Zheng Ziheng looked closely and saw a golden fish poke its head above the stream's surface. It seemed to have developed some intelligence and was gazing longingly in the direction where the Reflection Stone's projection had vanished.
Then the fish turned to look at the rice ball dangling from his master's fishing rod. Its face wore a look of disdain that plainly said, "You think something that disgusting can tempt me?"
With a flick of its tail, it swam brazenly away.
Zheng Ziheng: "..."
His master's expression grew even colder. He put away his fishing rod and stood up.
Zheng Ziheng glanced at the wooden bucket beside his master. There wasn't a single fish inside.
"...Master." Zheng Ziheng cleared his throat. "About Junior Brother's invitation to the restaurant the day after tomorrow?"
"I'm not going." His master headed straight for the study.
Frost instantly spread across the stream's surface. The poor little fish that had looked down its nose at him was left dazed by a chunk of ice striking its head. Only after quite a while did it swim away, feeling thoroughly wronged.
The next day, the Cloud Radiance Sect's disciples got up and washed as usual, then headed for the Study Hall in twos and threes with their magical implements and books to await their instructors.
It was Chen Jing's first day attending classes in the Inner Sect. Brimming with excitement, he hadn't slept all night, but he was also somewhat nervous. He arrived at the Study Hall before dawn, chose a seat at random, and took out a book to study diligently.
As dawn broke, more people gradually arrived at the Study Hall. Chen Jing noticed that every disciple who entered carried a sheet of rice paper covered in printed words, in addition to their books and magical treasures.
He couldn't help wondering, Did I forget to bring something?
"Senior Brother." Chen Jing stopped one of the disciples. "It's my first day studying in the Inner Sect. May I ask what that is in your hand...?"
The senior brother handed him the sheet. "Oh, this? The Enforcement Pavilion disciples handed these out during today's dorm inspections. Everyone got one! People have been talking about it all morning."
Chen Jing thanked him and carefully examined the words printed on the paper.
Several large, eye-catching words occupied the center of the sheet: "Cloud Radiance Sect disciples don't lie to fellow Cloud Radiance Sect disciples! Cloud Radiance Restaurant opens tomorrow. If the food isn't good, come hack me to pieces!"
Chen Jing thought, Why does this style feel so much like something Shen Leyan would do...?
After reading the article, he found himself swallowing. His body was still in the Study Hall, but his heart seemed to have flown straight to a fragrant, spicy Hot Pot.
He inwardly chastised himself for his wavering resolve on the path of cultivation, then hurriedly turned to another article.
"Shocking! A village catches fire at midnight, and Sect Master Lu summons the Jiangxue Sword. The truth turns out to be..."
Even though he had personally experienced the night of the village fire, that headline still compelled him to read the entire article.
"The Spirit-Testing Stone transforms into a little girl? Revealing the secret behind a thousand-year-old stone's eternal youth..."
Two female disciples walked past his desk arm in arm, speaking softly.
"Hey, do you think Qingli has some secret beauty treatment? Maybe it can even make you young again. We could go to the Spirit Perch Pavilion and ask her for tips sometime..."
"Why don't we go after class today?"
"Sure!"
"Then tomorrow we can check out that new restaurant. It's not far anyway. I heard their dipping sauces would make even a shoe sole taste good. I wonder if that's true..."
Chen Jing: "(⊙o⊙)"
Chen Jing: "Th-th-this—"
The senior brother who had lent him the paper folded his arms across his chest. "You think this is novel too, right? According to the Enforcement Pavilion disciples, it's called a 'newspaper.' From now on, any major sect news will be printed in it, then distributed to all the disciples after Sect Master Lu reviews it. Apparently, an Outer Sect disciple came up with it."
"...Thank you for explaining, Senior Brother."
"You're welcome! Speaking of which, want to try the new Restaurant tomorrow? Apparently, their specialty is Demonic Beast meat. Eating it helps with cultivation."
"...Aren't we supposed to practice Grain Avoidance?"
"Forget abstaining! On my way here, I distinctly heard two instructors whispering about going to try it tomorrow. If the instructors are going, why can't we?"
Still reeling from surprise, Chen Jing nodded in a daze. "Then let's go together tomorrow..."
"Sure! After class tomorrow, I'll take you by Sword Flight so we can grab a table!"
Shen Leyan learned from Zheng Ziheng that Sect Master Lu wasn't willing to come. He felt a little disappointed, but didn't dwell on it. The restaurant's hectic preparations soon claimed all his attention.
Qingli helped him carry bowls and chopsticks, her little horn-shaped pigtails bouncing with every step.
"Shen Leyan, did you notice? Lots of disciples stopped to ask about our Restaurant when they passed by today. Business is definitely going to boom when we open tomorrow!"
"Once we've earned enough silver, we'll buy loads and loads and loads of delicious food. Then I can have midnight snacks at the Spirit Perch Pavilion every day..."
When the disciples finished their classes at noon tomorrow, plenty of them would surely come to eat out of curiosity.
But the Restaurant only had so many seats, bowls, chopsticks, and even ingredients. There was no way to serve everyone at once.
With that in mind, he fetched a blank booklet and wrote a number on each page, so tomorrow's customers could take a number and dine in order.
If business flourished in the future, he could also introduce reservations. Customers could book tables and ingredients several days in advance, pay a deposit, and dine using their reservation details...
"Qingli, go write a sign saying that we can serve no more than thirty-five tables between nine in the morning and one in the afternoon tomorrow. Anyone who can't wait should come back during a free afternoon or in the evening."
Qingli agreed.
After finishing the Restaurant's preparations, Shen Leyan stepped outside and saw that the sign was already hanging up. Several female disciples had gathered around Qingli, who seemed quite popular.
He smiled faintly, then went to an empty spot in the Restaurant's kitchen and quietly sat down to cultivate his Spiritual Power.
He had only two goals now.
First, earn silver. Lots of silver.
Second, learn the Azure Shadow Profound Art as soon as possible. He didn't need to master it completely, but he at least wanted to be able to escape safely from evil cultivators or Demons of average cultivation.
Although the method of cultivating Spiritual Power that Qingli had given him was basic, its strength lay in steady, sustained progress. A narrow path had already opened through his meridians. Each time he circulated Spiritual Power through them, it felt like a sea breeze blowing past, carrying away a little more of the impurities within.
The longer he circulated his Spiritual Power, the more refreshed and clearheaded he felt.
He was also gradually beginning to sense the Wind Spiritual Root inside him. It seemed invisible and formless, yet also everywhere at once. It had no physical substance, but he could feel its abundant Spiritual Power fluctuations. Like a little sprite, it seemed very attached to him.
He stayed at the Restaurant overnight.
At nine the next morning, Shen Leyan, Qingli, and all the Outer Sect disciples working at the Restaurant stood ready for battle, armed with cleavers, spatulas, bowls, and chopsticks.
The sect's bell rang out melodiously, signaling the end of morning classes.
Dozens of figures practicing Sword Flight crowded the distant sky above the Study Hall, descending on them like a swarm of locusts!
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