Citywide Alert

Citywide Alert

Swish, swish, swish, swish.

A quivering, irregular slab of pig liver, like blood tofu, was perfectly divided into seven pieces.

"Huh?"

The mother and daughter's eyes lit up.

"Sword Halberd Demon Pig liver contains many nutrients unique to the Otherworld and abundant Spiritual Energy, which are very helpful for teenagers' cultivation. Because it is difficult to prepare and reeks when eaten, rich people do not like it. That is why it is relatively cheap and has become the main ingredient for working-class families to increase their Spiritual Energy."

Meng Chao fetched a box of embroidery needles and swiftly prepared the ingredients as he said casually, "But that so-called reek comes from the blood vessels and membranes inside the liver not being cleaned properly. As long as the impurities are carefully removed, then plenty of scallions and ginger are added and it is stir-fried over fierce heat, it will taste delicious—no worse than Three-Legged Flying Dragon Liver."

The way he shook his head and spoke made it seem as though he had actually eaten Three-Legged Flying Dragon Liver before.

Bai Jiacao curled her lips, about to say, "Everyone knows that. Go on, then, pick them out," when she suddenly froze.

Meng Chao held two embroidery needles in each hand. The four needle tips blurred into countless afterimages, forming a silvery mist.

Rustle, rustle, rustle, rustle.

The needle tips struck the pig liver like a raging storm.

His movements were as swift as lightning.

Yet his force was as precise as a dragonfly touching water.

He neither damaged the liver's integrity nor punctured its blood vessels or membranes.

Instead, he peeled away the entire membrane, thin as a cicada's wing, and even the blood vessels embedded in the liver.

What he removed did not resemble kitchen waste at all. It looked more like an exquisite work of art, wrought by uncanny hands.

"This—"

Bai Jiacao and Bai Suxin were both dumbstruck.

They had never expected Meng Chao's hands to move so quickly, or for him to understand the distribution of membranes and the paths of blood vessels in Sword Halberd Demon Pig liver so clearly.

Meng Chao was delighted as well:

Looks like my past self was not entirely useless. As my Contribution Points rise, the memories of my previous life are gradually merging into this body. In this life, I will definitely let everyone live better.

Under the astonished gazes of his Old Mom and little sister, he used only half a minute to smoothly stir-fry a plate of demon pig liver.

"Try it."

Meng Chao looked confidently at his sister, a smile curling his lips.

Bai Jiacao eyed the demon pig liver, which had perfect color, aroma, and flavor, then skeptically picked up a small piece with a toothpick and put it into her mouth.

"Mmm!"

She burned her mouth.

Yet she could not bear to spit it out, and her little face turned bright red from holding it in.

Her expressive eyes were filled with shock and worship.

After struggling to swallow the tender, succulent demon pig liver, the little girl stuck out her tongue, tears glistening in her eyes, and stammered, "D-Delicious!"

The future Black Night Witch had been conquered by her brother's fiery stir-fried demon pig liver.

Just as she waved her toothpick, wanting to spear another piece, familiar footsteps sounded outside the door.

The witch who had not yet gone dark hesitated for a moment, then lightning-fast speared a huge piece of demon pig liver, shoved the plate into her mother's hands, and skipped over to open the door.

With her mouth stuffed full of meat, she mumbled, "Old Dad, this is bad! Your son has been possessed by a ghost!"

Meng Yishan dragged his heavy steps home.

He was immediately immersed in the warm atmosphere, and all his exhaustion vanished.

He felt that everyone at home was acting strangely today.

Especially his son. Why were his eyes red? He did not look possessed by a ghost. He looked more like his wife after finishing one of those ancient Korean dramas from Earth.

Though he had no idea what was going on, he still smiled. "A Chao, what is it?"

His Old Dad's smile was like a Bullet that struck Meng Chao down.

In his memories, his Old Dad had always stood tall enough to prop up heaven and earth.

Only after living a second life did Meng Chao realize that frost had long dyed his father's temples, that his broad shoulders had somehow begun to sag, and that his waist had grown slightly stooped.

The tough man who could once work for three days and three nights without rest, who could smash a monster's skull with one hammer blow, was growing old in silence.

Why had I never noticed how exhausted Old Dad was every time he came home?

Meng Chao forced out a smile and said softly but firmly, "It's nothing, Dad. I'm back. You can rest for a while now."

"Dad, I'm not lying! Brother really has been possessed by a ghost. He made this fiery pig liver—it was like magic."

Bai Jiacao jumped up and wrapped her arms around her father's neck.

"Really?"

Meng Yishan scrutinized his son seriously.

Cooking was no big deal.

But he felt that his son's expression had changed from before.

The dejection, gloom, and feigned indifference after being injured last year and losing the ability to cultivate had all vanished.

His son had straightened his back once more.

"Then I have to drink a couple of cups properly!" The middle-aged man beamed with delight.

Three dishes, one soup, and a snack were laid out on the small dining table.

Besides the fiery demon pig liver and spicy Double-Tailed Scorpion, there was stir-fried greens, tomato lizard egg soup, and a plate of spring rolls.

They were all ordinary home-cooked dishes, hardly delicacies, yet they were unique and priceless beyond gold.

Listening to his little sister chatter about amusing things from middle school, watching his father loosen his coat with a gratified look on his face, and hearing his mother lavish him with praise—

Even without drinking, Meng Chao felt warmly drunk.

The family enjoyed themselves together. Everyone ate two more bowls of rice than usual, while Meng Chao ate five extra bowls, stuffing himself until his belly was round.

After dinner, Bai Jiacao volunteered to wash the dishes.

Meng Yishan turned on the television.

With monsters invading tonight, every channel was broadcasting combat-readiness programs.

"Latest news: at 18:55 this evening, the military's War Crab Assault Team entered positions north of the city."

On-screen, six-legged war machines resembling enormous iron crabs appeared one after another.

Their somewhat cumbersome shells were fitted with Reactive Armor and engraved with countless profound, intricate runes.

Dark-red crystals were embedded in the gaps of their armor. Flame-like Spiritual Energy crisscrossed along the rune strokes, flowing into the ends of the war machines' limbs.

The continuously spraying spiritual mist filled these bionic crawling battle vehicles with a grotesque yet powerful air, as though the steam age and future technology had been fused together.

"All citizens of Nine Sands District, prepare for battle. Every residential community has completed fortification, all underground war bunkers have risen, and Transcendents are standing watch in the skies!"

On-screen, all of Nine Sands District was taut as drawn bows, brimming with murderous intent.

The doors and windows of most residential communities had been sealed. Machine-gun and anti-aircraft artillery positions were everywhere on the ground, along with soldiers patrolling with guns.

Several hundred formidable experts floated in the sky.

Their blades and swords spat dazzling edges, shining against the soldiers' guns and artillery below.

"June and July are the breeding season for dozens of shelled monsters, including Black Beetles. In the last three fog descents, shelled monsters have formed the main invading force. When dealing with these monsters, citizens are advised to use more Armor-Piercing Bullets.

"Now, let us invite Professor Ke Zhendong of the Biology Department at Dragon City University, a monster expert, to introduce the habits and weaknesses of shelled monsters in detail. Hello, Professor Ke."

"Hello, host. Hello, viewers."

The host and monster expert spoke at length.

"A Six-Star Superhuman is on the move!

"Master Luo Wu, the king ranked seventeenth on this year's Hunting Leaderboard and known as the Soul Severing Blade, is leaving Luo Residence and rushing to defend Dragon Steel Group!

"As everyone knows, Six-Star Transcendents have already reached the unimaginable realm of Spirit Energy Armor. Their spiritual mist surges forth, condensing indestructible energy armor around their bodies. It can even extend dozens of meters outward, strengthening an entire combat squad and sending the combat power of everyone within dozens of meters soaring!

"Every Six-Star Transcendent is an undisputed king, a god of war!

"How many monsters will Master Luo Wu hunt tonight? Will he be able to kill a level-four or higher Nightmare Beast?

"Sky Eye Live will broadcast Master Luo Wu's entire battle live, allowing you to witness every second of the exhilarating, shocking, brutal collision between a 'king' and a 'nightmare'!"

On-screen, above a luxurious mansion, a Bald Strongman with a skull-and-tiger tattoo on his head and two Nine-Ring Ogre-Head Broadswords crossed on his back shot up from the ground and soared into the sky.

One intricate Spirit Rune after another continuously emerged across his skin.

The Spirit Runes glimmered, gradually separating from his flesh and blood, swirling around him and forming energy armor that could change at will.

"Ah..."

Bai Jiacao had only washed half the dishes when the scene caught her attention, and she stared without blinking.

She was not looking at the Six-Star Superhuman, but at the mansion he had flown out of.

"That is Dragon City Number One. Master Luo Wu lives there."

Bai Jiacao sighed. "I heard the smallest homes in Dragon City Number One are two hundred square meters, and their interiors are as beautiful as palaces. Unlike our neighborhood, which stinks to high heaven, they use the purest, highest-quality piped spiritual mist. It even smells sweet.

"Also, their property management company has its own Main Battle Tank. More than half the residents there are Transcendents, so they are not afraid even if they encounter a Nightmare Beast."

After a pause, she shook her head.

Why was she saying all this? A single toilet in Dragon City Number One was probably more expensive than an entire apartment in Tianfu Garden.

The little girl curled her lips, withdrew her gaze, and continued washing the dishes.

Meng Chao's heart stirred.

A Six-Star Superhuman, Master Luo Wu, Dragon City Number One?

Having returned from a nightmare, he could have those things too.

Old Dad, soon I will not let you work so hard anymore. You will not have to worry about making a living, and you can do whatever you want.

Old Mom, your legs are not convenient, and they often hurt on rainy days and when the fog descends. But as long as you replace them with a pair of Bionic Superalloy Joints, they will improve by more than half. I will definitely earn that money this year.

Little sister, you want to live in Dragon City Number One? So do I. Do not rush. Just wait until I get into an Undergraduate Program...