Chapter 105: Climbing The Divine Mountain

Sora was completely unaware that the female who had mocked her only moments ago was now lying flat on the grass several bushes away, secretly peeking at her cooking with sparkling eyes. Hidden behind the thick greenery, Serena’s rival looked less like the proud beauty she had presented herself to be and more like a curious little girl who had stumbled upon something fascinating.

The golden bird eggs sizzling inside the ceramic pan were unlike anything she had ever seen before.

Sora had chopped a handful of fresh green onions she had gathered nearby and sprinkled them over the eggs. The moment the onions touched the hot lard, an intoxicating fragrance burst into the air, blending with the rich aroma of the mushrooms.

Beside it, another clay pot simmered gently over the fire.

The mushroom soup released a delicate fragrance that carried through the forest breeze, while the sautéed porcini mushrooms had turned beautifully golden, their edges slightly crisp and glistening with oil.

Even Lukan, who usually ate everything without much comment, couldn’t help reaching for another piece of the golden bird eggs.

Crunch.

The outside was slightly crispy while the inside remained soft and fluffy.

His calm eyes brightened almost imperceptibly.

Compared to swallowing raw bird eggs like every other beastman did, this was simply the difference between heaven and earth.

He silently picked up another piece.

Then another.

Across the bushes, the arrogant beauty watched with widening eyes.

So delicious?

She knew that gentle werewolf rarely showed much emotion.

If he kept eating without stopping...

Then it had to be incredible.

Her mouth unconsciously filled with saliva.

The scent drifting through the air seemed almost magical.

If she hadn’t already offended that ugly female...

...she might actually have gone over and asked for a bite.

No.

Impossible.

She was the most beautiful female in Snow Tiger City.

Why would she lower herself to ask an ugly girl for food?

She stubbornly swallowed her saliva and continued staring.

Just then—

"Tisha, what are you doing here?"

A deep voice suddenly sounded behind her.

She nearly screamed.

Before Moose could speak again, Tisha hurriedly slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Mmph—"

"Shhh!"

Her face flushed bright red.

Why was he shouting so loudly?

What if that ugly female discovered she had been secretly watching her cook?

Where would she hide her face then?

Moose blinked in confusion, completely unable to understand why his female suddenly covered his mouth.

Seeing his bewildered expression, Tisha immediately realized her reaction had been too obvious.

She awkwardly withdrew her hand before quickly leaning over to kiss his cheek.

It was only a light peck.

Enough to distract him.

Sure enough, Moose instantly forgot everything.

His tiger ears twitched happily.

"Tisha."

"I’m hungry."

Tisha grabbed his arm naturally.

"Is lunch ready?"

Her sweet voice instantly melted Moose’s heart.

He nodded enthusiastically.

"I roasted your favorite chicken."

He proudly led her farther away from Sora’s campsite before taking out a roasted chicken leg wrapped in broad leaves.

"Here."

"Your favorite."

Tisha accepted it absentmindedly.

She took a bite.

Crunch.

Dry.

Another bite.

Still dry.

She stared blankly at the slightly burnt roasted chicken.

This used to be her favorite food.

Before today.

Yet now...

She couldn’t stop comparing it with the fluffy golden bird eggs she had just watched Sora make.

The comparison was simply too cruel.

She looked at the blackened chicken skin.

Then she remembered the perfectly golden eggs.

One looked dry and tasteless.

The other looked fragrant and irresistible.

Her mood instantly plummeted.

Moose’s cooking...

...was truly terrible.

After another reluctant bite, she lost all appetite.

Pouting slightly, she asked,

"Is roasting meat the only thing you know how to make?"

Moose scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"But... Tisha..."

"I’m a beastman."

"I don’t really know how to cook."

"I only learned to roast meat because you like eating it."

"I already think I’m pretty good if I can cook it thoroughly."

Tisha sighed softly.

She had wanted to gain a little weight.

After all, if she became slightly fuller...

Wouldn’t her figure become even more perfect?

But eating roasted meat every day...

She suddenly wasn’t so enthusiastic anymore.

Meanwhile...

Sora and Lukan had already finished lunch.

Rather than making milk tea immediately, Sora carefully packed the freshly picked tea leaves into a small leather pouch.

The pouch had been sewn by her using fish thread.

Although simple, it was surprisingly practical.

It reminded her of the utility pouches survivors carried during the apocalypse.

She smiled faintly.

At least some of her old survival habits were still useful here.

As for the fresh yak milk, she poured it into the bamboo bottle she carried.

The outside of the bottle had been wrapped tightly in treated cowhide to prevent leakage.

Primitive...

Yet surprisingly effective.

After resting beneath the shade of the trees for a while, they packed everything away.

Lukan naturally carried the heavier supplies while Sora only held the torch and her small leather pouch.

Soon, they continued climbing Divine Mountain.

The higher they climbed, the thinner the forest became.

After nearly another hour...

The trees gradually disappeared.

Instead, enormous stone steps stretched toward the clouds.

Lukan suddenly stopped walking.

"We’re here."

Sora looked up.

At the foot of the remaining mountain path stood an ancient stone monument covered in mysterious carvings.

Around it, hundreds of beastmen and females from countless tribes had already gathered.

This was the beginning of the sacred pilgrimage.

Beyond this point...

No one was allowed to rely on beast abilities.

No teleportation.

No wind abilities.

No enhanced speed.

Not even beast forms.

Everyone—

Whether ordinary beastman or powerful warrior—

Had to climb the remaining third of Divine Mountain with their own two feet.

Only then could they prove their sincerity before the Sky God.

Lukan looked toward Sora.

"I can’t carry you anymore."

She nodded.

"I know."

Sliding down from his back, she stretched her slightly stiff legs.

Only after standing on the ground did she realize just how high the mountain still was.

The remaining staircase seemed endless, disappearing into the clouds.

Sora inhaled deeply.

"This..."

"...is going to be exhausting."

As a naturally plump female, climbing such a mountain wasn’t exactly easy.

Around them, numerous tribes had also begun ascending.

Some females were slim and graceful, practically skipping up the steps.

Others leaned against their beast husbands, panting dramatically.

The moment several females noticed Sora...

Their eyes widened.

Then they burst into laughter.

"Look!"

"A fat female!"

"So round!"

"She must be lazy."

"And greedy."

"No wonder she’s so heavy."

"Hahaha!"

"Just look at her trying to climb."

"How long do you think she’ll take?"

"I bet we’ll all finish before she even reaches halfway."

Laughter erupted among the crowd.

Some openly pointed at her.

Others whispered while covering their mouths.

Their expressions were filled with ridicule.

Lukan’s expression cooled instantly.

His silver eyes narrowed.

Before he could speak, Sora gently tugged his sleeve.

"It’s alright."

She smiled calmly.

"They can laugh."

The more they laughed...

The more motivated she became.

In her previous life, surviving the apocalypse had taught her something important.

Mockery never killed anyone.

Giving up did.

Besides...

This mountain was practically the perfect weight-loss training ground.

Her water ability constantly circulated through her body, quietly accelerating her metabolism.

Every exhausting step burned more energy than normal.

She could practically feel sweat soaking her clothes.

Her breathing gradually became heavier.

Yet beneath the exhaustion...

Her body felt strangely lighter.

If everything continued like this...

By the time she returned to the tribe...

She might truly lose enough weight to surprise everyone.

Maybe...

She could finally explain her dramatic change without raising suspicion.

After all...

Who would question someone who climbed Divine Mountain?

Sora couldn’t help smiling.

The females mocking her interpreted the smile differently.

One of them scoffed.

"Look."

"She’s smiling."

"Has she gone stupid from climbing?"

Another covered her mouth as she laughed.

"Maybe she’s imagining food waiting at the top."

More laughter followed.

Sora ignored every single word.

Instead...

She took one determined step upward.

Then another.

And another.

Each step echoed firmly against the ancient stone staircase leading toward the heavens.

No matter how long the climb...

No matter how many people laughed...

She would reach the summit.

Because unlike everyone else...

She wasn’t climbing merely for the ceremony.

She was climbing toward a future only she knew awaited beyond Divine Mountain.