Master of Ten Thousand Foxes-Chapter 172 - 119: Durian at Fox Mountain, Ancient Immortal’s Research, the Bronze House in the Deep Water Zone
The sky is filled with dark clouds, with fierce winds howling through the mountains.
It's lunchtime at Fox Mountain, and in the cafeteria, plump foxes are holding big bowls, queued in a long line, waiting to receive durians!
These durians were planted two years ago, consuming considerable resources from Fox Mountain. The durian aroma often wafts along the mountain breeze, tickling their noses.
And today, they'll finally get to savor these durians!
"Ying ying ying!"
"Ao ao ao!"
"Ying ying ying!"
A dozen durians, each the size of an elephant's head, are seen at one end of the cafeteria.
Bai Mo stands guard over one, cautiously observing its interior with his Divine Sense.
This fruit is unlike the durians of the mortal realm... Its shell is exceedingly tough, rivaling many Immortal Artifacts!
Bai Mo carefully uses his Divine Sense to perceive its internal structure, then ignites a Pill Fire in his palm, slicing into its weakest point, cut by cut... Before long, the giant durian splits into pieces, revealing golden flesh.
The fragrant and rich aroma instantly fills the entire cafeteria!
The fox apprentices stop whispering, each tilting their heads, sniffing with their noses, squinting their eyes to savor the scent!
Peach Blossom Eyes, at the front of the line, closes his eyes, sniffs forward with his nose, and is about to dive into the flesh when stopped by the master.
"No mischief!
"Bring the bowl."
Peach Blossom Eyes rubs against the master's hand, drooling, and takes out his Bronze Bowl, watching the master scoop a large chunk of flesh into his bowl. It has a creamy, soft texture, with no visible fibers. As he smells it again, he detects both sweetness and a hint of alcohol.
"Ying ying ying!"
He runs with his bowl to his little stone table.
Next in line is Black Tail, who takes a deep breath, receives his portion, "Ying ying ying," thanks the master, and runs to his stone table.
So it goes...
One apprentice after another approaches Bai Mo.
Block after block of durian is placed in their bowls.
"Ying ying ying," thanking the master.
One after another turns, running to their dining table...
Out of twelve elephant-sized durians, Bai Mo scans the interior, well aware of the amount of flesh. Then, he divides it evenly into ten thousand and one portions.
The line grows shorter, and more and more foxes sit at rows of small stone tables in the cafeteria.
They eat leisurely, chatting with siblings at nearby tables.
"Ao ao ao!"
"Ying ying ying!"
Meaning, these durians, using so much fertilizer and resources from Fox Mountain, are indeed delicious!
"Ao ao ao!"
"Ying ying ying!"
Meaning, they're certainly more than tasty; given all those resources used, eating them must surely enhance the foxes!
After a while, distributing all the durians, the last portion belongs to Bai Mo. Holding his portion, he sits at his stone dining table, eating with his apprentices.
By this time, some apprentices have finished, busy licking their plates.
Others take small bites, savoring slowly, with furry faces brimming with delight.
Black Gloves and Flying Legs puff at each other, taking turns smelling each other's breath, smirking mischievously.
Quanquan Hu, Black Ears, and White Ears sit together, closing their eyes, earnest expressions on their fluffy round faces, trying to feel the enhancement the durian provides.
Bai Mo eats a spoonful of durian, feeling it instantly melt in his mouth, devoid of fibers. The rich, sweet taste, with a hint of wine, fills his mouth.
"The taste is indeed wonderful.
"The medicinal properties... are indeed quite weak."
The medicinal properties of this fruit are negligible, disappointing given the resources invested... But it provides a slight enhancement to the apprentices, with no side effects or imbalance.
Fox Mountain has many such projects where the effort outweighs the results for enhancing apprentices... Though seemingly unprofitable, Bai Mo feels it's worth it.
...
Once the durian feast concludes, apprentices line up to rinse their bowls beside the cafeteria.
Peach Blossom Eyes and Black Tail, having finished first, run to help the master dispose of the durian shells.
Warehouse Manager Bai Liandan'Er also comes over to receive instructions from the master.
"These durian shells are extremely hard and retain activity.
"Store them in the warehouse, bury them in straw.
"Sprinkle water over them every three days. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
"These things can retain vitality for decades, and one day, might come in handy."
...
In the Bronze Hall, Bai Mo, as usual, reads the manuscripts unearthed by his apprentices.
Taking a Copper Plate, he continues to transcribe.
As he writes, he realizes something's amiss...
"Sigh, this doesn't need transcribing.
"It's text for Sequence Nine, for Sequence Nine, some sort of operating protocol?
"Is it a large event by the Ancient Immortal? Or large-scale research?"
Bai Mo's eyes brighten as he carefully reads the protocol.
"Hmm, it seems to pertain to feeding regulations for Beast Masters?
"Ensure each meal includes both dishes and meat, ensure each meal includes a bowl of wheat, guarantee Beast Masters aren't starved thin, ensure their nutrition is balanced... Does this make sense?"
Bai Mo frowns.
Reading further, he finds it even more absurd.
"Male and female Beast Masters must be managed separately, male to male, female to female, no beating or bullying of Beast Masters, ensure Beast Masters have daily recreation, guarantee their mood is joyful... Hmm?"
Bai Mo can't help but twitch his lips.
The protocol becomes increasingly ridiculous.
"No revealing research content to Beast Masters, all research must occur under hypnosis, ensuring Beast Master secrets remain stable..."
