Some things were like preset automatic replies, slipping out when the moment was right

"Good news?"

Upon hearing what the card said, Lin Yu revealed his genuine confusion for the first time.

He had indeed realized that Ka might have already suspected that he was the one who took the "Nine Treasures," and that he might even have deliberately used him to achieve this.

Furthermore, given his relationship with Hannah and the approval of that certain shrewish man, Lin Yu was quite confident that Ka wouldn't harbor any hostility towards him.

But...

After all, he had caused a series of events, attracted many experts from various organizations, and even "Tier 4" experts, resulting in some battles in the Octopus's gathering place, forcing the entire Octopus Town to relocate and directly destroying its original location. Lin Yu still felt somewhat guilty and ashamed.

But what Ka just said left Lin Yu somewhat confused.

"This can't be considered a good thing, can it?"

Lin Yu spoke.

Ka waved her tentacles. "It's normal that you don't understand... Let me ask you a question first. Besides Hannah and me, you've also come into contact with some other Octopus this time, including Hannah's aunt 'La'... What do you think of La?"

Lin Yu didn't speak, Hannah asked with some surprise, "Quack! Sixth Uncle, why do you ask that... Do you want to introduce Auntie to the Director?"

Ka said helplessly, "What nonsense... Don't interrupt, Ba."

"Okay, okay."

Hannah scratched her head, remaining puzzled.

However, Lin Yu noticed Ka's intention. "If I were to evaluate 'La,' I would say she's very strong... She's very capable as both Chef and a warrior, and she cares a lot about her family—she cares about 'Ba' and you too."

Lin Yu nodded as he spoke, "But you know, I'm not asking you to evaluate these things."

"So I just asked directly... do you think La is closer to me, or closer to Hannah?"

"In light of this question, you might also consider... why I am so pleased that my Lord has allowed Hannah to follow you."

"And... do you think there are more Octopus clan like me or like Ra among them these days?"

As Ka said this, Lin Yu understood what Ka meant.

"You feel... your people have been living in a honey pot for too long, don't you?"

As Lin Yu spoke, Ka raised two tentacles and made a "yes" gesture.

"Yes, I also really like the metaphor of a 'honey pot'—it's very apt."

"As you said, although I wouldn't call myself a naturally 'shrewd,' 'intelligent,' or 'shrewd' guy, and my ambition is simply to be a pure Chef," Ka paused, then said, "In a sense, I have indeed experienced a lot during my travels, so I consider myself quite mature and insightful."

"But... perhaps it's because I became a 'Chosen of God' too early... As a Sea Beast race from the Middle Sea, we have almost no natural enemies. In addition, a hundred years ago I did some things in the Outer Sea to make things easier for my people. So the final result is," Ka sighed, "That my people are in the Pure Ruins, and even if they travel as Traveling Chef to gain experience, they don't get any real training."

"The entire Octopus Clan nowadays suffers from a severe lack of awareness of danger... They don't even believe that any real danger could befall them."

"Ka said with emotion."

"But that's the truth," Lin Yu said after some thought. "So for them, maintaining such a simple and honest state... might not be a bad thing?"

"I thought the same thing a hundred years ago, but as you and I both know, the Nether Void Realm, or rather the entire Ten Realms, is not like that," Ka said, looking at Lin Yu. "Every so often, in each of the Ten Realms it might be nearly a hundred or a thousand years, and in your Ten Realms it might be even shorter, a 'Cataclysm' will occur."

"Civilizations are extinguished, the apocalypse arrives... the existing power structures are reshuffled, like Lost Kingdom vanishing," Ka said in a low voice. "Even Deity... in a catastrophe of that magnitude, might not necessarily be able to survive."

Lin Yu was moved. "That's indeed the case..."

"It's meaningless to judge when such a situation will arrive by observing the state of the 'Nether Void Realm' or summarizing patterns based on the flow of time in our world," Ka stared intently at Lin Yu. "What truly matters is observing the overall state of your 'Player' group."

"Just as I said earlier... now, more and more 'masters' have emerged among you, masters that even Chosen of God like myself must avoid."

"This is enough to show... that although the catastrophe has not yet arrived, it is not far off."

"Therefore, I think that under these circumstances... raising our people's awareness of crisis might also be necessary."

As Ka said this, Lin Yu did not object.

"So that's how it is..."

Ka continued, "Yes, so this incident... has given me an opportunity to inspire my people. I can't protect them forever—if this incident can inspire more people among them to improve themselves, that would be wonderful."

Lin Yu smiled as he said this.

"That would be my honor... but it doesn't change the fact that I did hurt you quite badly, so I invited you here today with... a plan to make it up to you."

Lin Yu looked at the card and said seriously.

Feeling Lin Yu's sincerity, Ka also said, "You really are upright and kind... To be honest, your kindness is enough."

"However, since you've put it that way... I might as well make a request."

As Ka spoke, Lin Yu asked curiously, "What are the requirements?"

"I'm not entirely ignorant about the 'food' of your world... I know there's a dish called 'Dumplings'," Ka thought for a moment, then said, "If it's alright, could you wrap them up and freeze them? I'll take some home and enjoy them slowly."

Lin Yu waved his hand after hearing Ka's words. "It's not difficult at all. I'll wrap it for you right now... but you might have to wait a little while, because it takes some time to knead the dough and prepare the filling from scratch."

Kadian nodded. "When it comes to good food, I'm always willing to wait... I can help too."

"I've also heard that making Dumplings together is very meaningful."

Hearing Ka say that, Lin Yu asked curiously, "Now I'm wondering who told you that? It wasn't the 'God of Cookery,' was it?"

"I've long admired the 'God of Cookery' through spiritual connection, and my Lord has met him twice, but I've never actually had direct contact with him. It was just a fleeting, distant encounter, like an appetizer and a freshly baked Main Dish passing each other by in the hands of their respective waiters during the serving and clearing of the dishes," Ka said poetically. "This saying about 'Dumplings' was actually told to me by my Lord—my Lord also knows quite a bit about the banquets and cuisine of your world."

"So it was the God of Banquets who told you."

Lin Yu also sighed.

"Yes... Speaking of my Lord—He also instructed me to give you something while I'm here," Ka said, rummaging with his tentacles and pulling out a spoon from under him. "My Lord said to give it to you before I leave—because I'm waiting for the Dumplings, so I'll just give it to you now."

Lin Yu took the spoon, somewhat curiously asking, "This is...?"

"My Lord said you went to a place called [Azure Sea Sky Dome], where there is a fallen Deity with whom you have some old grudges," he paused, then continued, "My Lord said you have a chance of killing Him directly or imprisoning Him, and if it's the latter... this spoon might come in handy when you're disciplining Him."

"This spoon represents 'contentment,' bringing a sense of 'fulfillment' and happiness—and 'contentment' is the best way to combat 'Desire.'"

Ka explained.

The name of the spoon also popped into Lin Yu's mind.

[Contentment Ladle] -- This does indeed match the description of the card.

"Thank you so much," Lin Yu, somewhat surprised. "I really have to thank the esteemed God of Banquets for me."

After all, even if this [Item] isn't used against the "God of Desire," it certainly has many other uses.

Kaye spoke again, "Actually, my Lord intended to entrust it to you personally... but some changes have occurred in the Divine Realm, and He can no longer freely Divine Kingdom Projection, so He can only do things through me."

"In short... the Divine Realm has changed a lot, and the influence of the Deity on the Ten Realms has been further weakened."

Lin Yu nodded. "Thank you for informing me."

Although he already knew this—after all, the Deity's interference in the Ten Realms was limited because Shen Bingmiao used the power of the "Rule" Authority to set new rules that even the Deity could not ignore before she fell into slumber.

Lin Yu, as the current de facto holder of the new "Rule" of Authority, is naturally aware of this.

Therefore, upon hearing Ka's words, Lin Yu couldn't help but sigh, the God of Banquets truly had nothing to say to him.

They're very generous!

Even if they can no longer interfere with the Ten Realms themselves, they still have to ask the Chosen of God to help deliver the items.

Unlike some Deity...

Lin Yu solemnly put away the spoon, then spoke again.

"Then I'll make a lot more Dumplings later. If you have a way... send some to the God of Banquets to try as well."

"I have nothing to give back, but this is just a small token of my appreciation—after all, since the God of Banquets specifically mentioned Dumplings to you, it means He might also be craving them."

Lin Yu nodded as he spoke.

"You've put your heart into it too," the Director...

"In short, besides what my Lord gave you, I have also prepared some personal gifts for you here."

As Ka spoke, Lin Yu was genuinely shocked.

"You're too kind... Why is there still something else?!"

Then, almost reflexively, Lin Yu uttered the pre-set answer ingrained in his bones for this kind of situation.

"You're here, why bring anything?"