Chapter 3

Leon realized that his follow-up plan needed to change.

Gululu~~

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of boiling water in the iron pot. Leon snapped back to reality, deciding to set aside his planning for now and focus on finishing the meal. After all, it had been half a year since he last tasted meat, and he couldn't help but feel a bit greedy.

He carefully poured half of the boiling water into another pot to cool, then turned his attention to cooking. Without any oil available, he decided to fry the pork first to extract some lard. Using a few daggers he had found, Leon cut the meat into smaller pieces and instructed the other children to soak and wash the vegetables and meat separately.

Given the limited resources, he knew he couldn't prepare anything elaborate. So, he decided to keep it simple, combining the ingredients they had into a hearty stew. He tossed in eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, corn, and a few basic seasonings, along with the pork. After letting it simmer for half an hour, he had a pot of comforting Northeastern stew ready to serve.

Using the remaining lard, Leon fried up a few large beef and mutton chops. He also warmed some bread to serve as the main course. The aroma quickly filled the air, making the hungry children, who had never tasted meat before, drool in anticipation.

Realizing they lacked enough bowls and spoons, Leon stepped outside and used his strength to break a moderately thick tree. He then spent some time carving out fifteen bowls, and large spoons with a dagger. Though his craftsmanship was rough and the shapes a bit abstract, they were functional.

Leon directed the children to move the clean wooden table from the house into the room, and together they brought the iron pot of stew, along with the beef and mutton chops, to the table. As they served the stew, he said, "Kids, enjoy today's 'breakfast' with some bread."

Interestingly, despite their hunger, the children didn't rush to eat. Instead, they looked at Leon eagerly, waiting. Understanding their silent request, Leon smiled gently and said, "Go ahead and eat, you must be starving." He then took the first bite with his spoon, prompting the children to smile and finally dig into their meal.

The children smiled and began to devour the food with ease. The hearty stew, fried beef and mutton chops, bread, and broth were a feast for their taste buds. After arriving at the base, many of them had only been given nutrient solutions—rich in nutrients but extremely bland. The delicious meat and bread were a welcome change, awakening their appetites.

Even Leon couldn't help but savor the meal. Like autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves, the food on the table, the stew in the pot, and the soup were all quickly eaten, leaving nothing behind. Leon didn't even need to clean the dishes.

After eating, the children seemed content and let out satisfied burps. It was clear that today was likely the warmest, most comforting moment they had experienced in years. Amid the snow and wind outside, they were cozy by the fireplace, enjoying a delicious meal, a simple pleasure that filled them with satisfaction.

After eating, the children were well-behaved and began to put away the dishes without Leon's prompting. Some of the stronger ones even volunteered to brave the wind and snow to fetch water from a nearby lake, determined not to waste precious drinking water. But Leon was concerned—the lakeside ice was frozen, and without his help, they wouldn't be able to break through. So, he went himself.

When he returned, the children slightly heated the ice water and washed the dishes. Leon, however, was not as nurturing as a caretaker. He understood that these children were insecure and deeply confused during this period. They instinctively tried to prove their worth, fearing abandonment.

During this time, Leon's thoughts became clearer. If he had any doubts about taking care of these children before, his resolve was now solidified, especially because of the Wanda twins.

In this chaotic world, Leon knew he needed strength. Being a transmigrator made him feel insecure; he required immense power to not only protect himself but perhaps even ascend to godhood. Although that goal seemed distant, his Golden Finger gave him the confidence to pursue it.

But before setting out, he considered training some allies. The twins were a prime example. One possessed powerful chaos magic, while the other had incredible speed. With proper cultivation, their future potential could be limitless.

The twins and the others had endured endless darkness, pain, and torture together. Leon had emerged from nowhere, displaying unparalleled power to save them all.

This group of children, who had lost everything, instinctively began to rely on him. Over time, this dependence would naturally evolve into loyalty. These children were becoming a valuable asset, but before he could truly make use of them, Leon knew he needed a stable place to house them.

Woosh!

Suddenly, a simple and crude virtual template appeared before him. The accumulated time behind the sign-in button showed six days.

[Signing in!]

"Start signing in."

[Ding! Get the sign-in reward: Sun Breathing Technique.]

As the vast memory was instilled in him, Leon's eyes flashed with joy. He hadn't expected that after six days of signing in, he would actually obtain the Sun Breathing Technique.

The Breathing Technique is the legacy of a man who reached the pinnacle of human combat power. It's a general term for techniques developed by humans to fight demons. The primary function of this technique is to strengthen the heart and lung capacity, allowing the blood to absorb a large amount of oxygen in a short time. This significantly boosts the body's abilities, granting temporary physical strength comparable to that of a demon.

Once developed to the state of 'Total Concentration'—this breathing method can push physical fitness beyond the normal human limits. Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a master of this technique, was so powerful that he could deliver 1,500 slashes in mere moments. The speed and force of such a sword swing were truly terrifying.

What Leon values most about the Breathing Technique is its ability to rapidly enhance physical fitness and cardiopulmonary function. When combined with his Glint-Glint Fruit, it can accelerate the growth of his abilities and physical strength in a short period.

Additionally, the Sun Breathing Technique can be adapted into various branches, allowing him to train the other children effectively. With this technique, many challenges ahead will become much simpler. However, the downside is that it requires significant resources, including nutrient solutions. The rich nutrition in these solutions is essential for the children's growth, but one box won't last long.

It was clear—he still needed to deal with Hydra later.

A slight smile curled at the corner of Leon's mouth.