The story on the screen steadily unfolded.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the two busy figures in the scene.
Senku immersed himself in his research, and after several rounds of refinement and corrections, he finally succeeded in making black gunpowder.
Meanwhile, in a clearing by the sea, Li Xiang had already finished extracting salt from seawater. She carefully gathered the fine white salt crystals she had purified and stored them in a clean tree bark container.
Taiju, who had watched the whole process, could no longer contain his curiosity. He leaned over and stared at the white salt in her hands. "Li Xiang, what's that white powder you've been making? What's it for?"
Li Xiang put the lid on the container and set it safely aside, then turned to Taiju with smiling eyes and a mysterious tone.
"I'm not telling you yet. You'll find out what I'm using it for later."
She offered no further explanation.
As dusk settled over the mountains and the setting sun bathed the forest, a familiar figure came striding in.
Tsukasa Shishio stood alone in front of the camp, his posture straight and his gaze cold.
On the screen, the atmosphere froze.
Everyone's hearts leaped into their throats, and the viewing hall instantly fell silent.
Meeting Tsukasa's gaze, Li Xiang calmly offered him a skewered grilled fish. When he didn't take it, she laughed. "Go on, take it. What, are you afraid I secretly drugged it?"
Tsukasa gave her a long, dark look, then reached out and took it without hesitation.
Once she saw him eat it, a sly smile curled Li Xiang's lips.
In the audience, Tsukasa watched the scene, the corner of his mouth twitching helplessly.
After that brief moment of peace, Senku and Tsukasa stood facing each other and exchanged words.
Neither