Transcendent Dawn

Flames lapped cheerfully at the skinned mountain rat on the grill.

Drops of fat fell and burst upon the flames, releasing an amazing aroma.

Su Lu carefully turned the grill, occasionally sprinkling a bit of salt or cumin on it to make the aroma even more tantalizing.

Gurgle!

Even Zuo Xiaojuan, who despised and feared rats, couldn’t help but swallow her saliva at the sight.

She was hungry.

After all, they were stranded in the mountains with not much snack to go around, and everything was already finished off.

“Um… Brother Bai, your cooking… smells so good!”

Li Zhi approached, staring at the grilled rat meat, and swallowed his saliva.

“Hmm, even though domestic rats definitely should not be eaten, mountain rats are not that particular. Aren’t there markets that specifically breed bamboo rats for consumption?”

Su Lu chuckled and opened another iron pot that was cooking.

An even more irresistible aroma filled the air.

His main purpose was actually to hunt the mountain rat; rescuing these four was just a side matter.

However, they were all so frightened that they clung tightly to him and did not dare to leave. There was nothing he could do about that.

The twin sister in particular, had an astonished look on her face when she saw him preparing the rat meat for consumption. It was both amusing and somewhat contemptible.

Hasn’t she seen Bear Grylls? That’s what a real fearless man is like!

She’s totally undeserving of the reputation of our Food Hunter Empire.

‘Moreover, even if you beg me, I might not be willing to share.’

Su Lu rolled his eyes, opened the thermos, scooped a spoonful of soup and savored it slowly.

“Hmm…this soup, brewed from the spiritual ingredients from the rat and the spiritual plants I’ve collected, tastes good…and it also counts as a potion.”

In this nearly magic-less world, this was even more exceptional.

Su Lu ignored Li Zhi, who was eagerly looking at him. He drank all the soup from the pot on his own and observed the changes in his body:

[Ding! You have consumed a Magic Potion (unnamed), Spirit +0.1!]

‘Hmm? Not bad… It seems that being a Food Hunter is indeed a feasible path.’

He nodded to himself, tore off a piece of roast, and found it even more delicious.

‘That mountain rat… it probably has the potential to become the king of this range. Under such harsh conditions, it underwent such a transformation… giving experience, attributes, and even such delicious meat. Every part of it is a treasure.’

“Brother Bai…”

Seeing Su Lu eating on his own, Li Zhi became anxious: “What does this roast taste like?”

“It tastes like chicken, crispy!”

Su Lu stared at him with a smile: “Wanna eat? Buy it, 100 yuan a portion!”

This roast would not count as a ‘Magic Potion’, it was just extremely delicious.

Even so, it was quite a steal.

This spiritual creature’s roast…there might only be this one in the whole world.

“You…are taking advantage of people in need!”

Upon hearing this, Zuo Xiaojuan’s face reddened with anger.

Su Lu just rolled his eyes at her: “I’m not a member of a rescue team, I am under no obligation to rescue you… you guys are too naive, lacking experiences of the hardships of the world.”

He was very annoyed by these few. Knowing they were not capable, they still wandered off into the mountains and caused trouble.

“Brother Bai is right!”

At this moment, Ma Ning stepped forward, took out his wallet: “I’ll pay… for four portions.”

He was somewhat ashamed of his previous behaviour of fleeing. Plus, his family was quite wealthy and he had lots of pocket money, so he was quite generous.

Li Zhi just accepted it tacitly.

After all, in this deep mountain old forest, even if they had money, there was no place to spend it.

Furthermore, they did need this man to guide them out.

‘Human nature… is indeed quite complicated.’

Su Lu shrugged, took the money, and handed over the goods.

“Whew…” Li Zhi took over the roast, took one bite, and his eyes suddenly widened: “This is delicious!”

Not only was it delicious, but the explosion of the sweet meat juice in his mouth, along with the extreme savouriness, and the chewiness and texture of beef, left him almost at a loss for words, only knowing that he should keep eating.

Unknowingly, the skewer in his hand was emptied of meat, only leaving the bone. He still instinctively licked it, not yet satisfied.

Even the two girls who were initially a bit adverse to the idea, could not resist the hunger and temptation. After taking the first bite, their expressions rapidly shifted from disbelief to being completely immersed in the delightful taste.

“Brother Bai… your culinary skills are amazing.”

Ma Ning sincerely praised.

“Of course, I run a restaurant.” replied Su Lu as he nodded.

The four people looked at each other, are you serious? You’re a cook? Are cooks so powerful nowadays?

Looking at their skeptical expressions, Su Lu casually smiled, then suddenly glanced at the dense forest, began to pack up his mountaineering bags: “I need to go now!”

“Wait a moment, Brother Bai, please, take us with you.”

Seeing their saviour about to leave, Ma Ning and others became anxious: “We promise, we will not be burdens!”

“You don’t need to follow me because the rescue team will be here soon.”

Su Lu waved his hand, jumped over a small stream in two or three steps: “Before coming on this trip, I checked the official website of this scenic area and found out that there’s paid rescue here, you should prepare the money, and remember not to deny payment after you get out!”

He moved quickly and disappeared into the jungle in no time.

“What did he say? Rescue team?”

Zuo Xiaochan’s eyes lit up.

“Hmm!”

Li Zhi was staring at the bonfire: “Indeed… with such an obvious sign, there should…”

“We found them!!!” Right in the middle of their discussion, a group of people who seemed to be forest rangers emerged from the forest on the other side, exclaiming: “Don’t worry, we’re here to save you.”

“We are saved.”

Zuo Xiaojuan cheered, noticing Ma Ning’s thoughtful expression, she nudged him: “What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking… With Brother Bai’s personality of desiring money… Did he leave early just to avoid the rescue fee?”

Ma Ning stroked his chin, arranging a detective-like facial expression.

Li Zhi paused, met eyes with Zuo Xiaochan, and suddenly felt that it indeed might be the case!

…

Three days later.

Su Lu returned to East City.

Looking at the bustling streets and bright neon lights, he suddenly smiled: “What a… nice atmosphere.”

He arrived at his house, which was also the location of Bai Jing’s restaurant. He turned on his phone’s internet, browsed through various news.

He did not discover any particular hot news, it seemed that the previous sensation of a Dream Attraction was just an illusion.

“Stable society, convenient logistics… I like it.”

He skillfully browsed the web, checked out a rather reputable online jewelry shop, and purchased a blue crystal bracelet.

“Sigh… I’m running out of money.”

After making the payment, Su Lu suddenly sighed: “It seems… I have to continue running my restaurant.”

Of course, selling items like ‘Transcendent Recipes’, he would never do.

Was he asking for trouble?

Su Lu is rather keen on staying behind the scenes, watching the changes of the world quietly—it’s quite interesting.

When the time is right, he would make his move.