Seeing that not just two, but four people were about to fight, the six logistics disciples from the kitchen came out carrying dishes larger than their own faces. They didn’t know whether to stay or leave.
“Um, everyone, do you still want your food?”
Xin Jiuxian and Yao Dai turned their heads at the same time. The two of them glanced at each other, seemingly reaching an agreement.
“Yes,” they said in unison.
One person allowed the spiritual energy in her hands to dissipate, while the other put away her zither.
Zongzheng Huangyue also sat back in her seat. At that moment, the disciples in the cafeteria who had been watching the four with curious stares were left dumbfounded.
The six logistics disciples continued to serve the food until the entire table was filled. Xie Tinglan and Yao Dai didn't say a word, immediately and rapidly picking up food; a plate would be emptied in ten seconds, just in time for a new dish to be set down.
Xin Jiuxian didn't speak either, silently joining the eating army.
The three of them, especially Xie Tinglan, treated eating like drinking water. They directly stuffed the food into their mouths and swallowed it without much chewing.
Before long, the empty plates began to stack up, growing from five to ten, then to twenty.
The three ate rapidly but not crudely; their movements were even elegant, and they made very little noise.
A black line of frustration slid down Zongzheng Huangyue’s forehead. Had these three been starving ghosts in their past lives before Master picked them up?
She picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of fish that had just been placed on the table, and put it in her bowl. After tasting it calmly and finding it quite good, she reached for a second piece.
Swish!
The other three almost instantly divided the fish into three sections and snatched them into their own bowls, kindly leaving her only the fish tail.
“...”
Zongzheng Huangyue was so annoyed she laughed. Having learned her lesson, she simply abandoned all sense of refinement and etiquette as soon as a dish arrived. She began pulling the dishes directly into her bowl, successfully forced into becoming a person who guarded her food.
Now, she could finally eat in peace.
Zongzheng Huangyue breathed a soft sigh of relief and picked up her chopsticks, ready to enjoy her meal.
Boom!
A huge commotion erupted at the entrance.
Everyone looked toward the door, yet the four of them remained focused on their food as if it were the most important matter in their lives.
As expected of the troops trained by Wen Li.
Jiang Nianyao, who had been silently watching their table while eating in the cafeteria, let out a soft cough. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief to suppress her throat’s discomfort, her downcast eyes filled with envy—envy for their strange yet harmonious friendship.
Two groups of people entered the cafeteria. When the other Tingyin Pavilion disciples saw the leaders, they silently moved aside.
“Isn’t that Lu Lintang, a disciple under the Third Elder? Why is he fighting with Qi Quan, the disciple of the Grand Elder?”
“Who knows? With the Qingyun Gathering approaching, they’re probably fighting for the chance to represent the Tingyin Pavilion. Stay far away; both of them are music cultivators who specialize in slaughter. If we get caught in the crossfire, it’s over for us.”
Lu Lintang, a young man in a pale gold sect robe, narrowed his eyes and sat at the table adjacent to the woman.
“I heard that Senior Sister Qi Quan’s cultivation has shown signs of shifting recently. I wonder if you are about to advance?”
Qi Quan’s gentle face broke into a slight smile. “It’s just a false rumor. I don’t know where Junior Brother Lu heard such baseless talk, or why you would even believe it.”
Lu Lintang nodded. “Oh, I suppose it’s because too many people look up to you, always thinking Senior Sister will be the number one rising star of the Tingyin Pavilion. Seeing your cultivation remain stagnant for so many years, they likely made up rumors to try and save face for you.”
“Watch your words, Junior Brother Lu.” Qi Quan’s eyes turned cold.
Every place had its food chain, and the Tingyin Pavilion was no exception, especially with the division between the Outer Valley and the Inner Valley. The most talented music cultivators in the Southern Province were all gathered here; conflicts over resources where no one yielded to anyone else were common.
The three Elders usually turned a blind eye as long as no lives were lost.
The disciples on both sides of the cafeteria heard their tense exchange. No one dared to make a sound, merely carrying their bowls further away.
Except for the four people at the table just one over from Lu Lintang, who were still gorging themselves as if they feared someone else might eat more than them in the next second.
Compared to the other Tingyin Pavilion disciples who were dressed uniformly, the clothing and temperaments of these four were distinct, making them noticeable at a glance.
Even Lu Lintang noticed the four people he was seeing for the first time.
Specifically, his gaze fell upon Xin Jiuxian.
This person had a special aura about her—a certain unique perception he held as a music cultivator regarding musical instruments.
Qi Quan followed his gaze and frowned slightly. She had never seen these four before. Could they be guests of the Tingyin Pavilion?
Curious about Xin Jiuxian, Lu Lintang stood up and walked toward their table, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
“Are the four of you guests of our Tingyin Pavilion? I am Lu Lintang, a disciple under the Third Elder.”
Though it was said one shouldn't strike a smiling face, the four were too busy eating and didn't even notice him standing there talking.
Lu Lintang’s expression stiffened slightly, but he still nodded with a good temper.
“Since it is inconvenient for the four of you, I shall take my leave.”
His gaze lingered thoughtfully on Xin Jiuxian as he slowly turned around. It was strange; why did this person give him such a different sensation?
As he passed Qi Quan, he heard her let out a cold laugh. “Junior Brother Lu, it’s a good thing to want to make many friends, but you have to see if they are willing.”
Lu Lintang, capable of adapting to the situation, pursed his lips and smiled. “No need for Senior Sister to worry. I’ve heard that you’ve been running to the Beast Taming Sect’s Young Lady quite often. Why, isn’t Miss Jiang sitting right over there? Why don’t you go say hello, Senior Sister?”
Qi Quan’s eyes grew chilly as she glared at him. Seeing that he had regained some ground, Lu Lintang adjusted his sleeves.
“Senior Sister, farewell.”
He turned and walked away.
Qi Quan watched his retreating back, then glanced at Jiang Nianyao, who was sitting in the corner dining quietly. She pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and eventually stood up to find her.
“Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Nianyao looked up slightly, a gentle smile appearing on her pale, bloodless face.
“Senior Sister Qi Quan.”
Back at Zongzheng Huangyue’s table, the four of them had finished all sixty dishes on the menu under the horrified gazes of the onlookers.
Of course, it was mainly Xie Tinglan, Yao Dai, and Xin Jiuxian who had done the eating.
Two of them simply had massive appetites, while the last one had never eaten before and was curious.
Full and satisfied, the four stood up to leave.
Suddenly, Qi Quan and Jiang Nianyao came forward to block their path.
Qi Quan cupped her hands. “Fellow Daoists, I am Qi Quan, a disciple under the Grand Elder. This is the Young Lady of the Beast Taming Sect, Jiang Nianyao. We would like to get to know you; as they say, having more friends means having more paths in life.”
Standing to the side, Jiang Nianyao’s gaze swept over the four before finally landing on Xie Tinglan. Her eyes locked onto him for three seconds before she looked away.
Yao Dai had no interest in greetings, Xie Tinglan was disdainful, and Xin Jiuxian didn't know how.
The task naturally fell to Zongzheng Huangyue. She knew they were still on the Tingyin Pavilion’s territory and didn't want to make things difficult for her Master.
“Greetings to both of you, but there is no need for introductions. We are all solitary people and do not enjoy talking with strangers.”
Before she could even finish, the other three had already walked past them.
Zongzheng Huangyue nodded and then departed as well.
Seeing this, Qi Quan couldn't help but frown curiously. She asked Jiang Nianyao, whose eyes had grown dim, “Miss Jiang, could these people have been invited to the Tingyin Pavilion for the Xianle Grand Ceremony just like you?”
“I didn't see them during the Xianle Grand Ceremony.” Jiang Nianyao shook her head slightly and turned to leave.
The four cultivators accompanying her followed.
At the sight, Qi Quan’s expression became deep and unreadable, and she also turned to leave.
...
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