I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

“I suspect that some of the Father’s followers have come to Utopia to create chaos, and at the same time, their army should be heading towards Utopia to prepare for war.”

"But according to you, these followers of the 'Father' are all severely corrupted, so wouldn't they be easily recognizable?"

Feng Yu asked the question.

"Not necessarily. Corruption is not just about outward appearance. Just like disease, physical and mental illnesses are both symptoms. Some of the believers of the Father may look like ordinary people on the outside, but their hearts have long been severely distorted. These believers will blend into the crowd and spread corruption."

Du Danping put the notebook away and returned the books on the table to the bookshelf.

"It can be said that we not only need to win the election, but also need to deal with the chosen ones from other realms, as well as the believers of the [Father]. If we fail to do any of these things, Utopia may be destroyed."

“I’m not very good at dealing with people, so let me do the work of finding those chosen ones and believers of the Father.”

Lu Ban said.

Campaigning and canvassing are not Lu Ban's forte; he is only good at writing a few sentences into people's minds.

Fighting monsters is still more suitable for Lu Ban.

"That's not a concern. I'll be attending a banquet tonight, where several influential figures in the Senate will be present. We can use that opportunity to make contact with them and see if any of the chosen ones from other factions are there."

Du Danping smiled.

"banquet……"

Feng Yu glanced at Lu Ban.

She suddenly had a feeling that Lu Ban's participation in the academy's election might be even more difficult.

"What's wrong? A banquet means there will be good food. We can have a meal together."

Lu Ban looked at Feng Yu and said excitedly.

"You should eat more then."

Feng Yu replied dismissively.

"no problem!"

Lu Ban answered decisively.

He and Feng Yu changed into the clothes Du Danping had prepared for the banquet, and in the evening, they arrived at the entrance of a building at the foot of the pyramid.

Unlike other purely functional buildings, this structure features lifelike carvings of plants and animals on its pillars, giving it a magnificent appearance. Inside, it is brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Lu Ban was wearing a plain-colored robe, which was the symbol of the academy and represented the scholar's robe. On the back was the academy's eye icon.

Feng Yu, on the other hand, wore a light white long dress and sandals. She was at least a well-developed woman in her twenties, and she had a much better temperament than the young people in the wasteland who had to take on management responsibilities in their teens. As soon as she appeared, she attracted the attention of many people.

However, when Feng Yu took Lu Ban's hand, the men all showed expressions of disappointment.

Lu Ban only looked at the food at the banquet.

A dazzling array of food was laid out on the table; compared to the brownish paste we had eaten during the day, this place was simply a food paradise.

Lu Ban picked up a piece of food that looked like the leg of some kind of creature, and swallowed hard as he looked at the slightly charred surface.

"what is this?"

He asked the waiter who looked to be only fourteen or fifteen years old.

"It's an insect's leg."

The female waitress paused for a moment, then replied.

Lu Ban's face scrunched up like a bitter gourd.

Chapter 860 The Great Musician

Bitter melon is bitter melon.

As long as it tastes good, even insect legs are fine.

Lu Ban peeled off the charred chitinous shell and saw the gelatinous insect meat inside, which had solidified due to the high temperature. The meat emitted a fragrant aroma, tempting people to devour it.

Lu Ban tore off a piece of hot meat and put it in his mouth.

Chew, chew.

As soon as he put the food in his mouth, Lu Ban felt a little regretful.

It tastes awful.

Although it looks delicious on the surface, it is actually really hard to eat. It's like a piece of Original Recipe Chicken that looks perfect, but turns out to be a Wallace roasted chicken leg. Or like a glass of ice-cold Coke that you gulp down only to find out it's toilet cleaner.

Lu Ban noticed the waiter's gaze. He tried his best to control the muscles in his face so that they didn't twitch or vomit, and forced himself to swallow the worm meat.

"If you still need it, I can get it for you."

The waitress, who looked to be only a teenager, smiled.

"Let me digest this first."

Lu Ban declined the other party's request.

Watching the waiter leave, Lu Ban hurriedly hid and gagged twice, but unfortunately the insect legs he had eaten were already in his stomach, and he couldn't get them out unless he reached in.

"Is it not tasty?"

Upon seeing this, Feng Yu asked.

"It tastes even worse than yours."

Lu Ban spoke the truth.

"..."

Feng Yu looked at him with a smile.

Lu Ban hurriedly ate another bite of the insect leg on the plate.

"As expected, you're the least tasty."

He changed his tune.

Feng Yu wanted to say something, but a noisy commotion arose from the side.

"It's Mr. Du."

Looking at the group of teenagers and twenties peering out, Lu Ban suddenly found it somewhat amusing.

At the entrance to the hall, Du Danping walked in wearing a classically styled robe. He greeted everyone, and many people also greeted him, like a respected elder. It seemed that all factions were on good terms with him and wanted to give him face.

Du Danping walked to one side of the hall, next to a piano.

This piano is clearly an unearthed artifact. The paint on its surface has long since peeled off and become mottled. It is unknown how long it took to restore it. It stands here like a singer who has been isolated from the world since the old days.

Du Danping sat down in front of the piano.

Lu Ban didn't know if anyone in this world could play the piano, but he knew very well that in the wasteland today, even the most artistically talented person could not possibly reach even a fraction of Du Danping's skill.

Du Danping placed his fingers on the piano keys and tried two notes.

The piano is out of tune. As an instrument left over from the old era, it is already doing its best to produce sound.

But just as a great musician can play beautiful melodies even with a ruler and a calculator, this piano produced astonishing melodies in the hands of musician Du Danping.

Music flowed like water from his fingertips, and the intoxicating melody lingered in the hall. In this wasteland, only a corner of peace existed for a moment.

If music has magic, then Du Danping is a magician who can transport people into a dreamlike world, leaving them completely mesmerized.

Lu Ban had no doubt that, if Du Danping wanted to, he could use this music to manipulate people's hearts, reverse the situation, and even control pollution and prevent alienation.

This is extraordinary power.

When the music ended, people even forgot to applaud, as if they were still immersed in the imagery brought by the music, unable to extricate themselves for a long time.

Lu Ban subconsciously finished eating the roasted insect legs on the plate.

"A great musician."

A young man clapped his hands.

The others snapped out of their daze and joined in the applause.

Amid applause, Du Danping performed another piece, a melancholic melody that plunged everyone into a sense of sadness once more.

When the music ended, Du Danping stood up, and soon several female members of the Senate gathered around her, eagerly discussing topics related to music.

Du Danping spoke with them in a very gentlemanly manner, and after saying goodbye to the ladies, he turned to look at Lu Ban.

Lu Ban held a cup in his hand, which contained a beverage from the wilderness.

"This is mead made using a type of insect called a honey bug."

The waitress explained.

"Oh, just like mead."

Lu Ban took a sip. The wine wasn't strong, but it had a strange taste. Although it wasn't as bad as Feng Yu's, it wasn't particularly delicious either.

"It is made from the liquid excreted by honeybees after they have eaten other insects."

The waitress added.

"That is to say..."

Lu Ban looked at the translucent liquid in the cup.

Life in the wilderness is truly difficult.

He quietly put down the cup when no one around him was paying attention.

"So, how was the banquet?"

Du Danping approached Lu Ban and asked.

"The food was all terrible."

Lu Ban spoke the truth.

"Haha, indeed, the eating habits here are quite different from those in other foreign lands, but once you get used to them, you can still taste some of the flavors."

Du Danping chuckled, then picked up a meatball made from an insect's eyeball and put it in his mouth to chew.

"You rely on music to gain favor with others?"