"Shui, are you back yet?"

"Shui, why haven't you returned?"

"You've been overdue by a day now!"

"Cangcang is starving, come save him~"

"Cangcang only has one last breath, and he said he wants to have a bite of your food before he dies."

"Cangcang is already dead, no need to come back!"

"Are you really not coming back?!!"

......

Looking at the messages that spanned nearly 40 hours, Zhu Haomiao couldn't help but chuckle.

Li Cang is lucky to have a friend like you…

"I'm back, heading over now."

Just as he replied, a call came in immediately.

"Why are you back only now? Cangcang is already starved to death!!"

Hearing Ye Wan Ning's aggrieved and teasing voice, Zhu Haomiao couldn't help but laugh.

"Has Li Cang been informed about his death?"

"Not yet."

"Then take him to go grocery shopping, I'm heading over soon."

"Alright, Cangcang wants twice-cooked pork and spicy chicken, I want sweet and sour pork ribs, sweet braised pork… slurp~"

Hearing Ye Wan Ning name dishes while swallowing saliva, Zhu Haomiao reluctantly nodded.

"Fine, you guys buy the ingredients, and I'll cook for you."

"OK~"

Hanging up the phone, Zhu Haomiao grabbed the internet-obsessed Diao Chan and headed out of the dormitory with large strides.

"Let's go! I'm taking you to freeload on food and drink!"

Hearing this, originally grumbling Diao Chan's eyes lit up and it excitedly rubbed its little hands together.

"Freeload chirp freeload cook!!"

"You're speaking human language well, don't do it next time."

"Very howl, Xuxu very howl~"

The half-understanding Diao Chan puffed out its small chest proudly.

Zhu Haomiao: "...…"

Walking all the way to the villa district not far from school, he unlocked the garden gate's smart lock with his fingerprint and was about to step inside when he suddenly sensed something and turned to look next door.

But just as he looked over, a shadow suddenly disappeared around the corner not far away.

Frowning suspiciously, Zhu Haomiao stared for a few seconds, noticing nothing unusual, and quickly dismissed it from his mind.

Maybe a passerby just glanced over…

I'm being too sensitive…

Entering the villa, he noticed Ye Wan Ning and the others hadn't returned from grocery shopping, leaving him bored, so he wandered into the courtyard's shade and slowly began practicing stances.

Uncle Zhu's earlier advice still echoed in his ears about how training martial arts without actual practice was futile in the long run!

His real-world six-dimensional attributes were too low to even handle a basic force effectively…

The cluttered thoughts flitted through his mind as Zhu Haomiao calmed his focus, standing with legs shoulder-width apart, arms naturally relaxing, and muscles loosened.

As the Big Toad Qi was slowly aroused, the unseen life energy in the air was drawn into his body and circulated with his breaths, dispersing the energy to each cell.

Gurgle gurgle gurgle~

When Ye Wan Ning returned from grocery shopping with Li Cang they found Zhu Haomiao standing in the courtyard amidst a faint toad's croak lingering around him.

"Big Toad Qi?"

Recognizing Zhu Haomiao's cultivation technique at a glance, Li Cang couldn't help but quietly marvel.

For someone at the First Layer Heaven to rouse extraordinary power in reality, his talent was astounding!

On the other side, noticing the commotion, Zhu Haomiao halted his cultivation and opened his eyes, seeing Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang carrying bags and watching him.

"You're back."

"Yeah, hurry and cook, I'm about to starve…"

Half-pushed into the kitchen by Ye Wan Ning's half-joking half-complaining manner, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt like a husband working overtime late and being scolded by his wife upon returning.

No!

I'm devoted to Teacher Su E, how can I be swayed by this enchantress of a senior sister?!

He gritted his teeth hard, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, and focused on cooking.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

"Wash and dice the peppers cleanly."

"Alright."

Li Cang silently assisted, showcasing expert knife skills that once again impressed Zhu Haomiao.

It seemed clear, Li Cang must have spent a lot of time chopping people in the Illusion Realm…

Before long, Ye Wan Ning also appeared in the kitchen with Diao Chan on her head, clamoring to help.

But with their main contribution being causing trouble and sneaking bites, Zhu Haomiao unceremoniously chased them out.

"Wait, what's that on your chest?"

Suddenly spotting a familiar glint of purple gold in the seam of his jacket, Ye Wan Ning's brow twitched, reaching to lift his clothes.

"Senior sister, I'm not that kind of person."

"If you ask for more money, I'll bite!"

"Tch~"

Seeing her trick exposed, Ye Wan Ning flashed her sharp little canine teeth, and Zhu Haomiao could only pout, letting her lift his jacket to reveal the purple gold Dragon Emblem underneath.

"Dominance?!"

Exchanging a surprised glance with Li Cang, Ye Wan Ning's gaze lingered between the boy's face and the Dragon Emblem, seeming to try confirming the connection between them.

"What's up? Is there a problem?"

Seeing the exaggerated reaction from the two, Zhu Haomiao shrugged helplessly.

"Advancing to dominion in four months, are you even human?"

"Senior sister, that remark is a little hurtful."

"I'm complimenting you!"

"Great compliment, try not to next time."

"Are you teaching me how to do things? I will compliment!"

"..."

Seeing the two bickering off-topic, Li Cang helplessly pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Stop arguing, the sweet and sour ribs are getting burnt!"

Prompted by his reminder, Zhu Haomiao remembered the dish he was cooking, quickly diverting his attention back to his culinary task.

Noticing this, Ye Wan Ning had to suppress her curiosity, obediently sitting aside, resting her cheek on her hand, gazing at the boy devotedly cooking in the kitchen.

Much later, as Zhu Haomiao set the last dish on the table, he saw Ye Wan Ning staring blankly at him, instantly becoming alert.

What scheme is this woman plotting now?!

Could she be thinking of squeezing money out of me?!

On the other side, Ye Wan Ning, returning to her senses, had a faint blush on her cheeks as she awkwardly shifted her gaze away.

Meanwhile, Li Cang's eyes darted between the two, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

"Let's eat, the dishes are getting cold."

"Oh."