Chapter 104: Grilled Fish

Yu Tianyun, to save his own skin, decided to have Ning Rongrong take some gifts back; he then produced three boxes of very different materials, handed them to Ning Rongrong, and said softly:

"Rongrong, these are gifts I prepared especially for Uncle Ning, Sword Grandpa, and Bone Grandpa."

Ning Rongrong was first slightly stunned, then the flood of joy and gratitude overwhelmed her, blanking her mind, and she threw herself straight into Yu Tianyun's arms. Though she had countless words in her heart, at that moment they seemed stuck in her throat, and she could not utter a single word.

"Rongrong, accept them with peace of mind. Your father will be my father from now on, and your Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa will also be my Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa. We are family; don't do this again in the future."

"Hmm."

Ning Rongrong replied softly, her slightly reddened eyes filled with tears of emotion and happiness.

As for why Yu Tianyun did this, it was certainly not only to save his own skin. Now that he and Ning Rongrong are already a done deal, helping Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo gain a boost can only benefit him. It will make resisting the Spirit Hall easier, and with Ning Fengzhi's help in breaking through the Douluo realm, Yu Yuanzhen can definitely battle Qian Daoliu for three hundred rounds.

Afterward, Yu Tianyun also gave Ning Rongrong the information and usage instructions for three kinds of celestial herbs.

The next day!

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing still skipped class, and Yu Tianyun led them away from Lanba Academy.

As they were about to part, Yu Tianyun said to Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, after you go back this time, if you need to find Tang San to purchase hidden weapons, you must report Tang San's situation truthfully to Uncle Ning. Tang San is a blacksmith; those hidden weapons are all forged by his own hands. On the continent there are three great smiths—Lou Gao, Titan, and Tang Hao—perhaps one of them is connected to Tang San. Knowing the enemy is the key to being invincible in a hundred battles."

Ning Rongrong heard this and said thoughtfully:

"Brother Tianyun, I understand. What you said is correct; Tang San's blacksmith lineage could very well originate from one of the three great smiths."

Seeing Ning Rongrong so obedient, Yu Tianyun said no more; this information is enough for Ning Fengzhi to deduce Tang San's identity. A clever person like Ning Fengzhi usually prefers to reason out the truth himself; telling him the answer outright would spoil the flavor.

Afterward, Ning Rongrong hopped away, heading to the Qi Bao Liu Li Sect.

Yu Tianyun was not worried about Ning Rongrong's safety; the Qi Bao Liu Li Sect has eyes everywhere on the continent, so she will not lack protectors.

A moment later, Yu Tianyun spread his arms and said to Zhu Zhuqing, "Zhuqing, hold me tight; let's fly straight over there."

Zhu Zhuqing bowed her head slightly, tightly hugging Yu Tianyun's waist, burying her head deep in his chest, feeling both nervous and delighted. It was her first time alone with Yu Tianyun, and from now on, he would belong solely to her.

Immediately, Yu Tianyun's right leg emitted a blue‑gold light, lifting the two of them into the air.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Yu Tianyun curiously, not understanding why he could fly without having grown Dragon Wings this time.

Yu Tianyun saw the doubt in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, smiled lightly, and said, "Zhuqing, keep a secret for me; this is my Soul Bone skill."

Zhu Zhuqing, hearing this, nodded seriously and said, "I will never tell anyone, not even my sister."

Yu Tianyun, seeing such an obedient and sensible little kitten, felt his heart melt, gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead, and flew toward the Sunset Forest.

Although he did not use Dragon Wings, Yu Tianyun's speed was still swift, and he reached the Sunset Forest without spending much time.

Confident, Yu Tianyun led Zhu Zhuqing, swaggering into the Sunset Forest.

The Third Soul Ring Zhu Zhuqing needs is best matched with a cat‑type Soul Beast that excels in speed—tigers, lions, leopards all work, and even raptors or mantis‑type Soul Beasts are acceptable, preferably around 1,700 years old. Therefore, she only needs to search the forest's outskirts and central area. Although the Sunset Forest is not as vast as the Star Dou Great Forest, as the premier Soul Beast forest within the Heavenly Dou Empire, its Soul Beast resources are still quite abundant.

Yu Tianyun quietly released his spirit power, sensing everything around, and with his right hand pulled Zhu Zhuqing into his embrace, as if strolling leisurely in a garden, showing no regard for the forest as a perilous wild Soul Beast habitat.

Along the way they encountered many Soul Beasts—ten‑year, hundred‑year, thousand‑year ones—all present, including several cat‑type Soul Beasts whose ages and species suited Zhu Zhuqing. Yet Yu Tianyun did not hunt; his wife naturally deserves the best, and he is determined to find Zhu Zhuqing the most suitable Soul Beast.

After several hours passed with no success, they decided to rest.

Yu Tianyun cleared a patch of ground by a small creek, then began to circulate his Soul Power.

In an instant, his right hand was wrapped in terrifying thunder, which he plunged into the water—crackle, a burst of thunder— and moments later a halo of electric blue fish rose to the surface.

Yu Tianyun energetically scooped up twenty or so blue fish, his hands transforming into sharp Dragon Claws; whether scraping scales or gutting, it was all effortless, and within moments all the fish were fully processed.

He gathered some large leaves from the forest, washed them in the creek, placed the cleaned fish on them, collected dry branches for firewood, and in a short time a small campfire ignited by the creek.

The only seasoning Yu Tianyun had was salt, which was enough for grilled fish. He fashioned a few small racks from thick branches, threaded the cleaned blue fish onto thin branches, rubbed salt into their bellies, then took a leaf called Zisu from the Storage Soul Conduit, washed and shredded it, and also stuffed it into the fish bellies. He placed the prepared fish onto the rack made of thick branches to roast, while activating his Ice and Fire Dual Pupils to control the heat.

After a short time, a distinctive aroma began to waft from above the fire, intensely fragrant and uniquely alluring. As Yu Tianyun slowly turned the fish, the blue fish gradually turned a tempting golden hue, and the rich scent made it especially enticing.

Yu Tianyun thought his grilled‑fish skill could not be worse than Huo's grilled fish! Look, the little kitten beside him stared unblinkingly at the fish on the fire, looking as if it might cry from craving.

"Tianyun, how much longer?" the usually reserved little kitten finally could not contain its yearning and asked anxiously.

Yu Tianyun's face broke into a doting smile, and he gently replied, "Little greedy cat, don't be impatient; it'll be ready soon."

Zhu Zhuqing obediently nodded and said, "Hmm."

The first time Yu Tianyun only grilled two fish, while the others were pre‑processed. After all, grilling too many at once makes it easy to mismanage the heat.

Soon, the two fragrant fish were taken off the fire, and Yu Tianyun handed them all to Zhu Zhuqing, carefully reminding, "All for you, little greedy cat, be careful not to get burned!"

"Hmm, hmm." Zhu Zhuqing eagerly took them, biting a careful small mouthful to taste.

The fresh, tender, juicy fish flesh melted in her mouth, the unique grilled‑fish flavor instantly filling the entire palate. She savored the delicate meat and the rich aroma perfectly merging, each chew feeling like a luxurious feast for the taste buds.

The blue fish's outer skin was grilled golden and crisp, while the inside remained tenderly smooth, and this striking contrast delighted her.

"It's so delicious; I've never eaten grilled fish this good," Zhu Zhuqing said, savoring it while exclaiming contentedly.

"If it's tasty, I'll make it for you every day," Yu Tianyun said, gazing affectionately at Zhu Zhuqing, making this love‑filled promise.

Eating the blue fish grilled by her lover, her heart was instantly filled with overwhelming happiness; it was a beautiful scene she had never dared to hope for before, and this grilled fish made her feel cherished and loved.

(End of Chapter)