The lunch did not have to be eaten together. There were tables and chairs available all throughout the tavern, so if anyone wanted to go eat separately, they could. However, since everyone was gathered together, they all felt like eating together. Or maybe they had some other intentions.

Regardless, Lex snapped his fingers to arrange a line of picnic benches laid in a line for all the Dao Lords to sit together and face to face. As they sat down and opened their dishes, they were welcomed to the sight of deep fried chicken with a few rolls of garlic bread, some coleslaw and a number of dips. Alongside the food were a number of drinks

"Before we begin," said the Innkeeper, his voice washing over all the Dao Lords. Many of them, actually, had already begun to eat but that didn't matter for the plates in front of them were promptly replaced. All the Dao Lords, sitting together at the table, looked towards the Innkeeper who stood at the hood of the table, Eclipse, Ventura and the others sitting close by him.

"I would like to share a little about mortal customs with you all, though I am sure you all are already aware of them," the Innkeeper continued, glancing towards one of the three clones Wu Kong had at the table. Although the monkey didn't appear to be doing anything, Lex in keeping with the assumption that he was always up to something, gave him a glance as if warning a mischievous child at the family dinner table.

"Mortals live a fleeting life, so short that they are gone in the blink of an eye. They are some of the weakest, most insignificant beings in the universe, and yet they are still very much a part of it, and many renown figures come from mortal origins. Their mortality grants them a perspective and outlook that only the absolute knowledge of forthcoming death can grant - and one of the most important of those perspectives is gratitude."

A hundred faces meant a hundred different thoughts. Everyone who sat at the table interpreted his words differently, but there was nothing Lex could do about that. His only actual goal was to mellow out the excitement after all the previous activities. After all, instigating a new universal war was still a distinct possibility since the tea party had many days left.

"In the eternal pursuit for more, it is rare to take time out to appreciate what we already have. At least, that has been my experience. So, before we begin this meal, let me enact a mortal custom of a host giving a speech, and saying a prayer - not to anyone else, but perhaps to our inner selves.

"The universe is a precarious place, and the times are even more unusual. There is unrest and distrust in the very fabric of reality, so during this tumultuous time I am extremely grateful that so many prestigious guests could come and honor my humble establishment with your presence.

"I am grateful that at this time where the universe is plotting and conspiring against one another, that we can sit here together and enjoy each other's company. I do not know when I will hold such a tea party again, and I do not know how many of you will be able to attend the next time I do either. The future is uncertain, and the past is shrouded in mystery, but at least in this moment, we are all happy and healthy."

The Innkeeper raised a single mug of lemonade, and said "cheers."

Many other Dao Lords raised their mugs too, and afterwards chugged their own drinks before beginning to partake in what was, genuinely, the most humble meal any of them had ever had in their lives.

Some of them, however, felt chills. On the surface, it seemed like the Innkeeper was wishing them all well, and appreciating the opportunity. However, it also seemed like a warning. The Innkeeper did not know how many of them would attend the next tea party.

Did that mean they would be busy, or that they would be dead? What did it mean to be grateful for what they had right now? Did that mean they were going to lose it?

While many of them were speculating upon each and every single word he had uttered, there was one in particular who glanced towards the Innkeeper. As it happened, the Innkeeper looked back at him at that exact moment.

Did the Innkeeper know?

Why did he mention plots and conspiracies? Was his plan seen through from the very beginning? If that was the case, why didn't the Innkeeper reveal it? Was he only speculating? Or did he have other considerations?

That Dao Lord decided, in that moment, to cancel all his plans for the tea party. This was not a risk he could take. Instead, he should be grateful that he's even allowed to leave here alive that is surely what the Innkeeper meant.

He would... remember this.

Some Dao Lords gave speeches as well, and the meal went well-though it did not last very long at all. As soon as the meal was over, many of the Dao Lords quickly separated into groups again.

Not only did they need to continue their previous meetings, they needed to reassess some of their plans based on what had come to light. Things were going to take a significant change after this meeting, for the threat of being trapped in that dome in Arch-Heaven was a very real one.

Harriot had already stated that if there were any significant developments regarding the dome, he would inform them, but it was unlikely that there were going to be many changes.

To Lex's immense surprise, nothing major seemed to happen after that. The lunch was a massive success in the sense that no one complained about the food, and Lex personally enjoyed the flavor quite a lot.

Thus, Lex spent the next few hours in unexpected silence. Most of the Dao Lords went into meetings, this time including Ventura and Voidmaw. Eclipse and Nulli continued to sit together in the garden, chatting amongst themselves and Little Crusty just straight up left the tavern and went into the garden, unconcerned about anyone else.

After patrolling the tavern a few times and finding not a single other Dao Lord outside, Lex went to Mary who was wearing jeans and a maroon tshirt, and sitting on the railing of the terrace, looking out at the garden.

"What are you thinking?" Lex asked her through his mind, not even relying on spirit sense. Nothing save the system could ensure privacy in this setting. Who knew if Wu Kong was actually sitting behind them? Or someone else for that

matter.

"I was just... thinking about how far we've come," Mary said, her eyes turned towards the garden but her gaze somewhere far beyond it.

Lex did not speak, instead looking out as well. He had a feeling that Mary had a lot on her mind at that moment.

"When we met you were a depressed man at a park, and I was an incomplete soul with barely any memories of who I was. When the system scanned your memories to adapt to you, it was your memories that gave me a face... a name. Now, I have Dao Lords trying to court me and take my opinion on things that just seem like common sense to me. It's... been a journey."

Lex thought back to that night. Life was so dull back then. How simple had his desires been? He just wanted to feel anything other than like his life was so meaningless. Although the tumor had a lot to do with that, on some level, it had to reflect his own thoughts as well, right?

As much as he doubted and suspected the system... without it, his life would

not be anywhere as interesting and amazing as it was. Sure, he put in plenty of work himself as well, but he could not deny that it was the system that started it all, and took him on a journey that could have never happened without it.

"What brought all this on?" Lex asked, finally.

Mary shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe it's the speech you gave about gratitude that made me think about all we've been through and just... appreciate where we are." Lex took in his surroundings. He was sitting on the terrace of the Midnight tavern with one of his closest friends, inside the Primordial Garden, one of the most exclusive places in the universe. He had been hosted by the owner of the garden herself, and given a lot of respect by many of his guests - even if they had some misunderstandings about him.

"Yeah, life can be pretty crappy sometimes, but it can also be pretty great," Lex said as he thought back to some of the dark and happy moments he'd experienced along the way.

Wow, things were getting unexpectedly sentimental.

"Do you mind if I state a random theory of mine?" Mary asked, finally looking

away from the scenery and looking at Lex.

Author's Note: If you are reading this, please go read the actual authors note made on this chapter on webnovel. That is a message I want to share with anyone who has ever read and liked The Innkeeper.