Chapter 142: This is Paradise, This is Heaven, This is a Delicious Canteen!

Chapter 142: This is paradise, this is heaven, this is a gourmet paradise!

How... how *exactly* did he die?

The crowd wondered uncertainly. Someone subconsciously rubbed their ears, genuinely doubting their own hearing.

Maybe their hearing was off?

But looking at the expressions of those around them—nah, they’d heard right.

Well, this... Everyone couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the book-loving alien.

Probably because Shu Hao truly had no ill intentions—he never meant to do anything bad. It was just bad luck all around, and in the end, he suffered terribly too. Anyone who knew his fate couldn’t hate this alien.

Even though he could be called *the* culprit behind the deaths of everyone on Tianlanxing, the way he died...

Choked to death—literally. One could imagine his agony, yet it also felt weirdly funny.

This manner of death might not be entirely unprecedented, but it was certainly outlandish.

Some people had never heard anything so absurd before, leaving them dazed.

"Who would’ve thought that a harmless chat would end like this?"

"Probably not even Shu Hao himself expected to go out like *that*. No matter where this story spreads, it’ll likely become a punchline *and* a warning. Maybe even a joke."

"Nobody would ever want to die like that."

"So, preventing this is easy. Even just finding a way to warn him would make him take precautions. If Tianlanxing plays it cool, they might not even need to intervene afterward."

Of course, Tianlanxing wouldn’t just stand by.

"It’s rare for *both* sides to work together to prevent something like this."

Sheng Qingquan couldn’t help but sigh.

"In the original plot, Shu Hao used He Shengshi as an anchor point, space-jumping straight to the calligraphy venue."

"Let me check when this competition starts. Everything’s peaceful now, so he probably hasn’t arrived on Tianlanxing yet—who knows where he’s floating around?"

"Shu Hao likely only knew He Shengshi on Tianlanxing, so there’s no chance he’d contact someone else to come through."

"Wait!"

Sheng Qingquan suddenly thought of something.

"Last time, lowlifes were after Tianlanxing’s culture. This time, someone came seeking its fame. Twice now aliens sought them out for cultural reasons—is Tianlanxing *that* famous now?"

It wasn’t just Sheng Qingquan. Everyone else instinctively grew worried too.

It wasn’t that they weren’t happy their culture was being appreciated. Come on, people usually show off new clothes or shoes—let alone something like this.

Who wouldn’t want to show off their beauty?

But past lessons had made one thing painfully clear: being a lamb to the slaughter would only meet one fate.

Just think about these two incidents—whether the other party had good or bad intentions, the end result was the same: humans got wiped out, and Tianlanxing was destroyed along with it.

Were they in for more of this nonsense?

The thought of potential swarms of 'admirers' made everyone's heads ache.

"Phew, that’s a relief."

Sheng Qingquan deliberately took extra care to skim through the details before letting out a sigh of relief.

"It hasn’t gotten that bad. Tianlanxing (Bluehaven Planet) is still virtually unknown in the interstellar community."

No fame is fine—Tianlanxing isn’t looking for attention anyway.

"This time was purely coincidental. Bookworms live off books, and once they’ve consumed a book, eating it again provides no sensation. So they spend their years wandering in search of new sustenance. Don’t let Shu Hao’s youthful vibe fool you when chatting with He Shengshi. Truth is, he’s not just old by human standards—even among his own kind, he’s considered middle-aged to elderly."

"He’s lived long enough that the bustling star systems have already had their books devoured once."

"Who’d wanna reread the same book over and over? No flavor, no thrill—just leftovers."

"Of course, he could rely on conversations with others, learning about their pasts and 'reading' their lives to sate his appetite. But in the vastness of space, most races won’t spill their life stories to Shu Hao, and some are so taciturn they barely utter two or three sentences a year."

"With those types, he’d have to strong-arm a meal. Otherwise, no matter how much 'food' is in front of him, Shu Hao wouldn’t get a single bite—left starving all the same."

"Bookworms aren’t out to pick fights, so they prefer consuming actual written texts. To eat well and stay satisfied, Shu Hao naturally ventured further into the unknown."

"After entering the solar system, he was drawn by the dense *Literary Essence* emanating from Tianlanxing and couldn’t resist heading this way."

"Dude basically followed his nose to the buffet!"

Sheng Qingquan’s reading comprehension was impeccable.

Everyone else found the analogy strikingly vivid upon reflection.

"Talk about bad luck—he even brought money to pay for his meal, only to find out the 'restaurant' was actually a brothel. Before he could take a bite, the mood-setting incense KO’d him," someone couldn’t help but quip.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than he was smacked hard by the person next to him.

"You calling us a brothel?"

"Either talk right or zip it!" Stop showing off.

"His connection with He Shengshi wasn’t accidental either. Years of cosmic takeout taught him that when visiting an unfamiliar planet for a meal, it’s best to have a local guide. Locals know the tastiest spots."

"Rather than stumbling in blindly, buddy up with a local, and you’ll eat like a king in no time—far better than fumbling around alone."

"Plus, with an acquaintance to bridge the gap, even rare or expensive 'ingredients' can be negotiated for peacefully if he’s willing to pay the price. No drama required."

"Maintaining friendly relations means that after he’s eaten, if he finds it suitable, he could even recommend the place to others in his clan. Over time, this might just become another regular dining spot for their kind."

"He Shengshi was his golden ticket."

"Shu Hao wasn’t just shooting in the dark—he followed the intensity of *Literary Essence*. He Shengshi was the most fitting candidate on Tianlanxing."

Sheng Qingquan thought it over and clicked—it made perfect sense. Among all forms of written works, Shu Hao favored calligraphy the most. And He Shengshi was the most accomplished living calligrapher on Tianlanxing—the real deal.

He was also relatively older, arguably the foremost authority in contemporary calligraphy.

Older folks’ lives are juicier reads. To Shu Hao, such a person’s 'life book' must have been an irresistible feast.

He Shengshi was both a delicious meal and the finest chef. No shock Shu Hao was drooling.

"What foodie wouldn’t butter up the chef? Shu Hao had even planned to spend more time chatting with He Shengshi to build rapport."

"But when he heard He Shengshi mention a calligraphy competition, Shu Hao couldn't sit still anymore."

"This was no different from telling a gourmet about a high-end buffet opening for just a few days—miss it, and it's gone. If Shu Hao wasn’t tempted, he wouldn’t be part of the Bookworm Tribe. Add to that He Shengshi’s enthusiastic invitation, and Shu Hao decisively moved up his arrival on Tianlanxing to attend the event."

"Hmm, let me check when this calligraphy competition is being held."

"Once I know the event date, I’ll know when Shu Hao arrived."

"The calligraphy competition started long ago? It’s been running for over a month?!"

Sheng Qingquan wasn’t feeling too heavy-hearted at first, but after checking the competition details, he immediately felt worse.

"Wait, what’s going on?"

"Maybe it's not this competition? But a competition that can invite a master like He Shengshi as a judge can’t be some minor event, right? The only prestigious calligraphy competition during this period is this one."

"After all, He Shengshi is getting up there in years. Though he seems in great health, his energy isn’t what it used to be. In his earlier years, he’d attend more casual events to scout for talent and encourage younger artists. But in the last decade, He Shengshi has rarely made appearances. When he does, it’s usually at prestigious competitions to add prestige."

"This time should be no exception."

"Could it be that Shu Hao has already come and gone? There haven’t been reports of any major incidents, so has this Doomsday crisis quietly passed?"

The moment this thought crossed his mind, Sheng Qingquan knew it was impossible. For one thing, the book was still around. The Qiankun Coin settlement and merchandise gifts hadn’t shown up either. How could this be over?

Soon, Sheng Qingquan realized where his thinking had gone wrong.

"I must be losing it. Just now, I was thinking He Shengshi only appears at major competitions. Though the 'Three Kings Cup' is Tianlanxing’s highest-level calligraphy competition, the Calligraphy Association wouldn’t make an elderly man travel planet-wide. And the preliminary rounds earlier weren’t significant enough to warrant guidance from a master like He Shengshi."

Sheng Qingquan searched online and confirmed that the past month had only been regional preliminaries and semifinals. Only those who made it through all rounds would qualify for the finals.

The finals were scheduled four days later in Yunteng City. The organizers, considerate of He Shengshi’s age and not wanting to exhaust their treasured icon, had chosen this location.

"Finals in four days."

Sheng Qingquan checked the official website again. The list of final judges and award presenters clearly included He Shengshi’s name in bold red letters.

In fact, this news had long been buzzing in calligraphy circles. Many participants joined the competition just for a chance to meet their idol up close.

But since Sheng Qingquan didn’t practice calligraphy or follow related news, he’d been unaware.

"There’s enough time."

Now, all that’s left is to contact He Shengshi through the Liaison.

Sheng Qingquan acted decisively. He Shengshi had already made preparations.

This time, when He Shengshi extended an invitation to his much younger friend—"Would you like to come watch the competition?"—he also sent a lengthy set of viewing instructions upon receiving an affirmative reply.

The first rule, bolded and highlighted, was about scents.

After accepting the invitation, Shu Hao was confused by these instructions—until the other person started typing much faster than usual: "Actually, it’s best if you contact Tianlanxing’s authorities directly. With official assistance, things will go much smoother. Less chance of problems."

"National treasures like *Fast Snow Clearing Sky*, *Bitter Shoots*, *Distant Uncle*, and *Sunny Terrace* are all housed in official museums. And *Orchid Pavilion Preface*, considered the greatest cursive script masterpiece, along with the second and third greatest—you can't see these treasures without official permission."

"Tianlanxing welcomes friendly visitors."

"We are great hosts to our guests."

With things spelled out this clearly, what else could Shu Hao not understand? It was obvious that the person on the other end already knew his identity. And the one conversing with him now might very well be an official representative.

Shu Hao actually had no idea how good those calligraphy works mentioned by the other party were, but with titles like "timeless masterpiece" and "the world's finest running script," they clearly weren’t ordinary goods.

Moreover, from his observations, the Literary Essence in many places on Tianlanxing soared into the heavens, looking absolutely extraordinary—enough to make one’s mouth water.

Thinking this, Shu Hao, who had no hostility to begin with, naturally expressed his stance and officially connected with the authorities.

At this point, when reminded again about the issue of floral and fruity scents, Shu Hao initially paid little attention. After all, he had already taken a counteragent, and the one he used was top-of-the-line with full protection.

It could block not only natural floral and fruity fragrances but also all synthetic versions.

Having dined out for so many years, having traveled through countless star systems and landed on innumerable planets, he had never encountered any issues.

Just as he was wondering if Tianlanxing was being paranoid, he saw a series of messages from their diplomatic personnel.

"Tianlanxing has not yet formally prepared to join the interstellar community, so many aspects aren't up to interstellar specs."

They then mentioned the differences in artificial fragrance synthesis techniques.

"As far as we know, the differences are pretty major. The counteragent developed by the Bookworm Tribe for interstellar processes is likely ineffective here."

Better safe than sorry. Though still confident in the counteragent developed by his tribe—after all, this was the tenth-gen formula—he had always made sure to return for the latest updates whenever new versions were released. The new medication packed serious protection.

But given how seriously Tianlanxing was treating this, clearly with great earnestness, out of respect and as a precaution, Shu Hao decided to take extra precautions.

Even so, Tianlanxing provided protective suits, which could be set to block out scents. With proper preparation, isolating artificial fragrances wasn’t difficult.

Multiple layers of protection—all for the sake of dining safety.

Protective suits, however, made Bookworms feel all boxed in, as if wearing too many layers, and weren’t popular among the Bookworm Tribe. Despite being casually offered as gifts by the catfolk back then, they hardly sold on the market.

Mainly because many races had superior physical conditions and simply didn’t need them.

If an attack was too weak, it couldn’t breach their defenses, and injuries that could harm them were beyond what protective suits could handle.

Thus, protective suits were seen as white elephants—few bought them, production was low, and they weren’t easy to obtain.

This was why the Bookworm Tribe, despite knowing about protective suits, still went to the trouble of developing counteragents. Aside from self-reliance, this was another reason.

Since Tianlanxing provided them, there was no need to refuse.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If the people of Tianlanxing wore them, so would he.

Thinking of the feast awaiting him, Shu Hao was all for Tianlanxing.

Wearing a protective suit was nothing. Once, when visiting another planet, he’d even been asked to disarm completely—and he’d bit the bullet and agreed.

Of course, this was because the Bookworm Tribe weren’t big on weapons for combat. He carried them merely for convenience.

Otherwise, no matter how accommodating he was, Shu Hao wouldn’t mess around with his own safety.

If dining in came with requirements, there were always alternatives—he’d go for delivery.

At most, he’d spring for space delivery. He could still eat.

Shu Hao initially thought bending a little for a meal was no big deal. It wasn’t until he donned the protective suit provided by Tianlanxing’s officials in space, set everything up, and officially landed on Tianlanxing that he realized this wasn’t about concessions at all.

They had his best interests at heart!

How could the synthetic fragrances on this planet be so strong? And although they're all floral and fruity, these aromas are vastly different from what's popular in the interstellar community.

They actually fall completely outside the immunity range of the immunization serum!

To maximize self-protection, the Bookworm Tribe has dedicated researchers constantly improving the immunization serum. To refine the formula, tribe members who travel extensively for food not only note dining locations but also carry aroma samplers with them.

This allows them to gather new samples for formula improvement anytime, anywhere.

These samplers also alert their owners when detecting completely new scents outside the serum's immunity range.

Though such warnings often come too late, the samplers are linked to terminals, automatically transmitting data back to the tribe.

Given the tribe's far-flung travels, rescue is rarely possible in time. But at least it prevents other tribe members from falling into the same trap.

The sampler's warning light flashing wasn't the main concern—what sent chills down Shu Hao's spine was realizing his protective measures had failed completely, just like the immunization serum.

Meaning, had he not worn the protective suit provided by Azure Star, his fate would have been unspeakable.

Considering Azure Star's remote location and this endlessly blinking sampler...

Had he not been cautious, he might have died here.

And what a humiliating way to go!

The thought made Shu Hao shudder, as if seeing future generations forgetting his name but remembering his undignified end.

Though he couldn't find the words at first, after enjoying Azure Star's feast, Shu Hao would find the perfect expression.

As the Azure Star saying goes: "All men must die, but death can be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather."

His death would have been the shameful kind!

Hmm, better message the tribe—time to start developing the eleventh-generation immunization serum!

But that's for later. Currently, the still-rattled Shu Hao, having narrowly escaped disaster, found his fear gradually fading when officials brought him to a museum before the calligraphy finals.

Gazing at the meticulously preserved calligraphy works displayed in special glass cases, all his earlier terror vanished, replaced by pure desire.

His entire being was now focused on this masterpiece before him.

What magnificent calligraphy!

Not just masterfully executed, but profoundly meaningful too. Though simple black ink on slightly yellowed paper, that very yellowing exuded age and historical depth, carrying an indescribable charm.

Simply put, it was utterly captivating!

The calligraphy itself flowed like water, powerful yet effortless. Even in monochrome, each character possessed unique character.

Reading the content made his very soul tremble.

A feast for all senses.

A true connoisseur's delight!

Shu Hao's hands trembled with desire. Through this thin paper, he could almost glimpse the calligrapher's emotions, taste their expressed sentiments, and imagine its exquisite flavor.

Unable to contain himself, Shu Hao immediately initiated negotiations with his hosts.

Yes, through great effort, he remembered meals require payment. After all, if this piece looked so delectable, others must be similarly tempting. Maintaining good relations requires proper payment. Since win-win situation, officials proposed neither exorbitant nor lowball prices, but a reasonable price.

Since pricing the resources was tricky, after discussion, Shu Hao paid with the standard Star Network credits.

It was originally a fair trade, but after paying, the moment Shu Hao eagerly took his first bite of the Literary Essence, his eating speed instantly accelerated.

Whoa, it looked amazing, but the taste blew him away!

Each bite was rich and aromatic, surpassing even the most exquisite calligraphy works he had ever tasted before.

Shu Hao wanted to slow down and savor it, reluctant to finish it so quickly, yet he couldn’t control himself—bite after bite, it felt like no time had passed before the Literary Essence of this piece was completely consumed.

Shu Hao basked in the aftertaste, practically glowing with joy.

When he finally snapped out of it, he looked at the staff member accompanying him, deeply moved.

Before eating—well, a fair deal. After eating—holy cow, these people were saints! Was this gourmet perfection really so affordable?

The staff took Shu Hao’s gaze as a hint to move on to the next piece, so they quickly led him over.

The first calligraphy work was indeed a national treasure-level artifact, but it wasn’t actually the best.

Even though Bookworms munching calligraphy benefited everyone, people were still a bit uneasy before seeing it firsthand. So, it was just a small test. When Shu Hao devoured the first piece, those nearby had been tense, poised to jump in if needed.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. After he finished, the artwork looked noticeably better—even without further preservation, it seemed like it could last for centuries.

Pay up, dig in.

The second round left Shu Hao even more awestruck.

How was this even better than the last?

The first piece was already supreme, yet this one surpassed even that!

And the price had only increased by a tiny bit.

These folks were unbelievably generous!

He gobbled it down, helpless to resist.

Course after course, Shu Hao feasted like there was no tomorrow.

Even so, he ended up staying on Azure Star for over half a year.

After finishing the feast, he even scarfed down the snacks.

By the end, he’d burned through his credits and ended up bartering most of his space-pouch stash.

He didn’t even keep the remaining small portion.

Mainly because he grabbed leftovers for later. Even though what he could take were mostly modern calligraphy pieces—newly penned by calligraphers in that half-year—he wasn’t too disappointed.

After all, freshly written ones still packed flavor. The few masterpieces aside, while not as good as the best he had eaten, were still fit for a royal feast. And compared to what he had eaten before Azure Star, everything else was still top-tier.

Every bite was a masterpiece.

Even his good friend, He Shengnian, hooked him up with free calligraphy.

This place was paradise!

This was heaven! If there’d been anything left to try, Shu Hao would’ve stayed forever.

With the consent of the official authorities of Tianlan Star, an agreement was signed stipulating that, apart from within the Bookworm Tribe, no one must disclose the coordinates of Tianlan Star or any information about the planet before it decides to establish interstellar relations. A similar contract was also signed online with the Bookworm Tribe to ensure Tianlan Star's safety. Only then did the authorities agree to allow the Bookworm Tribe to visit Tianlan Star for meals but must arrange visits in advance.

After finishing his meal, Shu Hao sent the following food recommendation to his tribe:

The people here are warm and generous, offering a vast variety of delicious food at incredibly affordable prices. After eating here, you might even have an existential crisis—wondering if you’ve been scammed by the high prices you paid elsewhere. Those foods were tasty too, but the gap is mind-blowing.

Here, you’ll find dishes far more delicious than those, yet priced even lower.

Tianlan Star is absolutely a life-changing destination for every Bookworm Tribe member at least once in their lifetime. If you come, you’ll regret not coming sooner. If you don’t come, you’ll regret missing out on such incredible food.

The only thing to watch out for is the flower-fruit aroma problem. Until the new resistance medication is developed, it’s best to wear protective clothing if you don’t want to be forced into their mating season.

Before coming, make sure to contact the authorities—not only for safety assurances but also to enjoy the best meals.

I strongly propose that our tribe list Tianlan Star as a long-term friendly cooperation planet. I also propose designating Tianlan Star as the Bookworm Tribe’s canteen.

This place fulfills every Bookworm Tribe member’s fantasy of gourmet food.

Also, let me brag a little—I made a chef friend who generously gave me lots of delicious treats for free before I left. Sadly, my chef friend is a bit old, so to ensure they live until my next visit, I gifted them a Beibei fruit.

My chef friend seemed to love it, so I suggest others in the tribe bring more Beibei fruits when visiting. On Tianlan Star, they’re like the local currency—even more useful than credit points! The authorities have promised us discounts if we pay with Beibei fruits!

Fellow tribesmen, what are you waiting for? The prices are already rock-bottom, and now they’re offering even more discounts—the savings are unbelievable! Not coming would be your loss!

The calligraphy masters are already working on new pieces, the chefs are preparing fresh dishes, and new delicacies are about to emerge. How can we stay idle? I’ll definitely come back next time. That's all for now—I’m off to find a place to grow more Beibei fruits!

(Note: Beibei fruit is a highly valued item on Tianlan Star, often used as a form of barter.)