Chapter Fifteen: A Sumptuous Dinner

“For example, the cultivation technique in the West Chamber—many in this world covet it, but even if they obtain it, it’s of no use to them,” Lin Feng said to Xiaoshan with a calm expression. “Because they can’t learn it.” Xiaoshan tilted his head, looking utterly incredulous at Lin Feng’s words.

“But you managed to learn it. So tell me, what should I do with you?” Lin Feng’s face twisted into a fearsome scowl, as if pondering whether to skin him alive, break his bones and toss him to the beasts, or perhaps execute him on the spot.

Countless terrifying deaths flashed through Xiaoshan’s mind; his eyes darted as his expression shifted from one to another.

“But weren’t you the one who told me to learn it?” Xiaoshan replied, his voice full of innocent confusion as he gazed at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng was momentarily stunned, expecting fear yet finding nothing but pure naivety. Ruo Xi, watching the exchange, burst out laughing, as if she were enjoying Lin Feng’s discomfort.

“Senior, didn’t you assign me that room so I could study the technique? And after I learned it, weren’t you going to use me as your sparring partner? Isn’t that what you said?” Xiaoshan continued, still perplexed.

Lin Feng smiled faintly at Xiaoshan’s earnestness, lowered his head, and picked up a piece of meat to eat.

Seeing this, Xiaoshan scratched his head and helped himself to another bite of food.

“It’s delicious! Aunt Mei’s cooking is wonderful!” Ruo Xi exclaimed, piling food into her mouth and showering Aunt Mei with praise.

Lin Feng glanced up at her, and Ruo Xi’s expression changed slightly, as if startled. She quickly added, “It’s mainly thanks to the money we earned. Otherwise, how could we afford such good things? Don’t you think so, Xiaoshan?”

Xiaoshan immediately nodded in agreement. Having skipped dinner the night before, he was ravenous at the sight of food, his stomach rumbling loudly. He felt he might starve if he didn’t eat soon and so buried his head in his bowl, wolfing down the food.

“Yes, yes, Aunt Mei’s cooking is truly delicious!”

Lin Feng shook his head with a smile at the sight of these gluttons. Aunt Mei stood by, quietly smiling without a word.

With Ruo Xi and Xiaoshan devouring the meal, the large tableful of dishes soon disappeared into their stomachs. A satisfied burp from each of them proved they were full.

“Senior, why are there such strange trees in the Kilimanjaro Forest?” Xiaoshan asked, voicing the question that had been festering in his mind.

“The Kilimanjaro Forest is said to have formed after a meteorite fell. Legend has it that at the end of the world, Earth became a vast desert, sand filled the air, and without a mask, no one dared step outside. Only in the largest cities was there shelter from the sandstorms. After the meteorite landed, Earth’s forests began to expand. Surviving such a catastrophe, many began to wonder if it was Earth’s way of resetting its ecosystem—just like the extinction of the dinosaurs in prehistoric times.”

“As for those peculiar trees, we call them man-eating trees. When fully grown, they reach eight or nine meters tall and sprout many long branches that droop to the ground. Should anyone brush against them, all the branches lash out like demonic claws, ensnaring their prey, tightening relentlessly until escape is impossible. The branches then secrete a powerful adhesive, capable of digesting whatever they capture. Any creature stuck to that sap is slowly ‘digested’ and becomes nourishment for the tree. Even those untrained in martial arts can fall prey if caught by the branches—the tree makes no distinction.”

Lin Feng shuddered at the description, grateful the tree hadn’t devoured him.

“You should consider yourself lucky—most of those trees are still immature. Otherwise, the moment you entered, you’d have been finished!” Lin Feng glanced at Ruo Xi and then at Xiaoshan.

“But those man-eating trees seemed to fear Ruo Xi quite a bit, didn’t they?” Xiaoshan asked Lin Feng, puzzled.

“Yes, that’s right!” Ruo Xi echoed, her gaze fixed on Lin Feng, voicing her own curiosity.

“There’s something unusual about your condition,” Lin Feng responded after a pause, turning to Ruo Xi.

Unusual? Xiaoshan’s mind swirled with questions.

“Daddy, can we go out and play after we finish eating?” Ruo Xi gazed up at Lin Feng with hopeful, sparkling eyes—utterly adorable.

“No,” Lin Feng shook his head. “You know there’s something special about you, yet you’re always wanting to wander off, making me worry constantly!”

“Master the Frightened Soul Sword Technique to at least the Small City level before you think of playing outside. For now, I’ll be watching you closely—don’t even think about sneaking out alone!” Lin Feng stood, hands clasped behind his back, feigning anger.

Ruo Xi pouted, giving a little huff of indignation.

“Oh, right!” Lin Feng paused at the door and turned back to Xiaoshan.

“Yes?” Xiaoshan replied.

“Xiaoshan, for now, stop practicing the martial art in the bedroom and focus on the one in the main hall instead. That technique wrings every bit of strength from your body. If your nutrition can’t keep up, don’t overdo it.”