Chapter 220: My Meat!

Besides eating the Forbidden Fruit, one could also use it to enhance a Star Divine Artifact. Enhancing a Star Divine Artifact with the Forbidden Fruit carried no side effects whatsoever. The artifact received an upgrade. Its power could increase, or it could gain a special ability.

The Ancient Cosmic Dragon was the most ruthless of dragons. Its Star Divine Artifact was exceptionally unusual: the scales covering its body. It had torn every single scale, combined them with the materials it had gathered, and ultimately refined its first Star Divine Artifact, the Ancient Cosmic Dragon Armor.

This Star Divine Artifact perfectly covered its body, providing comprehensive protection while enhancing the dragon's abilities. It gave the dragon an exceptionally powerful means of preserving its life among Star-rank powerhouses. Unless the dragon encountered someone above peak Star rank, no one could stop it if it was determined to escape.

The scales that had been pulsating across the Ancient Cosmic Dragon's body suddenly fell still. They pressed tightly against it, and it immediately understood the new ability its Star Divine Artifact had gained—sharpness.

The edge of every scale had become extraordinarily sharp, allowing it to slice anything with ease. It could cut apart even a Star Divine Artifact if it struck the same spot several times.

This was precisely the enhancement the Ancient Cosmic Dragon had wanted most. The flames in its eyes blazed brighter, and it could no longer suppress the ambition surging within its heart.

***

The next morning, sunlight spilled across the land as countless bird-dragons perched on tree branches, preening their feathers. Their plumage was rather unusual. The central portion remained scaly, while the ends split into numerous soft feathers.

A Vajra Feather shot through a bird-dragon roughly the size of a goose. As it fell from the tree, Little Nora excitedly rushed forward and caught it. He turned around and proudly showed Yu Xian the prey. "Big Bro, I want stir-fry for breakfast today."

Little Nora had originally been far too fat and enormous, and since he had wings but no hands, he could only eat his food raw, usually swallowing it whole in a single bite. However, after joining Yu Xian, he had shrunk down. Yu Xian had also used the Pangu Transmutation to alter the structure of Little Nora's wings, preserving their properties while adding the functionality of hands so that he could hold things.

Little Nora felt incredibly happy. Not only could he play safely by Yu Xian's side, but he could also enjoy many of the foods from his memories. He was truly content.

Yu Xian took an iron wok out of his spatial ring and began boiling water. To satisfy Little Nora's request, he prepared to make a dish of flash-fried bird-dragon meat.

Yu Xian glanced at Little Huang Quan as she studied beside him. "Little Huang Quan, what would you like to eat?"

Little Huang Quan was confused. "Big Bro, I don't know."

Yu Xian suddenly realized that judging from the memories she had shown him earlier, she probably had never eaten anything before. He turned toward Eternal Purity. "Auntie, do you know what kind of food Little Huang Quan eats?"

Although Little Huang Quan was bound to him as one and wouldn't starve even if she never ate again, it was still a pity for her to miss out on delicious food. Yu Xian was the same. He would be perfectly fine without eating anything, but after experiencing a period when he had been unable to consume ordinary food, he treasured his ability to eat whatever he wanted.

Eternal Purity smiled. "Huang Quan is a sacred spirit. Her nourishment comes from Faith. If you truly want her to eat, try infusing the food with positive thoughts."

Realization dawned on Yu Xian. He quickly continued cooking, and once the large wok of bird-dragon meat was ready, he scooped a portion into a small bowl. Then he slowly infused the food with positive thoughts, and a strange, enticing fragrance instantly merged with its aroma. It smelled like walking into a narrow alley at night just as every household was preparing dinner, with the scents of countless dishes blending into one uniquely comforting aroma.

Little Nora stared at the small bowl in Yu Xian's hand, drool dripping from his beak. "Big Bro, it smells so good!"

Yu Xian helplessly said, "Yours isn't ready yet. This is Little Huang Quan's food."

He handed the bowl to Little Huang Quan and asked her to try it. Under Yu Xian's and Little Nora's watchful gazes, Little Huang Quan accepted the bowl. Since she did not know how to use chopsticks, Yu Xian had prepared a small spoon for her. She scooped up a piece of meat and ate it, and an expression of astonishment appeared on her face.

It was the first time she had ever eaten anything. The flavor filled her heart with warmth, and an indescribable feeling welled up inside her.

At first, when Yu Xian saw the astonishment on Little Huang Quan's face, he smiled. But then tears suddenly welled up in her large eyes. In the end, she clutched the bowl and began to cry.

Yu Xian hurriedly pulled her into a gentle embrace and tried to soothe her. "Why are you crying? Don't cry."

After crying for quite some time, Little Huang Quan sadly muttered, "Big Bro, I miss my mother."

Yu Xian naturally had no way to bring her mother, Wang Chuan, back to life, so he could only comfort her. "Don't be afraid. I am here with you."

Little Nora gulped and spoke to Little Huang Quan with a solemn display of loyalty. "That's right. Don't be afraid. Second Brother is here with you too."

Little Huang Quan became somewhat embarrassed instead. She knew that Yu Xian did not have a mother either, while Little Nora had never even met his. They were all just like her, so she felt that she should be strong like them.

Little Huang Quan held the bowl as though it were her most treasured possession and softly said, "Big Bro, it's really delicious. You should eat too."

Yu Xian nodded with a smile. Seeing that she had cheered up, he replied, "All right. We'll eat too."

Since she had eaten, Little Nora was next. He wiped away his drool and shouted excitedly, "Big Bro, hurry up! I'm close to starving to death!"

Yu Xian first filled a bowl with meat for himself, then infused the entire wok with positive thoughts. At once, the whole dish began giving off that extraordinary fragrance. Little Nora eagerly looked at Yu Xian, and the moment he received permission, he pulled out a knife and fork, ready to feast.

However, just as he was about to attack the piece of meat he had his eye on, the ground shook violently. With Yu Xian at the center, the earth rapidly split apart and exploded. The entire wok of meat was blasted into the air.

Little Nora's eyes bulged as though a bolt of lightning had struck him out of the blue. He cried out in despair, "My meat!"

The crimson light surrounding Yu Xian instantly spread to Little Huang Quan and Little Nora. Little Nora had barely finished his anguished wail before fusing with Yu Xian.

Yu Xian flew into the air and frowned down at the shattered ground. Speaking as though he were talking to himself, yet also as if addressing someone below, he murmured, "I didn't come looking for trouble with you, yet you dared come looking for trouble with me!"

The Hero Mask appeared in his hand. He slowly placed it over his face. Countless platinum-white patterns spread across the golden wings on his back. Surging white flames enveloped him as terrifying waves of energy erupted outward. The clouds overhead scattered instantly, and fierce winds swept across everything nearby.

Yu Xian. Power 265.