Although Takatsuki still had tens of millions of Credits in his pocket, since someone else was picking up the tab, there was no point in letting it go to waste.
Originally, Takatsuki had planned to take advantage of this idle time to look around and go on another shopping spree.
However, he received a piece of bad news: the Starskiff navigation routes between the various sectors had been locked down, and only Starskiffs holding special permits were allowed to travel.
On one hand, this was to prevent internal moles within the Xianzhou from moving around, and on the other hand, it served as a screening method.
This was because a mere ban could never truly restrict those who actually intended to stir up trouble, but forcing them to expose themselves was always better than letting them stay hidden among the crowd.
Right now, the staff at the Realm-Keeping Commission branch located in the Exalting Sanctum were comforting the residents living here and distributing supplies. Meanwhile, Takatsuki and his group belonged to the General's honored guests, so they naturally enjoyed the highest level of treatment.
"Actually, when it comes to the finest inns on the Luofu, this humble girl still believes that the Cloud-Washed Dust-Free Inn is the absolute best. It is a pity, however, that the Cloud-Washed Dust-Free Inn is located in the Central Starskiff Haven, and with the routes locked down right now, we cannot get across."
Even though she phrased it that way, the inn here in the Exalting Sanctum was actually exceptionally luxurious as well. Tingyun had only interjected with this comment because of March 7th's awestruck admiration.
"Central Starskiff Haven? Near Exalting Sanctum Avenue? I actually came over from that direction, but I didn't see any inns."
"Hehe, the Central Starskiff Haven is the most important area of the Luofu, a place that countless itinerant merchants and travelers frequent. Naturally, it consists of more than just a single street like Exalting Sanctum Avenue. However, Exalting Sanctum Avenue is indeed the most prosperous spot over there. The finest restaurant on the Luofu is located right there, named the Supreme Culinary Courtyard."
"The Supreme Culinary Courtyard? That restaurant that only accommodates a single table a day, with reservations booked out several years into the future?" Takatsuki recalled an incredibly magnificent restaurant he had seen while passing the entrance on Exalting Sanctum Avenue.
Originally, feeling that he possessed a massive fortune, he had wanted to go inside to broaden his horizons. He never expected that the place actually required advance reservations, and only hosted one table per day.
"That is correct. Has Mr. Takatsuki visited there as well?"
"I merely had the fortune of seeing it, nothing more."
The dialogue between Takatsuki and Tingyun left March 7th, who was standing nearby, somewhat bewildered: "Huh?"
"So that place is actually that interesting? Ever since we arrived, we've been running around all over the place and haven't had any time to have fun at all."
"Our main purpose in coming to the Luofu is still to resolve the Stellaron crisis. Once the Stellaron issue is settled, you can play as much as you like. Because of the Stellaron's influence, the navigation routes aren't open right now either," Welt spoke up. As a senior, Welt rarely interfered with the decisions of his other companions, but he would still offer reminders when it came to major matters.
"Ah... then let's just look around here in the Exalting Sanctum."
March 7th loved taking photos to leave mementos of her life. After settling down at the inn, March 7th dragged Seele and Stelle out to take pictures.
In her words, it was currently evening rest time, so the time for Takatsuki and Seele's daily "work" had also reached a temporary pause.
Welt stepped into his elderly lifestyle early and returned to his room alone. Tingyun had run off to who-knows-where, leaving only Takatsuki by himself. However, he didn't want to turn in early to rest and pass the time like Welt either, so he had no choice but to walk out of the inn alone to stroll around the streets.
"Hey..."
Although night had fallen over the Exalting Sanctum, it was not dark.
"Hey!"
Takatsuki even spotted some items resembling mahjong tiles along the side of the street.
"Hey! This lady is calling you!"
Just as he was preparing to leave, a tiny hand gripped the hem of Takatsuki's clothes. Looking down at the little Dragon Baird clutching onto him, Takatsuki said with a bit of speechlessness, "First of all, my name isn't 'Hey,' it's Takatsuki. Secondly, weren't you supposed to be treating other patients?"
"Ugh... I'm sorry..." Bailu said somewhat apologetically. This actually caused Takatsuki to look at her in a slightly better light. Originally, he had thought Bailu was designed with a personality like a capable but bratty kid, but he hadn't expected that she would actually apologize.
"However, this lady has already finished treating all the Cloud Knights on the plaza. The remaining ones just need quiet recuperation, which isn't something this lady needs to manage anymore." Bailu placed her hands on her hips with a hint of pride.
Perhaps because of her adorable appearance, it didn't give off an arrogant vibe at all; instead, it actually made people find her rather cute.
"Then little Bailu is truly amazing." Takatsuki reached out his hand and patted Bailu on the head. Bailu's height was exceptionally short, standing even shorter than Seele.
Though she constantly put on the air of a little adult, Bailu's personality was still that of a textbook child. Watching Bailu giggle a bit from having her head patted, Takatsuki looked at her twin braids, thought about her self-reference as "this lady," and couldn't help but be reminded of a certain person. Bailu... could she be Kiana's expy?
"Takatsuki, why are you here by yourself? Where are your friends?" Because he was lost in thought, the movement of Takatsuki's hand came to a stop. Sensing that Takatsuki's hand had stopped, Bailu lifted her head to look up at him and asked.
"Them? They went out to play. I didn't have much to do, so I came out to stroll around alone and see if there are any local specialties."
"I see. In that case, this lady shall take you to the most famous snack street on the Luofu."
Takatsuki cast a puzzled glance at Bailu. "Can't we not get over to the Starskiff Haven side right now?"
"It's not the Starskiff Haven at all! Have you spent all this time in the Exalting Sanctum without going to Aurum Alley yet?" Bailu waved her hand. "Although the Starskiff Haven is lively, most of it is set up for tourists coming from the outside. Genuine Luofu locals all know that if you want to eat authentic specialty snacks on the Luofu, you have to go to Aurum Alley. Aurum Alley boasts many delicacies; that place is a spot only true Luofu locals know about."
It sounded like a snack street known primarily to the locals.
"The way you phrase it, why do I get the feeling that you're the one who wants to eat?" Takatsuki looked at Bailu, who seemed on the verge of drooling.
"Huh? Is it really that obvious?" Bailu said in surprise, though she quickly adjusted her composure.
"But what does it matter if there's one more person? As a renowned doctor who travels all over to eat and drink... cough, cough, to make house calls, I know every place with good food and fun across the Xianzhou like the back of my hand. Letting me act as your guide means you absolutely won't lose out."
Bailu spoke with an air of absolute gravity.
"If you encounter any minor issues like stomach discomfort or minor bumps and bruises during our outing, a super professional physician like me is right here to diagnose and treat you immediately. Where else could you find such a great deal?!"
"Phrased that way, it seems I really have no choice but to bring you along." Bailu's thoughts were very simple, and Takatsuki didn't mind treating her to some food anyway. At any rate, the money currently in his hands was more than he could ever finish spending.
"Alright! Then let's hurry up and set off, otherwise the delicious food is going to be sold out." Upon obtaining Takatsuki's approval, Bailu was so happy she almost jumped up, immediately bouncing and skipping along as she led Takatsuki toward Aurum Alley.