The waiter took the pouch, scanned it, and bowed deeply. "Yes, senior. Paid in full. Thank you for your generosity. Please visit again."
Dongxu Wang stared blankly. Not only had Lin Mu paid instantly, his expression had not even twitched. It was as if ten thousand high grade immortal stones were little more than pocket change.
The patriarch felt his own cheeks burn.
Even he, as the clan head, would never dare eat such an expensive al without thinking twice. This man, who claid to have no affiliation, was living like this was completely normal.
Little did he know, if Lin Mu had been eating seriously instead of stopping early, the bill might have doubled. Had the patriarch known that, he would likely have fainted on the spot.
With the feast finally concluded, everyone rose from their seats.
"I can finally feel my body again. That was good." ng Bai wiped his mouth and stretched happily. "All my spirit qi has recovered."
Cattaleya patted her stomach and declared she could still go another ten
rounds if the kitchen had not collapsed.
Daoist Chu gently reminded her that the cooks were only mortals in comparison to her appetite.
anwhile, Dongxu Wang took a deep breath. This was his chance.
Opportunities to form aningful connections with cultivators of this level were priceless. If even half of Lin Mu's companions remained friendly with the Dongxu Clan, the clan could perhaps soar in prestige for centuries.
He stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Senior Lin Mu, my Dongxu Clan would be honored to host you and your companions. It would be our greatest pleasure if you could visit us as guests."
Dongxu Ning's eyes brightened imdiately. "Yes. Please visit. I still want to spar with ng Bai again. Maybe next ti I will understand how he used that Dao skill."
ng Bai blinked, slightly flustered. "We can spar anyti. If Master allows it."
He looked at Lin Mu instinctively. Lin Mu did not answer right away, considering their schedule.
Before he could speak, Daoist Chu stepped in with a calm voice.
"We have a number of tournants left to complete first. Cattaleya has several more in the coming weeks. After that we will also head to the Great Martial Fist King Tournant."
Dongxu Ning perked up imdiately. "That works perfectly. Our clan is located near the territory of the Martial Fist King Sect. The city hosting the tournant is only a three day journey from our ho."
That piece of information changed things.
ng Bai turned to Lin Mu, excitent evident in his eyes. "Master, since it is on the way, can we go?"
Lin Mu nodded. "If it aligns with our route, there is no problem."
Father and daughter shared a look of joy. For a clan hoping to grow its influence, this was like the heavens themselves offering a gift.
"In that case," Dongxu Wang said warmly, "it would be our honor to accompany you after your tournants conclude. Our clan mbers will be attending the Great Martial Fist King Tournant as well. We even have a reserved VIP viewing box prepared. You may join us if you wish."
Lin Mu gave a short nod. "We will accept that."
A wide smile spread across the patriarch's face. Dongxu Ning looked like she wanted to jump in excitent. Even Elyon, who normally remained aloof, raised an eyebrow at the news of a VIP box.
With the arrangents in place, the two groups finally parted ways.
Dongxu Wang and Dongxu Ning bowed respectfully and departed toward their temporary residence. As they walked away, the patriarch kept glancing back at Lin Mu's group, unable to hide the blend of awe and anticipation in his gaze. "This will be good for our clan," he muttered to Ning.
Ning nodded eagerly. "ng Bai is amazing. And Senior Cattaleya is terrifying. And Senior Lin Mu... he is like a mountain in human form."
Her father coughed lightly. "Be respectful. And do not ask Daoist Lin Mu how many stomachs he has."
Back at the inn, Lin Mu and his companions returned to their rooms in high spirits. Little Shrubby curled up contentedly after eating enough at to feed a large family of body cultivators. The twins scampered through Lin Mu's sleeves, giggling and playing with the shiny trinkets they had bought earlier.
Daoist Chu sipped tea on the balcony, remarking that the al had been
surprisingly pleasant despite the chaos.
Elyon simply said it had been interesting, which for him ant he was satisfied.
Cattaleya stretched both arms overhead. "We should co back to that
restaurant tomorrow."
Lin Mu shook his head. "No. Let the cooks recover."
ng Bai grinned. "I think they need a vacation."
With laughter filling the room, the night ca to a peaceful close.
They had new allies.
New plans.
And new battles to face in the days ahead.
The next month flowed by with the steady rhythm of clashing fists, cheering crowds, and the constant murmurs of rumor as Cattaleya continued her unstoppable march across the Martial Fist King World.
Her victories had long ceased to shock anyone.
The crowds simply expected them now. In fact, people no longer wondered if
she would win but how she would win. So tournants even began to announce her fights with exaggerated flair, as if she were a special guest
perforr, not a competitor.
By the end of that month Cattaleya had completed the first tournant held by the rchant coalition, unsurprisingly as the champion. The locals had practically turned her into a holiday mascot for the week with vendors selling carved statues of her flicking soone across the arena.
She did not know whether to laugh or cry.
The second tournant, hosted by the Pelican Kingdom in their capital, saw her reach the finals. Her na was shouted nonstop across the stadium whenever she appeared. Even the royal family quietly sent people to observe her, though none dared to approach her directly.
The third tournant, organized by the Iron Hide Martial Sect, was already at the quarter finals stage.
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