After paying the Spirit Stones and seeing over 4 million Cultivation Points credited to his account, Xiao Jing stood up.
“Right, also pack the more than 100 Yellow-grade martial arts manuals on the lower floor for me as well.”
“Over 100 Yellow-grade martial arts manuals?” Shopkeeper Qian was momentarily puzzled, completely lost.
Why would the Third Prince buy Yellow-grade techniques?
The young assistant quickly explained, bowing repeatedly and apologizing to Xiao Jing throughout the explanation.
Xiao Jing waved his hand, “It’s nothing, don’t mention it again.”
Soon, the assistant had packed up the 126 Yellow-grade martial arts manuals. Xiao Jing stored all the manuals he purchased into the system space, allowing the system to automatically manage them. After exchanging a few polite words with Shopkeeper Qian, he left Haina Pavilion.
Watching their departing figures, Shopkeeper Qian’s face lit up with a kind smile. He said to the assistant beside him, “The Fifth Princess has truly endured hardships, but now, her fortune has arrived.”
Mu Lanchu walked a few steps, lowering her gaze slightly. She didn’t look back.
The real Fifth Princess had already perished, her soul destroyed, body turned to ashes. She would never have a chance to enjoy any blessings again…
Behind them, the assistant quietly asked, “The Third Prince just arrived in Changtian City, yet he’s already supporting Princess Yuhe so strongly. Could he have some hidden motive? Shopkeeper Qian, in your view, is the Ultimate Dao Sect backing the Third Prince, or is it the Liang Empire?”
“It’s hard to say for now—both are possible. But their motives would surely differ. In any case, Emperor of Liang sending the Third Prince to serve as a Political Hostage in the Yan Empire is a very intriguing move.”
“The Third Prince has cultivated in the Ultimate Dao Sect for many years. He must be powerful and well-prepared,” the assistant added.
“That’s why all of you need to keep your eyes open and act smart! Don’t dare offend the Third Prince!” Shopkeeper Qian said, rapping the assistant’s head. “Next time he comes, if you idiots stop him downstairs again just to sell him over a hundred Yellow-grade martial arts manuals, I’ll break your legs!”
“Yes, I understand!” The assistant clutched his head and shrank his neck. “Next time the Third Prince visits, I’ll be extra cautious in receiving him!”
…
After leaving Haina Pavilion, Xiao Jing checked the time and noticed it was nearly lunchtime.
After casually asking around, he learned that not far to the east in the Chongyang Market was a restaurant specializing in Spirit Power cuisine—called the Immortal Spirit Restaurant.
The restaurant’s head manager was also the head chef. Her culinary skills were unmatched, and she was exceptionally beautiful, earning her a stellar reputation throughout Changtian City.
Xiao Jing decided to bring Mu Lanchu there.
On the way, Xiao Jing asked the system, “System, if I take my Binding Target to eat food that boosts cultivation, can it be reimbursed with funds?”
[It can be reimbursed. Dining with a Binding Target counts as full expense coverage.]
Xiao Jing found that to be quite considerate.
Very reasonable.
However, the system then issued another prompt:
[Please note, because the Host is bound to this system, consumption of any pills, spiritual meat, or rare treasures will not increase the Host’s Cultivation or Realm.]
[This system is unwilling to calculate and convert the fragmented Cultivation Points obtained through pills and rare treasures.]
[The Host can only improve their Realm by converting Spirit Stones into Cultivation Points.]
Really?
Too lazy to calculate?
Well, fine.
At least it saved him the hassle of eating pills and rare materials.
As long as he could spend Spirit Stones with his Binding Target, that was enough.
And with the [Whale Swallowing Technique], he could feast boldly!
He could spend a huge amount and also help Chu Chu improve her cultivation speed!
If this restaurant turned out to be good, he would come here every day to dine.
He might even consider offering a high price to recruit the chef into his residence!
They hadn’t walked far when he looked up and saw the [Immortal Spirit Restaurant].
Its entrance was exquisite and luxurious, adorned with a golden plaque.
The two stepped inside.
The interior was tastefully decorated.
Several long tables were arranged in the main hall, with refined, window-side booths separated by small folding screens.
Beside the counter, a wide staircase lined with red carpet led to the upper floor.
It wasn’t mealtime yet.
Only one table in the hall was occupied—seven people in total. They were all dressed in fine clothing and possessed varying degrees of cultivation. Judging by their appearance, they seemed to be the sons of noble families or officials in the city.
They were chatting idly about gossip from Changtian City.
At this moment, a waiter approached to welcome them.
“Honored guests, please come in! We have elegant seats on the first floor and private rooms on the second floor. Feel free to choose any spot~”
“We’ll sit on the first floor.”
Xiao Jing glanced around and chose a window-side booth closest to the gossiping guests.
Though separated by a folding screen, they couldn’t see each other but could hear everything clearly.
Since Xiao Jing had only recently crossed into this world, his understanding of it was limited—especially regarding the Yan Empire and Changtian City.
He was eager to hear more gossip to broaden his knowledge.
“Alrighty! Two guests at a first-floor booth!”
The waiter cheerfully led them in, swiftly served them tea and several snacks, placed the menu, and then left to wait for further instructions.
The service was detailed and thoughtful—attentive without being intrusive, giving the guests a comfortable space.
Xiao Jing took a couple sips of spiritual tea when he heard the customers beyond the screen chatting loudly. At first, they praised Shopkeeper Su’s cooking. Then, as the conversation continued, they brought up the Fifth Princess. Find the original chapter at novelping dot com.
Xiao Jing immediately perked up and listened closely.
“Can’t deny it, this beauty Su’s cooking is divine.”
“Shopkeeper Su isn’t just beautiful—her cooking skills are unmatched. Whoever marries her is truly blessed~”
“Marry Shopkeeper Su? Haha, dream on! Do you even know where she comes from?”
“I heard she’s connected to the Profound Azure Sect?”
“She opened this place in Changtian City when she was just fifteen. Could an ordinary girl pull that off?”
“The Profound Azure Sect is ranked third among all sects on the continent! And Shopkeeper Su is related to it?”
“I heard… she’s Elder Su’s youngest daughter. Quiet, keep your voice down…”
“Whatever the truth, Shopkeeper Su’s cooking is unparalleled. That’s a fact.”
“Exactly. In my opinion, her dishes surpass even the Imperial banquets!”
“Speaking of Imperial banquets, don’t even mention them. Yesterday’s wedding feast for the Fifth Princess was so perfunctory, it was shameful.”
“Tsk, a royal wedding can’t be that shabby, can it?”
“Don’t bring it up. The Fifth Princess is a cripple. All because of that incident back then… better not speak of it.”
“This marriage is quite the joke. A crippled princess and a Third Prince from the Liang Empire, forced here as a Political Hostage. They’re bound to be at odds.”
“Emperor of Yan Empire arranged this purely to humiliate the Liang Empire. He never intended for the Third Prince to live comfortably.”
“The Fifth Princess has barely stepped out of the palace in recent years. I doubt she’ll survive much longer. My guess? Once she dies, the palace will accuse the Liang Empire’s prince of killing her, giving the Emperor a reason to attack Liang again and extort another fortune.”
“Hahaha, are you trying to guess the Emperor’s intentions out of thin air?”
“What if that’s exactly what His Majesty has planned?”
…
Hearing this mocking gossip, Mu Lanchu lowered her head and bit her lip, her delicate fists quietly clenching.
“What’s wrong?”
“Husband, don’t you feel angry hearing them talk nonsense like that?”
Xiao Jing thought to himself, They’re talking about the Third Prince and the Fifth Princess—what’s it got to do with us imposters?
Let them speculate all they want.
“Only the powerless and incompetent get angry. Let’s not listen to their nonsense. Let’s do what we came here to do. Give me your hand.”
Before eating, he needed to teach Chu Chu the Whale Swallowing Technique.
Mu Lanchu’s cheeks instantly flushed. “Husband, doing this in public… it’s a bit inappropriate~.”
Xiao Jing froze, “What are you imagining?”