Mandarin Duck Hotpot

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, evening had arrived. Xiao Yao took out the iron pot he had prepared earlier from the Soul Storage Ring and placed it steadily on the fire rack.

He poured rich bone broth into the pot. It had been simmered from the bones of a second-tier tiger-type Magic Beast. Xiao Yao browsed the ingredients and seasonings in the System Supermarket, searching for materials that could serve as hotpot base. After making his choices, he poured them into one side of the pot. The seasonings quickly dissolved into the bone broth, making its flavor even richer.

Xiao Yao stirred the pot again with a ladle, thoroughly mixing the hotpot base with the bone broth. Looking at the red-and-white divide that had formed in the pot after adding the seasonings, Xiao Yao decided it could now count as Mandarin Duck Hotpot.

At that moment, Xiao Yao watched the bubbling broth with anticipation filling his heart. He knew that this pot of Mandarin Duck Hotpot was nearly ready. After waiting just a little longer, they would be able to taste the delicious food.

Finally, after the broth had boiled for a while, its fragrance filled the entire room. Xiao Yao knew the hotpot was ready.

He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a tender slice of meat, and gently placed it into the pot. The meat rolled in the steaming hotpot broth and was soon cooked.

Xiao Yao fished out the slice of meat, dipped it in a special sauce, and put it into his mouth.

Its delicious flavor instantly spread through his mouth, making Xiao Yao unable to hold back a sigh of praise.

He then added some prepared shiitake mushrooms, along with meatballs and other ingredients taken from the supermarket.

Seeing that the ingredients in the pot were already cooked, Xiao Yao said to Xun'er and Xiao Yan, "Come have a taste. The food is ready."

Xiao Yao fished the cooked ingredients out of the hotpot and placed them onto plates. He set a plate of freshly cooked food before Xun'er and Xiao Yan. Seeing the anticipation in their eyes filled his heart with satisfaction.

Xun'er accepted the chopsticks Xiao Yao handed her and impatiently picked up a cooked slice of meat.

She took a gentle bite, and the delicious flavor exploded in her mouth, making her exclaim in praise, "Wow, it's so tasty! Brother Xiao Yao, that faint spiciness is stimulating my taste buds perfectly. The flavor is rich, the texture is tender—it's intoxicating!"

"Yes, Brother Yao. The meat slices in this hotpot are tender, smooth, and juicy. You can't help wanting to keep eating them. And the vegetables and mushrooms are fresh and delicious, full of nutrition. It really leaves you completely satisfied." Xiao Yan also began eating, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he spoke.

Hearing their praise, Xiao Yao smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it. I put a lot of care into making this. Come on, eat more. Let's enjoy this feast tonight. Once we've eaten and drunk our fill, I'll tell you the rest of the story."

Night had fallen, and the stars glittered overhead. An ancient wooden house appeared especially peaceful in the darkness. In the courtyard, bright moonlight spilled across the ground, creating a warm feeling of home.

Outside the house, everything was arranged simply yet comfortably. A pot of Mandarin Duck Hotpot simmered beside a stone table, its broth bubbling as its enticing fragrance wafted through the air.

Xiao Yao, Xun'er, and Xiao Yan sat around the table, their faces full of satisfied and happy smiles. Xiao Yao held a pair of chopsticks and skillfully placed ingredients into the pot, his movements smooth and elegant.

Xun'er and Xiao Yan waited impatiently for the ingredients to cook, their eyes fixed firmly on the contents of the pot as though afraid of missing even a single delicious moment.

Whenever they saw an ingredient they liked finish cooking, they excitedly picked it up and placed it into their bowls before digging in heartily.

The three of them chatted and laughed without pause. Sometimes they discussed everyday trivialities, and at other times they burst into laughter, the atmosphere relaxed and cheerful.

On this warm night, after finishing the hotpot, Xiao Yao tidied up and then sat down on a stone chair. He cleared his throat and said to the two of them, "Then I'll continue the story from last time. As the story goes, Shi Hao took the alias Desolate. In the Upper Realm and the Immortal Domain, he fought in every direction—killing whoever stood in his way, whether man or Buddha—until he reached the Dark Source..."

A gentle breeze drifted past, bringing fresh air and the crisp chirping of insects. After a long while, Xiao Yao paused before continuing, "After Desolate killed the Corpse Immortal Emperor, he discovered that the truth lay Above the Firmament. That day, those people saw Desolate.

"I am unharmed. I will wait for you in another world!"

The Desolate Heavenly Emperor stood with his long hair loose, even his thick black locks shining with blazing radiance as though forged from gold. He swung his immortal sword and slashed fiercely, splitting apart the eternal heavens.

From then on, the Boundary Sea was no more, severed by him!

Chaos took its place and engulfed that region.

Supreme laws existed there, sealing off the other side.

Desolate soared into the heavens!

This homeland was kept far from the slaughter, far from an even crueler war. This was the last thing Desolate could do. Thus, with one sword, he severed eternity and protected his homeland and everyone within it. Then, sword in hand, he charged upward once more, continuing to write the legend of the Desolate Heavenly Emperor Above the Firmament."

After finishing the story, Xiao Yao fell silent for a moment before saying softly, "This is where the story ends. Don't take it seriously, Xun'er, Little Yan."

After hearing it, Xiao Yan leaped to his feet and shouted, "Those defeated by my hand have never been worthy of being called my opponents. I will give you time to catch up, until you can no longer even see my back! Brother Yao, that's my favorite line! It's so domineering!"

Seeing this, Xiao Yao shook his head and said helplessly, "As long as you like it."

Xiao Yao then noticed that Xun'er's long eyelashes were covered in teardrops, like crystal-clear dew lingering on lotus leaves after a light rain, reluctant to fall from her fair skin.

Seeing Xun'er like this, Xiao Yao hurriedly raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears from her eyes. He quickly comforted her, "Don't be sad, Xun'er. Brother Xiao Yao will explain the parts of the story that made you so upset."

Xun'er raised her head and looked at Brother Xiao Yao, tears swirling in her eyes. She asked softly, "Brother Xiao Yao, can loving someone truly make a person wait bitterly for hundreds of thousands of years? Would Huo Ling'er in the story really be willing to wait millions of years for Shi Hao's words, 'Wait for me to return, and I'll take you to see all the splendor in this world'?"

Xiao Yao gently hugged Xun'er and whispered beside her, "Whether it is worth it or not, you'll understand once you grow up, Xun'er."

Xun'er rubbed her eyes and pouted at Xiao Yao, saying in a sweet voice, "It's because Brother Xiao Yao's story was too moving. Xun'er can't even tell whether it was true or not."

Seeing Xun'er's sad yet adorable appearance, an inexplicable tenderness rose in Xiao Yao's heart. He smiled gently and said softly, "All right, don't be sad anymore. Have something sweet. Maybe it will make you feel better."

His words were like a gentle breeze brushing over Xun'er's heart, slightly lifting her previously low spirits. Xun'er raised her head and looked at Xiao Yao through tear-filled eyes. Crystal tears glimmered in her large eyes, making anyone who saw them ache for her.

Xiao Yao took out a rainbow-colored lollipop from the System Supermarket and handed it to Xun'er. Xun'er accepted the candy from Xiao Yao and saw that its surface was brilliantly colored, like a beautiful rainbow stretched across it, gleaming enticingly.

She carefully unwrapped the candy, and a sweet fragrance rushed toward her, making her close her eyes and take a deep breath.

Then she took a gentle bite. The sweet flavor spread through her mouth, as though it could drive away all sorrow and grief.

Xiao Yao smiled as he watched Xun'er enjoy the candy, warmth rising in his heart. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair, saying softly, "Xun'er, doesn't it feel sweet? Are you feeling much better now?"

After hearing Xiao Yao's tender words, Xun'er's eyes curved like crescent moons, as though even their spiritual charm overflowed. She said softly, "Brother Xiao Yao, you have to tell stories with happy endings in the future. It's settled, then!"

Xun'er ate the candy in her hand as she walked away, turning back to look at Xiao Yao and waving her little hand. "Brother Xiao Yao, I'll be going now. See you tomorrow."