Hot Pot

"My name is Long Xiao."

Ling'er nodded when she heard him. "I'll remember."

Long Xiao looked at Ling'er and suddenly asked, "You know Xiao Huohuo?"

Although their voices had been very quiet earlier, he had still heard them.

"Yes. Half a year ago, he saved us just as you did, young master."

Ling'er nodded. Remembering that gentle young man, she couldn't help smiling.

"Really? What a coincidence. That guy is my little brother."

"Your little brother? So you know Xiao Huohuo, benefactor! What fate! Both you and Brother Xiao Huohuo saved us. Thank you so much!"

At that moment, Ka Gang walked over and bowed to Long Xiao.

Ling'er's lips parted slightly as well. She hadn't expected such a coincidence: this handsome young master was actually Xiao Huohuo's brother.

Long Xiao waved a hand. "Saving you was just something I did along the way."

"Regardless, we owe you a great debt. If you ever need Ka Gang's help, just say the word."

"That won't be necessary. I came here to find beef for hot pot and just happened to run into you."

Ka Gang paused, not knowing what hot pot was, then broke into a smile. Turning to Ling'er, he said excitedly, "Did you hear that, Ling'er? Our benefactor needs beef! Hurry and take out the Blood Bull. Remove its magic core and give him the beef!"

Joy flashed through Ling'er's eyes at Ka Gang's words. She quickly took the carcass of a red bull about three meters long out of her Storage Ring. It was still warm, so it must have been killed recently.

This Storage Ring was their mercenary group's most valuable treasure. After all, such things were expensive for cultivators at the bottom.

"Benefactor, this Blood Bull has excellent meat. If you need it for food, it's absolutely the best choice!" Ka Gang explained to Long Xiao with a smile.

"Not bad, not bad."

Long Xiao sliced open the Blood Bull's carcass with his finger, and its magic core flew straight into his hand. He then turned to Ling'er beside him and placed it in her hand. "Here, take your magic core."

Seeing Ling'er standing there in a daze, Ka Gang quickly nudged her. "Ling'er, put it away! This is the treasure we need to save our commander."

Only then did Ling'er come to her senses and put the magic core into her Storage Ring.

Long Xiao glanced at Ka Gang and the dying members of the Blood Battle Mercenary Group lying on the ground, then took out a jade bottle and handed it to Ka Gang. "Take these, and you'll recover."

Overwhelmed by the favor, Ka Gang hurriedly accepted it. "Thank you, benefactor."

Looking at the pills in his hand, he became even more certain that this young man must be an extraordinary being.

"Hm?"

Long Xiao suddenly felt a cool breeze sweep across his back.

He turned around and saw Medusa glaring at him resentfully.

"What are you doing here instead of attending to business?"

From her tone, Long Xiao thought she seemed upset because he'd been away too long. He couldn't help rubbing the tip of his nose. "Ahem... Carry on, everyone. I have something to do, so I'll be leaving."

With that, he was about to flee, but Medusa grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away.

"Ow, that hurts! Be gentle..."

The two disappeared from Ka Gang and Ling'er's sight. Neither could help laughing at the comical scene.

Ka Gang sighed. "Ling'er, you've seen it yourself. This man is no creature destined to remain in a small pond. Our paths can never truly cross with theirs. Let's part ways here."

A trace of hesitation crossed Ling'er's face as she listened. "Uncle Ka Gang, I..."

Ka Gang interrupted her. "Ling'er, listen to your uncle. These waters are too deep. You can't handle them."

Ling'er lowered her eyes, feeling a faint sting in them.

She knew that neither Xiao Huohuo nor Long Xiao was someone she could reach. They were simply too outstanding.

Long Xiao looked pitifully at Medusa as she twisted his ear.

This woman had turned violent again. Couldn't she spare him a little dignity in front of others?

He reached out, caught Medusa's slender, fair wrist, and pulled her into his arms. Stroking her hair with his other hand, he said gently, "Your Majesty, don't be angry. I was wrong."

Medusa struggled a few times, but couldn't escape Long Xiao's arms, so she gave up. This guy was pulling the same trick again.

"Sit down. I'll have something delicious ready for you right away."

Long Xiao helped Medusa sit on a flat rock, then turned to slice up the Blood Bull's meat. He took out the Golden Light Wandering Dragon Cauldron, added his homemade Insanely Spicy Hot Pot Base, and heated it with the Golden Dragon Heaven-Burning Flame.

Once he was done, Long Xiao clapped his hands and surveyed his masterpiece with satisfaction. Using a divine artifact and a divine flame for hot pot-what an extravagance...

He took out bowls and chopsticks, then called Medusa over.

It was Medusa's first time seeing such a strange way of eating. The oily broth bubbled crimson, yet its fragrance carried for miles.

Long Xiao swished a slice of beef through the broth, then placed it in Medusa's bowl. "Here, try it. Careful, it's hot."

Medusa rolled her eyes at him.

"Have you ever seen a Dou Zong expert afraid of hot food?"

Despite her words, warmth filled her heart. Was this guy still so considerate?

She parted her red lips and took a bite. Sure enough, the flavor was wonderfully satisfying.

A smile flashed through Long Xiao's eyes as he watched Medusa eat with relish. "Well? Delicious, isn't it?"

Medusa nodded. "Yes, though my tongue feels a little numb."

"Hot pot tastes best when it's numbing and spicy."

Long Xiao then kept adding meat to Medusa's bowl.

Medusa looked at him with a brooding gaze.

"Enough. Are you treating this queen like a pig? Have some yourself."

Copying Long Xiao's method, Medusa cooked a few slices of meat in the broth and placed them in his bowl.

Long Xiao immediately beamed. This woman had finally caught on. So sweet. Not bad, not bad.

The Golden Light Wandering Dragon Cauldron suddenly flickered, as though its weak artifact spirit had been provoked by the couple flaunting their affection right in front of it.

I'm a dignified divine artifact! I can understand being used as a giant hammer, but now you're fucking using me as a cooking pot? What did I ever do wrong?

Just as the two were eating enthusiastically, a rustling sound suddenly came from the woods nearby.

An enormous winged lion, wreathed in purple flames, walked out.

The lion sniffed.

"That smells so good..."

The lion approached them, then suddenly stopped, seemingly examining the contents of the pot.

Long Xiao stared coldly at the lion. Was this fellow here to steal their food?

Medusa froze at the sight of the lion. Wasn't this the purple lion from years ago? It had actually become a sixth-rank magical beast. In all likelihood, it was now the overlord of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

Seemingly sensing Long Xiao's gaze, the lion raised its head and bared a savage expression at him. "Roar!"

That roar instantly disgusted them both enough to ruin their appetites.

"Quit your fucking barking! You think being big makes you something special?!"

Long Xiao grabbed the Golden Light Wandering Dragon Cauldron and swung it straight at the Amethyst Winged Lion King.

Bang!

The Golden Light Wandering Dragon Cauldron struck the lion's head.

A huge lump immediately rose on the Amethyst Winged Lion King's forehead, and the lion was sent flying dozens of meters.

"Awooo!"

The Amethyst Winged Lion King cried out in pain, clutched that throbbing forehead, and stared at Long Xiao in shock. "A Dou Zong expert?"

The lion sensed Long Xiao's aura, then glanced at Medusa, only to find her even more terrifying. There was even bloodline suppression!

Why were there two Dou Zong experts in the Magical Beast Mountain Range?

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

The Amethyst Winged Lion King's head buzzed.