[[[bonus chapter]]]
"The Law of 'Soul Bones Are Truly Fragrant,' While 'Spiritual Bones Are as Fragile as Toilet Paper'"
As Tuoba Xi's voice, filled with longing and determination, fell, everyone's eyes instinctively shifted toward him.
Lin Feng's heart blossomed.
Good heavens.
This leek had a shockingly high level of awareness.
Ordering a dish as though embarking on a sacred pilgrimage… incredible.
And yet, Lin Feng's expression remained unchanging, cold as still water.
His gaze swept lightly over Tuoba Xi's aged face, where nervous tension battled anticipation.
"Permissible."
One word. Quiet, almost casual.
Yet it landed with the weight of a thousand jun.
It seemed to hold the profundity of universal law, a decree that settled Tuoba Xi's trembling heart back into his chest.
Lin Feng said nothing more.
He simply turned away, walking toward the kitchen with unhurried steps.
That retreating back — in everyone's eyes — became ever more mysterious, as though carrying karma and opportunity for the entire world.
Tuoba Xi exhaled a long, shaky breath.
His body quivered with relief as he sat back down, spine straight, all nervousness shedding from his aged features.
Only reverence and anticipation remained.
—
On the other side, Spirit Kite Douluo finally put down her bowl and chopsticks.
She wiped the corners of her lips with quiet satisfaction.
Her beautiful but slightly disheveled face glowed with a delicate flush.
The exquisite flavors had acted like plaster poured over her shattered pride and spirit.
She still "creaked" when she walked emotionally, but at the very least, her soul was pieced back together.
Truly — delicious food was the best medicine.
But when she subconsciously glanced up and her gaze once more landed on that unfathomable back disappearing into the kitchen…
Another image surfaced in her mind.
That dark-gold Spirit Bone floating in the air.
Devil Bear Douluo's frenzied excitement and devout prostration.
A thought clawed its way out of the abyss, wrapping around her heart.
"I… also consumed."
Her own voice echoed in her mind, unfamiliar yet intoxicating.
If she had eaten here…
Then by the rules of this place…
Could she also draw a prize?
A Spirit Bone… like Devil Bear Douluo's?
The thought sprouted instantly — a demonic seed tossed into her heart's still lake.
It rooted at once, its vines spreading wildly, consuming reason.
Yes.
The food here was beyond divine.
She would give up anything for it.
But—
But if she could enjoy this supreme delicacy and obtain a Spirit Bone powerful enough to shake the continent…
Would that not be even better?
No — that would be ecstasy layered upon ecstasy.
Her breath quickened.
Her mind summoned images she desperately wanted erased:
Yan's convulsed laughter.
Tuoba Xi's weird expression, caught between amusement and restraint.
And worst of all — her own face, blank with despair… with noodles dangling from her nostrils.
But with power — true power — everything would change.
If Spirit Kite Douluo obtained a Spirit Bone rarer and more potent than Devil Bear's…
Who would dare mock her?
Who would even remember that humiliating scene?
Power.
Absolute power that crushed rumors, erased shame, and silenced every tongue.
A feverish light burst in her phoenix eyes.
Decision made.
Without hesitation, she pulled gold coins from her storage tool.
Her hands trembled with urgency — and devotion.
She would wait.
Wait for Tuoba Xi to finish.
Then she would step to the counter, face that mysterious senior, and seize her own destiny.
—
The kitchen curtain lifted gently.
Lin Feng walked out again, holding an ordinary wooden tray.
But atop that tray were three suns, blazing with a brilliance that no one dared stare at directly.
First dish — Golden Dragon Beard Noodles.
Hair-fine strands of pure flowing gold, each noodle distinct and shimmering.
Even sitting in the bowl, they emanated a faint dragon's might that thickened the air.
Second dish — Holy Light Qilin Arm.
A beast arm roasted to crystalline amber, holy light rippling across its surface.
Mysterious runes flickered beneath the skin.
The sacred aura and rich aroma fused into a temptation that shook the soul.
Third — Ten Thousand Year Dragon Blood Brew.
An ordinary celadon pot holding wine dark red and viscous as lava, radiating boundless life force.
Lin Feng placed the three dishes before Tuoba Xi.
Tuoba Xi's weathered face froze solid.
He didn't even dare breathe.
Afraid a single exhale would scatter the divine radiance swirling around the dishes.
The sacred silence lasted only three seconds.
Then—
Bang!
A heavy thud echoed, accompanied by the clink of gold coins.
A fiery figure burst toward the counter in a fragrant blur.
Spirit Kite Douluo.
Her face still rosy from earlier, she slammed a bulging money bag onto the counter.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she stared at Lin Feng — still lounging lazily in his rocking chair.
Her gaze burned with desire, humiliation, unwillingness, and the desperate madness of a gambler wagering everything to win back her pride.
Her trembling voice rang crystal-clear in the stunned restaurant:
"Senior, I also want to draw a prize!"
Lin Feng cracked open his eyes, gaze calm as still water, sweeping over the woman who practically radiated I must win this.
But his inner thoughts were another story.
Tsk, she's collapsed already?
So much for the pure gourmet act… In the end, no one escapes the 'Spirit Bone Is Too Fragrant' law.
Right on cue, the system chimed in, sarcastic and cold.
[Ding! Small-fry host, did you see that?]
[This system already told you — in front of a chance to defy fate, integrity and restraint are as fragile as toilet paper.]
[Look at her now. Like a gambler who's already lost everything and is betting her underwear.]
Lin Feng's lips twitched upward before he forced them still.
[Enough. Count the money.]
He responded silently.
Then, facing Spirit Kite Douluo's burning gaze, Lin Feng lazily lifted his chin.
A tiny motion.
The heavy money bag on the counter vanished instantly under everyone's wide-eyed stares.