Food Benefits

Kayden cautiously picked up a strand of the red noodles, twirling it around his fork.

He brought it to his mouth, savoring the tantalizing aroma that wafted from the dish. With a sense of anticipation, he took a bite, allowing the flavors to dance on his tongue.

As the explosion of tastes and textures enveloped his senses, his eyes widened in surprise.

'Although it's been a while since I've been to a proper restaurant, I'm sure I've never tasted anything that looks so simple but is so tasty.' He thought, amazed by the sensations on his palate.

The noodles were incredibly tender, and the sauce blended sweet and savory notes harmoniously.

The accompanying vegetables added a refreshing crunch, their vibrant colors enhancing the dish's visual appeal.

With each bite, Kayden found himself immersed in a world of delight, savoring the intricate flavors and appreciating the careful craftsmanship behind the dish.

For the first time in weeks, his mind was free of worries.

As he finished the first dish, Kayden turned to the magnificent steak that awaited him.

Perfectly grilled, the meat exuded a mouthwatering aroma, promising a succulent and flavorful experience.

The accompaniment, cooked to a golden brown, added a comforting touch to the ensemble.

Kayden sliced into the steak, revealing its juicy and tender interior. With each bite, he relished the combination of flavors, the expert seasoning enhancing the natural richness of the meat.

With a creamy texture complementing the robust flavors of the steak, the accompaniment provided a wonderful contrast.

Finally, Kayden's gaze turned to the exotic fruit that awaited him for dessert.

Its vibrant hues and intriguing texture beckoned him, urging him to explore its hidden treasures. He picked it up, feeling the slight resistance of its skin beneath his fingers.

Carefully, he took a bite, and the burst of sweetness exploded in his mouth.

The fruit was unlike anything he had ever tasted, its unique flavor profile leaving him in awe. Each bite was a delightful surprise as if uncovering a hidden gem of nature's bounty.

As Kayden savored the last morsel of his meal, he marveled at the variety and intricacy of the culinary creations.

'If I didn't misunderstand the captain's words, these foods were given by Lord Thasal, which means that foods like these, or even better, can be found throughout the universe.' Kayden thought, enthusiastic.

Even though he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goal, that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy other things.

Otherwise, what was the purpose of becoming stronger if not to be able to enjoy whatever he wanted without hindrance?

Moreover, Sergeant Lee had said that eating food rich in mana was highly beneficial to his cultivation.

While he thought, he suddenly startled after slightly feeling the mana had increased around him.

He quickly concentrated on entering the meditative state to perceive the mana. Thanks to his hard training over the past few days, it hardly took him any time to do so.

After feeling the mana in his body, his eyes widened in surprise, making him swiftly attract the mana.

As he thought, the amount was greater than what he could draw before the meal.

'With this larger amount of mana, it should be easier to unlock the fortieth node.' He thought excitedly, heading to his room at once.

Although he had planned to leave the unlocking of the node for the next day and focus on physical training, he didn't hesitate to change his plans in the face of the current situation.

'Neither the captain nor the sergeant mentioned anything about this, but I hope the effects of the food don't disappear, or at least not soon.'

Kayden stepped into his bedroom and sat on the floor.

Luckily the amount of mana the food had provided to him had not gone away.

As he expected, he was able to find the right node to unlock in a short time due to the mana increase.

This was similar to the difference between trying to find the right nodes to unlock when he had just started cultivating and now.

Since the amount of mana was bigger, it was easy to detect what used to be challenging.

Besides that, when Kayden pulled the mana toward the blocked node he could feel how the progress what just a bit harder than the thirtieth one, which should have been impossible.

Unfortunately, the pain seemed to be the only thing that had increased.

Kayden felt a searing surge of agony coursing through his body, intensifying with each passing moment. He felt like molten steel was being poured into his body.

The minutes passed, Kayden enduring the pain while continuing to draw the mana.

Despite the pain, he maintained his unwavering focus, resolutely channeling the mana toward the targeted node.

The invisible wall finally collapsed a while later, allowing the mana to rush into his body.

Slight pain still lingered inside him as if his organs had been close to bursting.

After the pain subsided, Kayden gasped for air, his chest heaving with a mix of exhaustion and relief.

Gathering his composure, Kayden marveled at the power coursing through his newly unlocked node.

The surge of mana running through his body meant that he was closer to his goal, propelling him further along the path of cultivation.

A sense of accomplishment washed over him, knowing that he had overcome another obstacle in his path.

However, he didn't let this feeling last long, reminding himself that this was only a ridiculous hardship compared to what the future held.

With renewed determination, he stood up from the floor, ready to face whatever trials awaited him.

His journey was far from over, and he was eager to continue unlocking his potential. The pain was a small price to pay for the profound growth and enlightenment that awaited him in the cultivation society.

'I will rest for a while before heading to the fight hall to get used to my new strength.' Kayden told himself.

***

Half an hour later, Kayden entered the fight hall ready for the training.

He surveyed the hall as he walked to the wall where the weapons were located.

There seemed to be around twenty people training, and Kayden recognized some from his group.

He sighed in relief after not seeing Elena. If she had been there, he doubted he would have been able to concentrate on his training.

Over the past few days, they had crossed paths several times, and although they had not exchanged a word, sometimes glances were more than enough to communicate.

Just as he was thinking about that, he saw two familiar figures training. As if sensing his gaze, one of them approached him while waving.

"Hey, Kayden! How are you doing?" The bald man called Connor said.

Kayden flashed a smile, "Fine, I'm going to train with the sword," he replied before asking back, "What about you?"

"Good," Connor answered with his deep voice, "By the way, I heard you were the first in your ranking congratulations. Do you want to train with us?"

'I prefer training alone, but this is a good way to know the level of the best recruits in other groups,' Kayden thought.

"Sure."