"Look at you, fickle as can be. Xiao Ji is upset now, isn't she~"
Zhong Liuyan teased Feng Yuan with a smile, and Feng Yuan helplessly picked up the seasonings that the Dreaming Dragon Baby had just nudged aside, saying
"I've said it's just staying with me temporarily, you guys. Won't you make a delicious meal for your own Spirit Beasts?"
"Let me see how you do it first~"
"Sure."
Feng Yuan glanced at the two little ones who were still frolicking, picked up the Dreaming Dragon Baby's seasonings, and began cooking with a small iron pot while the three curious friends gathered around.
"Ao?"
"Ao~~~"
The Dreaming Dragon Baby, who had been roughhousing with Xiao Ji, suddenly smelled a tempting fragrance. After disdainfully shooting a glance at Xiao Ji and spitting out a fireball, it floated straight towards the aroma coming from Feng Yuan's direction.
"Ji!!!"
Seeing the Dreaming Dragon Baby curling its body around a large bowl and enjoying the food aloft with the bowl in tow, Xiao Ji glared at Feng Yuan angrily. Feng Yuan beckoned to Xiao Ji and said,
"Come here, Xiao Ji~ Take a look and see which seasoning you like~"
"Ji... Ji!"
Xiao Ji hesitated for quite a while but, lured by the enticing aroma drifting down from above, reluctantly moved over to pick its preferred seasonings.
"Is it really that simple?"
Zhong Liuyan watched the Dreaming Dragon Baby above, utterly satisfied with its meal, with some disbelief while Feng Yuan, still prepping Xiao Ji's meal, replied,
"Of course, the so-called difference from human taste lies only in the choice of seasonings~"
"Ji!"
"Alright, alright~ no need to rush~"
Noticing Feng Yuan slowing down a bit, the eager Xiao Ji by his side quickly chirped up, and Feng Yuan smiled, taking his time to finish up Xiao Ji's meal. After a while, he poured Xiao Ji's food into a bowl. Xiao Ji immediately snatched the bowl away and, with its back to Feng Yuan, began to peck at the food in tiny bites, occasionally shooting provocative glances at the Dreaming Dragon Baby in the air.
"Do you guys want to give it a try? Just use the seasonings the Spirit Beasts like, and cook it like usual."
Feng Yuan arranged the seasoning bottles neatly and spoke to the three eager friends beside him. After hesitating for a moment, Zhong Liuyan brought out her White-furred Spirit Monkey, Bai Mao, from her bag and asked its preference, while Pei Yu excused himself to fetch his Steel Rhino.
"Ji..."
While guiding Zhong Liuyan in preparing food for Xiao Bai, Feng Yuan felt something rubbing against his leg. Turning his head, he saw Xiao Ji holding an impeccably licked clean empty bowl, nudging him with its head. Taking the empty bowl from Xiao Ji with a chuckle, he said to the hopeful-looking Xiao Ji,
"Wait a moment, we'll make you another portion after everyone else is done."
"Ji~"
After a while, Zhong Liuyan's Xiao Bai, looking utterly content, held the food Liu Yan had prepared and sat down on one side. Noticing that Pei Yu hadn't returned, Qi Chen said to Feng Yuan,
"Next up, should be Ah Mu's turn, right?"
"Dudu~"
After a long wait, Pei Yu finally came with his Steel Rhino. Seeing Pei Yu's sweaty appearance, Feng Yuan laughed and said,
"Now you know the troubles of keeping a large-sized Spirit Beast, huh?"
"Who says?"
"Not convenient to carry around, right~"
"Pfft!"
"Moo!"
"Hey! Keep an eye on your Duomeng!"
"Duomeng, be good."
Seeing the Steel Rhino Duomeng glaring at him with eyes as big as bells, Feng Yuan hastily raised his hands in surrender, while Pei Yu quickly patted Duomeng's body to comfort him.
While instructing Pei Yu on how to prepare food, Feng Yuan eyed Duomeng's massive frame and said mischievously,
"That little amount clearly won't be enough for your Duomeng~"
"Moo~~"
"Cut the chatter!"
Pei Yu seemed a bit flustered while handling the food. Compared to Feng Yuan and Qi Chen, he was not adept at cooking,
"What are you guys doing?"
An Ethereal female voice sounded behind Feng Yuan. He turned around to see a short-haired, tranquil and pretty high school girl in uniform. Scratching his head, he said,
"Ah, it's you, Dou Yanlan. We are preparing food for our Spirit Beasts. Want to give it a try? You could make something tasty for your Cotton~"
Feng Yuan looked at Dou Yanlan's elegantly regal Brocade Fur Spirit Cat, Cotton, who, upon noticing Feng Yuan's gaze, lazily yawned. Dou Yanlan, somewhat tempted, asked,
"Special food for Spirit Beasts? Can I make it too?"
"Of course~"
"Ji!"
Xiao Ji, dissatisfied, glanced at Feng Yuan, who chuckled and rubbed Xiao Ji's head apologetically, saying,
"However, after Pei Yu finishes cooking, I must make another portion for Xiao Ji, otherwise this little miser is going to get angry again~"
"Ji!"
"Hey! Why are you pecking me again?"
While watching Feng Yuan play with Xiao Ji, Dou Yanlan chuckled softly to Cotton nestled in her arms and whispered,
"They really have a great relationship~"
"Meow~"
Once Pei Yu served the eagerly awaited food to Duomeng, Feng Yuan quickly prepared Xiao Ji's meal. Xiao Ji hugged the bowl, her eyes twirling around as she reached up to Feng Yuan for a hug. Feng Yuan, somewhat puzzled, picked up Xiao Ji and then grumpily said upon observing her gaze fixated on something above his head,
"Where did you learn that bad habit? Why would you want to climb on top of my head to eat?"
"Ji!"
Seeing Xiao Ji appear upset, Feng Yuan shook his head resignedly and said,
"Fine, but don't let any food crumbs fall down, or I'll get angry."
"Ji~"
As Feng Yuan lifted Xiao Ji up, she provocatively glanced at the Dreaming Dragon Baby, who had already settled back on Feng Yuan's shoulder. The Dreaming Dragon Baby disdainfully yawned at Xiao Ji and went back to sleeping.
"Meow~"
Cotton, lying beside Dou Yanlan, disdainfully called out to Xiao Ji, who, perched triumphantly on top of Feng Yuan's head, perhaps too excited, didn't respond to Cotton's call.
"Cotton~ Try it, do you like it~"
Dou Yanlan carefully placed the prepared food in front of Cotton. After discreetly giving Yanlan an excited look, Cotton tentatively licked a bit from the dish. Immediately enjoying the taste, she abandoned her lofty and lazy demeanor to pounce on the plate, devouring the food with a face full of pleasure. Seeing this, Dou Yanlan happily said,
"As long as you like it~"
Seeing Cotton fully immersed in the feast, Dou Yanlan turned and said to Feng Yuan, who was amusing Xiao Ji,
"Cotton really likes it. Can you tell me how those seasonings are made?"
Upon hearing Dou Yanlan's words, Pei Yu and Zhong Liuyan pricked up their ears, ready to listen to Feng Yuan's response. Feng Yuan, while poking the round belly of Xiao Ji, who had eaten her fill and was lying on the table, said,
"Sure, I'll send the recipe to you later."
"Can you do it now?"
"Sure."
Seeing Pei Yu and Zhong Liuyan looking at him with some anticipation, Feng Yuan thought for a moment, took out his mobile phone to compose a message, and after a while, the three each received the recipe Feng Yuan had sent.
"Thanks~"
"Much appreciated~"
"Uh... thank you."
After checking the recipe for a moment and finding no issues, the three expressed their gratitude to Feng Yuan. Qi Chen glanced at his mobile phone, smiled at Feng Yuan, and said nothing. Feng Yuan began to pack his belongings into his backpack and asked,
"Where are you planning to go after this?"
"Just wandering around, why? Do you have any plans?"
"How about a trip to Lei Tan?"
Feng Yuan smiled mysteriously. Seeing his look, Qi Chen asked with some confusion,
"Is there something strange in Lei Tan?"
"Nothing."
"Then why do you want to go there?"
"Isn't there the Thunder Pond Sanctuary near Lei Tan? I want to try finding it and see if I can enter~"
Zhong Liuyan couldn't help but throw cold water on Feng Yuan's conviction,
"Forget it, the Thunder Pond Sanctuary is just a legend, very few people have managed to enter over the years."
"But it's a confirmed secret realm~ Looking for it won't be a loss. Let's go, Qi Chen~"
Feng Yuan said as he placed Xiao Ji on his head and pulled Qi Chen along. Seeing Feng Yuan's enthusiasm, Zhong Liuyan shook his head and followed with Pei Yu, while Dou Yanlan picked up Cotton and caught up.