Chapter 40: The First Meeting of the Group Members

After meeting up, everyone quickly became familiar with one another. There was no need for introductions for Shi Jian and Xiao Yan, as they had previously uploaded videos while testing the chat group's functions. Therefore, everyone in the group already recognized them.

The others also grew acquainted in no time. Meng Qi was a bald monk, Lin Dong was a crude but spirited youth, Yang Qi possessed the vigor of a young man, and Fang Han appeared slightly more mature. Without the need for formal introductions, they could identify each other through intuition.

In addition, Fang Han and Xiao Yan introduced Yan and Elder Yao. Lin Dong also mentioned his companion, Master Diao, though the latter was still asleep.

Once everyone had gotten to know each other, Shi Jian led them into Stone Village. "I live in the Great Wilderness, where civilization exists in the form of tribes. As such, I don't have a very comfortable place to host you. Please forgive me for any lack of hospitality!"

The group had been curiously observing the surroundings of Stone Village. Upon hearing Shi Jian’s words, they all waved their hands dismissively. "It’s fine! Our offline gathering is primarily for us to get to know each other." They naturally did not mind such minor details.

When the people of Stone Village saw Shi Jian return, they hurried over to greet him. "These are my friends. They will be staying in Stone Village for a day or two. Please help me take good care of them!" Shi Jian dropped the ferocious beasts he had brought and addressed the villagers.

The villagers were quite surprised. Little Shi had actually made friends from the outside? This was truly a rare event. After their initial shock, they warmly welcomed the guests. To them, Shi Jian’s friends were friends of the village.

The old village chief waved his hand, ordering the villagers to bring over the large tripod that had previously been used to boil the Little One. They then cut the choice portions of the Dongtian-realm beast and tossed them into the pot. Shi Jian brought out several more beasts of slightly lower quality from his storage to offer the village chief. The villagers processed these as well, setting up several large pots to boil them. Various strange and exotic medicinal herbs were thrown into the mix, while other parts were skewered and roasted over open fires. Each household also went home to prepare their signature dishes and unique delicacies of the Great Wilderness, turning the entire village into a lively food party.

Fang Han and the others were quickly overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the villagers. Before long, the meat in the bronze tripod began to glow; it bobbed in the boiling water, shimmering with a rosy light, the fragrance wafting through the air. The meat was stewed until tender, its essence turning into a glowing broth. This was a unique culinary method of the Great Wilderness—a form of medicinal cuisine. While less efficient at extracting the beast's blood essence than pure alchemical refinement, it was absolutely delicious.

"Everyone, please try the unique delicacies of my Great Wilderness..." Shi Jian gestured for them to begin. He was the first to fish out a piece of beast meat and take a bite; it melted in his mouth, the golden juices erupting on his palate like burning flames.

"Then I shall not stand on ceremony!" Xiao Yan, never one to be shy, grabbed a stone ladle and began scooping meat from the tripod. The others followed suit, tucking in without hesitation. Truth be told, this primitive method of cooking had a distinct and wonderful flavor. Before long, Meng Qi, the weakest of the group, was flushed with a ruddy glow.

The old village chief had added several medicinal herbs to the large pot, which naturally had nourishing effects. "Such potent medicinal power..." Meng Qi felt waves of energy constantly strengthening his body, causing him to break out in a sweat. He finally understood why Shi Jian had invited him to this world to cultivate. If he could eat this kind of beast meat every day, his cultivation would surely advance by leaps and bounds.

"Delicious! The texture of the beast meat in your world is simply amazing!" Xiao Yan gulped down the food, golden juices dripping down his chin, the aroma so intoxicating it felt as if his very bones were tingling. While this meat didn't have as strong a nourishing effect on him, he had suffered quite a bit while searching for Heavenly Flames; now that he finally had the chance to sit back and enjoy a good meal, he savored every bite.

Yang Qi, Fang Han, and Lin Dong were also enjoying themselves immensely. The children of Stone Village came over to join in, but they were so full after only a few bites that they couldn't move. They could absorb more if it were refined into pure blood essence, but eating it directly filled them up instantly. Only the Little One ate more than anyone else.

The contents of the large tripod were quickly polished off by the group. The old village chief waved his hand, and another pot of stewed beast meat was brought up.

The meal lasted from noon until evening. After finishing the stewed meat, they moved on to the barbecue. During the process, Xiao Yan even showed off his own grilling skills. By the end of the meal, everyone felt stuffed. The people of Stone Village had limited digestive capacities, so most of the food was consumed by Fang Han and his group. The only exception was the Little One, who was also covered in grease, enjoying himself to the fullest.

"What is up with this little guy? He’s eating more than me..." Meng Qi looked at the Little One in surprise. He felt embarrassed. He knew he was the weakest in the group and couldn't digest as much of the meat, but why was the Little One, a child of only three or four, eating more than him? Could he really not even compare to a child?

The others in the group turned to look at the Little One. He was currently oblivious, clutching his milk jug and drinking away. After finishing the stewed meat and the barbecue, he was now drinking beast milk. The Little One felt that life had reached its peak.

"This child is extraordinary... there seems to be some kind of immensely powerful force contained within his body!" Yan revealed his form. While they were in the village, both he and Elder Yao had kept themselves hidden. Now that most of the villagers had dispersed, they reappeared.

"Good eye..." Shi Jian looked at Yan with surprise. To be able to perceive the abnormality within the Little One despite coming from a different world—it had to be said, Yan had some skill. "The Little One’s physique is unique. He originally possessed a Supreme Bone, but it was dug out!" Shi Jian explained.

"The Supreme Bone is a special type of physique in my world... You know that my world relies on the power of runes. Some people are born with a bone covered in these runes, which eventually grants the owner a precious technique. Those who possess it can rival ancient divine beasts. Anyone with this bone is destined to be a supreme being among humanity. Furthermore, the Supreme Bone has the ability to heal injuries and enhance resistance."

"Hiss... that sounds quite impressive!" Xiao Yan’s eyes lit up. "Supreme Bone"—it sounded extraordinary.

"A special physique?" Yang Qi was curious. His world also had such things. Those with special physiques had an inherent advantage in cultivation; his enemy, Yun Hailan, had been specially recruited as a core disciple of the Heavenly Position Academy because of her special physique. No wonder this child could eat so much at such a young age.

"What do you mean it was 'dug out'? Can this Supreme Bone be transplanted into someone else?" Meng Qi asked, also looking surprised.

"The Supreme Bone can indeed be transplanted, and it can regenerate. The Little One’s bone was dug out and given to someone else," Shi Jian replied calmly.

"The hatred of having one's bone dug out? Who could hold such deep malice toward the Little One?" The others were indignant. None of them were the type to use unscrupulous means for the sake of cultivation, so they naturally looked down upon the act of stealing someone's bone, especially when a child was the victim. How could anyone who committed such acts ever become a 'supreme' being, even with the bone?

"It’s a complicated story, but the Little One is a protagonist just like you, so there's no need to worry about him!"

"Is he a fellow traveler from our world too?" Xiao Yan’s eyes brightened. After saying this, he looked at the Little One clutching his milk jug and shook his head. It didn't look like he was. He was likely a native protagonist, just like Yang Qi and the others. "Can someone who still hasn't been weaned be the protagonist of a novel?" Xiao Yan asked, shifting his focus to another detail.

Shi Jian rolled his eyes. "If someone who triggers a 'three-year wait' can be a protagonist, why can't someone who hasn't been weaned yet?"

"Cough, cough! What are you saying? That was just me being too excited about breaking through to the Fighter realm, it wasn't intentional!" Xiao Yan felt immediately guilty.

"No, Xiao Yan, you really are something else. I swear, I’m going to call the police and have you arrested!" Hearing the mention of the 'three-year wait,' Meng Qi immediately understood the implication and sternly rebuked Xiao Yan. Dammit. They were both transmigrators, yet he was stuck in the Shaolin Temple as a monk, not even allowed to touch meat, while Xiao Yan was already living it up?

"It’s not what you think... I didn't do anything!" Xiao Yan quickly cried out in protest, insisting he was an honest man. The others were left confused, but they sensed this was part of Xiao Yan's dark history. Was Xiao Yan's life really that exciting? The 'three-year contract' was one thing, but now there was all this other strange stuff. Why did they feel like their own lives weren't nearly as interesting?