The next few days, every meal contained Dragon meat. They had braised Dragon meat, deep fried Dragon meat, and all sorts of Dragon soup. Of course, it went without saying, cured Dragon meat was on the menu as well. A week later, they were still left with some Dragon meat. Li Nianfang asked the Heavenly Palace people to give out the cured meat to all those who helped fight off the Dragon.
At the Luotian Dynasty, Huang Deheng was standing guard at the entrance. Behind him stood the prince, princess and talented followers of the Luotian Dynasty. They were all waiting with eyes filled with anticipation. Gradually, they saw a light shot across somewhere in the distance as a Deluxe Merit Cloud neared them.
“Here comes the messenger from the Heavenly Palace. Everyone better be on their best behavior,” said Huang Deheng as the other stood alert.
Soon, the Deluxe Merit Cloud descended from the sky with Taibai Jinxing on it. He was all smiles as he walked over to them with the cured meat in his hand. “Greetings Your Majesty. I’m Taibang Jinxing.”
“No need to be so formal. I’m delighted with your very presence here,” said Huang Deheng. The impression of the expert’s generosity had forever been burned into his mind after the Battle Conference. He became even more impressed after the cured meat incident. To him, the expert was the most powerful being in the universe and no one would come away without that feeling once they had met him.
Those chickens, those bees, and those milk cows — all of them Rare Chaos Creatures with power out of this world. An existence akin to the Elites! Not to mention the dog dressed in the short leather pants with the ability to fight off any enemies. Simply put, each of the existence by the expert’s side was extraordinarily beyond compare! Even the most insignificant looking item could be the doorway to great power.
Now that the Heavenly Palace people had become the expert’s personal envoy, their status had been elevated to such an extent that no one would dare to cause offense to them. It could be said the expert had bestowed them special privileges not enjoyed by the rest of the citizens in the Area of the Gods.
Taibai Jinxing smiled and said, “Your Majesty, here are some cured meat given by the expert in thanks for your contribution in fighting off the Dragons.”
“Thank you for the bountiful reward.” Huang Deheng accepted the cured meat. “We see it as our duty to protect the expert. He’s being too kind with all the gift-giving.”
Taibai Jinxing stroked his beard and smiled. “I expect you to continue on as before. You’ll surely be richly rewarded for serving the expert well. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Won’t you stay for a bit longer? I would be a bad host if I don’t invite you in for some drinks,” said Huang Deheng quickly.
Taibai Jinxing waved his hand as said, “I’m afraid I can’t. I need to make the next delivery. Farewell.”
After sending off Taibai Jinxing with their eyes, everyone on scene abruptly turned to look at the cured meat with burning desire in their eyes.
“Father, we’ve finally got our hands on some cured meat. I heard it is so unimaginably delicious. I’m so happy this day has come for us too,” said one of the princes.
“Yes, I heard the cured meat is imbued with the universe’s cadence and spiritual strength too. The young master from the Empath Sect took one bite and instantly broke through his bottleneck.”
“The cured meat is made from Chaos Dragons and by the expert. It’s akin to a big fortune for transformation!”
“Quickly, let’s all have a taste!” They could not wait to sink their teeth into the cured meat.
However, Huang Deheng only stood there with a grave expression on his face. He shook his head and in a frustrated tone said, “Is eating all that you know? All of you should think of the bigger picture!”
Immediately, all the followers shuddered and quieted their tongues in respect for Huang Deheng. However, in their mind they were thinking what else would the cured meat be good for, if not for eating? Could it be Huang Deheng wanted the cured meat all to himself?
“You must be cursing me in your heart,” said Huang Deheng, voicing their thoughts out loud. Everyone’s faces turned red with embarrassment.
Huang Deheng scoffed coldly and said, “It’s only cured meat. Haven’t you learnt anything from the Battle Conference? Our top priority is to get on the good side of the expert! The only reason the Heavenly Palace people are so respected and feared was because a few days ago two of them instantly entered the Heavenly Realm. Do you know what honor that brings to them? If they can do it, we can do it too! We’ll not let them monopolize the expert’s favor!” His tone was serious and determined.
The others quickly nodded their heads furiously in agreement.
Huang Deheng decided to give them a test. “How’s the research going on the Dao of Sycophancy? What should we do next?”
The followers looked at one another with a lost expression on their faces.
“Father, are you saying you want us to come up with an idea of pleasing the expert with this cured meat?” The eldest princess asked.
Huang Deheng finally smiled. “Yes. You must have taken after me to be so smart.”
The eldest princess knitted her brows. “It’s just that I don’t have the exact details but maybe we can exchange the cured meat for something else that the expert likes. I’m sure anyone would be willing to get their hands on the cured meat because of its extraordinariness.”
Huang Deheng paused in thought before saying, “I ever found out from the Heavenly Palace that the expert likes to collect unique Spiritual Roots for their fruits.”
“Father, I understand exactly what you mean!” The eldest princess said. The saying of ‘the older one is, the wiser one gets’ was true in this case.
Soon after, Huang Deheng and the eldest princess left the Area of the Gods with the cured meat in their hands. They appeared in Chaos and headed straight for the world where the Luotian Dynasty was located. In that particular world, there stood many dynasties and sects with the Luotian Dynasty being cream of the crop. However, there were three other forces who were their match.
One of them being the Lingyun Dynasty which was at odds with the Luotian Dynasty. The frequency of their followers fighting each other was so high that it had become an everyday occurrence. The reason for the fights was all because of a Spiritual Root of the Heavenly Spiritual Plant level.
The Spiritual Root was situated between the two dynasties and bore fruit once every hundred years, making it one of the rarest things in the world. It was only natural the two dynasties would fight over such a treasure. Alas, the two dynasties came to an agreement that they would hold a competition every thousand years and the winner would have ownership of the Spiritual Root for the next thousand years until the time for the next competition. The last competition was won by the Lingyun Dynasty and thus, that was the reason for Huang Deheng’s visit.
Meanwhile, an old man was standing under a tree and looking up at a single fruit hanging on its branches. He was smiling. Next to him stood a little girl who was also looking up at the fruit with bright shiny eyes.
“Hahaha, the Fruit of Intelligence will ripen soon. Xiao Yun, I’ve specially prepared this for you. It can increase your intelligence and might even help you break through to the Heavenly Realm!” The little girls’ grandfather said adoringly.
“Thank you, grandfather! You’re the best!” Xiao Yun said, eager for the fruit to be in her hands.
Suddenly, the old man sensed something and turned his gaze toward the distance as his face fell. There, he could see Huang Deheng and the eldest princess getting closer to them. Instantly, the monks who were tasked to protect the Spiritual Root activated their force and locked on to Huang Deheng.
The old man walked forward and looked at Huang Deheng defensively. “To what do I owe this pleasure, Brother Huang?”
“Brother Ling, is that the face you show to an old acquaintance?” Huang Deheng asked with a smile.
“This Spiritual Root belongs to the Lingyun Dynasty now and what you’re doing is called trespassing. Of all days to come here, you chose today which happens to be the day the Fruit of Intelligence ripens. So forgive me if I’m not happy to see you. Leave!”
“Fruit of Intelligence?” Huang Deheng echoed as he glanced at the fruit with eyes filled with indifference.
‘Is that all? Who are you to look down on me? After all, I’ve had my fair share of Chaos Spiritual Water and Chaos Spiritual Fruit,” He thought to himself.
Then, out loud he said, “Brother Ling, there’s no need to use your limited imagination on me. I have no interest in the Fruit of Intelligence.”
“What are you talking about? We’ve been fighting over this Spiritual Root for eons,” said Old Ling. “In the past three hundred years, we’ve already gotten three fruits and in the next seven hundred years, we will get seven more. The feeling of winning against the Luotian Dynasty is unbelievably great!”
“You winning was a blessing in disguise for us. In fact, I should thank you for I wouldn’t have met such a big opportunity if it weren’t for you winning,” said Huang Deheng serenely. It was exactly as he said. He would not have met the expert in the Area of the Gods if he had not lost.
Old Ling raised an eyebrow. “What big opportunity?”
“Do you know what I’ve encountered ever since arriving in the Area of the Gods? Have you ever wondered what it’ll feel like to drink your fill of Chaos Spiritual Water and what it feels like to peel off the skin of the Spiritual Fruit before eating it?” Huang Deheng’s expression was one of respect and awe. He almost trembled during the telling of his recent experiences.
Old Ling was stunned at first but then his expression changed to pity. He patiently waited for him to finish his story before looking at the eldest princess with a sigh, “How long has he had these symptoms? What did the doctor say?”
Huang Deheng was rendered speechless.
“Elder Lin, all that my father said is true,” answered the eldest princess shyly.
Huang Deheng’s face changed to anger. “Brother Ling, if it wasn’t for the fact we’ve known each other for so long, I wouldn’t have rushed back to tell you all these. What you said really broke my heart, you know!”
Old Ling looked suspiciously at Huang Deheng. “And I can trust that your motive is pure?”
“Of course!” Huang Deheng nodded heavily. “The expert has a fondness for Spiritual Root and has a huge collection of them. Listen to my advice and you won’t go wrong. Give him this Spiritual Root and he would definitely reward you handsomely.”
“Haha, you would do anything to get your hands on this Spiritual Root huh. I can’t believe you think I’ll fall for a stupid excuse like that.” Old Ling was fed up with him and with a wave of his hand said, “Leave now.”
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me. Maybe you’ll be willing to exchange the Spiritual Root for this then.” He took out the bundle of cured meat.
Old Ling blinked furiously, thinking he was seeing an illusion. ‘No way he expects me to exchange the Spiritual for some cured meat!’
Then his face flushed red. “Brother Huang, is this your idea of a joke?”
“This is no ordinary cured meat. Go on, take a closer look,” said Huang Deheng.
When Old Ling did as he said, his face became filled with shock. Apart from the unique fragrance coming off it, there was also a terrifying and wild aura which made his heart jump out with fear.
“Is this made from Chaos Dragon meat?” He asked with surprise.
“Chaos Heavenly Dragon meat to be exact! They’re definitely stronger than the both of us,” replied Huang Deheng with a smile.
Old Ling looked away from the cured meat and said, “The cured meat is indeed extraordinary but still a long way away from this Spiritual Root.”
Huang Deheng shook his head. “That’s not all there is to it. This cured meat was made by the expert himself. You’ll know what I’m talking about soon.”
With a wave of his hand, flames appeared on the ground and he started to grill the meat.
“Let’s go, Xiao Yun. We should ignore this crazy old fool,” said Old Ling insultingly. The two of them went back to their spot under the tree.
Soon after, a gorgeous fragrance floated up their nostrils and caused their heart to beat wildly as the drool came out in a steady stream. Xiao Yun stuck out her neck and stared fixedly at the cured meat. “Grandfather, the grilled meat smells so good!”
Through grilling, the scent of the grilled meat was drastically amplified and began to envelope the surrounding areas.
“It smells so good! I’ve never smelled anything this good in this world before.”
“This is the smell of food. I can’t believe I’m getting hungry.”
“I can’t take it anymore. I must eat it!”
“I wonder what the grilled meat tastes like. I wish I could have a taste of it.”
Immediately, the scent of the cured meat conquered everyone’s stomach and the sound of gulping could be continuously heard. No one could ever resist the temptation of gourmet food.
Xiao Yun’s body was nearly pulled by the scent. She stomped on the ground frustratingly. “Grandfather, I want to have some grilled meat!”
Old Ling wiped the corners of his mouth quietly and said, “Brother Huang, can we…” His throat began to roll up and down because Huang Deheng had torn a piece of the meat and eaten it with the eldest princess.
After grilling, the fat on the meat became thicker and shinier while the color of the meat turned yellowish. It seemed to be sparkling, making it hard for them to look away as they felt their appetite to increase. The sight of Huang Deheng and the eldest princess chomping on the meat with grease trickling out of the corner of the mouth was like an act of seduction. Their stomachs began to twist and they wished they could snatch the meat out of their hands.
Old Ling licked his own lips and swallowed. As for Xiao Yun, she had already rushed to Huang Deheng and the eldest princess’ side and was staring at them with her mouth wide open as if waiting for them to feed her like a pet.
