First Soul Skill, BB Popcorn

Several days later, in the Star Dou Great Forest.

Looking at the forest stretching out of sight before him, Chen An rolled his somewhat sore shoulders. They had finally arrived.

Everything had felt fresh when they first left the sect, but after several consecutive days in a carriage, that novelty had long since worn off. On top of that, they had eaten either at roadside restaurants or from the dry provisions they had brought. Now, Chen An only wanted to get his Soul Ring and return as soon as possible.

Going out on a trip doesn't seem quite as comfortable as I imagined.

After arranging for the horses and carriage, Chen Xin led him into the forest.

Their surroundings soon darkened. Towering trees blocked the sunlight, and thick fallen leaves carpeted the ground. As they walked, they occasionally heard beasts roaring in the distance.

Chen An instinctively edged closer to Chen Xin.

"Scared?"

"A little."

What was so hard about admitting that? He had only just awakened his Martial Soul and did not even have a Soul Ring. If a Soul Beast really sprang out beside him, was he supposed to chase after it with a pot?

At that, a smile appeared on Chen Xin's face.

"Just stay close to Grandpa. No need to stay so tense. I'm here."

"Mm."

Hearing that reassured Chen An considerably. He stayed close beside the old man, examining their surroundings as they walked.

Chen Xin did not release his full aura, lest he scare off all the nearby Soul Beasts before they found their target. Still, no movement along the way escaped his notice.

Occasionally, he stopped and pointed out a distant Soul Beast, telling Chen An a thing or two about it.

It really was different from leafing through books. Pictures were pictures, after all, while these creatures were alive.

Yet after looking all along the way, a suitable target still failed to appear.

Some were too young, while others were unsuitable for the Dragon-Transforming Pot, so neither of them rushed to act.

They had walked for most of the day, and Chen An was beginning to wonder whether they would have to spend the night here, when Chen Xin suddenly stopped ahead of him and raised a hand to halt him.

"Found one."

Following the old man's gaze, he saw a winged serpent coiled around a branch jutting out nearby.

With a fleshy crest atop its head and a flattened tail, it was precisely the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent they sought.

Chen An's eyes lit up. He was about to speak when Chen Xin motioned for silence. Only after observing it carefully for a while did he nod.

"Nearly four hundred years old. Just right."

Finally found one.

Chen An immediately breathed a sigh of relief. This trip had not exactly been dangerous, but searching without finding anything was certainly enough to make him anxious.

"Let's take this one, Grandpa Sword."

"Wait here."

As his words fell, Chen Xin's figure had already vanished from the spot.

The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent in the tree seemed to sense something. Its wings flared open, but it had barely left the branch before its head was caught in a large hand.

Before it could struggle, Chen Xin flicked its fleshy crest with a finger, and its body immediately went limp.

The next instant, the old man was back in front of Chen An, carrying it.

The entire process happened too quickly for Chen An to see clearly.

Wasn't this thing supposed to be fast? Why did that look no different from going behind the kitchen to fetch a chicken?

Of course, that was best kept to himself. If he really tried it, there was no telling who would end up carrying whom.

Chen Xin set down the restrained Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent, handed him a short dagger, and pointed just below its fleshy crest.

"Cut here. You'll have to do the rest yourself."

"All right."

Chen An took the dagger, steadied his grip, and plunged it into the spot the old man had indicated.

The lack of hesitation in his hand surprised Chen Xin somewhat.

"Not scared anymore?"

"You've already restrained it. What is there to be scared of?"

Chen An answered, feeling somewhat helpless.

He had been a cook in his previous life. He had killed fish and slaughtered chickens. A Soul Beast might be different, but Grandpa Sword had already restrained this one so completely that it could not move. If he could not even manage this step, all those years holding a knife would have been for nothing.

Watching his knife hand, Chen Xin said nothing more, though his smile deepened.

As the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent finally stopped moving altogether, a yellow Soul Ring slowly emerged.

Seeing his own Soul Ring this close for the first time, Chen An unconsciously tightened his grip on the dagger.

After searching for so long, their efforts had finally paid off.

"Put away the dagger, sit down, and release the Dragon-Transforming Pot."

Chen An hurried to comply. Once the Dragon-Transforming Pot appeared before him, he followed the method he had learned and tried to draw the Soul Ring over with his own Soul Power.

The yellow ring slowly approached, then turned into a warm current that surged into his body.

Chen An's brow furrowed.

It was not a pleasant sensation, like something already packed snugly suddenly having a large extra portion stuffed inside. The Soul Power within him also fell into disarray.

Fortunately, Chen Xin's voice soon reached his ears.

"Steady your mind. Do as Grandpa taught you."

Hearing that, Chen An stopped letting his thoughts wander and diligently began guiding the Soul Power inside him.

It was somewhat difficult at first, but gradually, the swelling ache eased, and he slowly began absorbing the Soul Power pouring into his body.

Only when his breathing gradually steadied did Chen Xin, standing guard beside him, relax a little. His attention, however, never left him.

An unknown amount of time passed. When Chen An opened his eyes again, the first thing he saw was the yellow Soul Ring encircling the Dragon-Transforming Pot.

The pot's surface remained warm and lustrous, while the dragon patterns upon it looked somewhat clearer than before under the yellow light.

Chen An supported the pot and tried pouring Soul Power into it. Using it was noticeably easier than before.

"It worked?"

Chen An could not help grinning. Chen Xin had already stepped forward beside him and examined his Soul Power, a smile appearing on his face as well.

"Rank twelve. Not bad."

Having gained his first Soul Ring and reached rank twelve in Soul Power, Chen An was naturally delighted. He was just about to test it further when a passage of information suddenly appeared in his mind.

It was the First Soul Skill granted by this Soul Ring.

But once he read the name at the beginning, his smile gradually turned somewhat strange.

"What is it? An unsuitable Soul Skill?"

Seeing his expression, Chen Xin asked.

"Not exactly. It's just a little unexpected."

Before setting out, he had wondered whether his First Soul Skill might add some speed support to the food he cooked. Now that he had it, he discovered it was nothing of the sort.

First Soul Skill, BB Popcorn.

So this First Soul Skill is for making popcorn?

Before Chen An could consider it carefully, Chen Xin spoke.

"No hurry. Let's move somewhere else first, then show Grandpa."

The serpent's corpse was still here, and there was no need to remain beside it while testing his Soul Skill. Chen Xin led him away, found a relatively open spot, and confirmed there was no danger nearby before letting him begin.

Chen An nodded, summoned the Dragon-Transforming Pot again, and changed it into his familiar wok. As he poured in Soul Power, his sole yellow Soul Ring immediately lit up.

A faint glow gathered inside the wok, soon condensing into a golden kernel of corn.

About the size of a thumb, it looked plump and round. It landed on the bottom of the wok and rolled gently twice.

Chen An stared at it. Chen Xin stared at it too.

For a moment, neither spoke.

"That's it?"

Only after a while did Chen Xin ask.

Chen An's mouth twitched. When he saw the Soul Skill's name, he had thought it would at least give him a bowl of popcorn outright. Instead, it had given him a raw corn kernel.

Well, then. I have the Soul Ring, and it's supplied the ingredient, but I still have to do the work myself.

Yet after quickly reading the remaining information, Chen An grew happy again.

It turned out that this Soul Skill produced BB Corn, which had to be personally made into popcorn to unleash its full effects. With only his first ring, the ingredient he could condense was small, but following the recipe he had also received, he could try making a serving first.

Besides stimulating the appetite, it could make food eaten afterward easier for the body to absorb.

In other words, with the same bowl of Yangzhou Fried Rice, eating some of this beforehand would allow better use of its modest physique-strengthening benefits.

Moreover, for one hour after consumption, Soul Power recovery speed increased by thirty percent.

Thirty percent?

Chen An could not help reading it again. Once he confirmed he had not misread it, his smile immediately widened.

Previously, when practicing with his Martial Soul at the sect, the biggest problem had been insufficient Soul Power. After using the wok for a while, he had to stop and meditate to recover. With this, eating some popcorn before recovering his Soul Power would save him considerable time.

He could use it while cooking, and the sect's disciples could use it after practicing their Soul Skills too.

In that case, their search for this First Soul Ring truly had not been wasted.

Besides, the ingredient was conjured from Soul Power. When traveling, he could at least make something fresh to eat.

"It still needs cooking. Grandpa Sword, wait a moment."

Chen Xin found that somewhat amusing, but did not rush him. He helped gather dry firewood, while Chen An carried over stones, set up the wok, and lit a small fire.

According to the method provided by the Soul Skill, this kernel condensed from Soul Power had to be heated slowly first, with the heat increased just before it popped.

It sounded simple, but once he started, Chen An discovered this thing was far more delicate than ordinary corn.

If any spot was heated slightly too long, its surface began to darken. He had to keep it rolling to heat every part evenly.

Holding the wok handle in one hand, Chen An gently rocked his wrist, sending the kernel tumbling back and forth across the bottom without ever lingering too long in one place.

At first, nothing much changed, but as time passed, the aroma of toasted grain gradually rose from the wok.

Watching beside him, Chen Xin unconsciously turned his gaze into the wok too.

For a single kernel of corn, it really did smell somewhat different.

But the wait grew rather long.

The old man looked at the fire, then at Chen An, and finally could not resist asking.

"Still not ready?"

"Almost. You can't rush this."

As he spoke, Chen An's hand never stopped moving, and his eyes remained fixed on the bottom of the wok.

It's my first try. I should at least get it right. If I scorch my First Soul Skill right after getting my Soul Ring, that would be something.

After another while, the kernel gradually swelled. Its skin stretched taut and shiny, with a faint golden sheen visibly flowing within.

Now.

Chen An lowered the wok slightly toward the flames and flicked his wrist, turning the kernel over again.

The aroma immediately grew considerably stronger.

The kernel trembled gently against the bottom of the wok. Just as it seemed about to burst, Chen An abruptly lifted the wok away from the fire.

Pop.

With a crisp report, the golden skin suddenly split, and snowy blossoms of popcorn burst forth one after another, pattering into the wok. Chen An hurriedly steadied the handle. The bottom, which had held only a single kernel moments earlier, was covered in a full layer in the blink of an eye.

At that moment, the aroma spread fully as well.

What had originally been a faint grain fragrance now became exceptionally rich, yet not remotely cloying. Just smelling it made one unable to resist wanting a taste.

"Done."

Looking at the finished product in the wok, Chen An finally smiled. He took his bowl from his bundle, scooped the popcorn into it, and let it cool briefly.

Chen Xin looked at the bowl, then at the wok, a little more surprise entering his eyes.

There was only that tiny bit before, yet it made this much?

This was somewhat different from the food-type Soul Skills he knew.

"Grandpa Sword, try some."

Chen An handed over the bowl, picked up a piece himself, blew on it, and popped it into his mouth.

It was fluffy on his tongue and fell apart with a gentle press. The rich grain fragrance carried a hint of natural sweetness. He had barely swallowed before wanting another bite.

Delicious. Truly delicious.

But as he ate, Chen An's gaze drifted toward the bundle of dry provisions beside them.

Thinking about those provisions, which he had almost grown sick of over the past few days, he actually wanted some now.

Good grief. That appetite-stimulating effect really is direct.

While he was thinking, Chen Xin spoke.

"Xiao An, why does this make my appetite better the more I eat?"

"It stimulates your appetite, and it also helps you absorb the meals you eat afterward."

As Chen An spoke, a smile appeared on his face.

"Also, for an hour after eating it, your Soul Power recovery speed increases by thirty percent."

"Thirty percent?"

At that, Chen Xin grew interested. He set the bowl aside for the moment and placed two fingers on Chen An's wrist.

"Put away the wok and try recovering your Soul Power."

Chen An hurried to comply. He put away the Dragon-Transforming Pot and slowly circulated the Soul Power within him according to the method he had learned.

The Soul Power he had spent cooking was recovering bit by bit, and the speed was indeed considerably faster than usual.

Chen An could feel it himself, and delight immediately rose within him.

The information provided by the Soul Skill was one thing. Actually using it on himself naturally felt different.

This popcorn really is good stuff.

A moment later, Chen Xin withdrew his hand, a smile appearing on his face as well.

"Not bad. Recovery really is faster. If the sect's disciples eat some after practicing their Soul Skills, they can spend less time recovering their Soul Power too."

"Then I won't have to stop and rest so long when I cook anymore either."

Seeing that Chen An's first thought was still cooking, Chen Xin could not help chuckling, but then asked another question.

"How much did making this serving use up?"

Chen An recalled how much he had just expended and thought for a moment before answering.

"Condensing just this one kernel didn't take much. Keeping the pot going actually used more Soul Power. If I really want to make more, I'll need more practice."

"No rush. You've already done very well."

As Chen Xin spoke, he picked up the bowl again, pinched another piece of popcorn, and popped it into his mouth.

Hearing that, Chen An smiled too. Just then, the system notification chimed.

[Ding! Received one positive review from Chen Xin. Reward: 1 Constitution point.]

Food made with a Soul Skill could earn positive reviews too. Chen An was even more satisfied.

He had obtained a Soul Ring, reached level twelve, and gained another food with a special effect. This trip had been worthwhile.

But the mere thought of how those few people in the sect ate gave Chen An a bit of a headache again.

Not one of them gave him a moment's peace to begin with. With this added to the mix, who knew how much more food he would have to prepare?

While he was thinking, Chen Xin suddenly raised his head beside him.

"What's wrong, Grandpa Sword?"

"Something's coming."

As the old man spoke, he drew Chen An a little closer to his side and looked toward the woods.

With a series of rustling sounds, several figures appeared among the trees, but they did not hurry closer, merely lingering a short distance away.

Chen An followed his gaze and was just about to say something when he noticed that those fellows all seemed to be looking at the bowl in Chen Xin's hand.

Looking again at the popcorn left in the bowl, the corner of Chen An's mouth twitched.

Good grief, how had even the Soul Beasts followed the smell here?