Shalma's Family Meal (Thanks to Ju Chenchen for the Alliance Leader

To his surprise, Shalma endured it and did not respond to him.

They walked all the way to the mountaintop, where a reception area like an isolation chamber had long been set up on a bare, level patch of ground.

Invisible walls sealed it off from both inside and out. BSL-6 biological protection was enough to contain chemical contamination of any severity. Add a couple of showerheads, and it would be perfect for guests like Russell to enjoy a nice bath.

Before them, the table was already piled high with "delicacies"—specifically, unlimited instant noodles, cola, self-heating rations from the Astronomical Society, and compressed biscuits.

A shut-in buffet. Eat whatever you wanted, eat without worry.

Guaranteed to fill you up.

Huai Shi looked at the table full of food and was speechless.

You gave them instant noodles, but where was the hot water?

Were they supposed to crush them up and eat them dry...

And Shalma had no intention of showing himself at all.

He did not intend to meet them openly with his true face.

Only a moss-covered stone sculpture sat behind the table, motionless, propping its cheek on one hand in a pose uncannily like Rodin's Thinker.

The impassive middle-aged man's face was full of exotic charm, with curly hair and a high nose bridge. His petrified headscarf had an unusually flowing texture, adorned with layers of Gold Ornaments and an egg-sized ruby.

Even the stone sculpture's eyes were lowered toward the tabletop, with no intention of sparing the visitors a glance.

"You may begin eating."

The stone sculpture's lips did not move, but a cold voice came through. "Half an hour. Finish eating, then leave."

"Why would we need that long? Fifteen minutes will do."

Russell did not care in the slightest. Chuckling, he sat down and patted