```


    ''Gourmet Fort'' was different fromprehensive forts like ''Hound Fort''.


    The most notable aspect of this fort was its array of chefs and cuisines, with channels to old Development Zone Yuan Force bred creatures and arge gathering of chefs, turning the fort into something akin to a food street.


    As the sky gradually darkened, ''Gourmet Fort'' hungnterns on the machine gun towers, and numerous torches were lit within, filling the air with a scent of pine. A few restaurants that were still open were brightly lit inside.


    However, given the spending level of the Outsiders, only members of the security forces asionally had enough money to dine at the smaller establishments.


    The rtively nicer restaurants inside catered to the likes of Outisder organization leaders.


    A single meal''s per capita cost could reach tens or even hundreds of Yuan Force, sometimes even more.


    For the vast majority of Outsiders, this was an absolutely unaffordable ce.


    Even with money, it''s not to be spent so recklessly.


    Those who could afford to dine here were all capable individuals in the Outer City, at the very least core members of a gang or squad leaders of the security team.


    "Quite wealthy, eh? Choosing this ce for a gathering and I wonder how many people were invited. It must be only those with Grade A talents and thoseparable to Grade A. If I included Level B, it''d make my flesh ache."


    Tao Yu arrived at the fort''s entrance, and even without wearing a partner''s uniform, entering the fort with his current looks was quite straightforward.


    The ''Number One Restaurant'' where the gathering was being held was a small courtyard, separated by wooden partitions, with some green nts and flower beds, and it had a tranquil vibe amidst the hustle and bustle.


    Four wooden buildings stood at the four corners of the courtyard, guarding the central hall, which was thergest.


    There were corridors connecting the lodges and the central hall, all festooned with oilmps even as the sky grew darker.


    Such an environment in the Outer City felt somewhat out of ce to Tao Yu; it seemed as though the artistic style had changedpletely.


    "Indeed, even in the worst ces, the wealthy want to enjoy themselves. No wonder there are so many people who are eligible but don''t go to the Inner City."


    Tao Yu, having been baptized by his previous life, wasn''t much shocked by this scenery, but he did feel somewhat emotional inside.


    "Sir, do you have a reservation?"


    A beautiful hostess at the entrance of the courtyard asked Tao Yu with a gentle voice as he approached.


    "B21, reserved by Mr. Niu."


    "May I have your name, sir?"


    "Tao Yu."


    "Alright, sir, please follow me."


    The beautiful hostess''s smile brightened instantly as she led Tao Yu, staying very close to him and asionally there was some physical contact.


    Tao Yu neither resisted nor initiated any action, especially whenpared to the flirtatiousness of a little rich woman, there was nopetition at all.


    The reservation wasn''t in the central hall, but in one of the lodges next to it.


    On the second floor of the lodge, after climbing the stairs, Tao Yu saw that seven or eight people who had already arrived were chatting casually, and it seemed he was among thest to arrive.


    Lin Chao was also here.


    Upon seeing Tao Yu, he actively greeted him with a smile,


    "Brother Tao, we meet again. Every encounter with you is breathtaking."


    Hearing Lin Chao''s words, Tao Yu also smiled,


    "That''s because you have great talent."


    The exchange between Tao Yu and Lin Chao also attracted the attention of others.


    It was quite apparent that Lin Chao was in a somewhat core position among the group.


    Intuition as a talent was truly marvelous to have as a teammate, especially when pioneering unknown worlds.


    "Brother Chao, is this the Brother Tao you mentioned?"


    A petite and sprightly girl with a pockmarked face asked Lin Chao.


    She was looking at Lin Chao as if she was trying to find an excuse to talk, her eyes almost forming threads.


    "Yes, he is a genius with abilities and talents far beyond mine."


    ```


    While saying this, Lin Chao also introduced Tao Yu.


    "This is also a member of our society, Wang Xiaoli, a Grade A agility talent, capable of closebat and assassinating aliens one-on-one, with not-so-ordinarybat strength."


    "Hello."


    Tao Yu nodded to the yful, hemp-faced girl, observing the dagger at her waist. Being able to assassinate aliens at close range with a short weapon indeed demonstrated considerable strength.


    At least for the fresh faces in the new Development Zone, that would be the case. Relying solely on her own to earn Yuan Force must be somewhat tough; she must also have financial help from the society, even skills.


    As for Lin Chao''s candid remark that she was "far above me," none of those present took it to heart.


    Knowing Lin Chao''s personality and getting to understand him over time, they just considered it modesty.


    Yet even so, the seven or eight people present mostly looked at Tao Yu with goodwill, many nodding with a smile or exchanging pleasantries during the introduction.


    They were all talents from the Outsider birth, and they didn''t have the snobby issues of the Inner City''s young masters.


    Being invited here in the first ce was for the sake of making friends and forming teams.


    Only an idiot would randomly make enemies here.


    So, indeed, the atmosphere was quite harmonious, apart from two whose families were somewhat prominent in the Outsidermunity, most had climbed up from the actual bottom and didn''t have any frustrating issues.


    "Actually, it''s not bad, four men and four women. I suppose none of us have settled down yet. Why don''t we just pair up among ourselves, keep it internal?"


    A burly man seemingly felt the conversation was going well andughed heartily.


    He winked at another tall, roughly seven-out-of-ten beauty next to him.


    Among the eight people, these two had the mostfortable family conditions. The man was the son of a fort officer, named Zhang Lei, and the woman''s father was the captain of a security team, holding a status simr to the former Uncle Hu, named Zhao Yan.


    Upon hearing this, Zhao Yan, the woman, did not show much repulsion but simply said,


    "Dream on, the Development Zone is receiving the highest subsidies right now. I definitely don''t want to be pregnant at this time."


    As long as the talent is there, being a bit ugly really doesn''t matter!


    Still, she let her gaze sweep over Tao Yu''s face.


    Among the several men present, it was Tao Yu who had the highest looks.


    If one could possess both talent and good looks, naturally that would be even better.


    "I haven''t considered it for the time being, you all do as you please."


    Tao Yu didn''t want to extend this topic further. The conversation was going well, and he didn''t want this matter to spoil the mood.


    "Same here,"


    Lin Chao promptly stated his position, leaving the hemp-faced girl somewhat disappointed.


    Looking down at her washboard-like figure, she thought she was merely malnourished, and with better conditions, there would be a chance for rescue.


    "Alright, if two people aren''t willing, then there''s not much to be done,"


    The burly man who suggested itined a bit but didn''t persist. Then he asked as if inquiring,


    "Do you guys know anything about the Level S Big Brother this time? I''ve got a little insider news. His father seems to be from the Gourmet Fort. Although his status wasn''t high before, now with a Level S talented son emerging, it has shot up dramatically."


    "Oh? Now we only know that this big brother has Level S talent, do you know what it is specifically?"


    "It seems to be ''Battle Will,'' aprehensive talent that takes care of both physical and mental aspects. If the grade is low, it''s a bit awkward, neither here nor there, but if the grade is high, that''s excellent."


    "''Battle Will,'' huh? Although it''s not as fundamental as Lin Chao''s ''Intuition,'' it''s also a path of dual cultivation. Once fully developed, it''s unlikely to leave any weaknesses, and being Level S is a bit extravagant."


    Another somewhat skinny man also spoke up at this point.


    Lin Chao''s ''Intuition'', although only Grade B, was roughly equivalent to the ordinary Grade A+ to S-bat talent, making him the most talented individual present next to the Level S talent.


    Plus, he had a good personality; at least no one here disliked him.


    Just then, footsteps on the wooden stairs heralded another arrival.


    The voice arrived before the person did,


    "I thank everyone for honoring this meeting with your presence. My name is Niu Changchun, and by inviting you all to gather, I aim to foster closer rtionships for mutual assistance in the new Development Zone. Andter, when we all enter the Inner City, we can also form amunity of support."