[You eat legendary dishes, your body improves: Strength +5, Agility +5, Endurance +5, Intelligence +1.]
[You drink a legendary drink: Intelligence +1.]
[You consume the flesh and blood of dragon creatures: Strength +5, Agility +5, Endurance +5.]
[You dined at the legendary dinner and received a one-star title: Taster.]
[Name: Taster.
Attribute: Title.
Quality: ★.
Wearing effect: Increases the sensitivity of your taste buds, allowing you to savor more flavors.
Wearing requirements: None.
Introduction: The ultimate delicacy stimulates your taste buds; perhaps you should pursue the desires that linger on the tip of your tongue?]
Zero: [The Will Family's legendary dinner has limited spots available each year, each costing 5 million gold coins.]
As the dinner concluded, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the moonlight began to rise.
Bai Yi and Diane strolled through the bustling streets of the capital, still reeling from the stunning experiences they had just shared.
Indeed, poverty had limited his imagination. The heritage of the capital far surpassed that of border towns. While extraordinary ingredients could be found in the restaurants of Dongwu City, they were available only in minuscule quantities.
It seemed he would have to return. Bai Yi thought of Eric, the Night Rose cook who had been executed. Apparently, he had not been a suitable city lord. If he had been unwilling to adapt while a player, he certainly should have sought capable cooks now that he was in power.
Unfortunately, Kami was quite talented. As the heir, it was impossible to lure him away to cook for Bai Yi.
As they walked, Diane hesitated before finally asking, "Will you come to see me tomorrow?"
"I'll return to Dongwu City after I find Lord Sword Saint. The war is approaching, and I need to get back," Bai Yi replied instinctively.
Diane paused, emotions swirling in her eyes. After a moment, she lowered her gaze, kicked a small stone on the ground, and asked casually, "Can you take me with you?"
Bai Yi fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words.
Dai An quickly interjected, "Forget it; it's impossible. Those old men are always watching us. Even if that weirdo bothers me, he won't emerge from his seclusion anytime soon. If he lost today, he might not show his face for the next two years. Just thinking about it makes me happy."
Bai Yi followed in silence, his mind racing. He reflected on Diane's earlier actions and remained quiet.
As they neared the center of the city, two enormous buildings loomed, surrounded by soldiers. One was the residence of the Sword Master, and the other belonged to Romen.
The Sword Master rarely left his estate these days, while Romen frequently sent out his Dawnbreaker. Like the Sword Master, the Berserker honed his skills through battle.
Every return of Romen sparked a celebration in the capital. A fifth-level legendary berserker, along with the rare materials he brought back from hunts, was a treasure compared to gold.
Whether it was flesh, blood, or other resources, everything was stored in the Federation's treasury to strengthen its foundation.
"Then I'm leaving," Diane said, sensing Bai Yi's silence. She turned away; as the eldest daughter of the Difeng family, she held her pride. Some things needed to be left unsaid.
"Wait," Bai Yi suddenly spoke.
Diane froze and turned back. "What is it?"
Emotions flickered in her eyes under the moonlight, the most prominent being a hint of panic.
"I'll take you with me, but not just yet," Bai Yi said earnestly. "I need some time to prepare. If I'm still alive in five years, I'll come for you."
Diane looked down, her cheeks flushed. The young lady, usually unfazed by the attention of the entire Federation, now felt her heart race. She stammered, "Um?"
Diane's eyes widened as she focused on Bai Yi's face, her pupils shimmering with surprise.
How could this be? It was all too sudden.
Bai Yi gently pressed his forehead against hers, asking seriously, "Diane, are you willing to become the future hostess of Dongwu City?"
In many instances, he could sense Diane's affection for him, perhaps influenced by the memories that lingered in his mind.
In that recent silence, he had felt her unease and his own heartbeat quicken.
He wasn't emotionless; he had always harbored concerns. The threat of the Soul Tower loomed, and he knew it was not an isolated issue. Individuals like Charles and Pusheng existed in this world.
With the impending war and other dangers, his worries coalesced into a five-year timeline. Given his current growth trajectory, five years seemed like a safe period.
Once he navigated these three crises, his mental strength would continue to develop. When he reached the upper gold level, he would finally possess the means to shield himself from threats.
Though Diane was powerful, the dynamics were different in the capital compared to Dongwu City.
If Bai Yi ventured into perilous territories, Irene and Luo Ning would be unable to accompany him, and he could maintain control over them.
But Diane was different. If he wished to marry into the Difeng family, he needed to manage all potential dangers first.
Thus, keeping Diane in the capital seemed the wisest decision.
Diane's cheeks were bright red now, her gaze flitting around nervously. "Um, um..."
She appeared flustered, looking about as she said, "Hey, let's go inside quickly. I need to think—this is all too sudden!"
As she turned Bai Yi around, pushing him toward the Sword Master's residence, the two soldiers guarding the entrance prepared to intervene, but a peculiar wave washed over them, rendering them motionless once more.
"If you don't refuse, I'll take that as your consent. I will definitely come for you in five years—or even sooner," Bai Yi asserted.
"Okay, okay, just go quickly! Grandpa Sword Master doesn't have much time!" Diane urged, giving Bai Yi a gentle push.
With a sudden shove, Bai Yi stumbled forward, crashing through the mansion door. He quickly ducked into a corner, covering his reddened face with his hands.
Yet, her eyes sparkled like stars. How could the eldest daughter of the Difeng family be so easily swayed?
Glancing back at the now-closed door, Diane fanned her flushed face, touched her lips, and covered her face again, lost in thought.
Bai Yi rubbed his rear and chuckled, "Wow, Diane really did it."
With an endurance of 123, he had nearly failed to withstand her kick.
Joy filled his eyes as he surveyed his surroundings, feeling a gentle pull guiding him toward the mansion's backyard.
The layout resembled that of the Dongwu City Lord's Mansion, both heavily infused with natural elements.
However, the capital's estate boasted an even richer elemental presence. Mischievous fire elements occasionally flickered with scorching light, quickly subdued by the water elements that dispersed them.
With every breath, Bai Yi could sense the abundance of elemental energy.
As he walked forward, he soon arrived at a Tree of Life, where the wood element and life energy surrounded an elderly man with white hair and beard.
This elder radiated a sense of aggression, making him feel less like a person and more like a sword—restrained but incredibly sharp.
As Bai Yi approached, the wood elements seemed to recognize a guest's arrival, rushing to form a branch that resembled a chair.
Bai Yi sat obediently and addressed the Sword Master gently, "Master Sword Saint."
His words shattered the silence. The elemental energy around the Sword Master began to dissipate, and he opened his cloudy eyes slowly.
Clang~
A crisp sword sound echoed from another dimension. The world darkened momentarily in Bai Yi's vision before returning to light.
[Your dark side malice has been severed and cannot erode your soul for 30 natural days.]
Bai Yi remarked, "Your path seems a little different."
The Sword Master's voice was stern yet had a conversational quality, akin to a wise dean. "Don't merely pursue the speed of promotion. The rapid advancement of those outside is concerning. Too fast, and they may never reach their limits. If mortals fail to reach the limit, they cannot enter the taboo and will ultimately waste their talents."
Bai Yi smiled and replied, "It's alright, Master Sword Saint. I know what I need to do."
The Sword Master scrutinized him for a moment before nodding. "Come to me if the evil thoughts begin to backfire. Avoid leaving the Federation when you can't control them."
"I understand." Bai Yi's space ring glimmered, and a transparent sphere materialized, radiating the power of rules.
The Sword Master's attention sharpened, a keen look flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, the Tears of Rules in his possession vanished, floating gently before him.
The surrounding elemental forces became more vibrant, swirling around the crystal in a curious dance, as if they recognized its significance.
"Whose is this?"
Zero: [Dimensional turbulence, Lady of Night.] Bai Yi replied quickly.
The Sword Master fell silent for a moment, then returned the object to Bai Yi, his tone softening slightly yet still firm. "Focus more on your cultivation. These matters are of no use to me."
Bai Yi hesitated, then asked calmly, "Is there truly no other way?"
"No," the Sword Master replied succinctly. "Anything else?"
After a prolonged silence, Bai Yi finally ventured, "What about the Origin Stone?"
The Sword Master shook his head. "That was an option a century ago, but now I am in my final stage. According to popular belief, I am already dead. Leaving this manor would signify the start of my last moments."
"Understood."
The Sword Master paused, then smiled suddenly. "While I'm still here, focus on solidifying your foundation. Don't worry; I left a sword mark in the spatial gap. Those in contact with the Ancient God won't dare act until the mark fades."
"You still have thirty years."
Bai Yi stood, placing his right hand over his heart in a respectful gesture, then turned to exit.
His heart was heavy with gravity. The Sword Master's condition was worse than he had anticipated.
This was why warriors and assassins ranked lower than mages and alchemists. Warriors and assassins relied on their physical forms, and once their qi and blood diminished, their cultivation stagnated.
Even a treasure like the Origin Stone could not save a Sword Master whose qi and blood had waned.
In contrast, mages and alchemists could leverage the Tears of Rules in similar situations for greater effect.
As Bai Yi walked out of the Sword Master's mansion, a sense of urgency gripped him.
Initially, he had thought the Sword Master was merely experiencing a decline in energy and blood, capable of normal attacks.
But now he realized he couldn't afford to slow down. He needed to accelerate his progress; safety was never guaranteed in this world.
As he looked around, he spotted Diane squatting on the ground, covering her face. The negative emotions in her eyes had vanished, and he approached her with a smile.
"Counting ants?" he asked softly as he squatted beside her.
"Eh?" Diane jumped, her face still flushed. "Why are you so fast?"
"Nothing much to discuss," Bai Yi admitted with a hint of helplessness. "Master Sword Saint's health is worse than I expected."
Diane glanced around and whispered, "Everyone knows, which is why everyone is working so hard. If you hadn't come, I would still be practicing."
Bai Yi studied her for a moment before extending his hand.
Diane hesitated, her cheeks reddening again, but after a brief internal battle, she reached out and hugged Bai Yi.
Bai Yi closed his eyes, savoring a tranquility he had never experienced before under the moonlight.
"Wait for me here."
His quiet murmur caused Diane to tighten her grip, her flush fading at his words.
What had started as shyness blossomed into reluctance as she asked softly, "Can you stay with me?"
"Um."
"You know, two years ago, when you suddenly disappeared, I was heartbroken. I thought you were dead, but then I learned you were busy researching. I was furious at that time."
"I wanted to confront you when we met, but you ran away."
As they flew to a house, taking in the stunning night view of the capital, Diane said seriously, "So, you can't just leave without saying goodbye again. You need to keep in touch and let me know where you are and what you're doing."
"Okay." Bai Yi looked at Diane under the moonlight and replied earnestly.
Their eyes met, revealing unspoken feelings. They leaned closer, kissing softly beneath the moonlight.
After a long moment, their lips parted.
Diane breathed heavily, leaning against Bai Yi's shoulder, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the scenery. "It feels like we climbed up high four years ago, also at night. It was beautiful then too, but you seemed so busy."
Bai Yi admired Diane's profile and smiled. "You're indeed beautiful."
Diane felt the warmth of his gaze, her earlier shyness returning but now accompanied by excitement. "Are you talking about me or the view?"
"Both are beautiful," Bai Yi responded. "But you are more stunning, now and always."
Diane beamed, her cheeks flushed. "Exactly! If I claim to be second, no one would dare claim the top spot!"
"Just a little silly, that's all."
At his words, Diane blinked in surprise. "How can I be silly? I just made 800 million! How can that be considered foolish?"
Bai Yi looked her up and down and replied seriously, "I don't know, but you certainly seem a bit silly!"
"Damn it! How can you say that? Give me an example! I've always been praised for my intelligence since childhood. For instance, I've never lost money in my investments in the capital!"
"Emmm, it's like believing a ten-year-old alchemist has made a groundbreaking invention."
"Hehe, that was just some pocket money I gave you out of pity, okay? And that's also..."
"What?"
"It can only be you."
P.S.: I would greatly appreciate it if you could drop your precious power stones! Any advice or suggestions for improving the novel would also be highly valued.