Node Eighteen

Soon, the ‘Fire Realm Feast’ that had led to Black Butcher’s enlightenment and breakthrough was served.

“Mmm!” Luo Feng ate heartily, his eyes lighting up. He was a regular at the Fire Realm Restaurant, but today’s Fire Realm Feast, with its large cuts of meat, purified his divine body and invigorated his soul.

The stimulation to his soul was ten times greater than ever before.

“Excellent, excellent, excellent,” Luo Feng exclaimed, repeating the word three times. The Fire Realm Restaurant’s cuisine already suited his taste, but now that Black Butcher’s culinary skills had advanced to the Source of Laws realm, this Fire Realm Feast had Luo Feng utterly captivated.

It was simply marvelous!

The fully transformed Fire Realm Feast was the most exquisite delicacy Luo Feng had ever tasted in Huyang City.

“This flavor…” Entropy Tianyan, tasting it beside him, was also quite excited. “I’ve lived in Huyang City for so long, and Black Butcher’s culinary skill is truly the best in Huyang City.”

While there were indeed several Eternal True Gods in Huyang City who loved cooking, Black Butcher was the only one who had achieved Eternal True God status through his culinary arts.

Furthermore, Black Butcher was a practitioner of the ‘Lineage of Laws,’ having fully comprehended the essence of the Source of Laws, which naturally made his culinary skills even more astonishing.

“This Fire Realm Feast, I feel, is greatly beneficial to cultivation,” Luo Feng remarked. He could sense that the transformed ‘Fire Realm Feast’ had a stronger effect than some cultivation-assisting items.

“Brother Luohe, why not seize this opportunity to comprehend the mysteries of artifact forging?” Entropy Tianyan suggested.

“Very well, I do have some points of confusion,” Luo Feng replied. He ate and drank while contemplating the numerous hurdles of the three body refinements in the ‘Chaos Herculean Diagram’.

Having cultivated for over twenty epochs, his accumulated knowledge was already profound.

While he pondered, Luo Feng also conversed with Entropy Tianyan. With his soul stimulated by the delicious food, Luo Feng felt his comprehension improve. Any confusion he had would be completely dispelled after just a few words from Entropy Tianyan.

After Black Butcher gained enlightenment on the Source of Laws, the miniature universe in his distant homeland also began to expand.

“With Divine Monarch Luohe present, my divine body’s transformation within the Fire Realm Restaurant is, paradoxically, the safest place for it to occur,” Black Butcher thought. Suppressing his excitement, he quietly meditated in the small building, patiently awaiting the completion of his miniature universe’s expansion.

In his home universe region, the time flow rate was 10081 times that of the Origin Continent.

Thus, during the short time they spent chatting and drinking, his home miniature universe completed its transformation! Black Butcher’s ‘True God’s Heart’ also fully evolved, and simultaneously, his entire divine body began its transformation to a higher level.

A steady stream of divine power flowed from his distant home, transmitted through his ‘True God’s Heart’ to his entire body.

“Finally, I’ve broken through to the Eternal True God realm,” Black Butcher thought, his heart swelling with emotion. He had waited for this day for far too long! In Huyang City, he had welcomed and bid farewell to countless guests, always greeting them with a smile.

Even when facing oppression from dark forces, he had to force a smile.

Finally, he had broken through! He had fully joined the ranks of Huyang City’s strongest!

“Even with this breakthrough, I am still merely a newly promoted Eternal True God. In Huyang City, I must continue to act cautiously. For me, the most crucial task is to maintain my relationship with Divine Monarch Luohe.” Black Butcher was acutely aware of this.

He immediately left the small building and headed straight for Luo Feng and Entropy Tianyan.

Moyu Qingyan did not stop Black Butcher, allowing the restaurant owner to enter.

“Congratulations, Black Butcher,” Luo Feng said, smiling at him.

“I owe my success today to the Divine Monarch,” Black Butcher said, bowing deeply and respectfully. “Without the Divine Monarch’s protection, how could I have accumulated such resources over the past twenty-odd epochs, or achieved this breakthrough today? I am at a loss as to how to repay this great kindness.”

Luo Feng smiled and said, “From now on, whenever I visit your restaurant, just charge me less. Your culinary skills are now arguably the best in Huyang City, so I fear your prices will increase a hundredfold. I’ll regret the cost of my meals from now on.”

“Divine Monarch, your visits to the restaurant will be free forevermore,” Black Butcher declared generously.

Luo Feng smiled at Black Butcher and said, “Then it’s settled! I won’t be paying with Chaos Crystals anymore.”

Black Butcher was quite excited to hear this and exclaimed repeatedly, “It is my honor!”

“Black Butcher, your luck is truly remarkable,” Entropy Tianyan remarked, looking at him thoughtfully.

At their level, why would they bother with such petty gains as free food and drink?

Luo Feng’s words signaled an attitude: this Fire Realm Restaurant was now ‘his domain’!

After all, even the strongest Eternal True God in culinary arts in Huyang City would encounter many unavoidable predicaments. With Luo Feng’s protection, Black Butcher, a newly ascended Eternal True God, could truly gain a foothold in Huyang City.

It was simply the nature of things; with numerous hidden forces in Huyang City, a newly promoted Eternal True God who didn’t align with a major power would face considerable trouble. This was unless they were like Sangshui Yun, completely without attachments.

“I’ll go downstairs and prepare a few more dishes for the Divine Monarch,” Black Butcher said with a smile, then excused himself.

Back in the small building.

Entropy Tianyan asked in surprise, “Brother Luohe, are you intending to protect this Black Butcher from now on?”

“Of everyone in Huyang City, his cooking is my favorite, and his temperament is also agreeable,” Luo Feng said with a smile. “My protection of him is also a protection of my source of fine dining.”

“You are simply too kind-hearted, too willing to help those weaker than you,” Entropy Tianyan remarked. “In this world, sometimes being kind and benevolent can result in heavy losses.”

Luo Feng looked at him. “My kindness is also selective.”

“By the way, you’re studying the core techniques of body refinement; are you interested in learning artifact forging?” Entropy Tianyan asked. “I have some understanding of weapons, armor, and even mechanical-type secret treasures. Although I’ve taken on many disciples, in terms of talent in this area, you are far more talented than any of them.”

“Not at the moment,” Luo Feng said. “I’ll seek your tutelage when I develop an interest.”

“Very well, come anytime, and I’ll teach you anytime,” Entropy Tianyan said, still eager to impart knowledge.

In truth, when it came to the inheritance of artifact forging, his master Sitting Mountain Guest was a God King of the Forging Lineage, so Luo Feng naturally had access to numerous inheritances from this system. However, they were too recondite to grasp on his own; with Entropy Tianyan’s guidance, he could save himself some detours.

The two discussed artifact forging and the situation in Huyang City. Only after they finished eating, drinking, and discussing, did they part ways.

“Let’s leave.”

When Luo Feng departed with Moluosah and Moyu Qingyan, the entire Fire Realm Restaurant was in a state of jubilation.

“Master has become an Eternal True God!”

“Master has broken through!”

Black Butcher’s many disciples, including Suo Zi, were all overjoyed.

Previously, they were merely disciples of a Void True God! But now, they had taken a great leap forward—each of them had become a disciple of an Eternal True God! Their status within Huyang City had significantly risen.

Under normal circumstances, how difficult it would be to become a disciple of an Eternal True God! The cost was even more prohibitive!

They were all from the lower echelons of Huyang City society, and had only managed to become disciples of a Void True God. Now, fortune had smiled upon them—their master himself had broken through! This group of disciples was understandably thrilled.

“Suo Zi, congratulations, you’ve certainly fallen into good fortune, directly becoming an Eternal True God disciple.” For the past twenty-odd epochs, Suo Yun had grown accustomed to looking down upon his brother.

His brother was content to be a chef, a path Suo Yun scorned, deeming him a coward, incompetent, and unambitious.

In a place like Huyang City, how could one hope to become powerful without striving with all their might? Without taking chances? Without seizing every opportunity possible? If it weren’t for the frequent chance encounters with Divine Monarch Luohe, Suo Yun wouldn’t even bother to be too involved with his brother.

But who could have imagined that fate was so miraculous!

Suo Zi had actually become an Eternal True God’s disciple.

“It’s Master who is amazing; we’re just lucky,” Suo Zi said, his heart overflowing with joy at that moment.

Meanwhile, in the distance, Luo Feng, Moluosah, and Moyu Qingyan had already departed in a flying boat.

Standing in the cabin of the flying boat, Luo Feng looked outside. The vast Huyang City, enveloped in heavy snow, was so beautiful. Under the enshrouding mist and clouds, Huyang City had now completely transformed into a city of ice and snow.

He quite liked the city.

Upon arriving in the Origin Continent, he chose to reside in Huyang City. One reason was his desire to see more of the world, and another was his wish to avoid Chaos Supremes and God Kings. This was why he had selected this major border city, ‘Huyang City’.

“Before becoming a Chaos Supreme, it’s better to live in seclusion here,” Luo Feng thought. He was well aware that he was still quite weak and not yet strong enough to contend with Chaos Supremes.

“It’s time to prepare for the three body refinements,” Luo Feng thought.

As of today, after his discussion with Entropy Tianyan, the three body refinements of the ‘Chaos Herculean Diagram’ were theoretically mastered.

Those who could complete the three body refinements could be considered adepts in artifact forging. Luo Feng’s rapid progress made Entropy Tianyan eager to teach him even more artifact forging techniques.

“The third body refinement is estimated to require materials worth 3.6 million Cosmos Sands,” Luo Feng mused with a slight frown. “I only have just over a million Cosmos Sands on hand, so I’m quite short.”

“I’ll sell a mechanical-type treasure then.”

Luo Feng considered.

Among the four mechanical-type secret treasures he currently possessed, the Shi Wu Wings had uses such as ‘Chaos Control’ and ‘Wing Blade.’ Its vast Chaos Domain was still very useful to Luo Feng. Moreover, the Shi Wu Wings held profound significance for Luo Feng, so he naturally wouldn’t sell them.

His own combat primarily relied on his perfect divine body! The World Escape Token, a mechanical-type secret treasure, was immensely helpful to him.

The Blood River of Life was slightly less important than the World Escape Token.

The Sword of the World only had the effect of ‘condensing Chaos divine power,’ which was hardly useful to Luo Feng. His perfect divine power, when condensed with the aid of the Shi Wu Wings and the Blood River of Life, was no less potent than Chaos divine power.

“The main three forces in Huyang City are the City Lord’s Manor, the Food Kingdom, and a third, indigenous force,” Luo Feng thought. “Let the City Lord’s Manor and the indigenous force make their offers.”

“Highest bidder gets it.”

Luo Feng finalized his plan and immediately sent messages to Moli Meng and Zhuyou, informing them of his intention to sell the mechanical-type secret treasure, the ‘Sword of the World.’

The Sword of the World held little appeal for Luo Feng.

However, for Eternal True Gods of extremely high cultivation who had comprehended Chaos-realm techniques, its appeal was immense! Their divine power was not as pure as Luo Feng’s. Obtaining the Sword of the World would cause their power to surge significantly.

‘Ying Cang’ was able to achieve such terrifying assault power precisely because of the Sword of the World.

Just as the City Lord’s Manor and the indigenous forces were focused on the Sword of the World, a seemingly ordinary dark red flying boat arrived in Huyang City.

Within the dark red flying boat.

Two figures stood in the cabin, observing the city.

“The Marquis must be about to take action, to completely seize Huyang City,” said a woman with a body of ice. “That’s why Second Brother was dispatched here, to join forces with Blood Cloud.”

“Behind Huyang City is Marquis Jiujiang.” The burly figure stood there, unshakeable, like a world unto himself. “Although Marquis Jiujiang is quite renowned, he is still inferior to our Marquis.”

The woman with a body of ice nodded in agreement.

Although they were all ancient Chaos Supremes, reputation was forged over long ages through sheer power. The ‘Marquis Liuyin’ of the Food Kingdom, who they served, indeed had a superior reputation to Marquis Jiujiang.

“The three of us—my sister, Blood Cloud, and myself—working together, are enough to wreak havoc upon Huyang City!” the burly figure declared. “It’s just that Blood Cloud is too cautious and unwilling to take risks, so he hasn’t achieved much in Huyang City. When I see him later, I’ll have to test him… If he proves weaker than I, he’ll have to obey me.”

“This Blood Cloud, though of the older generation, should be no match for Second Brother.” The woman with a body of ice was well aware of her Second Brother’s might.

“We’ll know once we test him,” the burly figure said.

The dark red flying boat quietly advanced, heading to rendezvous with Divine Monarch Blood Cloud.