Chapter 413: The Banquet

{SHOCKING! THE DECADENT LIFESTYLE OF THE ARISTOCRACY OF THE INTIS REPUBLIC! THE BONE CLINIC IS OVERFLOWING BECAUSE OF... }

"Although you were brought here to deter Amon from suddenly appearing at the Source Fortress and using the Tarot Club as leverage, why haven't you returned yet?"

Kleen watched the "God of Light" sitting in the Dawn Estate, reading the Ruin Daily News, and silently grew wary—he always assumed the worst of others, except for Su Lin, the Outer Gods, and Amon.

"I'm just a small-time operator; I can't handle your runaround."

"Is this how you treat your friend? Use me up and then try to send me off without even treating me to a meal?"

Su Lin wiped away the tear at the corner of his eye, his gaze heavy with unresolvable sorrow and melancholy.

"When friends come, there's fine wine; the rest I forgot."

"You ungrateful brat, I'm worrying myself sick over your future!"

"Then I'll kick you like Ye Fan does."

Su Lin put down the newspaper and glanced at Kleen, who had grown even more alert—how to describe it? The man now looked exactly like a startled cat, every hair standing on end; fortunately, it wasn't his Spirit-Exploding Worms, or the scene would've been seriously sanity-shattering.

"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore—I came to commission a batch of dolls and to gather some experimental materials."

Su Lin put away the unfinished Ruin Daily, feeling that since the return of the Black Emperor, the world's industries had become increasingly diverse—no wonder he was the man with the dual-science-and-humanities time-travel script.

"I'm looking for mythological creatures. I've tried many times to replicate the accidental effect Amon achieved when he touched the Holy Stele, but failed—so I plan to find a few heretical angels."

"I suggest you find a few Outer Gods—the ones drifting outside the solar system are quite suitable."

Kleen scoffed, but then remembered how, after filming ended, Amon's avatar's worldview had been completely reshaped upon touching the "Propagation" Holy Stele.

Thinking about it, all the collapses, corruptions, and madness so far weren't even his limit—it was almost like... wait, isn't this setup suspiciously familiar from the movie? Kleen unconsciously touched his lips, forcing his facial expression to remain neutral.

"What's wrong? Any issues?" Kleen asked as Su Lin suddenly fell into thought.

Su Lin's gaze returned to normal. "Li Huowang might need a little help—yes, a new commission. Last time I took a commission was last time."

Strictly speaking, Weigong Shilang never issued a commission—he simply sold himself outright to obtain some "items," though the chain reactions after using those items are another matter.

The last genuine group member commission was the one Kleen initiated; though Su Lin's completion rate was wildly excessive.

"I must attend to some business matters now. Please make yourself at home, Savior of the Outer Universe."

Kleen pulled out a top hat and placed it on his head, snapped his fingers, and transformed his modern casual attire into a black evening suit; his figure gradually vanished into thin air.

In the capital of the Ruin Kingdom, since the environmental protection law was enacted, the weather had been unusually clear these past two days due to an inspection by higher authorities.

Inside a slightly worn-out bakery, the rich, fragrant aroma of baking bread filled the air; unusually, in one corner stood a very old phonograph, playing classical music.

Clearly, the owner was a person of some taste.

"Mr., what would you like today?" asked a thirteen-year-old girl with braids. "We have fresh honey bread—our specialty!"

Judging from the customer's attire, she determined he was wealthy—a spotless, even refined trench coat, utterly out of place among the workers' district.

Su Lin looked around, pulled out a five-Suler coin, and handed it to her.

"Five black loaves. The change is a birthday wish."

"But Mr... my birthday was long ago... I can't take this." The girl stared at the coin, stunned.

"Then happy New Year," Su Lin insisted firmly.

"Take it—he's my friend." The shopkeeper, a burly man in his fifties with unusually thick arms, looked like a simple, honest soul. He adjusted the single crystal lens mounted on his right eyepatch and smiled.

"You can go home early today—we're closing early. And take these loaves too."

He pulled out a wooden basket filled with several white loaves.

The girl's face lit up visibly. She emptied a handful of pennies into the cash drawer, took the Suler coin and the basket of bread, and skipped out happily, turning back to thank Su Lin and the shopkeeper with an raised arm farewell.

Amon lowered his arm; the kindly expression on his lips twisted into something else. "You actually came to me? Interesting. You want to help the Great Fool reclaim the Singularity?"

"You're overthinking." Su Lin glanced around, opened the drawer, took out two pennies, and laid them on the counter as settlement for the expired newspapers Amon had sold him last time. "He was born in '98. You can't outplay him."

"How can you know without trying?" Amon pulled over a chair, sat down casually, a cryptic smile on his lips.

"I thought you'd help him fight me—if so, I'd have no choice but to surrender. After all, I'm no Ancient, let alone a being above the Ancients."

"How about this—I become your believer, and you give me the Source Fortress?"

His sincerity was unmistakable—clearly genuine.

"Take you as a believer? I'd be like an old man eating chili peppers—just tired of life being too dull?"

Su Lin broke off a piece of black bread, grateful Amon hadn't stuffed it with pebbles, and smiled.

"My church's reputation would be ruined. Hmm... the ambient Amon concentration has dropped noticeably. No need to run—I'm here to deliver something An Du Yin asked me to bring you."

"Hmm, give it here." Amon extended his hand, showing interest.

After a long pause.

"Where's the item?"

"Since it contained knowledge and transcendental abilities from other worlds, I threw it away."

"Hmm, understood."

Both men kept smiling, speaking simply, the bakery's atmosphere unchanged—still light and easy.

"So what message does my action convey?"

Su Lin asked curiously.

"That other worlds hold many valuable things—so I should find a way to get there as soon as possible."

Amon adjusted his lens and replied.

Though he knew Su Lin would never hand that item to Amon's true self, Amon still used their past favor as an excuse to ask Su Lin to deliver it—his avatar showed complete indifference to whether it would actually arrive.

"What if I gave it to you?"

"Then I'd accept it. Knowledge and power from outside worlds could greatly aid my struggle for the Source Fortress."

Amon looked puzzled, yet his eyes held mockery.

"Do you really need to ask that?"

The implication was clear: no one would ask such a question—even a child could answer it instantly.

"Oh~" Su Lin seemed to suddenly understand, his tone filled with a hint of amazement: "Impressive, impressive. Then I'll give it to you."

"Really?" Amon paused, taken aback—he remembered the earlier Holy Seed, and grinned: "If you're willing."

He had no expectations, made no demands; he followed the other's words only after careful consideration.

"Isn't it just external power and knowledge?" Su Lin nodded. "Look at me."

The light inside the bakery flickered for an instant; the brightness of the entire district slightly increased, then quickly returned to normal.

Everything appeared silently, then sank back into stillness with the rumble of the carriage wheels.

Ding-ding-ding~~

The wind chime swayed.

When Su Lin stepped out of the shop carrying a basket of bread, his expression was noticeably brighter. He casually closed the door, and the wooden sign hanging above it flipped over—from "Welcome" to "Closed."

Until late at night, a black hearse pulled up before the bakery, carrying a coffin. Three young men wearing monocles entered. They did not disturb the owner, who was in deep sleep, but instead bound a young man with a face resembling the owner's, his hands still dusted with flour.

"Theft is shameful!"

The youth shouted as he was shoved into the coffin—his hands, stained with flour, still working for a living—alongside a single monocle carved from crystal.

Amon's true form sat atop the coffin, ignoring the "aberrant" individual below, instead closing his eyes to sense something.

"Destined to fail?"

He adjusted the monocle on his right eye socket and grinned.

"Interesting. But this game isn't over yet."

Red curtains, luminous inlaid flooring, green columns adorned with moonflowers and Seville chrysanthemums lent the restaurant elegance and atmosphere. White tablecloths shimmered under the light, reflecting the gleam of gold, silver, and glassware.

"Good evening, Priest Mr." Miss Kelaien appeared as Gelmán Spáro. He glanced at the ice cream and other desserts on the table, and at Su Lin, who clearly seemed in high spirits, and smiled: "Thank you for choosing the most expensive Serrano Restaurant in Ruin to treat me. Looks like I can finally improve my recent meals. By the way, I assume I can order freely?"

"Weigong Shilang would cry, talking like you eat terribly every day." Su Lin sliced into a waffle dipped in honey—the warm, milky aroma paired with honey was a perfect combination.

"Honestly, it's nice to treat yourself and your family or friends to a fancy restaurant once in a while. The ambiance is perfect—though it's just too expensive."

"Damn, the inflation rate in this world is insane!"

"Do you know how much a loaf of white bread costs? Fifty! Fifty pence!"

Miss Kelaien recalled the plan he and Lu Mingfei had devised—to repay the kind-hearted Mr. Su Lin by treating his entire family to a high-end French restaurant.

Though it had been a drunken joke, putting it into practice had turned out oddly meaningful.

"As long as it's not five hundred thousand marks."

He made no effort to conceal his expression; a faint smile curled unconsciously at his lips.

"Eating at a fine restaurant isn't just about the food—it's about seeking a special experience when you have the means: relaxing, enjoying luxurious surroundings."

"In my student days, before the Old Days, I once dreamed of quietly sharing a family dinner with the girl I liked and my family at a nice restaurant."

Su Lin nodded in agreement, his knife and fork never pausing—as if conquered by the restaurant's desserts. A faint laugh seemed to blend into the music of Serrano Restaurant.

"You're right, my friend." Su Lin casually wiped his lips, then handed Miss Kelaien the menu. "See if there's anything else you'd like. Today's my treat—don't be shy."

Miss Kelaien regretted his involvement in this dimensional romance drama for two seconds, then took the menu and glanced at the dishes circled on it.

"Isn't this too much for two people? This is at least enough for four."

"It won't go to waste. We can finish it."

Indeed, given the extraordinary physical condition of cultivators, they could easily devour several times this amount. Miss Kelaien hadn't expected Su Lin to still have such a strong appetite for ordinary food.

As fellow mythic beings, he needed to learn from this man how to preserve humanity.

"After this meal, I'm leaving," Su Lin said.

Miss Kelaien had seen the group message and smiled: "Now you can go find new amusement and romance stories."

【Li Huowang: "The future of this world has changed. I fear the Confused Siming and the dice will act differently and affect the arrival of Ji Zai. I'm not good at planning or scheming, so I want to ask for help."】

【Li Huowang: "The reward is a Law of the Dao, but I cannot pay now—I will give it to you once I obtain it."】

【Song Shuhang: "What are the task requirements?"】

【Li Huowang: "At the very least, ensure Ji Zai arrives properly—that is, I become the Confused Siming—and do everything possible to help Qingwang escape the control of Fusheng Heaven."】

Li Huowang: "At the very least, Ji Zai must appear smoothly—that is, I become the Confused Siming—and I must do everything possible to help Qingwang escape Fusheng Heaven's control."

Su Lin raised his wineglass, and through the crystal chandelier's glow, he saw a deep crimson hue in the wine, like blood.

"Li Huowang's world holds no interest for me. Honestly, if not for Huowang needing help, I'd never set foot there in my life."

"Li Huowang's world holds no interest for me; frankly, if Huowang didn't need help, I'd never set foot there in this lifetime."

Miss Kelaien summoned a historical projection and sent it out with the menu marked with circles to place the order.

"Where's the romance in the middle-aged life of the Li couple? Only awkward, hesitant, hidden feelings—those shy, unspoken romances are worth watching. You don't think I ship every pairing, do you?"

Su Lin spoke frankly: Li Huowang's interactions with Bai Lingmiao or Yang Na had skipped the awkward stage entirely and plunged straight into daily life after passionate love.

Watching a middle-aged couple's married life out of boredom? Nonsense.

"In short—you just enjoy watching others flustered and embarrassed, you twisted bastard."

Miss Kelaien once again revised his understanding of this man's moral底线. No wonder Lu Mingfei and Weigong Shilang had become his targets.

"As for amusement... a mad, repressed world, a feudal society where surface order has collapsed."

"As for entertainment: a mad and repressed world, a feudal society where all surface order has broken down."

Miss Kelaien fell silent. His own world faced apocalypse in over a decade—but until then, surface order remained intact: gods intervened from their divine realms, angels walked the earth. It wasn't beautiful, but it hadn't yet reached utter despair.

Li Huowang's world was different: the Dao twisted, the Five Realms in chaos, ghosts masquerading as humans, war raging endlessly.

From the lowest peasants to cultivators, the entire backdrop was steeped in oppression.

"Still, there are interesting things to find—like joining the Zuowang Dao, rising to the top, and teasing Li Huowang."

"Still, you can find something interesting—like joining the Zuowang Dao, rising to the top, and messing with Li Huowang."

"Then he's not far from true madness." Miss Kelaien suddenly remembered something. "Have you gone to see Adam for a diagnosis?"

"That means he's not far from being truly insane." Kleen suddenly thought of something and asked, "Have you gone to see Adam for a diagnosis?"

"I'm perfectly normal," Su Lin said. "If you search all the heavens and myriad worlds, you won't find a God kinder or more full of boundless love than me."

I hope so.

"I just remembered something I need to go prepare," Su Lin said to Kleine, glancing at the wall clock. "Eat first. I'll be back soon."

Kleine ate his ice cream and replied, "Mm."

Su Lin simply opened a cross-realm gate and returned to his own world. Watching his back recede, Kleine exhaled slightly, a faint smile appearing in his eyes.

Indeed, he hadn't felt this much humanity radiating from the fellow in a long time.

After Su Lin became the Primordial God, Kleine had indeed worried whether he had changed from who he was before. Now, it seemed his concerns were unfounded.

"Ladies, the Golden Wheat private room is right here."

He felt no sensation at all—not even as the Fool could he sense anyone approaching this room—until the door opposite opened.

Kleine's spine stiffened. The vanilla ice cream he had just placed on his tongue sent a chill up his tongue, spreading instantly through every one of his Spirit Worms.

Spiritual recovery.

"Good evening, Mr. World~" Audrey greeted him cheerfully, her voice laced with curiosity.

"Long time no see," Sharon said, her face expressionless. She performed an ancient courtly greeting, her sapphire eyes reflecting the face of Germain Sparrow.

"G-good evening, Mr. World!" Forsyth lowered her head, unable to meet Miss Kelaien's gaze, visibly flustered.

"The evening banquet is ready," the servant bowed and withdrew. "Please wait a moment."

Kleine set down his spoon and ice cream, picked up his napkin, and wiped his lips.

Take back my earlier words.

This fellow is not the Primordial God.

He is

the Primordial Life.

The storyline of the Reincarnation Space occurs after the Dao Ghoul arc, meaning the thirty-day break period was interspersed with Li Huowang's Dao Ghoul tale. Due to work obligations, I now check the comment section about once a week; if I don't reply, please bear with me. Thank you to the admin who applied to manage my obscure novel—you've been a huge help, haha.

(End of Chapter)