Lin Feng and Su Wanwan walked out of the forest path and soon passed beyond the outer perimeter of the academy.
They did not need to walk far before a grand building came into view.
Golden pillars carved with ancient runes stood at the entrance, while a large signboard made of refined moonwood hung above the doors, glowing faintly with golden light.
Written upon it were four majestic characters:
Golden Cicada Kitchen.
This was one of the most expensive and prestigious restaurants in Clear Moon City.
Only wealthy clans or important figures dared to dine here regularly.
Lin Feng slowed his steps.
This place was unfamiliar to him.
In fact, it was his first time ever stepping into such an establishment.
Whether in this life or in the memories of the original Lin Feng, he had always been dirt-poor.
Restaurants like this were places he could only glance at from afar before turning away.
But today was different.
He pushed open the door, and warm light spilled out to greet them.
Inside, the restaurant was elegant and spacious.
Spiritual lanterns floated gently near the ceiling, and the sound of flowing water echoed softly from somewhere within.
The aroma of spirit herbs, roasted meat, and refined sauces instantly filled the air, making one's stomach growl unconsciously.
"Welcome to the Golden Cicada Kitchen!"
A beautiful waitress approached them with a practiced smile.
Her posture was graceful, and her cultivation was not low either.
When her gaze fell upon Lin Feng, her eyes narrowed slightly in recognition.
His name had been circulating around the academy recently, after all.
Still, she quickly concealed her surprise and bowed politely.
"A table for two, Master?"
"Yes," Lin Feng replied calmly. "And I want to taste all of your most delicious specialties. My student and I could eat an entire dragon if you let us."
He smiled as he spoke, half in jest.
The waitress was momentarily stunned before letting out a soft laugh. "Please follow me."
However, Su Wanwan beside him tugged nervously at his sleeve.
Her small hands clenched tightly, and her eyes darted around the luxurious interior, clearly overwhelmed.
"Teacher…" she whispered in a small voice, leaning closer so no one else could hear.
"Wanwan doesn't have any money. Wanwan only has one copper coin."
She opened her tiny palm, revealing a single worn coin resting there.
"Wanwan is scared to eat here…"
Lin Feng stopped and crouched down in front of her so they were at eye level.
Seeing her anxious expression, his heart softened.
He gently closed her fingers around the coin and smiled.
"It's my treat, Wanwan. You don't need to worry about money at all," he said warmly. "Just eat to your heart's content."
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"And next time," he continued, ruffling her hair lightly, "we'll bring your mother here too, so she can taste their delicious food as well."
Su Wanwan froze for a moment before her lips slowly curved into a shy smile.
The worry in her eyes faded, replaced by anticipation and quiet happiness.
"Really…?" she asked softly.
"Really," Lin Feng replied.
They followed the waitress deeper into the restaurant, unaware that this simple meal would become a memory Su Wanwan would treasure for the rest of her life.
The dishes were brought out one after another, until the entire table was filled to the brim.
Crystal plates carved with dazzling patterns glimmered faintly under the lantern light, each holding a different delicacy.
There were roasted spirit-beast meats glazed in golden sauce, tender slices of meat simmered with rare herbs, fragrant rice that shimmered with spiritual energy, and soups so clear and rich that one could smell their depth before even tasting them.
The air was thick with aroma.
Lin Feng picked up his chopsticks and gave a small nod. "Go ahead."
Su Wanwan stared at the table for a moment, stunned.
She had never seen so much food in her life.
Even during festivals, her home table had never looked like this.
Carefully, almost reverently, she picked up a piece of meat and placed it into her mouth.
The moment she bit down, her entire body stiffened.
"Teacher Lin Feng!" she cried out, eyes widening in disbelief. "This meat is the best! Wanwan loves it so much!"
She chewed slowly, afraid the taste might disappear if she rushed.
Her small shoulders trembled slightly as she swallowed.
"It's so tender and soft," she said again, her voice shaking with excitement, "it feels like it's melting in Wanwan's mouth!"
She quickly reached for another dish, then another. Every bite brought a new burst of joy.
She praised each plate without stopping, her words tumbling over each other as her chopsticks moved clumsily but eagerly.
For a child who had grown up counting grains of rice and saving food for later, this feast felt unreal.
Before she noticed, warm tears slipped down her thin cheeks.
She didn't wipe them away.
She kept eating, smiling as the tears fell, afraid that if she paused, everything in front of her would vanish like a dream.
Lin Feng watched silently from across the table.
A sharp ache pierced his chest.
His eyes grew hot, and he quickly lowered his head, lifting his cup to hide his expression.
He smiled, but the smile was strained.
He had seen poverty before, but seeing it reflected so clearly in a child's joy was something else entirely.
"Eat more, Wanwan," he said after a moment, keeping his voice steady. "Don't rush. We have time."
She nodded, chewing obediently, though her hands trembled slightly.
After several minutes, her movements slowed. Her breathing became softer, and she finally placed her chopsticks gently on the edge of the table.
"Teacher?" she called quietly.
"Hm?" Lin Feng replied, still chewing, though he had stopped tasting the food long ago.
Su Wanwan fidgeted with her fingers.
She hesitated, biting her lip, as if weighing something very important in her heart. Then she lifted her head.
Her eyes were shining.
"Can Wanwan… take takeouts for Mama?" she asked softly.
There was no greed in her gaze. Only hope.
Lin Feng froze.
For a brief second, the bustling restaurant around him faded away.
Then he laughed quietly, a warm sound filled with gentleness.
"Of course," he said without the slightest hesitation. "Order anything you want. I'll buy it all for your mother."
Her eyes widened even further.
"Really?"
"Really," Lin Feng nodded. "As much as you want."
Tears welled up again, but this time they were brighter.
She nodded again and again, her small head bobbing eagerly.
"Now eat," Lin Feng added, smiling genuinely this time. "If you don't finish, how will you have the strength to choose food for your mother?"
Su Wanwan picked up her chopsticks once more, eating even more seriously than before, as though each bite carried responsibility.
Watching her, Lin Feng leaned back slightly in his seat. In that moment, he understood something clearly…
The innocence of a child, untouched by greed and filled only with love, was more precious than any treasure in the cultivation world.
They remained seated for a while longer, finishing the last of the dishes at an unhurried pace.
Su Wanwan ate carefully now, savoring each bite as if she wanted to remember the taste forever.
When she was finally full, she leaned back slightly, her small hands resting on her stomach, a look of pure satisfaction on her face.
Lin Feng waved the waitress over.
"We'll take these for takeout," he said calmly, pointing to several of the dishes Su Wanwan had liked the most. "Pack them carefully."
"Of course, Master," the waitress replied promptly.
When she returned with the bill, she couldn't help but glance at Lin Feng again.
She watched closely as he took out the money and paid in full without any hesitation.
There was no reluctance, no awkward pause… only calm familiarity.
Her surprise deepened when she saw the amount he left behind as a tip.
That's… far too much.
Most guests who dined here were rich, yet few were this generous.
Her fingers tightened slightly as she accepted it, her expression flickering for just a moment before returning to a polite smile.
"Thank you for dining at the Golden Cicada Kitchen," she said sincerely, bowing slightly.
As Lin Feng rose to his feet and took the packed food, storing it within the infinite soul space inside his body, the waitress watched him quietly as he walked away.
Her eyes followed his back until he disappeared beyond the doorway.
"Teacher Lin Feng…" she whispered under her breath.
The name felt unfamiliar, yet oddly memorable.
"So the rumors around him seem to be faulty," she thought. "Interesting."
She filed that name away carefully in her mind. In a place like Clear Moon City, someone who could spend freely yet remain so calm was never ordinary.
Outside, the late afternoon sun bathed the streets in warm light.
The noises of the restaurant faded behind them as Lin Feng and Su Wanwan stepped back into the flow of the city.
"Teacher," she said softly, "Mama will be very happy."
Lin Feng nodded. "She will."
They didn't linger in the city streets for long. Turning onto a quieter path, Lin Feng adjusted their direction, his expression gradually growing more serious.
Their next destination awaited.
Before the day was over, they still had someone important to meet.
Together, Lin Feng and Su Wanwan headed toward the academy once more… this time, to find Teacher Wu Haoxuan.