Chapter 32 - On the Culinary Preferences of Fantastical Beasts

From Yongfang City to Rong City, it only takes half an hour by high-speed train, which is very convenient and fast.

Upon arriving in Rong City, Su Mu didn't rush to take his younger sister to Qingcheng Mountain.

The specialized subject examination was the day after tomorrow, and he planned to first treat his sister to a good time in Rong City. Ever since she had fallen ill with leukemia, his sister had hardly ever gone outside, let alone traveled.

The siblings checked into a hotel and, after settling their luggage, they headed straight for the panda base.

While recuperating at home, Su Ye had watched many videos and live streams of pandas and had grown very fond of these black-and-white, adorably clumsy national treasures.

In his previous life on Earth, Su Mu had seen pandas and lamented how the Iron-eating beasts, once capable of battling tigers and tearing bears, had turned into creatures that lived by acting cute. If Chi You, who had ridden them into battle, were to be resurrected, he would probably be so angry that he'd spit blood in frustration.

The pandas in this world, while still looking the same adorable selves and experts at being cute, have not lost any of the combat prowess characteristic of Iron-eating beasts!

At the panda base, Su Mu witnessed firsthand how the pandas of this world not only eat bamboo but also indeed consume iron!

Large chunks of raw iron were held in their paws and crunched with a 'crackling' sound, just as humans would munch on crispy chips or rice crackers—utterly savory and crunchy.

Aside from their impressive dental strength, the pandas of this world are also very powerful; with a single slap, they can break trees and shatter stones effortlessly. Moreover, their fur provides a strong defense, and ordinary physical attacks are nothing more than tickles to them.

According to the introduction at the panda base, and news that Su Mu had found online, the pandas of this world, though endearing, are formidable beings capable of overpowering loongs and tigers!

Every panda enclosure is also equipped with runic formations and specially made glass and railings. Otherwise, once a panda gets fierce, not just ordinary people, but even average cultivators would be unable to subdue them!

The pandas can be a national treasure in this world not just because they are rare and adorable, but also because of their formidable strength!

In addition to the panda base, Su Mu also took Su Ye to the zoo.

Su Ye loved animals and preferred visiting the zoo over shopping or watching movies.

Although Su Mu had been in this world for three years, he had never visited the zoo here, and today was his first time.

As soon as he entered the zoo, Su Mu was astounded.

The zoo in this world not only housed ordinary animals like lions, tigers, leopards, elephants, and hippos, but also many strangely shaped and magically skilled rare birds and Fantastical Beasts.

For example, in the pond, there were luo fish with wings, occasionally flying out of the water to soar in the sky;

Next to the lion and tiger mountain lived a group of creatures known as qitu birds.

They have white bodies and black tails, with a long horn on their heads, sharp teeth, and claws, and from time to time, they would open their mouths to emit 'rumbling' drum-like calls, causing the neighboring tigers and lions to curl up in the corner, shaking in fear.

In the Hundred Birds Forest, there were qitu birds with three heads and six tails, their feathers a gorgeous array of colors.

Their calls were very peculiar, sounding much like human laughter. The male birds went 'ha ha' and the female birds 'ying ying'...

These Fantastical Beasts left Su Mu in awe and caused Su Ye to salivate uncontrollably.

Su Ye couldn't help but comment, "This luo fish looks so tender, with a big and fatty head; it would taste amazing as chopped chili fish head! Wow, that's a Shengyu Bird; I've heard its meat is naturally spicy, adding some Sichuan pepper would make it delicious. And that Boyi that looks like a sheep, whether it's sliced for hotpot or barbecued, it would be so tasty..."

It was unclear whether the Fantastical Beasts understood her words or were frightened by the glint of a foodie's fervor in her eyes, but whenever she approached an enclosure, the animals inside invariably scattered in panic.

Even the Jiao dragons in the zoo were no exception...

It was a pity that they didn't see a Roc; otherwise, Su Ye might have actually wondered how many barbecue racks it would take to cook one...

Su Mu couldn't help but suspect that his sister's love for animals might stem from their edibility and taste?

He had to sternly reprimand her, "You little Greedy Cat, why do you think about eating everything you see?"

The other visitors who overheard the siblings' conversation nodded in agreement.

The little girl deserved a good scolding; how could she look at any animal and think about eating it?

Rabbits are so cute, why would anyone want to eat a rabbit?

They had just mentally commended Su Mu when they heard him continue, "Wipe your drool; don't embarrass yourself. Once I get into the cultivation university, I'll choose the alchemical cuisine major and learn how to cook these birds and beasts, then make them for you."

"Yay! Brother, you're the best!" Su Ye said happily.

The surrounding visitors were stunned.

Is this a scolding? This is sheer indulgence!

After leaving the zoo, Su Mu continued to treat his sister to various foods.

Rong City is renowned for its cuisine, and the siblings indulged to the point of bursting. Only then did they return to their hotel, completely stuffed.

The next day they wandered around the city, and in the afternoon, they took a high-speed train straight to Qingcheng Mountain, finding a hotel at the foot of the mountain for convenience, as they planned to go up the mountain early the next day.

The hotel was average, but it was bustling with guests, all here for the specialized subject examination.

Among them were Second-Generation Cultivators from cultivation families, as well as impoverished but exceptionally talented geniuses.

But regardless of their backgrounds, everyone was polite to each other, and there was none of the confrontational showing off that you see in novels.

Anyone who had passed the Spiritual Qi Value Assessment was no fool; they knew that they were at the cultivation university of Qingcheng Mountain, and that causing trouble here, no matter their status, would get them expelled and lose their chance to take the examination for cultivation.

Furthermore, everyone here had the opportunity to attend the cultivation university, and nobody wanted to offend someone who could potentially become a big shot in the future.

After checking in and entering their room, Su Mu took out the Bang Bang Shangfu Chicken he had prepared in advance from his suitcase.

He didn't rush to start peddling it right away, planning to wait until the next day, for an optimal moment to bring it out and deceive—ahem, that is, to assist others in their progress.

The night passed without incident, and in the blink of an eye, it was the next day.

Su Mu still woke up before five in the morning, and although the Spiritual Qi Value Assessment was over, his cultivation practice had to continue.

At eight o'clock, after having breakfast, Su Mu was ready to set out for Qingcheng Mountain's cultivation university.

Although Su Ye's condition was under control, her body was still weak, and the morning chill on the mountain was quite intense. Concerned that she might catch a cold, Su Mu asked her to stay at the hotel and wait for news.

Leaving the hotel, Su Mu encountered several examinees staying at the same hotel. After getting to know each other, they headed up the mountain together.

In this world, Qingcheng Mountain, being the location of the cultivation university, had limited tourist spots open to the public, and on Examination Day, all were closed to prevent any disturbances that might affect the examinees' performance.

Su Mu and the others, chatting and laughing, arrived at the square in front of the mountain gate. A group of examinees had already gathered there, but the mountain gate was firmly shut.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy and tense.