The Temptation of Delicious Food

The restaurant was called "Drunken Immortal Pavilion." The name was tacky, but the decor was quite elegant.

With its flying eaves, bracket sets, and carved beams and painted pillars, the entrance was illuminated by two large red lanterns that cast a bright glow over the front.

When Qian Renxue entered, Hu Liena and Qin Chuan had just been led to the second floor by a waiter.

"How many, guest?" another waiter greeted them enthusiastically.

"One," Qian Renxue's voice was cold and detached. "Give me a private room, somewhere quiet."

"Right away, please head upstairs!"

The waiter led Qian Renxue to the second floor, passing through a corridor lined with calligraphy and paintings. Qian Renxue's ears twitched slightly, catching the sounds drifting from one of the private rooms.

"...Brother Chuan, please, make yourself at home. Don't be a stranger." It was Hu Liena's voice.

"Right, right." A male voice sounded slightly reserved.

Qian Renxue paused, then said to the waiter, "I'll take the one next to this room."

"Ah? Guest, room 68 doesn't have the best lighting..."

"This one." Qian Renxue interrupted him with an unquestionable tone, pulled a Silver Soul Coin from her robes, and pressed it into his hand.

The waiter's eyes lit up, and he immediately changed his tune: "Understood! Right this way, guest! Room 68, quiet and elegant, perfect for a customer with your refined taste!"

After the waiter retreated, Qian Renxue pushed the door open and closed it behind her.

The room was small, containing an Eight Immortals table, a few rosewood chairs, and a landscape painting with a desolate mood hanging on the wall.

Qian Renxue did not sit down; instead, she walked straight to the wall shared with the next room.

The wall was made of wood and covered with a thick layer of wallpaper. The soundproofing was decent, but for a Spirit Saint like Qian Renxue, it was as good as non-existent.

She pressed her ear gently against the wall and listened intently.

In the next room, Hu Liena and Qin Chuan seemed to have just sat down.

"Hey, Nana, you're really too kind. Since I arrived on the Douluo Continent, this is the first time a girl has invited me to dinner." Qin Chuan's voice sounded a bit embarrassed.

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. Arrived on the Douluo Continent? That was a strange way to put it.

"Hm? You arrived on the Douluo Continent?" Hu Liena seemed to notice something off and pressed for clarification.

"Oh, I meant, arrived here at the Spirit Academy to do business. It's the first time a girl has invited me to dinner, especially a beauty as pretty as you." Qin Chuan quickly corrected himself, his tone laced with flattery.

Hu Liena seemed amused, letting out a tinkling, bell-like laugh: "Brother Chuan, you really know how to talk. It's mostly because I think you're handsome and very enthusiastic. I especially like those dolls in your shop."

On the other side of the wall, Qian Renxue almost couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Handsome? With that plain, unremarkable face of his?

Enthusiastic? He runs a Claw Machine Shop; how could he do business if he weren't enthusiastic?

When did Hu Liena's taste become so poor?

"Haha, is that so?" Qin Chuan gave a dry laugh. "Sigh, it's embarrassing to say. You only grabbed one cheap little doll from my shop, and now you're treating me to such a big meal. Dining here must cost quite a bit, right?"

In Hu Liena's mind, a cold voice rang out right on cue.

[Ding, congratulations to player Hu Liena, you have received a small amount of favor from the shopkeeper. Membership EXP +1. Current membership EXP: 1/10.]

Hu Liena felt a surge of joy, but she spoke even more enthusiastically: "It's not much, not much, just a dozen Gold Soul Coins. Don't take it to heart, Brother Chuan. It's my treat today, order whatever you like!"

"A... a dozen Gold Soul Coins?" Qin Chuan's voice cracked. "Nana, didn't you order too much? There are only two of us; it would be such a waste if we couldn't finish it. How about... we cancel half of it?"

"It's fine, it's fine! It's my first time treating Brother Chuan to a meal, I can't be stingy!" Hu Liena declared with grand generosity.

Qian Renxue, listening from the next room, frowned deeply.

A dozen Gold Soul Coins meant nothing to her. But to spend that much just for a meal, and to treat a man she had just met?

"Nana, you're so enthusiastic, I'm a bit overwhelmed," Qin Chuan's voice sounded hesitant. "Just tell me, is there something you need my help with?"

Here it comes.

Qian Renxue's heart stirred. Was he finally getting to the point?

She was also very curious about what Hu Liena was actually after, going to such great lengths.

However, Hu Liena's answer left her completely stunned.

"No, nothing at all," Hu Liena's voice sounded incredibly sincere. "I just feel like we hit it off, Brother Chuan. I just wanted to treat you to a meal and make a friend, that's all."

Qian Renxue: "..."

She felt her intelligence had been insulted.

Just treating him to a meal? Making a friend?

Hu Liena, do you take me for a three-year-old?

Just then, there was a knock at the private room door, and the waiter began to serve the dishes.

Qian Renxue had no choice but to be patient and keep listening.

She ordered a couple of small dishes and a pot of tea for herself, analyzing the situation in her mind as she listened to the movements next door.

Hu Liena's abnormal behavior must have something to do with that Claw Machine Shop.

And that man named Qin Chuan was the key to unraveling all the mysteries. Who exactly was he?

A man who could make a woman as haughty as Hu Liena lower her status and take the initiative to curry favor with him.

Could he be a peerless expert hiding his true strength?

Qian Renxue shook her head, dismissing the thought.

The pure "mortal" aura about Qin Chuan—the kind where he couldn't even walk steadily—could not be faked. She trusted her own perception.

Could he be the successor of some reclusive sect, or perhaps someone who held a heaven-shaking secret?

Qian Renxue felt this possibility was high.

She decided that tonight, no matter what, she would get to the bottom of this man's background.

Even if... she had to use some special methods.

A cold, icy glint flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.

Dishes were brought out like a flowing stream, quickly filling the entire eight-immortal table.

Although Qian Renxue could not see, just by smelling the fragrance wafting from next door, she knew this table of food was worth a fortune.

One dish, "Dragon Whisker Phoenix Tail Shrimp," used the meat of the century-old spirit beast "Golden Thread Lobster" paired with the tender shoots of the thousand-year spirit plant "Phoenix Tail Grass," steamed to perfection; it was said to have the miraculous effect of nourishing the meridians and stabilizing spirit power.

Another dish, "Fire Cloud Qilin Meat," used the tenderloin of a sub-dragon spirit beast called a "Fire Qilin," marinated with dozens of spices and slow-roasted over a low flame; the meat was tender, melted in the mouth, and could greatly replenish blood and vitality.

There was also an "Azure Wave Myriad Spirit Soup," made with several rare marine spirit beasts and spirit herbs, simmered for forty-nine hours; the soup was emerald green and exceptionally delicious.

Every one of these dishes was exorbitantly expensive; an ordinary spirit master might not even get to eat them once a year.

Hu Liena had truly spared no expense today.

"Wow... it smells so good!" Qin Chuan's voice was filled with exclamation.

Qian Renxue could imagine his unrefined, sheltered appearance, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl into a sneer.

"Come, Brother Chuan, try this Dragon Whisker Phoenix Tail Shrimp." Hu Liena enthusiastically picked up a piece for Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan seemed somewhat flattered, thanking her repeatedly.

Qian Renxue heard the sound of him chewing, accompanied by a sigh of satisfaction.

"Delicious! So delicious! This shrimp meat is so bouncy and smooth, with a faint, refreshing fragrance; it's better than any shrimp I've ever eaten!"

"If it's delicious, then eat more." Hu Liena's voice carried a smile.

Over at Qin Chuan's side, he had already begun to sweep through the food like a storm.

He seemed truly hungry, or perhaps he had truly been conquered by the delicacies.

Qian Renxue could hear the sounds of him gorging himself, the clinking of chopsticks against bowls and plates, and the occasional exclamation of satisfaction.

"This meat is also delicious! Fatty but not greasy, and the spices are just right!"

"This soup... what kind of divine soup is this? Drinking it makes my whole body feel warm and so comfortable!"

Qian Renxue's brows furrowed tighter and tighter as she listened from next door. Was this man really just a glutton?

Did Hu Liena spend so much money just to treat a glutton to a meal?