In fact, many of those present knew that Yu Xian could acquire abilities by absorbing the blood of other creatures.
However, with tacit understanding, no one pressed him on it. Instead, they began discussing the taste of the Ancient Cosmos Dragon's blood. Because the Common Language contained many terms that had no Chinese equivalent, Yu Xian had to use the Common Language to describe the dragon blood's flavor in detail. Unfortunately, after listening to him, only Shui Yuetian and Little Nora truly understood what he meant.
Fortunately, the second course arrived just then.
The Wonder Fireball was literally a fireball hovering over a plate, looking just like a miniature sun.
It was roughly the size of a basketball, radiating scorching heat as it sat on the dining table. Shui Yuetian picked up a knife and fork from the side, carved off a piece of the fireball, and urged everyone to eat it "while it's hot."
Yu Xian sliced off a piece of the fireball with his knife and took a bite. His first impression was scalding, his second was hot, followed by an indescribable flavor.
He felt as though his entire body had been set ablaze.
"This taste... it's not bad, but I don't really like it," Gong Qian said, putting down her knife and fork. Her hair had turned into flickering flames, and she seemed to find it a bit hard to take.
Her face flushed red, Qingniao said, "It's too hot... It feels like a burst of flames is about to erupt from inside me."
Just then, Shui Yuetian stood up with a smile and walked over to an open area. Raising both hands, a plume of fire surged from her palms, forming a five-meter-long pillar of fire.
"So that's how it works." Seeing this, Qingniao immediately rose and walked over to Shui Yuetian's side.
Channeling the flames within her body, she blasted them out from her hands as well, instantly adding another massive pillar of fire to the space.
"If you feel it, don't hold back! These flames will purge any ailments from your bodies," Shui Yuetian called out to everyone.
Gong Qian immediately walked over, fire shooting from both of her hands too. Yu Xian's body was naturally in peak health, but seeing everyone having fun, he joined in the excitement as well.
Instead of releasing a pillar of fire from his hands, however, a jet of fire shot straight up from the top of his head into the air.
"This is truly incredible! How on earth does this work?" Zhang Shou asked curiously while expelling his own flames.
Lightning could be eaten, and fireballs could be eaten too. Not only did they taste decent, but they could also unblock meridians and bones and purge illnesses—to him, it was simply miraculous.
"Crescent Bay classifies the transcendent system into three branches: the Energy Branch, the Mind Branch, and the Rule Branch," Shui Yuetian explained to everyone with a smile. "The head chef of Wonder Ability House is a rare Rule Branch Transcendent. He can process his abilities into food and endow those dishes with special effects."
Surprised, Zhang Shou asked, "Only three branches? Then what branch is someone like Gong Qian?"
"The Energy Branch, of course. All Transcendents whose abilities require energy support are classified under the Energy Branch. Take body refiners, for instance: during the body-refining process, they also need to absorb energy. Without energy, it's impossible to grow stronger," Shui Yuetian replied.
Zhang Shou pointed at himself and asked, "What about me?"
"Student Zhang Shou, you're Energy Branch too. Without energy, you wouldn't be able to do a thing either," Shui Yuetian answered patiently.
After puffing out flames with its mouth, Little Nora chimed in, "Actually, eighty percent of the Transcendents in the world belong to the Energy Branch. Only a very tiny minority are Rule Branch or Mind Branch."
"Then are the Rule and Mind Branches stronger than the Energy Branch?" Gong Qian asked.
Shui Yuetian answered, "That depends on what abilities the Rule and Mind Branches command. Most rules mastered by the Rule Branch lean toward auxiliary functions, so many Transcendents with Rule Branch abilities still diligently cultivate Energy Branch arts."
"So you can cultivate both," Zhang Shou said.
Qingniao asked, "Then how do you cultivate the Rule Branch?"
"Nobody knows. Rule Branch abilities are extremely mysterious. They say some people can use them after a sudden epiphany, while others enter certain mysterious dimensions and come out naturally possessing a rule. Moreover, they all keep their cultivation methods secret to avoid being countered," Shui Yuetian replied.
Zhang Shou furrowed his brow. "The acquisition methods are so random, yet it's still classified as a major branch. Sounds like the Rule Branch must be very strong."
"To be precise, *some* Rule Branches are very strong," Shui Yuetian said.
By now, everyone had finished expelling their flames, so they all returned to their seats. Shui Yuetian explained, "For example, Shi Gan, leader of the Stone Hunting Regiment, commands the Firm Rock Rule. Although he isn't a Star-rank powerhouse, even a Star-rank powerhouse cannot harm him in the slightest."
"Now that is truly badass," Zhang Shou said enviously.
Everyone present had seen the attacks of Star-rank powerhouses in Yu Xian's previous video recordings; to emerge unscathed from such an assault was indeed as solid as firm rock.
Afterward, they continued to chat while eating the dishes brought out to them.
Virtually every dish possessed special effects—purging toxins and beautifying the skin, prolonging life, repairing hidden injuries—and everyone present ate with boundless relish.
The most distinct feature of the Rule Branch was that its abilities would unfailingly take effect.
As long as the conditions were met, regardless of the target's rank or level, Rule Branch abilities would take effect.
Even though Yu Xian was far stronger than the head chef of Wonder Ability House, once he ate the food the chef prepared, the condition was satisfied, and various reactions would still occur—even though he had no toxins in his body, possessed more than enough lifespan, and had no hidden injuries whatsoever.
Full and satisfied after eating their fill, they were in no hurry to leave, instead lingering in their seats to chat.
"Shuishui, aside from physical appearance, are there any other differences between the Sea Clan and humans?" Zhang Shou asked curiously.
Shui Yuetian laughed. "Of course there are. The Sea Clan actually lives in the ocean. Don't be fooled by our ability to walk on land; that's only because the All-Races Life Support Apparatus is working. Otherwise, less than thirty percent of our entire Sea Clan could truly walk on dry land."
Cultivation was intrinsically a way to optimize oneself.
The Sea Clan naturally had their own cultivation methods, and once they grew powerful enough, they could adapt to all kinds of environments. However, not many Sea Clan members could cultivate to such heights.
Most Sea Clan members still relied on the All-Races Life Support Apparatus to move freely on land; otherwise, they would be confined to the sea.
"Speaking of which, does anyone know what kinds of abilities the Mind Branch has?" Zhang Shou asked at this point.
Little Nora lay prostrate on the table and spoke up, "I know! Soul transfer, creation out of nothing, and mental alteration are all Mind Branch abilities."
"Little Nora, that answer of yours is out of date," Shui Yuetian said with amusement.
Little Nora suddenly felt as if the sky were crashing down again. Its drooping eyebrows furrowed, looking horrified. "Ah, out of date again?!"
"The soul transfer, creation out of nothing, and mental alteration you mentioned can actually be achieved by the Energy Branch as well," Shui Yuetian said, nodding. "The latest definition of the Mind Branch refers to Transcendents who grow powerful through pure meditation, without relying on any external objects."
Yu Xian asked in surprise, "They don't even need energy?"
"They don't."
"Then how does the Mind Branch grow stronger? Through daydreaming?"
"Nobody knows."
Everyone present was stunned. Put that way, the Mind Branch was exceedingly strange.
Yet if there truly was a way to grow powerful without relying on external objects, it might actually be well suited for Earthlings like them. After all, Earth was scarce in resources and had had many ascetic monks throughout its past. If the cultivation methods of the Mind Branch were brought to Earth, they might very well shine brilliantly.
Yu Xian and the others exchanged glances, each harboring the thought of obtaining a Mind Branch cultivation manual.
Chapter 233