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After they had gathered enough, they dug up some tender white roots from under the clump of Pearl Rice closest to the tribe and took them back to the tribe.

When they returned to the tribe, most of the orcs had already returned.

These chubby chicks didn't transform into human form; instead, they played a game similar to "eagle catching chicks" with the Jiujiu in their beast form.

Ying'ao, like an eagle, flaps its wings and chases after the fat chicks.

The chubby chicks are very agile, making them difficult for Ying'ao to catch. Jiujiu also keep getting closer to Ying'ao, practically offering themselves up to him.

Ying'ao didn't want to catch Jiujiu, so he had to avoid it and chase after other fat chirps.

So, the Flying-Winged Beast and fat chicks in the sky split into three groups: one group fled, one group chased, and one group tried to stage an accident.

They laughed and chuckled in the air, their laughter carrying far.

After watching for a while, Jian Mo couldn't help but say to Wu Jiong, "Is Jiujiu stupid? Ying'ao doesn't even want to chase it anymore, but it's still going up to it."

Wu Jiong: "Jiujiu probably just likes to play like this."

Jian Mo glanced at it again. "I think it's just stupid, really Jiujiu."

Silly Jiujiu, with its sharp ears and eyes, spotted Jian Mo and the others, and even heard them mention its name. Immediately forgetting the game, it flew down and hopped around them, chirping, "Jiujiu!"

Jian Mo couldn't help but laugh and gently pulled on Jiujiu's wings to soothe her, "Don't jump anymore."

Jiujiu: "Chirp--"

Ying'ao also flew down and silently landed on the other side.

Wu Jiong gently patted Ying'ao and greeted him.

When the chubby chicks saw the people return, they all landed in unison, craning their necks to see the beastmen's haul. "What did you find?"

The sub-beastmen all picked up their baskets. "Guess?"

The fat chicks. "I can't believe it! Wait, bug eggs! You actually brought back bug eggs?"

One of the sub-orcs said smugly, "That's right, we've been guarding it for almost half a month. We start watching as soon as we see the branch-hugging insects land on the tree, and we rush to ram the tree the moment they finish laying their eggs."

The chubby chicks exclaimed, "Great! Let's eat this tonight!"

The sub-beastmen. "Of course."

The people of the Cypress Branch Tribe all got busy, bringing out earthenware pots and firewood, and everyone, young and old, helped out.

Jian Mo observed that their tribe ate their food together, unlike the Riverside Tribe who divided the food among themselves and each family cooked separately.

While Jian Mo pondered, the people of the Cypress Branch Tribe had already poured the cleaned insect eggs into a large earthenware pot and started blanching them.

Jian Mo to join the fun.

They added coarse salt and spices to the water when blanching the insect eggs, and only took them out after they were fully cooked and put them in a large wooden basin to cool in cold water.

Once they cooled down a bit, everyone went up to help peel off the shells of the insect eggs.

After peeling off the outer shell, the egg inside is round and smooth, just like a white, and a little translucent, but it feels soft to the touch.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong helped peel the insect eggs and put them into the drain basket next to them.

Turning her head, Jian Mo noticed that they had set up several large earthenware pots at the same time, some were braising meat, some were cooking rice, and some were chopping vegetables. Although there were many things to do, there was a certain orderly beauty to it all.

Chief Zhou Zhi of the Cypress Branch Tribe returned and greeted them, "Doctor Jian Mo, Chief Wu Jiong."

Wu Jiong nodded, Jian Mo said with a smile, "We're here to freeload today."

Zhou Zhi: "Welcome! Eat well later."

Jian Mo: "Then we won't stand on ceremony."

While they were talking, the insect eggs had already been processed. Someone brought out a large oil pot and started a fire to slowly fry the insect eggs.

When they were almost done frying, they poured in a powder.

As soon as the aroma wafted out, Jian Mo recognized it immediately – it was garlic powder.

Jian Mo surprised. "You have garlic powder here too?!"

Zhou Zhi immediately guessed what he was talking about. "We often fly out, and we've even been to the Qin Sea Tribe."

Jian Mo: "Right? We also brought back a lot of garlic powder from the Qin Sea Tribe. We really love their garlic powder."

Zhou Zhi: "It's a bit bitter, you have to fry it several times to get rid of the bitterness."

Jian Mo couldn't help but ask, "Wait, you use deep-frying to remove the bitterness?"

Zhou Zhi: "You'll figure it out after trying a few more times. We tried blanching before, but then we found that blanching didn't work. What happened?"

Jian Mo: "Well, we finally figured out that frying can remove bitterness."

Another sub-beastman from the Cypress Branch Tribe poked his head out. "The Qin Sea Tribe's hiding is useless; we figured it out in one try, haha."

Jian Mo gave a thumbs up. "You guys are amazing! We've already started planting them. Let's see in a few years if we can grow large, non-bitter garlic."

Zhou Zhi: "If they grow successfully, please be sure to exchange some for us."

Jian Mo: "Okay!"

Soon, the meal for the Cypress Branch Tribe was ready. Everyone sat cross-legged on the grass, and all the dishes were laid out neatly, like a banquet. Even Jiujiu and Ying'ao sat at the end of the table.

The friendly subhumans placed large food bowls in front of them.

Jian Mo felt something was amiss, but the chubby birds didn't care at all:

Let's play together and eat together.

"Doctor Jian Mo, Chief Wu Jiong, you must try the insect eggs! The eggs of the branch-embracing insect are delicious, the best of all insect eggs."

"Yes, Doctor Jian Mo, please don't be shy, just use the spoon."

Before Jian Mo and the others could even make a move, an enthusiastic sub-orc scooped a large spoonful of insect eggs into each of their bowls.

Jian Mo no longer minds eating all sorts of strange foods. He scooped up a piece with a spoon and tasted it.

The insect eggs were fried until very crispy and dry, with a light salty taste. The garlic powder on the outside was also very fragrant. They tasted purely of protein, with a subtle, refreshing aroma. They were delicious.

Jian Mo has eaten insects several times since coming here, and she has to say that these insect eggs are indeed the best insect food. They are delicate and crispy, and in addition to the aroma of protein, you can also taste a bit of oil.