The conflict between non-humans and humans was almost irreconcilable, but under the balancing act of Sacrificial Cultivation, this contradiction was perfectly resolved.
But the price was the responsibility shouldered by the practitioners of Sacrificial Cultivation.
Even if many practitioners of Sacrificial Cultivation in the current age have forgotten this responsibility, there are still many who silently abide by this pact, upholding the contract established between non-humans and humans.
The ’Feast’ was something that came into being to maintain the balance between humans and non-humans.
A practitioner of Sacrificial Cultivation hosting the Feast could use their cooking to cleanse the various negative energies accumulated by the beings of the Non-human World through their Cultivation. It also increased the human essence on these beings, allowing them to better develop their intelligence for Cultivation and smoothly advance to the next stage. While mitigating heavenly tribulations and earthly calamities, it also sped up their rate of cultivation.
Generally, practitioners of Sacrificial Cultivation capable of hosting a Feast would only exist in a Prefecture City. This was the bottom line of the contract signed between humans and non-humans.
Jinning Town originally had no such place for a grand feast. It wasn’t until two years ago, when the previously-unable-to-cultivate Zhao Tiansheng broke through the barriers of his constitution, that Jinning Town had become increasingly stable and harmonious over the past two years.
...
’This old Daoist’s eye for talent is as sharp as ever...’
’Truly one of a kind!’
After nightfall, Jinning Town was nothing like those large cities or the Prefecture City; hardly anyone was out and about.
The occasional Night Patrols also followed fixed routes, and very few people would venture into other areas. Only a special existence like this old Daoist could freely walk at night in this time when humans and non-humans coexisted.
Puffing on his long-stemmed pipe, every wisp of smoke seemed to transform into a small path shrouded in white mist beneath his feet. This Daoist of the Wei surname, the Jianning Garrison, seemed to be using an extremely subtle method to prevent the influence of the lantern Zhao Tiansheng had hung from affecting the small town.
Normally, he wouldn’t need to go to such great lengths.
But the situation was different now. The beings of the Non-human World, who had been fighting for many days, were now at the peak of their vicious and baleful energy.
Even if their minds weren’t clouded, their tempers were fiercer than usual. He was ultimately afraid that someone might accidentally provoke them.
At the same time, the smoke drifting from Daoist Wei’s pipe quickly snaked its way around both sides of a crimson path, ensuring that humans and non-humans each stayed peacefully on their own side.
Seeing his technique succeed, Daoist Wei stroked his glossy, shining sideburns.
’Looks like I can snag another fine meal with good wine tonight.’
With that, he tucked the long-stemmed pipe behind his back. Like a farmer who’d just gotten away with stealing a chicken, he shook his head and ambled toward Zhao Tiansheng’s small eatery on the west side of town.
At this moment, the lantern hanging above Zhao Tiansheng’s eatery was emitting a red glow imperceptible to ordinary people, transforming into a winding path that guided countless beings of the Non-human World from the surrounding area of Jinning to this place where they could enjoy delicious food and a pleasant time.
...
Wisps of cooking smoke drifted up. A spread of Night Lamp Talismans in the central hall of Zhao Tiansheng’s small eatery cast their light. Unlike the technological path of his previous life, Jiu Province Heaven and Earth naturally had its own different system, its traces of civilization likewise imprinted in every corner.
This included the Jade Pendant used to lock the door earlier, as well as the ’Night Lamp Talisman’ and ’Thousand Painting Talisman’ that every household used at night.
One Night Lamp Talisman was good for seven days. When Zhao Tiansheng had just activated it, he took a moment to sense the old one and felt it could still last another two or three days. So, he paid it no mind, washed up, and entered the eatery’s back kitchen to begin his various preparations.
Since he was opening for a ’Feast,’ he had to hurry up and get the necessary things ready.
Otherwise, when the many ’guests’ arrived, if they were hungry and had nothing to eat, they could get very ’noisy.’
It was very similar to his previous life, yet also different.
The anomalous beings collectively known as the "Non-human World" were broadly divided into Demon Fiends, ghosts, monsters, Elves, and other unusual species.
The ones typically encountered were generally monsters and wandering, lonely ghosts.
The former had physical bodies; the latter were nearly without any physical form.
Therefore, the food preparation for the two was also different.
Wandering ghosts and the like, their bodies long gone, preferred more lingering flavors. They favored ingredients like the five grains, chicken, duck, and fish—types with more lasting tastes.
Monsters and other anomalous beings, on the other hand, had successfully cultivated their physical bodies. Their sense of taste was no less sensitive than a human’s. They could eat anything humans liked, and they were especially fond of stimulating flavors.
As Zhao Tiansheng prepared the food, he naturally needed to consider both.
He used chicken, duck, and fish bones to make a base broth. Even if time was short, he still had to mince some meat from all three and simmer it in clear water to enhance the broth’s flavor.
Next, he soaked millet and rice, waiting for the base broth to finish simmering.
This was the meat congee prepared for the wandering ghosts and their kind. For the monsters and other anomalous beings, it was a different story. Considering the cooking time, Zhao Tiansheng chose fried food, which was faster and could be made in large quantities at once—specifically, meatballs.
This would serve as their first round of food.
Although the food he made seemed simple and crude, for the majority of the beings of the Non-human World, this kind of thing was actually more suitable.
After all, not all beings of the Non-human World were high-tiered; Low Level ones were the mainstream.
As for those with other needs, they would naturally order according to their own tastes. What Zhao Tiansheng really needed to stabilize were these Low Tier beings of the Non-human World who had difficulty controlling themselves.
...
Inside, Zhao Tiansheng was stirring the meat filling. Besides the usual scallion and ginger water, the most suitable ingredient for the meat filling in early spring was spring bamboo shoots.