Chapter 0423 – Who Breaks Through Whom
Lai He could recite every detail of the feast before them as if it were a cherished poem. Each dish was a proud declaration of his culinary mastery, brimming with confidence. This was the embodiment of his faith in his own skills. With his current level and the ingredients at hand, if he couldn't create a world-class feast, then the title of Head of the Gourmet Hall wasn't worth more than dog food.
"The most important dish is the Nine Heavens Cloud Dragon Chant. It's made from real True Dragon flesh, carved into the shape of a dragon, then gently steamed with carefully chosen side ingredients. Please enjoy."
"And this rice—it's made from Golden Wheat, true spiritual grain filled with abundant spiritual energy."
With elegant composure, Lai He described each dish one by one.
At the same time, the radiant glow around the table gradually faded.
One by one, exquisitely crafted, aromatic, and visually stunning dishes were revealed before everyone. These dishes were more than food—they were culinary masterpieces, works of art that left no room for resistance at first sight.
"It really looks like a dragon. What amazing craftsmanship, what impeccable knife work! It's unbelievably lifelike—breathtaking even. The aura, the majesty—it's like a real dragon in front of me."
"A True Dragon Banquet, using actual dragon flesh... This is unbelievable. I heard that traveling merchants once had a dragon corpse, but the price was sky-high. Looks like the City Lord bought it after all. I can't believe I'm really going to eat dragon meat in this lifetime."
"I can't hold back anymore. I have to taste it."
Everyone was stunned. The dishes were magnificent, but the centerpiece—the Nine Heavens Cloud Dragon Chant—drew all eyes. The lifelike carving of the True Dragon emitted a soft mist, like a dragon descending from the heavens, roaring amidst the clouds.
"No need for formality. Let's all taste Hall Master Lai's craft," Yi Tianxing said with a smile.
Truth be told, Yi Tianxing's gourmet cells had already started to go berserk. Every cell, every bone was howling in hunger, transmitting a craving so intense it shook his soul. The aroma from the Nine Heavens Cloud Dragon Chant alone could ignite his entire being.
Without hesitation, he picked up his chopsticks and reached for the dragon's head.
Whoosh!!
The moment his chopsticks touched it, the entire dragon sculpture dissolved into slices thinner than cicada wings, fluttering gently into a massive serving dish. Each slice shimmered like jade, glowing faintly like treasures.
He picked one up and placed it in his mouth.
He didn't know what method Lai He had used, but the dragon meat melted instantly, releasing an indescribable sweetness and subtle aroma that exploded on his taste buds. The flavor of ginger, scallion, and garlic was perfectly integrated, pushing the umami to its peak. As he chewed, it felt like he had become a cloud dragon, soaring across the Nine Heavens.
This was a joy that radiated from body and soul, from every cell in his body. This was True Dragon meat—an ingredient that surpassed anything he had ever tasted in his life.
"True Dragon flesh is already a supreme ingredient, but combined with a flawless cooking method and subtle ingredients... it creates a dreamlike experience. That rich flavor lingers endlessly on the palate. That must be the juice of Dream Mushrooms. So meticulous…" Yi Tianxing murmured to himself, eyes closed as he analyzed the ingredients and techniques involved.
Meanwhile, his gourmet cells roared with excitement.
The Food Cauldron Life Aperture instantly absorbed the dragon meat's essence. Brilliant divine light erupted across the cauldron's surface—colors shifting and scenes changing, bizarre and magnificent.
Suddenly, a dragon totem appeared on the cauldron's surface, vividly lifelike. At that moment, the once-ethereal cauldron turned fully solid, infused with a mysterious Daoist rhythm and vast source power.
🔷 The Food Cauldron Life Aperture evolved, and the Food Cauldron Divine Ability advanced to the Profound Grade.
This Life Aperture's essence was devouring—refining all beings, absorbing their source, and using it to temper the self. With the addition of True Dragon flesh—one of the strongest races under heaven—Yi Tianxing received unimaginable fortune.
The once-illusory cauldron became fully real, greatly enhancing its refining power.
In just a few breaths, it released waves of seven-colored mist, infusing his entire body.
10,000 catties!20,000 catties!30,000 catties!!
Within moments, his physical strength surged by 50,000 catties.
Ding!!
A white cauldron emerged from within, ringing out with two crisp chimes. Having been on the brink of a breakthrough to the Two-Ring White Cauldron Stage, Yi Tianxing now broke through entirely.
🔹 White Cauldron, One Ring = 100,000 catties🔹 White Cauldron, Two Rings = 200,000 catties
Yi Tianxing's body now held a terrifying 240,000 catties of raw strength.
And that... was from just one slice of dragon meat.
"This flavor is indescribable… I'll never forget it in my lifetime. Truly divine."
"So much vitality... The energy in this dragon meat is incredible. I can feel it—I'm about to break through! No resistance, just a natural surge."
"So hot... My whole body feels like it's swelling with energy. My cultivation is breaking through, something that would've taken years of buildup is happening right now!"
No one could resist the dragon meat. Compared to it, all other dishes were sidelined. Everyone reached for it first. Its intoxicating aroma left them no choice.
Many began circulating their cultivation techniques, quickly refining the dragon meat's essence.
More and more people followed. Even Yang Ye and others immediately began absorbing the energy. Wasting even a scrap of this meat was a crime, a blasphemy against fortune itself.
Numerous cultivators broke through on the spot.
Their inner spiritual seas surged with true qi, their meridian rivers opened one by one. Some even formed Spirit Springs within their cores.
Others had their physical strength skyrocket, suddenly bursting with power.
Even the raw true qi gained from the dragon meat far exceeded what years of training could accumulate.
And although much of the energy overflowed from their pores as multicolored mist, a portion settled deep within, becoming latent potential for the future.
This was a transformation of their cultivation aptitude—its benefits truly immeasurable.
Yi Tianxing watched with a smile as many sat down cross-legged, refining the energy while glowing with five-colored radiance.
"What a waste," he murmured. "Without a Body Refinement Technique, they can't lock that energy down. They'll waste much of it."
Still, he nodded inwardly at Yang Yanding.
Yang Yanding's glow was minimal. His muscles pulsed rhythmically, and Yi Tianxing could feel the strength within. Faint cauldron chimes could be heard—his physical cultivation was advancing rapidly.
Not bothering with the others, Yi Tianxing smiled and picked up a slice of dragon meat, placing it in Cai Yan's bowl. Then he continued eating.
One after another, the dishes entered his mouth.
Even those he'd already tasted were beneficial—each one added to his strength.
Especially the dragon meat.
Others couldn't handle more than a few slices—it would overload their systems. But Yi Tianxing showed no such restraint. He ate slice after slice.
Endless streams of energy surged into him, gathering in his White Cauldron.
Ding!!
At some point, after eating a large bowl of Golden Wheat rice, another chime rang out within him.
🔷 White Cauldron, Three Rings: 300,000 catties of strength!
"I broke through… I really broke through! I thought I'd need another year of accumulation. Just one slice of dragon meat, and I've advanced!"
"This meat… it's not just food—it's a great tonic, a miraculous treasure that strengthens body and spirit."
As the guests awoke from their refinement, their faces were filled with joy and awe.
Inwardly, they were shaken. Had they not experienced it themselves, they wouldn't have believed it possible. One bite, and they had broken through.
True Dragon flesh—just as the legends said.
A drop of dragon blood could shatter mountains. A single hair could slice a star. True Dragons were mythical beings. Eating even one piece of their flesh… how could you not break through?