I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

In Jianghai City, half a month has passed since the shocking "sewage gas explosion" (official report).

In the past two weeks, Jianghai City has undergone tremendous changes.

What was originally just a corner of a bustling commercial street in the city center has now become a commercial landmark that people look up to – [Deep Blue Plaza].

With a wave of his hand, Jiang Li not only bought the entire street, but also took over several unfinished buildings around it, connected them, and rebuilt them into a huge complex that integrates catering, entertainment, accommodation (mainly to provide a place for queuing customers to sleep), and "special commodity trading".

In the very center of the square stands the black "Star Pillar," which is over twenty meters tall.

It is no longer just a "clothesline".

Wang Ergou (Deputy General Manager of Deep Blue Group) with his keen business sense built a fountain pool around the pillar. The pool contained several bioluminescent ornamental fish (actually abyssal mutated fish) brought back from the Dragon Palace, and he put up a sign that read: "Wishing Pool".

It is said that as long as you throw a coin into it, your wish will be watched by "God" and will be incredibly effective.

As a result, this place became the most popular place in the entire city... no, it became the most popular place.

……

At 10:00 AM, on the top floor of Shenlan Seafood Restaurant, in the chairman's office.

Jiang Li, dressed in a loose-fitting custom-made Tang suit (a gift from Su Qingge, who said it would make him look like a master), was lying on the boss's chair, idly twirling two walnuts in his hand.

These two walnuts are no ordinary items either; they are two highly concentrated energy cores salvaged from the [Mi·Gor] base. They feel warm in your hands and can even be used for electrotherapy.

"Ugh, so boring."

Jiang Li sighed, "This business being too good is also a problem. My hands are sore from counting money every day."

On the desk in front of him, there were piles of invitations and orders from various factions.

Such things as "The Ye family of Kyoto is seeking to purchase ten tons of dragon bones," "The Zhao family of Shanghai has reserved three tables for a supreme whole fish banquet," and "A certain senator from the White Eagle Federation is willing to pay a hefty sum to purchase a Deepsea that can serve as a gatekeeper"...

"Boss, please don't go to Versailles."

Wang Ergou was dressed in a sharp Italian handmade suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he looked every bit the successful man (if you ignored the occasional red glint in his eyes).

Holding a document, he reported to his superior: "This week's revenue has already exceeded five small targets, and our 'Deep Blue Delivery' business has covered three surrounding provinces. The Baikal Flight Squadron says the workload is a bit heavy and is requesting more manpower... I mean, requesting more birdmen."

"Then go catch it."

Jiang Li casually said, "Have Lao Liu take the boat to the Devil's Triangle again and catch more of those big birds. Oh, and remember to pick the females; maybe they can breed on their own and we can set up a breeding farm or something."

"Yes... Boss is wise."

Wang Ergou wiped his sweat.

Setting up an interstellar monster breeding base? Only a boss would dare to have such an idea.

"Oh, right, there's something else."

Wang Ergou's expression turned slightly serious. "Recently, quite a few foreigners with 'blonde hair and blue eyes' have been coming to the shop. They don't seem to be here to eat; they seem more like they're here to... do reconnaissance."

"Foreigner?"

Jiang Li sat up straight. "Is it one of those 'Michelin' judges? I heard they're pretty strict with their ratings."

"Uh... he doesn't look like a chef."

Wang Ergou hesitated and said, "They have that... similar 'Night Watchmen' vibe, but more rigid, more... scholarly. And they all carry those leather trunks covered in runes."

"bookworm?"

Jiang Li stroked his chin. "Who cares who they are? They're guests once they walk in. As long as they pay, I'll entertain even aliens (it's not like I haven't entertained them before). But if they dare cause trouble..."

He glanced at Big Yellow, who was lying on the doormat playing on his tablet (watching "Animal World").

"Big Yellow, haven't you been exercising much lately?"

"Woof!" (I'm always ready!)

……

Downstairs, in the lobby.

An elderly foreign man, wearing a gray trench coat, thick-rimmed glasses, and carrying an old leather suitcase, walked shakily through the door of Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant.

His name is Armitage Miller, a renowned tenured professor at Miskatonic University, and one of the world's leading experts in occultism.

University of Michigan is a holy land dedicated to the study of the Cthulhu Mythos, the containment of forbidden knowledge, and the training of investigators.

Professor Miller traveled all the way to China to investigate the "Deep Blue Chef" who has been making headlines on the dark web recently.

It is said that people here are openly selling the flesh and blood of ancient gods! They even treat former members of the clan as servants!

This is a complete subversion of common sense in the occult and the greatest threat to world security!

"This place... is practically the gateway to hell..."

As soon as Professor Miller entered the room, the pointer of the inspiration detector in his hand (disguised as a pocket watch) began to spin wildly and eventually flew out of his hand.

What did he see?

That green-skinned monster that greeted us was clearly a descendant of Dagon—the Deep One!

The waiter carrying the dishes had a large, black pot (Lei Meng) radiating resentment on his back!

And that guy sitting behind the cashier, counting money while making electronic noises... is that the brain of [Mi-Go]?!

Professor Miller felt his sanity level plummeting.

"God... why wasn't this place sealed off? Why are these monsters wearing suits?!"

He suppressed the urge to run away and found a corner to sit down.

As a seasoned investigator, he had to find out the truth.

"Sir... what would you like to order?"

A Deepsea waiter approached, trying to put on a "professional" smile, his fangs gleaming under the lights.

Professor Miller nearly suffered cardiac arrest.

He gripped the leather suitcase tightly in his hand (which contained an alchemical bomb powerful enough to destroy the building and several handwritten pages of the Necronomicon).

"I...I want one of...that..."

He pointed to the number one dish on the menu, "Deep Sea Jelly" (a cold dish of shuffles).

"Okay, one serving of deep-sea jelly, mild or extra spicy?"

"Mildly...mildly spicy."

The diver noted down the order, turned and left, politely saying "Gah!" before departing.

Professor Miller wiped the cold sweat from his brow.

This monster... is actually working as a waiter? And his service is even better than the high-end restaurants he ate at in London?

What's wrong with this world?

Soon, a plate of crystal-clear black jelly, mixed with chili oil and cilantro, and emitting a strange sour aroma, was served.

Professor Miller took out his personal microscope (disguised as a monocle) and examined it carefully.

Upon seeing this, he almost screamed.

The cellular structure of that jelly...

It's amorphous! It's protoplasmic! That's a tissue section from Shoggoth!

"He's insane... absolutely insane..."

Professor Miller's hands were trembling.

Shoggoths! They are slave creatures created by the Ancient Ones, terrifying beings capable of devouring everything!

It was actually cut into strips? And mixed with minced garlic?!

"This must be some kind of sacrificial ritual..."

Professor Miller was convinced that "eating it would turn one into a follower of the monster..."

But he had to test the waters.

For the safety of all humanity, he decided to test the poison on himself!

He shakily picked up a piece of "liangfen" (a type of cold noodle), closed his eyes, and put it into his mouth with a death-defying air.

"May the Lord protect my soul..."

however.

The moment that piece of jelly touched the tip of my tongue.

It is not corrosive, highly toxic, or mentally polluting as one might imagine.

only……

Q bomb.

Smooth and silky.

The sour and spicy flavors are just right.

There was also a refreshing coolness that slid down his throat, instantly calming his stomach, which was spasming from excessive tension.

"Huh?!"

Professor Miller suddenly opened his eyes.

This taste...

How can it taste so good?!

Moreover, as the food entered his stomach, he felt his mind, which had become turbid from years of studying forbidden knowledge, begin to clear up! The whispers and hallucinations that had troubled him for so many years all disappeared!

"This...this is purification?!"

Professor Miller was shocked.

As a professor at the University of Michigan, he spent his entire life researching how to combat sanity drops and how to resist madness.

But all his potions, spells, and rituals were not as effective as this mouthful of jelly!

"One more bite!"

He couldn't control himself and picked up another piece.

"Delicious! So delicious!"

The meticulous, rigid, and fearless investigator was gone, replaced by a gluttonous old man.

The plate of cold noodles was quickly emptied.

Professor Miller let out a burp, feeling as if he had been reborn.

"Incredible...it's a miracle..."

He stared at the empty plate, his eyes filled with fanaticism.

"Is this the power of Eastern mysticism? Transforming indescribable terror into a healing feast for the soul?"

"This is the ultimate path to defeating the Great Old Ones!"

"Waiter! Another one! No, give me one of everything on the menu!"

……

Just as Professor Miller was immersed in the baptism of the food.

Jiang Li was coming downstairs, preparing to inspect the work in the kitchen.

As he passed through the lobby, he saw the old foreign man weeping over a plate of stir-fried dragon liver.

"What's wrong with that foreigner? Did he cry while eating?"

Jiang Li asked Wang Ergou, who was standing next to him.

"I don't know, maybe they've never had anything this spicy before?"

Wang Ergou shrugged. "I saw him looking at the food with a microscope just now, and I thought he was a health inspector looking for trouble, but he ate it more happily than anyone else."

"Oh, never mind him then."

Jiang Li shook his head. "By the way, the seafood restaurant is running out of ingredients a bit fast lately, especially the 'Deep Sea Lobster' (Mi Go), it's almost sold out."

"Yes, boss."

Wang Ergou was also a little worried. "The 'flying shrimp' over there in the Devil's Triangle seem to have become smarter. Now, as soon as they see our boat, they disappear from dozens of miles away. We can't catch them at all."

"These guys have gotten smarter."

Jiang Li was somewhat dissatisfied. "It seems we need to change our supply channels."

"Boss, what are your thoughts?"

Jiang Li walked to the window, looking at the bustling street outside, but her thoughts drifted to a much farther place.

"Now we have seafood, wild game (shrimp), and cold dishes (Shoggoth)."

"But... I feel like something's missing."

Jiang Li stroked his chin. "Oh, right, cold drinks!"

"Summer is almost here, we need to introduce something chilled. Like... ice cream? Or an upgraded version of the sashimi platter—frozen sashimi?"

"But the ice we use now is made with ice machines, it's not strong enough, it melts too quickly, and it doesn't have that... that soul."

"Soul?" Wang Ergou didn't understand.

"It's that kind of... unmelted, ancient, pure, natural, and pollution-free top-grade ice!"

Jiang Li's eyes deepened.

"I've heard that at the southernmost tip of the Earth, there's an eternal ice field. It holds countless secrets from the last era, and... the most delicious 'popsicles'."

Antarctica?!

Wang Ergou exclaimed, "Boss, you're going to Antarctica?"

"Yes! Antarctica!"

Jiang Li snapped his fingers. "I remember seeing a news report before about a creature there called 'sea cucumber.' It looks like a starfish, but it has five tentacles, thick flesh, and lives under the ice year-round. It's definitely top-quality sashimi!"

Wang Ergou: "..."

It looks like a starfish, has five tentacles, and is found under the Antarctic ice sheet...

Although he was not well-educated, he had heard the legends within the church.

Those are the Elder Things!

They are a highly intelligent race that created the Shoggoths and has lived on this planet for billions of years!

You call that a sea cucumber?!

"Boss... that place... seems even more dangerous than the Devil's Triangle," Wang Ergou weakly reminded him.

"Danger? What's there to be afraid of?"

Jiang Li scoffed, "We have the Black Pearl, Big Yellow, and you, our first mate. Besides, we're going to buy cargo, not to fight a war. As long as they obediently surrender their bodies... oh no, I mean cooperate with our fishing operation, I promise I won't kill them."

He turned around, his eyes burning with a flame called "market expansion".

"Pass down the order! Prepare winter clothing! Prepare ice-breaking equipment!"

"Next stop—Antarctica! [Mount Madness]!"

"I'm going there to bring back some real 'deep-sea chilled' seafood!"

……

In a corner of the hall.

Professor Miller, who had just finished the last bite of dragon meat, twitched his ears slightly and heard Jiang Li's bold words.

"Antarctica...Mount Madness..."

Professor Miller's hand trembled, and the fork fell to the ground.

As a professor at the University of Michigan, he knew all too well what that place meant.

That place is the eternal pain of the Miguel expedition, a forbidden zone within a forbidden zone for humanity! It is where not only the ancient beings slumber, but also something even more terrifying... the unseen.

"Where is he going? To eat ancient wine?!"

As Professor Miller watched Jiang Li's retreating figure, a strange impulse suddenly welled up within him.

"I want to go too!"

"If he can really turn the monsters from that place into food... that would be the greatest discovery in the history of the occult!"

"No! That is humanity's salvation!"

Professor Miller suddenly stood up, picked up his suitcase, and rushed towards Jiang Li.

"Mr. Jiang! Please wait! I'm a professor at Miskatonic University! I'm very interested in your Antarctic program! I'd like to apply to join the expedition! I can pay! I can pay a lot of money!"

Jiang Li turned around and looked at the old man who had been eating with grease on his face just moments before, but now had a fanatical expression on his face.

"Miska... what university? A diploma mill?"

Jiang Li scratched his head, "But it's quite rare to see someone your age still so eager to learn (and eat).

"Okay, what are your skills?"

"I can... I can do archaeology! I can decipher ancient texts! I can even do first aid!" Professor Miller desperately promoted himself.

"Archaeology? Do you even know how to dig a hole?"

"Yes! Of course!"

"Okay, then you can count me in."

Jiang Li waved his hand dismissively, "Perfect timing! My ship is short of someone... to write the nautical log. You'll be in charge of recording our 'culinary journey'!"

"Thank you, boss! Thank you, boss!"

Professor Miller was so excited he almost knelt down.

What he didn't know was that his actions would completely change the history of the University of Michigan, leading this highest institution of occultism down a path of no return, akin to "Cthulhu on the tip of the tongue."