The cold snow falls gently.

The fish in the lake are unaware of the cold, the frogs and creatures croak on the lotus leaves, and swans spread their wings in the depths of the lake.

As the feast has just begun, everyone maintains their etiquette and demeanor. During conversations, they compliment each other, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Facing him, Peng Lianyun, although displeased with Li Xian, does not cause trouble and chats about interesting stories with other guests.

After a short moment.

Seventy-five graceful women row boats over, bringing the second course. The leading woman is exceptionally beautiful, dressed in colorful skirts, with ribbons fluttering, delivering the dish especially for the first-place young lord.

She walks elegantly to the seventh floor. The other women follow closely, well-trained. Soon, the second course is placed before Li Xian.

The exquisite dish surpasses the previous one. It is shaped like a dragon, lively and realistic, with golden scales.

As if it would fly away if placed in the lake.

"Miss, what is the name of this dish?" Li Xian inquired.

The graceful woman smiled and explained, "This is called the 'One-day Dragon Roar'. You must be careful, young lord, not to let the dragon scratch you."

"Thank you," Li Xian replied with a smile.

This mysterious dish is unseen in the inns or eateries of the Prefecture City. Having appeared for the first time, no one can grasp its essence immediately. Li Xian observes it closely, yet his limited experience makes appreciating fine food not his forte.

"A Martial Artist should possess the vastness of the sea, a vast reserve of knowledge. In this regard, I fall short compared to the guests present. Upon returning, apart from practicing martial arts, I should read more about strange tales and miscellaneous books."

He held back, refraining from moving his chopsticks, observing those around him.

Hua Fei clasped his hands and said, "Brother Pang Hao, with your knowledge, how should this dish be eaten?"

Pang Hao's face flushed. He had just displayed his knowledge, showing off. Who would have thought the second course would surprise him, making it difficult to answer for a long time.

Hua Fei then laughed, "Could it also be reborn from the flames?" There was no response; this 'One-day Dragon Roar' was as exquisite as a sculpture. The woman's cautionary words left them at a loss.

"Hahaha," laughed Hua Fei, "then I'll try it first."

He picked up his chopsticks, saying, "What a dish, its fragrance permeates. I'll first taste the dragon's head." With a perfect application of power, he pinched off just the dragon's head, leaving the rest intact.

Putting it in his mouth, he chewed slowly, finding its aroma unfolding, indescribably delicious, with a surprising sweetness.

But moments later, his expression suddenly changed. Grabbing the basin beside him, he spat out a foul-smelling blackish-brown substance.

Hua Fei exclaimed, "Pah, pah, pah, what the hell is this! How did it change from sweet to sour as I ate? I thought it had a complex taste to savor gradually, but the more I ate, the more it turned putrid and unbearable, like rotten meat!"

Greatly annoyed, he drank several mouthfuls of fine wine to rinse his mouth.

Then came another stench; in front of him, the 'One-day Dragon Roar', its dragon body had already decayed, turning into black and brown muck.

"I see," Peng Lianyun said, "this is why, Brother Hua Fei, your way of eating it is entirely wrong."

Everyone was gleeful, filled with curiosity. Hua Fei showed an embarrassed expression, feeling humiliated today, he grumbled, "Then tell me, what's the right way to eat it?"

Peng Lianyun explained, "If I'm not mistaken, this dish uses 'Deep Sea Blood Shrimp' as its ingredient. This type of shrimp grows in the deep sea, with a slender body resembling a dragon to some extent. Hence it's also called 'Blood Dragon'.

"This dish uses the shrimp meat of the Deep Sea Blood Shrimp. It's stored for forty-nine days until it nearly rots. By then, the meat turns pure white and translucent, like fine jade, extremely tender. However, at this point, the shrimp meat is on the brink of decay, and it cannot touch any impure substances— contact with hands causes decay, sweat causes decay, wood causes decay..."

"Your saliva naturally counts as an impure substance."

At this point, the second-floor guests burst into laughter. The sounds spread out, causing smiles both inside Dragon Gate Tower and along the lake.

Hua Fei could not bear it, his expression shifting, while Peng Lianyun continued to explain:

"In the shrimp meat, they've added lamb heart, pig liver, turtle kidney... These five organs of five beasts must be taken from embryos, reflecting the Five Elements. They are removed from the unborn where they are untouched by worldly air. Then it's adorned with scales, dragon whiskers, claws... all made from exceedingly rare medicinal materials. These cover the shrimp meat, isolating it from the environment, thus keeping the dragon's body lifelike.

"Therefore, it is named 'One-day Dragon Roar', where merely touching it causes decay."

Li Xian nodded silently, admiring how the Prefecture City's talents, exposed since youth to so much, possess extensive knowledge. Hua Fei then asked, "If touching it causes decay, how exactly are we supposed to eat it?"

Peng Lianyun frowned and said, "Perhaps... this dish is meant for us to observe rather than consume?"

All the talents nodded, pushing the dish to the table's edge.

Suddenly, joyful laughter rang out: "Hahaha, young Master Peng has vast knowledge, worthy of being an outstanding disciple of the Seven Mountains Sect, his words almost all accurate. However, dishes served are meant to be eaten, not merely watched."

"Youth heroes on the seventh, sixth, and fifth floors have already finished the 'One-day Dragon Roar'. Talent from the fourth and third floors has also tasted its delicacy. It would be a shame if the young master doesn't showcase his abilities and lives up to our expectations."

The second-floor crowd was startled by these words, realizing the disparity, looking at each other in dismay. Yet, how could one consume a dish that can't be touched or bitten?

Peng Lianyun was full of doubt, attempting to try. Several times reaching out, only to stop himself midway, completely at wit's end. He wondered aloud, "Could it be that those people managed to swallow it down, enduring the rot?"

Li Xian pondered, "Without enough strength, no matter how delicious the dish brought right to one's lips, it is difficult to swallow." Stroking his chin, he too was lost in thought.

Upon seeing such a lifelike dish resembling a True Dragon, with both form and substance, Li Xian reflected on the shrimp meat, lamb heart, pig liver, turtle kidney. These five organs of five beasts are taken from embryos, pure like an unborn infant, untainted.

Suddenly, an idea struck him: if he could find something pure to encase the shrimp meat, he might be able to directly swallow it, savoring the dish.

He carefully inspected the dish and discovered a transparent fine thread at the dragon's back. Li Xian realized, "It's silk, so that's it." His familiarity with his beloved wife allowed him to recognize this high-quality silk likely originated from Yihetang Manor.

"A book has a thousand interpretations; a dish naturally has a thousand ways to be eaten. My methods of eating are just wild guesses. If I fail, there's no real loss, so why be so constrained?"

Li Xian felt carefree at heart. He immediately asked for a silver basin and filled it with clear water. He put the dish into the water and placed it beside the stove to simmer.

Clear water is a pure element, while a silver basin is an impure object. During simmering, Li Xian patted the basin's walls, using the technique of "Clear Wind Leg" here. It caused the water inside to swirl, keeping the shrimp meat suspended in the center.

Gradually the soup cooked, releasing a delicate fragrance. The soup was tinged with gold and green, indicating that the shrimp meat's texture had changed and was no longer corrupted by impurity. It was naturally ready to be eaten.

This measure seemed utterly ordinary, but given the circumstances, it was astonishingly brilliant. Every observer at the Dragon Gate Tower stood up to watch.

Peng Lianyun cursed, "You're crazy!"

"What's so crazy?" Li Xian was puzzled.

"You... you... how could you do this!?" Peng Lianyun exclaimed angrily.

In the tower, each prodigy racked their brains, trying to overcome the challenge of shrimp meat easily decaying using Martial Arts methods. Hearing that the upstairs prodigies had already eaten added to their single-minded obsession.

Li Xian's move appeared to be ordinary, yet it was extraordinarily unique. Innovatively different, it made those who had been painstakingly thinking feel ashamed.

After a moment of thought, Peng Lianyun said, "This dish took a lot of effort from others; how could you act so wastefully!"

By this time, the clear soup was ready, golden yellow in color. Although it no longer formed a dragon shape, it was instead fragrant and appetizing.

Li Xian laughed, "What's this talk of wastefulness? This dish was offered to me; naturally, it can be eaten however I please."

"Hmph." Peng Lianyun said:

"If it were an ordinary dish, whether you discard or finish it, I wouldn't care. But this dish is different in meaning. It already has a dragon shape, with internal organs representing the five elements and the external dragon scales and whiskers. Such a dish requires a specific way to eat, worthy of the effort put into it. Just like how a Treasure Sword fits a noble person, a precious dish should match its corresponding standards and methods of eating. Your nonsense has altered the dish's form greatly; how is it not wasteful?"

The soup now done, Li Xian ladled a bowl and sipped slowly. The flavor filled his mouth, lingering long afterward. Li Xian knew that this way of eating was also correct. Peng Lianyun's thoughts were rigid, bearing hostility towards him, which led to constant opposition.

"You're so arrogant!" Peng Lianyun was frustrated, seeing Li Xian enjoying the soup without acknowledging him.

"Brother Peng, why the hurry." Li Xian finished the bowl of clear soup and said: "Look, isn't this pot of clear soup fragrant? Just now, you said this dish has a dragon shape, with internal organs of the five elements, and external dragon whiskers and scales. That's nice, but you also know that something like a dragon, after all, isn't a true dragon. It only has a dragon shape but is merely a dish on the table. Calling it a 'pseudo-dragon' isn't an exaggeration."

"By making it into soup, though it lost the dragon shape, the shrimp meat and organs returned to their origins, dispersing their true flavors. Restoring the soup's taste is excellent. As Martial Artists, we consume the Essence of Heaven and Earth; aren't we seeking the original truth?"

"Why is it that at this point, Brother Peng finds it so hard to accept?"

Although Li Xian wasn't deeply learned, he was eloquent, with a tongue as quick as a reed. His argument regarding seeking the original truth left listeners initially stunned, then finding sense in his logic. Li Xian's eloquence was indeed extraordinary.

Gu Nianjun arrived deeply surprised.

"You... you... this..." Peng Lianyun was left speechless.

Li Xian said, "Certainly, there could be other ways to eat it. But for those unable to start, why not give my method a try? The world pursues the carp transforming into a dragon, but sometimes being a laid-back shrimp is enjoyable."

"At least the soup is sweet."

Progenies on the second floor were moved upon hearing this, collectively saying, "Brother Li's words make sense; it truly opens my eyes."

"Yes, today brewing a pot of idle shrimp soup and enjoying the lake's scenery is most delightful."

"Brother Li's perspective is novel, impressive, impressive."

Everyone began brewing and drinking soup, relishing the fresh taste. The Deep Sea Blood Shrimp, after cooking, no longer decayed, instead offering a tender texture and a unique flavor.

Before long, the [One-day Dragon Roar] on the second floor was cleared out. Only Peng Lianyun was caught in a dilemma, unable to think of a better way to eat and unwilling to concede.

Li Xian laughed, "Brother Peng, by not eating this dish, do you plan to save it for last?"

"Hmph!" Peng Lianyun said, "You dare flaunt your quirky ways before me. Today, I'll show you what true eating means."

Stuck in a difficult position, he couldn't allow himself to be bested by this youngster, whose strength was yet unproven, but possessed a clever tongue, leaving him unable to argue.

Feigning calmness, he took a gamble, saying, "The secret to consuming this dish lies between its five organs. The five organs hold the mystery of the five elements. You simply have to swallow the entire dish in one gulp. With the circulation of the five elements, shrimp meat doesn't decay, allowing the enjoyment of the dish's original flavor. Just watch."

Peng Lianyun slapped the table. The dish was jolted into the air, and he swallowed it in one gulp, chewing with pleasure.

But moments later, his brow furrowed repeatedly; the shrimp meat had turned sour and decayed. He feigned savoring it, pretending enjoyment. But the shrimp's rotten smell was unbearable, almost making him vomit several times. Hua Fei, who only ate the dragon's head, had already vomited, leading one to imagine the agony of consuming the dragon's entire body.

Li Xian laughed, "Brother Peng, impressive, truly impressive. It seems your method is correct, and I humbly admit defeat."

It was obvious to everyone that Peng Lianyun had already failed. Holding on longer was merely delaying a vomit. But Li Xian's flattery at this moment perfectly blocked his retreat; he couldn't vomit, nor could he swallow it down.

The shrimp meat turned corrupt, becoming a stench of foul soup. Peng Lianyun's face turned blue and purple, yet he dared not speak, as opening his mouth would reveal everything.

With a playful heart, Li Xian said, "Brother Peng, if it truly is delicious, please give us a thumbs up."

Afraid of being discovered, Peng Lianyun immediately gave a thumbs up, nodding repeatedly. Li Xian sighed, "What a pity... what a pity... such a good thing, why didn't you say earlier? Now I can't even taste it."

Peng Lianyun could only feel helpless, while the prodigies on the second floor struggled to stifle their laughter.

In the distance within the building, Lin Aoshan laughed heartily, even Gu Nianjun couldn't help but smile.

Thinking of something, Gu Nianjun's smile faded as he murmured to himself, "Lady Zhe Jian... why exactly have you come?"

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