125: Chapter 125 Ancient Starry Road? No, that's a traffic jam at the tollbooth.

Deep space, unknown coordinates.

pangu-003 (Cultivation World) was hurtling through the Void Realm at sub-light speed. From the outside, it looked like a massive blue planet wrapped in a pale golden light membrane (an atmospheric shield). Behind the planet trailed a hundred pink "tails" (the Abyss Fleet), looking both spectacular and... flamboyant.

"Warning! Approaching the main channel of the 'Starry Sky Ancient Road'." "Large number of unidentified flying objects detected." "Spatial congestion detected." "Deceleration recommended."

The voice of the main control AI echoed in Li Mo's mind.

"Congestion?" Li Mo walked to the holographic screen, holding a cup of freshly made "Abyss Fluff Ice." In the void ahead, a "river of light" paved with countless brilliant stardust appeared. This was the legendary [Starry Sky Ancient Road] that connected ten thousand worlds. But at this moment, there was indeed a traffic jam on this "road."

Densely packed aircraft of various shapes were squeezed together. There were massive metal starships, floating immortal mountains, giant beasts with wings, and even a massive tree with a human face. They were all stationary, as if waiting in line.

"Good grief." Li Mo adjusted his glasses, "This is too realistic. So the end of the Cultivation World is actually the morning rush hour?"

He zoomed in the camera toward the source of the congestion. There, a massive bronze pass spanned the entire galaxy. Three large characters radiating ancient Daoist charm were engraved on the pass: [Hangu Pass]. (Note: This is the interstellar version, not the historical one.)

In front of the pass, several hundred-zhang-tall giants in silver armor (Cosmic Enforcers) held long halberds, stopping passing starships to conduct inspections one by one.

"Identification!" "Emissions exceed the limit! Fine!" "This mount hasn't been vaccinated! Impounded!"

"So it's a toll station." Li Mo put down his cup, "Looks like speeding isn't an option; we have to follow the rules."

He turned to look at the Emperor of Great Zhou beside him (the current head of the Tianhe Diplomatic Delegation). "Old Zhou, it's your turn. Take our 'local specialties' and scout the way. Remember, we are 'legal and compliant' interstellar travelers (even if the vehicle is a custom build), so show some great power poise."

"By your command!" The Emperor of Great Zhou straightened his dragon robes. Carrying two exquisite gift boxes (containing premium Void Beef Jerky and Abyss Ice Marrow Wine) and accompanied by several Tentacle Monster attendants, he boarded a small shuttle.

...

In front of Hangu Pass.

A silver-armored giant was scolding the "giant tree" ship in front with a dark face. "How many times have I told you! Plant-based ships are forbidden from carrying pests! Your leaves are covered in aphids! Want to pass? Go over there for a pest-removal SPA first!" The big tree shook its leaves dejectedly and could only scuttle aside.

Just then, the Emperor of Great Zhou's shuttle arrived. Compared to the surrounding giant ships that were often thousands of zhang long, this tiny shuttle was like a mosquito. But when the silver-armored giant saw the... massive planet trailing pink tails behind the shuttle, his eyes nearly popped out.

"Holy crap..." The silver-armored giant swore in Cosmic Common, "Who drove their home planet out? These days, 'Wandering Earth' is outdated, and it's trendy to travel with your hometown?"

The Emperor of Great Zhou flew out of the shuttle and floated in the void, cupping his hands in a polite but firm greeting: "Greetings, Immortal. I am a diplomat from the Tianhe Civilization. That behind us is our... er... RV (Cultivation World). This is our first time on the road, so we aren't familiar with the rules. We've come to pay our respects."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and several Tentacle Monsters immediately stepped forward holding the gift boxes.

The silver-armored giant warily scanned the gift boxes. [High-energy Protein Food] + [Top-tier Spiritual Wine]. No explosives, no curses.

His expression softened slightly. "An RV?" He pointed at the hundred pink abyss warships, "Then what are those hanging behind it? They look like... biological weapons from the Fallen Abyss? Are you colluding with the Abyss?"

The atmosphere instantly became tense. The surrounding halberds pointed toward the Emperor of Great Zhou.

"A misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding!" The Emperor of Great Zhou didn't even blink (he was an Oscar-level actor after all), "Those aren't biological weapons; those are our... pets. As you know, the Abyss is a place of simple folk (meaning full of monsters). When we passed through, we felt they were pitiful and adopted some to use as... decorations. Look at that pink paint job, how cute and festive."

The silver-armored giant: "..." He glanced at the glutton, which was painted with "Safe Travels" couplets and had a bloody, gaping maw. Cute? Was this aesthetic a bit too morbid?

But since he had accepted the gifts, it was hard to strike a smiling face. The silver-armored giant waved his hand, "Fine, since it's an RV, we'll process it as a 'Special Vehicle.' However, your vehicle... is too large; you have to use the extra-wide lane. Also, inspection fees, road tolls, environmental taxes... total three thousand standard Spirit Stones."

"No problem!" The Emperor of Great Zhou waved his hand grandly. Not only did he pay the Spirit Stones, but he also tucked in a few [Tianhe BBQ City - 50% Off Coupons]. "Come visit often!"

...

The pass was opened.

The massive bronze gates slowly swung open. pangu-003 (Cultivation World) swaggered into the Starry Sky Ancient Road under the terrified, envious, and bewildered gazes of a crowd of alien civilizations.

"Look! There are so many BBQ stalls on that planet!" "Heavens! That smell is so fragrant!" "Is that... a Balrog grilling meat?!"

For a moment, the entire Hangu Pass was filled with the aroma of cumin beef. The miserable starship captains who were still waiting in line smelled the scent and watched others eating and drinking in their "RV," their mouths watering with envy.

Inside the Tianhe Command Room.

Li Mo smiled at the scene. "It seems food diplomacy works everywhere. Since we've entered the main channel, let's not hide anymore."

He pressed a button. [Holographic Advertisement Projection - Activated.]

Instantly, outside the Cultivation World's atmosphere, several massive neon-flashing characters were projected, scrolling in hundreds of Cosmic Common languages: [Tianhe Mobile Supply Station] [Main Services: Repairs, Refueling, Dining, Lodging, Mercenary Services.] [Specialties: Abyss BBQ, Polar Cold Drinks, and... Specialized Treatment for All Forms of Defiance.] [Investment Hotline: 10086 (Divine Sense Connection).]

"Since it's an interstellar trip," Li Mo leaned back in his chair, looking at the endless sea of stars on the star map ahead, "we should earn as we go. If I don't drain every Spirit Stone on this Starry Sky Ancient Road, I'd be doing a disservice to this Administrator's uniform."