Facing the incoming flying knives, Sheng Tai Lang drew another whip, dancing in the air so densely that nothing could get through.
But these flying knives seemed to have minds of their own, each carving a different trajectory, hovering, sharply turning, or directly piercing around Sheng Tai Lang…
The Crafty Blades truly lived up to their name!
Their trajectories were unpredictable.
The Soft Blades truly lived up to their name!
A Crafty Blade found an opening and, like a bee, stung Sheng Tai Lang.
Blood…
This was the first time, as a Regenerator, that he had bled while fighting Zhang Wei!
Anger flashed in Sheng Tai Lang’s eyes. He wrapped his hands around the thorny spikes, letting his blood be drawn.
"The nourishment for the Blood Rose comes from the nutrient solution I prepared earlier, but in reality, they prefer my blood!"
Sheng Tai Lang gave a quarter of his blood to the Blood Rose. It was now a battle to the death!
After receiving Sheng Tai Lang’s blood, the Blood Rose’s vines multiplied, and they emitted a metallic sheen!
Thorn Impact!
Zhang Wei’s blade formation was instantly torn to shreds!
Seizing the opportunity, Sheng Tai Lang controlled the thorny vines to compress, forming a green vine ball with thousands of thorns, constantly wriggling…
Sheng Tai Lang let out a long sigh.
A look of exhaustion appeared on his face. "With this density of vines, even using semi-elementalization won't break through."
"Semi-elementalization only partially etherealizes the body. To pass through certain narrow passages, one would need a hole one-quarter the size of the original form…"
"Perhaps one could pass through some railings, but the vines are so dense now that even with semi-elementalization, escape is impossible."
"Moreover… the Blood Rose's appetite is terrifying. I can't even make it stop now. Perhaps when we meet again, you will be a dried corpse."
Sheng Tai Lang was about to get some water to replenish his depleted body fluids.
But a slight movement came from the vine ball.
Hm?
Struggling?
As expected of a Gluttonous Demon, it's difficult to subdue it completely, but it can't escape in the end. It's only a matter of time.
A burnt smell wafted from the vines. The Blood Rose's fear surpassed its desire to feed!
An immense light suddenly erupted!
Blade energy!
With no time to dodge, Sheng Tai Lang raised his arms to block!
*Puchi~*
His arms were directly severed, connected only by a sliver of skin!
But for a Regenerator, healing injuries was part of their profession, especially for Sheng Tai Lang, whose blood possessed strong healing properties.
The gushing blood instantly coagulated, reattaching the severed arms!
He looked back at the vine ball, which was now burning!
"What on earth is happening!"
"The Blood Rose is actually being burned!!"
With a deafening explosion!
A golden Gourmet Demon appeared!
At this moment, the National Chef was engulfed in pure white flames, as radiant as the sun!
Zhang Wei said, "Why use vines?"
"According to the theory of the Five Elements, metal overcomes wood, and my blades are, strictly speaking, of the metal attribute."
"Wood gives birth to fire, and fire overcomes metal. This, overcoming wood… your vines are entirely on my list of weaknesses."
"By the way, you don't happen to not know about the Five Elements theory, do you?"
What the hell is the Five Elements theory!
Who would know such a thing!
Sheng Tai Lang roared and pulled out a pile of bottles and jars from his body!
Thunderous leap!
Zhang Wei’s Heavenly Law Manifestation could also achieve high-speed maneuverability in this way, and it was even more precise!
A straightforward punch!
Sent Sheng Tai Lang flying!
"Art of Thunder Control: Wide-Area Scorching!"
Electricity was released madly!
Everything around them melted into glass due to the high temperature current, including Sheng Tai Lang’s bottles and jars.
Sheng Tai Lang was not wearing any specialized insulating gear like a bodysuit this time, which put him at a huge disadvantage against Zhang Wei!
Zhang Wei was like a thundercloud, expending energy as if he had a personal vendetta against it!
"Seven Blades, Third: Sharp Blade!"
Lingering Slash Blade Rain!
At this moment, a thought flashed through Sheng Tai Lang's mind.
It seemed… he might actually lose!
Impossible!
Against a newcomer who had just entered the gourmet world!
With a flash, Sheng Tai Lang delivered a fierce punch to Zhang Wei’s face!
Compared to before, the power was even greater!
However, for the National Chef, it was still too weak.
"Azure Void Star Mark!"
A bloody hole suddenly appeared in Sheng Tai Lang's body!
This…
How could this be!
Zhang Wei’s punch had such power!
Another punch!
A bloody hole reappeared…
Even with Sheng Tai Lang’s incredible regeneration, his stamina and energy storage had limits!
His recovery ability couldn’t be extended indefinitely!
At this moment, Sheng Tai Lang suddenly thought of a question: How long had Zhang Wei been fighting in his Gluttonous Demon form?
Why wasn’t he showing any signs of energy depletion?
The consumption of a Gluttonous Demon was terrifying; the stronger the transformation, the greater the energy expenditure. Yet Zhang Wei’s energy seemed inexhaustible!
Sheng Tai Lang was utterly unwilling to accept this!
A set of wooden armor attached itself to his body, growing from some strange place.
It covered his wounds and granted Sheng Tai Lang even greater combat capabilities!
The battle between the two sides once again became simple and direct, punch for punch!
Of course, one had to ignore the chaotic air currents and the scattered energy waves.
Light flashed!
After a collision, both were sent flying. However, Sheng Tai Lang felt something strange; it was as if Zhang Wei had intentionally allowed himself to be pushed back.
With a sense of caution, after being pushed back once more, Sheng Tai Lang stared intently at Zhang Wei.
He saw that after being sent flying, Zhang Wei deliberately dragged his feet on the ground, creating a lot of smoke. Then, while vision was obscured, he was stuffing something into his mouth!
Medicine?
Stimulants?
Energy bars?
Sheng Tai Lang roared angrily, "Shameless! You're cheating!"
"Nonsense! You used wooden armor and vines, are you cheating too?"
"Nonsense! As a Regenerator, this is my fighting style!"
Zhang Wei retorted righteously, "As a chef, is it unreasonable for me to eat something?"
"Why are you eating secretly, and using smoke to block vision!"
Zhang Wei rolled his eyes, "What business is it of yours?"
"Shameless!"
Since he had been discovered, Zhang Wei no longer bothered to hide it.
He casually pulled out a hundred-kilogram perfect-grade Ozone Grass and began to chew it heartily in his Gluttonous Demon form.
To eat in the Gluttonous Demon form was something unprecedented in history!
But don't forget, this was the sixth level of the Gravity Well, where the Red Sugar Gargoyle was merely an entry-level opponent. There were other powerful, high-level beasts here!
The collateral damage from their fight was so great that even creatures in the depths of the Gravity Well were alerted!
As they fought, the ground beneath them suddenly became covered in frost, preventing them from moving.
Sheng Tai Lang exclaimed in horror, "Frost Trap! How is it in the sixth level!"
Zhang Wei turned his head and saw a colossal dragon-like monster slowly approaching!
【Detected Capturable Ingredient: Frost Sugar Dragon】
【Capture Level: 170】
【Edible Level: 135】
【Description: A fairy-tale species composed of frost sugar, wafer cones, and cream, very ferocious and aggressive. It possesses magical attacks that transform ordinary soil into frost sugar, as well as considerable physical defense and offense capabilities.】
【Description: Upon death, the Frost Sugar Dragon forms an Ice Dust Nova, instantly freezing everything within a thirty-kilometer radius. The frozen creatures will transform into edible rock candy after many years, making it a very difficult creature to capture.】
【Description: Within the core of the Ice Dust Nova formed after the Frost Sugar Dragon's death, there will be a Rock Candy Dragon Pearl made of sugar, one of the world's top-grade rock candies. Just a pinch of ground powder can turn a river sweet.】
A magical, fantastical creature!
The most troublesome type of ingredient!
The Frost Sugar Dragon had a Western dragon’s appearance, its wingspan nearly a hundred meters. It clearly harbored immense hatred for the two who had disturbed its rest!
Milk Shockwave!
It breathed out!
An attack composed of a pure white liquid surged forward. The alluring milky aroma almost made Zhang Wei open his mouth to drink it…
This was no laughing matter!
A capture level of 170 was even stronger than the toad subdued by Elder Mo in the Land of Clouds. Zhang Wei vaguely remembered the pressure that toad had brought to him and Tian Zui!
Zhang Wei dodged the attack. The moment the Gluttonous Demon was hit, it dissipated, and he was heavily injured on the spot!
Sheng Tai Lang was not much better off. He took more of the attack, his peach wood armor shattering, demonstrating its defensive capabilities.
"Damn it, we can't fight an opponent of this level right now!"
"A single attack from it took half the life out of my Gluttonous Demon!"
The Frost Sugar Dragon flew closer…
Hmm?
Its body seemed too heavy, and its mobility was not very sufficient.
There’s a way!
Zhang Wei roared, "Eat this move, Ingredients Fly Everywhere!"
Zhang Wei immediately summoned countless ingredients from his Treasure Hall, filling nearly half the space!
Vegetables from the Land of Clouds, various animals from the Legal Island, and all sorts of delicious dishes that Zhang Wei excelled at…
The Frost Sugar Dragon had never seen such a scene!
Having been born in the Gravity Well, it had only seen a tiny patch of sky. These diverse, fragrant foods were beyond anything it had ever imagined!
It froze on the spot, momentarily at a loss.
Zhang Wei immediately dispelled his Heavenly Law Manifestation, grabbed the heavily injured Sheng Tai Lang, and fled, blocking the paths with ingredients as he went!
Without looking back,
Zhang Wei ran all the way to the Wolf Fang Abyss area. He threw Sheng Tai Lang onto sharp stalagmites and then crouched down, gasping for breath.
The consumption of the Gluttonous Demon was too severe!
Even the combined supplements of Silver Apples, Ozone Grass, Sixth Level Elemental Water, and Gemstone Meat could not keep up.
Fighting in such a state, the body's oxygen deprivation put an immense strain on it!
"Gourmet Absorption Technique: Low Consumption Mode!"
Zhang Wei reverted to his standard height of 1.8 meters. His stamina consumption immediately decreased by ninety-five percent, which would also significantly increase his recovery efficiency.
Sheng Tai Lang opened his eyes, his body sticky with dried milk.
He looked at Zhang Wei weakly and asked, "Why?"
"What?"
"Why did you save me? We should be mortal enemies!"
"When did we become mortal enemies?"
Sheng Tai Lang’s face flushed red, and he said with lingering anger, "Those who destroy nature are my mortal enemies! We Regenerators will never allow someone who disrupts the balance of nature to act so recklessly!"
Zhang Wei nodded. "That's why I saved you. What I hate most are those bastards who cause species extinction! With you guys around, many precious species can be protected. I will never let anything happen to you!"
At least…
At least let those precious ingredients survive until I can collect them!
Furthermore, Regenerators had the ability to revive ancient ingredients, something Zhang Wei’s Treasure Hall couldn’t do.
And Zhang Wei wanted those ancient ingredients!
Without the Regenerators, it was absolutely impossible!
Therefore, Zhang Wei even hoped for the prosperity of the Regenerator profession more than the Regenerators themselves!
Sheng Tai Lang’s anger did not subside. He laughed bitterly and said, "If I hadn't seen your destructive harvesting with my own eyes, I would have believed you!"
Zhang Wei said indifferently, "What does it matter to me if you believe me or not? I truly recognize your value."
Saying that, Zhang Wei took out a bowl of cuisine.
Green Nutrient Porridge v4.0!
It contained the pulp of Ozone Grass and rare treasures from the Vegetable Sky, along with nutrient concentration from the Exquisite Cuisine Technique, possessing excellent healing properties for injuries.
"Here, have some."
Sheng Tai Lang was about to refuse on the spot!
But the aroma of the food wafting from the bowl made Sheng Tai Lang’s stomach growl, and saliva involuntarily flowed from his mouth, even dripping down his chin.
*Ptooey ptooey ptooey~*
So unpromising!
Zhang Wei had to persuade him, "If you don't eat enough, you won't have the chance to arrest me!"
"This…"
It seemed to make a lot of sense!
I'm only considering all the ingredients in the world, not accepting gifts from my opponent or being greedy!
He couldn't refuse!
Zhang Wei watched him devour the porridge and then said, "The nutrients in this bowl of porridge will restore you to at least seventy percent of your condition. To ensure you recover and can come after me again, I'll be leaving now, farewell!"
"Wait!"
"What else? I won't be waiting here for you to trouble me!"
"Don't you… don't you need to rest?"
After all, Zhang Wei had been fighting in Gluttonous Demon form the entire time, which was at least fifteen minutes.
Such consumption was definitely fatal for an ordinary person!
Even muscles and some internal organs would dissolve and become food for the Gluttonous Demon!
"Me? No, I still have a lot of work to do."
Life Waterfall Pool!
Zhang Wei swam upstream!
His Wind Riding Technique was now far stronger than when he first arrived. These three months of arduous training had greatly increased Zhang Wei's strength.
An energy blast flew from a great distance outside his field of vision!
Breath Dragon!
Zhang Wei flashed, skillfully dodging the attack. The intense shockwave almost made him lose his balance.
"Very good, Level 220 Breath Dragon, I've noted your little hobby!"
"When I come back next time, I'll definitely pay you a visit!"
No one jumped off the cliff.
But the Breath Dragon launched an attack!
This phenomenon had only one explanation: someone was returning to the area above the Life Waterfall Pool!
Every time someone returned, it was a grand occasion!
As Zhang Wei climbed out of the cliff, the area was already packed with people!
"No way!"
"It's him!"
"Zhang Wei? The Zhang Wei who disappeared for over three months?"
"Speaking of which, Cang Ma has been waiting for him here for a long time. I thought he had perished in the Gourmet World!"
"I always said he could do it!"
"Nonsense, you say that every time someone comes up!"
A crowd of Gourmet Hunters surrounded him, showing concern. Chefs in the rear began preparing food.
Everyone who returned from the Gourmet World was a true warrior!
Zhang Wei was very busy and didn't want to chat with these people, but he remembered his previous plan…
So he agreed, "Alright, let's have a drink later. I'll tell you about my experiences below!"
At the banquet, many Gourmet Hunters, merchants, and chefs began asking Zhang Wei various questions.
Zhang Wei was also very generous, answering all non-critical questions truthfully.
The merchants who had been waiting here were most interested in ingredients from the Gourmet World.
A merchant rubbed his hands together and said, "Mr. Zhang Wei, you've been in the Gourmet World for so long. Do you have any gains? Can you show us something to broaden our horizons?"
This request was presumptuous, but it was exactly what Zhang Wei wanted.
Without presenting a certain amount of proof, it would be difficult to gain their admiration. Zhang Wei wasn't trying to show off, but it was a necessary step to win them over!
Saying that, Zhang Wei took out a few dried strands of grass from his pocket and placed them before everyone.
The grass was withered and yellow, no different from roadside weeds. If Zhang Wei hadn't returned from the Gourmet World, everyone would have taken him for a swindler.
The merchant coughed twice. "Uh, are you joking?"
"Of course not. Why don't you try it?"
"Really?"
The merchant was overjoyed.
This was a good thing from the Gourmet World. Even if it didn't look good, the taste would definitely be good.
Saying that, Zhang Wei cut off a thumb-sized piece and handed it over.
The merchant took it, his face filled with anticipation as he chewed it. Then, the merchant's expression began to change weirdly…
Those around him eagerly asked, "How is it? How is it? What does it taste like?"
"Is it sweet or salty?"
"Is it delicious!"
Seeing the envious gazes of those around him, the merchant vomited heartily, tears and snot flowing profusely.
"Ugh~~~"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself!"
"As soon as this thing entered my mouth, I felt a pungent, acrid taste swirling in my mouth, like chewing raw tobacco!"
"And the taste was incredibly bitter, making me feel like I was eating gallbladders! My tongue is still numb…"
Everyone was uneasy.
They began to have some doubts about Zhang Wei.
Zhang Wei calmly said, "Do you really think ingredients from the Gourmet World are that simple? Without extensive knowledge of ingredients, you wouldn't recognize treasures even if they were right in front of you!"
Treasures?
This dried grass that made people vomit?
Zhang Wei said proudly, "You call yourselves top chefs and gourmet hunters of the human world, yet you can't even recognize a simple Wolf Tooth Grass!"
The first step in negotiating.
Suppression!