The flying bird, resembling a wild duck, full-bodied with what seems like a layer of fat hidden beneath its feathers, leisurely circles in the air, unaware of the impending danger.

The Sunflower Emperor's lips curl into a cold smile. The Slaughter Saber glistens with a chilling light under the setting sun's afterglow, accompanying a sound of tearing through the air as it draws a silver trajectory, accurately piercing toward the bird's heart.

Time seems to freeze at this moment, only a faint yet fatal 'thud' sound can be heard as the Slaughter Saber penetrates the bird's chest, sending blood spraying.

The impact from the thrown Slaughter Saber sends the bird soaring into the sky, where it emits a shrill wail before powerless, plummeting to the ground, finally lying still on the ground with its feathers stained with specks of blood.

The Sunflower Emperor regards the scene with a steely gaze, slowly retrieving the Slaughter Saber with swift, resolute movements, as blood gushes from the wound.

Another Slaughter Saber appears in its hand, working back and forth.

Feathers scattered, and blood dripped onto the ground, forming small puddles.

Soon, a 'duck' devoid of feathers was revealed.

Ye Bai weighed the prepared duck with satisfaction, roughly estimating it to be around ten pounds.

"Just so you know, I'm really clumsy, and unexpected things happen every time I cook."

"Plus, the food I cook can be poisonous."

Yun Luo hurriedly followed up Ye Bai's explanation.

"You don't need to handle it, the Sunflower Emperor will take action naturally."

"The Secret Realm is currently in its twilight period, we must find a place to stay for the night."

"One of the Laws of the Secret Realm requires finding a safe hideout at night."

At this point, the sun had gradually begun to set.

The remnants of the sunlight scattered in mid-air, dyeing the entire sky red.

The light within the forest gradually dimmed.

Ye Bai carefully observed the beast trail on the ground.

The beast trail is the footprint left by passing Exotic Beasts. An experienced Pet Beast Master can discern whether powerful Exotic Beasts have recently passed through based on the trail, approximately gauging if it was days ago.

Ever since acquiring the Eye of Insight, he had gained Night Vision.

Very few Exotic Beast tracks are found nearby, and the surrounding tree trunks bear no signs of breakage.

This proves there are no powerful Exotic Beasts around.

Simultaneously, Ye Bai lay on the ground, listening carefully for any sound of water nearby.

The rule of survival in the wild is to avoid places close to water sources as much as possible.

Nocturnal Exotic Beasts will approach water sources at night to replenish water in their bodies.

"Very well, this place is quite fitting."

"Ten Thousand Changes Silkworm, fetch some branches here, let's start a fire and cook."

"Sunflower Emperor, wash this wild duck, we'll eat it tonight."

"Little Carbon Dog, start the bonfire soon."

The Ten Thousand Changes Silkworm opened its mouth, from which innumerable silken threads spewed out.

The threads adhered to some dry branches; with a tug, the Ten Thousand Changes Silkworm pulled them over.

Before long, a pile akin to a small mountain of dry branches appeared on the ground.

The Sunflower Emperor had already selected thumb-thick branches, piercing the wild duck with the sharpened ends.

At this time, the sky had become completely dark, with numerous stars appearing in the sky.

The night descended, shrouding everything in a thin layer of mist, with only the occasional sound of insect chirping from afar and an inexplicable wailing that suggested some unfortunate soul encountered misfortune.

After the sun sets, the temperature in the Secret Realm drops significantly.

Lit by the faint starlight, one could see the breath white from one's mouth.

The Little Carbon Dog opened its pitch-black mouth, with sparks spraying out, causing the base of the pile of dry wood to ignite a faint glimmer.

The flames quickly spread among the wood, with the burgeoning fire devouring the dry branches.

Then, a wisp of light smoke rose, carrying a woody fragrance, slowly dispersing in the air.

The fire grew stronger as the bonfire's warmth began to drive away the chill around.

Amidst the bonfire, branches occasionally cracked and sputtered in the fire, with sparks leaping out, quietly landing on the ground.

The Little Carbon Dog used its paws to push round stones to encircle the bonfire.

The Sunflower Emperor found two more robust branches, fashioning a simple rack.

The wild duck was placed on the rack, rotating.

The flames licked the duck's surface, and golden oil began to ooze out under the intense heat.

The air filled with a rich aroma as one by one, locusts carrying liquid on their backs leapt towards the fire.

"Ahhh, bugs, such big bugs!"

Yun Luo let out an ear-piercing scream.

Ye Bai, upon seeing the soy locusts, smiled.

"Yun Luo, calm down, natural seasoning has come knocking."

"These guys are called soy locusts, and they carry top-quality soy sauce that's flavorful enough to tempt your palate."

"They usually feed on matsutake mushrooms, and where you find soy locusts, there're usually plenty of matsutake mushrooms."

"Matsutake typically grows beneath pine trees, and the aroma from this duck carries a strong pine fragrance."

"This proves the creature grew up eating pine nuts."

"Sunflower Emperor, weave a basket from the trees to gather the matsutake."

"Meanwhile, bring back some soy sauce from the soy locusts."

"Be gentle—just lightly break the soy locust's back for soy sauce, no need to harm it."

"It will continue brewing soy sauce."

"Gather more matsutake, they should keep for three days in the tree basket."

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