Dinner

The Imperial Palace.

Led by an attendant, Huo Ling passed through one node after another before arriving at a palace.

Outside its doors, a squad of Founding Imperial Guards stood watch.

Passing through the guards' cordon, Huo Ling entered the palace under the attendant's guidance.

Ahead, Heavenly Emperor Li Yi sat before an enormous table, densely covered with countless dishes.

"Huo Ling, my beloved minister, you're here. Sit quickly and eat with me," Li Yi said, beckoning.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Huo Ling hurried forward in quick, small steps until he reached the table.

The attendant behind him had already prepared a chair. Once seated, Huo Ling fixed his eyes on the dishes spread across the table.

One look was enough to shake him.

There was no other reason—it was simply too extravagant!

An entire rack of giant dragon ribs lay there, each rib like white jade. The meat was firm and rich, giving off an intense aroma.

Beside the dragon ribs sat several plump, round giant eggs. From the knowledge Huo Ling possessed, they were Snowfield Giant Tortoise eggs.

Like dragons, these Magic Beasts were powerful creatures. Once fully grown, they reached Saint Domain rank, and their long lifespans allowed many of them to rise to Legendary rank over the years.

Obtaining such tortoise eggs was undoubtedly extremely difficult. The stronger a creature was, the harder it was for it to reproduce. Dragons were, after all, a rare exception.

After laying eggs, Snowfield Giant Tortoises generally would not leave until the young tortoises had hatched.

So where had these eggs come from?

As Huo Ling was still wondering, he saw the next dish: several chopped pieces of tortoise shell floating in a stew pot.

Very well. There was no need to worry about how heartbroken the Snowfield Giant Tortoises would