The next morning, sunlight spilled onto the bed before Ming Hao finally dragged himself up, as though he had fought the god of beds for three hundred rounds and only narrowly won!
After escorting Lin Zihan home the night before, Ming Hao had not returned until midnight. He had flopped straight onto his bed and fallen fast asleep-another night without cultivating.
After washing up, he pushed open the door and found Fatty Zhang and the other two already waiting outside bright and early.
Ming Hao knew perfectly well what Fatty Zhang and the others were after. They simply wanted to spend more time with him and deepen their friendship.
After all, opportunities always favored those who were prepared!
Besides, even if they had not come, Ming Hao would have sent them a message inviting them over for breakfast!
After all, Fatty Zhang had chosen to throw his full support behind him, specifically arranging for his younger brother Zhang Ze and Jiang Lingfeng to lend him a hand when the time came.
Ming Hao warmly greeted Fatty Zhang and the others and headed to the Dining Hall with them. They chatted and laughed along the way, getting along splendidly.
Fatty Zhang in particular was practically a walking encyclopedia. He knew a little about every kind of news, opening Ming Hao's eyes.
As they walked, Fatty Zhang suddenly said:
"Junior Brother Ming Hao, did you know? Today is our sect's annual Treasure Hunt Fair!"
"Oh? The Treasure Hunt Fair?" Ming Hao felt a spark of interest.
"That's right! The Treasure Hunt Fair is loads of fun! You'll find all sorts of things for sale!
"There are pills and magic weapons refined by sect disciples, and even elders and stewards come to set up stalls. They bring out things they no longer need to sell, too!"
Fatty Zhang introduced it with great enthusiasm.
"And the Outer Disciples have even been given the day off today. All the instructors are canceling classes for a day, too!
"Even Personal Disciples and True Disciples might show up! It'll be a truly bustling scene!"
The more Fatty Zhang talked, the more excited he became.
Ming Hao could not help feeling tempted as well and quickly asked, "Where is the Treasure Hunt Fair being held?"
"In that huge square below the sect's Mountain Gate!" Fatty Zhang answered.
"Don't worry, Junior Brother. You won't have to worry about getting robbed after buying something valuable there. The sect has specially assigned plenty of elders and stewards to maintain order."
Fatty Zhang hastened to reassure him.
"Then once we've eaten our fill, let's go take a look and unwind a little."
Ming Hao immediately made the decision, though he wondered whether Qing Yun, Wang Yong, and the others would also come to look around, given how much of a stir the Treasure Hunt Fair was causing.
Fatty Zhang and the others had already planned to join in the fun, so naturally, they did not refuse.
Before they reached the Dining Hall, they happened to meet Lin Yong and the others along the way, and their group instantly grew much larger.
When the group reached the entrance to the Dining Hall, Ming Hao spotted Qi Qing, Qing Yu, Zhan Bufan, and the others from a distance and went over to greet them.
Zhao Bufan was feeling rather awkward. He had not really wanted to come and had deliberately left early, planning to go cultivate in the Trial Tower.
But unexpectedly, he had run into Qi Qing and Qing Yu along the way and been dragged over by force. He could not exactly fight them, leaving him helpless for the moment.
Ming Hao promptly introduced everyone to one another, then led the group into the Dining Hall with heads held high and spirits soaring.
Several tables near the windows in the Dining Hall were covered with all kinds of food. Ming Hao and the others wolfed it down as though competing to see who could eat fastest.
When Qi Qing and Qing Yu had gone to get their food earlier, the auntie serving them had seen how small they were, with their sallow faces and skinny bodies.
Her heart had immediately ached for them, and she had given each of them several extra portions of meat. Qi Qing and Qing Yu had been overjoyed and thanked her again and again.
Watching everyone wolf down their food, Lin Zihan was rather speechless. Originally, all she had needed to do was wipe the food crumbs from the corners of Ming Hao's mouth.
But after Fatty Zhang and the other two had joined them yesterday, she had become their dedicated food-fetcher. Now three more had joined them today, and two of those had truly, truly enormous appetites.
Her head ached for a moment. Seeing that breakfast was almost gone, she helplessly rose to fetch more food.
"Senior Sister Zihan, I'd like three pig trotters and ten Spirit Beast Eggs..."
"Senior Sister Lin, I'd like ten meat buns and five rabbit legs..."
"Junior Sister Lin, I'd like four roast chickens..."
"..."
Having just stood up, Lin Zihan rolled her eyes helplessly, but still noted down every request.
Before long, she returned pushing two large carts of food. Everyone immediately thanked her, then scrambled to dig in.
After a while, everyone finally ate their fill. Qi Qing and Qing Yu had eaten nearly five or six carts of food before they were full, utterly shocking Ming Hao and the others.
Picking his teeth with a toothpick, Ming Hao promptly announced that they would go browse the Treasure Hunt Fair.
Naturally, no one objected. They were all of one mind.
Zhao Bufan quietly said he was not going, but no one paid him any attention. Lin Yong and Fatty Zhang took an arm each and hauled him away.
At the Misty Sect's Mountain Gate, Ming Hao stood on high ground and gazed down at the bustling market in the square below, which stretched as far as the eye could see.
The place was packed with people and lively beyond measure. More kept arriving from every direction, including not only Misty Sect disciples but also many nearby residents and visitors.
Ming Hao grew increasingly excited. Like a child, he broke into a light-footed jog and rushed down the mountain.
Seeing this, Qi Qing, Qing Yu, Zhang Ze, and Jiang Lingfeng excitedly ran down after him.
Lin Zihan and Zhao Bufan lagged behind, shaking their heads helplessly. Looking at Fatty Zhang, Lin Hao, and Lin Yong, who had yet to move beside them, they felt a small measure of comfort.
Unexpectedly, however, within a mere three seconds, those three
also suddenly ran down after the others with great enthusiasm, shouting for those ahead to wait for them.
Before long, Zhao Bufan could no longer contain himself either and chased after them with long strides.
Now only Lin Zihan remained, walking leisurely along. Her face bore a speechless expression, as though she were saying:
How did I end up with a bunch like this?
Ming Hao entered the bustling market and could not help marveling at the dazzling array of goods before him.
There were all kinds of pills, magic weapons, clothes, jewelry, ornaments, spirit beasts, slaves, and even beauties from foreign lands. Everything imaginable was here, enough to dazzle the eyes.
Ming Hao and the others felt that even a rat that scurried in here would probably have to leave behind a little fur and buy something before it could get out.
Ming Hao and the others browsed here and there. They had not bought anything useful, but had bought plenty more food, as though everything they had just eaten had only been an appetizer.
As they passed a shop selling ornaments and jewelry, Ming Hao glanced back at Lin Zihan, who was still trailing behind, and immediately decided to go inside for a look.
Before long, Lin Zihan finally caught up to them at her leisurely pace.
"Why has everyone stopped? What's worth looking at here?"
She then looked up and around, and understood somewhat when she saw the words "Jewelry Pavilion."
"There's nothing worth seeing here. Let's just go."
Naturally, Ming Hao refused and pushed Lin Zihan inside. None of the others had ever browsed the Jewelry Pavilion either, so they all swarmed in after them.
Inside, all kinds of glittering jewelry filled the shop. Cosmetics, accessories, rings, hairpins, clothes, shoes, swords, sabers, armor, masks, and more formed a dazzling display.
Everyone split up to browse, while Ming Hao pulled Lin Zihan over to the cosmetics section to choose some things.
Qi Qing actually followed them over to pick through the goods as well. Wherever Qi Qing went, Qing Yu naturally followed, leaving them with two little shadows!
"Senior Sister Zihan, look, this blush really suits you. It's a perfect match for your bearing..."