Once upon a time there was a greedy snake

"So where exactly is the difference...?"

He was puzzled.

It was at this moment that he realized that he might not have been able to go down the mountain on the day Chi Ying died—at this moment, he was no longer able to calm down and continue to study his own path.

The repeated suicidal acts of those Ignivas kept nagging at him, and he would think of this unsolvable problem whenever he closed his eyes.

“If this matter isn’t resolved, I won’t even be able to continue practicing my principles!”

At that moment, he suddenly realized that this might be the most dangerous ordeal he had ever encountered in his life.

The unsolvable problem, like an invisible shackle, directly locked his understanding of the Dao, and even locked his thoughts themselves—he even considered killing all these Ignivas people, after all, this was also a way to solve the problem; as long as everyone was dead, the problem would naturally disappear.

But he quickly dismissed the dangerous idea.

Even if he killed all these Ignivas, it wouldn't solve the problem. In fact, killing them would only deprive him of the way to solve the problem. Right now, he needs to rely on these Ignivas to prove that his idea is correct and that his understanding is right.

Only if these Ignivas continue to live, and even continue indefinitely, can he continue on his own path to godhood.

Perhaps it was the call of fate, or perhaps it was the protection of the Dao Ancestor in the dark.

On the very day of the harvest festival, during the worship of the great serpent god, he once again saw an opportunity to spread the Way.

"Just like that great ancestor of the Dao..."

At this moment, as he looked at the young man in the distance, he saw a reflection of himself from years ago.

He was just as young back then.

At that time, when the Dao Ancestor had just awakened, he didn't even pay attention to him.

"Perhaps I should do the same."

He vaguely realized something.

Chapter 65 Healthy Eating

Just as that deserter from back then, now the man of the mountains, was trying out his new method of preaching, the young guard from the southern swamp was also spying on him.

To the young guard, learning by stealing was no big deal. After all, according to the clan's legend, their ancestor mastered the power of magic by observing the way the serpent god lit a fire. So, his current actions could be seen as following in the footsteps of his ancestors.

"As long as we bring back the way to eternal youth..."

The young guard thought to himself.

Yes, he didn't know anything about this so-called Dao, and he had never heard of it. Even if he had heard of it or seen it, he didn't care at all—after all, this kind of thing had nothing to do with his mission. From beginning to end, his mission was only to bring back the way to maintain eternal youth.

After careful observation, he actually noticed something.

"These people... seem to eat differently from the Ignivas."

After observing the cycle of three days and nights from the shadows, the young guard began to ponder.

He had initially thought that the reason these so-called mountain people seemed to have little meat was mainly because they ate little. However, during his observations over the past few days, he was surprised to find that these mountain people's appetites were actually similar to those of the Ignivas people.

In a sense, this can be considered a continuation of the same lineage. Although the two sides have now split into different branches, they are ultimately both from the former city of Ignis.

However, eating a lot is one thing.

In terms of food choices, the way these mountain people eat is completely different from that of the Ignivas people.

The Ignivas people's way of eating originates from the methods of magicians' training developed in the ancient city of Ignis—large chunks of roasted meat exuding the aroma of oil, milk, jam made from rock berry, and rare honey syrup, which constitute the main diet of the Ignivas people.

Simply put, it's all about being cloyingly sweet.

The diet of these mountain people is completely different. Although they also cook roasted meat with jam, they do not wolf it down like the Ignivas. Even the precious honey is only used as a condiment, not drunk directly like the Ignivas. In addition, these mountain people also eat a lot of plants, such as Jerusalem artichoke, nettle, quinoa, or kudzu root. Occasionally, you can even see wild yam, cattail, or lotus root. Even things like earth ear fungus are served on the table.

"And they don't just choose one type of meat..."

After observing for a few more days, the young guard discovered a new difference.

The Ignivas people are not picky about meat; they will eat any kind of meat. They are not picky eaters. If there are mammoths, they will eat mammoths; if there are no mammoths, they will eat saber-toothed tigers. In the southern swamps, where there are neither mammoths nor saber-toothed tigers, eating alligators is also acceptable.

But the way these mountain people eat is clearly different. The young guard could tell that these mountain people are deliberately changing the types of meat. For example, if they eat mammoth meat one meal, they will switch to bird meat or fish meat the next meal. They rarely repeat the same type of meat, just as they rarely repeat the same type of vegetable meat.

"They are deliberately trying to consume more different kinds of food."

After observing for several days, the young guard keenly noticed this.

Thinking of the bodies of these mountain people, and their robust physiques so different from those of the Ignivas, the young guard felt he had grasped something.

To verify this hypothesis, he even secretly tried the diet of these mountain people.

Immediately afterwards, he realized that he had found the answer.

"This must be it! This must be the key to youth!"

The young guard, who had changed his eating habits for a few days, came to a conclusion.

As we all know, becoming stronger always comes at a price, and this is especially true for the training of the Ignis people—it is said that in the city of Ignis back then, not everyone could become a mage, and even among mages, there were differences in skill level.

The key to determining who is better lies in whether they can eat more.

Although it sounds like an extremely simple thing, as if all you need is a big enough stomach, it's actually not that simple at all. Although the aroma of roasted meat and the sweet syrup may seem tempting, after eating too much, the aroma of fat will turn into greasiness, and the sweetness will turn into cloying sweetness. That cloying smell can even make people want to vomit.

This means that those who can cultivate the path of magic are all people with extraordinary willpower. Their firm willpower allows them to resist the nausea caused by the greasiness and even stuff themselves with more food, trying their best to make their bodies bear the burden.

"But the diet of these mountain people... is completely different."

Recalling the changes in his diet over the past few days, the young guard nodded slowly.

Although the plant roots or leaves were quite unpalatable to him, when paired with greasy meat, he felt a refreshing taste. In other words, although he ate a lot, his body was not under much burden, and there was no possibility of nausea. He did not need to strengthen his will to finish eating.

Even after eating, his body felt quite relaxed.

Even the most powerful mage will feel drowsy after eating, but after eating the food of the mountain people, he remained energetic and showed no signs of drowsiness even after consuming a large amount of food.

"This way of eating is beneficial to the body."

"If you can maintain this kind of diet in the long term and diversify your meals... your condition can indeed improve, and you can truly say that you stay young forever!"

At that moment, the young guard felt he had grasped the key to everything.

After that, he decisively chose to leave the sacred mountain.

We've been out for quite a while now, and who knows how much longer the Second Akakage can hold out? We need to bring these secret techniques back as soon as possible, and also some vegetables that aren't available in the southern swamp.

"I have grasped the secrets of these mountain dwellers! I will definitely complete the mission of the Second Akakage!"

His eyes were filled with determination.

This determination was also noticed by a similarly young figure in the distance.

"Yes, that's it. Take the Dao you've sensed out and share it with your people."

The young man in the distance nodded slowly. He could sense that the outsider's eyes were undoubtedly filled with the look of someone who had found the "Tao".

As he watched the outsider leave, he even felt for a moment that he was the serpent god of the past. Back then, the ancestors of the Ignis people probably learned the principles of magic from the serpent god in the same way.

And now, this outsider, this descendant of the Ignis, is also bringing new principles with him.

Just how far can this outsider go?

He couldn't help but feel a little excited.

But soon he discovered that things were not developing as he had expected.

Chapter 66 Slowly Immersing Him

With his newfound knowledge, along with some vegetables, fruits, and roots, the young guard swiftly returned to the southern swamp.

He didn't come quickly because he didn't have a clear direction at the time. Now that he had the solution, he didn't need to delay any longer. He returned to the Second Akakage almost as fast as he could and reported everything he had seen.

"So those Ignis people really did stay on the Holy Mountain back then..."

Listening to those stories from his homeland, the second-generation Akakage felt a pang of sadness. After all, he had grown up on that land, so how could he not miss his hometown?

However, the sighs only lasted for a moment, after all, the Second Akakage also knew what was most important right now.

On the very day the young guard returned, the Second Akakage directly changed his eating habits.

This method proved to be quite effective. After trying to change his eating habits, especially reducing his intake of fatty meat and honey, the Second Akakage was visibly much more energetic. Although he was certainly far from being forever young, at least he did not continue to age.

This is already an extremely obvious effect. After all, the Second Akakage also knows that the kind of thing that makes people young again after just one bite is simply impossible. As for those so-called mountain dwellers, their ability to maintain their youth is probably due to their long-term adherence to this diverse diet.

"Looking at it this way, I can only hold on for another ten years at most... but that's enough, at least I can get a lot of things done."

The Second Akakage thought to himself that he hadn't actually considered asking for more.

After regaining his energy, the Second Akakage continued the construction of New Ignis City. In addition, he promoted this diversified diet to the entire race, which earned him the support of all Ignis people. After all, they could feel that this new diet greatly reduced their burden of eating.

However, the Second Akakage did not hold back and openly stated that this method came from the Holy Mountain, from his former comrades, and it was even very likely from the great serpent god.

This makes the annual harvest festival even more lively.

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. In the once stagnant and decaying swamp, a new city has risen from the ground. This new Ignis City is the greatest achievement of the Second Generation Akakage and the new home for everyone.

On the day the castle was declared complete, after attending the completion celebration, the Second Akakage finally collapsed.

"After I leave, you will be the Third Akakage."

On his deathbed, the Second Akakage held the guard's hand, looking at the guard's face, which was as young as it had been ten years ago.

It was thanks to this guard's efforts that he was able to hold on for another ten years, allowing the Ignivas to finally establish themselves in this unfamiliar territory. And for that reason, he had always treated the guard as his apprentice for the past ten years, just as the First Akakage had treated him.

Now, it's time for the handover.

"We must continue to lead our people to continue our lineage, and remember to explore everything around us... If possible, go back to our hometown."

"But you must not act rashly. Even if those giants are no longer as brave as they used to be, you must remember that the lives of your people are the most precious. Do not fight those giants unless you are absolutely certain of victory."

"In addition, those dietary methods that can keep people young must be preserved... If the people of our tribe can all stay young and live long, then our wisdom can be passed down forever."

"Finally, if you have the chance, go and worship that serpent god, just like our ancestors did..."

After rambling on for a while, the Second Akakage's hand finally fell limp.

The Third Akakage officially ascended to the throne.

If the greatest achievement of the Second Akakage was leading his people to establish a foothold in the southern swamps and even opening up the new Ignis City, then the greatest achievement of the Third Akakage had already begun before he took office—the new diet had been maintained for ten years, enough to bring about earth-shattering changes to the Ignis people.

First of all, there is a change in their physique. The large, pot-bellied figures of the past are no longer seen. The Ignivas people now resemble those mountain dwellers, with well-proportioned and muscular bodies. Even the young people are slightly taller than the previous generation.

But the Third Akakage was not satisfied with that.

As the newly appointed Akakage, he definitely needs to do more to gain people's recognition and truly be worthy of being called the Akakage. However, this is where the trouble lies: the Second Akakage has basically done all the work that can be done.

"There must be something else I can do..."

Thinking about this, the Third Akakage actually remembered something he could do.

That is, to continue to refine that recipe.

Although the facts have proven how amazing the recipe from the mountain people was, he always felt that he could continue to study it in more depth. In the past ten years, apart from learning how to manage a city from the second Akakage, he had spent almost all his time on this.

"Why is it that the Ignivas people, who eat the fattest parts of the plants, suffer physical burdens, while the mountain people, who eat more grass, become stronger than the Ignivas people?"

This was a point of doubt for him, and it has been the direction of his research over the past ten years.

Now, having become the Third Akakage, he can finally reveal this answer to all the Ignivas.

"The answer is simple: because those vegetables contain some of the nutrients our bodies need, and some of them are even essential!"

Of course, if it were just this one sentence, then what he said would be basically nonsense, since the new diet plan has been going on for ten years, and anyone can see that.

However, this was the first achievement of the Third Akakage after taking office.

What he wanted to say was far more than that.

"However, whether we eat meat or vegetables, the amount we can actually consume is ultimately too small. Only a portion of it is truly useful to us... This means that we only need to consume the most beneficial part of it!"

On that day, in front of everyone, the Third Akakage presented his research findings.

In front of everyone, he poured all the ingredients into the water in the pot.

Chapter 67 One Step Ahead, Two Steps Ahead

Adding various ingredients to boiling water is a method that the Third Akakage learned from the Ignivas people near the Holy Mountain ten years ago.

However, ten years ago, those elderly mages used this method purely because of a shortage of food. So, those elderly mages would try to boil food in water so that the water would absorb the flavor of the food, thus filling their stomachs with water.

However, in the eyes of the Third Akakage, those elderly mages could only be considered to have stumbled upon this system by accident.