Lu Feng had finished buying the items he needed and was about to go browse elsewhere to see if there was anything else useful, but just as he turned around, the stall owner called out to him.
"Brother, looking at how mighty and dominant your follower is, you must be a Beast Tamer or something similar."
"Yes, so what?" Lu Feng asked, puzzled. Could this stall owner have exclusive items for his profession and want to take the opportunity to sell them to him?
The stall owner chuckled somewhat awkwardly, "Hehe, nothing really, it's just, are you interested in the derivative world of 'toriko'?"
"What exactly do you want to say? Don't beat around the bush with me here," Lu Feng said, a bit impatient.
"Alright, I'll be direct then. The derivative world I'm about to enter is 'toriko'. I have an item that allows one Contractor to team up with me and enter this world together, as long as..."
As soon as he heard about teaming up, Lu Feng immediately refused before the stall owner could finish, "Sorry, not interested."
What a joke, he was a Hunter, he would have hunting missions, how could he possibly team up with others to act in a derivative world? After saying that, he turned to leave again.
The stall owner, anxious, quickly shouted, "Hey, hey, hey, brother, listen to me! This is a great opportunity for both you and your follower!"
Hearing that it was also a great opportunity for Anka, Lu Feng returned to the stall, "Oh? Then tell me, what kind of opportunity is it?"
Seeing Lu Feng return, the stall owner visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
"As everyone knows, in the derivative world of toriko, there are a large number of powerful beasts. You can absolutely recruit new followers there."
"Moreover, even if you don't want to recruit new followers, the International Gourmet Organization (IGO) possesses a vast amount of technology for raising and training beasts. Your current follower can also gain many benefits there, and even learn new skills."
"There's simply no derivative world more suitable for you than toriko."
Lu Feng carefully considered the stall owner's words and realized that it was indeed true. The derivative world of toriko had a very high compatibility with him.
Furthermore, toriko had never appeared among the derivative worlds Su Dalao entered, so under normal circumstances, he would have no connection with this derivative world.
The derivative world Lu Feng was about to enter was 'tokyo ghoul'. The entire story takes place within a city, and bringing a tiger would undoubtedly seem out of place. Moreover, whether joining the CCG or the Ghoul organization, he would inevitably be restricted everywhere.
More importantly, the largest profit zone in tokyo ghoul was District 24. It would be difficult for him to replicate Su Dalao's operations, and naturally, it would be hard to join the final action, leading to a significant reduction in his gains.
So, from both a subjective and objective standpoint, abandoning 'tokyo ghoul' and switching to 'toriko' was indeed a very wise choice, and now, a ready-made opportunity was right in front of him.
However, as soon as he thought of his identity as a Hunter, Lu Feng could only reluctantly give up.
Seeing Lu Feng's conflicted expression, the stall owner mistakenly thought Lu Feng was disdaining him for being an Employee and didn't want to bring a burden, so he added,
"Brother, after we enter the derivative world, we'll immediately disband the temporary team. This way, our main mission won't be affected by teaming up, but will be judged as a solo entry."
Upon hearing this, Lu Feng thought it was a good idea, but then he had a new question.
"If what you say is true, I really have no reason to refuse, but what do you gain from it? I don't believe there's such a thing as a free lunch."
It was then that the stall owner revealed his ultimate goal.
"It's just that the entry point into the derivative world isn't fixed. What if the entry point is a primeval jungle or even the Eighth Ecological Zone? Wouldn't I just be waiting to die there?"
"So, my condition is that if our initial location is in such a dangerous area, you must escort me safely back to a human city."
"Of course, if the initial location is already within a city, that's best; it saves us all trouble. I'm just preparing a foolproof insurance for myself."
This explanation was very reasonable, but Lu Feng still asked, uneasy,
"Then why do you specifically choose me?"
Seeing Lu Feng ask this question, the stall owner knew the deal was made and answered nonchalantly,
"Because you don't charge money. If I found other Contractors, they would definitely charge me a protection fee, and I don't have much Reincarnation Paradise Coins left after buying the item to avoid failing the main mission. I've been waiting for a Contractor of the Beast Tamer profession, so I wouldn't have to pay an extra protection fee."
That made sense. Lu Feng extended his right hand, "My name is Bai Ze. I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"
With his own life secured, the stall owner eagerly clasped Lu Feng's right hand.
"Hello, Mr. Bai Ze, my name is Yao Guan. I am an Employee specializing in selling recovery items."
Then he looked at Anka, his attitude exceptionally enthusiastic, "May I ask what this gentleman's name is?"
Yao Guan had been in Reincarnation Paradise for a long time and knew all types of Contractors like the back of his hand. For Beast Tamer and Summoner professions, the follower was the main entity; Lu Feng was, at best, an accessory to Anka.
After entering the world, the one who could truly protect him would be this strong tiger, so naturally, he had to build a good relationship beforehand.
"Its name is Anka."
Lu Feng didn't mind Yao Guan's differential treatment of him and Anka. He had always believed that he and Anka shared an equal partnership, rather than a superior-subordinate master-servant relationship. Since Yao Guan treated Anka with such respect, Lu Feng naturally had no objections.
"Hello, Mr. Anka, my name is Yao Guan. We are about to enter the derivative world together. Please take care of me."
Yao Guan bowed and scraped to Anka, his attitude fawning.
Anka ignored him, lazily lying on the ground, squinting and dozing off. It had always been quite fond of Reincarnation Paradise's somewhat soft floor.
Lu Feng was also a bit fed up with Yao Guan's excessive flattery and interrupted,
"We're about to enter the derivative world. Let's team up first. And you can also take out that item that can bring me into 'toriko' now."
"Right, right, right, I almost forgot the main business."
Yao Guan hurriedly packed up his stall and pulled out a blue glowing piece of paper. This was actually a blue quality item!
[Gourmet Partner]
Origin: toriko · Gourmet Hotel
Quality: Blue
Type: Contract Item
Usage Requirement: Chef Specialization Lv20 or above
Effect: Designate one Contractor to form a partnership with, and enter the same derivative world as the user.
Description: I am a skilled chef, but I need a powerful partner to hunt ingredients for me... As Lu Feng wrote his name on the contract item, he received a prompt from Reincarnation Paradise.
[You have signed a Gourmet Contract with Yao Guan. You will become Yao Guan's partner and form a temporary team.]
[Temporary teams can be exited at any time without penalty.]
[Hunter detected joining a Gourmet Team. The derivative world to be entered will change from 'tokyo ghoul' to 'toriko'.]
[Time's up. Derivative World: toriko. No anomalies in this world. Space coordinates are stable. Consumed spatiotemporal power: 0.015 ounces.]
[Based on the spatiotemporal power consumed, the Contractor's minimum comprehensive evaluation in this world must reach D-rank.]
The familiar sensation of transmission, the familiar 'blunt force trauma', Lu Feng, Anka, and Yao Guan all simultaneously clutched the back of their heads...