Chapter 208: The Great Wilderness Food Record

"God?" Li Shun savored the word repeatedly.

Then he could not help asking, "What exactly is the god on Buxian Mountain like?"

The white-haired old man, who had previously answered almost all of Li Shun's questions without reservation, suddenly became solemn.

"We are but mortals. How could we presumptuously discuss the appearance of a god?"

"If you are truly curious, then simply climb up yourself and see."

Li Shun's heart stirred when he heard this.

"This is the divine mountain that your tribe controls. Can an outsider like me also climb it?"

The old man spoke earnestly.

"In the eyes of the great god, all humans beneath heaven are equally insignificant. There is no distinction between locals and outsiders."

"Buxian Mountain does not belong to our tribe either. We are merely fortunate enough to have received permission from the great god, allowing us to reproduce and make our home at the foot of Buxian Mountain."

"As long as you climb the mountain with a heart full of reverence, you will naturally see the god at its summit."

Li Shun nodded solemnly.

Once their conversation ended, the mental space immediately collapsed, and Li Shun returned to reality.

Only then did Li Shun realize that during the time he had been communicating with the white-haired old man through their minds, he had unknowingly mastered the language the other party used.

The tribe living beneath Buxian Mountain was called the Zhouhuang Clan.

The white-haired old man was the tribe's leader. His name was [Xi].

Xi said enthusiastically to Li Shun, "Outsider, Buxian Mountain is nine thousand zhang tall. On your first ascent, you must keep your feet firmly on the ground and climb step by step. Only then can you behold the countenance of the god."

"The mountain is high and the road is long, with snow and bitter cold along the way. If you truly wish to climb it, then rest well in our tribe first. Eat your fill and drink your fill before setting out!"

When the members of the Zhouhuang Clan heard that Li Shun also intended to climb Buxian Mountain, they did not show the slightest hostility. Instead, they suddenly became extraordinarily enthusiastic.

Li Shun could sense that their enthusiasm was not feigned. It came from the depths of their hearts and was utterly sincere.

It was as though Li Shun were a long-lost brother who had finally returned to them.

Faced with the Zhouhuang Clan's invitation, Li Shun did not refuse. He joined them for their evening feast.

Everyone gathered around a huge bonfire, while one exquisite dish and fine brew after another was brought out.

The people sang freely and danced gracefully.

Their voices accompanied the flickering flames, seemingly carrying all the way into the heavens above the pitch-black night.

During the banquet, through his conversations with the members of the Zhouhuang Clan, Li Shun finally understood why they had suddenly become so enthusiastic toward him.

In their eyes, once Li Shun climbed Buxian Mountain and met that great deity, he would inevitably become one of the deity's people as well.

Sharing the same faith naturally meant that they were of the same kind.

Li Shun merely smiled and did not bother correcting them, though he could not help muttering inwardly.

The climax of the banquet came when the complete corpse of an enormous yao beast was dragged over.

It had the body of a tiger and the tail of a snake, along with a pair of snow-white wings.

When those wings were fully spread, they alone stretched fifteen zhang across.

Before this yao beast, humans appeared incomparably tiny.

Yet such a powerful yao beast had now become a dish on the Zhouhuang Clan's table.

Working together, the members of the Zhouhuang Clan lifted the yao beast's corpse into the air, where it continuously revolved.

The bonfire leaped and danced below, roasting the beast's corpse.

Before long, strange and enticing aromas filled the air.

Li Shun instinctively felt a surge of hunger. He could not help swallowing.

Xi called out loudly to the members of his tribe.

"Today, we have a friend from the Qian Clan who has crossed the boundless Wuqi Wilderness to reach this place. Tomorrow, he will climb Buxian Mountain and pay his respects to the great god."

"To show the warmth of our Zhouhuang Clan, why don't we give this friend the most delicious part of this Yuhu beast? Does everyone agree?"

The members of the clan shouted in unison.

"Yes!"

Xi smiled and lightly pointed his wooden staff toward the Yuhu beast's corpse floating in the air.

A large chunk of meat from between its wings was sliced away by an invisible blade.

It then flew directly before Li Shun.

The aroma was overwhelming, almost tangible.

Every cell in Li Shun's body seemed to be crazily craving it, desperately urging him to swallow the meat before him.

He did not bother being reserved and immediately began eating heartily.

There were no seasonings whatsoever. Yet relying solely on the quality of the yao beast's flesh, it seemed to surpass every delicacy of later generations.

The meat practically melted in his mouth. Though it carried a faint spicy sensation, that did nothing to stop it from assaulting Li Shun's taste buds again and again.

Before long, Li Shun had wolfed down the entire piece of meat.

The chunk was almost as large as his own body. Only after finishing it completely did Li Shun belatedly realize that he was somewhat stuffed.

While he was eating with such gusto, the members of the Zhouhuang Clan also happily divided up the Yuni beast and began feasting.

A figure quietly approached Li Shun's side.

"Uncle, what does the meat from between the wings of this Yuhu beast actually taste like?"

Li Shun turned toward the source of the voice.

There he saw a boy who looked no more than seven or eight years old. The corners of his mouth were still covered in glistening grease, and he stared at Li Shun with undisguised longing.

Li Shun savored the taste for a moment before answering.

"The meat is indeed very tender. It's just a little spicy. After eating it..."

He moved his limbs and then confirmed, "I feel like my body has become much more agile."

The little boy looked somewhat disappointed.

"Looks like the meat between the wings isn't any different from the other parts. It's just more tender."

The boy curled his lips, then pulled a strand of thread from behind his back.

Like a weaver operating a loom, he began weaving lines of characters through the air before him.

They were not characters Li Shun recognized.

Li Shun became curious.

"What are you writing?"

The boy did not answer. His little face remained extremely serious as he continued weaving the names.

Only after completing an entire passage did he point at the characters one by one and translate them for Li Shun.

"To the north of Buxian, there is a beast. Its form is like a tiger with a snake's tail, and a pair of wings grows from its back. Its feathers are white as snow. Its cry comes from the jiao. It is called the Yulang. Its flesh contains much fat, and its flavor resembles pheasant, though with a slight spiciness. Eating it allows one to move as swiftly as the wind. Wherever it appears, great armies shall arise in that land..."

"This is..." Li Shun looked at the little boy in surprise.

"Friend, this is the Great Wilderness Food Record that I am writing. My wish is to eat every edible thing in the vast primordial wilderness. I haven't written much yet, but I believe that one day, I will accomplish it."

The little boy spoke with absolute conviction.

He then looked seriously at Li Shun.

"Friend, I feel that you are very impolite. You shouldn't simply say 'you' when speaking to me. You should first add my name, or the word 'friend,' before addressing me."

Seeing the little boy's solemn expression, Li Shun could not help smiling.

Yet he still nodded seriously.

"Very well, my friend. But I still don't know your name."

"I'm not telling you!"

The little boy made a face at him. Then, like a ghost, his figure flickered several times before disappearing into the crowd.