The Mandugu Dragon Dance!
Plant beasts!
The entire body was a giant banyan tree, with three snake dragon heads growing from three directions of the banyan tree. The snake dragons' skin looked like withered bark, and leaves grew on their backs.
There was a warning sign nearby, likely detailing the dangers of the Mandugu Dragon Dance, whose attack methods included spitting water and physical striking.
It could also absorb water to quickly heal injuries, making it a formidable creature in the wild.
The surroundings were filled with staff members, who seemed to possess considerable combat strength, clearly still a bit uneasy about this giant beast.
"This guy... shouldn't be weak, right?"
Froze pointed at the sign and said, "It says here, Capture Level 130!"
Terrifying!
Compared to such a horrifying being, his mysterious cargo didn't seem so unique anymore...
Gantoo felt relieved, thinking that the probability of internal conflict would be much lower in such a large establishment.
The Mandugu Dragon Dance, also known as the Mantou Dragon or Steamed Dragon.
Its trunk constantly emitted hot steam, acting as a natural heating system here.
Behind it grew highly edible seafood mantou... that's right, the Mandugu Dragon Dance actually lived in the sea. However, this didn't trouble the staff, as specialized Regenerators were responsible for managing the water in its habitat.
Ensuring it was identical in composition to seawater.
As he approached, the steam carried the scent of the sea, along with a mysterious aroma of food.
In an instant, Gantoo's veins bulged, and saliva uncontrollably welled up, even secreting mucus from the air vents on his neck.
This!
What kind of a smell was this!
All his gourmet cells began to boil, converging into a single thought... I want to eat it!
This was the perfect ingredient for Gantoo's physique.
Just a little could allow him to advance, and a good meal would immerse him in deliciousness for over ten days, making him unable to extricate himself!
Gantoo's eyes turned red, "I... I really want to eat it! What exactly is that!"
"Seafood Fruit!"
These fruits, resembling mantou and growing on the Mandugu Dragon Dance's trunk, possessed a miraculous deliciousness that completely defied their appearance. They were legendary fruits that gathered the essence of various seafood delicacies like lobster, sea bream, pufferfish, and salmon. In the vast ocean, they were an exceptionally rare fusion of seafood treasures.
Whether eaten raw or simply prepared, they offered an irresistible taste!
"I want to eat it!"
"The price is 120 Gourmet Coins!"
"No matter the cost, I will have it!"
Gantoo declared grandly. At that moment, staff members were harvesting one. The mantou, as large as a washbasin, was soft and tender... just like a woman's—
Such a firm texture, with steam rising from the broken surface. The delicate shrimp flavor combined with the supreme texture of sea bream meat, and the soup carried the fresh taste of pufferfish!
"It's so hot!"
"Just like a mantou fresh out of the steamer."
"So soft!"
"The texture is firm, yet it feels so smooth and delicate to the touch, not like a fruit at all!"
"It's truly a collection of steamed seafood in a cage, one bite and it feels like eating the essence of the ocean!"
"Another one!"
The washbasin-sized mantou was devoured in just three to five bites.
With every bite he took, Gantoo's whale skin became smoother and more radiant...
Power...
Was flowing through his veins with the deliciousness!
It was a power far exceeding his previous level, multiplied exponentially!
"I want more!"
"I want more!"
The staff members glanced at Froze, and with his tacit consent, they presented eighteen Seafood Fruits one after another.
The extremely rich nutritional components filled even the whale's stomach to the brim!
"Comfortable!"
Gantoo opened his mouth, and hot steam spurted out.
He felt as if he was bathing in a hot spring, enjoying a sauna, with countless shrimp soldiers and crab generals giving him a massage.
Soothing his muscles and promoting circulation~
Comfortable~
It wasn't until nearly half a day later that Gantoo awoke from the deliciousness of the Seafood Fruits. As he stood up, his bones felt much more supple.
But his strength had indeed increased exponentially. Looking in the mirror, he appeared several years younger.
"Is this... the effect of deliciousness? I feel my body is filled with energy, like I'm in my youth!"
The staff members waiting beside him immediately said, "Sir, would you like to settle the bill..."
Gantoo was startled!
He vaguely remembered eating wildly then and consuming quite a few Seafood Fruits.
"Uh... how much is it?"
"A total of eighteen, 2160 Gourmet Coins!"
Pfft!!
Gantoo spat out a mouthful of blood!
What?
2160 Gourmet Coins?
This was going to kill him!
Seeing Gantoo's predicament, the staff member smiled, "If you cannot settle the bill, you can pay with some high-value ingredients or items, which we can exchange for you."
"If you're truly out of money..."
"Then you'll have to work off the debt. However, given the amount you owe, I suspect this would take centuries."
It seems...
He had to bring out that thing!
Instantly, his confidence surged, and Gantoo put on a defiant look, saying, "I do have high-value items, but... you might not be able to afford them!"
"For exchanges exceeding 100,000 Gourmet Coins, you can request a large-sum specialist. Would you like that?"
"Yes!"
The staff member's dismissive attitude vanished.
But he was still somewhat skeptical.
Could this fellow truly produce goods worth over a billion?
"My cargo is on the airship. I must go there personally!"
After consulting amongst themselves, the staff members notified their superiors.
Coincidentally, Shao An had time at that moment, and upon hearing about a relatively rare high-value ingredient, he immediately rushed over.
He headed to the airship with Froze and Gantoo.
Shao An looked at the airship and said, "This is a top-tier transport ship from the Cloud Country, and it's been refitted. The value of this ship alone is no less than 500 Gourmet Coins... What kind of ingredient requires refitting such a large airship..."