Seeing Hisoka again, Morrow could more clearly discern the gaps between them.
Aura output, potential aura, physical strength, advanced Nen techniques, and even martial arts, these factors, requiring extensive time and effort to hone, profoundly influence a Nen user's overall combat prowess.
Though he could rely on the leveling abilities recorded in the Tree Rings to rapidly increase his aura output and potential aura levels, there were no shortcuts when it came to physical strength, advanced Nen techniques, or martial arts.
If he had to name one, he could only pin his hopes on Menchi's culinary skills.
Before Morrow arrived, Menchi had already begun preparing the meal.
According to her, the medicinal herbs and ingredients had been ordered through the Hunter website.
The herbs were relatively easy to procure, but A-rank and B-rank ingredients, even on the highly functional Hunter website, were scarce commodities, difficult to obtain.
A-rank ingredients, for instance, primarily came from controlled Demon Domains across various regions or restricted areas too perilous for humans to venture into.
Their rarity was such that even if one had the capability to infiltrate these Demon Domains or restricted zones, finding them was never guaranteed.
In contrast, lower-grade ingredients often surfaced in the black market.
However, these were typically poached goods dumped by illegal hunters, contraband by nature.
Moreover, due to preservation and transportation issues, their freshness was rarely assured.
This was where Gourmet Hunters proved indispensable.
Familiar with specific regions and the distribution of ingredients within them, they could hunt down requested materials for clients.
Of course, such bespoke services came at a price; costs measured in tens of millions.
Money was no object for Morrow. With the effectiveness of medicinal cuisine as his priority, he granted Menchi an unlimited budget.
If this dietary regimen proved viable, Morrow wouldn't hesitate to pour all 15 billion into it.
Right now, he only wanted to enhance his strength as quickly as possible.
Then, within six months, he aimed to single-handedly eliminate Feitan, to truly surpass the Death Threshold.
Power… was simply too crucial.
The experiences of this period had brutally reshaped Morrow's perspective.
Yet the desire for good food, rest, and enjoyment from before his Death Rewind hadn't vanished from his aspirations.
In fact, it was precisely these pursuits that demanded the support of strength.
Because power and freedom were intertwined.
What one could or couldn't do often hinged on their own strength.
Before returning to Heavens Arena, Morrow had already mapped out a rough plan.
But before making a move against Feitan, if conditions permitted, it would be best to fully charge the energy of the Second Circle Growth Ring.
This would likely serve as another revival token capable of resisting death, an additional layer of insurance.
However, under normal circumstances, Nen-imbued objects couldn't provide much energy to the Tree Rings.
To fill the Second Circle Growth Ring faster, what he truly needed was the more volatile, purer energy of Post-Mortem Will.
The priority of Tree Rings energy is lower.
After all, without sufficient strength, even if the Second Circle Growth Ring grants me another Death Rewind, it would only mean experiencing despair once more.
During this time, I must master advanced Nen techniques as quickly as possible.
With Hisoka gone for the moment, Morrow's thoughts churned. For a brief moment he couldn't help but think how much better it would be if Biscuit could lend a hand.
Now that he no longer entertained the idea of relying on external forces to break through the Death Threshold, he placed great importance on any resource that could strengthen himself.
In a way, Biscuit's existence was an irreplaceably precious resource for Morrow at this stage.
But keeping Biscuit by his side for half a year was practically impossible.
If only he had the Blue Planet gem from Greed Island, there might have been a sliver of hope.
Thinking this, Morrow gave a slight shake of his head.
—--
Meanwhile, Kastro and Calista were still staring in the direction where Hisoka had departed, their hearts filled with astonishment.
Neither had expected Hisoka to know their master.
Even less had they imagined that a single word from their master would make Hisoka obediently walk away.
After all, they had sensed from Hisoka's aura that pure, unadulterated bloodlust, so intense it had made every muscle in their bodies tense up involuntarily from the start.
Unaware of his disciples' inner turmoil, Morrow suddenly spoke, "Kastro, Calista, I'll introduce someone to you later."
Hearing this, Kastro and Calista quickly reined in their scattered thoughts and responded with curiosity.
"Let's go. She should have dinner ready by now."
Morrow headed straight for the passage they'd come through.
She?
Preparing dinner?
Kastro and Calista exchanged glances, sensing something unusual in the air.
—--
Half an hour later.
Inside the hotel suite.
The air was thick with the mingled aromas of stewed meat and medicinal herbs.
The round dining table was laden with medicinal cuisine prepared by Menchi.
Apart from a plate of vegetable and fruit salad and some meat wrapped in certain leaves, the other five dishes were all meat-based soups!
Kastro and Calista sat stiffly upright while Menchi explained the dishes to Morrow.
"This is a meat broth made from Rock Shoot Worm and tiger fangs. With three medicinal herbs added, it carries a medicinal aftertaste, not exactly gourmet fare, but regular consumption strengthens tendons and bones."
"Wait, worms and fangs?"
Morrow eyed the grayish, somewhat gluey-looking broth with suspicion.
Menchi nodded and explained, "Rock Shoot Worm, full name Rock Shoot Worm, a Class B ingredient found only in the cave regions of Kukan'yu Kingdom. They typically inhabit the interior of stalagmites deep within underground caverns, but they're scarce; only veteran Gourmet Hunters can locate them among countless stalagmites."
"..."
Morrow raised an eyebrow in surprise, his mind conjuring an image of pitch-black caves dense with stalagmites where Gourmet Hunters roamed with pickaxes, tapping at each one.
"Rock Shoot Worms... even living like that, they still can't escape ending up on your table, huh."
"!"
Menchi, who had been about to explain the origin of the tiger fangs, found herself momentarily speechless at Morrow's remark.
Technically, Morrow wasn't wrong.
But that was precisely the prowess of Gourmet Hunters, discovering unknown ingredients and using them to create dreamlike flavors that conquered taste buds.
Menchi studied Morrow's surprised reaction and forcibly suppressed her urge to launch into an impassioned lecture.
She was absolutely certain that if she were to loudly proclaim the prowess of the Gourmet Hunter profession now, Morrow would undoubtedly cut her off immediately.
Thinking this, Menchi abandoned the idea of explaining the origins of each ingredient to Morrow one by one. Instead, she pointed at the second stew and said bluntly, "This nourishes the eyes."
"This one strengthens blood and aura."
"This one relaxes tendons and invigorates bones. It pairs best with the Rock Shoot Worm and Tiger Tooth meat soup for enhanced effects."
"This boosts immunity, it's a staple in medicinal cuisine. When I venture deep into remote mountains and forests, I rely on this to protect myself from bacterial and viral infections."
"This improves the efficiency of circulating aura and blood..."
Menchi briefly summarized the benefits of each medicinal dish.
Beside her, Kastro and Calista listened in stunned silence.
Menchi noticed their reactions and subtly curled her lip.
If she were to elaborate on how difficult it was to obtain these ingredients or how much money it took to prepare this entire table of medicinal cuisine, these two would probably be so shocked they'd fall under the table.
Besides, ingredients have a price, but the medicinal recipes she possessed were priceless.
Morrow caught the faint smugness in Menchi's expression and couldn't help but wonder where she had learned all this medicinal cuisine.
Based on his preconceptions, those skilled in medicinal cuisine were usually elderly masters.
Yet Menchi was around his age and seemed thoroughly proficient in the craft.
No wonder she later earned her Single Star title with ease.
"Let's eat," Morrow announced.
He had already introduced Menchi to Kastro and Calista earlier, but since this was their first meeting, the two were visibly reserved.
Truthfully, Kastro and Calista held back because they weren't entirely sure about the relationship between Morrow and Menchi.
Of course, Morrow and Menchi had no clue about their odd thoughts. After the invitation, they simply dug in without hesitation.
Especially Menchi, she kept going, bowl after bowl, without pause.
At least her table manners were decent, or she'd look like a starving ghost reincarnated.
Morrow glanced curiously at Menchi, who was wholly absorbed in her meal.
Her reaction alone spoke volumes about the value of this feast and bolstered Morrow's confidence.
Soon, the four of them polished off the entire spread of medicinal dishes.
Leaning back in his chair, Morrow closed his eyes and felt a warm sensation spreading through his limbs, though beyond that, there were no other noticeable effects.
But according to Menchi, the benefits of medicinal cuisine were cumulative; regular consumption was needed for significant results.
Besides, premium ingredients like Rock Shoot Worms and Tiger Teeth weren't available every day.
Slow and steady, then.
They'd have to wait and see.
Morrow slowly opened his eyes and looked at his two disciples across the table.
"Kastro, Calista, come with me to the arena later. We'll work off this meal."
"Yes, Master," Kastro and Calista replied in unison.
—--
9:30 PM.
Heavens Arena, 233rd Floor.
This was Kastro's exclusive floor, where all facilities were available for his use around the clock.
The arena was no exception.
With all the lights switched on, the bright illumination covered every corner.
Morrow, Kastro, and Calista stepped onto the arena floor.
Meanwhile, Menchi stood below the platform, watching the trio with keen interest. When she first heard that Kastro and Calista were both Morrow's disciples, she couldn't help but think of her own master, who would complain about back pain after just a few steps.
The contrast made her feel inexplicably strange.
On the arena, Morrow observed the aura surrounding Kastro and Calista and said, "Your Ten and Ren are already above the passing standard. You can start considering the needs and direction of your ability."
"I'll consider whatever ability Master needs."
Calista, dressed in her white combat suit, voiced her thoughts directly.
She hadn't forgotten what Morrow had told her before awakening her Nen.
Accepting Nen awakening meant becoming an asset to help Morrow kill a certain person.
At the time, Morrow had given her the freedom to choose. Even if she had refused, he would have still revealed the secrets of Nen to her.
Because of this, after declaring her resolve, Calista had already decided to create an ability that would fulfill her master's needs.
That was her demand and direction.
Off the arena, Menchi's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Calista's back.
Despite having apprenticed under many masters, she had never seen anything like this.
It was as if one of her Gourmet Hunter masters loved spicy food, and after mastering the craft, she decided to only cook spicy dishes for the rest of her career.
Was that reasonable?
On the arena, Calista's expression was dead serious.
Morrow was surprised.
The choice he had given only required Calista and Kastro to assist him, he had never demanded that their Nen abilities cater to his needs.
This was undoubtedly Calista's own decision.
"I appreciate the thought, but it's unnecessary."
Morrow gave Calista a faint smile.
Calista froze at his words, and so did Kastro beside her.
"Master, have you already—"
"Don't overthink it."
Morrow cut her off without explanation and instead said, "Tell me, what kind of ability do you need? I can give you some advice."
"Master, actually, my 'Nen' is almost fully formed."
Kastro scratched his head sheepishly.
"Oh?"
Morrow looked intrigued, thinking that after his Nen knowledge lessons, Kastro shouldn't have gone off-track with his skill development.
Kastro casually spread his hands, and the surging aura around him visibly gathered toward his palms, faintly taking the shape of a tiger's bite.
"This is an ability I created based on the martial arts technique 'Tiger Bite Fist.' It took a lot of effort just to barely maintain the form."
"..."
Morrow was surprised again.
This was clearly the technique of Gyo, though the aura carried a faint green hue, exuding a sharp, piercing sensation, likely involving the properties of a Transmuter type.
The problem was, he hadn't even taught Kastro about Gyo yet.
Yet, in the process of developing his ability, Kastro had figured it out on his own based on necessity.
Truly a genius.
"Impressive, Kastro. Your talent is outstanding, far beyond mine."
Morrow praised him sincerely.
Without waiting for Kastro's reaction, Morrow raised a hand and said, "Come, let's test it."
"Alright." Kastro quickly suppressed the smile that surfaced from receiving praise. Due to the emotional fluctuation, the Tiger Bite Fist aura around his hands abruptly dissipated.
Yet he adjusted with remarkable speed, immediately re-entering a combat stance.
Beside him, Calista took the cue and tactfully stepped off the arena.
On the platform, Morrow directly activated his Starlight Convergence ability.
Countless fragmented, starlight-like motes of aura instantly enveloped Kastro.
Under Morrow's pointed gaze, Kastro slowly controlled his aura, once again gathering the Tiger Bite Fist's aura around his hands.
"Master, here I come!"
"Mmm."
Morrow immediately mirrored Kastro's stance, one hand high, one low, forming the shape of a tiger's maw.
The stance wasn't just similar; it was identical.
Even the minute detail of the little finger curling outward was perfectly replicated.
Seeing this, Kastro froze, the Tiger Bite aura around his hands nearly dissipating again.
Below the platform, Calista and Menchi exchanged puzzled looks.
But the next moment, they watched as the starlight aura suffusing the surroundings swirled like a vortex, converging onto Morrow's hands before condensing into an identical, green-glowing Tiger Bite Fist.
No…
Not quite identical.
The Tiger Bite Fist Morrow manifested was more complete, more imposing than Kastro's.
For a moment, both Calista and Menchi were stunned speechless.
"Master, you...!?"
On the platform, Kastro was equally dumbfounded.
As the fourth-generation successor of the Tiger Bite Fist, he could perceive far more nuances in the stance than Calista or Menchi.
And that was precisely why he was utterly shaken.
The reason was simple: he realized Morrow's stance had even replicated his own subtle habits.
The shock sent another violent ripple through his emotions, causing the Tiger Bite aura around his hands to scatter once more.
"Your talent is outstanding, far beyond mine."
Amidst his astonishment, only one thought crossed Kastro's mind:
Master really…
…loves to joke around.
--------
Bonus chapter!