Chapter 1442: Royal Chef

The world seemed to have been dark for a long time, or perhaps,it was as if the world was inherently steeped in darkness.

Light was but a presumptuous guest.

Jiang Wang remained in a daze for a while, before gradually recalling what had transpired.

Had... the source of his spirit been severed?

Or was he merely awaiting its severance?

He opened his eyes, and thus, light entered the world of darkness.

Gurgle, gurgle.

Bubbling sounds arose from all around from time to time.

And occasionally, they would burst.

Jarring one from their trance.

It was then that Jiang Wang realized he was submerged in a lake of boiling magma, his injuries having healed seven or eight tenths.

Long Xiang Si was still clenched tightly in his hand.

His right hand, perhaps held in a fixed posture of exertion for too long, felt somewhat stiff.

Yet, the Ruyi Immortal Garment still bore the damages from the preceding battle.

The Samadhi True Flame within his Five Palaces naturally emitted a luminous glow, completely isolating him from the harm of the magma.

So, he had not been slain...

A hint of relief had just crossed his mind.

Jiang Wang's body instinctively tensed, and he leaped upwards.

Thus, he saw beyond this vast magma lake—

Scattered within the mountains were pools of fiery red magma, one after another.

And within and beside these magma pools, squatting or sprawling, were the vast multitude of Huodou beasts, covering the mountainside...

Black mountains, red pools, a heap of dogs, er, a heap of strange beasts that looked identical to dogs.

At first glance, it was difficult for Jiang Wang not to be reminded of Du Dewang's charcoal hotpot in Maple Forest City.

Once upon a time, they, a few brothers, would sit around a stove, clinking wine bowls, clashing chopsticks to snatch meat, what joy it was!

The only difference was the indifferent gaze of those "dogs" that turned towards him, quickly making Jiang Wang realize who the ingredients truly were in this situation.

And so he awkwardly descended once more, stepping onto the magma with a low profile, no longer daring to "look down upon the multitude of dogs."

He had entered the Huodou's lair.

Up until this moment, Jiang Wang's heart remained lost.

He did not understand why the Huodou had carried him back to their old home, and even arranged a magma lake halfway up the mountain. Compared to those ordinary Huodou, this was quite grand accommodation.

He vigilantly looked forward, and the entity that had stirred his instinctive alarm slowly approached from the mountaintop.

It was a Huodou with a three-forked tail, its steps calm, even elegant.

Despite looking like a dog, it walked like a cat.

But within its cold eyes, there was naught but the majesty of a king.

Thus it arrived through the air, finally stopping its steps, standing beside this crimson magma lake, and meeting Jiang Wang's gaze.

This was a treacherous and cunning powerful being.

Jiang Wang reminded himself of this in his heart more than once.

He must never mistake it for a foolish mutt simply because it resembled a dog.

His status as a prisoner at this moment undeniably proved its might.

Though he did not fully understand why his injuries had completely healed, nor could he fathom why this Huodou King Beast had spared his life. But judging by the Huodou King Beast's treacherous cunning, there must be a significant reason.

In other words, to the Huodou King Beast, he possessed value.

To fight, there was no need for further battle.

The outcome between him and the Huodou King Beast was a result of absolute power, not a matter of losing by a move or two.

Repeating it several times would not alter the outcome.

Furthermore, he had now been transported to the opponent's territory.

The timing, the location, the human element, none were in his favor.

Jiang Wang sheathed his sword, and after swiftly acknowledging reality, his demeanor relaxed significantly.

He spread his hands, indicating his extreme friendliness and complete lack of guard.

Then, with a sincere gaze, he looked directly at the Huodou King Beast: "Things being as they are, let us converse."

The Huodou King Beast merely looked at him, offering no response.

"Don't be like this, we are all individuals of renown, let us speak frankly and openly. As it is said, cooperation benefits both, division harms both..."

Still silence.

"Erm, may I inquire why Your Excellency has brought me here... for what purpose?"

Still silence.

"Your Esteemed Royal Highness, King of Huodou, may I know if you have any commands? I would be delighted to be of service!"

After speaking to himself for a good while, Jiang Wang finally realized that although the other possessed intelligence not inferior to that of humans, it did not comprehend human speech.

This was nothing particularly unusual. Speaking of the languages of the various human nations, they too gradually evolved over the long flow of time.

The languages spoken in various places today are already vastly different from those of a few hundred or thousand years ago.

Some of these strange beasts in the Mountain and Sea Realm have already been extinct in the present world for several great epochs.

It was perfectly normal that they did not understand human speech.

There was no need to mention the languages that had vanished in the long passage of time; among those who entered the Mountain and Sea Realm throughout the ages...

Looking at the entire vast Mountain and Sea Realm, how many places could these people visit?

Some strange beasts might not encounter humans, and even if they did, they might not be willing to learn human speech.

It was only a pity that he did not know the Dao language, nor could he write the Dao characters.

Otherwise, a single pronunciation, a single character, could accurately convey complex meanings, and would not be limited to communicating with anyone.

Jiang Wang pondered for a moment.

He patted his chest with his hand and said: "I!"

Then he pointed at the Huodou King Beast with his finger and said: "You!"

Then he clasped his left hand with his right, shook them forcefully, and shouted: "Friend!"

He repeated: "You and I can be friends, understand?"

With such detailed body language, such rich expressions, and simple yet powerful vocalizations, the Huodou King Beast likely understood...

Because it spat to the side.

Jiang Wang: ...

One Huodou King, one Great Qi prodigy, stared at each other, the large eyes meeting the small ones. After a long while of staring, the Huodou King Beast tilted its head, perhaps also struggling with how to communicate with Jiang Wang.

In any case, the atmosphere at this moment was quite peaceful (apart from the Huodou King Beast's reluctance to make friends).

At least both sides were seeking communication, not slaughter.

After pondering for a while, the Huodou King Beast's eyes lit up, likely having finally come up with a clever idea. It extended its right front paw and scooped at the magma lake, and a ball of burning magma flew up and surged towards Jiang Wang.

To call it an attack, the intensity was simply too weak.

Could it be... playing a game?

The way Huodou greet each other?

This fellow is quite two-faced!

Said it didn't want to make friends!

Seeing the Huodou King Beast's eyes light up with apparent joy, Jiang Wang understood. He casually intercepted the ball of magma, even controlling it to perform a spinning flourish in the air, before easily dispersing it into a rain of beautiful fiery red magma, drifting downwards.

Immediately after, he reached out and grabbed a ball of magma, throwing an encouraging look at the Huodou King Beast, telling it, "You can do it too!"

Then, with a smack, he threw this ball of magma onto the Huodou King Beast's face.

Jiang Wang: ...

Why didn't this fellow dodge?

What kind of game was this?

Jiang Wang's smile became somewhat stiff.

And the Huodou King Beast's dog-like face was completely devoid of expression. Its eyes were even more devoid of emotion. Only the fiery red, viscous magma slowly sliding down its face showed any sign of life.

This indicated that it was a living Huodou King, a powerful being of great significance even within the Mountain and Sea Realm.

The atmosphere seemed to have become heavy...

Awkward silence spread for a long time.

The Huodou King Beast finally convinced itself anew, and lowered its head to take another bite of magma.

Then it opened its mouth and sprayed towards Jiang Wang.

This ball of magma still had no force, leaping in the air, easily intercepted by Jiang Wang.

Again?

Jiang Wang felt that this Huodou King Beast's life was truly too dull, playing without enjoyment yet continuing to play. One could see what kind of monotonous days it usually lived.

He was not willing to participate in this boring game, but when one is under someone else's roof, one must bow one's head.

In the Jianghu, one is not in control of oneself.

The situation is stronger than the person.

A true man can bend and stretch...

He had no choice but to grab another ball of magma and throw it back.

This time, his movements were even gentler, fearing the Huodou King Beast would catch it with its face again.

This slow-moving ball of magma was directly dispersed in front of it. The Huodou King Beast seemed to have lost patience, directly leaping into the magma lake and charging towards Jiang Wang.

Its aura was exceedingly fierce.

Jiang Wang was also enraged.

I endured humiliation to play this game with you, yet you still lose your temper at the drop of a hat.

Is being the King of Huodou so magnificent?

He had never been one to await death with folded arms, and his sword was drawn with a clang.

Though he had already been easily crushed once, clearly demonstrating the vast disparity in strength, he still responded with the greatest effort.

Heavenly Mansion Body, Sword Immortal, Human Dao Sword Form, Buzhou Wind...

This battle was more effortless than the previous one, and Jiang Wang felt he had performed better.

But against Jiang Wang's various killing moves, the Huodou King Beast gave no quarter, still effortlessly resolving them with a mere claw, a bite, an inhalation. Several times, its sharp teeth nearly tore through Jiang Wang's throat.

Fists, swordsmanship, Dao arts, divine abilities, Jiang Wang exhausted every combat possibility, engaging in a life-or-death struggle with the Huodou King Beast.

It wasn't until the Samadhi True Flame appeared that it suddenly opened its mouth and swallowed it whole.

Then, astonishingly, it turned around, treating Jiang Wang's subsequent attacks as nothing, and swaggered away.

Jiang Wang, beaten and bruised, stood in a daze for a long while, finally comprehending the wicked hound's intentions.

The Huodou King Beast spared his life purely because the taste of his Samadhi True Flame was excellent, and it wished to eat a few mouthfuls each day... It was treating him, Jiang, as its "royal chef"!

The demonstrations with the first two balls of magma were clearly mimicking the Samadhi True Flame, signaling him to summon it for consumption.

After he proved "resistant to instruction," it simply resorted to force...

How preposterous!

At this moment, Jiang Wang looked at the vast magma lake as if it were a large bowl of rich soup, and he, Jiang Wang, was the ingredient in the bowl.

And the Huodou covering the mountainside seemed to be eyeing him with predatory and covetous gazes. But only the king of the Huodou pack could enjoy such a precious "dinner" as him...

Though surrounded by magma, Jiang Wang knew that the embarrassment on his face was absolutely not due to the heat of the magma.

He truly wanted to advance with his sword and cleave this Huodou King with a single stroke. He truly wanted to stew all these Huodou in pots—if only he were not outmatched.

Looking around, he could roughly understand why the Huodou King Beast had imprisoned him here yet imposed no restraints.

As far as his sight could reach, the entire landscape was filled with mountains spewing magma.

Everywhere he went was full of Huodou, where could he run, and how far could he run?

Around this very magma lake, there were no less than a thousand Huodou watching him. Thinking of escaping? There was no opportunity.

Strength...

In the final analysis, it was still strength.

A sword slower by a fraction of an inch, the enemy lives, I die.

A lack of three parts in strength, and one is severely bullied!

Jiang Wang gnashed his teeth for eight or nine breaths, then silently sat down and began to regulate his breath.

Imprisoned by the Huodou King Beast, reduced to a chef, his divine ability flame becoming ingredients...

To speak of it was, of course, a humiliation.

But what after the humiliation?

Self-pity was meaningless, and blaming the heavens and others was completely unnecessary.

Curses and insults could not harm others, unless you were Yin Guan.

Unable to defeat, unable to escape, then cultivate.

One must always spend time on the most meaningful matters.

Why, under the same Divine Ascension, could someone retreat unscathed before the enraged Kui cattle, while he was captured and brought back to the lair by the Huodou like a cat toying with a mouse?

Of course, the Huodou King Beast was more cunning, and the Huodou King Beast also brought a large army...

But even with ten thousand reasons, Jiang Wang was unwilling to make excuses.

Ultimately, it was a lack of strength.

Since there was no immediate life danger, he should cultivate himself well.

Unable to escape in the First Realm of Outer Tower, what about the Second Realm?

A blurry Dao path is unreliable, what after it becomes clear?

His current swordsmanship is insufficient to resist, what after reaching the peak of this realm?

The Samadhi True Flame was easily swallowed, what if it could be developed to the limit of this realm?

There were too many areas requiring improvement.

It could be said that upon reaching the Outer Tower realm, the deficiency in his foundation was clearly exposed.

In the Inner Mansion realm, he was already the first in historical records, but upon reaching the Outer Tower, at a time when improvements were needed in all aspects, this realm that should not have seen the gap widen, instead exposed his shortcomings completely.

For those disciples of prestigious sects, the path of each realm was already laid out, they only needed to proceed step by step.

As for lone cultivators like Yin Guan, they had grasped their Dao path early on.

He had always been clear on how he should proceed, and vaguely knew where his Dao path lay, but had never had a clearer, more concrete outline.

This was precisely something that could not be rushed.

He could only move forward resolutely, without knowing how long it would take.

It was true that he was absolutely a top-tier powerhouse within the Outer Tower realm at this moment, and truly fighting for life and death, he could contend for the strongest. But in reality, in all aspects, there was still a certain distance from a top-tier Outer Tower.

Buzhou Wind was cultivated to the limit of this realm, but it still could not help him escape.

The development of the Samadhi True Flame always seemed to have a layer of something separating it, failing to directly point to its true essence, which was why Buzhou Wind later surpassed it.

The Divergent Path should not be easily moved.

The strength of the Sword Immortal lies in integration, entirely dependent on how strong other powers are.

The Scarlet Heart divine ability is still not fully understood even now.

In terms of spellcraft, he possesses the two transcendent Dao arts, Dragon Tiger and Flaming Flower Burning City, which are not inferior to others.

In terms of swordsmanship, he is currently still behind Ning Shuang Rong.

His exploration of the Dao path certainly cannot compare to Dou Zhao...

A low roar suddenly erupted.

Jiang Wang, focused on cultivation, turned his head to look.

He saw a strong Huodou suddenly rushing to the edge of the magma lake, throwing the object it held in its mouth, and then leaving without looking back.

It had a very arrogant demeanor.

What flew in the air, however, was a fiery red lotus flower, like one carved from jade.

It rotated gracefully, beautiful and exquisite.

He couldn't help but fall silent for a moment.

How could he not understand?

This was clearly the Huodou's "feeding" of him, fearing that his Samadhi True Flame supply would not be sufficient...

To think of him, Jiang Qingyang, a prodigy of his generation.

Battling alone for tens of thousands of miles, traversing the world, who had he ever feared?

Yet now he was being kept in captivity by a pack of strange beasts!

What a disgrace it was.

Lord Jiang was filled with sorrow for a moment, thinking about how hateful these beasts were, and at the same time thinking that he might as well eat since it was offered. He viciously bit into a petal of the fire lotus. Feeling the surging fire elemental energy within his body instantly, he felt a little better.

Then he bit into another.

Even that fiery red divine ability seed became increasingly bright.

Another bite.

These brutes were truly detestable.

He finished eating it in two or three bites.