Chapter 85: The Seventy-Fifth Level Illustrated Reward

Faced with Night Butterfly's straightforward and forceful methods, Zheng Gang and Shui Tianlu wisely chose to keep quiet. Even if the two of them joined forces, they were no match for Night Butterfly. She only needed a single skill to take them down with ease.

Nevertheless, both Zheng Gang and Shui Tianlu made a silent vow in their hearts: they were determined to secure Xu Han, even if it meant shedding a little more blood.

…

At that moment, Xu Han was still unaware of what was happening on the podium. He was focused intently on the grill, where the aroma of roasting meat was already wafting through the air, tantalizing and rich. Little Tiger and Little Eagle crouched beside him, their eyes fixed hungrily on the skewers.

Soon, all the barbecue was ready. Xu Han cut a piece from each portion and then tossed the rest to Little Eagle and Little Tiger. After so many battles, their bellies were quite empty, and they devoured the meat in great mouthfuls.

Xu Han first stuffed a piece of rock dragon meat into his mouth. Its flavor was reminiscent of beef, and with a sprinkle of barbecue seasoning, the savory scent was irresistible. The meat was a bit tough, though. He had to chew hard for a good while before finally swallowing it.

A system notification chimed in his mind:

"Host has consumed Tier Two Rock Dragon meat for the first time: Gained 100 Strength, 150 Constitution."

"Host has acquired the Rock Dragon skill: Rock Prison."

Xu Han was delighted. The attribute points from the rock dragon were indeed generous. He opened the skill panel to check:

Rock Prison LV.1: Summon rocks to form a cage, trapping enemies within; then summon a rock spear to pierce the foe. Cooldown: 9 minutes.

This was quite a useful control skill. Xu Han recalled how the rock dragon had once used this very move to trap Little Tiger; the strength of that prison left a deep impression. He stuffed the remaining rock dragon meat into his mouth, chewing heartily, the rich flavor lingering between his teeth and lips.

Just then, the system chimed again.

"Rock Prison is mutating…"

Xu Han's eyes lit up. The skill was mutating? Such good fortune? Today was truly his lucky day—first acquiring the earth dragon flower to further purify Little Tiger's bloodline, and now a skill mutation.

He waited a few minutes.

"Rock Prison has successfully mutated into Meteor Descent."

Xu Han immediately opened his skill panel.

Meteor Descent LV.1: Summon a meteor from beyond the skies to strike your enemy. The meteor carries intense heat and impact, dealing devastating damage. Cooldown: 10 hours.

Xu Han was stunned. This mutated skill was simply invincible—summoning a meteor to crush his foes. Too impressive for words!

He could hardly wait to test the power of Meteor Descent. However, the cooldown was daunting—a full ten hours, the longest cooldown he had ever seen on a skill so far.

Closing his skill panel, Xu Han picked up the meat of the Vajra Centipede and took a bite. The flesh was as tender as crab meat, yet just as fragrant.

The system chimed again.

"Host has consumed Tier Two Vajra Centipede meat for the first time: Gained 100 Strength, 50 Constitution."

This time, there was no new skill, but Xu Han was not disappointed. The rewards so far were already more than generous.

He finished off the rest of the exotic meat, patted his belly contentedly, and opened his attribute panel.

[Name: Xu Han]
[Race: Human]
[Class: SSS-level Gourmet]
[Level: 22]
[Strength: 2790]
[Constitution: 1939]
[Agility: 1370]
[Spirit: 509]

All his attributes had improved greatly, especially Constitution, which had increased by over five hundred points, nearly reaching two thousand. His Strength was closing in on three thousand, putting him on par with most tier-five warriors.

Xu Han felt confident that, if he encountered the rock dragon now, he could easily pin it to the ground with one hand.

He checked his Gourmet Compendium; his achievements on the right side had reached 75/75. Collection achievement complete—he wondered what reward he would receive.

Rubbing his hands in anticipation, he tapped on the achievement.

System notification:

"Congratulations, Host, for completing the Gourmet Compendium achievement. You have received the Ring of the Grand Gourmet."

Xu Han paused in surprise. The Ring of the Grand Gourmet? What was that?

He felt something new in his pocket. Reaching in, he pulled out a ring—jet black, adorned with a fierce beast’s head. Even a single glance at the beast’s visage conveyed a sense of terrifying power within.

Xu Han was startled. Why did the beast’s head seem so familiar? It looked like… the legendary divine beast, Taotie!

He examined the ring’s attributes:

[Ring of the Grand Gourmet (Upgradeable)]
[Quality: Gold Grade]
[Strength +100]
[Constitution +100]
[Agility +100]
[Spirit +100]
[Skill 1: Taotie (Passive skill—consuming gourmet food rapidly restores injuries and increases the probability of gaining attributes and skills)]
[Skill 2: Grand Gourmet Space (Can connect to the Grand Gourmet Secret Realm, no cooldown)]
[Grand Gourmet Set (1/7): Collect all Grand Gourmet equipment to summon the divine beast Taotie]
[Description: The legendary Grand Gourmet set. Only a Grand Gourmet can wear and use it.]
[Equipment requirement: Level 0]
[Usable by: Grand Gourmet]

Seeing these formidable attributes, Xu Han was momentarily stunned. Was this really just gold-grade equipment? Each attribute increased by 100 points—enough to qualify as platinum. Coupled with the unique Taotie skill, this ring was as valuable as an epic item to him!

And it was upgradable.

Xu Han stroked his chin. So the ring could be upgraded—but how, he did not yet know.

When he saw the Grand Gourmet set effect, he was even more astonished. If he collected the full Grand Gourmet set, he could summon the divine beast Taotie. He didn’t know exactly how powerful Taotie was, but it was certain to be formidable.

Xu Han put on the ring, and his attributes soared once more. He checked his achievements again—now it read 75/100.

Next would be the reward for reaching one hundred layers! What mysterious grand prize awaited him?

He extinguished the campfire and glanced at Little Tiger and Little Eagle, both looking thoroughly satisfied. Little Tiger was lying on the ground, digesting, while Little Eagle leaned sleepily against its companion, nodding off.

Xu Han could not help but smile wryly. To barbecue and rest so freely within the black zone—perhaps only he could dare such a thing. Anyone else wouldn’t even relax in a blue zone, let alone a black one. The slightest carelessness could attract a deadly ambush from an exotic beast.

That was why everyone brought preserved rations when setting out. If hungry, the best they could do was quietly eat a little to stave off hunger.

At that moment, from the nearby grass, a burly man carrying a giant axe strode out. His eyes glinted coldly as he stared Xu Han down and said, “Xu Han, right? I want your points.”

Xu Han glanced at him. “Who are you?”