Chapter 1273: Delicacies

"This lake looks vast, yet it's incredibly calm. There must be something mysterious about it!" Qing Long said, his tone light and playful, as he continuously fiddled with black and white chess pieces between his fingers.

"Boss, we should get a boat. That would be safer, just like our trip through Dried Maple Gorge."

Hearing Xiao Hua's suggestion, Xu Yang had an idea. He suddenly remembered that he had tamed a white dragon during their previous journey through Dried Maple Gorge.

"Here, having it with us is definitely more reliable than any other means of transport."

With a wave of his palm, the colossal silhouette of the white dragon, surveying all directions with pride, appeared. Dragons, regardless of the plane system they inhabit, are always considered superior beings. This white dragon wouldn't even spare a glance for the beast tribes of the Far North Wilderness.

However, just as Xu Yang had surmised, this lake was fundamentally different from ordinary bodies of water. Its water quality and properties were highly unusual, making it difficult even for the white dragon to adapt, let alone dive deep beneath the surface.

"Ahem, this water is very problematic. It's mixed with many special energy sources that are hard to describe. In short, I can only use my body as a boat to carry you across; this is the most I can do. And in a place like this, I probably won't be able to fight." The white dragon sincerely explained its current condition and capabilities to Xu Yang. As its master, Xu Yang naturally wouldn't blame his mount, but he did secretly look down on it. (Smile).

"Haha, it's alright, no worries. I didn't summon you expecting battle power. Safely escorting us to the other side is more than enough."

At Xu Yang's request, the white dragon's massive form transformed with a spatial shift, quickly becoming the size of a small boat capable of carrying eight people. No, perhaps it would be more accurate to describe it as a lone leaf floating on the vast lake.

Fortunately, its physical properties were quite unique; sitting on its scaly back provided an incredibly comfortable and gentle sensation.

"Uh... I didn't realize you had such a top-tier beast expert with you. Traveling with you doesn't feel like an adventure at all; it's more like a tourist trip, isn't it?" Queen Talia spread her hands helplessly. Although she wore a haughty expression, the young woman was thrilled inside and instinctively moved a little closer to Xu Yang.

"Grr..." The young White Tiger rubbed his stomach and couldn't help but smack his lips.

In fact, everyone had been so busy with matters in the Gobi Desert that they hadn't rested much. Their daily routines, including food, clothing, and shelter, had been completely disrupted. While cultivators like them could go without food for ten days or half a month without issue, the worst part was when a period of intense activity suddenly gave way to idleness, and all sorts of discomforts would creep in.

"I'm hungry, Boss!" The young man stared pitifully at Xu Yang, continuously rubbing his stomach.

Xiao Hua was prepared. With a wave of her palm, a pack of dry rations appeared in her hand, ready to be offered to the young man. However, he shook his head vigorously like a rattle-drum.

"No, no, I've had enough of this stuff; it's like eating rocks! I'm not asking for delicacies from Xuan Yuan City, but can't we get some meat or something?"

Xiao Hua gave a wry smile and shook her head. "In this desolate wilderness, where would I get you meat?"

Xu Yang had a flash of inspiration and pointed to the calm lake. "Coincidentally, where there's water, there's naturally delicious food."

Boom! Xu Yang brought his palm down on the lake's surface from mid-air. He showed no other movements or anticipatory actions, yet the precision of his aim and force was so perfect that he blasted out over a dozen rare and various types of fish from beneath the tranquil lake.

"Holy cow, there are actually fish in this lake? And so many rare species!" The young White Tiger exclaimed in shock, staring at the sight before him. Everyone else also looked astonished. The reason was simple: despite their peak strengths, none of them had detected even the slightest energy fluctuation beneath the lake's surface.

This raised a new question: Why were there so many species in the lake, yet not a single ripple appeared on its surface? How were the fish's auras being concealed?

While the team members were racking their brains trying to figure out what was unusual about the lake, Xu Yang was already swiftly cleaning the dozen or so fish he had caught, preparing them for cooking.

"Oh my goodness! A-Yang, it's incredible! Not only are you so powerful and handsome, but you're also skilled in cooking. You're truly the pinnacle of a perfect domestic man!"

Well, on the white dragon's left side, Xu Yang and Talia seemed to be acting very much like a harmonious couple.

As Xu Yang cooked, Talia watched him with the adoring gaze of a fangirl, propping her chin in her hand.

This prompted the hungry companions on the other side of the white dragon to repeatedly glance at Xiao Hua.

"I say, your man is about to be snatched away by that Serpent Queen! Why aren't you worried at all?" As Qing Long spoke, no one noticed the masked figure in red silently tilting their head towards them, seemingly eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Then let me ask you," Xiao Hua suddenly retorted to Qing Long, who looked bewildered but still honestly replied.

"Well, obviously... it's the shooting star!"

Xiao Hua chuckled softly. "A long night needs the embellishment of a shooting star. But what accompanies you through every night is still the calm and profound starry sky. Countless years from now, the starry sky will remain, but the shooting star of yesteryear will only sleep in your dreams."

These few words completely silenced Qing Long, Xuan Wu, and the others.

It had to be admitted that Xiao Hua was the starry sky in Xu Yang's life, for she possessed strength not inferior to his own and could accompany him wherever he wished to go.

In contrast, Queen Talia was the fiery shooting star, capable of bringing Xu Yang a splendid dream, but after the dream ended, everything would return to normal.

There was simply no comparison between the two, nor did they represent the same type of position.

Therefore, Xiao Hua never cared how many women were by Xu Yang's side, nor did she ever feel jealous. This was because, in their hearts, both she and Xu Yang had come to see each other as the eternal night sky.

It had to be admitted that Xu Yang's culinary skills were almost as exquisite as his power.

Soon, everyone smelled the fresh, delightful aroma of roasted fish.

"Oh my heavens! Boss, is this, is this really your cooking? Even the chefs in Xuan Yuan City don't have skills like yours! It's simply divine! I'm so excited, you're truly my boss!"

The young White Tiger went completely wild... rushing towards Xu Yang's pot in a frenzy.