The Low Grade Regeneration pills taste terrible. I know that bitter medicine is often considered best, but I nearly spat it out the moment it touched my tongue, and the aftertaste is lingering like the worst kind of toothpaste. I'm lucky I brought some tea leaves with me, because it's the only thing that's managed to dampen that awful taste.

With my hands healed though - and Heavens that feels weird - it's time to finish butchering the rest of the carcass and to decide what happens with it. In terms of valuable resources, we've already laid claim to most of it. The pile of scales was divided up between us, with half going to Shan Guojin with the understanding that I'd refine some of them into a pill for him, and he'd use the rest to create some small amount of armour; the remainder was split equally between us. We had a crystal each as well, which I believe we were all just going to exchange for points.

But there were still useful parts. The claws are nothing to sneeze at, being a beast in Core Formation. The membrane of the wings has some uses as well, but can be niche. And there is of course the head.

The Wyvern has no real fangs or teeth to speak of, but it does have a very… I'm reminded of a penguin's mouth actually. It tears and crushes flesh with its sharp and powerful beak, and then uses its tongue to help guide the morsels down into its stomach.

The tongue is useless for the most part, but the beak is valuable.

Ultimately, as the one who struck the killing blow, the head goes to Song Ren. The back feet go to Shan Guojin and Zhou Cheng. Kong Meiling and I each claim one of the fore… hands? Foreclaws? I have no idea what the proper term is. She also takes a wing, to be made into fans, and the remaining wing is divided between myself and Cheng - I intend to turn it into a rug. Ideally a flying one, but I doubt I have the resources for it, but a picnic blanket is good enough.

Then there is the meat and bones. Wyvern bones are fairly strong, hollow and light - excellent materials for building many things, but otherwise kind of lacking in cultivation potential. My knife glides against the bones, separating and cleaving the flesh away in great big chunks. Shoulder cut - chuck, I guess? Is still 'chuck' if it's not a cow? Breast meat. It's similar to a bird's, really, with the way it's split clearly into two and connected to a singular breast bone.

Do Wyverns count as red meat or white meat? So many questions. In any case, I separate the breasts out, setting them aside as I continue butchering. Organs removed into separate pots. The liver is surprisingly fatty - I wonder if it's anything like foie gras? Probably have to force feed a Wyvern much more for that, which is… quite the mental image. We've already divided up the wings membranes', but there's a decent amount of meat on the limbs themselves. I wonder if I could fry them. Wyvern Wings. Heh.

Finally, there's the question of the tail. Surprisingly fatty - it's got a thick layer around it just under the skin. Might be to help avoid losing heat in the frigid upper atmosphere it hunts in. In any case, the bone itself isn't quite useful here, too segmented to make much of it…

Hm. I pack away the rest of the meat into jars for now, sealing them with cheap preservation talismans - I'll eat them all before they go off, one way or another - but I think I have an idea for today's meal.

Wyvern Tail Stew.

I'm glad I spent some points stocking up on ingredients. It all has fancy names like 'Star Meadow Onions' or 'Misty Lake Celery' or what have you, but they're basically just better tasting vegetables. The Qi in them is weak, and honestly, using them with Wyvern Tail feels like I'm casting pearls before swine - but it's the best I've got on hand.

I've managed to turn some of the other Steel Armour plates into some sizable pots - got so many looks from my fellow Disciples for that - so with a fire going, I get to work.

"You're really going to cook it?" Song asks, watching me with a curious eye. I remember when I first encountered Cheng - he would look at me in much the same way. "Wouldn't it be more efficient to refine this as well?"

"Efficient?" I echo, "Well, that depends entirely on your definition." I carefully turned the meat with a pair of chopsticks. "Whilst it is true that in terms of absorbing Qi and cultivating further, refining the meat is better than cooking it - but to be perfectly honest, the amount of time it would take to make a useful pill out of it would be better spent just cultivating normally. The only benefit this humble fatty would see in doing so would be if the pill was intended for someone who desperately needs the boost."

He nods, understanding on his face. 'And immediately the disciple was enlightened' leaps into my mind, although I had to force the snort from forming properly. "But why bother cooking it then, if the return is not that useful anyway?"

Feeling decidedly brave, I poke his forehead with a finger. The face he makes is adorable, even if I have to remind myself he could fold me like a lawn chair. "Ah, but this humble fatty does not concern himself with what is 'useful', only with what is 'delicious'." I accentuate my words with a pat of my stomach, turning the meat with my other hand. "Because I like to eat, I consider the time spent cooking worth it to turn what is disgusting into what is delicious."

"Senior Sister is right," he quips lightly, still watching me cook, "You are weird."

I laugh, gently, taking the meat off the heat now that it's browned and beginning to saute my vegetables. "Senior Sister is right indeed," I agree, an amiable smile on my face, "But what cultivator isn't a little weird, hm?"

He seems to concede my point, and I return the Wyvern Tail cuts to the pot, covering it in some premade stock and rice wine.

Whilst it cooks, I turn my attention to everyone else. "So what is the plan to hunt the Herons?"

"When we reach the Rookery Shelf, we'll try to corner specific nests," Meiling explains, lightly fanning herself. "We won't have much room to fight without disturbing other nests, so Zhou Cheng and I shall try to keep them contained. Shan Guojin, Song Ren, you look for opportunities to strike and take them down. As Hei Lian is not a combatant, it's better if you stay behind rather than get in the way."

I nearly let out a sigh of relief.

"No," Zhou Cheng says, because he'd never miss an opportunity to terrify me, "Hei Lian should come with us. Even if he does not fight directly, it will be a good experience and help his cultivation."

What cultivation, Cheng?! What cultivation is going to be helped by this?! I'm not a martial soul…! "What help can I provide, Senior Brother? I'm not so skilled at fighting, and my cultivation isn't strong enough."

"Lian-er underestimates himself," he admonishes gently, "I'm not asking you to fight the Herons, but an extra pair of hands is helpful in gathering the eggs."

I allow myself to make a face at that. "Senior Brother, you say you're not asking me to fight, but what parent will let me make off with their children without one?"

Shan's response was to laugh. "Don't worry. They'll be busy with us - you focus on your job, and let us do ours."

I wish I could do that. I really do. I let them start discussing battle strategies and formations whilst I mind the pot of stew, carefully adjusting the heat to keep it slow and steady. I tried to go over what I knew of the Herons - and what I knew was very little.

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Cloudfisher Herons got their name by fishing in the Sea of Clouds - a layer of clouds that acted like a literal sea, with dense clouds that behaved like water. You know, just the typical stuff. The Herons behaved like any other kind of Heron would, albeit much more powerful and much larger, preying on sky fish and other animals. Aside from being generally aspected to Wind Qi, their beaks were highly prized as materials for arrows and spears, so both Song Ren and Zhou Cheng could benefit greatly.

In terms of general usefulness, the eggs were hearty, nutritious and rich in Yang Qi - basically bursting with life, as one could expect. Otherwise, they were pretty much only good for refining or eating. Of course, eating them was the kind of insane luxury only the decadent really went for - Cultivators powerful enough to get the eggs preferred refining them, although it wasn't unheard of for the incredibly wealthy to dine on such things. I think I remember stories about a wedding my parents attended where the eggs of Rainbow Iris Peacocks were served, and that was considered luxurious on its own.

(Perhaps I, as an act of filial piety to my parents, should capture some Rainbow Iris Peacocks and send them back.)

The problem was going to be getting anything out of them without dying first. I'd leave the fighting and hunting to them, but the eggs were about the size of a small child, and if I earned the parent's ire, I could expect nothing short of a dogged persistence. I don't think I have what it takes to fight a creature like that.

I suppose my only recourse is to rely on them.

Eventually, the stew is ready. To do this properly, one would skim the fat, strain the vegetables, then serve it with roast vegetables and stew that for a little longer - but I didn't have the inclination to work that much on something that was already delicious, and it would be a waste of good vegetables.

Instead, I portioned it out, keeping the fat to my own to avoid offending any of them, and we sat down for a meal. This time, there was no quiet shock at the flavour - they had only tasted one of my creations, but already understood that I was not to be underestimated in a kitchen. Even one as improvised as this.

The heady Qi of the wyvern lingered in the broth, its potent Lightning nature somewhat neutralised into a more palatable nature. It was easier for me to integrate like that, and I imagine most everyone had an easier time of it too, except maybe Song. Even just eating the tail makes my dantian feel like it's swelling with power… although not enough to break through to the next Step just yet.

I was close though. I could almost taste it… or perhaps what I was tasting was just the delicious broth. Wyvern Meat isn't too similar to beef, but it has elements of it - I'd say it's more like some strange crossbreed of duck and beef. Everything has melted to fall apart tenderness, and the vegetables are soft and smooth, creating a perfectly silken mouthfeel. Perfectly savoury, with just a hint of the peppery spices I'd used to create a warming sensation that spread through the whole body.

When you're cold, there is nothing better than stew!

I hate the fear, I hate the danger, but damn it all, the results are delicious. If this keeps up, Cheng's not going to have to drag me anywhere - I'll be the one dragging him to get more ingredients.

Speaking of that arrogant little brat, he's giving me a smug grin. "Junior Hei's cooking is still the best," he declares firmly, which, okay, it's nice to be complimented, but still.

Kong Meiling delicately sipped from her bowl, managing to seem dainty even as large gulps of it disappeared. "I suppose it is acceptable," she agreed, which was really the equivalent of gushing praise from her. "I look forward to tasting what Hei Lian creates from the leftovers of the Hunt."

Song perked up slightly, swallowing a small mouthful of wyvern tail. "Perhaps Egg Flower Soup?"

Egg Flower Soup… in the West, it would probably be called 'Egg Drop Soup'. Cook a chicken broth, then at the final stages, slowly pour ('drop') in beaten eggs to create quickly cooked wispy strands or flakes. A simple but hearty recipe, and I suppose one could replace the chicken with Cloudfisher Heron… I'd have to see the meat to be sure, of course.

"If it pleases my seniors, then this humble Hei Lian will gladly name it as the menu." Cloudfisher Heron Egg Flower Soup. Sounds incredibly fancy. Let's hope I live to taste it.

----------------------------------------

"Behold - the Rookery Shelf."

Senior Shan, I am beholding. The Rookery Shelf is a nesting ground used by many different varieties of birds, although it's currently dominated by the Cloudfisher Herons - the Sea of Clouds migrates across the skies, and where it goes, the Herons go. It won't be long before it settles near the Heavenly Misty Peak, which is why they're nesting now. Lay the eggs, and when they hatch, there'll be plenty of food.

It's also fucking huge. It must be several li long - the equivalent of multiple football fields, and it's full of Cloudfisher Herons. I'm sure other species would normally be nesting here as well, but if they are around, they're lost in the sea of tall, gangly birds.

Cloudfishers are easily two meters tall as an adult, with a wingspan to match - and at least half of that height is leg. Tall, skinny, ending in thick talons. They don't seem like they'd be able to pierce flesh with them, but could probably crush my head like a grape. Covered in beautiful sky blue feathers, with snowy white underbellies and tipped with sunset orange across the edge of their wings… no, what really draws the eye is the beak. Long, slim, and coming to a very fine point.

I have no intention of finding out what those things can do to me.

The Herons notice us almost immediately, and a few of them go into what I can only assume is defensive posturing, wings held up to form an almost circular shape as they bob their heads silently. A few alarmed calls go up as well, but so far, nobody makes any sudden movements - not the Herons, and not us.

"Move carefully," Shan Guojin cautions, "They won't attack unless they're sure we're a threat."

There was enough space between the little pebbly, piles of rock that the Herons used as nests for us to slowly work our way between them, but none of this was particularly spacious. I had the horrible feeling that if we strayed just a touch too close, one of us would be finding out what it was like to be a Rain Swimming Trout. The entire time the Herons kept a close eye on us, regarding us with as much suspicion as those big, wide eyes could. Birds couldn't make faces, but I suspect if they could, they would all be scowling at us.

"Don't worry Hei," Song Ren pipes up, a cheeky little grin on his face, "They won't try to eat you. They'll choke."

I huff quietly. "Thank you. That will be very reassuring when one of them spears through my liver and I bleed to death."

Kong Meiling scowls, shooting both of us a cold glare like a schoolteacher on a field trip. "Both of you, be silent. If you act too loudly, the Herons will see it as a threat."

"Sister, we are trying to kill them and steal their eggs. What about us is not a threat?"

"Whether we are a threat or not is immaterial. What matters is that we are not seen as one until it is too late."

Shan Guojin grunts softly, holding out a hand to halt us and then gesturing carefully ahead of us. "Up ahead. Do you see them?"

I squint. My vision isn't as good as theirs, so if there's something they have only just noticed… Nope, I can't see anything but more Herons. That said, the Herons are behaving like they've seen something further up ahead, which is always alarming.

Cheng makes a noise of understanding. "Ah? Ash Cloud Crows, in a place like this?" Ash Cloud Crows? I… don't think I know what those are. They sound menacing though.

"It would be foolish to assume we are the only ones who seek to exploit this bounty," Kong Meiling interjects smoothly, eyes narrowed in scrutiny. "I believe… yes, see those bands? They're tamed creatures. I suspect they belong to Core Disciple Wang Zhiyuan - I know of no one else who keeps the birds."

He nods carefully, stroking his chin like he has a beard. "It would be nice to have the bounty to ourselves, but this way is better I think. With many hunters, there will be confusion amongst the Herons - and if the Herons are confused, they are less likely to notice us."

I'll take any advantage I can get. "Should we wait for more to arrive then?"

"Ha! And let them claim the best prey? Lian-er, you need to be bolder!" Cheng grins, and any sense of 'boldness' I feel quivers in terror. Don't do this to me, Senior. "Now that we're here, we should claim the biggest prey we can take down." He points. We look.

"... Zhou Cheng, have you taken leave of your senses?" Kong Meiling murmurs, and for once, I feel justified in whining. "If we attempt to fight something like that in this environment, there is no way we will avoid enraging the other Herons. Think of what you are suggesting."

"I am thinking. And I am thinking that if we are to defy the Heavens, we cannot settle for something as simple as what is safe. If we are to win the Tournament, we must risk our lives - so why not risk them now? So long as the prize is equal to the risk, I, Zhou Cheng, will never shy away from danger."

That seems to inspire the others, even if I still feel like it's terrifying. The rewards are great, but we cannot enjoy them if we're dead, and whilst it's true we are always risking our lives as cultivators, it is also true that one risks their life doing just about anything. I could choke to death on a grain of rice, or maybe if I remained a merchant, a runaway wagon could hit me or something.

But those are very unlikely! The odds of that monster spearing us and feeding us to its chicks is not! It is easily four meters tall! If it flaps its wings, even Shan Guojin will be blown away! If it lashes out with a foot, we will be crushed!

Zhou Cheng, if your actions cause my death, have the good grace to live so that I can haunt you!