After consuming three pieces of lover's meat, the muddled feeling intensified.
Zhang Wei even felt his emotions fluctuating rapidly.
"Doll, let's quickly collect the Silver Apples. I have a bad feeling about this."
The latter hummed and absorbed Zhang Wei into its body, then expelled the wind shield.
"What are you doing?"
Doll explained, "This scent is so alluring... I don't want to waste this diluted lake water."
Alright.
Whatever.
Besides, the water quality in this deep pool was good, and it tasted somewhat sweet, like spring water. The diluted version was also great.
The human-skin doll inverted itself, inside and out.
Its body contained tens of tons of lake water.
Then it transformed into a human shape, a round human shape...
It was normal to be a bit round after drinking dozens of tons of water. If the half-jin of lake water, containing Zhang Wei's failed lover's meat, were to be sold, it could fetch hundreds of thousands of Beli.
At the very center of the deep pool,
stones in the style of Olympian architecture were discovered. Judging by the patterns on them, they should be part of a dome, meaning the Silver Apple Tree was submerged below the pool.
Carefully searching the gaps in the stones and descending continuously, they finally found a damp, sealed underground space.
Despite being sealed, there was no smell of decay or mold. The air carried a faint aroma of fermentation.
"This is... the smell of lees!"
Zhang Wei took a deep breath but showed a dejected expression.
If it were his past self, he could identify the year, variety, and even minor flaws in the brewing process just by a sniff.
"Chef, I'm going over there for a bit."
"Mm."
When he returned, the human-skin doll's physique was nearing normal.
It had digested tens of tons of lake water in a short period; its kidneys were incredibly powerful.
"Chef, the vegetation here is so lush, unlike the previous two places with only a bare tree."
Zhang Wei nodded, "This area has been submerged in lake water for a long time. Some of the structures have been damaged, and with abundant moisture, it's not strange for plants to grow here."
Walking further in,
more and more Olympian buildings appeared.
Accompanying them were numerous vines and trees. The wind carried the scent of wine.
[Discovered ingredient to store: Tree Core Wine]
[Capture Level: 45]
[Habitat: Joyful Forest]
[Description 1: In places with vines, dampness, decaying vegetation, and abundant fruit, when fruit falls and lands near tree roots, forming a rotting pit, over years it will develop into natural wine. Places where this occurs on a large scale are called 'Joyful Forests'.]
[Description 2: Tree Core Wine is fermented from tree core essence and mature 'White Grapes', 'Crystal Grapes', and 'Saint Girl Grapes', a purely natural wine.]
"Excellent!"
Zhang Wei immediately squatted down and scooped up a handful.
"So sweet~ The alcohol content isn't high, probably around nine percent. It tastes just like fruit juice."
Zhang Wei took out a container.
[Storage complete: Tree Core Wine]
[Replication time: 65 days]
"Doll, you try some too."
The latter nodded.
With slightly unsteady steps, it walked to Zhang Wei's side and began to drink from the wine flask.
[Discovered storable ingredient: Tree Core Apple Wine]
[Discovered storable ingredient: Tree Core Pomegranate Wine]
[Discovered storable ingredient: Tree Core Cherry Wine]
[Discovered storable ingredient: Tree Core Peach Wine]
...
...
This place was truly a paradise for wine, truly living up to the name 'Joyful Forest'!
It seemed like no one had been here for a long time. Zhang Wei wondered how long these wines had been stored. The quantity was extremely abundant. Zhang Wei was not stingy and shared the collected wines with the human-skin doll.
For some reason, Zhang Wei felt extremely thirsty and had an unusual craving for alcohol, wishing he could get thoroughly drunk.
"Is this a side effect of the lover's meat?"
He tugged at his collar, and a wave of heat rushed out.
Zhang Wei collected as he walked.
He couldn't stop talking, "The variety of wines here is simply astonishing..."
At the very end of the forest, Zhang Wei finally saw the Silver Apple Tree!
But this apple tree...
Within its tree hollows, there was a rotten pit!
[Discovered storable ingredient: Lingering Forgetfulness Water]
[Capture Level: 70]
[Habitat: Joyful Forest]
[Description 1: Water vapor gathers from the mist on mountain peaks, and white fruit juice condenses. On extremely high-grade tree species, Lingering Forgetfulness Water will form.]
[Description 2: The softest and gentlest of strong liquors. It intoxicates the heart but not the person. Just one drop can make mortals forget their troubles and worries, immersing them in boundless tenderness and sweetness!]
[Description 3: Lingering Forgetfulness Water is extremely rare and can be used as cooking wine, seasoning, drunk straight, or in cocktails, making it highly versatile.]
A treasure!
It could also be added to the new dish 'Sweet Lovers'!
Storage!
[Storage complete: Lingering Forgetfulness Water]
[Replication time: 140]
[Storage complete: Silver Apple Tree]
[Replication time: 6.8 days... 6.4 days... 98 hours... 46 hours...]
After collecting the twenty-odd Silver Apples,
the replication time was gloriously reduced to the limit of 24 hours!
"All materials completely gathered!"
"Sweet Lovers can now be made!"
With a flip of his hand,
countless ingredients and cooking utensils appeared out of thin air, making the spacious hall less monotonous.
Zhang Wei didn't plan to make it in the Hall of Treasures; if it was successful, he wouldn't be able to explain it to the human-skin doll.
Meanwhile, the human-skin doll sat in the corner, head bowed and silent, its hair completely obscuring its face.
"Chef... is there any wine... I'm so thirsty."
There was a generous amount of Lingering Forgetfulness Water.
Zhang Wei wasn't worried about it being insufficient. He poured two cups and handed one to the human-skin doll, saying, "This wine is no ordinary stuff. It's the most incredible wine I've ever tasted in all my years. Unrivaled!"
Just by smelling it, Zhang Wei felt a slight sense of intoxication. The aroma of this wine was far superior to the Tree Core series; it was a complete level above!
He swallowed.
Zhang Wei felt an unusual passion for this beverage today.
The human-skin doll didn't look up, only extended a hand. Zhang Wei didn't mind and placed the wine glass directly into its hand.
Then, he lightly clinked his glass against hers.
"Cheers~"
He drank it down in one gulp!
A gentle, soft fire seemed to flow down his throat!
Billowing heat rose, gathering and growing, and both Zhang Wei and the human-skin doll's bodies began to burn!
But Zhang Wei felt no pain, and his body suffered no harm!
"This is... heart fire!"
"I've actually ignited heart fire!"
The human-skin doll's heart fire ignited simultaneously. How could this wine have such an effect!
According to ancient texts, heart fire was an manifestation of extreme emotions. It typically represented the outward expression of intense rage or a surge in combat power, fueled by passion.
It could also appear during sadness or when one's heart was stirred.
For example, the turbulent emotions experienced during a breakup or a successful confession.
At this moment, the human-skin doll suddenly stood up.
It reached out and embraced Zhang Wei, nestling into his arms...
And the human-skin doll's heart fire emanated a soul-stirring fragrance...
So irresistible!
"Chef... my heart... it's so hot..."