Cheap Sheep hid behind Dragon Lady, while Han Sen and Dragon Lady looked at the table.
There was a person standing at the end of the table, near the host's seat. He was wearing a black suit.
He looked strange, though. Under the candlelight, Han Sen was able to see the man's face. It was a puppet, and its nose looked like Pinocchio's.
However, it was wearing a black suit, which was very eye-catching. It was not very stylish, but it was very appropriate. It was a bit like a noble butler in a movie.
"Welcome to Banquet Shelter. The banquet is ready. Please take a seat."
Suddenly, the wooden puppet moved and performed a very gentlemanly invitation before saying, "Let's go!"
Han Sen and the others were shocked. They couldn't sense a lifeforce from the puppet, but it was like a living person. Aside from its wooden face, which was expressionless and stiff, it spoke like a living person.
Cheap Sheep jumped out and shouted, "You are the geno core of this shelter! Don't try to trick us! I can see through you. Your food must be poisoned. You want to kill us all?"
The puppet looked at Cheap Sheep and said in a robotic voice, "You have been added to the list of unwelcome guests. Let the cleaning begin."
After the puppet spoke, Han Sen and the others looked at it with caution. But it didn't do anything. It just stood there and looked at Cheap Sheep with its red eyes.
He waited for a while, but there was still no reaction. He wanted to ask Cheap Sheep to say something, but when he turned around, his face changed. He didn't know when Cheap Sheep had become a wooden puppet, but his face was still in the position of speaking. It was as if he had become like this before he finished speaking.
Han Sen and Dragon Lady were shocked. Cheap Sheep had been right next to them, and they hadn't noticed when he had become a puppet.
Fortunately, Cheap Sheep was different from the puppet. He still had a lifeforce, but his body had turned into wood. He couldn't move, and he couldn't even blink.
"Guests, please take a seat. The dinner is about to begin." The puppet bowed to Han Sen and invited them to take a seat.
Cheap Sheep wasn't one of the guests he was referring to. One of them was Bao 'er.
Han Sen frowned. Dragon's eyes flashed, and she looked as if she was about to explode. A mere bronze geno core was threatening her, and she wasn't going to let that happen.
"Let's sit down first." Han Sen pulled Dragon Lady to the side. He didn't want her to do anything, so they went to the table together.
Under the guidance of the puppet, the two of them sat down at the table. Han Sen looked at the puppet, wanting to see what he was going to do.
The doll stood next to Han Sen and said, "Please follow the etiquette of the meal. Please take your seat."
Han Sen knew he was talking about Bao 'er, so he put her down on a chair.
Han Sen was willing to cooperate because he didn't see how Cheap Sheep had been turned into a puppet.
The Fourth God's Sanctuary was different from the first three. Even the weakest creature was a demi-god, and a bronze geno core was not to be underestimated.
Han Sen wondered if they had entered the geno core's area of effect. If they rejected the doll, they'd end up like sheep. They'd give the doll a chance to use the geno core's power.
The powers of a demi-god were strange, and if they didn't have a suppressive power, they'd have to find a weakness to defeat them.
So, Han Sen wanted to see what the puppet's power was.
Of course, when they accepted the puppet's invitation, they weren't treated like Cheap Sheep. They weren't attacked, either.
Although Cheap Sheep had become a puppet, its lifeforce and consciousness were still there. It opened its mouth, but it didn't move. All it did was stare at them.
"Please enjoy the first dish I've prepared."
Marionette appeared out of nowhere with a dining cart. She placed the silver tableware in front of them and opened the lid. Inside, there was a steaming piece of meat that looked like a steak.
Although the meat smelled good, Han Sen stopped the drooling Bao 'er and looked at the Dragon Lady.
"This is Snow Beast meat. It's fine."
After saying that, Dragon Lady picked up her knife and fork to cut the steak. She put a small bite into her mouth and chewed a few times. She made a sound of approval, as if she thought the taste was not bad.
Han Sen was relieved, and he and the Bao 'er followed the Dragon Lady's example. Dragon Lady was an expert in this area, and if there was a problem with the meat, she'd be able to tell. Even if she couldn't tell, she'd be able to taste it.
Han Sen put a piece in his mouth, and his mouth was filled with the juices of the meat. It was very good, and he felt very happy.
"Snow Beast meat eaten. Geno Point + 1."
Han Sen was shocked. He hadn't expected the meat to increase geno points.
Bao 'er did the same. She cut herself up and ate a piece. Her face turned red with happiness, and her hands started to play with the knife and fork. She put one piece of meat after another into her mouth and started to chew.
"Sir, we also have some good wine." Doll poured Han Sen more wine, and the service was very good.
Han Sen and the Bao 'er were waiting for Dragon Lady's signal. When they saw Dragon Lady pick up a glass and drink, they knew there was no problem, so they drank as well.
Doll brought out the food, and the wine was poured into their stomachs. Han Sen and the others ate and drank, and it was a wonderful meal. Han Sen and the Bao 'er hadn't enjoyed a meal like this in a long time.
Only Sheep was frozen in place. His heart was bitter, and he wanted to jump up and eat as much as he could. Unfortunately, he couldn't move. He was frozen in place, and his whole body was sore and uncomfortable.
The Bao 'er was eating happily, and she didn't care about anything else. She grabbed a piece of meat like a roast goose leg and put it in her mouth.
Seeing Bao'er grab the meat with her hands, the puppet seemed to have been provoked. Its eyes glowed red, and it shouted angrily, "Damn it! You have seriously violated the etiquette of dining … You have been added to the list of unwelcome guests … Begin the cleaning …"
"Oh, no!" Han Sen was shocked, and he quickly looked at the Bao 'er.