To grow into beings of the same level?
Zhang Wei seemed to understand the old man's meaning.
"You are cultivating a successor... or perhaps selecting?"
"No, no, no, it's not necessarily a successor. You don't have to stay in the human world waiting to die like this old man. There are plenty of great places to go in the Gourmet World."
"What... what exactly is your identity!"
"A reject from the Gourmet World, a retired old man who isn't content with his golden years, a poet and painter wandering the human world, a volunteer soldier helping to strengthen the human race..."
According to the old man's account.
As life levels increased, the delicacies of the human world could no longer satisfy some extraordinary individuals.
These individuals then explored the Gourmet World, but the competition among the creatures there was incredibly fierce, fraught with danger. Many ill-prepared youngsters met their end there.
However, humanity needed a sufficient number of experts to protect its origin, the human world.
Thus, pointlessly sending the cream of the human race to die weakened the entire human race.
So, early humans established an organization called the Human Supreme Gourmet Association, responsible for the overall coordination of the human world.
They did not interfere with the development process of humanity, nor did they let ordinary humans know, but when certain individuals possessed the talent to explore the Gourmet World, or their strength could contend with level 85 beasts, they would begin to intervene.
Because beyond level 85, if a mentality were to change in certain ways, it could cause too great a disaster.
Human Supreme Gourmet Association? Zhang Wei pondered.
In the original manga, the two most powerful organizations were the International Gourmet Organization – IGO – under Ichiryu, and the semi-villainous organization – the Gourmet Corp – under Midora.
According to the timeline, Ichiryu, Jiro, and Midora should not have been born yet, and Acacia was likely an unknown minor character.
Thus, this Human Supreme Gourmet Association should be the predecessor of the IGO, with functions similar to it.
The old man spoke slowly, holding up "Tales of the Northern Heroes," saying, "This war has indeed benefited me. It has gathered all the talented individuals around the entire Northern region, making it convenient for my observation."
"And this book, rather than being a biography, is my observation and assessment of you. I will contact anyone who has the hope of stepping into the Gourmet World."
"However... the news of my existence, and the existence of the Human Supreme Gourmet Association, must not be revealed in the slightest... do you understand?"
The last sentence carried a hint of threat.
No wonder the descriptions of the Gourmet World in the books of this world were so scarce. It turned out there was such a large organization secretly controlling things.
Zhang Wei asked, "Since you have appeared before us, does that mean we have the opportunity to step into the Gourmet World?"
Zhang Wei had not yet contended with a level 85 beast and was unsure if he possessed such strength.
"That's right."
"Then how do you plan to deal with us?"
"Hehehe, you are mistaken. We are not a tyrannical organization of the bandit type. As long as you do not cause large-scale destruction in human settlements, I will not interfere with anything you do."
"Is it just this news?"
The old man asked, "Don't you want to go to the Gourmet World?"
The Gourmet World!
Everyone held their breath.
The Gourmet World was the place that all Gourmet Hunters and chefs dreamed of. How could they not want to go?
It could be said that the Gourmet World was the lifelong pursuit!
The old man continued, "I will tell you frankly, with your strength and current state, your survival rate in the Gourmet World is... zero!"
"Of course, you can ignore my advice and try your luck freely..."
"Or, as I said, enter the Gourmet World smoothly through the less dangerous routes explored by our predecessors."
Zhang Wei asked, "How many try their luck freely?"
"Eight or nine out of ten."
"Ah?"
The old man said helplessly, "Those who can reach this level of strength are all extraordinarily talented. They feel that walking the path we set is an insult..."
"And then?"
"They died."
The old man spread his hands. "If you go to a level 300 area, you might still be able to retrieve the corpse. Some handsome guys would step directly into areas where level 450 beasts are gathered... the Association can't do anything about it."
Level 450?
If his guess was correct, this toad's level should be between 110-150. This would allow it to easily crush Zhang Wei and the other six. If they truly encountered a level 450 beast...
And gathered together...
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
The old man waved his brush.
A landscape painting unfolded in the sky...
"You see..."
"This is the planet we are on..."
"This small area is the human world."
On an ink-wash globe, there was a small spot, about one percent of the surface area of the sphere.
Then the globe zoomed in.
The perspective shifted to the surroundings of the human world...
Marking out the beasts distributed around it one by one...
Unlike the matchmaking in games, the strength of the beasts had an enormous span, with beasts from level 100 to 800 coexisting, and no so-called safe location.
It was like a spot in a forest.
Here, there might be apples and insects, squirrels and rabbits, foxes, and wildcats, but the possibility of bears and tigers appearing also existed.
And upon first entering the Gourmet World, everyone would be at most a powerful insect, constantly in danger of annihilation by various crises...
The old man continued to wave his ink, and six tokens formed in the air.
"In 15 months, the Human Supreme Gourmet Association will organize a 'shuttle' to send you out of an 'ecological park' opened by the Association... Of course, you can also make your own choices."
Saying this.
The old man, amidst a burst of awkward laughter, dissolved into thick ink and exploded on the spot.
The few people were stunned, staring at each other.
Regarding the old man's inexplicable appearance and disappearance, and that toad...
It was as if they were dreaming.
"Stop!"
While Zhang Wei and the other six were dazed.
Ollipeil, wisely, intended to slip away, but obviously, this was absolutely impossible!
As soon as Zhang Wei spoke, Ollipeil broke into a run, his speed like a mirage, and shot straight into the clouds...
Just then, a flash of sword light filled the sky.
"Flying Dragon Sword Style: Dragon's Nest Flash!"
Juro appeared before Ollipeil and said, "Whether you go to the Gourmet World or not, I will end this war... Ollipeil, surrender now."
Capture!
Mission accomplished!
However, Zhang Wei and Tian Zui's minds were no longer focused on mere the Cloud Country or the Northern region.
Tian Zui said, "What are your plans after this?"
"I need to go back to the Northern region first to handle some matters."
"Are you still going to the Road of Hunger?"
"Of course."
Tian Zui continued, "We need a month to recuperate. Let's go to the Road of Hunger together after one month."
One month...
That's enough!
Zhang Wei agreed, "Alright."
After speaking, Zhang Wei raised the token in his hand and fell into deep thought.