Of course, Chen Qi's purpose in entering the tavern wasn't just the simple idea of getting a free meal and drink.
As everyone knows, a tavern is a place with a crowd of all sorts and a good place to gather information.
His most important task now was to collect information on the crack near Maro Town and then strive to become a Transcendent as soon as possible!
The moment he stepped into the tavern, a wave of low-quality liquor aroma hit him in the face.
The inside of the tavern was extremely crowded, with every table fully occupied.
Fortunately, there were still seats available near the counter at the front.
Chen Qi sat down next to the counter and drank a bottle of warm wine.
With the warm wine in his belly, his whole body felt a lot warmer.
Cool!
Although this watered-down wine was nothing compared to Earth's delightful soda, it was quite good now.
As for roasted meat, that kind of good stuff had already been snatched up.
But luckily, there were still plenty of peanuts.
Chen Qi cracked peanuts while watching the lively crowd.
People, buoyed by the alcohol, chatted away:
"Hey hey, have you heard? The Witch Times' gold badge reporter captured the movements of the four Pirate Emperors!
There were more than five hundred ships speeding on the sea!
This is a huge operation, and the goal is to find the legendary treasure!"
"Treasure? What's that got to do with us country folk, brother? You should check out the Witch Times instead.
The newspaper reported on the Countess's affair, and the thighs in that photo—beautiful indeed—"
"Boss, congratulations on your daughter returning early from Bei Country Royal University!
She can buy a house in Moonstone City, or directly in the capital—it's no problem at all!"
Chen Qi's gaze quickly locked onto the key figures in the crowd.
The tavern owner and his precious daughter.
The reason why everything in the tavern was free today was that his daughter had returned early from Bei Country Royal University to take a position in Maro Town.
Wait, Bei Country Royal University!
Chen Qi was taken aback.
In the New World, universities and colleges were gathering places for Transcendents.
Within these institutions, students are offered extraordinary resources beyond the imagination of ordinary people, as well as a slew of strength assessments!
Anyone associated with a college possessed exceptional skills to some degree or another.
Since all the players started with awakened spiritual talent, a college start was also recognized as the best among players.
And Bei Country Royal University was the most famous and renowned school in the entire Shell Kingdom!
Each year, Bei Country Royal University produced many exceptionally talented individuals for the world.
The Royal Seven Eccentrics, the Imperial Capital's Three Jie.
Many NPCs that left a deep impression on the players came from Bei Country Royal University.
Of course, in such a remote town, having a Transcendent able to get into the Royal University was enough to change a family's fate and social status.
The early return of a daughter who was accepted into a top-ranking Transcendent school was truly a celebration within a celebration.
No wonder the tavern owner was so generously footing the bill.
Chen Qi grabbed a handful of peanuts and munched eagerly, continuing to watch the drama unfold.
At this moment, everyone was surrounding the tavern owner, heaping praise on him, their eyes full of envy.
Meanwhile, the owner's young daughter stood behind him, not saying a word, very quiet.
Chen Qi peeked through gaps in the crowd at her.
She had silver-white hair, wore a mage's hat, and was dressed in a simple and unsophisticated white apprentice uniform.
Very much the standard young mage apprentice outfit.
Chen Qi accessed the memories of his original self.
She was considered a peer of his and a true genius.
At the age of five, she exhibited extraordinary talent, spending her days wielding a magic wand twice her height and practicing spells on rocks with her short little legs.
Later, with the help of a noble, she successfully got into Bei Country Royal University Book College.
She should be about sixteen this year.
Why does she look so familiar...
Chen Qi reflected, remembering that this was also a rather famous character on the gaming forums.
And just then, an impatient figure slowly pushed through the crowd and said in a deep voice:
"Excuse me, everyone, could you make way so I can have a word with the new tutor..."
Though the man's voice wasn't loud, his portly figure and the golden patterns on his expensive suit proved his extraordinary status.
Chen Qi thought for a moment.
This man was none other than the most distinguished person in Maro Town, Mayor Da Maro!
He controlled Maro Town's most important asset, the "Mine Crack," and also handled all sorts of affairs big and small, making him the wealthiest and most prestigious person in Maro Town.
One could say, he was the lord of this island.
Although the mayor was very wealthy, he was also extremely frugal.
After squandering half of his fortune in his earlier years, he became deeply fixated on establishing a powerful family.
Therefore, he spent a lot of money and effort marrying an ugly yet robust wife.
When Mayor Da Maro spoke, the crowd parted obediently.
Most people had to give Mayor Da Maro face.
The tavern owner's daughter blinked her blue eyes and looked at Mayor Da Maro with some confusion:
"?"
Clearly, he came specifically for her, the talented graduate.
A sixteen-year-old Transcendent who graduated from Bei Country Royal University, without a doubt, her future was set to far exceed that of Mayor Da Maro.
Chen Qi thought to himself.
Mayor Da Maro approached her, bending slightly forward and then feeling uncomfortable, he straightened up a bit.
He seemed pushed by two forces until, with some impatience from the crowd, he managed to squeeze out a smile:
"An, no, I should call you the Tutor of Maro Town. In the time that follows, the youth of Maro Town will be troubling you...
Do you remember me? I am Mayor Da Maro. I helped quite a bit with the establishment and construction of your father's tavern when I was younger.
My two children, a son and a daughter, have also reached the age to apply for the Transcendent academy and have successfully become First Order Transcendents.
They have some talent, passing the preliminary screening of the exam but failing in the first round..."
Failing in the first round… Chen Qi frowned like an old grandpa on the subway.
As a strategy content creator, he had helped many players get through the academy's exams.
To be admitted to the Transcendent academy, one must pass at least five rounds of exams.
And the first round of examination is a very simple written test.
Failing the first round, how do you conclude they are so talented!?
Mayor Da Maro paused for a long time before continuing:
"I believe my children's talents are not bad, and with hard work, it is not impossible for them to become Third-tier Transcendents.
An, since you are from the Royal University, do you have any method that can allow them to enter the Royal University as well..."
She graduated from there, not built the university… Chen Qi couldn't help mocking in his mind.
The tavern owner's daughter, by appearance, looked like the quiet, naturally dazed type.
"Ah?"
Confronted with Mayor Da Maro's question, the tavern owner's daughter, already somewhat sluggish, looked even more like a stuck robot.
Her head turned around.
Suddenly, in that instant, her blue eyes met with Chen Qi's.
What are you looking at me for? Chen Qi, who was snacking on peanuts while watching the drama unfold, was momentarily stunned, his hand holding the peanuts pausing.
These peanuts and drinks on the counter should be free, right…
Wait a minute!
Why has everyone's gaze suddenly turned towards me!!
However, he was not given time to think.
In the next moment, the tavern owner's daughter picked up her Magic Wand and moved with the agility of a cat, arriving in front of Chen Qi in an instant.
The distance between them closed rapidly, and she was now merely a palm's length away from him.
A formidable presence weighed upon him.
"???"
Her sudden action caused Chen Qi to feel somewhat panicked.
She tilted her head and leaned closer, much like a greedy merchant scrutinizing a priceless treasure.
Sniff, sniff, sniff—
After smelling him, she excitedly said:
"It's blood, and seawater, along with the scent of a transcendent awakening."