Chapter 78: The Guardian

Chapter 78: The Guardian

"Now, these aliens can finally experience what it's like to see their own kind being eaten in front of them." The middle-aged man who spoke first felt the deepest satisfaction.

He waved his hands wildly, his gaze burning as he stared at Jiang Tian on the screen, his entire body trembling slightly.

"I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect this child and ensure his growth."

The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at him with strange expressions.

This wasn't something one said lightly.

He wasn't just making a casual remark—he was declaring his willingness to become a Guardian.

The Guardians were mostly second-line personnel.

Huang Hui, for example, had been forced to retreat to the second line due to injuries but was now preparing to return to the frontlines. His work on the martial arts college entrance examination team was merely a transition before his deployment.

Xue Xiao, on the other hand, was in charge of this examination because of her overwhelming strength—she was considered a first-line combatant among the human race.

The best warriors were always on the frontlines, fighting for humanity's survival.

Those who were injured or no longer capable of high-intensity combat retreated to the second line.

The middle-aged man was one such person, but that didn't mean he was incapable of fighting.

By declaring himself Jiang Tian's Guardian, he was offering to dedicate his remaining years to shielding Jiang Tian from danger.

If the time ever came when Jiang Tian's life was in danger, he would gladly die in his place.

Those who knew him understood his decision.

Jiang Tian's actions on the battlefield had deeply moved him.

His wife had been eaten alive by aliens while he fought to save her. His injuries had forced him into retirement, but the pain of that moment never left him.

Watching Jiang Tian hunt, kill, and eat the enemy in return—it was cathartic.

The sorrow that had tormented him for years was being burned away in the fire of Jiang Tian's cooking.

Perhaps he didn't see Jiang Tian as just a hope for humanity's future.

Perhaps he saw him as something much simpler.

If Jiang Tian grew stronger, perhaps one day the aliens would feel the same pain he had felt.

That alone was enough for him to dedicate his life to Jiang Tian's protection.

"After this exam," Wang Liuming said quietly, "I want to taste the food that student Jiang Tian cooks with my own hands."

"Food made from aliens."

Silence filled the room before someone else nodded.

"I have to admit, I'm really curious about what it tastes like."

"There's no doubt it'll be amazing."

Many of the examination team members exchanged glances.

But Xue Xiao remained silent, staring at the screen with a serious expression.

"Xiao Ruyan's practice session has lasted too long," she murmured to herself.

Training methods and entry techniques were essential for growth, but too much could be dangerous.

Even in the Huotang Small World, where spiritual energy was rich, there was a limit to how much one could safely absorb.

Over-training would weaken the body and damage the foundation rather than strengthen it.

Unless…

Unless Jiang Tian's food was replenishing her energy.

Xue Xiao knew that the Xue family strictly prohibited the use of Blood Qi Pills before reaching Level 3.

The Blood Qi Pill was a crude, emergency supplement—useful in battle but dangerous for long-term cultivation.

To truly reach greater heights, one had to rely on natural growth and medicinal elixirs, not shortcuts.

But Xue Ruyan showed no signs of fatigue.

"The food that child makes… it's not simple," Xue Xiao concluded.

If Jiang Tian could remove toxins from alien flesh, then there was no doubt that his food could restore blood and energy—perhaps even better than Blood Qi Pills.

The others soon came to the same realization.

"Do the dishes he makes have special effects?" someone asked.

Another person answered, "It has to. Otherwise, there's no way she would still be at full strength after that battle."

But then, they were shocked by another realization.

Jiang Tian's terrifying appetite.

In total, he had cooked and eaten three entire Fire Frogs—each one the size of a calf.

Most of it had gone into his stomach.

Xue Ruyan had only eaten a small portion.

Although trained warriors had enhanced digestion, this was beyond excessive.

How could one person eat so much?

What they didn't know…

Was that every ounce of blood and energy from the Fire Frogs was being absorbed into Jiang Tian's body.

The Blood Abyss Furnace Technique ran silently, refining the energy from the food and strengthening his body.

He wasn't just eating.

He was cultivating.

The stronger the ingredients, the stronger the refinement process.

To them, it looked like Jiang Tian was simply enjoying a meal.

In reality, he was getting stronger with every bite.

"Burp…" Jiang Tian exhaled, then began cleaning the stove.

He stored mineral water in his prepared buckets and turned to Xue Ruyan.

"Alright, now that we've eaten and had a break, it's time to move. Same rules as before."

"Classmate Xue goes first, and if she struggles, I'll step in and finish the fight."

Xue Ruyan nodded. "That last fight was really good training. I'm looking forward to the next one."

Jiang Tian packed up their things, and the two set off again.

What they didn't know…

Was that underneath the pools of the Huotang Small World, their names were already being whispered in fear.