187: Chapter 187 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (135)

"That works."

Chu Shi surveyed the environment inside the cave and nodded.

"The battle with the Black Iron Back-Armored Beast consumed quite a bit of Origin Qi and blood, so it is the perfect time to replenish it tonight."

Qiu Feng had already efficiently spread out the dry grass, then pulled the previously cut Black Iron Back-Armored Beast meat from his Storage Pouch, eagerly preparing to start a fire and roast the meat.

"We are eating well tonight! This beast meat is the best for replenishing Qi and blood. Once we eat it, our Qi and blood will recover quickly, and absorbing the Spiritual Plant tomorrow will have an even better effect!"

The bonfire was soon lit, crackling as it burned. The orange firelight cast their three shadows onto the rough cave walls, swaying slowly.

Qiu Feng could not sit still. He had barely rested for half a minute before digging out the beast meat and iron skewers, squatting by the fire to efficiently thread the meat, the iron skewers clattering loudly.

Qiu Yang stood up again to check the Formation and the vine coverings at the cave entrance. After confirming that not a shred of aura was leaking, he returned to sit down, casually poking at the firewood in the bonfire.

Chu Shi leaned against the cave wall, his fingertips resting on his knees, watching the two busy men quietly.

With the three of them sitting around the fire, the nerves that had been tight throughout the journey relaxed significantly.

Having just entered the chaotic battle zone and already secured two hauls, while successfully shaking off the pursuers, this start was far smoother than the Qiu brothers had originally anticipated.

Before long, grease dripped down the muscle fibers, falling into the bonfire and sending up tiny sparks. The rich aroma of meat, mixed with the faint scent of the Yao Beast's Qi and blood, slowly permeated the narrow cave.

Qiu Feng turned the wooden skewers a couple of times. Seeing that the skin was roasted golden and crispy, with the edges slightly curling with oil, he immediately pulled the fattest and tenderest tenderloin skewer and handed it to Chu Shi, his eyes shining as if hiding two clusters of firelight.

"Senior Brother Chu, you try it first! My skills are one of a kind among the Outer Sect Disciples!"

As he spoke, he pulled down two more skewers, stuffed one into Qiu Yang's hand, and grabbed the remaining one for himself. He blew on it twice before taking a huge bite, unwilling to let go even though he was hissing from the heat.

Chu Shi took the meat skewer, his fingertips feeling the warm oiliness.

He lowered his head and sniffed; there was only the pure aroma of meat, without the gamey, fishy smell common in low-level Yao Beasts, so he immediately took a big bite.

The crispy skin made a light sound when bitten open. The meat inside was so tender it almost burst with juice, the muscle fibers possessing a firm toughness. The more he chewed, the fresher it tasted, with a texture similar to mortal-grade yellow beef but far richer than beef.

As the warm meat went down his throat, a gentle and dense force of Qi and blood spread out, warming his limbs and bones, and even the bit of strength he had exhausted during the recent struggle was quietly replenished.

"The taste is good, and the effect of replenishing Qi and blood is real." Chu Shi nodded and praised.

Qiu Feng's tail was practically wagging, and he patted his Storage Pouch proudly, saying:

"That is right! I prepared this seasoning myself back at the Sect. I added three types of low-level herbs and crushed dried fruits to remove the gamey smell and enhance the freshness, and it can even slightly calm the soul and stabilize Qi. I keep several jars in my Storage Pouch all year round; I never go hungry wherever I go!"

Chu Shi chuckled upon hearing this, his fingertips unconsciously touching his own Storage Pouch.

Having experienced many lives, he did not know when he had once been a foodie himself.

Nowadays, his Storage Pouch was mostly stuffed with some Medicinal Pills, Ores, Cultivation Technique Jade Slips, and long-lasting Spiritual Plant rations.

He truly had not prepared such miscellaneous daily items like seasonings for a long time.

In this life, the path of the Dao of martial arts had been too hurried.

Since his Awakening of memories, he seemed to rarely have the leisure to stop and slowly roast meat by the fire.

"It was my oversight. My Storage Pouch is full of things for Cultivate, and I do not even have any decent food."

Qiu Yang was chewing the roasted meat slowly at the side, his gaze falling on his younger brother's radiant face, a faint, imperceptible warmth spreading in his eyes.

Hearing this, he withdrew his gaze and looked at Chu Shi, his tone becoming a bit more solemn:

"Speaking of which, we have to thank Senior Brother Chu for your guidance. We have only been in the chaotic battle zone for two days and have already had such a huge haul—it is more than the two of us had gathered in half a month. If it were not for you, let alone killing the Black Iron Back-Armored Beast, we would only be able to drool at the sight of the cold marrow jade ganoderma."

"No need to be so polite."

Chu Shi raised the meat skewer in his hand, his smile gentle and his tone calm.

"You are familiar with the terrain, and I provide the strength; it is a mutually beneficial cooperation."

Afterward, he paused and changed the subject:

"By the way, how did you originally obtain resources in this chaotic battle zone? After we finish resting, we still need to have a next step plan. I am new here and am not very familiar with this area."

As soon as these words were spoken, Qiu Yang's movements paused. He exchanged a glance with Qiu Feng, and both of their faces revealed a hint of solemnity.

"To be honest, Senior Brother Chu," Qiu Yang put down the meat skewer and sighed.

"The two of us were forced to flee this core area over half a month ago due to the pressure from Zhou Lie and others. The several resource points we were familiar with might have changed owners by now. Just take that wave of pursuers from earlier—I saw their aura, and it seemed to be a team from the Ice and Snow Holy Land. Even they have made their way here, which means many people have been crowding into this area recently."

Qiu Feng also nodded at the side, his mouth stuffed with meat, mumbling:

"Yeah, yeah, everything has been in chaos in just half a month. Besides, we just obtained a High Grade treasure like the cold marrow jade ganoderma, so why do we not use this opportunity to Cultivate for a while? It is quite safe here anyway. After we finish absorbing it, do not be in a rush to leave. Let us stabilize in the vicinity for two days, scout for the latest information, and then it will not be too late to formulate a plan."

Chu Shi nodded slightly upon hearing this, thoughts turning in his mind.

It was not that he could not hold his composure, but the Temporal Secret Realm seemed to still have a year and a half left, yet in reality, there was no concept of time while Cultivate.

He had just achieved a Breakthrough to the Copper Bone Realm Mid-Stage, and less than half of the bones in his entire body had been tempered. He was still a full fifty-seven bones away from the Late Stage that needed to be polished.

Moreover, this Copper Bone tempering became more difficult the further one went, and now it just happened to coincide with the appearance of the top-grade snow lotus in the deepest part of the snow mountain.

If he could not catch up now, how could he reach the Copper Bone Realm Peak in this Secret Realm?

But he was also clear that sharpening the knife would not delay the work of chopping firewood.

The cold marrow jade ganoderma was a solid, hard-earned gain. Raising his Realm first was much safer than blindly rushing out to try his luck.

"You are right."

He looked at the two Qiu brothers, his tone firm.

"Then let us proceed according to the plan. We will start absorbing the cold marrow jade ganoderma tomorrow morning, raise our Realm, and then explore the path. Once our strength is up, we will have the confidence to go anywhere."

The bonfire crackled, the orange firelight reflecting on the three men's faces, casting swaying shadows on the cave walls.

Outside the cave was the sound of insects and wind from the depths of the dense forest, but inside the cave, it was very peaceful.

The aroma of meat mixed with warmth, and the days of rushing and tension slowly relaxed in this small space.

There was nothing to say all night.

In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning...