Chapter 4 - Immortal Chef - Chapter 4 - The Strange

Chapter 4: The Strange Code

(Xiao Feng placed his hand on the old knife. Suddenly, a drop of blood dripped from his fingertip onto the blade.)

💭 "What's happening? I feel strange... it's like the knife has come alive."

(A faint light began to glow from the knife. The old paper in his hand slowly burned and transformed into a mysterious map.)

💭 "This map... a path to a hidden cave? I have to go there."

(With the knife in hand, Xiao Feng stepped toward the cave. The cold, dark air echoed with the sound of water droplets falling on the stones.)

💭 "This cave... it has a strange feeling... but I have to move forward."

(Just as he entered the cave, a dark shadow moved from a corner and slowly approached him.)

🔊 A deep and slightly tired voice:

"Hey... you there! What are you waiting for?"

(Xiao Feng stepped back in fear but his curiosity was stronger.)

🔊 Xiao Feng:

"Who... who are you?"

(The shadow moved closer and revealed itself: a black dog with sleepy eyes and a lazy demeanor.)

🔊 Dog:

"Me? I'm a dog. But not just any lazy dog. I'm Gu Lang, a sworn brother who's now with you."

🔊 Xiao Feng (hesitantly):

"Sworn brother?... Why are you with me?"

🔊 Gu Lang (with a soft chuckle):

"Because I love food and figured you probably have a good bite. Besides, maybe I can help you."

(Xiao Feng smiled and felt a little calmer.)

💭 "This is a strange companion... but maybe I really need him."

(Xiao Feng and Gu Lang moved a little deeper. The sound of water droplets echoed throughout the cave.)

💭 "This place is full of silence and untold secrets... I have to be careful."

(Suddenly, Gu Lang stopped and wagged his tail slowly.)

🔊 Gu Lang:

"I don't smell any food here... where the hell are we?"

🔊 Xiao Feng (with a bitter smile):

"For now, it's a mysterious cave, but I have to find out why there's a map here."

(At that moment, faint lights appeared in the distance; five large statues stood silently in the darkness, but only one—the dog statue—emitted a soft glow.)

💭 "That dog statue... why is it the only one glowing? Where are the others?"

(A soft, mysterious voice rose from the dog statue.)

🔊 Dog Statue:

"This is only the beginning... wait for the other brothers to arrive."

(Xiao Feng looked at Gu Lang.)

🔊 Xiao Feng:

"Brothers?"

🔊 Gu Lang (lazy):

"Yeah, I'm the first. The others will come sooner or later. But for now, it's time to rest and eat!"

(Xiao Feng smiled and felt a bit hopeful.)

(Xiao Feng and Gu Lang went to a corner of the cave to light a fire. They prepared and cooked some food.)

💭 "With every bite I eat, I feel stronger."

(The Immortal Chef System activated.)

"Your cooking skill has improved. You can now make better healing dishes."

(With renewed energy, they got ready to leave the cave.)

💭 "It'

s time to leave this cave and head toward Linshan."

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🔥 End of Chapter 4