The streets of Lotus City remained lively despite the late hour.
Rows of lanterns illuminated the roads with a warm, golden glow, their light dancing across the stone-paved streets. The aroma of roasted meat, freshly baked pastries, and simmering soups drifted through the evening air, blending into the cheerful bustle of merchants, travelers, and cultivators alike.
Following Ling Yue's lead—
the siblings soon arrived before one of the busiest restaurants in the city.
An enormous wooden sign hung proudly above the entrance.
**Tasty Lotus.**
Ling Wei looked up at it.
Several moments passed.
Then he let out a quiet sigh.
"...Every time I see this name..."
Ling Yue glanced at him.
"...What?"
"I still think they could've come up with something better."
She tilted her head.
"I don't see the problem."
"I actually like it."
Ling Wei smiled helplessly.
"...That's because you don't question anything as long as food is involved."
"...That's true."
She answered without the slightest hint of embarrassment.
Ling Wei looked back at the sign.
"...And another thing."
"...Hm?"
"Why does every establishment in Lotus City have 'Lotus' somewhere in its name?"
He gestured toward the bustling street.
"Golden Lotus Pavilion."
"Lotus Tea House."
"Lotus Inn."
"Lotus Pharmacy."
"And..."
He pointed at the restaurant.
"...Tasty Lotus."
He rubbed his forehead.
"This one wasn't even trying."
A voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
"Why don't you go inside first instead of standing at the entrance insulting the owner's naming sense?"
The siblings turned around simultaneously.
A young man with bright yellow hair stood a few steps away, wearing his usual carefree grin.
Ling Yue blinked.
"...Chi Bai."
The young man smiled broadly.
"It really has been a while."
"It's good to see both of you again."
He walked over casually.
Looking between the siblings, he chuckled.
"You two really do spend a lot of time together."
He scratched the back of his head.
"If you weren't siblings..."
"I would've definitely misunderstood."
Ling Yue's eyes narrowed immediately.
"...Chi Bai."
He instinctively took half a step backward.
"...Sorry."
She folded her arms.
"You really can't control that mouth of yours."
Chi Bai laughed awkwardly.
"Come on."
"It didn't even get that far."
His gaze shifted toward Ling Wei.
Ling Wei simply looked back at him without saying a word.
Chi Bai sighed dramatically.
"...Traitor."
Ling Wei raised an eyebrow.
"How could I betray you..."
"...When we were never together to begin with?"
Chi Bai clutched his chest theatrically.
"...That hurts."
Ling Yue rolled her eyes.
"...You're hopeless."
A moment later—
Chi Bai burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright."
"I'll stop."
He waved both hands.
"As an apology..."
He pointed toward the restaurant entrance.
"...Tonight's meal is on me."
Ling Yue's eyes lit up instantly.
"...Really?"
Chi Bai nodded confidently.
"Really."
Ling Wei smiled faintly.
"You don't have to—"
"I insist."
Chi Bai interrupted without hesitation.
"It's been a long time since we last met."
"Besides..."
He looked toward Ling Yue.
"If I don't buy her dinner after that joke..."
"I have a feeling she'll hit me before dessert."
Ling Yue smiled sweetly.
"...Smart."
Chi Bai laughed nervously.
"I'd prefer to stay conscious."
Ling Wei shook his head with a quiet chuckle.
"...Then we'll gladly accept your generosity."
Chi Bai grinned.
"That's more like it."
He pushed open the restaurant doors.
"Come on."
"The food isn't going to eat itself."
The three of them stepped inside together.
The lively chatter of diners immediately greeted them.
The rich aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the air.
Hidden from everyone's sight—
the invisible white-scaled lizard remained quietly perched atop Ling Yue's head.
---
The interior of **Tasty Lotus** was bustling with conversation.
Steam rose from countless dishes being carried between tables.
The fragrance of grilled spirit beast meat, fresh vegetables, rich broths, and fragrant rice filled the spacious dining hall, making the already lively atmosphere even more inviting.
An attendant quickly approached and guided the three of them to an empty table beside a window.
"Please, have a seat."
They thanked her before taking their seats.
Ling Yue wasted no time reaching for the menu.
"...Brother."
"Hm?"
"I'm ordering first."
Ling Wei smiled helplessly.
"I expected as much."
Chi Bai laughed.
"I'm paying."
"So don't hold back."
Ling Yue immediately looked up.
"...You said that."
"I did."
"...You promise?"
Chi Bai nodded with absolute confidence.
"I promise."
Ling Yue smiled brightly.
"Perfect."
She immediately began pointing at the menu.
"I'll have this."
"And this."
"Oh..."
"And this too."
The attendant hurriedly wrote everything down.
Ling Wei glanced at the steadily growing list.
"...Yue."
She looked up innocently.
"...What?"
"...Are you planning to feed the entire restaurant?"
"I haven't eaten in a year."
"You haven't eaten in a day."
"...Details."
Chi Bai burst into laughter.
"I walked right into this."
A short while later—
their dishes began arriving one after another.
Large bowls of fragrant soup.
Roasted spirit beast meat.
Braised fish.
Fresh seasonal vegetables.
Steaming bowls of rice.
Soft steamed buns.
Several delicate desserts.
Before long—
the table was nearly overflowing with food.
Ling Yue looked genuinely happy.
"...This..."
"...This is what life should be."
Without another word—
she began eating.
Chi Bai watched with amusement.
"...She really was hungry."
Ling Wei nodded knowingly.
"...You have no idea."
For a while—
the three simply enjoyed their meal.
Only the occasional conversation interrupted the sounds of chopsticks, laughter, and clinking dishes.
Then—
Chi Bai suddenly remembered something.
"Oh."
"I almost forgot."
He looked toward the siblings.
"The entrance examination for the Cloud Sword Sect is coming soon."
Ling Wei nodded.
"We know."
Chi Bai smiled.
"I was recommended by my clan."
Ling Wei wasn't surprised in the slightest.
*Of course you were.*
*Youngest son of the Chi Clan Head...*
*And the only direct descendant possessing a spirit root.*
*If they didn't recommend him...*
*Who else would they recommend?*
Before Ling Wei could respond—
Ling Yue spoke first.
"We were recommended too."
Chi Bai blinked.
Then a broad grin spread across his face.
"Seriously?"
Ling Yue nodded.
"Mm."
"Both of us."
Chi Bai leaned back in his chair.
"...Well."
"Looks like your clan's higher-ups aren't complete bastards after all."
Ling Yue nearly choked on her tea.
"...Can you not say things like that so casually?"
"What?"
"I'm complimenting them."
"...That's not a compliment."
Chi Bai laughed.
"Fine, fine."
He picked up another piece of roasted spirit beast meat.
"Then that settles it."
"When it's time to leave..."
"We'll travel together."
Ling Wei looked up.
"Together?"
Chi Bai nodded.
"Of course."
"I'm already gathering everyone."
He began counting on his fingers.
"Gu Su."
"Duan Shen."
"Song Qin."
"They all received recommendations as well."
"I haven't heard from the others yet..."
"But I'm guessing they'll come anyway."
He shrugged.
"It's not like only recommended disciples are allowed to participate."
"A recommendation simply lets you skip a few preliminary procedures."
"The entrance examination itself is still open to everyone."
He smiled.
"The Cloud Sword Sect only accepts new disciples once every few years."
"An opportunity like that..."
"...No cultivator with confidence in themselves would willingly miss."
Ling Wei nodded thoughtfully.
"...That's true."
Ling Yue swallowed another bite before speaking.
"So..."
"It looks like we'll all be meeting again."
Chi Bai grinned.
"I was hoping for that."
"Traveling alone for an entire week sounds incredibly boring."
He pointed his chopsticks toward Ling Wei.
"Besides..."
"You two owe me some entertainment along the way."
Ling Yue snorted.
"...Entertainment?"
Chi Bai nodded shamelessly.
"You'll understand."
"I get bored easily."
Ling Wei and Ling Yue exchanged a glance.
Then—
they both sighed at exactly the same time.
Chi Bai laughed loudly.
"There it is!"
"That's exactly what I was talking about!"
The meal stretched well into the evening.
By the time the last dishes had been cleared away—
the restaurant had grown noticeably quieter.
Chi Bai settled the bill without complaint.
Although the expression on his face after seeing the final total made Ling Yue quietly suspect that he had briefly regretted his generosity.
The three stepped back onto the lantern-lit streets.
The cool night breeze was a welcome change after the warmth of the restaurant.
For a while—
they simply wandered through the lively streets together, chatting about trivial matters.
Occasionally, passing cultivators recognized them and offered polite greetings.
Then—
Chi Bai suddenly glanced toward the siblings.
"...Right."
"I've been meaning to ask."
Ling Wei looked over.
"Hm?"
"I've been hearing some strange rumors lately."
Ling Yue tilted her head.
"...Rumors?"
Chi Bai nodded.
"They say you two have been visiting the Golden Lotus Pavilion almost every day."
He looked between them curiously.
"...What's that about?"
A mischievous grin slowly spread across his face.
"Don't tell me..."
"...You suddenly struck it rich?"
Ling Yue immediately waved her hand.
"Nothing like that."
"We were just buying a few things."
"A few things?"
Chi Bai looked unconvinced.
"The rumors make it sound like the Pavilion knows you by name."
Ling Wei smiled faintly.
"We simply had a few matters to take care of."
Chi Bai studied their expressions for a moment.
"...Mysterious."
Ling Yue shrugged.
"Believe whatever you want."
Chi Bai laughed.
"Alright."
"I won't pry."
He raised both hands in surrender.
"Everyone has their secrets."
Above Ling Yue—
the invisible Lizarius remained perfectly still.
Golden eyes quietly observed the conversation.
Not a single fluctuation escaped his notice.
The three continued walking through the peaceful streets.
Eventually—
they arrived at a crossroads.
One road led toward the Chi Clan Estate.
The other toward the Ling Estate.
Chi Bai came to a stop.
"Looks like this is where we part ways."
Ling Wei cupped his fists politely.
"Thank you for the meal."
Ling Yue smiled.
"Next time..."
"I'll let you pay again."
Chi Bai nearly laughed himself breathless.
"I knew it."
"I should've never offered."
Ling Yue grinned innocently.
"But you did."
He pointed at her helplessly.
"...You're dangerous."
She smiled proudly.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Ling Wei shook his head with a quiet chuckle.
"We'll see you again before the journey."
Chi Bai nodded.
"Definitely."
"Nine days."
"Don't be late."
Ling Wei smiled.
"We won't."
Chi Bai waved as he turned away.
"Take care!"
"You too."
The yellow-haired young man gradually disappeared into the steady stream of pedestrians until he was no longer visible.
For a brief moment—
the siblings stood silently beneath the warm glow of the lanterns.
Then, without another word—
they turned toward the road leading back to the Ling Estate.
Their footsteps echoed softly against the stone pavement as they walked through the peaceful night.
Above Ling Yue—
the invisible white-scaled lizard rested quietly atop her head.
Watching.
Listening.
Thinking.
As always.