In the heart of the Kunlun Mountains, James was faced with a newfound dilemma: how to preserve bird meat with just basic camping gear.
So, how does James keep that freshly hunted bird meat edible? First up, the old faithful technique of salting!
The method he employed was both ancient and effective. He generously coated the fresh bird meat with salt. The salt acted as a natural deterrent against bacteria, preventing the meat from spoiling. Once salted, he arranged the strips on a flat rock near his campfire. This allowed them to undergo the drying process, which is crucial for preserving meat.
James collected greenwood from the forest in the valley, carefully selecting wood known for its flavor-enhancing properties. He then kindled a campfire, and using branches, he hung the meat strips above the fragrant, smoky flames. This process both smoked and dehydrated the meat, further inhibiting bacterial growth.
Now, James turned his attention to those unique serrated metallic feathers that once belonged to the Stymphalian Birds. Recognizing their potential as makeshift daggers. By combining these metallic feathers with sturdy wooden handles, and paracord, he forged daggers capable of serving him well in future hunts.
To protect the preserved meat from environmental factors, James gathered dozens of coolboxes from other campers. He stored a good amount of meat inside them along with a few of the eggs that were left in the nest.
Wukong told him that those football-sized eggs were rich in nutrients, but he had yet to try them.
James then sat down for a small break next to the campfire. All this meat preservation tired him mentally. The wood crackled and released its aromatic embrace as it burned in the campfire. The scent that filled the air was both earthy and sweet, carrying notes of smokiness and a touch of nuttiness.
[Not bad, I didn't even need to teach you anything on that.]
"Yeah, that happens when you watch too many survival in the wild videos on the internet," James remarked with a helpless expression on his face.
It was one of his pastime activities when he did not have much to do. A man alone surviving in the wild using everything around fascinated him.
One of the reasons he was a bit introverted was also due to this. He enjoyed hobbies like hunting, fishing, hiking or camping. An activity he mostly always did by himself. The anniversary trip was also supposed to be like this. Ever since they started dating, Grace got mad at him for leaving her on random weekends to go camping or fishing. He asked her to go with him but she always refused, rather stayed at home or went to parties.
The trip was a way for him to show her the beauty of nature, but that turned out great. He was shown the beauty of human nature, truly a blessing.
James let out a sad chuckle as he remembered how she pushed him towards the Minotaur. The expression on Grace's face told him everything he needed to condemn her to the deepest pits of hell. Oh well, Underworld should exist since the Gods are real, no?
Just thinking about it made the remaining cuts on his arm sting a little even though most of it was already healed after a good night's sleep.
"Hey, does the Underworld exist?"
[Yes, there is the Diyu for us and other pantheons have their versions of that.]
"Do you think Grace ...?"
[Oh, that little traitorous girl? Yes, her soul was consumed and fused with the Banshee–you essentially killed her along with the monster by breaking that core. Good riddance.]
James sighed, *good riddance* indeed. But he also felt disappointment over her death because it was too fast. At this point, he could only hope for the underworld–wherever her soul was–to punish her for good.
As he contemplated these thoughts, his focus was abruptly shattered by the distant sound of approaching footsteps. The unmistakable chatter and laughter of a group of Koropokkuru reached his ears and carried on the wind. It seemed that the tantalizing scent of the freshly smoked meat had attracted some unexpected visitors.
James quickly realized that he needed to take action. The Koropokkuru, though small in stature, could be quite resourceful and skilled in the art of foraging. With his campsite stocked with freshly preserved meat, he couldn't afford to lose his supplies to these curious creatures.
With his makeshift weapon clutched tightly in his hand, James moved silently and swiftly behind the tents, scouting.
As the diminutive figures came into view, their faces filled with anticipation at the prospect of a generous meal, James prepared himself. With a controlled lunge, he struck, using the sharpened metallic feathers as a deadly weapon. The blade-like edges sliced through the air, expertly finding their mark.
The Koropokkuru let out surprised cries as the makeshift dagger found its targets. James's precision was uncanny as his eyes glowed and he moved swiftly, decapitating them with a single slash.
It was not much of a challenge. James stood there, stained with the blood, and felt a small gain of strength coming from the corpses. It was minuscule compared to the birds he had killed yesterday. There was no value in hunting or eating them, he only killed because they dared to venture to his campsite. It was the survival of the fittest after all.
James gathered the remains with swift, practiced motions, piling the broken bodies of the Koropokkuru into the fire. As the flames roared to life, consuming the small green bodies, thick, acrid smoke filled the air. The scent of burning flesh was unpleasant, but James knew it served a purpose. The Koropokkuru, weak and lowly creatures, were at the bottom of the food chain. Their deaths carried little significance to the more powerful beings that roamed the land, but their scent–pungent and unmistakable–acted as a deterrent.
The smell of the Banshee and the Minotaur must have become too faint over these days since those small goblin creatures dared to come here.
"Is there anything I can do to avoid low-level monsters from coming here other than slaying strong beasts and spreading their smell around the camp?"
[Well, I guess it's time for your first lesson on Energy Manipulation, also known as Qi. You see, creatures can sense energy, much like how we can feel heat or cold. By controlling your Qi and flaring your aura, you can make them think you're a high-level monster.]
James raised an eyebrow. "So they won't bother me?" he asked.
[Exactly!]
[Low-level monsters will avoid you instinctively, not wanting to challenge something stronger. Even the higher-leveled beasts will recognize the territory you are in as claimed. They'll see it as your domain and, unless you're incredibly unlucky, they won't want to risk a fight in an unfamiliar area. Since it was regarded as the Minotaur/Banshee territory before, you just got to simply replace it with yours.]
James nodded, understanding. The concept was simple enough: make yourself look more dangerous than you were, a predator among predators. "How do I do it?" he asked, eager to learn.
[Close your eyes and concentrate your energy, gather your Qi, and let it flow. The key is to control it, make it an extension of yourself.]
James followed the guidance, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He visualized the flow of his inner energy, imagining it as a vibrant, shimmering aura surrounding him.
[You should be able to see a bright light inside your mind. That's your core. It's the difference between you and mortals. Now try to draw some Qi from it by making it spin.]
As he began to experiment with what Wukong had shared, James felt the power building within him. It was a subtle transformation, but he sensed his presence shifting as if his very essence was expanding. He focused on controlling this newfound energy.
[Excellent. Now try to condense and release it.]
James channeled the spinning energy, concentrating it into a compact form. He sensed the condensed power gathering within him, ready to be unleashed.
As he opened his eyes, the area around him seemed to shimmer briefly, and an aura of golden energy surrounded him.
[Congratulations, you have successfully flared your Qi. Not bad for a beginner.]
"I feel invigorated. Is that normal?"
[It is, spinning your core will help you absorb more Qi from your surroundings. The only good thing about this place is the high density of Qi, you'll be able to improve much better. It's at least five times as high as in other hotspots like New York or Beijing.]
"Wait, you have contact beyond this place? Why didn't you tell me?"
[It only encompasses China and parts of India, and it's not like those Heavenly Bastards are going to tell me much.]
Right. Sun Wukong, also the self-proclaimed Great Sage Equal to Heaven, was not like any other immortal or god. He was his own man, free to do whatever his heart desired, unfettered and strong unlike any other being under the sky. But he also had many people who did not like him as a result.
"Can you at least tell me what you know?" James asked, eager to receive any information from the outside world.
[Well, listen kid. It's the first stage and many have died–like those stupid campers and that girl, but others like you who have survived the night also gained the favors of certain gods. I know that Cai Shen is dishing out Lesser Blessings nothing. Stronger gods have yet to make a move, and transcendental beings are not even watching over this world yet–except for me.]
"It's a fucking apocalypse then. I suspected it, but having it confirmed just hits differently."
James was a bit worried about his parents, who were in Germany celebrating the new year with some relatives, but he put those thoughts away for now. He needed to make the best out of his situation and that was training and hunting. The priority was to get out of this mountain range.
[Indeed, but don't worry. They'll manage, the gods will make sure of that. Now, get back to your training.]
He took a look at the distant snowy peaks of the Kunlun and closed his eyes to focus on his Qi once more. Feeling the spinning force inside his body made him forget all the troubles and bad experiences. The inner world was only about him and his Energy Core. The golden energy around James began to condense again. Under the watchful eyes of his patron, the training continued.