With the addition of the Fox Tribe, the hunting contingent of the Chi Yi tribe saw a significant increase in strength. After all, they were a group of warriors whose raw power was utterly terrifying; their close-quarters combat ability was first-rate. Ordinary saber-toothed tigers, rhinoceroses, and porcupines would only end up as prey when they encountered them. However, when it came to the winged creatures soaring above, they could only sigh in envy, simply because they lacked any means of long-range attack.

As for the Soul Masters capable of ranged attacks, they were beings of such nobility that the thought of them engaging in common hunting was preposterous.

But now, with the hunters from the Fox Tribe joining forces, nothing—whether it flew in the sky, ran on the ground, or swam in the water—could escape the pursuit of the Chi Yi warriors. The yield of captured game increased exponentially. This situation once caused Ye Jingyu considerable worry that the jungle animals might be decimated. However, Chi Yi simply told him that if Ye Jingyu refrained from eating, they could consider reducing the hunt. Upon hearing this, Ye Jingyu immediately clamped his mouth shut.

It wasn't just that he needed meat; even his current subordinate, the Taotie, would surely throw a tantrum if it went a day without it.

Just like that, another half-month slipped by. With the assistance of the Taotie, Ye Jingyu was no longer subject to the "soft confinement" imposed by Chi Yi and the others. Yet, he still hadn't achieved his transformation from boy to man upon Jiufeng. As for the reason… well, perhaps it was best left unsaid.

If, during those intimate moments with your beloved, there was a mischievous, ever-present, and surprisingly "considerate" little beast lurking about, could you truly maintain your focus?

At least, our unfortunate Young Master Ye had his attempts interrupted by the Taotie several times right when things were about to get serious.

The summer heat was intense, the sun hanging high and scorching in the sky, making the already sweltering Southern Barren Forest even more oppressive.

Ye Jingyu sat casually beneath a colossal tree—one that would take more than ten men to encircle—his upper body bare, a simple piece of animal hide draped loosely over his lower half. The tree's massive canopy completely shielded the golden sunlight and blocked out most of the heat, providing Ye Jingyu with considerable coolness. Especially since a large string of Ice-Flame Crystals, prepared for him by Jiufeng, hung from his shoulder—it was utterly blissful.

Even with a small fire burning before him, he felt no sense of oppressive heat.

At this moment, he held a wooden fork in his right hand, skewering a wild pheasant that was roasting to a semi-done state.

To his left rested a bucket-sized honeycomb. The hornets inside had already been ruthlessly dispatched by the Taotie in its terrifying beast form.

His left hand reached into the honeycomb, scooping out honey, which he smeared onto the roasting chicken while simultaneously licking his fingers. This was the most natural honey imaginable, countless times sweeter than any he had tasted before.

Little Peach Blossom, currently in the form of a small lamb, lay curled in front of Ye Jingyu. Its fluffy body was still, but its pair of vibrant green eyes were locked onto the pheasant spinning over the fire. The tantalizing aroma wafted into the air, causing drool to stream incessantly from the corners of its mouth.

"Don't rush, little one. It’s not quite done yet. While eating it won't harm you, it simply won't taste as good, will it? Just wait a little longer," Ye Jingyu said with a faint smile as he watched the Taotie’s anxious fidgeting. This creature, he thought, was actually quite endearing, just excessively gluttonous.

In the past few days, Ye Jingyu had put considerable effort into procuring delicious food for the Taotie. Though he wasn't a chef and had never cooked a full meal before, he was, after all, a man from the modern world. Even if he hadn't seen a pig slaughtered, he had certainly eaten pork. Anything vaguely prepared was better than raw meat, wasn't it?

Furthermore, the Southern Barren Forest offered a rich bounty. Although there was no refined salt, deep within the sacred lake of the Chi Yi tribe, they had a salt essence even purer than refined salt. The Chi Yi people originally dismissed it as mere ore and dared not consume it. It was only after Ye Jingyu discovered it that they ground it into powder, and from then on, the Chi Yi tribe had access to table salt.

Ye Jingyu had created the Taotie's first meal using the juice of the Fiery-Spicy Fruit and the extracts of several other plants. Upon tasting his creation, Ye Jingyu had immediately vomited, nearly expelling his gallbladders—a testament to how truly awful the dish was.

Yet, strangely, the Taotie devoured it all as if it were the most exquisite delicacy it had ever known. From that moment onward, the Taotie became wholeheartedly devoted to Ye Jingyu.

Through his explorations over the past half-month, Ye Jingyu's culinary skills had advanced dramatically. The dishes he prepared not only delighted the Taotie but also left everyone else utterly satisfied.

Now, the Taotie followed Ye Jingyu’s every word. If Ye Jingyu instructed it to walk exactly ten steps, it would not dare take half a step more. When Ye Jingyu told it to fetch some honey, explaining what honey was, the Taotie, without a second thought, returned with a massive bucket of honeycomb.

Smearing this honey on roasted meat made it exponentially sweeter and more fragrant.

How could one not adore such an obedient subordinate?

The skin of the pheasant had turned a golden brown, and beads of slick oil oozed from its surface, dripping into the flames below, causing a sharp hiss. Every drop that fell seemed to cause the Taotie in front to involuntarily lick its lips, as if lamenting the lost flavor.

The rich aroma carried far and wide, attracting nearby savage beasts. However, sensing the immense pressure emanating from the Taotie, not a single creature dared approach.

Seeing that the Taotie had pooled a puddle of drool beneath it, Ye Jingyu chuckled, retrieved the roasted pheasant from the fire, and the Taotie instantly sprang to attention.

Ye Jingyu gently tore off a piece and placed it in his mouth. The flesh was tender, the flavor unique, laced with a subtle, sweet floral note—truly a gourmet treat.

"Here..." Ye Jingyu tore off both legs and tossed the rest of the bird to the Taotie. The beast flashed forward, seizing the pheasant in its jaws, heedless of the heat, and began tearing into it ferociously.

Seeing the Taotie's ravenous eagerness, Ye Jingyu felt a surge of joy. He kept one chicken leg for himself and tossed the remaining one to the Taotie. After half a month together, he was growing increasingly fond of this little creature.

At least now, he was slowly beginning to view it as a true companion rather than just a subordinate bought off with sugary bribes.

The Taotie’s manner of eating was exceedingly crude, but it seemed to recognize the difficulty involved in roasting a whole wild pheasant. It didn't simply swallow it whole; instead, it tore off bite-sized pieces, though even at that pace, it was far quicker than Ye Jingyu.

By the time Ye Jingyu finished his chicken leg, the Taotie was already waiting nearby, its large, watery green eyes fixed intently on him.

"Ah…" Seeing the Taotie's expression, Ye Jingyu knew it wanted more. Just as he was about to formulate an excuse to send it away, he suddenly heard a piercing scream. He instantly shot to his feet and bolted in the direction of the sound.