Tadokoro Megumi's thoughts and the jubilant atmosphere at Polar Star Dormitory were unknown to Bai Mo. At the moment, he had already returned to his own world with Toru.
As for Bai Mo possessing a small world of his own, Toru wasn't particularly surprised. After all, her father—the leader of the Chaos Dragons, the Endless Emperor—had already destroyed countless worlds. She was well aware of this.
Now, on the Pandaria continent of the Gourmet World, Bai Mo and Toru were conversing with a bird-like creature sporting a teapot lid on its head. This was Ayuan, also known as the True Lord of Dispelling Rainbows and Clearing Skies, originally the steward of the Serenitea Pot given to Bai Mo by Granny Ping.
However, thanks to Bai Mo's efforts, Ayuan had been successfully transferred to his new world. Currently, Ayuan was managing various affairs on the Pandaria continent for Bai Mo.
"Ayuan, how much longer will it take to complete the mansion?"
"Given my current divine power, it should take about three more days. The main issue is that the estate you want to build is simply too large!"
"No worries, take your time. After all, it's based on several mountain peaks and a stretch of plains—it's only natural that it'll take a while."
"Besides, this will be our real home from now on. I can only ask you to work a little harder, Ayuan."
"It's my duty!" Ayuan promptly reported, "As for the various creatures you transported to Pandaria earlier, I've already settled them across the continents. They should be able to reproduce freely now."
"It's a shame I haven't mastered the ability to alter the flow of time in this world yet. Otherwise, things wouldn't be so troublesome."
To imbue all creatures with Gourmet Cells, Bai Mo currently lacked the necessary Gourmet Points. Thus, he could only select a portion to modify. The creatures now inhabiting Pandaria were the ones truly equipped with Gourmet Cells, while the unmodified ones were left to evolve naturally on other continents.
After finishing his inquiries, Toru was already growing impatient.
"Hey, Bai Mo, what are we eating today?"
"Hmm... I've been eating Herbivorous Dragons a bit too often lately. How about catching a Jyuratodus?"
"Jyuratodus? Sure! I'd love a Jyuratodus hot pot! Its liver is especially delicious in hot pot."
"Alright, alright. But before slaughtering it, make sure it leaves behind offspring. Otherwise, you'll eat all the creatures in my world someday."
"Hmph! I'm not that much of a glutton!"
Despite her words, Toru immediately transformed into her dragon form and flew toward a distant swamp. Spotting a Jyuratodus, she swooped down, knocked it unconscious, and then dragged it to another Jyuratodus.
"Humph~ Time to reproduce!"
With a snap of her fingers, a pink mist emerged from her fingertips, enveloping the two Jyuratodus. As the mist was inhaled, the symphony of spring echoed through the swamp.
This was a human magic Toru had mastered—Breeding Mist, originally used by mages to facilitate reproduction among rare magical beasts. Toru had recorded the spell, never expecting it to come in handy for breeding these creatures.
While casting the Breeding Mist, Toru also accelerated time in the area with a time magic spell. Within minutes, the female Jyuratodus's belly swelled, indicating successful reproduction.
Once the magic took effect, Toru dispelled her spell and flew back to the estate with the other Jyuratodus in tow.
At first, Toru had been reluctant to do such things. But Bai Mo's cooking was simply too delicious! Besides, she didn't actually want to drive any species in this world to extinction, so the "eat one, breed a litter" approach was her own idea.
After dumping the Jyuratodus in front of Bai Mo, Toru changed into her maid outfit and got to work—setting up the pot, lighting the fire—she was already quite skilled at this.
As Bai Mo prepared the Jyuratodus meat, Toru gathered some Jueyun Chilies, Frostbloom Tomatoes, Matsutake, radishes, and other ingredients. She might have been even more familiar with the distribution of ingredients on this continent than Bai Mo himself.
"How about a split pot? Tomato broth on one side, mushroom broth on the other?"
Hearing Toru's suggestion, Bai Mo asked curiously, "Not in the mood for spicy dragon oil hot pot today?"
"I'm a bit tired of it. We've had spicy dishes several times in a row. Let's go for something lighter!"
"Alright, as you wish~"
Bai Mo summoned a kitchen knife and began slicing the Jyuratodus meat into thin pieces, arranging them neatly on a plate.
"I want to eat too! I want grilled Herbivorous Dragon eggs!"
The kitchen knife beside Bai Mo suddenly transformed into a silver-haired girl. "Hmph! You keep using me to chop up disgusting flesh. I want grilled dragon eggs, or I'll go on strike!"
Bai Mo sighed. "Est, you were originally a dragon-slaying sacred sword. What's the difference between cutting dragons and slicing meat?"
"No way! You said it yourself—I'm a dragon-slaying sacred sword! Why am I now a kitchen knife helping you chop meat? I'm a sacred sword, a sacred sword! A sacred sword created by the gods!"
The sacred sword Est was the very great sword that had been embedded in Toru's body. Originally, after Bai Mo pulled it out, it was supposed to enter his spiritual world for nurturing. Unexpectedly, Bai Mo kicked it into his own world and suppressed it there!
After showing the sacred sword to Toru, the vengeful dragon even taught Bai Mo an advanced contract magic and helped him bind the sword. Now, even the god who created the sacred sword couldn't take it back from Bai Mo.
That said, Bai Mo wasn't particularly skilled with swords, though he could use them. But as a sacred sword, shape-shifting was one of its basic functions.
Thus, Bai Mo repurposed the sacred sword as his kitchen knife and butcher's cleaver. Since the sword had a self-purification feature, Bai Mo didn't have to worry about cross-contamination.
However, after repeatedly using the sacred sword to slaughter animals and cook, the sword's spirit—whom Bai Mo named Est—awoke early to complain.
But with the bribery of delicious food, Est eventually accepted her fate. These occasional complaints were just her way of placing orders with Bai Mo.
Bai Mo was happy to oblige. After all, finding a suitable kitchen knife wasn't easy. A sacred sword forged by gods, capable of changing shape at will, self-cleaning, and indestructible—it was perfect for him.
Grilled Herbivorous Dragon eggs? No problem—consider it done!
After satisfying their appetites, Bai Mo ignored the still-busy Ayuan and the food-comatose Est, returning home with Toru.
Now, he had to figure out how to explain Toru's presence to his sister, Iori. Should he say she was a maid he hired? Or should he phrase it more subtly?
Before he could settle on an excuse, he was met with the sight of Iori and Kobayashi Rindou standing in his living room.
Faced with the maid in a maid outfit who showed no self-awareness whatsoever, Rindou's eyes gleamed with amusement.
So you're into this kind of thing?
Should I try wearing one next time?
Don't ask how Bai Mo managed to read so much from Rindou's gaze.
At this point, he had no choice but to start introducing everyone to each other.
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T/N:
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