Diablo traveled through time and became a necromancer

After breaking free from the hilly terrain meticulously entombed with desecration traps, the group finally entered the relatively safe borderlands of Khanduras. It seemed Thorien's minions had been temporarily dispelled, and their frayed nerves could finally relax a bit. The journey ahead was no longer a desperate dash, but a trek tinged with the hope of returning home.

Although Irene's injuries were still corroded by the energy of hell, and the captives looked like a bomb that could explode at any time, the atmosphere was much more relaxed than before.

Smoke from the mountains, gathering and hidden delicacies

When the team stopped to rest in a relatively open clearing in the woods near a clear stream, Wu Ye looked around and, after confirming that it was safe, a rare look of relief appeared on his face.

He wasn't the kind of rough-hewn man who only ate dry food. Before crossing over, or rather, in his fuzzy fragments of memories belonging to another world, he was a man with an almost obsessive love for food. As long as conditions allowed, he would never treat his own stomach badly, and he certainly wouldn't let anyone around him eat those tasteless emergency rations.

"Let's start firing today." Wu Ye said to Irene and Skeleton Brother, with a barely perceptible hint of pride and anticipation in his tone.

He walked to the stream, washed his hands carefully, and then looked at Irene: "Irene, are there any edible wild vegetables and mushrooms nearby? Find some fresh ones." Although Irene was weak, as an experienced Rogge scout, identifying edible plants in the wild is a basic skill.

She forced herself to stay awake, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding woods, quickly pointing out a few spots: "Elder Wu Ye, there's 'moonlight moss' in the shade of the rocks over there. It's very tender and makes a delicious soup. There's 'water celery' in the wet grass by the stream, which has a refreshing flavor. And there's 'brown cap mushrooms' under that old oak tree. They're very fragrant, but be careful not to pick the poisonous mushrooms with red spots nearby..."

Wu Ye nodded, approving of Irene's expertise. He moved swiftly, following Irene's instructions, and quickly gathered fresh moon moss, emerald water celery, and several fragrant brown cap mushrooms. He also used a sharpened bone spear to accurately stab several plump stream fish in the slow-flowing backwaters of the stream.

After returning to the camp, Wu Ye did not process the fresh ingredients immediately.

He first took out a series of items from his own space storage compartment - thanks to the significant expansion of space after the upgrade - as if by magic: a portable cast iron pot, a sharp bone kitchen knife (the handle was wrapped with a non-slip leather rope), several sealed heavy ceramic jars (containing snow-white refined salt, extremely finely ground mixed spice powder, a small jar of clear animal fat), and even a small bag of high-quality durum wheat flour!

But that wasn't all! Under Irene's astonished gaze, Wu Ye pulled out several more oil-paper packages, preserved with special magical runes! He opened one, revealing evenly sliced, beautifully textured, and top-quality wild boar meat with fat distributed like snowflakes! Another package held a bright red, firm venison tenderloin! The third package contained plump, juicy carrots and potatoes with an earthy aroma! Finally, he carefully removed the smallest, tightly sealed bone jar. As soon as he opened it, an overwhelming aroma of chili powder, with a unique fruity and fiery spice, instantly filled the air. This was Wu Ye's "Hellfire" chili powder, a secret recipe he'd crafted using methods from his otherworldly memories. Its incredibly spicy flavor and unique spiciness made it his culinary secret weapon!

Skeleton Brother still stood silently at a slightly higher position at the edge of the clearing, his dark blue soul fire vigilantly scanning the surrounding dense forest, with the rune giant sword inserted at his side.

But when he saw Wu Ye taking out these ingredients like a treasure chest, especially the can of "Hellfire" chili powder, his soul fire seemed to jump imperceptibly, as if he remembered a memory of the time when his "soul fire was swaying" because of the spiciness (that was Wu Ye who tested the spiciness of the chili himself).

Wu Ye's movements were swift and precise, like those of a skilled chef. He first cleaned the stream fish with a boning knife, scraping the scales and removing the internal organs, his movements smooth and flowing. Then he washed and cut fresh moon moss and water celery, and sliced ​​brown cap mushrooms. Next, he took out a portion of wild boar meat and venison tenderloin, dicing them into appropriate sizes.

He built a simple stove out of a few stones. With a snap of his fingers, a small cluster of cold, blue soul fire condensed at his fingertips, igniting the dry branches. Once the flame burned steadily, he placed a small pot on top and poured in a little animal fat.

The fat melted in the wok, sizzling, and an alluring aroma began to fill the air. Wu Ye first poured the diced wild boar and venison tenderloin into the wok and quickly stir-fried them.

The fat boar meat quickly curled up in the hot oil, releasing a rich meaty aroma, while the venison tenderloin retained its tender pink color. Then he added diced carrots and potatoes to the pan and stir-fried them together, allowing the vegetables to absorb the fat and aroma of the meat.

Then, he poured the processed stream fish slices, moon moss, water celery and brown-top mushroom slices into the pot and stir-fried them quickly and evenly.

Wu Ye carefully sprinkled salt and mixed spice powder from a clay pot, adding just the right amount of stream water. He covered the pot and let the ingredients simmer. While the food was simmering, he took out some wheat flour, added stream water, and kneaded it into a smooth dough. Then, with deft movements, he pinched it into small pieces and rolled them into long, thin noodles in his palms (similar to a simplified version of hand-rolled noodles or tiaozi).

When the soup in the pot was boiling and the rich aroma of meat, mushrooms, and sweet vegetables mixed with the fresh aroma of fish reached its peak, Wu Ye opened the lid of the pot.

He picked up the small bone jar of "Hellfire" chili powder and carefully sprinkled a pinch into the pot. With just that tiny pinch, the overbearing, fiery aroma exploded like a spark thrown into a frying pan! The layers of aroma in the air instantly became more complex and three-dimensional, carrying a dangerous, appetizing allure!

After Wu Ye lifted the lid and evenly sprinkled the rolled noodles into the boiling broth, he picked up the small bone jar containing the "Hellfire" chili powder. The moment he opened the jar, an overwhelming, otherworldly aroma, with a unique fruity fragrance and a fiery spice, filled the air, instantly overpowering the pot's already rich aroma of meat, mushrooms, and fish.

Irene was a little closer and was caught off guard when she inhaled a breath of the overbearing spicy fragrance. She immediately felt as if her nose and throat were gently pricked by countless tiny needles. She couldn't help but sneeze, "A-choo!" The tip of her small nose turned red in an instant, and she almost choked on tears!

She covered her nose and looked at the small bone jar in Wu Ye's hand in surprise and suspicion: "Elder Wu Ye! What...what kind of spice is this? It smells so...so strong! Like...like it's on fire!" She had never been exposed to such a strong and pungent smell. She felt both novel and a little scared.

Wu Ye watched Irene's reaction, his lips curling up slightly. The natives of this world truly had a low tolerance for spicy food. He carefully sprinkled a tiny pinch of "Hellfire" chili powder into the bubbling soup—really just a tiny pinch, like a few grains of dust.

However, it is only a small handful!

"Zi la——!"

The aroma that permeated the air seemed to ignite instantly! The overbearing, fiery spice exploded like a spark in a frying pan! The already rich, mellow aroma of meat, mushrooms, and fish seemed to be infused with soul, and the layers of flavor exploded instantly! A searing, aggressive aroma, like an invisible wave, instantly swept across the entire camp!

Irene was closest, and she inhaled the overbearing aroma mixed with "Hellfire" again. This time, the feeling was even stronger! She felt as if her throat was being burned by a tiny flame, itching and burning. She couldn't help coughing twice, and her fair cheeks quickly turned red, even her ears!

She subconsciously fanned her mouth with her hand, her eyes filled with shock and a hint of...uncontrollable curiosity aroused by this strange aroma. "Oh my god...this smells...so...so amazing!" Her voice trembled slightly, whether from choking or excitement.

Even Skeleton Brother, who was standing on guard and had no reaction to ordinary smells, seemed to have his blue soul fire flicker slightly due to the energy disturbance of the overbearing fragrance, as if he sensed some strong stimulation.

Wu Ye extinguished his soul fire. He first filled a large bowl and carefully passed it to Irene. "Be careful, it's hot. Try it, I only used a little chili." The bowl was incredibly rich, with dots of tempting red oil floating on the surface, like molten gold.

Irene took the bowl. The rich, exotic, spicy aroma filled her with both anticipation and trepidation. She mustered her courage, blew on it carefully, and took a small sip of the soup.

moment!

"Ugh!" Erin's eyes suddenly widened! An unprecedented burning sensation, as intense as molten lava, suddenly exploded from the tip of her tongue! The feeling wasn't simply pain, but an extremely overbearing burning sensation with a kiwi fruit aroma!

It instantly engulfed her entire mouth and spread all the way down her esophagus! Her cheeks turned red at a visible speed, beads of sweat instantly oozed from her forehead, and the tip of her small nose also turned red!

"Hiss... Ha... Ha..." Irene couldn't help but open her mouth and take a quick breath, trying to relieve the burning sensation in her mouth, as if it were being burned by fire! Tears welled up in her eyes uncontrollably! It was too spicy! This was a hundred times more pungent than the bitterest herb she had ever tasted!

Yet, immediately following this intense burning sensation, an indescribable, supremely delicious aroma erupted from the scorching embers like a volcanic eruption! The richness of wild boar, the sweetness of venison, the tenderness of stream fish, the richness of mushrooms, the freshness of wild vegetables... the inherent flavors of all the ingredients seemed to be completely ignited and sublimated by the domineering "hellfire," forming an unprecedented, soul-stirring complex delicacy! The burning sensation did not mask the other flavors; instead, like the brightest spotlight, it highlighted them even more vividly and three-dimensionally!

"So... so spicy! But... so delicious!" Irene gasped, unable to resist taking another sip of the soup. This time, she was prepared. Although the burning sensation was still intense, bringing tears to her eyes, the ultimate deliciousness that followed was completely irresistible! She felt as if her taste buds had undergone a baptism of both pain and pleasure!

She ate it in small bites, her cheeks flushed, her forehead sweating, the tip of her nose red, and her lips becoming extra rosy and plump from the spiciness. She sniffed with a hissing sound, yet couldn't help but reveal an expression of satisfaction and amazement! This taste was so stimulating! So novel! And so... addictive!

Wu Ye couldn't help but smile at Irene's adorable expression, tears welling up in her eyes from the spiciness, yet unable to stop. This reminded him of his own awkward moment when he first ate super spicy hot pot.

He poured himself a large bowl and enjoyed it calmly. The slight spiciness was just right for a time traveler like him, like the finishing touch, bringing out all the delicious flavors.

Then, he looked at the captive who was being closely guarded by the skeleton warriors, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and uncontrollable desire from the smell of the domineering aroma. Wu Ye's gaze turned to the skeleton brother.

"Brother," Wu Ye communicated with his mind, his tone tinged with mischief. "Feed him." He pointed at the captive. "Half a bowl. Not too much, not too little. Move... steadily." He emphasized the word "steadily" and added, "Don't add red oil."

Skeleton Brother slowly turned around, picked up the bowl (deliberately avoiding the floating red oil), and walked towards the captive. Wu Ye could clearly feel the cold, mixed waves of dissatisfaction and resentment coming from the mental link - it was Skeleton Brother's frustration at his skeletal body being unable to enjoy delicious food (especially this novel and stimulating taste).

The captive looked at the skeletal figure that was getting closer and closer, emitting a terrifying aura, and the bowl of food in his hand that exuded a deadly aroma (even without the red oil, the overbearing spicy aroma was still strong). His body trembled involuntarily, and fear almost overwhelmed him.

Skeleton Brother stopped before the captive, looking down at him. He extended his bony claws, gripping the captive's jaw and forcing him to open his mouth. The captive was forced to tilt his head back, gazing at the dark blue soul fire burning in his empty eye sockets, and the indescribable, cold light within that soul fire, a hint of... jealousy?

Skeleton Brother used a bone spoon to scoop up a spoonful of broth mixed with a small amount of diced meat, vegetables, and noodles (deliberately avoiding the red oil). His movements were precise but not fast. He did not feed it to the prisoner immediately, but stopped the spoon a few inches from the prisoner's mouth.

The captive's nose was only inches away from the spoonful of food! The rich aroma, a mixture of wild boar meat, venison, stream fish, mushrooms, secret spices, and that overbearing spicy fragrance, was like the most cruel temptation, madly attacking his olfactory nerves!

His stomach growled uncontrollably, his saliva was secreted crazily, and his eyes were filled with extreme desire, almost overwhelming his fear!

Skeleton Brother's soul fire seemed to linger on the spoonful of food for a moment. Wu Ye could clearly sense a stronger, colder "resentment" coming through the spiritual connection—a feeling of frustration: "I can smell this damn aroma and know how delicious it is (especially this novel and stimulating flavor), but my skeleton can't even taste it!"

Then, Brother Skeleton stuffed the spoonful of soup into the prisoner's forced-open mouth steadily (but with a hint of imperceptible, venting force) with an almost "slow" movement.