Shrek City Snack Street

Spirit Transmission Pagoda, eighty-first floor.

Han Tianyi walked slowly toward the chair behind the desk, his sleeves brushing against the air as he sat down with composure.

He took a canister of aged tea leaves from the drawer, pinched a few leaves between his fingertips, placed them gently into a pot, and poured in hot water.

His movements were unhurried, flowing like clouds and water.

Before long, the fragrance of tea overflowed, filling the room with a quiet elegance. The scent was not overpowering, yet it seeped into the lungs in delicate wisps, calming the mind and spirit.

Fang Lin and Na'er sat on the sofa to the side, waiting quietly.

Han Tianyi poured the tea into three white porcelain cups, steam curling upward.

Only then did he speak slowly: "Little Lin, Na'er."

"Teacher, I don't drink tea."

Fang Lin glanced at the slightly green tea in the cup and softly refused.

"You brat, what are you spouting nonsense for?"

Han Tianyi shot him a glance, his tone brooking no argument. "If I tell you to drink, you drink."

"Fine."

Fang Lin did not say another word; he nodded and took the teacup.

Seeing this, Na'er also obediently picked up her cup, blowing on the steam in small, delicate puffs.

She puffed out her cheeks, blowing with extreme focus, her purple eyes fixed unblinkingly on the tea in the cup.

Fang Lin took a small sip; the tea was slightly astringent and bitter upon entering his mouth.

However, the next moment, a gentle, moist sensation began to spread from his throat, like spring water beginning to thaw, flowing through his limbs and bones.

He was suddenly stunned.

Ever since he had come out of the Spirit Ascension Platform, there had been an indescribable restlessness in Fang Lin's heart.

It was the baleful energy accumulated during life-and-death struggles, the killing intent stained upon his blade.

Yet, in these few brief moments, it had actually begun to subside.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze was clear with an unprecedented clarity.

Na'er mimicked Fang Lin and took a sip, the moment the tea touched her lips.

Her brows immediately knitted together, her little face crinkling up as if she had eaten something incredibly bitter.

"Teacher, it's so bitter."

Na'er stuck out her tongue, set down the teacup, and looked at Han Tianyi with a pitiful expression.

She looked exactly like a little kitten that had stolen a bite of bitter melon—aggrieved and adorable.

Watching Na'er, Han Tianyi's tone turned so gentle it was as if he were a different person. "It's alright, Na'er, if it's bitter, you don't have to drink it."

His voice lacked the sternness he had used to scold Fang Lin just moments ago, carrying instead a hint of cautious coaxing.

"Okay."

Na'er nodded obediently. She looked at the tea still remaining in her cup, then looked up at Han Tianyi's gentle gaze.

She hesitated for a moment, then picked up the cup and gulped down the rest of the tea in one go.

The way she did it didn't look like drinking tea; it looked like she was completing some sort of heroic feat.

After finishing, Na'er shivered all over, her little face so bitter it looked like it might wring out water.

She wiped her mouth, placed the cup gently back on the table, and muttered softly, "Still so bitter."

Fang Lin downed the rest of the tea in his cup.

That gentle, moist sensation circulated through his body, transforming into a faint warmth that drifted slowly along his meridians.

He relaxed completely, leaning back against the sofa and letting out a long, heavy breath.

Then, Fang Lin turned his head to look at Han Tianyi, a fawning smile in his eyes. "Teacher, how about you give me a few dozen pounds of this tea?"

Han Tianyi's hand, which was holding his teacup, froze abruptly, and he nearly spilled the tea.

He looked at Fang Lin, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, as if he couldn't believe his own ears.

"You brat, are you dreaming?"

Han Tianyi couldn't help but raise his voice a notch. "Do you think these tea leaves are Chinese cabbage?"

He took a deep breath, suppressing his speechlessness, and took a sip of his tea to calm his mood.

He had gone to great lengths to obtain this tea; for this brat to ask for dozens of pounds right off the bat was simply ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth.

"I'll give you one canister at most, no more."

Han Tianyi said irritably, taking a canister of tea from the drawer and handing it over.

The canister was small and deep green, clearly no ordinary item at a single glance.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Fang Lin took the tea leaves and tucked them into his storage ring, his movements so swift it was as if he feared Han Tianyi might change his mind.

Na'er watched from the side, pursing her lips as if she wanted to laugh but held it back.

Han Tianyi shook his head, too lazy to bicker with his thick-skinned disciple.

He set down his teacup, his expression gradually turning serious as his gaze swept over both their faces.

"Little Lin, Na'er, go back and prepare yourselves."

Han Tianyi spoke, his tone indifferent, "We depart tomorrow for Tiandou City."

Upon hearing this, Fang Lin was slightly taken aback.

A flicker of contemplation crossed his eyes, but he quickly nodded. "Understood."

Na'er also gave a docile response.

Immediately after, Fang Lin and Na'er rose and left the office.

The door closed softly behind them, leaving only the sound of their light footsteps in the corridor.

"Brother, I want to go to the snack street."

Na'er looked at Fang Lin with wide eyes, a glimmer of anticipation shining in her purple irises.

"Alright."

Hearing this, Fang Lin nodded.

He then led Na'er toward the private elevator. He pressed the button, and the elevator doors slid open silently.

He stepped inside and pressed the button for the first floor; the elevator began its smooth descent.

"Ding!"

A crisp chime rang out, signaling their arrival at the first floor.

Fang Lin led Na'er out of the elevator and walked toward the exit of the Spirit Transmission Pagoda's lobby.

Twilight had deepened, and the streetlights were just beginning to flicker on.

The night in Shrek City was slowly unfolding.

The snack street was brightly lit and bustling with noise.

Stalls lined both sides of the street, one after another, with white steam rising from bamboo steamers.

The sizzling of oil on iron griddles and the crystalline sugar coating on candied haws intertwined under the lights, weaving a lively and warm tapestry of everyday life.

The aroma of various foods mingled together, drifting far away on the evening breeze.

Na'er's eyes lit up instantly.

She hurried to the nearest candied hawthorn stall.

Those bright red hawthorns, wrapped in amber-colored sugar, glistened under the lights, and she couldn't bear to blink as she looked at them.

"Brother, I want this one."

Na'er turned back, pointing at the candied haws, her tone full of impatience.

Fang Lin walked over and took some Federal Credits from his storage ring to hand to the vendor.

The vendor, a simple and honest middle-aged man, chuckled as he took down the largest, reddest skewer of candied haws. He carefully wrapped it in an extra layer of rice paper before handing it to Na'er.

Na'er took the candied haws and took a bite.

The sound of the sugar coating shattering between her teeth was crisp and pleasant, and the sweet and sour flavor bloomed on her tongue, causing her eyes to curve into two crescent moons.

"Brother, you have a bite too."

She held the skewer up to Fang Lin's lips, her purple eyes filled with expectation.

Fang Lin bit into one; it was sweet and sour, and the taste was quite good.

The evening breeze brushed by, and the lights glowed gently.

Na'er held the candied haws in one hand and tugged at the corner of Fang Lin's clothes with the other, stopping and starting as they moved through the crowd.

Every time she saw a stall that interested her, she would stop to look for a while, then turn back to look at Fang Lin with those sparkling eyes.

Fang Lin bought everything she wanted, one by one.

Roasted sweet potatoes, fried rice cakes, osmanthus cakes, candied fruits, chicken cartilage...

Na'er's hands were soon full, so she had Fang Lin hold some for her while she freed up her hands to keep eating.

The snack street was not long, but they spent a long time walking through it.

By the time they reached the end of the street, Na'er finally patted her stomach in satisfaction and let out a tiny, full-bellied burp.

There was still a bit of sugar stain on the corner of her mouth, and her cheeks were puffed out, looking like a well-fed little hamster.

"Brother, let's go home."

Na'er said, her voice filled with the laziness and contentment that comes after a good meal.

"Alright."

Fang Lin replied, wiping the sugar stain from the corner of her mouth before taking her hand and walking toward the Spirit Transmission Pagoda.