I Can See Your Combat Power-Chapter 1738 - 176: Fellow Foodies

After Cao Lie mentioned that important matter, the reception at Youlong Pavilion clearly became less formal.

Although Long Valley is the headquarters of the Lin Clan, it still harbors the existence of six branches: Feather, Fur, Shell, Bare, Corpse, and Gu.

What was originally a one-on-one meeting quickly turned into the most urgent matter of the entire Long Valley, and the venue was moved from Youlong Hall to Kanglong Hall.

Not only the leaders of each branch were alerted, but also several old fellows who were in seclusion within the Kunlong Abyss.

And the point of greatest concern to everyone was what sort of restrictions the methods of prolonging life might involve.

As for its authenticity... although Cao Lie might be lacking in character and morality, no one doubts his competence.

Since he dared to return so boldly, it couldn’t be without direction, but these people also understood that with his temperament, returning to Long Valley was certainly not just about benevolence.

With the appearance of the Dragon Beasts capable of speaking human language, everyone present understood Cao Lie’s so-called method of prolonging life, and instantly, sect masters who had left seclusion became so angry they almost passed out.

"I’d rather die in the Kunlong Abyss than live on disgracefully transformed into a beast!"

Although Beast Taming Sect once had a creed that becoming a wild beast oneself could better control wild beasts, when actually faced with the choice of becoming one, many retreated.

But after all, not everyone is of such character. The saints of the Ancient Dark Age made it clear to the Human Race that spirit and cultivation levels have no direct correlation; some people inherently possess it, others still lack it no matter how much they improve.

Humans in sacred lands are also human, naturally not exempt from this, with some leaving in disdain and others embracing it eagerly.

Several high-ranked members of the Corpse Sect saw the true value in Cao Lie’s research!

This was not merely about transferring human souls into beast bodies, but a genuine Soul Transfer Technique that inherits the Dragon Clan’s bloodline treasures. Therefore, by intensifying research efforts, could it mean adapting the technique as needed, forging the most suitable bodies for soul transfer?

"Can this technique only be applied to beasts?"

The leader of the Corpse Sect asked in a deep voice.

"If it’s just Cao Lie, apparently that’s the only way. But if Corps Sect’s high-ranked members join the research, there might be room for further possibilities."

This time, Cao Lie’s return to Long Valley was for the vast resources of the Beast Taming Sect, and not for mere superficial things like wealth.

It was for power that could transform decay into magic. If the massive reserve of talents from the sacred lands could be involved in his research, Cao Lie could be certain, his research would bring a ground-shaking transformation to the martial world of Xiehe.

And the participation of the Corpse Sect was just the first step!

...

Peak of Dragon Valley

"Hey! Ancestor, look what great things I’ve brought!"

With the Divine Sword from Xuanji Sect strapped to his waist, Cao Changqing ran excitedly towards the giant Phoenix Tree carrying a food box in each hand, shouting to the Flower-Coat Old Man from a distance.

After sipping the last little bit of wine, the elderly man squinted at the rushing boy and, like guarding against a thief, hurriedly grabbed the few remaining peanuts on the Ghost King’s gold plate and put them into his Flower-Coat pocket.

"Tsk, acting as if I’m desperately craving those few peanuts, look at this!"

Approaching Flower-Coat Old Man, Cao Changqing rolled his eyes, kneeled down and opened his food box, taking out plates of snacks.

Peanut brittle, deep-fried peanuts, peanut candy, peanut cake, roasted peanuts, and an entire jar of peanut butter.

Cao Changqing stacked these snacks on the gold plate, turning the famous Divine Artifact of the Beast Taming Sect into dinnerware for snacks.

And seeing him so familiar with the routine, it was obviously not his first time doing this.

Flower-Coat Old Man, who loved peanuts dearly, seeing this abundance, couldn’t contain himself. He didn’t even wait for the dishes to be served before starting with both hands, left peanut right peanut.

With each taste, he murmurs "mmm" appreciatively, increasing the appetites of those watching.

"Hehe!"

Seeing the old man eating joyfully, Cao Changqing, also happy, was just about to grab a piece of peanut brittle but was smacked away with a "smack".

"Unruly child, how can you touch the food offered to the Ancestor." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The old man, cheeks puffed, reprimanded him.

"I brought all of this up here!"

Cao Changqing said furiously.

"Once it’s on the golden plate, it’s mine."

The old man laughed proudly, took out a handful of peanuts from his flower-coat pocket, and handed them to Cao Changqing, saying, "Good boy, go eat on the side."

"Eat your ghost!"

Cao Changqing, suddenly enraged, paid no attention to the peanuts in the old man’s hand. With a leap, he grabbed most of the fried peanuts from the bowl in front of him and stuffed them into his mouth.

"You kid!! Slow down...slow down!!"

The old man panicked at the sight of the person opposite him using both hands to eat, hastily put the peanuts he was going to hand out back into his pocket, and joined the battle for food.

Forget about table manners and respecting the elderly and loving the young, this is just a big battle for food.

Both the old man and the young lad didn’t use chopsticks, just stared at each other and used both hands to shove food into their mouths, chewing with gritted teeth.

Although no spiritual power was used, the fast alternating of their hands almost created afterimages. The snacks piled on the golden plate were visibly disappearing at an astonishing speed, leaving not even a trace in a short time.

Only after the plates and bowls were as clean as if licked by a dog, did the old man start complaining: "You cheeky kiddo, getting more and more unruly, already daring to compete with the Ancestor for food, what will become of you later!"

"Cut the nonsense! An old man always squatting under the tree cracking peanuts, talking about later."

Cao Changqing, still fiercely chewing on the peanuts, glared back without concession: "Kanglong Hall is already in chaos now, why don’t you take care of it."

"Grandchildren have their own blessings, meddlesome old men are disliked by everyone!"

Flower-Coat Old Man gave Cao Changqing a sidelong glance, pinched a peanut from his flower coat, skillfully shelled it, and triumphantly tossed it into his mouth.

"Quick, share some peanuts with me!"

Cao Changqing, unable to contain his frustration, proudly stretched out his hand demanding peanuts from the old man.

"Only a few left!"

The old man reluctantly protected his pockets.

"Quit the nonsense, don’t think I don’t know you’ve hidden lots of peanuts in the golden plate, careful or I’ll spill them all out!"

Cao Changqing threatened fiercely.

After a friendly negotiation, the Flower-Coat Old Man grabbed a handful of peanuts from his pocket and handed them to the person opposite.

The two of them, young and old, sat opposite each other cracking peanuts. Unlike the old man’s skilled shelling technique, Cao Changqing threw the whole peanuts into his mouth, shell and all, and after a series of flashy tongue and teeth movements, he spat out the broken shells and tiny peanut skins "ptui, ptui, ptui."

This unclean way of eating made the old man frown: "After all these years, you still can’t eat a peanut properly, total failure."

"Ptui, I love eating them this way, why should you, old stinker, care, ptui, ptui, ptui!"

Not to be outdone, Cao Changqing spat out the remains in his mouth as he retorted: "Hey old man, I heard that someone from this visit has a method that could extend the life of the Grandmasters and Human Kings. Aren’t you going to check it out?"

"Are you cursing me to not live long, you cheeky brat?"

The Flower-Coat Old Man puffed up with anger.

"Good intentions taken for donkey liver and lungs. I just want to eat peanuts with you, old stinker, for a few more years!"

Cao Changqing said angrily.

"At least you, cheeky brat, still have some conscience."

Flower-Coat Old Man said with a playful smile: "But the method Cao Lie proposed is of no use to me, even if it were useful, I wouldn’t try it."

"Old man, have you eaten so many peanuts that you’ve messed up your brain!"

Cao Changqing said with a dark face: "If it’s useful, why not try it."

"Cheeky kiddo, you understand nothing."

Flower-Coat Old Man said scornfully.