Lin Feng, inside the store, was lying on a rocking chair, half-asleep. Today's gains made him exceptionally happy.
Although thirty Gourmet Points weren't much, at least he had made his first sale—an excellent sign.
If things continued at this pace, it wouldn't be long before he reached the basic requirements to activate the System Mall!
Yes, that's right.
Lin Feng hadn't even activated the System Mall yet. According to the System, it was because:
"The small-fry host is currently penniless (points). Even if the Mall is activated for you, you can't afford anything."
"Therefore, this System has set the most basic requirement for the small-fry host to activate the Mall: one hundred thousand points!"
"So, work hard to harvest points from those leeks!"
Just as Lin Feng was fantasizing about the rewards in the Mall and was about to drift off, he suddenly heard commotion outside—along with the voices of the three little leeks from the afternoon.
"WATCH YOUR STEP!"
Hearing Yan's heart-wrenching roar, Lin Feng's eyelids twitched. What kind of commotion was this?
The urgency and fear in that voice sounded as if someone was about to tear down his store.
Chaos followed: impacts, arguments, and Hu Liena's breathless attempts to dissuade someone.
"Grandpa Ju… you… you really mustn't act impulsively…"
Grandpa Ju?
Could it be Chrysanthemum Douluo?
Lin Feng instantly sat up from the rocking chair, feeling delighted.
It seemed his performance this afternoon had been a huge success. These three little ones must have gone back, reported the news, and even dragged someone to verify it.
The thought of a Titled Douluo-level big customer coming made Lin Feng almost laugh out loud.
But then, Lin Feng felt uneasy. From Hu Liena's tone, it sounded like Chrysanthemum Douluo was here to cause trouble?
Judging from Yan's "Watch your step!" and Hu Liena's frantic pleading, Chrysanthemum Douluo probably didn't believe them and wanted to smash the place.
However, Lin Feng quickly relaxed. After all, he was absolutely invincible inside the store—no one was his opponent.
What was a Titled Douluo?
On his territory, even gods had to line up to order food.
But as a "mysterious senior," he couldn't appear too eager.
He needed to maintain his aloof persona—this was directly related to his future pricing authority.
Imagine if customers saw him rushing out like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world. Wouldn't his entire image collapse?
Lin Feng forced himself to lie back down, continuing to feign sleep.
The noise outside gradually quieted. It seemed they were discussing something.
Outside the store, seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo getting angry, Hu Liena and the others grew more fearful.
Finally, Hu Liena gritted her teeth, gathered her courage, and stepped forward:
"Grandpa Ju, please don't rush to act! How about… how about you go in and check the situation first?"
"If that senior really is a swindler, it still won't be too late to smash the store!"
She was extremely flustered.
If Chrysanthemum Douluo fought with the mysterious shop owner, no matter who won, they would never be able to enter the store again.
And that was a magical place that could directly increase spirit power!
Xie Yue quickly added, "Yes, yes! You catch a couple in the act, and a thief with the goods!"
Yan, lying on the ground, heard this and struggled to prop himself up. His face still carried the imprint of Chrysanthemum Douluo's kick.
"Yes, Elder Ju—just take a quick look inside!"
Hearing all three plead, Chrysanthemum Douluo found the suggestion reasonable.
If he smashed the store without saying anything, others might think he, Chrysanthemum Douluo, was bullying ordinary people.
Moreover, Spirit Hall had always emphasized righteousness. Even punishing a swindler required catching them in the act.
"Fine. Then I'll go in and meet this so-called 'senior.'"
Chrysanthemum Douluo straightened his collar. "If he really is a swindler, he can watch how I deal with him!"
With that, Chrysanthemum Douluo pushed the door open.
Even in the night, his elegant posture appeared exceptionally alluring. His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, swept every corner of the store.
Rustic décor, clean tables and chairs, landscape paintings on the walls… everything looked perfectly ordinary—just a small restaurant.
But when his gaze fell on the young man lying on the rocking chair behind the counter, he froze.
This… this was the mysterious senior Hu Liena mentioned?
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes widened as he carefully probed him.
No spirit power fluctuation.
None at all!
This young man, seemingly only in his early twenties, had absolutely no detectable spirit power!
"This is impossible…" Chrysanthemum Douluo murmured, unable to believe it.
According to Hu Liena and the others, this shop owner could suppress Yan's Spirit Avatar with mere pressure—something only a high-level Spirit Douluo could do.
But the youth before him…?
Chrysanthemum Douluo turned toward the trio. His eyes were full of disbelief.
Hu Liena saw his expression and nodded repeatedly—yes, this was the person.
At that moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo once again smelled that exceptionally alluring aroma, the same fragrance he had encountered on the street earlier.
"So that's how it is."
Chrysanthemum Douluo suddenly understood and gently stroked his chin with a graceful gesture.
This guy was likely a Spirit-type just like Hu Liena.
And he wasn't weak—he could perfectly conceal his spirit power.
Thinking this, Chrysanthemum Douluo sneered inwardly.
He was good at playing tricks, but unfortunately for him, he had run into Chrysanthemum Douluo!
Of course, Chrysanthemum Douluo also knew of another possibility.
The opponent's strength had reached the point of returning to simplicity, like Spirit Hall's Great Priest Qian Daoliu. That would explain the lack of spirit fluctuations.
But seeing the youth's appearance, no older than twenty, Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately dismissed that possibility.
Noticing someone enter the store, Lin Feng—just like when Hu Liena's group entered—half-opened one eye and glanced lazily at him.
"The menu is on the table. Order whatever you want."
After speaking, he closed his eyes again, continuing to doze off, showing no special reaction to the arrival of a Titled Douluo.
Only the slight upward curl of his lips betrayed him…
Seeing Lin Feng's calm demeanor, Chrysanthemum Douluo nearly burst out laughing in anger.
He ignored Hu Liena and the others' frantic winks and sneered, "You're quite good at pretending, aren't you? I'd like to see how long you can keep it up."
He walked to the table and grabbed the menu.
But in the next second—
He froze completely.
On the originally blank menu, golden characters slowly appeared:
"Level Nine Menu (Mid-Grade)"
Main Dishes:
Yunze Thousand-Silk Silver Thread Noodles — 8000 gold coins
Dragon Blood Glutinous Coral Rice — 8500 gold coins
(Other items omitted)
Vegetable Dishes:
Glazed Heart Fruit Salad — 8500 gold coins
Spotless Pure Lotus Root — 8800 gold coins
(Omitted)
Meat Dishes:
Roasted Thunder Rhino Ribs — 10,000 gold coins
Frozen Valley Frost Wolf Heart Stew — 11,500 gold coins
Starry Brilliant Pheasant — 12,000 gold coins
(Omitted)