A Delicious Reward Shared with a Beauty

Lu Yang was about to open the door when he suddenly felt a gaze fall on his back.

He turned his head and saw Wang Lin standing dumbstruck outside another room not far away. His mouth hung slightly open, his eyes stared blankly ahead, and he looked like a stone statue.

Lu Yang raised an eyebrow, his lips curving as he gave Wang Lin a nod that was almost a smile.

Then, without another look, he pushed open the door and led Lin Ying inside.

The wooden door creaked softly shut, leaving Wang Lin outside.

Wang Lin remained rooted to the spot, motionless. Even the mountain breeze failed to bring him back to his senses.

The room was neat and plain, furnished with the standard fittings of an entry disciple's quarters.

A bed, a table, an oil lamp, and a meditation cushion.

Lin Ying's gaze swept slowly across the room, a trace of nostalgia appearing in her eyes. "The entry disciples' quarters haven't changed a bit after all these years..." she said softly.

Lu Yang turned to her, curious. "Senior Sister Lin, how long have you been in the outer sect?"

Lin Ying withdrew her gaze and smiled. "It's been more than twelve years since I passed the assessment. Come to think of it... that is quite a long time."

Twelve years?

A little surprised, Lu Yang looked Lin Ying up and down.

She still looked like a girl of sixteen, but her poised, gentle bearing had clearly been tempered by the years.

"Then you really did enter several batches ahead of me."

A flicker of curiosity rose in Lin Ying's eyes as she looked Lu Yang over.

She had assumed he was a new disciple, but to her surprise, he was a veteran who had joined four years ago.

Normally, most disciples who had gone four years without passing the assessment were ordinary people with average aptitude and unremarkable backgrounds.

But this junior brother before her...

He was generous with his spending and had an otherworldly bearing. Neither fit.

The thought passed through Lin Ying's mind, but she asked no further.

A person's background was private, after all, and they weren't close enough for that yet.

She simply gave a gentle smile and brought the conversation back to business. "Junior Brother Lu, these are the Hundred Herbs Pills you wanted."

She turned over her jade-like hand and opened it, revealing two perfectly round pills resting quietly in her fair palm.

The Hundred Herbs Pills were pale green all over, with delicate patterns flowing across their surfaces. Up close, they gave off a faint, refreshing herbal fragrance.

Lu Yang accepted the pills and examined them briefly, then nodded in satisfaction. "As expected of Senior Sister Lin. The quality is excellent."

A touch of confidence appeared in Lin Ying's eyes, and she smiled faintly. "My skills in the Dao of Alchemy are quite good. If you ever need pills in the future, feel free to come to me."

"No problem!" Lu Yang promptly took out the Spirit Stones and poured them onto the table with a clatter. "One hundred and fifty low-grade Spirit Stones in total. Please count them, Senior Sister."

Without so much as a second glance, Lin Ying put the Spirit Stones straight into her Storage Bag. "I trust you, Junior Brother," she said softly.

Her movements were brisk and her tone frank. That trust brought a little warmth to Lu Yang's heart.

After a moment's thought, he said, "Have you eaten dinner, Senior Sister? If not, let me treat you. You gave me such a generous discount, after all. How about letting me show a little appreciation in return?"

Lin Ying was briefly taken aback, then her eyes curved into a smile. "I haven't eaten yet. In that case, I'll take you up on it."

The two walked out of the quarters side by side. All along the mountain path to the dining hall, they drew countless surprised looks.

A young man in entry disciple robes accompanied by a beautiful outer sect senior sister—such a pairing was far too conspicuous in the entry disciples' quarters.

The entry disciples along the way turned to stare, whispering to one another. None could understand why a full-fledged outer sect disciple would appear there.

Lu Yang remained composed and kept walking, leading Lin Ying straight into the dining hall.

As soon as they entered, the direction he took left Lin Ying staring.

"We're going to the Spirit Cuisine counter?" Lin Ying slowed, looking at Lu Yang with some hesitation.

She had assumed he was only treating her to an ordinary meal.

Lu Yang looked back at her with an easy, natural smile. "Since I'm treating you, Senior Sister, ordinary food just won't do."

Lin Ying looked at his face, rendered especially soft by the dim yellow lamplight, and felt the tips of her ears grow hot.

She opened her mouth, intending to refuse, but remembering how freely Lu Yang had spent on the pills earlier, she ultimately said nothing more and followed quietly at his side.

The two arrived side by side at the Spirit Cuisine counter.

The burly menial from yesterday was standing behind it again.

He recognized Lu Yang at once, and his face immediately broke into an enthusiastic smile.

Over the past year or two, very few entry disciples had been willing to spend on Spirit Cuisine, and those who could afford such fine dishes were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. Naturally, Lu Yang's face was etched into his memory.

Then his gaze fell on Lin Ying beside Lu Yang.

When he saw her strikingly beautiful face, a look of realization flashed in his eyes.

With such a beauty at his side and such lavish spending, this senior brother was undoubtedly a scion of some major power.

As for why a scion of an aristocratic clan had stayed in the entry disciples' quarters for so long, he knew better than to dwell on it.

The considerations of important people were beyond the understanding of a mere menial like him.

Thoughts raced through his mind, but the smile on his face grew more respectful. He bowed slightly. "Senior Brother, you're here! What would you like today? Here's the menu."

Lu Yang took the menu and flipped straight to the back without hesitation.

He didn't have many Spirit Stones, but he had more than enough to enjoy a few good meals.

The ingredients in expensive Spirit Cuisine were of a higher grade. Not only did they taste better, their medicinal effects were stronger, so they weren't necessarily worse value than the cheaper dishes.

Of course, now that he had money, value for money wasn't something Lu Yang considered.

His own happiness was what mattered most.

"Jade Bamboo Spirit Marrow Soup, Nine-Steamed Spirit Potatoes, Red-Braised Spirit Pig Trotters, Stir-Fried Spirit Mushrooms, Honey-Glazed Bear Paws..."

Lu Yang listed the dishes as calmly as if he were reading a book list. When he finished, he looked up at Lin Ying. "See anything else you'd like to add, Senior Sister?"

Lin Ying stood beside him, stunned by what she heard.

She too had been through the assessment period, and back then she had naturally craved Spirit Cuisine.

But the resources her family gave her had been scarce to begin with. Even when she occasionally ate it, she had only ordered the basic dishes. When had she ever seen anything like this?

Much less so many dishes ordered at once!

She hurriedly reached out and caught Lu Yang's sleeve, her voice growing urgent. "Junior Brother, that's too much! This is plenty. If the Spiritual Qi can't be refined in time, it'll just go to waste!"

Lu Yang smiled and said unhurriedly, "I certainly couldn't finish it all by myself, but you're here, Senior Sister. Your cultivation is higher than mine, so you can eat a little more."

The burly menial clicked his tongue in amazement as he listened from behind the counter.

Scions of aristocratic clans really were willing to spare no expense to win a female disciple's favor...

But then he reconsidered. This senior brother had ordered expensive dishes even when eating alone, so with another person here, a few extra dishes were only reasonable.

Seeing that Lu Yang had put it that way, Lin Ying could only nod slightly. Her tone softened. "Then... let's leave it at that. I really couldn't eat any more."

"All right, that's everything."

The burly menial swiftly brought out the five Spirit Cuisine dishes one by one, then took two bowls of translucent Spirit Rice from his Storage Bag and arranged everything neatly on a wooden tray.

The five Spirit Cuisine dishes cost fourteen low-grade Spirit Stones in total.

Lu Yang paid without a change in expression, lifted the wooden tray, and turned around.

An aroma even richer than yesterday's burst forth, sweeping through the entire dining hall like a tide.

The rich scent of meat mingled with the crisp freshness of Spiritual Qi, while the mellow sweetness of the honey-glazed bear paws blended with the clean, fresh fragrance of the Jade Bamboo Spirit Marrow. Several exquisite aromas intertwined, charging through every corner of the hall.

A chorus of swallowing rose and fell throughout the dining hall, sounding just like toads bubbling in a pond.

The disciples raised their heads, their gazes fixed on the tray in Lu Yang's hands, their eyes full of shock and envy.

Wait...

Was he done living within his means?!

He'd eaten so well yesterday, and today was even more outrageous?!

Couldn't he spare a thought for their feelings?!

They looked down at the coarse, plain food in their bowls, then breathed in the extraordinary aroma that seemed to draw their souls out of their bodies. The food in their mouths instantly tasted like wax.

How were they supposed to keep eating?

Oblivious to the burning gazes around him, Lu Yang carried the tray to a quiet corner with Lin Ying. They sat opposite each other and began to enjoy their lavish dinner.

Lin Ying ate delicately, savoring every bite.

From time to time, she lifted her eyes to steal a glance at Lu Yang across from her.

Lu Yang's charm value had now reached 1.1. His features were fresh and handsome, with a barely perceptible hint of ethereal grace between his brows.

When he lowered his head and focused on eating, the light fell across the clean, sharp lines of his profile.

Lin Ying thought to herself that in looks alone, this junior brother would probably rank near the top of the entire Golden Rainbow Sword Sect.

Not only was he handsome, he also had a good temperament. He was even willing to spend so many Spirit Stones treating her to a meal...

Lin Ying ate with her cheeks slightly flushed and her eyes flickering like stars reflected on a lake.

By the end of the meal, both had eaten to their hearts' content.

As they put down their bowls and chopsticks, their eyes met at the same moment, and both couldn't help smiling.

That comfort and contentment after eating and drinking their fill needed no words. A single glance was enough for them both to understand.

Just then, a screen of light quietly appeared before Lu Yang's eyes, and a line of text slowly emerged.

[The host enjoyed delicious food with a beauty and was in a happy mood. Reward: 500 low-grade Spirit Stones!]

Lu Yang's heart gave a sudden leap.

Well, would you look at that, another reward?

This time it's five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, even more than when I ate alone last time. Too bad there's no rebate card.

Looks like the system's rewards really are random. What I get depends entirely on luck.

Even without a rebate card, five hundred Spirit Stones is already pretty good.

This meal only cost fourteen in total.

I got a meal and a reward—what a huge profit!

By the time they walked out of the dining hall, the sky had gone completely dark.

Above the mountain at night, countless stars carpeted the entire sky, as though someone had overturned a box of silver fragments.

A full moon hung overhead, its clear light spilling like quicksilver across the ground and coating the mountain's stone steps and pine woods in a hazy silver glow.

The night breeze blew gently, carrying the cool, fresh scent peculiar to the mountain vegetation. It felt especially refreshing against their faces.

Lin Ying stood in the moonlight, her black hair lifted gently by the night breeze, a few strands brushing her fair cheeks.

She raised a hand and tucked them behind her ear. The quiet, natural gesture was fixed in Lu Yang's eyes like a painting.

She turned to look at him, her smile carrying a touch of earnestness. "Junior Brother Lu, you've spent so much today. Next time, it's my turn to treat you."

Lu Yang raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Since you've said so, Senior Sister, I won't stand on ceremony. I'll hold you to that."

Under his gaze, Lin Ying pressed her lips into a smile, then said softly, "Well... I'll head back first. Go back and refine the Spiritual Qi in your body, Junior Brother, and work hard at your cultivation. Given your circumstances, I think you should be able to enter the outer sect soon."

"I hope your words prove true, Senior Sister."

Lin Ying turned and left, the edges of her plain white robes fluttering gently in the moonlight. She followed the mountain path farther and farther away, until she vanished into the depths of the pine shadows.

Lu Yang stood on the stone steps, watching her leave. Only when her figure was no longer in sight did he withdraw his gaze.

He returned to his quarters beneath the starlit sky. The moment he pushed open the door, he caught the faint, lingering scent of the Hundred Herbs Pills, fresh and slightly bitter.

He walked over to the meditation cushion and sat down cross-legged, but he didn't immediately close his eyes to cultivate.

He still had a reward to claim.

He hadn't yet found the time to open the "extra reward" the system had mentioned when he added Lin Ying's contact information.

He would claim the reward first.