That Volcano Rabbit was quickly skinned, deboned, and gutted, leaving it clean and tidy.
As Chloe walked over, she saw Daniel wiping his hands with a cloth. Noticing her approach, he greeted her, saying:
"It's mostly done. Rabbit meat is quite tasty. Back in my tribe's lands, I often caught rabbits to eat."
Hearing this, Qin Huaibei turned his head and asked him, "Why catch rabbits? Was it because you couldn't catch other animals?"
Daniel replied, "...Just you wait, I'll kill you one day."
He pointed at the Volcano Rabbit on the ground, implying that Qin Huaibei would meet the same fate.
Qin Huaibei snorted disdainfully at this remark.
In her previous life, Chloe had eaten all kinds of things, so rabbit meat was acceptable, certainly more palatable than molten lizards.
"Is it ready? I'll start the fire once it's prepared."
Qin Huaibei, who was still busy working on it, called out, "Almost done, just wait a bit!"
Chloe nodded slightly.
After the Volcano Rabbit was completely cleaned, Chloe ignited a ball of fire from her fingertips and enveloped the massive rabbit in flames.
Her control of the fire's intensity was just right, and the all-encompassing flames ensured an even temperature throughout.
The nearby Lanxicha Academy members were left dumbfounded.
Some who had gathered firewood gaped in astonishment.
This... was how the Soul Fire of the Vampire Clan was used?
"Isn't this a bit excessive?"
"Yeah, it's like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken."
Two Lanxicha members remarked thus.
However, the First Academy group didn't seem fazed at all.
Daniel took a whiff of the aroma of roasting meat and praised, "The Vampire Clan's skill is really handy."
Qin Huaibei said, "Our Human Clan has similar abilities."
Each clan's unique techniques should not be underestimated, but the tournament focused more on the physical skills of the academy students.
Additionally, not everyone was accustomed to using Soul Fire for cooking.
But for Chloe, it wasn't a big deal.
Tools were meant to be used, and if it was hers, she could use it however she pleased, regardless of others' opinions.
So Chloe roasted the meat with even more vigor.
The massive Volcano Rabbit was cooked until its skin glistened with oil, and its flesh was tender and fragrant, with an aroma that wafted for miles.
Chloe extinguished the flames and used her perception to levitate the rabbit, then turned to Anderson and asked, "Anderson, did you bring any spices?"
Hearing her voice, Anderson, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them.
He retrieved a spice bottle from his mustard ring.
It contained various spices like chili powder, black pepper, cumin, and some homemade sauces.
The Lanxicha Academy members' expressions became increasingly perplexed.
Who brings such things to a tournament?
As it turned out, Anderson was that kind of person.
The First Academy was used to Anderson's walking pantry persona, often borrowing from him for daily needs.
After all, no one could guess what he kept in his mustard ring.
Daniel had once suspected that Anderson's mustard ring contained an entire mansion, which was where he lived.
Usually, whenever he needed something, he would just go to the mansion in his mustard ring and retrieve it.
But this conjecture could never be confirmed.
Because among their group of five, only Chloe could converse with him.
After obtaining the seasonings, Chloe used her perception to control the bottles and evenly sprinkle the contents over the Volcano Rabbit's meat.
Daniel swallowed hard, clearly struggling to contain his appetite.
Once Chloe finished seasoning, Qin Huaibei swiftly leapt forward, his silvery-white blade flashing as he effortlessly sliced the Volcano Rabbit into numerous portions for easier distribution.
Qin Huaibei divided the portions precisely, ensuring everyone received a fair share of the Volcano Rabbit.
By this time, night had fallen completely.
The Lanxicha members suggested building a campfire, but Daniel immediately shot down the idea.
"It's already hot enough. If we make a fire, we'll die!"
The proposal was abandoned.
Chloe sat gracefully on the wolf's back, her legs occasionally swinging as she ate with refined manners, chewing slowly.
Below, Feng Xi would occasionally look up at her, his eyes flickering each time, and his pace of eating would slow.
Seeing this, Daniel snorted through his nose and turned to quietly tell Chloe, "That guy is shamelessly imitating how you eat. Doesn't he know how to eat on his own?"
Chloe blinked in confusion, "What do you mean, imitating how I eat?"
Daniel rolled his eyes, "He's just putting on airs, watching how you eat so gracefully and copying your manners. Such a show-off, so shameless!"
Chloe replied, "...I see."
She glanced at Feng Xi in the distance—so he was imitating how she ate?
The spectators' chat room erupted with laughter.
[What an adorably naive little wolf, I love him!]
[I adore these seemingly wild but actually dim-witted little wolves.]
[So does Feng Xi really like Chloe? Aren't they just meeting for the first time?]
[Not sure, but our sister is so pretty, falling for her at first sight isn't impossible.]
[The Progenitor definitely wouldn't approve though.]
[The Progenitor is such an overbearing patriarch, let's forget about it.]
Back at the tournament grounds.
After finishing their meal, Chloe hopped off the wolf's back, intending to return to her tent and rest.
However, after just a few steps, someone hurried after her.
Feng Xi's voice sounded urgent, "Wait!"
Chloe halted and turned to face him, politely asking, "What is it?"
Gazing at her, Feng Xi's cheeks flushed slightly as he took out a pouch from his pocket. "This is for you."
The pouch seemed to be made of leather and was bulging, emanating a cool sensation from within.
Chloe touched it and felt a chilling sensation.
Was this an ice pack?
Why was Feng Xi giving her an ice pack?
"The Volcanic Planet is too hot. All of us Lanxicha people carry these ice packs. I happen to have an extra one. Would you like to use it?"
As he spoke these words, Feng Xi's voice was soft, his jet-black eyes holding a tender expression as he looked at her hopefully.
Chloe wasn't captivated by his appearance, but she was tempted by the ice pack.
How... refreshingly cool it looked.
Chloe was about to reach for the ice pack when her wrist was seized.
She paused, recognizing the familiar, cool scent of golden daffodils beside her.
Anderson's voice was low, "Apologies, the young lady never accepts random gifts from strangers."
Upon hearing this, Chloe fell silent for a moment.
truthfully, she did want that ice pack.
As she thought this, she tried to free her wrist from Anderson's grip, intending to say something. But when she met Anderson's gaze, she stopped.
Unusually, the young man's expression was stern and icy.
Chloe sensed something was amiss and swallowed her words.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot accept this."
