Under the orders of Squad Leader Uchronia, Winal was to extract Gus and ensure his safe return. Following his safe retrieval they were to escort Cooper Trooper back to Tentative Camp.

  Without delay, Winal began Mixing up a couple of Spirit Hands and Fire Blast. The skills fused mid-air. Exploding into existence were multiple Flaming Spirit Hands. They snapped into a salute before their master.

  The Flaming Spirit Hands didn’t need any additional orders, they knew what to do. They latched onto him, controlled jets of flame expelled out of their wrists. Winal lifted up into the air like an insectoid jet. As several hands maintained altitude, others began to rotate and build up thrust for a speedy takeoff.

  "Wait!" Uchronia shouted, cutting through the rush of flame.

  The Flaming Spirit Hands ceased their ignition. Instead, they pivoted Winal so that he could face her.

  She murmured a chant before saying, "Haste."

  Uchronia reached for him, about to apply the buff to Winal when realization struck. Her face made a downturn. Fire and plants didn't exactly mix well together. She circled around him, hoping to find an area hopefully void of any flames. There was none.

  With a frustrated exhale, she bit her lip and lunged forward. She tapped Winal, imbuing him with Haste. Uchronia yelled in pain, frantically slapping the embers that had begun eating away at her leaf-hand. The tip of it was turned as black as Alwin's Dark Slime form.

  "Don't mind me and just go. Also, sorry I couldn't use Greater Haste. I'm pretty exhausted after having to keep reapplying Barkskin over and over just now. Just be safe."

  Winal nodded and took off.

  He flew faster than before, the world around him blurring into smears of green and brown, until they disappeared altogether. In a blink, he was back at the clearing. The Flaming Spirit Hands were still bright red—they had plenty of fuel left in them. That was good.

  Winal stopped his approach, hovering above to get a clearer view of the situation.

  Gus and Gary Stew were still battling it out. Claws clashing against the onslaught of Essential Seasoning Slash. Around them, the cultivators who had surrounded Uchronia earlier were now closing in on Gus.

  Those that Winal had crashed into earlier were still down, either groaning or unconscious, their fellow comrade abandoning them in favor of the mission. A cultivator in yellow was in the worst shape. Two scorched holes framed his abdomen as he groaned in agony.

  The red-robed cultivator next to him fared a little better. His Fire Bite hadn't pierced his clothes, but the force of being rammed into did a number on him. He clutched his side, wobbling as he pushed himself upright. After he got up, he glanced down at his moaning comrade, a look of sorrow filled him. However, the sight of the wooden hut where the young masters resided caused sorrow to corrode into fear. He hobbled toward Gus and Gary Stew, using his sword like a crutch.

  Even though they had surrounded Gus and Gary Stew, the cultivators didn't attack. They grasped their swords tight awaiting orders.

  "You let the veggies get away?" Gary Stew shouted in between Essential Seasoning Slashes.

  "Yes, chef. Sorry, chef," the cultivators replied in unison.

  "Those two aren't going to like it.” Gary Stew pointed toward the hut.

  "Let us help make it up," they responded in unison again.

  "I don't really need much help, but..." He paused to think. "How about try coming up with some meat-only dishes? Because some people don't like their veggies, apparently."

  "Yes, chef."

  They began to buzz amongst themselves discussing their dish ideas. Their words fusing together into an indistinguishable cloud of noise. Indistinguishable to most.

  Gus, somehow, was able to pick on every word that came out of their mouths. His defensive abilities were further crippled as his head swiveled from side to side, eyeing each and every delicious meal that leaked out.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Drool streamed from the corners of his, dripping onto the floor below. His yellow fur was stained red from all the slashing he failed to dodge. It was almost fitting given how the Crimson Gold Sect was their enemy.

  If only they fought against Gold Gold Sect, then he probably wouldn't have any injuries.

  Right now, Gus was fighting a losing battle. In normal circumstances, Gus would've easily wiped the floor with them. There was a reason why everybody wanted to spar with the little FluffPaw. But, these weren't normal circumstances. The aroma of fried rice. The scent of salt and pepper. The torrent of fantasies overwhelmed his mind. Gus’ biggest strength was also his biggest weakness—his appetite.

  Winal had to save him.

  The Flaming Spirit Hands burned brighter as Winal prepared a dive. He swooped down. Fire blasted forth from the hands pushing Winal even further and faster. The cultivators on the ground looked up, pointing at the incoming inferno hurtling toward them.

  Gary Stew sliced down on Gus.

  "Hundred Spice Slash!"

  Gus could only turn his head. Not in anticipation of the attack, but because the allure of spices had called out to him

  The knife cleaved straight down his middle. A squirt of blood oozed out as his golden fur was painted a deeper shade of red. He didn't even have the opportunity to yell out in pain before collapsing on the ground.

  It was the first time that Winal spoke in a long time.

  "GUS!"

  His flames grew hotter, pushing him even faster. Before he could save Gus, he needed to teach that no good chef a lesson. Winal changed course, charging towards Gary Stew. His mandible snapped in frustration. The fire both within and outside of him burned with rage.

  Gary Stew whipped his head around and grinned. "I've never eaten bug before, but I heard it's a delicacy in some countries."

  He held out his arm toward the hut.

  Screams and shouts echoed out from within. All of a sudden something burst through the wooden wall. Gary Stew snatched it from the air without even turning.

  It was a frying pan.

  He spun it around, bringing it down just as Winal came barreling in, too fast to stop. The Flaming Spirit Hands tried to steer away, but it was too late.

  The sound echoed like a temple gong. The pan struck Winal’s skull with devastating force, and he crumpled instantly. Flames scattered in all directions as he crashed into the ground, setting the grass ablaze around his twitching form.

  The exoskeleton covering his head had been cracked open. Fiery blood leaked from the wound. Yet, the frying pan remained undented.

  Gary Stew flipped it in the air and smirked. "Well, that was easy."

  The Flaming Spirit Hands rose in revolt. They wanted to enact revenge for their master. Flames ejected out of their wrists as they rocketed toward Gary Stew, ready to give him the punch of a lifetime.

  "Eating hands is a bit too much, even for me." He shrugged.

  With the frying pan in hand, he swatted down the fire fists like they were nothing more than mosquitoes. The Flaming Spirit Hands crashed onto the ground, dissipating into nothingness.

  "Gary Stew! What is the meaning of this?" a voice shouted.

  It was Hong Jian storming out of the hole in his hut.

  "We ordered you to prepare an immortal dish worthy of transcending the tribulation, not to destroy our abode!" Huang Jian shouted.

  "It's not my fault. Some things just cropped up." Gary Stew shrugged.

  They looked around the area, a look of disdain etched on their faces as they saw the pathetic excuses of Elite cultivators who were supposed to protect them.

  "Father will hear about this," Hong Jian scoffed.

  "Exactly. Now where is the promised dish?" Huang Jian asked.

  "Yeah about that..."

  "Explain yourself, Gary Stew," Hong Jian demanded.

  "Between all of the fighting, I forgot a golden rule of cooking. I left the fire on."

  They whipped their heads to the wok. Unrecognizable charred remains were what was left. A thick plume of smoke escaped overhead that depicted the word—acrid.

  "Unforgivable!" Huang Jian shouted.

  "You're no longer worthy of being an immortal chef under the Crimson Gold Sect!" Hong Jian shouted.

  "I never was." Gary Stew shrugged. "Also, the main ingredient got away."

  They whipped their heads again, this time at the ingredients table or what was left of it. All that was left were splinters of wood from Alwin's earlier entrance.

  "How!" they both yelled.

  "Some rescue op, I guess?" Gary Stew shrugged. "Anyway, these two monsters will make fine ingredients. They'll complement your techniques so I'd say it's a win."

  "Fine! But the quality better exceed what you originally promised."

  "Of course! But to have a quality dish you need quality ingredients. Which I don't have anymore." He pointed toward the burnt mess that was supposed to be fried rice.

  "Impudent! Wasting resources like that!" Huang Jian shouted.

  Gary Stew simply shrugged again.

  "Fine. We will put a temporary halt to our expansion plans and head back. Know that if you do not deliver the promised goods then it's your head we'll have on a platter," Huang Jian threatened.

  "Whatever. Let's go."

  On the scorched ground, Winal’s vision blurred. He should've just grabbed Gus instead of going for Gary Stew. Instead now both he and Gus were about to pay the price.

  Everything faded to black.