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🍲 Chapter 16: Whisper of the Coffin
(The mist still swirls around them. The massive footprint has vanished... but strange, muffled sounds echo through the valley. Gu Láng clutches his tail, trembling.)
🔊 Xiao Feng (quietly, frowning):
— "That footprint... it was the size of a mountain."
🔊 Gu Tāng (cold as always):
— "The dragon still sleeps. But something else... is awake."
(A soft whisper hums through the fog — almost like a lullaby spoken through gritted teeth.)
🔊 Whispering Voice:
— "...only the fire of the chef... can awaken me..."
💭 Xiao Feng (confused):
— "Did you hear that? It said... only a chef's fire?"
🔊 Gu Láng (panicking):
— "Guys... I think that coffin is talking to us!"
(Through the mist, a black coffin rises from the earth — covered in ancient seals. At the center: a tiny sun emblem… with a spoon and fork.)
💭 System (finally reappears!):
> Quest Unlocked: [Awaken the Sleeper]
Use your cooking to break the seal on the "Cursed Child."
⚠️ Failure will result in irreversible madness.
🔊 Xiao Feng (smirking):
— "Let me guess... there's a kid in there who only wakes up with food?"
🔊 Gu Tāng:
— "Not a child. A sealed entity... imprisoned by ancient gods."
(The ground begins to rumble. The seals glow green. A scent escapes from the coffin — milk, salt... and pepper?)
💭 Xiao Feng (disturbed):
— "Wait... who seals people with spices?!"
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🔔 System Update: New Skill Unlocked → [Forbidden Cooking: Soul-Simmered Porridge]
💭 Xiao Feng:
— "A porridge that warms the soul? What kind of combat technique is this?!"
(Gu Láng makes a face like he wants to vomit, but he's clearly terrified.)
🔊 Gu Láng (laughing nervously):
— "So we're awakening a cursed girl... with a bowl of soup?! This system is crazy— NOPE, it's opening!"
(The coffin creaks open with a CLACK. The mist clears.
Inside lies a small girl with silver hair and pale, frozen skin.
As the smell of food hits her nose... a faint smile crosses her lips.)
👧 Girl (whispering):
— "...was it you? the one... who brought me soup?"
💭 Xiao Feng (staring, stunned):
— "Seriously? You waited all these years... for a bowl of soup?"
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🔥 End of Chapter 16