Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 363 Welcome to Friends Like This

"It's all thanks to the observation methods that Teacher Rowan taught me!" Xiao Shi looked at Rowan gratefully. "Now I can predict my opponent's movements. Although my reaction time is still a bit slow, it's much better than before."

Seeing Xiao Shi's happy expression, Luo Wen felt a warm feeling well up inside him. "Keep trying, I believe you'll get better and better."

"I will!" Xiao Shi nodded firmly. "By the way, where are you headed?"

“We’re going to sample the cuisine of the Silverblue Empire,” Silvermoon said. “Rowan just told me about all sorts of delicious food from Earth.”

"Wow, Earth's delicious food!" Little Stone's eyes lit up. "It must be amazing!"

Rowan smiled and said, "Every planet has its own unique food culture, and I'm really looking forward to the cuisine of the Silver Blue Empire."

"The silver moon perch at Huxinju is especially delicious!" Xiao Shi recommended. "And their jade soup is so warming; just one sip makes you feel all warm inside."

"It seems you're a food lover too," Silver Moon said with a smile.

"Hehe, I love eating this the most." Xiao Shi scratched his head sheepishly. "But good food is usually quite expensive, so I can only afford to eat it occasionally."

Luo Wen suddenly had an idea: "Xiao Shi, why don't you come with us? It'll be a celebration of your progress today."

"Really?" Xiao Shi asked with surprise, but then hesitated, "But...wouldn't it be too much trouble?"

“No,” Silvermoon agreed with Rowan’s suggestion, “It’ll be more lively with one more person.”

"Great!" Xiao Shi jumped up excitedly. "I'm going home to tell my mom!"

“Go ahead, we’ll be waiting for you at Lakeside Residence,” Silver Moon said.

Little Stone ran off excitedly, and Silver Moon turned to look at Rowan: "You're always so kind."

“I just think it’s more fun this way,” Rowan said. “And seeing Xiaoshi so happy makes me happy too.”

The two continued walking towards Lakeside Residence. This restaurant is located on a small island by Silver Moon Lake, accessible only by small boat. The restaurant's architecture is simple and elegant, blending perfectly into the surrounding lake and mountain scenery.

"Welcome to Lakeside Residence!" A waitress dressed in traditional clothing greeted us warmly. "Miss Silver Moon, it's been a long time!"

"Xiaoyu, you're still working here?" Yinyue greeted the waitress warmly. "This is my friend Rowan, from outer space."

"Alien friend!" Xiaoyu looked at Luo Wen with surprise. "Welcome to the Silver Blue Empire! Lakeside Residence will surely satisfy you."

“Thank you, I’ve already heard about its reputation,” Rowan replied politely.

Xiaoyu led them to a private room overlooking the lake, offering a superb view of Silver Moon Lake. The room was also uniquely decorated, with portraits of ancient swordsmen hanging on the walls and tables and chairs made of a special silver-blue wood.

"The environment here is truly beautiful," Rowan exclaimed sincerely.

"Lakeside Residence not only boasts excellent cuisine, but its ambiance is also top-notch," Yin Yue said. "Dining here allows you to enjoy both delicious food and stunning views, making it a truly unique experience."

Soon, Xiao Shi arrived. He was clearly dressed up carefully, wearing clean clothes and with his hair neatly combed.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," Xiao Shi said somewhat reservedly.

“It’s alright, we just arrived too,” Silvermoon said gently. “Sit down, don’t be shy.”

Xiaoyu brought over the menu and began introducing the signature dishes. "Today's Silver Moon Perch is exceptionally fresh; it was just caught from the lake this morning. And our Emerald Soup is made with seven precious herbs, which is very beneficial to cultivators."

“Then let’s order these two things,” Silver Moon said. “Also, one serving of Cloud Sea Shrimp, one serving of Jade Tofu, and…” She looked at Rowan, “Is there anything you’d like to try?”

“I’m fine with anything, you decide,” Rowan said. “I know absolutely nothing about the cuisine of the Silver Blue Empire.”

"Then let's have another Starlight Pastry and a pot of Spring Flower Tea," Silver Moon said to Rain.

The dishes arrived quickly, each one exquisitely prepared, a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate. The Silver Moon Perch was tender and melted in the mouth with its special seasoning; the Jade Soup was clear and sweet, and drinking it truly gave one a warm feeling as it flowed through the body; the Cloud Sea Shrimp was crystal clear, as if it were a delicacy truly gathered from the sea of ​​clouds.

"This tastes amazing!" Rowan exclaimed, savoring the silver moon perch. "The freshness of the fish and the aroma of the seasonings blend perfectly, and this cooking method preserves the original flavor of the ingredients to the greatest extent."

“The chefs at Lakeside Restaurant are all craftsmen who have passed down their skills for generations,” Yin Yue explained. “They have almost obsessive requirements for every dish.”

Xiao Shi ate with great relish, a happy smile spreading across his face. "This is the best meal I've ever had!"

"Eat slowly, no rush," Rowan said with a smile.

During the meal, Rowan gave Silver Moon and Little Stone a detailed introduction to the various cuisines on Earth. He talked about the spiciness of Sichuan cuisine, the light flavor of Cantonese cuisine, the richness of Shandong cuisine, and the unique flavors of various local snacks.

"There's a dish on Earth called 'Mapo Tofu,'" Rowan vividly described. "The tofu is tender and smooth, paired with a special spicy sauce; one bite and you can't stop eating it. There's also 'Kung Pao Chicken,' where chicken, peanuts, and chili peppers are stir-fried together, creating a very rich and complex flavor."

"It smells delicious!" Xiao Shi swallowed hard.

“There’s another famous dish called ‘Peking Duck,’” Rowan continued. “The duck skin is crispy, the meat is tender and delicious, and it’s served with special pancakes and dipping sauce. It’s one of the most famous dishes on Earth.”

Silver Moon listened intently: "Earth's culinary culture is truly vast and profound. It feels like every dish has its own story."

“Indeed,” Rowan nodded. “On Earth, many dishes have profound historical backgrounds and cultural connotations. Take ‘Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,’ for example. Legend has it that even Buddha himself would jump over the wall upon smelling its aroma, which shows how delicious it is.”

"Buddha Jumps Over the Wall?" Xiao Shi asked curiously. "That's an interesting name."

"This dish uses more than a dozen precious ingredients, including abalone, sea cucumber, and shark fin, and is made through a complex process. It is one of the most luxurious dishes on Earth," Rowan explained.

"The preparation process must be very complicated, right?" Silver Moon asked with interest. "Extremely complicated, it takes several days to complete," Rowan said. "This also reflects a characteristic of Earth's culinary culture—the ultimate pursuit of craftsmanship."

Just then, Xiaoyu walked in carrying a new dish. "This is a traditional dessert from the Silver Blue Empire—Moonlight Dew—that our boss specially prepared for our distinguished alien guests."

This dessert looks like a small, bright moon, crystal clear and radiating a soft glow.

"This is made with water from Silvermoon Lake and a special fruit juice," Xiaoyu explained. "It not only tastes sweet, but it also has a very good auxiliary effect on mental cultivation."

Rowan carefully took a bite and immediately felt a cool and sweet taste spreading in his mouth, while his mental energy seemed to become more active.

"This taste is truly amazing!" Rowan exclaimed. "It's sweet but not cloying, refreshingly fragrant, and I can definitely feel its effect on boosting mental energy."

"This is a unique crafting technique of the Silverblue Empire," Silvermoon said proudly. "It is said that this formula was invented by an ancient sword master, specifically to help swordsmen restore their spiritual power."

After the meal, the three of them took a leisurely stroll along the lake. As the sun set, Silver Moon Lake shimmered with light, and the distant mountains appeared like dark eyebrows, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty, like a fairyland.

"Today's culinary journey was truly wonderful," Rowan exclaimed. "Not only did I taste delicious food, but more importantly, I learned about the food culture of the Silverblue Empire."

“This is just the beginning,” Silvermoon said with a smile. “I’m also taking you to a few other specialty restaurants. Tomorrow we’re going to ‘Star Pavilion,’ where the vegetarian food is said to purify the soul.”

"Star Pavilion?" Xiao Shi said excitedly. "I've heard of it. It's said to be the favorite place for sword practitioners."

“That’s right, many high-level swordsmen dine there during their training,” Silvermoon nodded. “The vegetarian food there is not only delicious, but also helps to calm the mind.”

The next morning, Yin Yue brought Luo Wen to the Star Pavilion. This restaurant was located atop a high mountain on Sword Heart Star, surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, giving it a transcendent, otherworldly feel. The restaurant's architecture was very simple, yet it exuded a Zen-like beauty.

"Welcome to the Star Pavilion." They were greeted by a young monk who spoke softly and gently, bringing a sense of peace to their hearts.

“We’d like to try some vegetarian food,” Silvermoon said.

"Please follow me." The monk led them into a quiet dining area facing the valley, offering a wide and refreshing view.

The vegetarian cuisine at Star Pavilion is truly unique. Each dish is exquisitely prepared, and although meat is not used, the skillful combination and seasoning create a rich and layered flavor.

“This ‘Lotus Seed Tofu’ is so exquisite,” Rowan said, savoring a dish that resembled a lotus flower. “The smoothness of the tofu and the delicate fragrance of the lotus seeds combine perfectly, and the presentation is simply beautiful.”

“The chefs at Star Pavilion are all specially trained,” Silver Moon explained. “They believe that preparing vegetarian food is not just cooking, but an art, a form of spiritual practice.”

“I can feel that dedication,” Rowan nodded. “Every dish brings a sense of inner peace.”

During their meal at the Star Pavilion, their conversation deepened. They discussed their cultivation experiences and shared their insights into life, creating a particularly warm atmosphere.

“Rowan,” Silver Moon suddenly said, “I find that I always learn so much new things when I’m with you. Not just in terms of cultivation, but also in my understanding of life.”

“Me too,” Rowan said sincerely. “The culture of the Silverblue Empire has inspired me a lot, and,” he paused, “I feel very happy being with you.”

Their eyes met in mid-air, and they both saw a special emotion in each other's eyes. But neither of them spoke, silently savoring this beautiful feeling.

On the third day, Yin Yue took Luo Wen to a restaurant called "Flying Waterfall Pavilion". This restaurant was built next to a waterfall, and you could hear the gurgling water while dining, which was very romantic.

"The specialty here is 'Waterfall Sashimi'," Silver Moon explained, "using mountain spring fish unique to the area downstream of the waterfall, which has exceptionally fresh and delicious flesh."

Fei Pu Xuan's dishes are mainly light and emphasize the original flavor of the ingredients. The Waterfall Fish Sashimi truly lives up to its name; the fish slices are extremely thin, dipped in a special sauce, and melt in your mouth, incredibly fresh and delicious.

“This preparation method is very similar to sashimi on Earth,” Rowan said, “both aim to preserve the original flavor of the ingredients.”

"It seems that food cultures on different planets do have something in common," Silver Moon said with a smile.

At Feipu Pavilion, they also sampled local specialties such as bamboo rice and wildflower honey tea. Each dish had its own unique flavor, giving Luo Wen a deeper understanding of the culinary culture of the Silver Blue Empire.

On the fourth day, Yin Yue took Luo Wen to the last restaurant – "Cloud Residence". This restaurant is located on the highest peak of Jianxin Star, and can only be reached by taking a special flying vehicle.

“Cloud Retreat is one of the most upscale restaurants in the Silverblue Empire,” Silvermoon explained. “Not only is the food first-rate, but it also offers stunning views overlooking the entire Swordheart Star.”

Upon arriving at Cloud Residence, Rowan was stunned by the sight before him. The entire beauty of Sword Heart Star stretched out before him, with white clouds drifting beneath his feet and distant, rolling mountains stretching endlessly—it was as if he were dining in a fairyland.

"The scenery here is magnificent!" Rowan exclaimed sincerely.

“I felt the same way the first time I came here,” Silvermoon recalled. “It was for my sixteenth birthday, and my father brought me here specially. From then on, this place became the most special place in my heart.”

The dishes at Yun Duan Ju can be said to be the culmination of the Silver Blue Empire's cuisine, with each dish representing the highest level of cooking. They tasted signature dishes such as "Steamed Eggs in Clouds and Mist," "Pearl of the Sky," and "Galaxy Noodle Soup," and every bite was a delight for the taste buds.

"This culinary journey over the past few days has truly broadened my horizons," Rowan remarked. "The food culture of the Silver Blue Empire is so rich and diverse, with each dish embodying a profound cultural heritage."

“I’m happy to share this with you,” Silvermoon said sincerely. “Seeing you enjoy the food of the Silverblue Empire so much makes me very proud.”

While dining at the Cloud Pavilion, they encountered several renowned swordsmen from the Silver Blue Empire. When these swordsmen learned that Rowan was the alien warrior recognized by the Sword Saint, they all showed great interest and respect.

"To earn the praise of a Sword Saint Master demonstrates your truly extraordinary strength and character," said an old swordsman. "Our Silver Blue Empire welcomes friends like you."

“Thank you for your compliment,” Rowan replied modestly. “I still have a lot to learn.”

“Your humility is also admirable,” said another swordsman. “True strength often lies in this quality.”

These exchanges gave Rowan a deeper understanding of the martial arts culture of the Silver Blue Empire, and also made him feel the inclusiveness and friendliness of this civilization.

(End of this chapter)