This time, the order was conveyed through a chart transcribed by each regiment. Organized by tent, with each group of twelve people forming a unit, each team paired up into two-person sub-teams. From the Wei hour (2 PM) to the You hour (6 PM), during the four hours leading up to the bonfire banquet, the first pair set up bamboo mats in a square dragon formation. They then collected and transported bowls, chopsticks, small grills, and charcoal to prepare for the BBQ. Following this, they collaborated with the first pairs from other tents in the camp to assemble the quadrangular bonfire structure to be shared by the three hundred people in each camp.
The second and third pairs went to the travelers lodge warehouse to collect marinated pork, beef, lamb, and meat chunks, and threaded them onto long bamboo skewers. The fourth pair gathered stones to construct charcoal stoves and prepared the rice in bamboo tubes. The fifth pair collected prepared dishes and learned to make fruit salads. The sixth pair transported various alcoholic beverages, including rice wine, honey wine, and sugarcane wine, and set up small coal stoves to heat tea. Once tasks were completed, participants could bathe, change into clean clothes, prepare for the banquet, or seek volunteers to write letters home.
The progress chart on the table excited everyone, driving them to try to outpace their peers in completing each task. Xiang Bei, proud of her work, shot a sly glance at Cheng Mo as they walked toward the station.
"I know you're the smartest. That's why we can't let anyone know this Gantt chart was your idea. We can't have people thinking the army's commanders are outdone by you on the first day," Cheng Mo said, looking fondly at the mischievous girl.
"I know. That's why even when I want to treat the army to something nice, I need you to cover for me," Xiang Bei replied, sweetly taking Cheng Mo's hand within the wide sleeves of their robes.
When they arrived at the cold storage, they saw that Tong Chen had already arranged for nearby hunters to prepare around three to four thousand tightly woven, waterproof bamboo basins. Each basin was filled with marinated meat, ready to be cooked. Upon receiving the notification from Cheng Mo that they could start, everyone quickly began cutting the meat into pieces and mixing it with the marinade.
At that time, Xiang Bei was in the Jade Snowflake Cave, moving out piles of fresh beef and mutton. Two white beasts, having returned from who knows where, looked at her with disdain. The white fox complained, "Finally, you're getting rid of this nauseating stuff. It has no spiritual energy and reeks of blood, turning my once beautiful cave into a dump. Hurry up and get it all out, and don't bring such things here again."
"Not exactly. Those cooked, marinated meats can still be stored here," added Gongshe arrogantly. This reminded Xiang Bei to check her stash of cooked food, and she found that it was nearly gone.
"You ate all my food! And you have the nerve to complain about the lack of spiritual energy. Fine, don't eat it then. Or better yet, bring me something with spiritual energy if you're so great, and let's see how impressive it is," Xiang Bei angrily retorted, hands on her hips.
"Hey, beautiful master, no problem at all. We can get spiritual meat, and you can cook it deliciously. How about that? This Snowflake Jade Cave, even .this entire space, are yours, and so are we," the white fox groveled shamelessly, making Xiang Bei want to tease it.
"I can cook delicious food anywhere. I can get spiritual meat on my own. All the living creatures in this space were brought in by me. I don't need you," she huffed.
"True, those creatures are the current world's species. Given a hundred or a thousand years in this space, they might develop some spiritual energy. But Gongshe and I can fetch creatures that have lived for thousands or even tens of thousands of years from the dense fog boundary. How about that, master?" The spiritual fox, ever cunning, played on Xiang Bei's curiosity and weak points to tempt her.
"Who knows if you're just bragging? I'm busy today. Wait until you bring back those things," Xiang Bei said, finishing her task of moving the fresh meat. She then collected several thousand scattered eggs from the grass, ponds, and oases, using her spiritual power to boil them in the hot spring.
After emerging from the space, she led Cheng Mo to the new warehouse next door. There, she fenced off an area with short wooden barriers and laid out rows of harvested rice plants using her spiritual power. She then placed the boiled eggs on top, filling the enclosure. Peeling an egg, she popped it into Cheng Mo's mouth. "Isn't this hot spring egg more tender than usual? Do you like it?"
"My soldiers are truly blessed to have such a wonderful fairy princess," Cheng Mo's eyes were full of affection and joy.
"I told you, I'm not a fairy. Stop with the roundabout declarations. Cheng Mo, if you really want to marry me, I hope it's because you want to marry an ordinary woman to love for a lifetime, not because you see me as a demon or a deity."
"Xiang Bei, I want to protect you. You're the girl I want to safeguard for life. You do have miraculous abilities, at least powers unknown in this era. I find your abilities astonishing, but I'm more worried that your pure and kind heart will put you in more danger," Cheng Mo's tone became urgent and stammered as he feared she might misunderstand his intentions.
"Enough, I understand. You're worried I might be harmed because of my unique abilities. Thank you," Xiang Bei looked at the usually reticent Cheng Mo, now anxiously explaining himself. She truly understood him but loved seeing him flustered. So, she stood on tiptoe and sealed his lips with a soft kiss.