Chapter 305: Passing the Test

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Liao Ning acted without hesitation. She gently blew on the soup, which was still a bit too hot, before sipping from her small bowl. Zhou Ling followed suit, scooping up some soup and savoring its warmth.

Quidy stood silently beside them, not uttering a word. After approximately ten minutes had passed, he summoned someone to fetch a peculiar creature.

This creature had a head resembling that of a hamster, but its tongue was eerily snake-like. The little beast swiftly lapped at the soup with its unique tongue, closing its eyes as it savored the flavors before finally finishing the bowl.

In less than a minute, the little beast transformed into a young boy. “Sir, this soup is a genuine ancient delicacy. Its taste is exquisite. It possesses the power to detoxify poison, though its effects may not manifest immediately on others.”

Only then did Quidy break into a smile. “You’ve consumed it, and the sea rats have sampled it as well. It appears you possess remarkable abilities.” Tentatively, Liao Ning inquired, “Sir, may the two of us stay?”

“Of course. I’ll have the guards escort you to your rooms later,” Quidy responded, paying no further attention to them as he continued to savor the soup.

The guard who had brought them into the room returned with two additional individuals.

Still somewhat shaken, he remarked, “Thankfully, you didn’t deceive us. It’s not an easy situation for the adults either. With more Sea Demons falling victim to poisoning, they may find relief through these ancient delicacies. He’s quite anxious.”

“Is the seawater poisonous? What are the consequences of being poisoned?” Zhou Ling feigned curiosity with her question.

Only then did the guard realize his blunder. “You’re from the Planet Dynasty. It’s not your concern if you’re unaware of the situation here. However, these ancient delicacies can alleviate mental distress. They might prove effective for us as well. You’ve seen the sea rats who were poisoned and couldn’t maintain their human form a moment ago, haven’t you?”

As the guard waved his hand, Liao Ning noticed that his wrist had turned dark, and his hand trembled uncontrollably.

She reached into her pocket, retrieving two biscuits she had made back in the empire, inspired by a tutorial from a live-streamer. She offered them to the guard with a warm smile. “Brother, these biscuits are a specialty from my homeland. I learned the recipe from a live-streamer. Please accept them as a token of gratitude for looking out for us earlier.”

The guard felt a bit embarrassed, but he accepted the biscuit graciously. “I’m Mike, the castle’s guard. If you ever need anything in the future, feel free to come to me.”

Most inhabitants of Deep-sea Planet harbored an innate fear of fire. They hesitated to use any heated kitchen utensils, even for simple tasks. Consequently, these kitchen tools remained untouched until the arrival of individuals from Empire Planet. Ancient delicacies, once straightforward to prepare, were virtually non-existent on Deep-sea Planet, making Mike hold them in high regard.

“Before, there were just two refugees from Planet Dynasty who knew the art of crafting ancient delicacies. With you two joining, the count stands at four. I suspect that tomorrow, you’ll begin preparing these delicacies for the adults and the army. The Sea Demons will compensate you for your efforts.”

With those instructions, Mike left contentedly, clutching the biscuits.

Upon returning to their room, Zhou Ling and Liao Ning immediately scanned the area with their Al. Fortunately, Deep- sea Planet lacked extensive smart functions, and even surveillance cameras were scarce within the castle, ensuring their privacy.

“We’ll start cooking tomorrow. Colonel Zhou, thank you for your cooperation, ” Liao Ning quipped with a grin.

To her surprise, Zhou Ling appeared grave. “Have you ever wondered who the other two are?”

“The other two?” Liao Ning was initially perplexed but quickly caught on. “You mean the other two who know how to prepare ancient delicacies? They’re just Empire Planet refugees, right? Many people from the rebel army and Empire Planet have seen my live-stream. It’s not surprising that they know how to make these dishes.”

However, Zhou Ling shook his head. “They’re all civilians.”

“Civilians?” Liao Ning remained puzzled.

Zhou Ling elaborated, “Traveling from Planet Empire to the transit space station requires a considerable amount of fuel. Even aristocrats rarely own large airships, let alone ordinary civilians who can’t afford the fuel.”

“Do you mean those two individuals might be nobles? They could even belong to the royal family?” Liao Ning’s anxiety suddenly surged. “Who could they be?”

Liao Ning was known to many within the royal family and aristocracy. Despite her changed appearance, encountering someone she knew could potentially expose her identity.

“That’s precisely why we need to exercise extreme caution tomorrow. Our actions should speak louder than words,” Zhou Ling reassured her, gently placing his arm around her shoulder. ‘We’ll take things one step at a time since we’re here. First, let’s become acquainted with the castle. Once we secure the heart crystal, we’ll make our swift exit. Everything will work out..”