"I'm just an ordinary restaurant owner, that's all."
Lin Feng calmly shook his head, his tone as placid as a still lake.
His nonchalant demeanor made Hu Liena and the other two twitch at the corners of their mouths.
A restaurant owner?
With your strength, people would believe you if you said you were a god!
Just a casual gesture from you can increase our spirit power—this is what you call an "ordinary restaurant owner"?
If that's ordinary, then wouldn't the Titled Douluo of Spirit Hall be nothing more than security guards?
"These are my restaurant's rules: eat a meal, get a lucky draw," Lin Feng said lazily.
"Lucky draw?" Xie Yue repeated, disbelief filling his eyes. "You mean, as long as we eat here, we can get a spirit power increase?"
"Not necessarily." Lin Feng leaned back into his rocking chair, his voice flat. "It depends on luck. Sometimes it's a spirit power increase, sometimes it's another reward."
Yan scratched his head, his voice still trembling. "Then… if we order more expensive dishes, will the rewards be better?"
Hearing this, Lin Feng showed a meaningful smile.
This little fire spirit was impulsive, but surprisingly quick-witted.
"Of course," he said slowly. "The higher the consumption, the higher the prize pool level, and naturally, the better the rewards you can draw."
"However, with your current strength, you can only look at the third-level menu. Want to eat something more advanced? Improve your strength first."
The three exchanged glances, shock evident in each other's eyes.
If everything this young shop owner said was true, then this restaurant was simply a holy land for Spirit Master cultivation!
A spirit power increase was something every Spirit Master dreamed of.
Even Spirit Hall's rare treasures might not produce such an immediate effect.
"Then… we'll take our leave," Hu Liena forced herself to calm down, bowing slightly to Lin Feng. "Thank you for the reward, Senior."
"No need to see me out." Lin Feng waved his hand, closing his eyes again.
Walking out of the restaurant, the three exchanged glances. Each saw the same thought mirrored in the others' eyes.
This matter must be reported to the Spirit Hall high-ups immediately!
If it was truly as the mysterious shop owner claimed—that higher consumption resulted in better rewards—then Spirit Hall's strength would skyrocket in a short period!
Thinking of this, the three could no longer sit still.
"Let's go! Quickly return to the Supreme Pontiff Palace!" Hu Liena decided at once. "Such an important matter must be reported to teacher immediately!"
Before leaving, the three turned back to look at the quaint little shop.
The three characters food heaven pavilion were especially striking under the setting sun, as if reminding them that everything they had just experienced was absolutely real.
"Are we coming back tomorrow?" Yan whispered.
"Yes! Of course we are!" Hu Liena answered without hesitation. "Just for the effect of this spirit power increase, I'd come every day even if I had to sell everything I own!"
Xie Yue nodded firmly. "You're right. Opportunities like this are rare."
The three hurried off, their figures quickly disappearing at the end of the street.
Lin Feng naturally heard their conversation, and after watching them leave, he almost let out a joyous, pig-like squeal.
Excellent!
That's it!
Quickly go back to Spirit Hall and bring all my le— no, bring all the Titled Douluo!
Let them come and spend money!
With that, he could earn a pile of gourmet points, and then reaching the pinnacle of life wouldn't be far away at all.
Thinking of Bibi Dong—such a Supreme Pontiff-level big customer—and all those Titled Douluo Elders, Lin Feng felt ecstatic.
If a Titled Douluo casually ordered a few dishes from the ninth-level menu, just how many gourmet points would that bring?
However, to maintain his image as a master, Lin Feng suppressed his excitement and continued lying in his rocking chair, pretending to be indifferent.
"System, how was today's harvest?" Although Lin Feng already knew he had only earned thirty points, he couldn't help but ask.
[Today's turnover: 300 gold coins]
[Gourmet points obtained: 30 points]
[System evaluation: Although you opened for business, these points aren't enough to buy even a small trinket. Keep working hard, you insignificant shop owner!]
Lin Feng's mouth twitched.
This rotten system really knew how to rub salt in the wound.
But it didn't matter. When Bibi Dong and the others came, he'd explode with points!
Thinking of this, Lin Feng was in a great mood, humming a tune as he continued lying in the rocking chair, waiting for more "leeks" to arrive tomorrow…
Meanwhile, Hu Liena's trio ran wildly, wishing they had wings to fly straight back to the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
"Quick, quick, quick! Such a big matter cannot be delayed!"
Yan was drenched in sweat, yet thinking about his spirit power increase, he felt incredibly excited.
The three rushed to the Supreme Pontiff Palace, startling the gate guards.
"What's wrong with these three? Were they chased by a Spirit Beast?"
"Quickly inform teacher! We must see His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff!" Hu Liena shouted, completely abandoning her usual composure.
The guard looked troubled. "Miss Hu Liena, His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff is in seclusion. No one is allowed to disturb him…"
"What?!"
The trio's expressions instantly darkened.
Seclusion now? Of all times—now?!
Yan paced anxiously. "It's over, it's over. Such a great merit can't be reported in time—what if someone else steals the credit…"
"Don't panic!" Xie Yue's eyes lit up. "Let's find Elder Ju!"
Right—Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.
Although not the Supreme Pontiff, he was one of the two most trusted generals under her command.
The three immediately changed direction and rushed toward Yue Guan's courtyard.
They ignored all etiquette and shoved the door open.
"Elder Ju!"
As they rushed in, they saw Chrysanthemum Douluo holding small golden scissors, pruning the branches and leaves of the flowers that filled his courtyard.
His movements were elegant, his orchid-like fingers slightly curled, his posture so enchanting that it was almost dazzling.
"Oh my, what wind blew you three little ones here?"
Yue Guan didn't even raise his head, continuing to trim the flowers. His delicate voice made goosebumps rise on their arms.
"Elder, we have something important to report!" Hu Liena said urgently, not bothering with formalities.
"Important matter?" Yue Guan finally looked up, curiosity showing on his enchanting face. "Tell me, what could make you three so anxious?"
Hu Liena took a deep breath and recounted everything that happened at Feng Ran Pavilion—from being drawn in by the aroma, to the shock of the sky-high prices, to the terrifying strength of the young shop owner, and finally, the spirit power increase after the meal.
She was extremely detailed, afraid of missing even the slightest point.
At first, Yue Guan listened with mild interest. But as the story went on, his expression gradually turned strange.
When Hu Liena finished, Yue Guan suddenly burst out laughing.
"Pfft—hahahahaha!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo laughed until he shook like a flower in the wind, pointing at the trio with his orchid-shaped fingers, tears nearly flowing down his cheeks.
"I say, you three little ones—were you perhaps tricked by an illusion?"
Yue Guan put away his scissors, walked over, and lightly rubbed Hu Liena's head.
"A bowl of clear noodle soup for 100 gold coins—just consider it a lesson learned."
Seeing that he didn't believe them at all, Yan and Xie Yue immediately swore on their lives, insisting that everything Hu Liena said was true.
This made Chrysanthemum Douluo pause slightly…
Finally, he suppressed his laughter and spoke a bit more seriously:
"Are you all telling the truth?"