But It Really Smelled So Good

"Looks like we're in for a feast today."

Leaning against the wall, Zhang Hao stared at the Golden Crucian Carp on the cutting board and couldn't help licking his lips.

This Golden Crucian Carp was not particularly large, around five jin, but it was enough to fill the stomachs of three people and two little ones.

But Chen Yuan's attention was entirely drawn to the data panel before him:

First collection of Golden Crucian Carp. Origin Points +1

Name: Golden Crucian Carp

Level: Level 1 Spirit Fish

Compared to other Extraordinary Creatures, the Golden Crucian Carp's data panel was exceptionally bare, with no information fields for attributes or skills.

"Spirit Fish?"

"Is that a major category of Extraordinary Creatures?"

Chen Yuan had his doubts, but he did not dwell on the question.

At this moment, the Spirit Fish was already on the cutting board. The old man sharpened his knife with murderous intent beside it, while Cola at his feet had long since begun drooling, his eyes full of longing.

Chen Yuan lightly kicked Cola and glared at him as he laughed and scolded, "You've got the nerve to eat? You weren't even there during the fight earlier."

"Aw~"

Cola gave him a pitiful look, then immediately grinned and rubbed against his calf. His fluffy tail spun rapidly behind him.

Leaving the kitchen to the old man, Chen Yuan and Zhang Hao went out into the courtyard and began treating the unconscious Gray Feather Falcon's injuries.

Spark had hit hard in the previous battle, inflicting considerable damage on the Gray Feather Falcon.

If they simply left it alone, the wounds would likely become infected later.

Though Zhang Hao was a Forest Ranger, he also knew basic wound treatment. He crouched nearby and assisted Chen Yuan.

First collection of Gray Feather Falcon. Origin Points +2

Race: Gray Feather Falcon

Attribute: Wind

Level: 3 (Tier 1)

Favorability: -35

Skills: Wind Blade (Beginner 1.9/3) + Wind Slash (Beginner 0.3/3) +

Quality: Elite

Conditions for promotion to Commander Quality: Insufficient Origin Points (6/10)

Judging from the strength displayed on the data panel alone, the Gray Feather Falcon was already stronger than every wild pet beast Chen Yuan had encountered.

Unfortunately, it had run into Spark.

Chen Yuan did not care much about the negative favorability. For animals, fighting over prey was simply a necessary part of survival.

Even after evolving into Extraordinary Creatures, their way of thinking would not change much.

If Spark was strong enough, then the prey belonged to it.

Still, there would be no shortage of resentment and dislike.

After nearly half an hour of work, the simple operation finally came to an end.

Zhang Hao wiped the sweat from his forehead and could not help complaining, "Surgery is way too tiring. I'd rather patrol the mountains."

Chen Yuan casually replied, "You'll need to be careful patrolling the mountains now. There are Extraordinary Creatures everywhere in there."

"Hehe." Zhang Hao nodded. "I know. That's why I won't enter the mountains until I've contracted a pet beast."

"Wash your hands. Time to eat."

As they spoke, Chen Yuan saw Chen Weiyi emerge from the kitchen carrying fish soup and quickly called out.

The two went to wash their hands together. Cola obediently waited nearby, and after Chen Yuan rinsed his limbs with tap water, he immediately bared his teeth in a grin and ran toward the dining table.

The three sat at the table in the courtyard, where the eaves extending from the roof cast a wide patch of shade. As the three took their seats, Cola waited eagerly at the side while Spark stood quietly on Chen Yuan's shoulder.

"It looks delicious." Zhang Hao stared at the milky-white crucian carp soup, where golden fish slices appeared and disappeared beneath the surface, and could not help swallowing.

"My cooking isn't much. Make do with it," Chen Weiyi said with a chuckle.

Zhang Hao grinned. "How could that be? One look tells me this is the work of a master. That presentation alone deserves a five-star review."

"Alright, alright, dig in." Chen Yuan cut off Zhang Hao's stream of praise and picked up his chopsticks.

Seeing Chen Yuan and Chen Weiyi take fish first, Zhang Hao finally picked up his chopsticks. "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

A piece of fish entered his stomach, followed by a mouthful of fish soup. The fresh, rich flavors instantly layered together in his mouth, while the delicate texture danced across his tongue.

Chen Yuan raised his brows and sincerely praised, "It tastes really good."

Squinting his eyes, Chen Weiyi offered his assessment. "It tastes very different from ordinary crucian carp. The flesh is much more delicate."

"And..."

He paused, seemingly searching for the right words, before saying, "I feel like a warm current is surging through my stomach."

That must be what was special about Spirit Fish.

Thinking this, Chen Yuan smiled and said, "I heard this fish is very good for the body. Grandpa, eat more."

"Mmph mmph mmph." Zhang Hao picked up another piece of fish, his words muffled by the food in his mouth. "You guys still have the leisure to discuss it. I don't care—I'm just going to keep my head down and eat."

Once he felt slightly full, Chen Yuan quickly picked up several pieces of fish and placed them in the dog bowl. Cola, who had been craning his neck in anticipation, beamed with joy, drool practically spilling from the corners of his mouth. "Aw aw aw!"

Then,

Chen Yuan picked up another small piece of fish and fed it to Spark.

Seeing this, Cola suddenly felt that the fish in his mouth no longer smelled so good.

But his thoughts came quickly and went quickly. The next second, he buried his head in the bowl and wolfed it down.

At the same time,

"Caw—"

Before the Gray Feather Falcon had even opened its eyes, an irresistibly tempting scent had already slipped brazenly into its nostrils.

Delicious!

Delicious beyond anything it had ever tasted!

The Gray Feather Falcon abruptly opened its eyes and struggled to rise, but the movement tugged at its wounds, sending dull pain through its body and drawing a soft groan from it.

Yet that scent lingered stubbornly at the tip of its nose. An unprecedented craving rose within its body, forcing the Gray Feather Falcon to struggle and lift its head.

The moment it raised its head, it met several pairs of eyes.

The Gray Feather Falcon froze, then saw the bowl of milky-white fish soup on the table. That scent was coming from there.

At that moment, its stomach let out a rumbling growl.

Gray Feather Falcon: "..."

"Since you're awake, have something to eat." Seeing that the Gray Feather Falcon had awakened, Chen Yuan smiled gently. He filled a small bowl with fish and fish soup and moved to place it in front of it.

"Caw caw caw!"

Seeing this hateful human approach, the Gray Feather Falcon revealed a fierce expression and struggled backward again and again, its feathers dragging dust across the ground.

"Chirp."

But at that moment, a familiar soft cry sounded by its ear, and the Gray Feather Falcon's movements suddenly stopped.

It stood there blankly, cautiously glancing at those deep blue eyes.

The memories of being thoroughly beaten flooded into its mind in an instant. Coupled with the constant pain wracking its body, it could not help trembling all over.

At that moment, all its unwillingness and stubborn defiance were suppressed beneath those calm eyes. It slowly lowered its head.

A moment later,

"This fish soup smells good, doesn't it?" Chen Yuan's face broke into a smile as he watched the Gray Feather Falcon devour its food.

"Caw!"

The Gray Feather Falcon spread its wings and instinctively answered. Then it realized what it had done and hurriedly shook its head.

No, no!

This fish soup did not smell good at all!

Yet the fragrance of the fish soup still lingered between its teeth. Unable to help itself, it lowered its head and let out a weak cry.

"Caw..."

But it really smelled so good.