Night of the Broken Gliph

On the plate was a massive fish. The soft, tender meat of the three-meter-long monster jiggled on the plate and shone thanks to the glossy sauce with hints of red and green. Even Lam Zaa, the crown prince who was used to delicacies, drooled at the sight.    8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG1lWl7QaX 維尼

“I’m sorry that I’m late! This heaven spring fish is tough to catch! You guys must be hungry, right? Come, dig in!” The voice dragged the class’s attention away from the fish to the chubby man carrying the plate. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrVyTL0JkR 維尼

About 1.7 meters tall, his huge belly and fat limbs made him resemble a huge football. Yet, he was able to carry such a large plate with ease. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJTMRYx3AS 維尼

His face was revealed as he unloaded the plate on the teacher’s table with a clang. He was an endearing man with an ivory skin tone and a chubby face. His eyes were so small that they resembled the moon when he smiled. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDwFkKQ8Ih 維尼

“Come, it won’t taste nice once it cools down,” he said as he fished many pairs of chopsticks out of thin air. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1y7dhpeDh 維尼

The class was small, and it was even tighter with the chubby man trying to squeeze himself around to give out chopsticks. However, nobody had the mood to care as they were all focused on the massive fish at the front of the classroom! Their desire for food had been unleashed. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk9GAdcEiz 維尼

Just then, a teenager who trembled as he drooled spoke up. He was the chubby teen that pointed out the Ceremony Mountain the previous day. “Heaven spring fish… Isn’t that the grade three gliphic beast, the heaven spring fish of the Western Sea?” 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ0PDRXYBJ 維尼

His words reminded his classmates, who were familiar with gliphic beasts, about its background. Heaven spring fish were born grade three beasts with the ability to hold their weight against three-chambered gliphers. With their huge size and strength, they could launch fierce attacks without being hindered by the current. Legends had it that heaven spring fish kings could reach the grade-four state and unleash tsunamis with their powerful movements. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGl7uprTXK 維尼

Be it gliphers or gliphists, their strengths were usually limited underwater, making the Western Sea a forbidden area for cultivators due to the numerous gliphic beasts and restricting environment. Hence, while the Western Sea wasn’t a well-known area, cultivators viewed it as a forbidden ground nonetheless.  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2N7NFYHpX 維尼

After the entire class got a pair of chopsticks, the endearing man laughed and said, “A heaven spring fish might look fat and strong, but they have perfectly tender flesh! They consist solely of lean meat, with raw strength as its gliphility. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTzx0FO2yK 維尼

“Every inch of meat is imbued with energliph. Consuming this beast is like taking a raw supplement. Each of you can only take one bite, as too much won’t be good for your health. Here, you may go first.”  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT6DKzqk3b 維尼

Smiling, the man pointed to a teen in the first row. The teen was none other than their class captain Kwan Shan Chuen, who stepped forward with his chopsticks. He hesitated before placing his chopsticks on the fish. “Then, I’ll help myself.” 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOIM3au7WH 維尼

The soft heaven spring fish meat broke under his chopsticks easily. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjJbc2DhGP 維尼

“To achieve a silky and smooth texture, steaming is the best way to cook a fish,” theman explained. “Otherwise, you won’t get to taste the unique texture of the heaven spring fish.” 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwc4wzZUny 維尼

Everyone, even Chui Yim, was dumbfounded when they realised they were having a culinary class. Kwan Shan Chuen put the meat into his mouth and tasted it slowly. In no time, smoke emitted from his body as he flushed red. He immediately sat on the ground and started cultivating. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtLCg6rCQc 維尼

“This is normal as the heaven spring fish is a great energliph supplement for one’s body. Now, the next person.”  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXsVhfYFlH 維尼

One by one, the students went up to have a bite, most seeing the same effects as Kwan Shan Chuen. With their faces flushed red, they sat on the ground immediately to cultivate.  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyVU6dwgFo 維尼

It was now Chui Yim’s turn. After spending a long time eating Chui Tin and Lam Ming’s cooking, Chui Yim now had a refined palate. The plate of fish caught his eye, and he was excited to try it. Just as Chui Yim was walking over, the man stopped him.   8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgQxGL8YNl 維尼

“Stop! You, come here!”  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡP01z0jshS2 維尼

“What’s wrong?” Dumbfounded, Chui Yim anxiously looked at the delicious food in front of him.  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpZ2JZy836 維尼

The man had a serious expression that made him look funny instead of serious. He hurried towards Chui Yim, sniffing. “What did you eat last night… Oh… This metallic smell of blood… That’s the rednoceros, but that’s not the only thing…” he said as he fanned Chui Yim’s face with his huge hands to identify the smell Chui Yim had. After a while, his eyes shot open wide like two thick lines! “Ah, glutinous rice wine which is at least a hundred years old!”  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnJjXvIoOf 維尼

As he spoke, he retrieved an ice-filled cup out of nowhere and handed it to Chui Yim with a smile. “Put the ice in your mouth and only swallow it after ten seconds. The meal you had yesterday was too strong, and you won’t be able to taste the fish properly if you have it immediately.”  8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8ebewfuhc 維尼

“This…” Chui Yim gasped and stared at the man like he saw a god. He immediately filled his mouth with the ice and swallowed after ten seconds. Chui Yim then reached for the heaven spring fish, the man watching him happily. As he put the fish in his mouth, it melted and flowed into Chui Yim’s body without him needing to chew. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmQU3WnrIK 維尼

It was just a few seconds, yet the taste was extremely clear. The warm liquid in Chui Yim’s belly started spreading outwards. He knew it should be the energliph the man spoke of, but Chui Yim was confused as this pure energliph wasn’t like anything else he had come across. 8964 copyright protection133ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyKA2h4pcQ 維尼

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