---
Smoke filled the sky like a tragic barbecue gone wrong. Lightning crackled over mountainous ribs the size of dragons. Meat volcanoes spewed molten marinade. Somewhere, someone screamed as a roast chicken grew legs and ran into the forest.
The Mantou Mariner approached the Realm of Roast, now docked at a floating brisket-shaped harbor.
Lin Feng, Flame Duck (still slightly crispy), and Bai Xue stared in awe.
"This place smells like betrayal and hickory," Bai Xue whispered.
Flame Duck wiped a tear. "I'm home."
Suddenly, a drumbeat echoed—no, not a drum. A giant bongo-rack of ribs.
From the fog emerged a procession of Beef Sentinels—towering meat-armor giants. Leading them was a man riding a sentient roast pig.
He wore a cape made of bacon. A crown of grilled onions. And his beard… was brisket.
He pointed his fork-scepter at the trio.
"WHO DARES TRESPASS IN MY DOMAIN?"
His voice shook the saucefields.
Flame Duck stepped forward. "We do, Brisket King. And your crown smells like sadness."
The king narrowed his eyes.
"I am Bar-Bar-Q, sovereign of sizzle, ruler of rubs, and keeper of the Second Seal—the Burnt End of Judgment!"
Lin Feng stepped forward. "We seek that seal."
Bar-Bar-Q roared, "THEN YOU SHALL EARN IT… IN THE BBQPIT OF PAIN!"
---
The BBQPit of Pain
Imagine a gladiator arena, except every weapon is edible, the walls are pork belly, and the crowd is entirely made of screaming sausages.
Lin Feng was handed a dual-bladed kebab staff.
Flame Duck got a Molotov meatball launcher.
Bai Xue received shuriken made of spiced ribs.
Across the pit, The Grill Reaper emerged—cloaked in smoke, eyes glowing with ember-anger, wielding a double-bladed bratwurst.
Bar-Bar-Q bellowed, "Defeat him, and the Burnt End is yours! Fail, and you'll be slow-cooked for eternity!"
---
The Battle Begins
The Grill Reaper charged like a meat-seeking missile. His blade sizzled through air.
Lin Feng parried with the kebab staff, meat cubes flying. Bai Xue leapt, spinning rib shurikens like a gourmet cyclone. Flame Duck launched flaming meatballs like a maniacal chef with nothing to lose.
"YOU CANNOT SEASON WHAT IS ALREADY PERFECTED!" the Reaper howled.
But Lin Feng's dumpling energy was rising. His seal glowed. His meat cubes began orbiting him in a gravitational roast field.
"Final Move—SKY DUMPLING COMET STRIKE: CHAR-GRILLED VARIANT!"
He launched into the air, crashing down with celestial dumpling fury.
The arena exploded in barbecue sauce and silence.
The Reaper… disintegrated into deliciousness.
---
The Brisket King's Test
Bar-Bar-Q clapped slowly. "Impressive. But strength isn't enough."
He descended from his smoked throne, now holding a golden brisket.
"This… is the Burnt End of Judgment. The second seal. Only one with the heart of true flavor can bite it and survive."
He offered it to Lin Feng.
Flame Duck hissed, "Don't do it, it smells like regret and overconfidence."
Lin Feng took a bite.
And was IMMEDIATELY flung into a vision.
---
In the Vision
He was in a realm made of flavor memories. He saw a child being denied dumplings. A family arguing over seasoning. A kingdom falling because someone used store-bought sauce.
Then, he saw The Hunger.
A swirling void made of blandness, devouring entire cuisines—soups, stews, dreams.
It turned to him.
"You cannot save flavor. You are just… a dumpling boy."
Lin Feng's seal burned brighter.
"I may be a dumpling boy… but I'm also the Spice of Resistance!"
He punched the void.
The Burnt End glowed.
---
Back in Reality
Lin Feng awakened, brisket in hand, glowing.
Bar-Bar-Q knelt. "You are worthy. Take the Burnt End. Find the next seal… in the Kingdom of Custard, where desserts rule and the Flan Empress awaits."
Flame Duck choked. "Did you say… custard?"
Bai Xue trembled. "That's a trap if I've ever heard one."
Lin Feng stood. "Then we ride. Because dessert… is no joke."
Bar-Bar-Q handed him a sauce-stained scroll. "Beware… the Empress never forgets betrayal. And she was once my wife."
Flame Duck dropped his meatball launcher.
"Oh no. Ex-wife boss level? We're all gonna die.''