Even though her stomach growled, she refused. "I can't eat."

A frown appeared on her face. She could never shake the nauseating feeling brought on by her Innate Origin Physique.

"I'm treating you. You can eat. Don't starve to death now," Qi Yuan said gently.

If No-Food Goddess starved to death and the Heavenly Pillar collapsed because of him, what kind of game would that be?

"Really?" she asked uncertainly.

There was no nutrient solution in this world. What would she eat?

"Why would I lie to a little girl?" he said. "You're strange. Why don't you breathe air?"

"You're strange too," she replied softly.

Not only that, his thoughts were even stranger.

"Where's the food?" she asked.

She was truly starving. The Devouring Origin Physique made the urge to devour everything unbearable. If he gave her something to eat, perhaps she would even agree to fuse with the Heavenly Pillar as he said.

"Follow me. Walk out of these ruins," he said helplessly.

As a side note, the ruins spanned three hundred li.

The man’s concerned voice resounded again. "You won't starve to death here, right?"

"No."

Though starving, she was far from ready to throw in the towel.

His laughter echoed in her ears. "That's good. If you die now, who'll fuse with the Heavenly Pillar for me later?"

She was speechless. Shouldn't those words stay in his head? Isn't he afraid of ruining his image?

Still, the girl said nothing.

"I'm curious. If I meet you in the future, will you recognize me?"

"I would."

He studied her. "But every time the No-Food Goddess sees me, it’s like the first time she’s met me. Little one, what secret are you hiding?"

"Maybe she has a fish's memory. Only a few seconds long," No-Food murmured, shoulders hunched as she walked across the scorched earth. Ash blackened her small feet, the skin blistered from the fire.

"You're too slow. Like Sun Wukong escorting Tang Sanzang to the Western Heaven, I'll teach you some spells."

"Spells?" she asked curiously, then turned serious. "If I learn spells, I won't be delicious anymore."

Her value would drop once she cultivated, which was why her clan never allowed her to do so.

He burst out laughing. "With how sooty you are? Delicious? Don't make me laugh!"

She froze. He wasn't here for her physique?

"Hurry up. I'll teach you something to fly. Walking like this will take you forever. I invented a cultivation method called the Qi Yuan Scripture, but it’s probably not suitable for you. I'll just teach you a flying spell. I came up with it. It is called ‘Princess Riding a Broom.’"

Qi Yuan immediately devised a spell based on this world's rules and her physique. As a Mythic, creating a simple flight spell was child’s play.

"It's easy. Try it."

She hesitated. "But if I learn it, I won't be worth anything."

The man said casually, "You're a person, not a merchandise. What's this about worth?"

Meanwhile, he thought, No-Food Goddess must've hit her head as a kid. So weird. I can't let her cultivate the Qi Yuan Scripture. Without my clear mind, she'll go completely mad.

No-Food fell silent for a moment. She memorized “Princess Riding a Broom” and began learning it.

Ten seconds later, the man's eyes widened in surprise. "That fast? As expected of the number one in the Mortal Heart World! Find a stick, sit on it, and follow my guidance."

After finding a stick, she clamped it between her legs and activated the spell. No-Food wobbled as she flew up into the air.

He chattered ahead of her, "Kind of like a witch now. By the way, are you afraid of heights? Falling would be hilarious."

She followed him. After some time, they stopped by a small pond. Signs of battle were everywhere. Half the pond had dried up and dead fish lay scattered.

He clapped his hands excitedly. "Cook and eat the fish!"

Though she was starving, the sight of the fish made her nauseous. "I... don't eat fish."

Many thoughts crossed his mind. "Just try. You'll see. These fish are different."

She hesitated but chose to trust him. After all, he'd already let her cultivate. If her clan knew, they'd tear him into eighteen pieces—not that they'd ever come here.

For the first time, she skewered a fish and cooked it over a fire. She then sensed him draw near.

He urged her. "Try it."

No-Food timidly gazed at the charred fish. She didn't want to experience that feeling again. Though she had the Devouring Origin Physique, every meal made her wish she were dead. She could only stomach nutrient solution. In the end, she parted her lips and took a small bite. Warmth spread through her limbs, as if she had bathed in sunlight. It was something she had never known.

"So... so good."

Never had she tasted something so delicious. Compared to this, the nutrient solution was pure hell. She felt like she could die without regret.

Qi Yuan smiled, gazing at her as one would a beloved pet. "You look like a cat eating a treat."

She kept eating, savoring the new flavor, before turning her head toward him. "Why is it so delicious?"

"It is a secret."

She was disappointed. Even his inner thoughts didn't reveal the answer.

No-Food said shyly, "If you give me another fish, I will fulfil your wish."

Without replying, Qi Yuan smiled, thinking, What's the point of coming to see her once? Maybe there's none at all, and I’m just here to witness history.

History sealed in the dust of time. Stories buried away. Lift one dull corner, and it could reveal an entire lifetime.