Tianlei hadn't actually expected the Feather Lady to call him out—certainly not for something resembling a date. According to her, it wasn't a date at all, merely dinner with a new friend.
They sat beside each other on two simple chairs.
The area around them was quiet, occupied by only a handful of people eating their meals. Golden Earth Academy looked less like an institution and more like a humble city. Stalls lined the streets, run by ordinary people who didn't resemble academy staff in the slightest.
"Welcome to Silver Town," the Feather Lady said.
"Silver Town?"
"It sits on the edge of Golden Earth Academy—a place for students to relax, eat, and enjoy life. Simple as that."
"I never expected the academy to have something like this."
"Silver Town is more like a suburb belonging to Silver Ridge City and the Golden Earth Academy. It's owned jointly by elite families. You could say it partly belongs to the academy and partly to those families."
"Let's order something," Su Jiaru continued, raising her hand to summon a waiter.
When he arrived, Tianlei froze. It was his roommate , the one whose name he still didn't know.
"What can I get you?" the boy asked.
"Fried chicken, some rice, and mushroom stew," she said easily.
Tianlei frowned. She hadn't even asked him, but the aroma of fried chicken filled the air, and his stomach protested in agreement.
His roommate left without another word.
As they waited, a familiar conversation drifted from the table behind them.
"This food smells better than what they serve at that cursed Feng household. Those brats never stop urging."
"Exactly. How can such a disorganized family even exist?" a woman's soft voice added.
Tianlei was forced to look back. Two men and a woman sat behind them. One of the men was well-built, and on his shoulder was a tattoo shaped like a mask with four sharp points, resembling a star.
"These people are from the Feng family," Tianlei said quietly.
He tried to ignore them, but instinct betrayed him. As a Feng, his ears stayed sharp.
"I heard the fourth cousin from the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion confronted members of the Feng Earth Tower."
"Yeah. It was chaos. The Feng Earth Tower has been declining ever since its leader died."
Tianlei clenched his fist.
That leader whom they were talking about had been his mother.
He belonged to the Feng Earth Tower ,one of the countless branches of the Feng Immortal Family, a lineage so vast it resembled a nation broken into competing states. Those branches however drifted further apart with each passing year.
The Feather Lady noticed Tianlei's stiffness. She guessed it was the conversation.
Just then, their food arrived.
"Well, with that old man leading the Feng Earth Tower, they don't stand a chance," one of them said.
Tianlei's fingers closed around the bowl of fried chicken, and he hurled it.
The Feather Lady dodged on instinct, but the bowl smashed into one man's head, sending him face-first into his noodles.
The "old man" they mocked was Tianlei's grandfather. After his mother's death, and with Tianlei still young, he had taken the role in his stead.
In truth, Feng Tianlei was the head of the Feng Earth Tower.
"How dare you undermine the Feng Earth Tower," Tianlei said through clenched teeth as he stood, chest heaving.
The three rose together, fury blazing.
"You're seeking death," the man who'd been hit barked.
"It's just a child," the woman said coldly. "How dare you insult Feng disciples? Are you stupid?"
Tianlei laughed softly.
"I can't believe you morons belong to the Feng family and still dare speak ill of the Feng Earth Tower. Die."
His Phantom Needle Gun appeared in his hand. He pulled the trigger three times and three needles shot forward towards the trio .
The first man slashed one aside with his knife, but the other two pierced his shoulders. He dropped to his knees, coughing blood.
The Phantom Needle Gun fired needles imbued with electrifying energy. Their tips were sharp enough to pierce iron under a hundred kilograms of force , deadlier than even the Feather Lady's arrows.
The remaining two released their killing intent which instantly shattered almost every glass under the pressure.
"Kid—die!"
A two-meter rod appeared in the other man's hand. He launched himself forward, swinging it as though it weighed nothing.
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Then a golden arrow with small wings struck him mid-attack, blasting him backward like a projectile into the table.
Even powerful cultivators weren't spared when caught off guard.
Tianlei tightened his grip on the gun. A golden light flared on his forehead, forming a glowing tattoo identical to the one on their shoulders. It pulsed like a living heart, radiating spiritual pressure.
The woman gasped.
"You… you're a core member of the Feng family."
She dropped to one knee immediately, bowing her head.
"My apologies."
The other two followed, kneeling as soon as they noticed the mark.
"Our apologies."
The Feather Lady stared, stunned. She hadn't even noticed the tattoo before it vanished.
Tianlei's roommate stood frozen, equally shaken. All around the food in the bowls shattered on the ground , that was a big loss to the business .
"Explain," Tianlei said calmly. "What's happening with the leader?"
The woman lifted her head.
"The situation of the Feng Earth Tower is dire."
"Take me there. Now."
She nodded. As the only unharmed one, she was fit to lead.
"Brother Tianlei, I'm coming with you," the Feather Lady said, stepping closer.
"This is a family matter," Tianlei said quietly. "I'm not sure it's appropriate."
"Then I'll pretend to be your girlfriend."
Tianlei searched for a response and found none. He nodded in agreement .
The woman gestured for them to follow. As they passed, the other two bowed deeply.
"Make sure you pay for the damages," Tianlei said softly. It sounded like an order.
They reached the roadside, where a black car waited. The woman opened the doors for them.
She took the front seat and switched on the engine , the wheels shifted. With a roar like igniting rockets, the car lifted slightly before surging forward.
"I hope Grandfather is alright," Tianlei muttered.
"He's fine," the woman replied. "He fought the fourth cousin and his people . It nearly escalated, but turned into a discussion.
Most elders support him, but others oppose him since he isn't the official leader."
"So the Feng Heavenly Sky Mansion is exploiting that," Tianlei said.
She nodded.
"Curse that brat."
"You know this fourth cousin?" the Feather Lady asked.
"Yes. He's my age but twenty times stronger. One of the greatest talents the Feng family has seen in generations. His arrogance matches his strength."
The Feather Lady sighed.
"Hmph. Your family is just like mine. People nowadays don't care about family or blood anymore . The only things they know are power and money even if it takes killing their own family members."