Chapter 860 - 846: Splendor
Xuan Yan agreed without hesitation: "Sure."
It seemed that no matter what Su Muyao suggested, he would consent.
In the afternoon, the wind and snow lessened a bit, so Xuan Yan prepared to take Su Muyao to the valley.
Black Rock City is surrounded by mountains on three sides, encircling the outer layer, with a very deep valley also inside Black Rock City, making it very safe.
So Xiao Jihan stayed home with Da Bao, while Xuan Yan took Su Muyao to the valley.
This direct route was a bit far.
Thinking for a moment, Xuan Yan looked at Su Muyao and asked, "Do you want to walk over directly, or do you want me to carry you?"
Xuan Yan respected Su Muyao’s choice.
Of course, he couldn’t allow anyone else to transform and carry her.
According to the rules, a male beastman’s true form only carries his wife or a female he likes.
Su Muyao’s eyes lit up, "I want you to carry me, is that okay?"
It would be faster this way.
Seeing her eager expression, Xuan Yan found it amusing.
"Of course it’s okay."
With that, Xuan Yan transformed into his true form right in front of Su Muyao.
His form was slender and upright, his neck like a flexible ribbon, able to bend into graceful shapes, lazy yet elegant.
The most stunning part was his feathers, not a monotonous red, but layered with rich gradients from tip to root.
The feathers were fluffy and soft, clean and neat, gently vibrating in the wind like floating clouds, beautiful like a dream.
His legs were long and upright, with smooth lines, like meticulously carved jade columns supporting his light body.
Just standing there, he exuded an unearthly elegance, beautiful and intense, captivating anyone who saw him.
Su Muyao’s eyes revealed a stunning expression beyond her control.
She involuntarily stepped forward, gently touching his feathers, "So beautiful."
Like a ball of flames.
It was her first time seeing a Firebird Beastman’s true form in the Beast World.
Not the kind of firebird she imagined, but more vibrant and beautiful.
Xuan Yan was relieved seeing she liked it.
He was glad his true form could please her.
Xuan Yan naturally knelt down, facilitating Su Muyao’s ascent.
Seeing Xuan Yan’s gesture, Su Muyao felt her nose tingle, and her heart warmed with emotion.
"Actually, you don’t have to, I have some superpower and can jump up."
But Xuan Yan was willing, offering his most devout attitude to his wife.
After climbing up, Su Muyao wrapped her arms around Xuan Yan’s neck.
Xuan Yan took off directly.
Su Muyao found it convenient sitting on the firebird because his neck was easy to hold onto.
As Xuan Yan unfurled his wings, they appeared beautiful in the sunlight, each feathered thread reflecting a fine sheen like scattered diamonds, gentle yet dazzling.
The firebird flew swiftly, prompting Su Muyao to hold onto him tightly.
Little did she know that holding on tightly, so close, Xuan Yan felt it most keenly.
Especially her soft body exuding a faint sweet fragrance, nearly making Xuan Yan lose control and plummet from the sky.
He quickly steadied his mind and continued flying toward the valley.
Though snow had ceased, the wind was strong, but the firebird naturally radiated warmth, keeping Su Muyao from feeling cold at all.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the valley.
The valley area wasn’t as cold, and the wind had diminished, perhaps sheltered from the wind, with little snow accumulation.
Inside the valley was a forest, mostly composed of pine trees.
Su Muyao spotted many dead pines and old pine knots, and some tree roots.
Su Muyao’s eyes lit up, "This, there’s solidified pine resin, can make candles."
No light sources for night here, last night Su Muyao could only use beast fat to make oil in a bowl, add a wick, and ignite for light.
It wasn’t as convenient as candles.
"Candles?"
Xuan Yan had never heard of candles.
Su Muyao said, "You’ll know once I make them, they can illuminate at night."
Beastmen feared flames mainly because they couldn’t manage them, afraid of fire hazards.
If they used oil to ignite, they’d be afraid, but candles would be more controllable, possibly encouraging use.
Su Muyao took out a knife intending to cut open the old pine knots and roots.
Unsure of his wife’s intentions, Xuan Yan gently pressed her hand, "Let me."
Using his superpower, Xuan Yan quickly collected the resin inside.
Gathering plenty, Su Muyao had Xuan Yan create many small wooden buckets, serving as molds for making candles.
She also discovered garlic in the valley.
Of course, she had purchased onions, ginger, and garlic at the market.
In the forest, Su Muyao searched for crops.
She found various wild vegetables but still sought food.
Deep in a bush in the forest, Su Muyao surprisingly found potatoes.
Though small, they were indeed potatoes.
Su Muyao’s eyes lit up with excitement, "Didn’t expect there to be potatoes."
Her mind was already churning with various potato dishes.
Potato starch could be made as well.
Potatoes stewed with meat, stir-fried, all very tasty.
Truly, it was the scarce ingredients here that made Su Muyao so excited at seeing potatoes.
Xuan Yan thought of his wife’s culinary skills and didn’t doubt the potatoes’ potential.
If he saw such things ordinarily, he wouldn’t bat an eye.
To the beastmen, these were neither tasty nor filling.
Just like weak beastmen selling these things at the market, few beastmen bought them, but his wife purchased such items.
Having tasted his wife’s culinary creations, he understood every ingredient had its use.
Xuan Yan utilized his superpower, quickly excavating the potatoes, and Su Muyao packed them in the beast skin bag.
She packed the found wild vegetables as well.
As darkness fell, they returned loaded.
In the evening, Su Muyao prepared mashed potatoes, pan-fried potato cakes, stir-fried potato slices, and potato stew with meat.
Upon tasting, everyone realized how delicious it was.
Su Muyao stored some in her space bracelet, planning to plant them when the weather was warm.
Eating the potato dishes, everyone realized how delicious the food was.
Xuan Yan said, "I’ll have the beastmen search nearby forests to see if they can find these potatoes nearby Black Rock City."
Su Muyao worriedly said, "Going out during Snow Season is dangerous, better not."
Xuan Yan replied, "No problem, during Snow Season, the city organizes large hunting teams to ensure sufficient food inside."
This is the norm; it doesn’t mean the city gates remain closed throughout the season.
When snow is less, the hunting team goes out, of course, maintaining sufficient strength in the city.
"Also, the cold is more intense this year, perhaps the usual food reserves aren’t enough."
Su Muyao still felt uneasy for some reason.
She proposed, "I think we should set up more defensive traps outside Black Rock City."
"Defensive traps?"
Su Muyao nodded, "Yes, digging pits with spikes inside."
These could target land beastmen, but not the flying ones.
She knew here, superpower was the ultimate combat strength.
Unfortunately, her Wood Element Ability was quite weak.
Suddenly thinking of something, Su Muyao opened her space bracelet, discovering many Green Crystal Stones inside.
She could absorb Green Crystal Stones to enhance her Wood Element Ability.