After meeting the villagers of Riverfront Village, Jiang Yuan had the most basic understanding of the native inhabitants in the Wilderness Game.
The body types were generally divided into three categories: one like Wan Mingchuan, young and robust, overall slight, with bronze skin tanned by the sun and wind, clearly a sturdy man who does physical work year-round and occasionally eats meat;
another, who at a glance, seemed well-to-do, with soft, tender skin and hands without calluses, likely the pampered ones from large clans; the last, which occupied the majority, were the ordinary villagers—black, thin, dull, and malnourished.
Although the corpse had been ravaged by the Moon Pearl Bird and its appearance was indistinguishable, its general body type could still be discerned.
Not too fat nor too thin, relatively well-proportioned, indicating no worry about meals, but the calluses on the feet suggested he wasn't from a pampered household of a big family. Yet the carefully polished ring fitting perfectly on his hand—what kind of person could he be?
A drifter? According to the game's background setting, it shouldn't be, considering they lacked the protection of a Guardian God and could be squashed to death by the Wilderness at any moment, enduring more hardships than villagers without fixed farmland to cultivate or companions to rely on.
Ordinary villagers could not match the survival condition of the deceased.
Could it be a player? This thought popped up only to be immediately dismissed by Jiang Yuan, even if there were other players, they should have a starting point similar to his and shouldn't have family in the Wilderness, dragging the whole family into the game is improbable.
After pondering for a while without reaching a conclusion, Jiang Yuan could only temporarily discard his speculations.
After all, he had just entered the Wilderness Game not long ago and hadn't had the chance to explore the new maps nearby; as his outward exploration progresses, he might find clues.
"Master, the fish is cooked! You can take a break and have some to eat, I'll help you cut trees," Wan Mingchuan carefully monitored the fire, afraid of burning the fish by keeping it too close to the flames. Fortunately, he had roasted meat while hunting with his grandfather occasionally, so he had mastered the timing of the fire quite well.
Even without seasoning, the lively and plump wild fish emitted a rich aroma once cooked, making his already hungry stomach growl.
Wan Mingchuan respectfully handed the roasted fish to his master for a taste and took a piece of wild vegetable cake himself, planning to fill his stomach before helping his master with the work.
Jiang Yuan originally intended to refuse, but couldn't resist when he turned his head and smelled the enticing aroma of the fish. It was completely different from the grilled fish he had eaten at barbecue stands before, devoid of fishy or spicy flavors, purely the fresh scent of fish being seared by fire, making him swallow a mouthful of saliva involuntarily.
"Why eat a vegetable cake when there's such fragrant meat," he said as he took the fish and tore it into two portions using a wooden stick. "Here, eat the meat first, and there's more if it's not enough."
With the favor of the Good Fortune Card last night, he managed to catch over a dozen Jade Fish. Having two fish on this joyous day of taking a disciple was nothing. If there was a place nearby to buy supplies, Jiang Yuan would have surely spent some gold coins to prepare a few dishes for a good meal with his apprentice.
[... Affection +20]
[... Affection +5]
...
After thanking his master for the favor, Wan Mingchuan took the fish with respect, keeping the courteous demeanor taught by his grandfather despite his mouth watering furiously, and took a gentle bite of the still hot fish.
"Phew!"
The freshly roasted fish was piping hot, yet even with its burning sensation, you could still taste the fresh sweetness of the fish meat. Inhaling cool air in big gulps but reluctant to spit it out, after a few rounds, the scalding heat finally dissipated, and Wan Mingchuan chewed eagerly with admiration at the high temperature, exclaiming, "Delicious!"
Not only was it aromatic, but incredibly fresh!
Jiang Yuan, claiming to be from a time abundant with plentiful food, had never tasted fish with such texture.
How to describe it? The meat was tender and delicate, every chew bringing out the savory juices dancing on the tongue, such simple roasting without any seasoning was, incredibly, the best fish he had ever tasted!
[Physical Strength +40]
[Life Energy +20]
Blowing while eating, after finishing half of the boneless fish, the not-so-hungry Jiang Yuan burped and realized the system notified him of restored health!
With the increase in stats, his previously weary body from chopping trees suddenly felt as if it had rested, not only reenergized but his spirit also perked up instantly, not tired nor sleepy, he could continue to work vigorously.
It turned out, eating food in the Wilderness Game could completely replace resting by restoring health, meaning that in the future, with more food reserves, one could go without meals or sleep yet remain energetic—what a great fortune this was!
"So good! Master, what kind of fish is this? I've never seen it before?" Wan Mingchuan felt like he could swallow his tongue, and what's magical about this fish was its single row of large bones, allowing one to eat the meat without worrying about small bones scratching the throat, it was immensely satisfying!
Observing his disciple now rosy, with bright and spirited eyes, Jiang Yuan replied: "This fish is called a Jade Fish, caught from the lake in the Wilderness. Once you cultivate the Heaven-Burning Scripture, you can fish with me. Have you eaten enough? If not, I have more here."
So it's a demon beast from the Wilderness, no wonder it tastes so good!
[Affection +5]
[...+1]
[...+1]
...
"Enough, it's enough! I'm full, thank you, Master!" Wan Mingchuan, surprised, couldn't close his mouth for a moment, having grown up in Riverfront Village listening to dangerous tales about the Wilderness, with his grandfather, a drifter, wandering the Wilderness for many years. In his heart, he held a deep-seated fear of the demon beasts there.
Yet the fish his master casually handed him to roast and eat were all demon beasts from the Wilderness!
Moreover, as long as he diligently studied and trained, he could be just like him. Wan Mingchuan, thrilled and excited, belatedly wondered if eating the demon beast's meat would have some special effects on an ordinary person like himself?
Upon careful sensing, there seemed to be nothing extraordinary, maybe because he hadn't started cultivating yet, he couldn't understand the marvelousness of the Jade Fish?
"Master, you rest, I'll take over!" Wan Mingchuan stood up to extinguish the fire, ensuring no forest fire would start, feeling much better after half a roast fish and two wild vegetable pancakes.
Taking the axe from his master, he suddenly realized with immense joy: "Master, after eating the Jade Fish, the pain in my back wound is gone!"
[Affection +10]
Just now, Wan Mingchuan hadn't noticed anything unusual, but when he took the axe and moved his shoulder, the wound pain that had troubled him all day didn't occur.
He quickly moved his arm a few times and touched his hot forehead, discovering he had sweated a bit and his body temperature had decreased, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
No wonder the demon beast tamed by his master from the Wilderness possessed such divine power!
"Hmm, this fish has the effect of nourishing blood energy, it seems quite effective." Jiang Yuan glanced at his apprentice's back covered with herbs, noticing the previous red and swollen, festering wound had subsided.
And then he glanced at his disciple's personal page, the Life Energy was fully charged at 60; Physical Strength at 50; Attack Power at 30. Thinking, no wonder NPCs feared Lycan Bats, a young and vigorous lad like Wan Mingchuan had his attack power at merely 30, while his own Combat Skills could deal -80 damage with just a jujube stick before upgrading, the gap was indeed considerable.