Because the fire was exceptionally strong against demonic beast’s parts, the cooking time was really fast. Yue Ling even had to intentionally control the fire and reduce its intensity, otherwise, it would burn the meat into charcoal.
In just minutes, the meat was finally ready.
Juices sizzled as fat dripped into the flames, sending up bursts of smoke that carried a rich, savory aroma into the night air.
"Oh? It smells... nice," Langtian murmured in surprise. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, savoring the scent.
It was warm and meaty, with hints of char and crisp fat, almost indistinguishable from regular roasted game. The sharp, sickly stench from earlier, when the meat still reeked of demonic qi and blood, was gone now. All that remained was a faint wildness.
"Yeah, it’s ready," Yue Ling said, pulling her skewer from the fire. The glowing tips of the stick crackled as the last drops of fat hissed into the coals.
Langtian followed suit, lifting his own skewer from the fire.
He stared down at the meat for a moment.
The meat looked even better than he’d expected. Juicy chunks glistened in the firelight, the edges golden brown and slightly crisped. A thin layer of fat shimmered over the top. The sight alone was enough to make his mouth water.
It looked... delicious.
His stomach growled in response, a low, needy rumble that made him chuckle dryly under his breath.
If he gave this to any cultivator from the sect, they’d think it was premium spirit beast venison roasted by a renowned palace chef.
This was demonic wolf meat.
And he was about to take a bite.
But then... he hesitated.
His grip began to tremble. Because he knew that once he took that first bite, there would be no turning back.
Back at the Mysterious Sun Sect, or any other cultivation sect in the world, or even the evil sects, eating demonic beasts is always viewed as an act of madness and anyone who do so would be gravely punished. The sentences could range from being expelled from the sect, or even death.
’So... seriously, is this really a way to cultivate? Can he really trust his senior sister?’
But suddenly, the sound of chewing pulled Langtian away from his thoughts.
Beside him, Yue Ling had already started eating without waiting for him.
Langtian glanced at her, and froze in shock, because never in his wildest dreams had he imagined his dignified Senior Sister .
She was devouring the meat... like a barbarian!
Not biting delicately or savoring it with elegance. No. Instead, she was tearing into it with frightening speed, like a starving predator finally let off its leash!
Her crimson eyes gleamed with a primal hunger, her canines flashed as she tore chunks of meat straight off the skewer, chewing with sharp, audible crunches. Juice dribbled down the corner of her mouth, but she didn’t seem to care.
She ate like a beast starved for days.
In less than ten seconds, her first skewer was gone.
Then she grabbed another.
Langtian stared, wide-eyed, as she reached for a third.
Yue Ling finally noticed him.
"What? Junior Brother, you’re not eating?" she asked, still chewing, a smear of grease shining faintly on her lower lip.
"Ah... I..." Langtian stammered, snapped from his daze.
He looked down at his own skewer. The meat had cooled slightly, the juices thickening into a dark sheen. And still, it looked delicious.
His stomach growled again, louder this time.
To claw his way out of this cursed valley.
And to one day stand tall again, and take revenge for everything he’d lost.
So, Langtian raised the skewer.
He opened his mouth, and this time, he didn’t stop.
He bit down. The taste hit him all at once.
________________________________
’Damn, it’s so delicious...
Who would’ve thought demonic wolf meat would be the best thing I’ve ever tasted?’
He’d expected it to be tough. After all, the beast was massive and powerful. Its muscles should’ve been like steel cables.
The meat was tender, unbelievably so. Each bite melted in his mouth, releasing waves of rich, smoky flavor. The fire had crisped the outside to perfection, while the inside remained juicy and packed with umami.
He chewed, swallowed, then tore off another piece from the skewer.
In no time, he’d finished one.
And yet, he was still starving.
Without hesitation, he reached for the next skewer, only for Yue Ling to suddenly grab his wrist.
"Wait," she said calmly, her fingers wrapping around his.
"Senior Sister?" he blinked.
"Actually... I forgot something." Yue Ling gave him a sly smile and reached into her Qiankun pouch.
A moment later, she pulled out a small blue ceramic flask, with delicate silver patterns etched across its surface.
She popped the lid, tilted it, then tapped the side gently with a finger...
A fine white dust sprinkled over the next skewer.
’Wait... what was that?’
"Now try it!" Yue Ling said, grinning.
"Alright..." Langtian nodded slowly.
He had a faint idea of what the powder was.
’No way. It can’t be.’ He shook the thought from his mind.
As he bit into the next piece of meat, his mind reeled.
His eyes widened in shock.
"It’s salt?!" he exclaimed, turning to Yue Ling in disbelief.
"B-But how?! Senior Sister, how did you get this?!"
Yue Ling smiled smugly. "Well, not just salt. I’ve got a lot more, too!"
From her Qiankun pouch, she began pulling out several small flasks and silk pouches, placing them carefully beside the fire.
Langtian stared, his eyes growing wider with each item.
There was salt, crushed black pepper, dried chili flakes, spirit lotus seed powder, cloud-mint, ginger, star anise...
It was like his Senior Sister had raided an entire spice pavilion and stuffed it into her pouch!
Langtian was absolutely flabbergasted.
Meanwhile, Yue Ling chuckled, clearly enjoying her junior brother’s reaction.