Outside the animal-skin tent, a faint wind brushed across the sand, carrying the scent of dust and beast fur. Beneath the dim twilight, Waldo, Yiliyi, and several others stood quietly, waiting in uneasy silence.

"Someone's coming," murmured one of the original hosts, his gaze fixed on the enormous rock platform slowly descending in the distance. The platform hovered above a massive, armor-scaled beast whose heavy limbs thudded against the barren earth.

"The one controlling that rock platform… must be at least Tier Six," another host whispered, his voice trembling slightly, as if afraid that even sound might draw unwanted attention.

"Stay cautious," Waldo warned in a low voice, his eyes narrowing. "We don't know what their true purpose is."

He feared that whoever was coming might not be a friend at all. Perhaps they were here to claim the Tenth-Floor City for themselves—or worse, to seize something hidden within its walls.

In this harsh world, battles between cities were never simple. They were brutal, desperate, and left nothing but ashes behind.

Yiliyi, standing slightly behind Waldo, felt her heart tighten as the figures on the platform became clear. The young man walking at the front exuded an air unlike any she had ever sensed before. It wasn't just strength—there was something deep and unfathomable about him.

A chill slid down her spine. Her green eyes narrowed involuntarily, and her breath quickened.

This person… he's more dangerous than Waldo.

As the rock platform finally settled on the ground, Luciel stepped down first. Behind him followed Yue Qinlan, her graceful figure moving with quiet composure, and then Minuo, Wei Youlan, and Wei Geng. Each of them carried a calmness that didn't belong to ordinary travelers.

"Sorry to have kept everyone waiting," Yue Qinlan said, her smile polite and gentle, though her voice carried the soft authority of one accustomed to command.

"No, no, we just arrived ourselves," Waldo replied awkwardly, forcing a smile that barely hid his unease. His lips twitched, the motion stiff.

He quickly turned toward Luciel, who stood quietly at Yue Qinlan's side. "This is…?"

"This," Yue Qinlan said as she gestured gracefully toward the man beside her, "is the Lord of our Black Tortoise City."

Waldo's heart gave a faint jolt. "I am Waldo, City Lord of the Tenth-Floor City. Welcome, Lord of Black Tortoise."

His gaze scanned Luciel—young, unreadable, his posture composed and steady. There was an inexplicable nobility about him, something that neither words nor rank could define.

"Excuse me," Luciel said mildly, the corner of his mouth lifting just slightly. His deep, dark eyes met Waldo's—and for an instant, Waldo felt as though he were standing before an abyss.

"No, no, it is our honor," Waldo replied hastily, lowering his eyes. His fingers twitched at his side.

He could not see through this man's power at all.

As someone who had barely reached the latter half of Tier Six himself, Waldo knew better than most what that meant. The man before him was either at the very peak of Tier Six… or already a step into Tier Seven.

"Everyone, please, come in."

Waldo stepped aside quickly, bowing slightly as he extended his arm in a courteous gesture.

Luciel gave a faint nod and walked forward, entering the large hide tent. Inside, two long rows of tables stood parallel to one another. One row was already laden with roasted meat, thick stew, and other hearty dishes. The opposite row was empty—clearly prepared for the guests from Black Tortoise.

Luciel took the lead seat without hesitation, Yue Qinlan sitting elegantly beside him. Wei Geng and the others placed their lacquered lunch boxes upon the table, then moved to stand behind Luciel, their posture straight, their faces calm and respectful.

Across from them, Waldo and his group settled uneasily into their seats. A dozen people filled the benches, their eyes darting toward the visitors with barely concealed curiosity.

Yiliyi sat sandwiched between two female hosts—one older, the other middle-aged. She hunched slightly, her shoulders stiff, shrinking into herself like an inflated pouch of air losing pressure.

"Miss," Yue Qinlan said with a gentle smile, tilting her head, "why not come sit here with us?"

"N-No, thank you." Yiliyi forced a small smile, but her hands were caught under the table—held firmly by the two women beside her, as if they were afraid she might move.

Yue Qinlan said nothing more. Her eyes gleamed for a moment, quietly noting the small details—the tension, the restraint, the unspoken fear.

Minuo and Wei Youlan began to unpack their lunch boxes. Within moments, ten exquisite dishes filled the table: stir-fried greens glistening with oil, golden roasted meat, a bowl of crystal-clear soup, and the faint aroma of tea that seemed to blend with every flavor.

The fragrance spread quickly throughout the tent—an intoxicating mix of roasted meat, fragrant herbs, and sweet, floral tea.

"This food…" one of the hosts muttered, almost involuntarily, "it's too delicate."

"Too extravagant," another said. "Two people eating ten dishes?"

"I've been to the major cities," someone else added under their breath, "but even there, I've never seen food as refined as this."

Waldo and Yiliyi stared blankly at the table across from them. The delicate porcelain bowls gleamed faintly under the lamplight, each dish arranged with care.

Then they looked down at their own table—large chunks of roasted meat, thick stew bubbling with fat, a few pieces of coarse bread. Suddenly, their feast looked… crude.

Luciel smiled faintly. "Everyone, please. Let's talk as we eat."

He lifted his chopsticks, picked up a piece of golden-brown fried meat, and placed it in his mouth. A soft aroma of tea spread across his tongue.

Starlight tea—he recognized the taste immediately. The faint bitterness cut perfectly through the oil, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.

Minuo had learned quickly. Luciel had taught her only a few stir-fried dishes, and she had started experimenting on her own. The addition of Starlight tea as seasoning came from her curiosity—and from the rabbit-eared girl who had once shared her secret recipe.

Now, of the ten dishes displayed, three were created by the earless girl's research, while the other seven were direct teachings from Luciel himself.

"Good," Waldo muttered, forcing himself to pick up his knife. He sliced a piece of his own roast meat, the grease dripping down the blade. Yet somehow, he couldn't bring himself to eat. His nose caught only the aroma from Luciel's table.

Normally, serving a massive roast to guests was a sign of generosity and pride. But now, that same roast felt heavy, unrefined—almost embarrassing. Waldo wanted to order it removed, but it was too late.

As rulers of the Tenth-Floor City, they had long outgrown the luxury of simply eating well. And yet, the temptation was suffocating.

"Hmm? Peper," Luciel said suddenly, tasting another dish. "You improved this one again?"

"Yes!" Minuo's eyes brightened. "I found a plant that looks a bit like the 'pepper' you mentioned before, so I added a little."

"Excellent. Next time, try frying it with meat," Luciel said approvingly.

Minuo smiled shyly and nodded. "Yes."

Across the table, Waldo's people had gone silent. They barely touched their food, listening instead to the casual conversation happening across from them.

'Improved again?' one of them thought bitterly. How many times have they improved it already?

And—green vegetables? Actual, fresh green vegetables? Even in major cities, such things were rare luxuries.

Luciel noticed their stillness. "Why aren't you eating?" he asked lightly, his tone almost teasing. "Does the food not suit your taste?"

Yue Qinlan set down her chopsticks with a faint smile. Her gaze swept across the opposite table, noting every nervous glance, every tightened jaw. She understood—if she were sitting on their side, she might not be able to eat either.

"We're… not hungry," Waldo finally said hoarsely, setting down his knife. "Lord of Black Tortoise… may I ask what matter you wish to discuss regarding trade?"

He had decided to cut to the chase. The sooner he knew their purpose, the sooner he could end this uneasy meeting.

Luciel's expression didn't change. "Our Black Tortoise City traveled a long way," he said mildly. "We need to replenish some supplies."

He spoke casually, but his tone carried quiet confidence—the kind that said he wasn't here to ask, but to negotiate from strength.

"Oh?" Waldo said carefully, his eyes narrowing. "What kind of supplies?"

"Some living animals," Luciel replied, "a few rolls of cloth, and certain plants."

The words were simple, but they carried another meaning. He was searching for animals and plants that could be domesticated, paving the path for the future of beast-taming and resource cultivation.

"Living animals?" Waldo echoed, frowning slightly. His hand moved unconsciously toward his sleeve. From it, a small snake—thin as a finger, pale as a silver ribbon—slid out and coiled lazily around his wrist.

Luciel's gaze flickered. "It seems City Lord Waldo has a fine pet," he said calmly.

He studied the snake—it was slender, its scales glimmering faintly. Beautiful, in its own eerie way.

"What does Lord Black Tortoise think of such a creature?" Waldo asked with faint amusement, letting the snake coil around his fingers.

Luciel smiled. "Do you intend to trade it?"

"Oh no," Waldo said quickly, shaking his head. "This one's my darling companion. Been with me for many years."

He stroked the little serpent fondly before tucking it back into his sleeve. "But," he added with a forced chuckle, "I have others at home—smaller ones, younger ones. Perhaps those can be traded, if the Lord of Black Tortoise wishes."

He had raised snakes for many years, breeding them for warmth in winter and coolness in summer—and, occasionally, for soup. To him, offering a few was nothing unusual.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.