Chapter 16: Chapter 16: Revisiting Star Dou Great Forest
The next morning, as dawn broke, everyone was either meditating or sleeping, taking the opportunity to rest. After travelling for so long yesterday and fighting in the evening, they were exhausted.
However, soon enough, Zhao Wuji's rough voice echoed downstairs, startling everyone awake.
The eight students quickly gathered together, and Oscar, unlike his usual sleepiness, was more active than anyone else.
The sun was slowly rising from the east, and the hint of pale light on the horizon was gradually turning red. After the battle they experienced yesterday, the relationship among the group seemed to have become closer, and they were a bit more casual with each other.
Zhao Wuji said solemnly, "You eight must always remember that you are a team. No matter where you are, you must help each other. With your talents, your greatest enemy is yourselves, understood? If you have good cooperation, it's not impossible to defeat enemies stronger than yourselves."
Seeing everyone nodding, Zhao Wuji took a step forward, leading the students all the way to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Once they left the town, Zhao Wuji increased his speed. They were already very close to their destination, and the most excited person was naturally Oscar, who was about to obtain his third Spirit Ring. It was like a guaranteed lottery draw, which he was looking forward to. He was certain that with Zhao Wuji's help, he would be able to hunt down a suitable 1,000-year Spirit Beast.
Before noon, the Star Dou Great Forest was already in sight. Zhou Hao was quite calm because he had just come here not long ago to obtain his third Spirit Ring. He had already been to the Star Dou Great Forest three times, and aside from his initial astonishment and curiosity, he could now face it calmly.
On the other hand, Tang San looked amazed, his eyes filled with purple light as he observed the magnificent forest.
"Stop!" Zhao Wuji finally spoke.
Oscar reacted quickly, distributing the recovery sausages to everyone. After two days of getting used to his perverted soul incantation, everyone had gradually adapted to it. The energy-rich sausages quickly replenished their stamina.
"Listen up, according to the previously agreed formation, once we enter, all actions must be according to my commands and strictly within a 20-metre radius around me. This is not a forest of Spirit Beasts raised by the Kingdom. With your current cultivation, there may be danger at any time."
Everyone's expressions turned serious as they maintained their formation and followed Zhao Wuji into the forest. Only Xiao Wu was filled with excitement, constantly pulling Tang San and pointing in different directions. Zhou Hao chuckled lightly; It was like a daughter returning to her mother's home.
Oscar quickly made the sausages and handed it to everyone, in case it was needed.
Along the way, Zhou Hao was in charge of clearing the path ahead, wielding his profound and powerful dark golden claw blades. Zhao Wuji couldn't help but feel envious of his formidable killing weapon. His powerful Vigorous Vajra Bear's main attack power did not have such a perfect killing weapon.
Zhou Hao walked steadily because he knew that danger could come from any direction, including above.
Suddenly, he raised his hand to signal a halt.
"What's the situation?" Dai Mubai, who was at the back, became vigilant, and his tiger claws sprung out.
"There's a group of small soul beasts ahead, foraging. Let's take a slight detour," Zhou Hao said.
Dai Mubai looked at the group of small mouse-like soul beasts in front and said in surprise, "Aren't they just weasels? Just a group of ten-year soul beasts, we can kill them."
Zhou Hao shook his head. "Killing them is just a matter of convenience for us. But think about it, if everyone does the same, the number of soul beasts would decrease over the years. And in a place like this, you never know what the smell of blood might attract."
Dai Mubai suddenly realised, and Zhao Wuji nodded approvingly. Tang San also cast a look of agreement because his teacher had always taught him the same. Xiao Wu couldn't help but look at Zhou Hao with a kinder gaze.
Zhou Hao was familiar with this peripheral area and led everyone for two hours. It was now noon, and the scorching sun was high in the sky. Although the area was shaded by trees, the temperature was noticeably hotter and drier.
"I remember there's a small stream up ahead. Let's rest there," Zhou Hao pointed towards the dense forest in front and informed everyone.
"You're quite familiar with this place, Zhou Hao," Zhao Wuji said with a smile.
"I guess so. I obtained all three of my Spirit Rings in that area up ahead."
"You did it alone?"
"Yes, alone. I've always had great strength, and after my Martial Soul awakened, I came here and hunted down a Saber-tooth Tiger."
Zhou Hao spoke casually, but everyone found it hard to imagine a six-year-old boy venturing into the Star Dou Great Forest alone.
"Brother, you're too amazing!" Ma Hongjun immediately activated his fawning attributes.
Tang San couldn't help but recall the scene where he had killed the Datura Snake on the brink of life and death. He couldn't help but smile wryly.
After walking a bit further, they finally reached the small river, and everyone sat down to rest. Tang San took out a carrot from his belt and gave it to Xiao Wu, then distributed the dry rations he brought to everyone.
Meanwhile, Zhou Hao took out a pile of items from his ring, including pots, pans, bowls, spoons, and even firewood. In the astonished eyes of Tang San, he looked at Ma Hongjun and said, "Fatty, lend me some fire."
"Let me show you my skills. We haven't entered the area with the 1,000-year Spirit Beasts yet, so there's nothing to worry about. It will be difficult to start a fire once we go further in."
Zhou Hao set up the cooking station, and Ma Hongjun couldn't wait. A burst of flame spewed out, igniting a large fire. Zhou Hao then took out a piece of frozen meat.
"This is the meat of a 300-year-old Silverback Demon Bull that I spent a long time to hunt down. I've been reluctant to eat the leftovers. I've concluded that the meat of this kind of Spirit Beast is the best between 300 and 500 years old spirit beasts."
" ... " Everyone present had never cooked before, so they were at a loss for words.
Zhou Hao smiled and quickly cut the meat into nine portions, frying them in an iron pan while simultaneously boiling a pot of soup. He continuously took out various ingredients and seasonings from his ring. In the eyes of the others, Zhou Hao's ring had become a treasure trove.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Zhou Hao curiously. At the moment, she was resting alone in a tree. As she took off her cold coat, she supported her chin with her hands, revealing a somewhat girlish expression.
This man was truly mysterious.
He knew her own origin and secrets, and his strength was terrifying, yet he didn't belong to any faction. He was gentle and treated her well. It seemed like he liked her. And today, he even knew how to cook. The delicious aroma confirmed it.
As Zhu Zhuqing pondered, her fair little face showed a faint smile. Ever since she and Dai Mubai had a talk about their dilemma, she had let go of her childhood worries, and her heart was slowly being warmed by Zhou Hao. And with the new classmates, they had given her a different life.
When Zhu Zhuqing snapped out of her thoughts, she saw Zhou Hao holding a steak under the tree, wearing a smile on his face. "What are you thinking? Come down and have something to eat."
"Okay." Zhu Zhuqing's face blushed slightly, and she agilely leapt down from the tree, accepting the steaming steak. She said, "Thank you!"
Zhou Hao seemed to be sweating on his forehead and quickly said, "There will be mushroom soup later." Then he quickly turned around and left.
The steak smelled amazing, and the seasoning was perfect. Zhu Zhuqing didn't know whether Zhou Hao did it intentionally or not, but her steak seemed to be heart-shaped.
At this moment, Zhou Hao was nervous. He wanted Zhu Zhuqing to notice the heart shape, but he also feared that she would be upset if she realised it. So he busied himself to avoid thinking about it.
Everyone enjoyed their meal, and they also had a bowl of delicious soup. Ma Hongjun, in particular, was still unsatisfied and clamoured for Zhou Hao to give him the last piece of steak. Zhou Hao only relaxed when he saw that Zhu Zhuqing seemed full.
During this meal, Zhao Wuji's eyes brightened, and Xiao Wu made Tang San promise to bring more tasty food in the future. Tang San could only helplessly agree.
Zhou Hao looked at everyone's satisfaction and felt fulfilled himself. It felt good to be part of a team. In his previous life, whether at home or at school, he had always enjoyed cooking. So during his travels outside, he never compromised on food.
....
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