The Yellow Chrysanthemum Restaurant stood out among the other buildings in the city, with its majestic pagoda structure that soared into the sky. The restaurant had nine floors, each adorned with intricate carvings and golden ornaments. The roof was tiled with yellow glazed bricks, giving the impression of a giant chrysanthemum blooming in the sun.
Wu Li and Wu Yang walked into the restaurant and were welcomed by a girl.
"Good day, Young Masters. Which floor would you like to dine on?" the girl asked politely.
Wu Li complimented her and said, "You are very pretty, like a flower. What's your name?"
The girl blushed and said, "Thank you, Young Master. My name is Bai Lian."
Wu Li asked curiously, "Does the food taste better on higher floors?"
Bai Lian replied, "Of course, Young Master. The higher the floor, the more skilled our chefs are."
Wu Li grinned and said, "Then we'll go to the highest floor, the ninth floor."
Bai Lian nodded and escorted them to the ninth floor of the Yellow Chrysanthemum Restaurant.
"Young Masters are fortunate, we have only one table left. The ninth floor has only six tables, and the other five are already occupied."
Wu Li chuckled and said, "Looks like my luck is not too bad."
Bai Lian smiled and soon they reached the ninth floor.
The people on the ninth floor glanced at Wu Li and Wu Yang and sized them up. Their powerful Core Formation Realm cultivation made them stand out among the crowd.
"Wow, two disciples of the Extreme Jade Sword Sect have come to the Heavenly Spirit Empire. That sect is a giant force on the Jiaolong Continent," one of them whispered.
"I know, right? It's rare enough to see an Outer Disciple here, but there's also an Inner Disciple," another one who was more informed added.
Bai Lian scanned the ninth floor nervously, hoping to find an empty table for the two Young Masters.
Her heart sank when she realized there was only one left, and it belonged to an important person. "Please forgive me, Young Masters, but the only available table belongs only to Young Miss Feng Lian."
Wu Li frowned and said, "Feng Lian? Who does she think she is? How dare she hog a whole table for life?"
Bai Lian quickly said, "Young Miss Feng Lian is not someone to be trifled with. She is the sole heiress of the Feng Family, one of the most powerful families in the Heavenly Spirit Empire. They have two experts at the Soul Palace Realm."
Wu Yang sensed trouble and said, "Brother Li, let's not eat on the ninth floor. If Feng Lian shows up while we are still here, it will be bad."
Wu Li said, "Brother Yang, don't be scared of her background. We also have a strong backing. We are both disciples of the Extreme Jade Sword Sect, and you are even an Inner Disciple."
After shaking his head, Wu Yang remained silent.
Bai Lian hurriedly added, "Young Miss Feng Lian is one of the Three Beauties of the Jiaolong Continent, a rare prodigy who reached the Core Formation Realm at 14. And her fiancé is Xu Long, a Core Disciple of the Nine Divine Stars Sect."
Wu Li shrugged, unconcerned, "Who cares about Feng Lian? She won't show up here while we are enjoying our meal. Just let us sit at this table and bring us a menu."
Bai Lian frowned. She felt some sympathy for Wu Li, who had treated her with respect and she said, "Young Master, you don't understand. Feng Lian is very arrogant and impulsive. If she finds out that someone dared to occupy her table, she will surely cause a scene."
Wu Li gave her a faint smile and said, "I appreciate your concern, but we have nothing to fear."
Bai Lian shook her head and reluctantly set the table for them.
Wu Li and Wu Yang sat down and glanced at the menu.
Wu Yang scanned the menu and said, "I'd like to have Jade Lotus Salad, Braised Rabbit, Spirit Cloud Tea and Mooncake."
Wu Li chuckled and said, "I'll go for Flame Roasted Beef, three servings, and Roasted Lamb. As for wine, I want a jar of Heaven Shaking Wine. Come on, Brother Yang, you have to drink with me."
Bai Lian looked at Wu Li with concern and said, "Young Masters, please be careful. The Heaven Shaking Wine is made of rice, honey and Thunder Orchid Petals. It has a sweet and sharp taste, but it can also explode in your mouth. If your Dao Heart is not strong enough, your cultivation might suffer."
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Wu Li waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about us. Just bring us what we ordered."
Bai Lian nodded and informed the chefs of the order.
Soon, the meals were ready. Bai Lian brought them over and set them on the table.
The dishes looked appetizing and smelled delicious.
The Jade Lotus Salad was a mix of fresh greens and crisp lotus slices. The Braised Rabbit was tender and juicy, coated with a thick sauce that had hints of herbs and spices. The Flame Roasted Beef was sizzling and charred on the outside, but soft and succulent on the inside. The Roasted Lamb was golden and crispy, with a layer of fat that melted in the mouth. The Mooncake was a round pastry filled with sweet bean paste and nuts, decorated with patterns on the crust.
Wu Li's eyes sparkled as he saw the food. He licked his lips and reached for the beef.
Wu Yang poured some tea into his cup and took a sip. It was a clear and fragrant brew that refreshed his mind and body.
"Ah, what a fine tea!" Wu Yang exclaimed.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the restaurant, a woman of breathtaking beauty and formidable cultivation stepped into the Yellow Chrysanthemum Restaurant.
She was at the late stage of the Core Formation Realm, and her aura was imposing and refined and her presence attracted many eyes.
Her hair was like a river of liquid gold, flowing over her shoulders and complementing her fair complexion. Her face was like a carved jade, with delicate features and smooth skin. Her eyes were like sapphires, sparkling and deep.
She was Feng Lian, one of the Three Beauties of the Jiaolong Continent. She came here to enjoy a meal.
As soon as she entered the restaurant, she spotted Liu Hao, a waiter she recognized from her previous visits. She walked up to him and said, "Liu Hao, I want to eat on the ninth floor. Show me the way."
"Young Miss Feng Lian… I'm sorry to inform you that the ninth floor is fully booked," the waiter named Liu Hao said.
The air became heavy and oppressive as Feng Lian glared at him and said, "How can that be? What about my table? The one that I always use? Who dares to occupy it?"
Liu Hao answered, "Young Miss, two disciples of the Extreme Jade Sword Sect have taken your table."
Feng Lian's face turned red with rage and she said, "Lead me to the ninth floor. I'll make them regret ever crossing this Miss!"
Liu Hao trembled and quickly escorted Feng Lian to the ninth floor. As soon as they reached there, Feng Lian's stunning beauty caught the attention of everyone on the floor.
Wu Li also looked at Feng Lian, and he was amazed by her appearance. She had a voluptuous figure and a fair complexion. Her golden hair and sapphire eyes made him fascinated. He couldn't help but stare at her for a while.
Feng Lian stormed to the table that belonged to her, and she fixed her eyes on Wu Li with fury.
Wu Li grinned, "What's wrong, Miss? Do you want to join us at our table? We don't mind sharing it with a stunning beauty like you."
Feng Lian's body shook with anger, "What are you talking about?"
Wu Li smiled gently, mistaking her anger for shyness. He asked, "Don't be shy, beauty. What's your name?"
Feng Lian scoffed and said, "My name is Feng Lian. Who are you and why are you sitting at my table?"
Wu Li said shamelessly, "My name is Wu Li, and this is my brother Wu Yang. How about you join us for a meal? I have plenty of food, and we can order more dishes if you like."
Feng Lian snorted and said haughtily, "Do you think you are qualified? Don't you know that my fiancé is Xu Long, a peerless genius? And what are you? Just an Outer Disciple who dares to flirt with me."
Wu Li's expression turned cold instantly.
He became enemies with Wu Kang and Yang Chen, because they looked down on him. When Feng Lian also showed contempt for him, he couldn't resist his own sense of inferiority.
Wu Li laughed coldly and said, "Xu Long? Who is Xu Long? I've never heard of him. Is he some kind of trash that you are using to scare me?"
Feng Lian's face turned red with rage and she said, "How dare you insult my fiancé? Xu Long is a Core Disciple of the Nine Divine Stars Sect, one of the most powerful sects in the Jiaolong Continent. He has a cultivation at the Nascent Soul Realm, and he is only 25 years old. He is a rare genius that can rival the legendary figures of the past. And you are just a lowly Outer Disciple of the Extreme Jade Sword Sect. You are not even worthy to lick his shoes!"
Wu Li shrugged and said, "I don't care about your fiancé or the Nine Divine Stars Sect. I only care about eating my meal. If you don't want to join us, then get lost. Don't disturb us with your nonsense."
Feng Lian stared angrily at Bai Lian, who was close to the table, and she demanded, "Did you have the audacity to lead them and let them take my table?"
Bai Lian trembled and said, "Young Miss… I beg for your forgiveness. I don't know what possessed me!"
Feng Lian scoffed and unleashed her Lotus Blossom Fan Technique. It was a greater Earth Grade technique that Feng Lian had mastered to the Greater Success stage.
She waved her fan and sent out a barrage of pink petals that were sharp as blades. The petals formed a lotus flower that aimed to slice Bai Lian's meridians and destroy her cultivation.
Wu Li sneered as he drew his Primordial Abyss Sword and unleashed the Extreme Lightning Strike technique. He also activated the Infernal Thunder Dao Mark.
He clashed with Feng Lian's strike, creating a loud boom and a flash of light. The Extreme Lightning Strike technique was a lesser Earth Grade technique that he had cultivated to the Profound Success stage. It was a technique that could split mountains and shatter rocks with its fierce and explosive force.
The power of his strike was unmatched, and it clashed with Feng Lian's Lotus Blossom Fan Technique.
Feng Lian staggered back, her face twisted with rage. "How dare you interfere with my business? You should have let me teach this trash a lesson. Now you really have angered me," she spat, but she did not dare to attack again.
She knew Wu Li was stronger than her, even though he was only in the middle stage of the Core Formation Realm.
She felt a surge of fear and disbelief in her heart. "How can he block my attack so easily? I am in the late stage of the Core Formation Realm. How can he be so powerful?"
Wu Li looked at her with contempt and said, "Don't blame her. I was the one who wanted to eat here. She warned me that this table belonged to you, but I didn't see anyone here, so I thought I could enjoy a meal in peace with my brother. I didn't expect you to show up and cause trouble."
Feng Lian sneered and said, "So you admit that you're the one to blame? Well, you'll regret it soon enough. Xu Long will be here in Spirit Lake City in a few days. I'm looking forward to seeing your expression when he shows up. I'll also let him know that you had the nerve to hit on me."
Feng Lian stormed out of the Yellow Chrysanthemum Restaurant after saying that.