"It’s 3 PM now; I will arrange for someone to pick everyone up at 6 PM."
Hanakaiin Haru gave the precise time before temporarily leaving Tongshou Temple.
Sagaraso did not follow her to leave.
Compared to Hanakaiin Haru, Miss Sagaraso preferred to stay with Jason.
When Hanakaiin Haru left, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple walked out from the main hall.
"The Soul-Gathering Gourd?"
Looking at the gourd in Jason’s hand, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple showed surprise.
"You know about this?"
"Hmm, according to the records, it was a tool made by a craftsman who imitated a great demon’s gourd."
"There are rumors that this gourd hides numerous secrets."
"However, it’s just a rumor. Since the method of its use was lost, it’s become nothing more than a decoration."
"If it were still functional, it definitely wouldn’t have appeared in a branch family of Hanakaiin Court."
The old monk shared the information he knew, then turned his head to look at Miss Sagaraso.
"Hello, I am the Monk of Tongshou Temple."
The old monk greeted her amiably.
Miss Sagaraso replied in a carefree manner, then seemingly remembering the etiquette she had been taught, realizing that it was inappropriate to act this way in front of an elder, she quickly bowed and said: "Nice to meet you, please take good care of me."
"Haha, it’s okay, it’s okay."
"No need to be so formal."
"Would you like some tea and sweets?"
"I remember there are some in the side room."
Facing the polite child, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple was very happy.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Sagaraso bowed again.
Jason watched the two, silently stood up, and walked towards the side room to the left.
This was his room at Tongshou Temple.
He had consumed quite a bit of Satiety.
Now, it was time to replenish it.
Having locked the door and set up several Kaya Seals to ensure all points of entry and exit were sealed, Jason finally approached the bed.
Even within Tongshou Temple, Jason would not abandon his customary precautions.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, the first thing Jason took out was the ’Blessing Stone’."
After sniffing it, he threw it directly into his mouth.
Slightly sweet, but not intense—when he applied pressure with his teeth—
The entire ’Blessing Stone’ split open.
Inside was... peanuts?
Peanuts wrapped in a sweet coating?
Not the kind soaked in old vinegar. Though a bit odd, they were still delicious.
[Swallowing ’Blessing Stone’ (Small)]
[Physical Strength, Energy, and minor injuries recover slightly!]
10 points of Satiety aren’t much for Jason right now.
But this form of Satiety, obtained without the need for hunting, is always an unexpected gain for Jason.
Next, Jason picked up a Fragment of ’Harmony Arrow’."
Unlike the ’Blessing Stone’s’ mild sweetness, the Fragment of ’Harmony Arrow’ was intensely sweet.
Like a ball of cream.
And it was the kind that melts in your mouth.
It felt as if he had just eaten a mouthful of sweet, creamy butter.
Jason evaluated it from the bottom of his heart.
Sweetness always brings happiness.
That’s why people unconsciously lean towards sweet flavors.
No matter how bitter life may be, sweetness can dilute the bitterness.
Do you still remember the bowl of sweet water your mother made when you were taking medicine as a child?
How many people fear falling ill.
But it’s precisely because of this bowl of soup.
The sickness doesn’t seem so frightening anymore.
Even, there is some anticipation.
Of course, it’s not the sickness, but the sugary soup.
Sweet, truly wonderful.
What’s even more wonderful is the text prompt before Jason’s eyes.
[Consuming ’Inaho’s Arrow’ (Fragment)]
[Physical Strength, Energy, and Moderate Injuries have recovered!]
Still savoring the lingering sweetness in his mouth, looking at the text prompts before him, the corners of Jason’s mouth curled up.
Then, he picked up the ’Collecting Souls Gourd’.
The food was right before his eyes, its aroma becoming even richer.
The scent of alcohol was also becoming clearer.
Even mixed with the scent of alcohol, faced with the aroma of the food, Jason couldn’t help but open his mouth wide.
He wanted to taste this gourd.
At the same time, dishes like drunken shrimp involuntarily sprang to his mind.
But deep down, a voice kept echoing.
If you’re unsure of the outcome, don’t try it!
Learn to resist hunger!
This voice stemmed from Jason’s cautious habits.
Or rather... rationality!
Rationality was telling Jason again about the danger of doing so.
But, the gourd was getting closer and closer to Jason’s mouth.
10 centimeters, 5 centimeters, 2 centimeters.
Just when Jason’s teeth were about to touch the gourd’s skin, he stopped.
It wasn’t a decisive stop.
But rather a shaky one.
Jason’s body felt like it was pressing down on a mountain, and he was also holding a mountain in his hand.
Furthermore, these two mountains were magnet mountains!
Mountains with opposing magnetic poles!
An immense attraction was present between them.
The originally halted distance started to waver again.
Jason abruptly slapped himself with his empty hand.
The slap was crisp and loud.
But, it was completely useless.
Jason still wanted to eat.
And... he even stuck out his tongue!
The gourd wasn’t far from Jason’s mouth.
When the tongue was stretched out, it could naturally touch the gourd.
Once he tasted the gourd’s flavor...
The remaining shred of Jason’s rationality made him understand what that would entail.
Perhaps he would have a big meal.
But a more likely outcome was him collapsing drunk to the ground.
Of course, that’s the best-case scenario.
Naturally, it would be ’a drunken man’s words are a sober man’s thoughts’.
Such a thing cannot happen!