"Moo~~"
Xiaobai rarely indulged in the cooked dishes, but the Flame Fox truly made them fragrant.
The Flame Fox took the opportunity to curry favor with Xiaobai, offering massages and dishes, clearly wanting to stay.
Xiaobai snorted in resignation.
It wasn't an aloof cow, but as Lin Chen's Spirit Beast, they'd have to stay in the same Beast Taming Space in the future.
Lin Chen was deeply moved...
Bloodlines and such were secondary.
Cooking skills were truly irresistible.
This top-notch Spirit Beast was necessary in this run-down little home.
Xiaobai also noticed Lin Chen's fondness for the Flame Fox, but its obsession with cleanliness was hard to change.
Finally, it gave a low moo, implying:
I'll endure, maybe I'll get used to it over time.
"Xiaobai, how about this..." Lin Chen pondered for a long time, then suggested, "I've read in some books about a type of Sandalwood that can mask scents. I'll buy some to try. If it doesn't work, I'll send it away."
Lin Chen was serious and determined.
Though he was reluctant, Xiaobai was his first choice, so he wouldn't wrong Niu Niu.
He wasn't lying either; he loved reading all sorts of strange books, even unofficial histories.
This Sandalwood was something he learned about in a lesser-known history, where a couple had a woman with body odor that her partner tried to mask using this Sandalwood.
Xiaobai nodded, hoping for a perfect solution.
It too liked this little fox with a tragic background.
The Flame Fox, delighted, offered to cook all the future meals for the family.
Lin Chen was overjoyed; it was perfect that it volunteered to work without the need for any persuasion.
...
As dawn broke, Lin Chen left the Flame Fox home as he went out to buy Sandalwood, reminding it not to play with fire lest they lose the house.
He put Xiaobai into the Beast Taming Space and set out.
However, after inquiring at many general stores, he still couldn't find it.
"Young man, this kind of Sandalwood is rare; it usually goes to wealthy households before ever reaching stores," a kind shopkeeper informed him.
Hearing 'wealthy households,' Lin Chen thought of someone:
Lee Zaiqing.
Although Lin Chen disliked asking for help, he deemed it necessary this time for the Flame Fox.
He went to see Lee Zaiqing, and the steward recognized Lin Chen, allowing a quick meeting with Lee Zaiqing.
Lin Chen also saw the Iron Palm Bear, noticeably slimmer.
Clearly, it had been training hard lately.
"The Sandalwood you're looking for, we do have..." the steward knew the household affairs better than even Lee Zaiqing.
"I'm willing to pay for it," Lin Chen offered.
He didn't want to owe too many favors; offering help was already a favor.
However, he insisted on paying; it's a separate matter.
The steward glanced at Lee Zaiqing, who nodded, indicating Lin Chen needn't pay.
Lin Chen refused firmly.
Lee Zaiqing was unbothered; money wasn't what he cared about.
Strength was.
So, Lee Zaiqing said to Lin Chen, "Brother Lin, where's Xiaobai? Have it come out to spar a bit."
It was clear Lee Zaiqing was confident, having rigorously trained the Iron Palm Bear recently.
Lin Chen disliked fighting without purpose, but he summoned Xiaobai to spar in return for Lee Zaiqing's favor.
...
Snap~~ Snap~~
On the field, the cow and bear clashed, yet Xiaobai steadily held the advantage.
Lee Zaiqing was dissatisfied, considering the bloodline not good enough.
"It's still doing fine, Brother Lee should train it reasonably."
Lin Chen advised kindly, as he found Lee Zaiqing decent, without the bad habits of noble scions, just a bit stubborn.
"My father and I decided if it fails to evolve or if the evolved strength is unsatisfactory, we'll replace it."
Lee Zaiqing made no secret of it.
Lin Chen felt sorry.
The Iron Palm Bear's bloodline was indeed decent.
Lin Chen faintly guessed that Lee Zaiqing's talent was likely enhancement-related; otherwise, he wouldn't be so demanding of Spirit Beasts.
However, a Beastmaster's talent often didn't show its strength in the early stages but made a difference in mid to late stages due to its uniqueness.
After three hours of sparring, both Spirit Beasts were exhausted, so Lin Chen got up to bid farewell.
The steward brought over a large piece of Sandalwood; Lin Chen inquired about the price and finally paid twenty thousand.
Because it cost the Lee Family eighteen thousand.
After expressing his thanks, Lin Chen returned home, first making sure there was no fire.
Relaxing once he confirmed, he entered the house, greeted by the aroma of food.
"You've prepared the meal?" Lin Chen was surprised.
The little fox, dozing by the dining table, opened its eyes excitedly at Lin Chen's voice.
Lin Chen had said he wouldn't be long, so it prepared the meal early. Now it had cooled and it intended to reheat it.
Lin Chen stopped it, saying, "Try this first."
The little fox eyed the Sandalwood nervously.
If this didn't work, it might have to leave this home.
Lin Chen cut a small piece and handed it over.
"Can you still smell it?" Lin Chen asked.
Xiaobai gestured for Lin Chen to take the large piece farther away, and nodded when it was, indicating it could still smell it.
The little fox was dejected, crestfallen.
Lin Chen sighed too, not because of the money, but genuinely reluctant to part with such a good cook.
"Moo~~"
Xiaobai's call revived both man's and fox's spirits.
Xiaobai meant that while it was still detectable, it was significantly reduced.
Lin Chen added another piece, yet Xiaobai could still smell it.
On the third addition, Xiaobai finally shook its head.
At that point, even up close, the fox's odor was undetectable, only the full Sandalwood aroma remained.
Man and beasts were all delighted; it was a perfect outcome.
"Grumble~~"
The little fox looked gratefully at Xiaobai.
Lin Chen understood, it meant acknowledgment of Xiaobai as its leader.
After all, Xiaobai was the first to stay with him.
Xiaobai nodded, accepting its new little follower...
Though this follower's Level was higher than its own.
"From now on, you'll be called Xiao Hong," Lin Chen declared as he glanced at the little fox's coloring, giving it a name for convenience, "Once I reach Entry-Level Beastmaster, I'll make a pact with you."
Then, Lin Chen prepared to carve a fox pendant out of the Rosewood for it.
The Flame Fox nodded, happily going to reheat the dishes.
However, the meal wasn't that great this time, not that the Flame Fox's cooking skills had declined, but rather it cooked fox-type food that Lin Chen and Xiaobai weren't accustomed to.
Nonetheless, they enjoyed it immensely.
Upon inquiry, it was revealed the little fox mostly stayed at home alone since birth, a literal stay-at-home 'child.'
While its parents were out hunting or working, the little fox often cooked and ate by itself.
The little fox was anxious, afraid that Lin Chen might abandon it again.
"Don't overthink," Lin Chen said as he patted its head for the first time, Xiaobai didn't get jealous this time.
This was Niu Niu's little brother, part of the family now.
"I have recipe books. In the future, I'll write them out for you to cook."
Lin Chen spoke up.
Huaxia's culture might lack many things, but recipes weren't one of them.
Conveniently, Lin Chen had memorized many, with precision down to percentages.
Only, he couldn't cook them well himself.
In many domains, Lin Chen believed practice could enhance skills...
But not in cooking!