Chapter 503: The Light of Dawn

Not too long after, the old man returned to the deck of the ship from inside.

He was holding something slimy in his hand.

Gu Qing Shan took a careful look before confirming that it was a snail.

“Here, I’ll give you this snail as a gift” the old man said.

Seeing the slimy wet snail in his hand, Gu Qing Shan tried to refuse: “Thank you for your thought, but I probably won’t need this”

The old man shook his head: “This is a great item you know, much better than normal Spy Bugs”

He cleared his throat and explained: “Normal Spy Bugs are easily discovered, and those who found that they’ve been tapped would normally kill the bug from anger without much thought”

“But this snail, even if it looks alive, it’s only a small device emulating a living creature”

“Only when it’s crushed to death will its snooping capabilities be activated”

Gu Qing Shan understood.

If that really was the case, this snail would be a very good thing to have.

No one would pay any mind to a dead insect or pest.

It would be helpful in gathering intel under many circumstances.

“This is just a minor research of mine” the old man pridefully said, “and now I’m giving it to you”

“Thank you”

Gu Qing Shan thanked him and put the snail away.

He thought for a bit and asked: “I don’t have much to repay you with, how about joining me for a drink?”

The old man smiled: “I’ll be honored to, a bit to drink is always a good way to pass a long journey”

He waved his hand.

A dining table and two chairs appeared on the ship’s deck.

They both sat down.

“Do you prefer a stronger drink or a milder tasting drink, sir?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

“Liquor that’s too strong affects my ability to think, so I’d prefer mild, if it a bit sweet then it couldn’t be any better”

“Your tastes are similar to a friend of mine”

Gu Qing Shan took out a large ice box and searched inside.

He offered the old man a bottle of iced Osmanthus Flower Wine and a bottle of white wine for himself.

The two of them poured their own drinks and raised their glasses.

“Bottom’s up, thank you for the wine”

“There’s no need to be so formal, if thanks are needed, I need to thank you for the snail a lot more”

The two enjoyed the alcohol while passing through the endless fog outside the ship.

Osmanthus Flower Wine was mild and slightly sweet from the taste of flower, after just a few sips, the old man already felt refreshed.

“Who would’ve thought this kind of wild evergreen flower could foster such a tasteful wine” he praised.

The bottle quickly got down to half.

“If you want, I can give you the recipe to brew some for yourself to enjoy later” Gu Qing Shan offered.

“Of course I want it!” the old man exclaimed.

Gu Qing Shan took out a random blank jade tag, recorded the recipe for brewing this Osmanthus Flower Wine and gave it to the old man.

The old man happily received the jade tag and lowered his hat, bowing: “You’ve given me a type of knowledge, this is precious beyond anything else. I am very grateful”

“It isn’t that much, only a bit of enjoyment for daily life” Gu Qing Shan waved his hand.

“Then, let me treat you to dinner” the old man said.

Then clapped his hand.

Two glittering sets of silverware flew out from below the deck, setting themselves properly on the table.

The old man placed a candle in the middle of the table and lit it up.

Almost instantly, a respectful male voice came from the fire of the candle: “Hello, this is Barkley Interstellar Restaurant, how may I help you?”

The old man cleared his throat before ordering: “I want two portions of top-class cuisine”

“Very well! Two portions of top-class cuisine, you must be a gourmand with great tastes” the male voice sounded very passionate.

“That much is obvious” the old man puffed out his chest proudly.

A few breaths later, the table was filled with steaming hot plates of food.

“Please enjoy your meal. We at Barkley Interstellar Restaurant look forward to serving you again next time, thank you for your patronage”

As the man said so, the candle put itself out.

As Gu Qing Shan looked at the intricate silverware and plates on the table, he suddenly had a thought.

Haven’t I been eating a lot lately?

“Please be my guest” the old man said.

“Thank you, then I won’t hold back”

The two of them began to eat.

Gu Qing Shan tried every dish once.

After tasting all of them, he couldn’t help but have some questions.

What the hell is this?

This can be eaten?

Can this be called eating?

Wait, that one looks quite good.

…this food that I can barely swallow is their top-class cuisine?

Gu Qing Shan wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief and respectfully spoke: “I’m already full, please take your time”

The old man who was still wolfing down his food without any restraint was surprised as he heard Gu Qing Shan.

Then he made a knowing smile.

“Young man, there is no need to be reserved, food from first-rate restaurants such as this aren’t easy to come by for newcomers such as yourself, feel free to enjoy yourself a bit more”

First-rate restaurant…

Gu Qing Shan fell silent for a bit.

He tapped his Inventory Bag and took out a tray full of food, offering it.

“What is this?” the old man was a bit confused.

“Ah, this is a type of local snack from my home world. If you don’t mind, please have a taste and tell me what you think”

“Very well, I’ve tasted food from countless restaurants in the infinite worlds, I’m more than qualified to judge some local snacks”

The old man gracefully took a bite.

The suddenly lowered his head and became speechless.

A few moments later, he took another bite.

Then another.

Then another bite.

Once more bite.

Just another bite.

It was now that the old man just took the entire tray and started to devour the food one after another without stopping.

At first, Gu Qing Shan wanted to show him how to peel off the shells, but decided to give up as he saw how starved the old man was acting.

…

A few moments later.

“What do you think about it?” Gu Qing Shan hesitantly asked.

The old man said nothing, only took out a handkerchief to wipe his tears.

“Are you… ok?” Gu Qing Shan carefully asked.

The old man suddenly looked up, shouting to the sky: “THAT WAS SO DELICIOUS!!!!!!”

Gu Qing Shan was a bit taken aback.

The old man waved his hand, discarding all the remaining food on the table out to the space vortex.

——–as if he was throwing out trash.

He didn’t even need the table.

“Compared to this dish, I’ve been eating nothing but donkey shit all these years!!!” the old man was sobbing as he said that.

“What is this dish called? I must remember it clearly!” the old man asked.

“Spicy sour crayfish”

“The red part must be the crayfish, then what about the green one?”

“Cucumber”

“The white parts?”

“The big ones are chicken eggs, the smaller ones are quail eggs”

“These ingredients are completely soaked within the spicy broth, perfectly complimenting each other, what a masterpiece! No wait! I understand now, these must be food specially prepared for royalty back in your world, aren’t they?

“…” Gu Qing Shan.

Right, this was the same dish he made for Barry and Kitty yesterday, since he made a bit too much, there was still over half a pot of spicy crayfish left, so he decided to pack it up to-go.

Originally, Gu Qing Shan wanted to keep it for himself to slowly eat.

But it was quickly finished here.

It was now that Gu Qing Shan finally had a grasp on the standard of food in the 900 million World Layers.

…

After a fulfilling meal.

With a toothpick in his mouth, the old man spoke: “Thank you for the meal”

“There’s no need to”

“I originally wanted to treat you, but now I’ve not only drank a your wonderful wine, I’ve also enjoyed such a good meal”

“You’ve already given me such a great gift, consider this my show of gratitude”

The old man thought for a bit and spoke: “This time’s call of the Bramble Birds is probably the one with the most participants”

Gu Qing Shan made a serious listening expression.

He was repaying him.

As a member of the Spire Keeper Association, it was normal for him to know something others did not.

The old man continued: “The Bramble Birds are a mystical species, they themselves are powerful creatures, and the one who arrives at the Super Dimensional Zones to issue the call this time was a particularly renowned Bramble Bird”

“Renowned?”

“That’s right, the Light of Dawn – Triste, guardian of the Bramble Bird’s royal family. Her name is synonymous with generosity and kindness, her reputation well-known among the people of countless worlds”

“That’s why many people are going this time?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

The old man shrugged: “As long as they are excellent young men and women below 30 years old, anyone can accept the call of the Light of Dawn Triste and work for her”

“She even declared beforehand, every person who arrives would receive a small meeting gift she brought from the Mystic Zones”

“You get a gift as long as you come?”

“Correct”

“How generous” Gu Qing Shan sighed.

“That’s right, everyone went into a frenzy hearing that, enough that those above 30 even want to try using some sort of secret technique to turn themselves back before they were 30——- but of course that’s very hard, and Triste’s discerning eyes aren’t easy to fool”

“Is no one worried that what she might ask them to do would be incredibly difficult?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

“God! There’s at least ten million talented young geniuses gathered there, enough to bulldoze through whatever hardship”

“You mean, it’s easy for most people to benefit just by showing up?”

“That’s right, not only is there a meeting gift, the Bramble Birds also provide a lot of supplies, there’s a chance for everyone to trade for what they want most, and also, once the job is done, she will also generously give out the most precious gift”

“Now I understand why there were some people who wanted to return to before they were 30” Gu Qing Shan muttered.

If that was the case, there would be nothing to worry about.

Gu Qing Shan calmed down.

A wonderful and miraculous gift that will end with getting a treasure.

The Bramble Birds would also grant a lot of supplies to exchange between participants.

I can also use this chance to exchange for a few things to bring back.

“How is it, are you happy with this intel? Truthfully, you only need to begin this journey to gain benefits” the old man said.

“As for the most precious gifts, that would be given to those that finished the given job the best, but before leaving, I’m sure the generous Triste would also prepare another gift for everyone”

“Thank you for your intel” Gu Qing Shan expressed his thanks.

Then he thought about something.

“Ah, there is one last thing I need to ask”

“Go ahead”

“I have a friend who is a God’s Chosen, he said he got his hands on a prediction-type fate card, but how valuable is such a thing exactly?”

Prediction-type?

Fate card?

The old man appeared very concerned as he hurriedly asked: “A prediction-type fate card? Which world did your friend get that from?”

“A Scattered world”

The old man laughed: “He definitely couldn’t get such a thing there. He must’ve been fooled”

“Why do you say that?” Gu Qing Shan asked.

“Obtaining such a card from the area of Scattered worlds is like daydreaming”

The old man explained further: “Within the countless types of cards there is, a normal prediction-type card is already rare, never mind a fate prediction card——- not only are they deeply connected to the fate of the World Layers, they would most likely be a royal treasure of some of the most powerful God’s Chosen kingdoms within the Strife Zones. It’s highly improbable for them to let such a thing get off their hands”

“If such a card really did get out, those powerful God’s Chosen kingdoms would spare no price and effort to retrieve it”

“Is it that rare?”

“It is incredibly rare! Fate card decks are only a bit uncommon, but I’m willing to bet that not even 10 cards that can predict fate itself exists within the entire 900 million World Layers”

“If that’s the case, that friend of mine must’ve been fooled, I’ll have to make sure to tease him when I return”

Gu Qing Shan nodded and said.