Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 268: Enjoying Delicious Food

After arriving at the Ten Thousand Treasures Market and taking a brief rest, Qin Lu and his group headed out with a singular goal: dinner.

To truly experience a new city, one had to taste its local delicacies. Without that, the journey was incomplete. Moreover, the Ten Thousand Treasures Market was far more prosperous than the White Jade Market. A hub of this scale was bound to be a convergence point for culinary masterpieces, and Qin Lu intended to try them all.

Strolling down the market’s main thoroughfare, Qin Lu felt a rare sense of ease.

This trip was vastly different from his solitary, high-stakes dash to Shuntian City. The pressure of imminent war was gone. With Gu Can and the disciples by his side, he felt like a tourist on a holiday with friends, reclaiming a bit of the joy he hadn’t felt in years.

The street was lined with a dazzling array of merchants. There were exquisite little stalls displaying trinkets, established storefronts with elegant plaques and couplets, and massive commercial halls with gold-lettered signboards.

Beyond the standard cultivation resources, the air was thick with the scent of commerce. Vendors hawked pastries, exotic melons, and spirit fruits, while others displayed specialty utensils from every corner of the Flowing Cloud Prefecture.

It was a melting pot of culture and wealth. Of course, the occasional heated argument over prices served as a reminder that this was still a cultivation market, not a paradise.

As they walked, they asked around for recommendations. The consensus was unanimous: there was a legendary noodle shop nearby.

Rumor had it that the shop specialized in beef noodles, the taste was divine, and—most shockingly—the shopkeeper was a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage.

Intrigued by the absurdity of a near-Golden Core expert slinging noodles, Qin Lu led his group toward the location.

They found the shop tucked away in a corner, though “tucked away” was perhaps the wrong phrase. The establishment was massive, occupying the space of seven or eight standard storefronts combined. Laughter and clinking bowls drifted out from within, giving it the lively atmosphere of a grand banquet hall.

What surprised them most was the scene outside.

A long line of cultivators snaked out the door. But unlike the chaotic jostling typical of marketplaces, this queue was eerily quiet and orderly. Foundation Establishment Seniors stood patiently alongside Qi Condensation juniors, no one daring to cut in line.

“Oho,” Gu Can stroked his chin, eyes twinkling with interest. “Why is everyone so well-behaved here?”

Qin Lu glanced through the open doors at the main hall. “If the man sitting at the counter is really at Foundation Establishment Perfection, I doubt anyone has the courage to cause a scene.”

His spiritual perception confirmed the rumors. The young man behind the counter, dressed like a scholar, was radiating the subtle but terrifying pressure of the Perfection stage.

A cultivator just one step away from the Golden Core realm was a heavyweight anywhere, even in a major hub like the Ten Thousand Treasures Market. For such a powerhouse to be running a restaurant… no wonder the patrons were as meek as lambs.

Qin Lu signaled his group to fall in line. They stood at the back, waiting patiently like everyone else.

Looking at the winding queue, Cao Mo whispered, “This place is on fire. I’ve never seen a restaurant this busy.”

“It proves the food must be extraordinary,” Wu Zhengtian replied with a smile. “Cultivators don’t line up for garbage.”

“Beef noodles…” Feng Xi’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. She licked her lips. “Lord, it’s been so long since I’ve had beef noodles. Can I order two bowls?”

“Hahaha!” Qin Lu laughed. “No problem. You can eat ten bowls if you can fit them.”

Gu Can leaned in, a teasing grin on his face. “Careful, Little Xi. Aren’t you worried about getting fat?”

“Ah?” Feng Xi blinked, genuinely concerned. “Will I get fat from just a little bit?”

“Definitely,” Gu Can nodded with mock seriousness. “Especially with spirit food. If the noodles are rich in Spiritual Qi, one meal goes straight to the hips. You’ll never slim down.”

Smack!

Qin Lu lightly slapped the back of Gu Can’s head. “Stop scaring her. Little Xi, ignore him. Eat as much as you like.”

“Mm!” Feng Xi beamed, nodding vigorously.

…

Amidst their banter, the line moved surprisingly fast. Soon, it was their turn.

They entered the bustling hall and found an empty Eight Immortals table in the corner. Moments later, a young cultivator dressed as a waiter approached them with a towel draped over his shoulder.

“Honored guests, what can I get for you today?”

Qin Lu glanced at the wooden menu plaques hanging behind the counter. “I heard your beef noodles are the talk of the town. What makes them so special?”

The waiter puffed out his chest, his face lighting up with professional pride. “You’ve come to the right place! Our signature dish is the Double Pepper Beef Ramen!”

He launched into his pitch. “We use our own spirit-cultivated red and green peppers, paired with exquisite slices of meat from the Tier-2 Late Stage [Green Harmony Ox]. The noodles are hand-pulled by our Shopkeeper himself, served in a secret broth simmered for forty-nine hours. It combines the five perfections: One Clear (broth), Two White (radish), Three Red (chili oil), Four Green (cilantro), and Five Yellow (noodles)!”

The description alone was enough to make Cao Mo and the others gulp audibly.

Qin Lu laughed. “Sold. Bring us six bowls of your signature noodles.”

“Coming right up! Please wait a moment!”

The waiter hurried off toward the kitchen.

While they waited, the group continued to chat, soaking in the atmosphere.

“Sect Master…” Cao Mo leaned in, lowering his voice as he glanced toward the counter. “Are you saying that scholar over there is really at the Perfection stage?”

“Yes.” Qin Lu sipped his tea, his gaze fleetingly sweeping over the scholar.

“Tsk, tsk. To have that kind of cultivation and spend your days watching a shop… it’s unheard of,” Cao Mo marveled.

In his worldview, a Foundation Establishment Senior was a god-like figure. Someone at the Perfection stage was practically a legend. To find such a person doing mundane work shattered his understanding of the cultivation hierarchy.

It didn’t make sense.

But before Cao Mo could speculate further on the scholar’s eccentricities, the food arrived.

“Here we go! Six bowls of Double Pepper Beef Ramen! Enjoy, honored guests!”

The bowls were placed on the table, steam rising in thick, aromatic clouds.

Whatever spices they used, the scent was magical. It wasn’t just the smell of meat and wheat; it was a fragrance that hooked directly into the soul, triggering a primal hunger.

“Dig in,” Qin Lu said, picking up his chopsticks. “Let’s see if the taste matches the reputation.”

“Yes!”

The group didn’t need telling twice. They dove in.

“Woh!”

Cao Mo took the first bite and immediately yelped, fanning his open mouth with his hand. “Hot! But… wow! That is delicious!”

“Mmm,” Gu Can nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “Incredible. Every strand of noodle retains the Spiritual Qi. The texture is perfect—chewy but yielding. You can tell a master exerted force to pull these.”

Qin Lu took a bite. The flavors exploded in his mouth—the numbing spice of the peppers, the rich umami of the ox meat, and the springy texture of the noodles. “Indeed. The control required to pull noodles like this… it really is the handiwork of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It has a unique ‘dao’ to it.”

Satisfied that the meal lived up to the hype, the five of them stopped talking and focused entirely on the bowls in front of them, slurping happily.

…

“Everyone, listen up!”

Just as Qin Lu and his four disciples were digging into their meal, a booming, hearty voice echoed from the center of the shop, cutting through the din of slurping noodles.

The sudden shout drew the attention of nearly every cultivator in the hall. Qin Lu paused, chopsticks in hand, and glanced over with the rest.

Standing in the middle of the room was a middle-aged cultivator sporting a thin goatee. He stood deferentially beside a young man of considerable girth—a portly figure radiating arrogance and wealth.

“Today is the joyous birthday celebration of our Ren Family’s Young Master, Ren Longhu!” the goateed man announced, his voice projected with practiced flair. “In his immense generosity, Young Master Ren has declared that he will cover the bill for the entire house! Eat and drink to your hearts’ content—it’s all free!”

The announcement acted like a spark in a powder keg. The shop exploded into an uproar of excitement.

“Many thanks for Young Master Ren’s generosity!”

“Happy Birthday, Young Master Ren! May your path be smooth and your fortune boundless!”

“Truly grand! The Ren Family’s style is unmatched! Congratulations…”

Bathed in the chorus of sycophantic praise, Ren Longhu raised his hands, offering a lazy, satisfied wave to the left and right. His face was flushed with pride; he clearly reveled in being the center of attention.

At Qin Lu’s table, the mood was equally celebratory.

They hadn’t expected such luck. They had only stopped for a quick bowl of noodles, and now a local tycoon was picking up the tab.

While a bowl of noodles here only cost three or four Spirit Stones—a negligible sum for a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Qin Lu—saving money was a joy in itself. Free food always tasted better.

Cao Mo and the other two disciples were practically vibrating with excitement. They began shoveling noodles into their mouths with renewed urgency, clearly planning to order a few more bowls before the offer expired.

Qin Lu, however, had already shifted his attention away from the food. His gaze lingered on Ren Longhu.

After the fat young master finished his cursory wave to the crowd, he tilted his head toward a corner of the shop, cocking his brow with a smug, expectant smirk. He was peacocking.

Who is he trying to impress?

Qin Lu followed Ren Longhu’s line of sight to a square table tucked away in the corner.

Seated there were two people: an old man and a young woman. The man looked to be a kindly, unassuming elder, the type who blended into the background.

The woman beside him, however, was impossible to miss. She looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, yet her beauty was already striking. She wore a tight-fitting purple martial suit that clung to her frame, accentuating a curvaceous figure that was far too alluring for her age. She was a natural-born disaster—a “calamity water” that would inevitably drown anyone who got too close.

Judging by their demeanor, they were likely grandfather and granddaughter.

Ah. So that’s it. Qin Lu chuckled inwardly, shaking his head. He’s throwing money around to hunt for a mate. Flashy.

It was obvious Ren Longhu had bought out the shop solely to flaunt his wealth in front of the girl in purple.

Having deduced the situation, Qin Lu lost interest. It was none of his business. He withdrew his gaze and went back to his noodles, content to enjoy the free meal and the show from a distance.

The atmosphere in the hall had shifted from casual dining to a raucous party. Laughter and loud conversation filled the air as diners praised the Ren Family’s benevolence.

However, not everyone was singing praises. From the table directly adjacent to Qin Lu’s, hushed whispers drifted over.

“Hmph. The Ren Family Patriarch is a respectable figure in the Ten Thousand Treasures Market, a true formidable character. How did he spawn a bear like Ren Longhu? A complete waste of skin.”

“Heh! I’ve heard this kid is rotten to the core. He does whatever he wants, bullying the weak and seizing whatever catches his eye. Who knows what he’s plotting today…”

“I heard his biggest vice is lust. If he’s being this generous, he’s definitely hunting. Sigh… who knows how many innocent girls he’s ruined already?”

“Shh! Keep it down, do you want to die?”

Qin Lu’s hearing was exceptional. As a cultivator in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he picked up every syllable, no matter how low they pitched their voices.

Beside him, Gu Can had heard it too.

The young disciple’s grip on his chopsticks tightened, his eyes narrowing. He looked at Qin Lu, clearly itching to intervene.

Qin Lu met his gaze and gave a subtle, almost imperceptible shake of his head. Don’t meddle.

He then lowered his head and continued eating, deliberately tuning out the gossip. In a place like the Ten Thousand Treasures Market, unsolicited heroism was the fastest way to an early grave.

Bang!

A sharp slam echoed through the hall, shattering the festive mood.

The noise cut through the chatter, causing heads to turn. It had come from the corner table.

The girl in purple stood there, her hand still flat against the wood. Her willow-leaf brows were knit in fury, her eyes glaring daggers straight at Ren Longhu.

“What are you staring at—!”

Before she could unleash her tirade, the kindly old man grabbed her arm, pulling her back down. He shook his head frantically, his eyes pleading with her to stay silent.

Seeing her grandfather’s fear, the girl let out a cold snort and turned her head away, breaking eye contact with the smirking Ren Longhu.

“Alright, alright…” the old man muttered, trying to soothe her. He then turned to the passing waiter and called out, “Young man, please tally the bill for this table. We’re leaving.”

“Coming, coming!”

The waiter, who had been bustling about with a towel over his shoulder, trotted over with a wide grin. “Old Sir, didn’t you hear? Young Master Ren is treating the whole house today! All expenses are covered. You don’t need to pay a single spirit stone!”

“Hmph!”

The girl in purple cut in, her voice icy. “I don’t know any Young Master Ren or Young Master Xu. We aren’t kin, and we aren’t friends. Why should he treat us? I don’t want his charity. Stop wasting time and calculate the bill!”

“This…” The waiter froze, his smile faltering. He stammered, unsure how to handle a customer refusing free food.

Before he could speak, movement stirred at the center table. The goateed man stood up.

He held a walking stick in one hand, tapping it rhythmically against the floor as he sauntered over to the corner table. With a casual flick of the stick, he shoved the waiter aside and sat down uninvited on the bench opposite the grandfather and granddaughter.

He leaned forward, a greasy smile stretching across his face.

“Hey now, beautiful. Are you refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit?”

The old man’s face paled. He quickly clasped his hands together. “Fellow Daoist, please don’t misunderstand. It is simply that one should not accept rewards without merit. We truly have no relation to your master, so we cannot accept…”

“Hey, hey!” The goateed man waved a hand dismissively, laughing. “You want a relation? That’s easy! Just have your granddaughter marry our Young Master. Boom—we’re all one big happy family! Problem solved, right?”

“Bullshit!”

The girl slammed the table again, shooting to her feet. “Watch your mouth!”

“Yaoyao!”

The old man leaped up, blocking her path and forcing her back into her seat. He turned to the goatee man, his posture hunching further in submission.

“My apologies, truly. Our humble family is not worthy of such a high status. We wouldn’t dare climb the social ladder so brazenly. Besides… my granddaughter already has a fiancé…”

“Ah?”

Across the room, Ren Longhu’s face fell. The anticipation drained away, replaced by a dark, sullen gloom.

The goateed man, however, didn’t even blink. He kept smiling, his eyes crinkling with malice.

“The flower has an owner? That doesn’t matter.” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial, slimy whisper. “Our Young Master just wants to borrow her for a few days. It’s not like she’s made of glass—a little use won’t break her. She’ll be returned in one piece.”

“You…!”

The girl snapped.

She couldn’t hold it back any longer. With a roar of fury, she grabbed a plate of leftover noodles and sauce from the table and smashed it directly into the goateed man’s face.

Smash!

Oily broth and limp vegetables exploded outward. The man sat there, stunned, brown sauce dripping from his chin. A single strip of green vegetable hung pathetically from his goatee.

The entire noodle shop plunged into a deathly silence.

Everyone froze. The Ren Family was a local tyrant, a powerhouse in the Ten Thousand Treasures Market. For this girl to humiliate Ren Longhu’s man in public… she had just signed her own death warrant. The retaliation would be brutal.

The tension in the air was thick enough to choke on.

And then, in the dead silence, a laugh rang out.

“Hahaha! Impressive!”