On the peak of Mt. Aocang, the open-air stone terrace in front of the Adepti's cave dwelling was now filled with lights, laughter, and the enticing aroma of food, sweeping away its usual chill.
The enormous stone table was laden with a dazzling array of Liyue's specialty dishes from various regions, as well as many exotic delicacies never before heard of or seen—this was, of course, the Wolf Lord's masterpiece.
"Delicious! So, so delicious!!!"
The voice of Indarias, the General of Fiery Rats, was so loud it almost shook the leaves from the trees.
She sat on her chair completely disregarding her image, with a mountain of bowls and plates piled in front of her.
With one hand, she was tearing into a golden, glossy steamed bun filled with beast meat, while with the other, she rapidly scooped spoonfuls of "Star Vortex Fried Rice," emitting a peculiar aroma, into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's, her crimson hair flew with her exaggerated chewing motions, and her eyes narrowed into slits with happiness.
Having not tasted human food for five hundred years, the delicacies before her were nothing short of ambrosia.
"Eat slowly, Indarias, no one is fighting you for it."
Bonanus, the General of Spiraled Conches, sitting beside her, smiled helplessly and dotingly, extending her fair hand to gently pat Indarias's back, fearing she might choke.
Bonanus's movements were still as graceful as water. She delicately savored a bowl of "Moonsea Pavilion Soup," clear to the bottom and garnished with a few slices of jade cabbage, her posture elegant, forming a stark contrast with Indarias, who was devouring her food like a whirlwind.
Her azure eyes held a gentle smile as she looked at this long-unseen, lively and bustling scene.
"What truly delicious food."
Menogias, the General of Heart-Apes, spoke in his steady voice. He sat upright, like a mountain.
He picked up a rack of roast rock goat ribs, fragrant and crispy, sprinkled with Liyue's unique spices, with a solemnity that was almost ritualistic.
He did not gobble it down like Indarias, but instead carefully savored each layer of meat and spice blending in his mouth, his eyes revealing an appreciation for the culinary artistry.
"The heat control is precise, and the spice ratio is absolutely exquisite. This skill is beyond the reach of mortals."
"Hahaha, it hasn't been this lively here in a long time; even the air feels more vibrant!"
Grandma Ping—or rather, Streetward Rambler—sat near the head of the table, looking at the crowded and noisy scene before her, a smile blossoming on her wrinkled face.
She held a cup of warm Qingxin flower tea, her gaze sweeping over the reborn Yakshas, then resting on the quartet of Hilichurls, filled with satisfaction.
This kind of lively hustle and bustle, for an Adeptus who had witnessed countless changes over the ages, was a rare enjoyment.
However, this harmony was soon broken.
"Elliot! You stole my skewers again!!"
Paimon's sharp cry pierced the night sky, her small body fluctuating violently in the air due to anger.
She pointed indignantly at Elliot, the Hydro Hilichurl Ranger, who was holding a bare bamboo skewer in his mouth, his blue mask unable to hide his triumphant, thievish grin.
"What skewers! Paimon, don't talk nonsense! How could I, Elliot, a dignified Honorary Knight, do something so underhanded!"
Elliot mumbled his excuses, trying to hide the bamboo skewer behind his back.
"Spit out the bamboo skewer in your mouth before you lie!"
Paimon stamped her feet in anger.
"That was a special 'Anemo God Grilled Wing' that I waited in line for ages to get from the Wolf Lord! It even had the Wolf Lord's secret chili powder on it!"
"Hmph! Where's the proof? Does the skewer have your name on it?"
Elliot stuck out his neck, beginning his classic rogue's debate.
Just as a drama of "Flying Sprite vs. Hilichurl Ranger" was about to unfold, Lumine quickly hugged Paimon, while Zane raised his thunder hammer.
Meanwhile, not far from the stone table, in the temporarily erected oversized outdoor kitchen area, the atmosphere was completely different.
The three-meter-tall white werewolf-shaped Wolf Lord was operating several cooking utensils with dazzling speed and artistic precision.
His white-gloved hands had now transformed into the most nimble chef's hands.
His massive figure was surprisingly agile: a custom-made giant wok flew in his hands, flames surged at the bottom, and the ingredients for "Buddha's Temptation" in the wok were evenly stir-fried, their rich aroma soaring to the sky.
At the same time, his other hand precisely adjusted the temperature of an adjacent oven, and he quickly pulled open the oven door, steadily taking out a "Liuli Pavilion Secret Roasted Whole Chicken" with a golden-red, crispy skin, sizzling with oil. Its tempting color and aroma instantly drew everyone's gaze.
He steadily and swiftly placed the roasted chicken into a large empty plate on the stone table, his movements fluid and without any delay.
Xianyun, the human form of Cloud Retainer, stood quietly beside the Wolf Lord's massive figure, observing.
She pushed up the glasses on her nose, and the bird-like eyes behind the lenses gleamed with surprise and a hint of... admiration.
She watched the Wolf Lord simultaneously monitor multiple cooking processes, his movements precise to the second, his seasoning seemingly calculated with the utmost precision. She finally couldn't help but speak, her voice filled with genuine praise: "Truly... remarkable culinary skill. The movements are precise and efficient, the heat control is perfect, and the seasoning is incredibly ingenious. Such a standard, I fear even the 'automatic cooking machine' that this Adeptus painstakingly developed is far inferior."
As soon as these words were uttered, it was like throwing a huge stone into a calm lake!
Ganyu, who was delicately eating Qingxin, suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes wide, even forgetting to swallow the food in her mouth, looking at her master in disbelief.
What did she hear? Her master, who pursued ultimate mechanization and was always confident (even a little proud) of her creations, actually admitted that her machines were inferior to... a werewolf mechanical construct's cooking skills?!
Beside her, the cool-tempered Shenhe was quietly sipping a bowl of vegetarian soup.
Hearing Xianyun's words, her hand holding the spoon paused slightly, and a rare, clear trace of surprise flashed in her usually emotionless icy blue eyes.
She looked at the Wolf Lord's fluid and elegant cooking movements, then at her always haughty master, and fell into a brief contemplation.
As for Shenhe's solitary fate, it had already been "cured" by the quartet.
As for the treatment process... Zane pulled out a device called the "Fate Vacuum Cleaner," aimed it at Shenhe, and gave her a vigorous suck. Then he took the grayish-black stuff he sucked out, sprayed it with "Purification Spray," and finally... put it back in.
The process was so absurd and bizarre that Xiao, who was present at the time, instinctively tightened his grip on the Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, but the results were unexpectedly good.
The cold, isolated evil energy that had plagued Shenhe for years had indeed dissipated, no longer requiring the red ropes for forced suppression.
It was just that this method of treatment was too "shocking," and coupled with her inherently cool nature, her personality didn't change much. She remained the same Shenhe, quiet and with few expressions, but there was less of the constrained melancholy in her brow and more of a sense of freedom.
"Master... you..."
Ganyu finally found her voice, her tone filled with incredulity.
Xianyun seemed to realize her "slip of the tongue" just now, cleared her throat softly, and turned her face slightly away, but her gaze couldn't help but dart towards a huge "Steamed Golden Carp" that the Wolf Lord was processing, and she added in a low voice: "...At least in the field of cooking, this is indeed the case. It's worth... researching and learning from."
She had already begun to ponder whether to ask the Wolf Lord for some recipes, or... to dismantle and analyze his "cooking program"? The Adeptus's thirst for knowledge (or perhaps the soul of a tech enthusiast) began to burn brightly.
Moonlight, like water, spilled over Mt. Aocang, filled with laughter and clinking glasses.
The aroma of food, the joy of reunion, the Adepti's sentiments, and the nonsensical antics brought by the quartet intertwined to form an unprecedented picture of an Adepti feast, full of earthly warmth.
The Wolf Lord's massive figure bustled in front of the stove, adding the most unique and delicious stroke to this painting.
The Wolf Lord's massive figure bustled in front of the stove, adding the most unique and delicious stroke to this painting.