After learning the other party's identity, the ragged survivors couldn't help freezing in shock.
They stood beneath the restaurant's signboard, peering through the gaps at the interior with complicated expressions.
Sizzle.
The crackling sound of stir-frying came from inside. The rich aroma of oil carried a hint of wild vegetable fragrance, making the guards standing at the entrance swallow involuntarily.
At a time like this, there truly weren't many Gathering Places that could afford to cook with oil and meat.
The Mine Island Alliance's willingness to serve such a meal was enough to prove their enthusiasm and regard for their guests.
"If you've got nothing else to say, hurry up and leave. These two are honored guests. They're not people you can afford to disturb."
After accepting the bribe, the guard was willing to exchange a few words, but that didn't mean he would allow this group into the restaurant to approach the outsiders.
There were indeed many survivors in the Gathering Place who wanted to curry favor with the powerful, and plenty of them had similar ideas.
They were unwilling to remain ordinary, yet lacked the ability to defy fate and change their lives.
Thus, they could only seek out survivors with immense potential and follow them, hoping to alter their own destinies.
Some people, however, had discerning eyes and chose those who were still struggling at the bottom.
Others had no sense of their own limitations, only taking an interest when someone's strength was blatantly obvious.
In the guard's eyes, the few who had just come to ask questions belonged to the latter group.
On Tian Tie Island, and throughout the Mine Island Alliance, nothing was more important than the rules.
Letting them through would be tantamount to breaking those rules.
Thus, watched by the guard the entire