I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant, Jianghai City.

Since Jiang Li returned from importing goods from Antarctica, the store's business has once again reached unprecedented levels of popularity.

A brand new sign has been hung at the entrance of the store:

【Polar Fresh Food Festival – Delicious Flavors from the Ends of the Earth!】

Although this slang is corny, the content is undeniably genuine!

In the hall, several high-powered freezers were lined up, displaying an astonishing array of ingredients.

The most eye-catching of them all are the rows of "Ancient Ones" encased in transparent ice.

They maintain their starfish-like posture, with five tentacles outstretched, and the single eye on their head seems to be staring at the diners outside, exuding a mysterious aura from ancient times.

"Is this the legendary 'million-year-old sea cucumber'?"

A wealthy man pointed at the ancient object, his eyes practically bulging out of their sockets, and exclaimed, "This thing... is it really edible?"

"It absolutely has to be edible! And highly nutritious!"

Wang Ergou (the lobby manager), wearing a thick cotton-padded coat (because the air conditioning in the store was too strong), enthusiastically introduced the place:

"Our boss personally dug this out of Antarctica! Absolutely wild! Absolutely all-natural! Eating it can not only prolong your life but also enhance your brainpower, making you as smart as an alien!"

"Really? Give me one! No, the whole one!" The tycoon waved his hand generously.

"Alright! One serving of Supreme Iced Sashimi! Let's get to the kitchen!"

back kitchen.

Jiang Li was wearing a down jacket and frostbite gloves, preparing ingredients on a special jade cutting board.

"This sea cucumber skin is really thick; we need to peel off this keratinous layer."

He held a specially made knife (polished from Mi-Go alloy) and skillfully moved it across the ancient man's body.

"squeak--"

Although the ancient being was in a state of suspended animation, it still instinctively emitted a faint flute sound when it was being skinned.

"What are you yelling about? Bear with it, it'll be over in a minute."

Jiang Li patted its head. "Don't worry, my swordsmanship is fast, it won't hurt."

Soon, a plate of crystal-clear sashimi, as thin as a cicada's wing, was prepared.

The flesh has an eerie pale purple color, emitting a faint fluorescent glow and a refreshing minty aroma.

"The meat is absolutely amazing!"

Jiang Li tasted a piece and instantly felt a cool sensation rush to the top of his head, making him feel refreshed.

"Even more refreshing than the dragon meat last time! This is what you call—Iced Soul!"

Besides sashimi, there is another signature dish – [Stewed Goose in an Iron Pot].

Those are, of course, those giant, eyeless penguins captured from Antarctica.

This thing may look strange, but it's incredibly meaty. One penguin is enough to fill that two-meter-diameter iron pot.

"Add more ginger! Add more cooking wine! This goose has a strong gamey smell!"

Lei Meng was in charge of cooking, and the big black pot was bubbling with thick, dark soy sauce, the aroma of which wafted for several streets.

"Boss, this goose meat is too tough. It needs to be stewed for two hours to become tender."

"It's alright, we have a secret weapon."

Jiang Li pointed to the fire under the stove, "Make the stove burn brighter! Use Samadhi True Fire... no, use Abyss Purple Fire to stew it!"

The vengeful spirits in the Nine Nether Soul Refining Furnace are working overtime with tears in their eyes, going all out.

……

Just when Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant was thriving.

Jianghai International Airport.

A handsome man with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a white trench coat and carrying a huge cross-shaped box, stepped out of the terminal.

His name is Arthur, and he comes from the ancient Knights Templar of Europe. He is the youngest S-rank Paladin of our time.

He came to Jianghai City on behalf of the Global Occult Council (a variant of GOC) to conduct the investigation.

Recently, Jianghai City has experienced unusually frequent psionic fluctuations, with several instances of S-level or higher energy reactions. This has alarmed major organizations worldwide, who fear that the city could become the next epicenter of the apocalypse.

"Such a strong aura of evil..."

Arthur stood outside the airport, looking towards the city center, his brow furrowed.

Although it was broad daylight, in his holy light vision, a thin layer of black mist shrouded the sky above Jianghai City, and in the city center, a pitch-black pillar pierced the sky, emitting a nauseating abyssal fluctuation.

"That's... the aura of the Star Familia?!"

Arthur gripped the cross at his chest. "Could it be that some evil god's retinue has established its lair here?!"

"For justice! For light! I must purify this place!"

Arthur hailed a taxi and headed straight for Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant.

……

Half an hour later.

Arthur stood before the skeletal archway.

Looking at the two rows of Deep One waiters and Ao Bing, the Fallen Dragonman standing at the door as a security guard, Arthur almost couldn't suppress his holy light and it burst out.

"This is... a den of demons!"

"How dare they be so arrogant in broad daylight!"

He took a deep breath and took out a silver longsword that radiated a divine light from the box.

"Evil! Prepare for judgment!"

Arthur roared, preparing to charge in and wreak havoc.

"Hey! Hey, hey! What are you doing, foreign friend?"

Wang Ergou reacted quickly and stopped him.

"You think you can just barge in with a prop sword? Do you have a reservation? If not, get in line!"

"Get out of my way! I am a Templar Knight! I am here to cleanse this place of its filth!" Arthur roared.

"Purify? I think you're just here to cause trouble!"

Wang Ergou curled his lip. "There are so many lunatics these days. Security! Throw him out!"

"yes!"

Ao Bing walked over.

Although he is now a security guard, he is still an S-class dragonman.

He reached out a hand and easily caught the sword that Arthur was swinging down.

"when!"

The holy sword struck the dragon scales, sparks flew, but it didn't even break the skin.

"What?!" Arthur exclaimed in surprise.

This doorman is also an S-rank?!

"Kid, stop causing trouble. The boss's in a good mood, so he'll spare your life. Now get lost!"

Ao Bing said coldly, and with a casual shove, Arthur stumbled.

Arthur was deeply insulted.

"Damn it! There were even accomplices!"

He was preparing to unleash the full power of his holy light and fight these demons to the death.

Just then.

A strange fragrance wafted out of the shop.

It was a unique flavor that blended the sweetness of seafood, the richness of spices, and something that evoked a deep longing in the soul.

"Gurgle..."

Arthur's stomach, quite disappointingly, growled.

He was stunned.

As a knight baptized by holy light, he had long since abstained from grains and usually only ate specially prepared Holy Communion. How could he react to mortal food?

Moreover... this fragrance actually contains extremely pure energy?

"What...is this smell?"

Arthur lowered his sword, his eyes somewhat lost.

"This is our store's new product—【Frozen Ancient God Sashimi】!"

Wang Ergou seized the opportunity to promote his product, saying, "What? Want to eat? If you want to eat, then line up! No need for knives or guns!"

Arthur hesitated.

He looked at the bottomless "devil's den" and then smelled the alluring aroma.

"Could this be... their method of seducing the world?"

"No! I must infiltrate the enemy's lair and uncover the truth! I cannot allow more innocent people to be deceived!"

Arthur found himself a perfect excuse.

He sheathed his sword and pulled a wad of euros from his pocket (he was quite wealthy).

"I want a ticket! I want to go in... for investigation!"

"That's right! Please come in!"

Wang Ergou immediately put on a smiling face and welcomed him inside.

……

Ten minutes later.

Arthur sat in the corner, looking at the plate of sashimi radiating purple light in front of him, his expression solemn.

"Is this the source of evil?"

He picked up a piece with his fork and carefully put it into his mouth.

"For justice... I ate it!"

"Crunch!"

next second.

Arthur's eyes widened suddenly, his golden pupils filled with disbelief.

"This...this feeling..."

A cool and sacred energy exploded within him, instantly cleansing the hidden injuries and malevolent energy accumulated in his body from years of battle.

Even his stagnant Holy Light power began to boil and purify under the stimulation of this energy!

"This is... divine grace?!"

Arthur was shocked.

This is hardly evil food! It is a gift a hundred times more sacred than communion!

"Could it be... that I misunderstood them?"

"Is the owner of this shop... actually a reclusive saint? Is he purifying the world's filth in this way?"

As Arthur looked at the empty plate, his faith began to waver (be rebuilt).

"One more! No! Ten more!"

He raised his hands high and shouted like a devout believer.

And at the entrance to the kitchen.

Jiang Li looked at the handsome foreign man who was eating with tears in his eyes and nodded in satisfaction.

"It seems our dishes are quite in line with international tastes."

"Ergou, this guy looks pretty skilled, like he's a trained fighter. If he can't pay his bill, let him stay and wash dishes to pay it off. We just happen to need a good-looking doorman."

"Okay, boss!"

then.

Arthur, the rising star of the Knights Templar and the future commander of the Paladins.

After enjoying a priceless free meal, I gloriously became a member of Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant—

Security guard No. 009 (part-time doorman).

His task was to polish the door with holy light and smile at each guest who entered, saying, "May the holy light (food) bless you!"