The next morning.
Western Desert City, the temporary quarters' dining hall.
Qi Wu sat at a table with a serving of a local specialty dessert before him-Western Desert Honey Cake.
The honey cake was made from local Sea Buckthorn Honey and highland barley flour, with a fine dusting of powdered sugar on the outside. Cut open, it revealed an amber honey filling that gave off a faint scent of sea buckthorn blossoms.
Qi Wu forked a piece into his mouth and narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Mmm..."
He savored it, the corners of his mouth slowly rising.
"Not bad."
"Sweet without being cloying. Melts in your mouth."
"And there's a fresh sea buckthorn fragrance."
He forked up another piece and nodded in satisfaction.
"Western Desert City has given me a pleasant surprise."
Lilith sat across from him, gazing longingly at the honey cake on his plate.
"Captain... is it good?"
Qi Wu glanced at her.
"Sure is."
Lilith swallowed.
"Then... can I try some?"
Qi Wu considered it.
Then he pulled his plate a little closer.
"No."
Lilith: "???"
[Irritation Points +300 (from Lilith)]
Gale doubled over with laughter beside them.
Jiang Qingyue covered her mouth with a soft laugh and pushed her own plate toward Lilith.
"Have mine."
Lilith's eyes brimmed with grateful tears.
"Qingyue, you're the best!"
Qi Wu shrugged.
"If you really want some, buy a few more to take along later."
"They'll make good travel rations."
He finished the honey cake on his plate in a few bites and stood.
"Let's go."
"Time to check out the Military Base ruins."
"See if we can find any clues."
An hour later.
The former Military Base site, at the eastern foot of the Kunlun Mountains.
Qi Wu stood before the ruins, his brow slightly furrowed.
The