"Yue Guan, you're up."
Lin Feng's lazy voice sounded like heavenly music, pulling Chrysanthemum Douluo back from the brink of collapse.
That's right!
It's my turn!
Chrysanthemum Douluo shoved Ghost Douluo, who was still worked up, aside and took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the jealousy and regret churning inside him.
It was only an eighty-thousand-year Soul Bone.
What was so impressive about that?
My Martial Soul is the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum! It's an immortal treasure!
That Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was worth far more than this Soul Bone!
Yesterday, I'd been stupid. I'd brought this on myself and missed my chance.
But it didn't matter!
As long as I ate my meals properly and drew my rewards by the rules from now on, the senior would definitely reward me with that Immortal Herb again!
That's right! It had to be!
After a round of self-reassurance, Chrysanthemum Douluo finally felt a little calmer.
He straightened his robe, which Ghost Douluo had crumpled, resumed the bearing befitting a Titled Douluo, and walked gracefully up to the counter.
Though his heart was bleeding, his face had to remain serene.
This was the last shred of dignity Yue Guan had left!
"Senior, it's my turn."
He took a bag of Gold Soul Coins he'd prepared earlier from his Storage Soul Tool and carefully placed it on the counter.
Nine thousand Gold Soul Coins in all.
He'd spent nine thousand Gold Soul Coins on a salad.
If someone had told him that yesterday, he wouldn't have believed them for anything.
But now, all he could think was... what a bargain!
Lin Feng glanced at the bag of Gold Soul Coins and silently thought:
"System, draw the reward."
[Spending: 9,000 Gold Soul Coins.] The system's female voice rang in Lin Feng's mind, carrying a hint of schadenfreude. [System evaluation: This chrysanthemum leek has been pretty well-behaved today, but unfortunately, his name is already on the Observation List, so his reward will be greatly reduced.] [Random reward: One "Yue Guan's Sigh" handkerchief that will never wear out.] [Host reward: 900 Gourmet Points.]
Pfft—
Lin Feng nearly burst out laughing when he saw the reward.
Yue Guan's Sigh?
A handkerchief that never wore out?
This damn system was way too savage!
He suppressed his laughter and lifted his eyes to look at Chrysanthemum Douluo, who was waiting expectantly in front of him.
That enchanting face was full of longing, practically screaming, "Give me the Immortal Herb!"
Lin Feng cleared his throat, trying to keep his voice calm and even.
"Your reward..."
He deliberately drew out the words, savoring the sight of Chrysanthemum Douluo holding his breath in suspense.
"Is 'Yue Guan's Sigh.'"
Yue Guan's Sigh?
Chrysanthemum Douluo froze.
But what was it? An Immortal Herb? A Soul Bone? And why did it have my name in it?
Just hearing the name made it sound poetic and impressive!
His heart skipped a beat. Could it be... that happiness had arrived so suddenly?
Even Ghost Douluo and the three members of the Golden Generation perked up their ears, curiosity in their eyes.
As everyone watched expectantly, Lin Feng gently waved his right hand.
There was no earth-shattering phenomenon, no dazzling radiance.
Only a soft gleam of moonlight gathered on the counter.
Then, a neatly folded silk handkerchief drifted lightly onto it.
The handkerchief was pure white, woven from some unknown thread, and felt warm and smooth as jade.
In one corner, a lifelike chrysanthemum had been embroidered in gold thread, with two elegant characters beside it: Yue Guan.
The entire restaurant fell into deathly silence.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the handkerchief.
Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan stared with their eyes wide and their mouths rounded into O's, their expressions utterly priceless.
Ghost Douluo was completely dumbfounded.
He leaned closer and gingerly touched the handkerchief with one finger. Then he looked at the eighty-thousand-year Soul Bone in his hand, and back at the handkerchief...
For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
The air seemed to freeze.
The expectation on Chrysanthemum Douluo's face faded bit by bit, replaced by bewilderment, confusion, and disbelief.
He reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the handkerchief.
It felt cool and silky in his hand, with a superb texture, and even gave off a faint, refreshing fragrance.
It was a fine handkerchief.
A top-quality, luxurious, perfect handkerchief that suited his taste to a tee.
But...
I wanted an Immortal Herb!
Who the hell wanted a handkerchief?!
"Senior..." Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice trembled. He asked, almost on the verge of tears, "W-what does this mean?"
Seeing him look as if he were about to cry, Lin Feng fought back a laugh and explained with a perfectly straight face:
"This item is called 'Yue Guan's Sigh.' It's a wondrous treasure."
"It will never wear out or gather dust. It's most suitable for..."
Lin Feng paused, gazing at him with a look of profound compassion.
"...wiping away sorrowful tears."
Pfft!
Yan, who had been holding back his laughter, finally couldn't take it anymore and burst out laughing.
"Yan!"
Xie Yue and Hu Liena reacted at once, jabbing Yan hard with their elbows from either side.
Yan nearly choked from the blows and quickly covered his mouth, but his trembling shoulders gave him away completely.
Hu Liena turned around, pretending to admire the scenery, but who could miss her shoulders shaking with laughter?
"Wiping away... sorrowful tears?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo murmured to himself. He felt as if his entire worldview had crumbled in that moment.
Yesterday, he still had the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
Today, Ghost Douluo had the Hell Ghost Shadow Left Arm Bone.
And now...
All he got was a handkerchief for wiping his tears?!
What was this?
As if robbing him wasn't enough, they had to stab him in the heart too?
Just then, Ghost Douluo reached out and curiously tugged at the handkerchief, only to discover that even with the strength of a Titled Douluo, he couldn't leave a single crease in it!
"In a way, this handkerchief is pretty amazing too."
Ghost Douluo praised it sincerely. "Look, according to the senior, it's impervious to water and fire and can't be damaged by blades or swords! In a pinch, you might even be able to use it as a shield!"
As he spoke, he gave Chrysanthemum Douluo a look that said, "I'm happy for you," and patted him firmly on the shoulder.
That pat became the final straw that broke the camel's back.
"Waaah—"
Chrysanthemum Douluo couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into tears on the spot.
He was a level ninety-five Titled Douluo, a powerful elder of Spirit Hall, yet at that moment he cried like a child who'd suffered some terrible injustice, weeping as if his heart would break.
As he cried, he instinctively used the brand-new handkerchief to wipe away his tears.
Well, he had to admit, it worked pretty well.
It was absorbent and didn't get dirty at all.
Ghost Douluo and the three members of the Golden Generation were dumbfounded.
H-how was he actually crying?
Lin Feng's eye twitched. He'd never imagined that this chrysanthemum elder could be so fragile.
To be honest, he felt a little sorry for him.
So Lin Feng decided to say something.
"Ahem."
Lin Feng cleared his throat.
As soon as he spoke, everyone in the restaurant turned to look at him.
Even Chrysanthemum Douluo, who was sobbing so hard he could barely breathe, forced himself to stop. He lifted his tear-streaked face and looked at Lin Feng with bloodshot eyes full of hope.
Could it be... that the senior had finally seen how sincere I was and was going to give me back the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?
In an instant, a spark of hope flared in Chrysanthemum Douluo's heart.
However, Lin Feng's next words were like a basin of ice water, drenching him from head to toe.
"One more thing: your reward was so poor because you're still on the Observation List."
"Until your observation period ends, the tier of every reward you draw will be lowered."