The stench assailed their nostrils, so potent it was visible, manifesting as streams of yellow gas.
On the ocean's surface, indescribable things floated...
As the sun began to set, its golden rays bathed the sea, adding a morbid beauty to the scene.
Over a hundred thousand people frowned, utterly bewildered.
They gazed down at the golden sea, their minds struggling to process the sight.
"Old Chen, are you sure we're in the right place?"
"I feel like we're not on Blue Star anymore."
"What's going on with the golden water below? And why does it smell so... foul..."
In the next second, everyone's gaze snapped to Chen Shu.
"What the—"
Chen Shu took a tactical step back, exclaiming, "Why are you all looking at me?!"
"I recall you were acting alone when we arrived,"
"And I remember Chen Shu has a special brand of bandit-grade laxative..."
"Isn't the God of Cookery, Zhang Dali, with you?"
Liu Feng and the other two, with their sharp minds, quickly identified the potential culprits and pinpointed the instigator.
They now understood where the high-level fierce beasts had gone.
"Uh..."
Chen Shu's expression faltered as he attempted to defend himself:
"What? You're actually suspecting me?"
"No, no, no..."
Liu Feng waved his hand. "It's not suspicion anymore, it's certainty! Absolute certainty!"
"..."
Chen Shu's brow furrowed as he made his final plea:
"Even if I had the capability, this pollution affects the entire sea. If I don't consider myself, I have to consider Blue Star!"
"Could I possibly do something so insane?!"
The three remained silent, only fixing him with odd stares.
It seemed the question was redundant.
Chen Shu said with a hint of agitation, "No, you don't trust my character?!"
Liu Feng remarked dryly, "Please phrase your questions as questions, not statements."
"..."
Chen Shu's lips twitched. Just as he was about to speak, a shout of surprised joy erupted from Xiao Huang.
"I finally succeeded!"
"Hmm?"
Chen Shu blinked in surprise and quickly changed the subject. "Dali's new dish is about to be unveiled!"
Space Rabbit's mind stirred, and it brought Dali to its side.
Chen Shu inquired, "Dali, is it ready?"
"Of course!"
Zhang Dali grinned. "Following our 'Invincible Ejector Special,' another legendary dish has been born!"
"Hmm?"
Liu Feng and the other two immediately seized on the key phrase and turned to Chen Shu.
"Invincible Ejector Special?"
"Uh... don't worry about the details..."
Chen Shu's expression froze. "Dali, hurry and show us!"
"I've named it Urea Tofu!"
Zhang Dali grinned, producing a dark, nondescript piece of dried tofu that emanated a peculiar aroma.
"It smells alright..."
Chen Shu took it and continued, "I find it a bit heady, but not exactly foul, and it doesn't smell like urea. Did your experiment fail?"
"What would you know, you bandit?!"
Zhang Dali shot him a look. "This is for the fierce beasts!"
"I used the wings of stench flies, the cores of sludge monsters, rotten cockroaches, and dozens of other ingredients that fierce beasts detest the most. Combined with special cooking techniques and a secret blend of seasonings..."
"Tsk, tsk... I hereby declare it the nightmare of fierce beasts!"
"..."
Everyone's expressions shifted. Just hearing about it made them feel a bit nauseous.
Was this person truly the God of Cookery? His demeanor seemed somewhat off.
Zhang Dali chuckled. "In short, with this tofu, fierce beasts won't even dare to look at you, let alone eat you!"
"Is it really that exaggerated?"
Chen Shu raised an eyebrow. "Can the stench really drive fierce beasts away?"
"Absolutely!"
Zhang Dali nodded. "Do you know why it's called Urea Tofu?"
"You're trying to capitalize on my popularity and make a quick buck?"
"???"
Zhang Dali's expression froze. Are you insane? I'm selling this to the fierce beasts!
He sighed, looked at everyone's vacant expressions, cleared his throat, and slowly explained,
"Let me explain. Based on Chen Pi's experience, humans detest the smell of urea!"
"?"
Everyone looked stunned. When did this conclusion emerge?
But considering Chen Shu's undefeated close-combat prowess, it did seem to have some logic.
"And my Urea Tofu is equivalent to a urea bag for the fierce beast world! And its potency is at least ten times stronger!"
Zhang Dali's eyes gleamed with pride. "Chen Pi, please capture a fierce beast for me!"
"No problem!"
Chen Shu nodded and gave Space Rabbit a command.
"Whoosh, whoosh~~"
Space Rabbit hefted its giant carrot and slammed it down onto the sea surface, sending a Black Iron fierce beast flying.
A white fish thrashed, pure terror instinctively flooding its eyes.
It already had a premonition of ill omen...
Two minutes later,
"Gag, gag, gag~~~"
The white fish's eyes rolled back, its entire body drooping as if drained, while it continuously foamed at the mouth...
Clearly, its soul had transcended.
"It seems to be quite effective..."
Chen Shu stroked his chin, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Of course!"
Zhang Dali patted his chest and continued,
"Even fierce beasts without a sense of smell will be affected. It's almost like a mental attack, much like your urea bag.
"Good stuff, really good stuff..."
Chen Shu grinned. "Can it be mass-produced? There are over a hundred thousand of us!"
"It can, but the demand is too high,"
Zhang Dali shook his head. "Actually, it's not necessary for everyone to have one, it takes too much time, and we don't have enough materials."
"Then perhaps one tofu for every hundred people?"
Chen Qinghai tentatively asked. "How long would that take?"
They still needed at least ten days to reach the teleportation point.
After all, everyone was Black Iron or Silver, their contracted spirits weren't fast, and they had to remain vigilant against any sudden crises.
This stretch of road was actually quite perilous, and having an extra means of survival would be beneficial.
"Half a day should suffice!"
Zhang Dali looked at Chen Qinghai. "Minister, please ask everyone to contribute raw materials for the stinky tofu. I'm running a bit low."
"Alright!"
Chen Qinghai nodded and relayed the request to the over one hundred thousand people.
Upon hearing this, everyone eagerly contributed. The ingredients weren't valuable, and their lives were at stake.
In an instant, Xiao Huang's massive body was covered with various dark materials.
Even without cooking, it emanated a 'refreshingly pungent' stench...
"Excellent! Excellent! Such a variety of materials! I can elevate the stinky tofu to a new level!"
Zhang Dali's expression was one of extreme excitement.
Under Chen Shu's influence, he was gradually finding his 'correct' path.