Looking at the deeply "moving" scene before him, Lin Feng still wore the same detached expression on the surface, as if his thoughts had wandered through the ages, untouched by joy or sorrow.
But deep down, he was already grinning from ear to ear. He even wanted to give Ghost Douluo an "Employee of the Year" award on the spot!
Good heavens!
What dedication!
What business acumen!
He didn't even need to personally get involved in the brainwashing. The old leek had taken it upon himself to arrange everything for the new leek, even helping him get into position to kneel!
How was this a customer?
He was clearly the most loyal, most sensible star salesman in the whole establishment!
But outwardly, Lin Feng merely raised his eyelids, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Ghost Leopard Douluo, who was kneeling on the ground and shaking like a leaf.
In a casual tone, he let out a barely audible sound through his nose.
"Mm."
One word.
Light and effortless.
But Ghost Leopard Douluo felt as if that single "mm" had cleansed and elevated his very soul!
It was a god's forgiveness for a lost lamb! A senior's... recognition of an insignificant ant like him!
An enormous rush of joy and the exhilaration of surviving a calamity swept over him like a mountain flood and a raging sea, instantly drowning out all reason!
"Thank you, Senior! Thank you for your mercy!"
So overcome that he could barely speak, he immediately faced Lin Feng and knocked his head against the ground again and again, as if only that could release the devotion and gratitude nearly overflowing within him.
After he finished kowtowing, he abruptly turned to Ghost Douluo beside him, his voice thick with sobs.
"Brother Ghost! Thank you, Brother Ghost! You're my own brother, my parents reborn!"
Ghost Douluo didn't even look at him.
His dark face held only the absolute reverence he showed in the presence of a god.
He said nothing, merely reaching out with his withered hand to help Ghost Leopard Douluo up from the ground. His movements carried the solemnity of a guide leading the way.
"Follow me."
He sent the words in a hoarse voice.
"Watch carefully and learn well. The rules here, set by Senior, run far deeper than you imagine."
"How much fortune you gain depends entirely on your own insight and devotion."
As he spoke, he led the still-overjoyed Ghost Leopard Douluo straight to the table closest to the counter.
It wasn't an ordinary table.
It was... the sacred seat closest to Senior, the first place to bathe in Divine Grace!
The scene played out clearly before everyone behind them.
Spirit Kite Douluo, Tuoba Xi, Demon Bear Douluo... These Title Douluos, who could summon the wind and rain in the outside world, all froze in unison.
Why that table?
But after just a tenth of a second of confusion, a dazzling flash of inspiration struck through the fog in their minds like lightning!
They understood!
So that was it!
The seating arrangement was also a silent test!
The closer one sat to Senior, the more of the divine grace and divine aura one could bathe in!
And sitting at the same table represented unity and solidarity. It was the best way to demonstrate one's devotion to the god!
Yesterday, they had each acted on their own, sitting at separate tables. It seemed as if they were simply giving one another space, but in truth... in Senior's eyes, it had been a sign of insufficient unity and devotion!
At that thought, a fine layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on Spirit Kite Douluo and Tuoba Xi's backs!
Their eyes as they looked at Ghost Douluo changed completely!
They no longer regarded him as a fellow elder, but with heartfelt admiration and respect!
As expected of Elder Ghost!
Such meticulous thinking, such insight! In no time at all, he had seen through yet another sacred rule laid down by Senior!
At the corner of Lin Feng's eye, hidden from everyone, a muscle twitched violently.
He felt as if his CPU were about to burn out.
Watching this crowd gaze at a broken wooden table as if it were a holy relic, he was filled with question marks.
Wasn't it just a table a little closer to me?
That look in your eyes, that sudden enlightenment, that eagerness to kowtow to the table on the spot...
What in the world are you imagining now?!
Besides, that's where I usually eat!
Whoosh!
Just as Lin Feng raged inwardly, the Title Douluos who had been standing solemnly outside the shop like statues...
Shot toward the tables and chairs in front of the counter like arrows loosed from their strings.
Tuoba Xi arrived first.
Like a pilgrim, he sat down with solemn dignity.
His posture was ramrod straight.
His eyes brimmed with devotion.
Spirit Kite Douluo followed right behind.
As she took her seat, a flicker of barely concealed chagrin passed through her phoenix eyes.
She seemed annoyed with herself for being too slow to claim first place.
But her face still showed reverence for the "God Seat."
Demon Bear Douluo's massive frame also squeezed its way over, clumsy but quick.
His honest face was unusually "clever" at that moment.
He looked as if he feared missing out on the baptism of "divine grace."
Even Chrysanthemum Douluo's graceful figure drifted over to the table.
He held up his orchid fingers, a smug smile playing at his lips.
Once the usually lofty elders had poured inside like refugees who hadn't eaten in eight hundred years, the space outside the door was suddenly deserted.
Only Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan, with his pig's head, remained. The three stood there alone, like statues forgotten by the world.
The air was filled with a profound bewilderment that said, "Who am I? Where am I? What did I just see?"
"Nana... what are they..." Xie Yue's lips twitched uncontrollably. He had no idea what the elders were up to now.
Hu Liena didn't answer.
Her alluring fox eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to make sense of the chaotic scene, searching for even the faintest trace of logic.
Was this a new test set by Senior?
Or... did the table closest to Senior hold some mystery she couldn't understand?
But before she could figure it out,
a scarlet blur beside her let out a howl and shot forward like a wild dog off its leash!
It was Yan!
At that moment, the simple workings of this blockhead's mind were remarkably sharp and efficient.
He didn't understand what was going on, but he was deeply impressed!
All he knew was one simple truth: if even the Title Douluo elders were scrambling for something, then it had to be an incredible treasure!
If he couldn't get first place, surely he could at least get second?!
"Damn it!"
Hu Liena cursed under her breath, but her body moved faster than her mind!
She darted forward like an elegant red fox, following Yan and claiming an excellent seat at the table second closest to Lin Feng.
Right after her, the helpless-looking Xie Yue hurried over, afraid that if he was a moment too late, there wouldn't even be scraps left for him.
And so the three of them, utterly unclear on the reason yet entirely confident in their actions, claimed what they saw as an equally significant "sacred second seat."
By now, Lin Feng was almost numb. He expressionlessly glanced at the two tables.
At one sat the Elder Council, upright and solemn, as if attending a divine feast.
At the other sat the Golden Generation, looking bewildered while forcing themselves to act as if they "got it."
The entire restaurant was steeped in an eerily absurd silence, mingling fervor with farce.
At last, Lin Feng slowly raised a hand and lightly tapped the countertop.
"Order."