RUMBLE
Just as Meng Bai was looking at Lin Mu, a deep, resounding rumble echoed through the courtyard.
"Uhh…" Meng Bai looked down, his face turning slightly red. The unmistakable growl had come from his stomach.
Lin Mu chuckled. "Looks like someone is hungry."
Meng Bai sheepishly nodded, but before he could say anything else, a wave of hunger crashed over him like a tidal surge. His stomach clenched, a hollow ache spreading through his body.
"Ugh… I am… so hungry…" he muttered, clutching his abdomen.
"That’s probably due to the purification of your body," Lin Mu said knowingly. "Your cells have been cleansed, and your body is essentially renewing itself. It needs nutrients to rebuild. The vitality I injected helped, but that alone won’t be enough."
Meng Bai’s eyes widened. "Do we have food?" he asked eagerly, his hunger sharpening with every passing second.
"We will in a bit." Lin Mu turned toward Little Shrubby. "You know what to do."
"On it!" Little Shrubby’s tail flicked with excitement as he sprang into action.
SHUA SHUA SHUA SHUA SHUA
Meng Bai watched, stunned, as beast corpses began appearing out of thin air, stacking neatly in a corner of the courtyard. Some were massive, with thick hides and bulging muscles, while others had sleek, delicate frames, their fur shimmering with traces of spirit energy. The sheer variety was overwhelming—boars with tusks as long as swords, fanged deer with crystalline antlers, and colossal birds with radiant feathers.
SHING!
A cluster of floating prosthetic hands materialized around Little Shrubby, each one wielding gleaming knives. With a speed and precision that left Meng Bai breathless, they descended upon the beast corpses, expertly butchering them. Razor-sharp blades flashed, separating muscle from sinew, bone from marrow, and organs from flesh in a mesmerizing dance of efficiency. The sound of slicing and chopping filled the air as perfectly portioned cuts of meat were prepared.
Meng Bai forgot about his hunger for a moment, staring in awe. But that was just the beginning.
With a practiced motion, Little Shrubby began setting up a variety of cooking utensils. Massive cauldrons, woks, iron skillets, and even a gargantuan grilling plate emerged, forming a makeshift outdoor kitchen. The air hummed with energy as cooking stations ignited in unison.
SHUA!
Little Shrubby exhaled a stream of searing orange flames, instantly engulfing the grill. The heat was so intense that Meng Bai instinctively flinched, his skin prickling as if he had stepped into a forge. But then, almost miraculously, the heat receded, as if it were merely an illusion. The temperature adjusted with perfect precision, controlled entirely by Little Shrubby’s Absolute Flame Command.
Without hesitation, he began preparing a multi-course feast.
First, he selected thick slabs of meat—deep crimson, marbled with rich veins of fat—and placed them on the sizzling grill. A satisfying hiss filled the air as the juices met the fiery surface. Instantly, an intoxicating aroma of roasting flesh and melting fat wafted through the courtyard, stirring everyone’s appetite.
SHUA SHUA!
With deft movements, he sprinkled an array of spices across the meat. Crushed cumin released a warm, nutty fragrance, while clove and cinnamon added an earthy depth. Freshly ground ginger and chili powder tingled the nose with a teasing spice, and a dash of coarse sea salt intensified the richness of the meat. The combination of scents wove together into a heady, irresistible melody.
The meat charred to perfection, a golden-brown crust forming over its succulent interior. The juices locked within shimmered, tantalizing in the flickering light of the flames.
A mechanical arm lifted the first batch of grilled meat and placed it onto a grand serving platter, setting it at the center of a long wooden table that had been prepared.
"You can begin first," Lin Mu said, motioning toward the meal.
Meng Bai hesitated, his eyes locked onto the glistening steak before him. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—perfectly seared, seasoned to perfection, its surface crackling with just the right amount of char. The mere sight of it made his mouth water.
"I… I can eat this?" he asked, barely able to believe it.
Lin Mu chuckled. "Of course. This is just the beginning. There’s more food being prepared."
Meng Bai’s gaze flickered toward the other cooking stations, where pots bubbled, woks hissed, and skewers of meat sizzled over open flames. The symphony of scents swirling around him was overwhelming, his stomach twisting in anticipation.
"There’s plenty to eat," Lin Mu assured him.
Meng Bai wasted no time. He reached out, grasping the tender slab of meat with his hands, and tore into it.
The moment the first bite touched his tongue, his mind went blank.
A burst of flavors exploded across his senses. The smoky char blended perfectly with the warm, earthy spices, while the meat itself melted effortlessly, its juices cascading over his tongue like the richest of broths. There was a depth to the taste he had never experienced before—a balance of sweet, savory, and umami that made his entire body tingle.
"MY HEAVENS!" Meng Bai gasped, his eyes widening in shock.
Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he chewed, savoring every nuance of the divine meal. He had never eaten anything this exquisite before.
’Just this food alone is better than any reward I can get.’ Meng Bai thought as he devoured another piece, the flavors sinking deeper into his soul.
Within minutes, the steak was gone, his hunger only slightly abated. But then, he felt something unexpected—a surge of warmth unfurling in his stomach, spreading through his meridians like a gentle current.
’Wait a second, this…’ Meng Bai stilled as he realized what was happening. The energy within the meat was being absorbed into his body, nourishing him not just physically, but spiritually as well.
"What… what kind of meat was that?" he asked breathlessly, feeling as though he had just consumed an entire bottle of Qi-replenishing pills.
"That was… a Quad-Horned Bull, I think," Lin Mu said after thinking for a second.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login