With practiced ease, Luo Chuan retrieved a small jar of honey and began coating the Colored Glazed Chicken in a shimmering layer of golden sweetness.
The honey glowed faintly, speckled with tiny flecks of purple light.
Chen Mo's pupils shrank.
"Purple Millet?!" he blurted out, his voice trembling with disbelief.
He didn't even know what to say anymore.
Purple Millet—a legendary spiritual ingredient no less valuable than Heaven Piercing Leaf.
It was known to increase the success rate of overcoming tribulations.
And it was being used as seasoning?!
Chen Mo felt an ache in his chest.
He glanced at Chen Yiyi, only to find her mouth hanging open, her expression frozen in stunned silence.
Luo Chuan, however, remained completely unfazed. He continued skillfully preparing the dish, moving with the ease of someone who had done this countless times before.
The contradiction was maddening.
First, this mysterious senior claimed to be a mere shopkeeper.
Then, he casually pulled out priceless treasures as though they were common ingredients.
And now, he was displaying culinary skills that could rival the greatest chefs in the world.
If Luo Chuan suddenly declared himself a professional chef, Chen Mo would believe it without hesitation.
Time passed swiftly.
The fragrance in the air had grown overwhelmingly rich, saturating the surroundings with an intoxicating scent.
Luo Chuan gave a satisfied nod.
"It's done."
With a simple wave of his hand, the flames vanished.
The Colorful Colored Glazed Chicken, now perfectly roasted and wrapped in Tongtianhe, rested in his palm.
Chen Mo and Chen Yiyi swallowed hard.
They couldn't help it.
The aroma was too divine.
Luo Chuan peeled away the lotus leaf, revealing the glistening golden skin of the roasted chicken.
A mesmerizing purple brilliance shimmered across the surface, intertwining with a profound, otherworldly aura.
The dish had absorbed the effects of both Heaven Piercing Leaf and Purple Millet!
Gululu—
A strange noise echoed in the air.
The two cultivators stiffened, their faces instantly flushing red.
Chen Yiyi awkwardly pressed a hand to her stomach.
Chen Mo looked away, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
Luo Chuan, expression unreadable, simply tore the chicken in half and handed it to them.
"Boss… is this for us?" Chen Mo hesitated, still unable to believe it.
Chen Yiyi, on the other hand, accepted it without a second thought, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Thank you, Boss!" she said sweetly.
Chen Mo sighed.
Junior sister, do you have to be so shamelessly familiar?!
And do you even realize how priceless this food is?!
Despite his internal complaints, Chen Mo's body moved on its own.
"Brother, try it." Chen Yiyi tore off a piece of the chicken and handed it to him.
Chen Mo took the piece and placed it in his mouth.
The moment he bit down—
An explosion of flavors.
The rich, savory aroma spread instantly, coating his taste buds in a perfect balance of sweetness and umami.
A faint, ethereal freshness lingered in the background—the unique essence of Heaven Piercing Leaf.
The crispy skin crackled under his teeth, releasing bursts of sweet, floral undertones from the Purple Millet honey.
For a brief moment, Chen Mo felt like he was floating among the clouds.
Luo Chuan took a bite himself and inwardly sighed.
Still not as good as Yao Ziyan's cooking.
But it was decent enough.
For now, it would do.
His mind briefly wandered.
I wonder when Yao Ziyan will be back…
As the heavenly fragrance lingered in the air, it drifted far beyond their immediate surroundings, carried by the wind.
Then—
A distant roar shattered the peaceful atmosphere.
Chen Mo's expression darkened.
"Oh no! Boss, this scent is attracting all the nearby monsters!"
Even they had struggled to resist this divine aroma—how could the wild beasts, driven by instinct alone, possibly hold back?
Luo Chuan's face remained indifferent.
"Let them come."
His voice was calm, yet laced with an undeniable sense of absolute dominance.
Chen Mo felt a chill run down his spine.
In that moment, he remembered—
This man was a peerless existence who could sever cause and effect.
Just as the tension was rising, Luo Chuan casually tossed something to Chen Mo.
Chen Mo instinctively caught it.
His eyes widened in shock.
It was—
A tail feather from the Colored Glazed Chicken!