174: Chapter 174 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (122)

After the decision was made, the five of them took a rare break from their Cultivate routine.

The afterglow of the setting sun passed through the golden light screen, spilling onto the white jade platform and coating the cold metal ground in a layer of warm orange-red.

"Let's go, Ling Chen. Come with me to hunt two Green-Haired Deer; we're improving our meals today." Chu Shi patted Ling Chen on the shoulder.

"You got it!" Ling Chen instantly perked up, grabbed a Black Iron Rod from his side, and headed out.

"Let's also hunt a few Copper-Skinned Rabbits to roast for Princess Yunyao!"

With that, the two quickly walked out of the Temporal Platform and stepped into the Green-Blood Grassland.

The evening breeze swept by, causing the waist-high Green-Blood Grass to sway and rustle.

In the distance, the small stream glittered under the setting sun, and occasionally, a few Copper-Skinned Rabbits could be seen hopping into the grass.

Ling Chen's eyes lit up at the sight, and he rushed over immediately.

He let out a shout and lunged, just about to pin down the grayish Copper-Skinned Rabbit.

However, the rabbit suddenly stopped and changed direction, darting into the grass beside his ankle.

Unable to stop his momentum, Ling Chen slipped and fell face-first, getting a mouthful of Green-Blood Grass.

By the time he spat out the grass bits and climbed up, the Copper-Skinned Rabbit was already squatting on a nearby rock, ears perked and head tilted, looking at him as if mocking him.

Ling Chen was so angry his face turned red; he grabbed his Black Iron Rod and smashed it at the rock, sending sparks flying, but the rabbit had long since vanished.

Chu Shi stood there with his arms crossed, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

"You're really too pathetic; you can even fall like that while catching a rabbit."

"Sigh, don't bring it up." Ling Chen grumbled as he walked back.

"These Copper-Skinned Rabbits are getting smarter and smarter; they run faster than rabbits. Oh wait, they are rabbits."

"Last time I chased one for half an hour and didn't even touch a single rabbit hair. Now, only these silly deer are a bit easier to catch."

When they got closer, Chu Shi patted the grass debris off Ling Chen, his tone full of mockery.

"If it were me, I could catch one with a single reach."

"Brother Chu, don't just stand there and talk big!" Ling Chen immediately refused to accept this, stiffening his neck and shouting.

"These rabbits have become spirit beasts! Each one is as slippery as a loach; it would be futile even if you went!"

"Is that so?"

Chu Shi raised an eyebrow, just in time to see three Copper-Skinned Rabbits bolt out nearby, heads down and chewing on grass leaves.

"Then I'll let you see for yourself."

Before his words had even faded, Chu Shi's figure flashed as he rushed forward.

His speed was more than twice as fast as Ling Chen's, reaching the rabbits in the blink of an eye.

But just as he reached out to grab the fattest one, all three rabbits bolted in three different directions simultaneously, their movements as synchronized as if they had been rehearsed.

Chu Shi instinctively chased the one in the middle, but the rabbit suddenly jumped in place, used his hand as a springboard, and whooshed into the waist-high Green-Blood Grass, leaving not even a shadow behind.

Chu Shi's hand froze in mid-air.

Ling Chen, standing nearby, instantly erupted into earth-shattering laughter:

"Hahahaha! Brother Chu, you're no good either! And you called me pathetic! Look at you, you didn't touch a single rabbit hair either!"

Chu Shi retracted his hand and rubbed his brow, feeling uncharacteristically embarrassed:

"It... it's just that these rabbits are too slippery; it has nothing to do with me."

"Tch, a loss is a loss; stop making excuses."

Ling Chen shook his head triumphantly, "I told you, the Copper-Skinned Rabbits in this place are impossible to catch."

Afterward, the two, refusing to give up, wandered deeper into the grassland for another half an hour.

In the end, they didn't catch a single Copper-Skinned Rabbit and could only hunt two plump Green-Haired Deer to carry back.

When they returned to the Temporal Platform, the three women had already set up the barbecue grill.

On a nearby rock sat several exquisite celadon wine jars, with the insignia of the Cloud Prince's Mansion stamped on the clay seals.

"Wow! Drunken Immortal Brew from the Cloud Prince's Mansion!" Ling Chen's eyes lit up instantly; he tossed the deer onto the ground and trotted over excitedly.

"Yunyao, I knew you were the best to me! You actually took out such good wine!"

"Who is being good to you!"

Chen Lingxi shoved him away and said irritably, "This is for me from Yunyao! You big drunkard, get away!"

"Oh, Sister Lingxi, don't be so stingy; let's all drink together."

Ling Chen rubbed his hands together and smiled fawningly.

Princess Xiao Yunyao covered her mouth and giggled, watching the two bicker.

Xiao Weizhao shook her head and exchanged a glance with Chu Shi; both saw helplessness in each other's eyes.

They ignored the noisy trio and knelt down to start processing the deer meat.

Chu Shi's movements were skilled; he used a Black Iron dagger to deftly peel off the deer hide, remove the bones, cut the tender venison into uniform small pieces, and thread them onto iron skewers.

Xiao Weizhao started a fire nearby, the flames licking the charcoal and making crackling sounds, soon sending up wisps of cooking smoke.

Before long, the aroma of the roasted meat filled a small part of the Temporal Platform.

The golden-yellow venison dripped with oil, sizzling on the charcoal fire; after sprinkling on the salt and spices they carried with them, the alluring fragrance made one's mouth water.

"Alright, alright, stop messing around, let's eat!" Chu Shi called out.

Ling Chen and Chen Lingxi immediately stopped bickering and sat down obediently, their eyes fixed intently on the roasted meat on the grill.

Chu Shi and Xiao Weizhao each tore off a plump, tender deer leg, and the remaining three immediately reached out impatiently, choosing their favorite parts.

Ling Chen did not do as they do in melodramatic stories and immediately pick the most tender deer tenderloin for Princess Xiao Yunyao.

He first took a piece of fatty and lean rib for himself, took a big bite, and his mouth was filled with grease.

Only then did he nonchalantly pick up the best-roasted piece of deer neck meat from his own plate and place it onto Princess Xiao Yunyao's plate.

Princess Xiao Yunyao was stunned for a moment, looked up at him, her cheeks slightly flushed, and whispered a "Thank you."

Ling Chen chuckled, scratched his head, and continued to bury himself in eating.

The five of them ate the roasted meat, drank the mellow Drunken Immortal Brew, and chatted.

They talked about the hardships of their journey to Cultivate over the past half year, the Heaven And Earth Treasure in the Red Flame Hills that had already been snatched up, the Martial Artists they heard about in the Secret Realm who fought fiercely over treasures, and their plans for after they left.

Chu Shi took a sip of wine and, looking at the lively scene before him, felt a bit emotional.

The Sect path also seems quite good.

In his previous lives, he had always gone all-in on his Family background, walking the Family path.

Although it had always been quite good, it was ultimately not as carefree as it was now.

In this life, there is a Revered Master, a Junior Brother, a Junior Sister, and friends...

It seems more suitable for the Dao of martial arts.

"Brother Chu, when you reach Golden Spike Valley, you must be careful of the Black Iron Crocodiles."

Ling Chen had drunk a bit too much, and his tongue was a bit thick, but he still didn't forget to urge him.

"That thing has thick skin and flesh, and it can even play dead. If you aren't careful, you'll be dragged into the water by it."

"I know." Chu Shi nodded.

"You all be careful too; don't go too deep into the Red Flame Hills. If you encounter any trouble you can't solve, immediately return to the Temporal Platform; it is absolutely safe here."

"Don't worry, Brother Chu, we aren't stupid." Ling Chen said, patting his chest.

The night grew deeper, and the wine was almost finished.

The five of them tidied up their things and returned to their respective positions to Cultivate.