This was the chaos of a world without rules.
It was like the dawn of humanity—when the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors ruled the land. Why were they revered and honored as human emperors? Because they made contributions to the human race that no ordinary person could achieve. That was why people instinctively gathered around them, followed their lead, and sought a better life under their protection.
Now, what Yi Tianxing was doing wasn't all that different from what those ancient sages did—leading people to survive. Naturally, he earned the respect and admiration of everyone.
As long as he continued to guide them through this chaotic world, the hearts of the people would naturally converge around him. His status would become unshakable.
This wasn't unique to Yi Tianxing. Other warlords, chieftains, and ambitious individuals who had established settlements were doing the same—protecting the people, carving out safety in this world overrun by monsters and beasts. In this process, the incapable would fall, while the capable would rise.
"I wasn't planning to use this just yet," Yi Tianxing muttered, looking across the vast wilderness. "But I must become stronger as quickly as possible. The problem is… this thing might become a weakness others can exploit."
As he looked at the shimmering surface of the river, light flashed in his hand. A glowing orb appeared. With a gentle squeeze, the orb shattered, revealing a crystal-clear, jelly-like substance. It glistened like a gemstone and emitted a mouthwatering aroma that stirred a primal hunger.
He nearly couldn't resist the urge to devour it on the spot.
"Gourmet Cells—a mythical treasure born from fantasy. Consuming it grants incredible power. It forcibly opens a Life Aperture, and allows one to strengthen the body, bones, and muscles through eating. It holds the potential for infinite evolution. But from that moment on, you'll have no resistance to gourmet food. I'm not sure if that's a blessing or a curse."
Yi Tianxing stared at the crystal jelly, hesitating.
This Gourmet Cell absolutely lived up to its reputation as a rare treasure. Its potential was massive. But once ingested, it would make him powerless against delicious food—an impulse that could become a fatal flaw in the future. Those who overindulge are often doomed by it. Moreover, he had no idea what side effects might follow after it fused with him.
"Forget it. I'll eat it. Right now, survival is everything. Only if I grow stronger can I protect Xuanhuang Village and help it flourish. Besides, who knows how many others on the Eternal Continent are stumbling upon miraculous encounters and priceless treasures? To pass on a chance to grow stronger now would be absurd. No one knows what tomorrow holds. I'll eat it and carve out my future!"
Resolving himself, Yi Tianxing popped the Gourmet Cell into his mouth.
No hesitation.
Gulp.
All around him, many people swallowed involuntarily at the sight—including Huang Chengyan. The aroma from the Gourmet Cell was simply irresistible. If it hadn't been in Yi Tianxing's hand, someone would've definitely tried to snatch it.
As the Gourmet Cell entered his stomach, a strange energy spread throughout his body, infusing every cell, every bone. The fusion was seamless. Yi Tianxing could feel every cell in his body becoming more active, filled with profound vitality.
Then, something astonishing happened.
In his stomach, a mysterious space rapidly formed, gathering tremendous energy. Within it appeared a phantom cauldron, three-legged and double-handled, engraved with the head of a gluttonous beast—mouth agape, as if ready to devour the world.
Though it was still faint and illusory, the Life Aperture – Food Cauldron (食鼎) had clearly formed!
Gourmet Cells were an incredibly rare kind of treasure—capable of directly opening a Life Aperture, and evolving over time. As long as one consumed top-quality food, their flesh and bones would transform and grow stronger. In theory, as long as one kept eating, they would continue to grow.
But it was also pushing him onto the path of a glutton…
Once the Gourmet Cell fully merged with his body, Yi Tianxing immediately noticed how different he felt. Every cell radiated vitality. Every inch of his flesh brimmed with life force. But simultaneously, a ravenous hunger welled up inside him. He felt like he could eat an entire cow if it were in front of him.
"I can't believe it really opened a Life Aperture. A Food Cauldron… This aperture must pair perfectly with the Gourmet Cells. I wonder what abilities it will eventually produce?"
From what Yi Tianxing knew, Gourmet Cells could produce a variety of abilities—X-ray vision, shadow stealth, and others. The Life Aperture awakened was random; no one could predict what they'd get. But even so, being able to open a Life Aperture was a stroke of immense luck.
Sometimes, even cultivators in the Life Aperture Realm couldn't kill those in the Divine Sea Realm, precisely because some Divine Sea experts awakened incredibly powerful apertures. In such cases, victory came down to the quality and uniqueness of their Life Apertures.
Compared to others, the Food Cauldron didn't seem offensive at first glance—but Yi Tianxing believed it was far more useful than it appeared. Combined with Gourmet Cells, it was a perfect match. Perhaps it could lead him down a truly unique path.
All of this happened in an instant. And now, within Yi Tianxing's body, he had three Life Apertures—a rare feat even among Divine Sea cultivators.
He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the gnawing hunger.
"My Lord, we've brought everything you asked for."
At that moment, Feng Yumo and a group of soldiers returned with the materials Yi Tianxing had requested—several long wooden poles, ropes, and piles of green-skinned monster corpses.
"Tie the rope to one end of the pole. On the other end, tie a piece of the monster's body. Place the pole on a rock," Yi Tianxing commanded swiftly.
"You're trying to fish for those piranhas?" Huang Chengyan immediately understood the plan, his eyes lighting up. "That's genius."
It was simple, direct, and effective. No one had thought of it before—everyone had been paralyzed by fear of the piranhas. Even Huang had been caught up in that dread.
"Truly, human ingenuity is the most powerful weapon," he mused. "Luring the piranhas out and tossing them onto land—anyone can kill them then. That kind of improvisation… brilliant."
"Exactly. In water, they're monsters. On land, they're nothing. Even a regular person could beat one to death with a stick," Yi Tianxing nodded.
Piranhas were driven by a bloodlust for flesh—a primal instinct that made them both deadly and incredibly vulnerable. Once they sensed meat, they couldn't resist. And their massive appetites meant they digested quickly and got hungry often. They pounced the moment food appeared. It was their fatal flaw.
"It's ready, my lord!"
Feng Yumo and the others had assembled the giant fishing rods and even moved a big rock to serve as the base—using the lever principle like a seesaw. Once a piranha bit, they could instantly flip it out of the water with minimal effort.
The bait? A severed monster arm tied to the rope.
"Good. Lower it in. Once the piranhas bite, yank them out. Everyone else, step back to stay safe," Yi Tianxing ordered.
Splash!!
Without hesitation, the severed arm was dropped into the river.
Everyone's eyes locked on the water, fixated on the bait.
Splash!
Not even two seconds later, a violent splash erupted. The arm was dragged underwater at alarming speed.
"Got one! Pull it up!"
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed as he shouted.
Thwack!
At once, a soldier pressed down on his end of the rod. The other end catapulted into the air—and a fierce, one-meter-long piranha flew out of the river, still gnawing fiercely on the bait.
It hit the ground hard, refusing to let go.
"That thing is huge! And those teeth—razor sharp fangs, terrifying!"
"If that thing bit someone, it'd tear a chunk of flesh right off. Horrifying. They're impossible to fight in water."
"It worked! It really worked! Pull more out! Kill them all!"