Upon hearing Shopkeeper Liu say the other party had really ordered the entire menu, Yu Shaoqing was completely dumbfounded.
Just who was in the Heaven Class Room One? Who else could possess this kind of financial power? The Pure Yang Sect? But the three Pure Yang Sect disciples were right behind him as his invited guests. The Mysterious Yin Sect? Those three disciples were also behind him. The Immortal Dao Merchant Association? Ling Ruoxue had already agreed to meet him and said she would arrive shortly. Just who could it be?
Yu Shaoqing racked his brains, yet he still could not fathom who else might have the wealth to order the entire menu in one go.
"Could it be the Tianyuan Sect? Or perhaps Tianyi City?"
Yu Shaoqing considered every possibility, narrowing it down to these two forces. He had originally intended to invite the Tianyuan Sect, but their Sect Leader stated the disciples were away. As for the representative from Tianyi City, their reputation left much to be desired, so he had chosen not to approach them.
Even so, he failed to see the point of spending such a staggering sum of Spirit Stones on a single meal.
"Young Master Yu, weren't we going to dine? Why are you lingering out here?"
Ascending to the fifth floor, Ling Ruoxue noticed everyone gathered in the corridor and asked with mild curiosity.
Yu Shaoqing had originally planned to invite the three participating disciples of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, but Ling Ruoxue had informed him they were occupied and unavailable. Settling for the next best option, Yu Shaoqing had invited Ling Ruoxue instead, and she accepted out of courtesy to avoid flatly rebuffing him.
After attending to some routine matters, Ling Ruoxue had hurried over, only to find the entire group stalled in the hallway, prompting her question.
"Ah, Miss Ling has arrived. It is nothing, we shall be seated shortly."
Seeing that Ling Ruoxue had appeared, Yu Shaoqing had no choice but to brace himself and press forward.
"Shopkeeper Liu, I will cover the bill for Heaven Class Room One. Go and ask them to cede the room."
At this juncture, there was no turning back. For the sake of his face, he would stomach the cost.
"Well, Young City Lord, I ought to consult the other guest's wishes first. Since the Young City Lord is settling the tab, I presume he will agree to yield the room. Please wait a moment."
Shopkeeper Liu found himself caught in an impossible dilemma. He had not anticipated that the Young City Lord would genuinely offer to pay, and now he had to smooth things over with Qin Xiao, as he could afford to offend neither party.
"I would like to see who is so audacious as to have my bill paid for me."
Before Shopkeeper Liu could step toward the entrance, Qin Xiao pushed the door open and strode out. Having heard everything through the unshielded room, he was visibly displeased. Asking him to surrender his private room? What an absurd notion.
"Qin Xiao?"
"Qin Xiao?"
"Qin Xiao?"
Three voices rang out in unison at the sight of Qin Xiao emerging from the room.
The speakers were none other than Ling Ruoxue, Cang Xing, and Su Lin.
"Oh, it is you all. What a remarkable coincidence to cross paths while dining. Come, come inside."
Recognizing familiar faces, Qin Xiao immediately set aside his irritation.
"You are?"
Yu Shaoqing had paid little attention to Qin Xiao, seeing as the Tianyuan Sect was located quite a distance away. The only names he recognized were Lin Shimeng and Yao Kaidong. Moreover, having spent the past few months in Secluded Cultivation to prepare for the upcoming competition, his information network was somewhat outdated.
"Brother Yu, allow me to make introductions. This is Qin Xiao of the Tianyuan Sect, one of their designated disciple representatives for the tournament. Brother Qin, this is Yu Shaoqing, the only son of City Lord Yu of Pure Yang City."
Noticing the two were unacquainted, Cang Xing of the Tianyuan Sect stepped forward to bridge the gap.
"Ah, so a disciple of the Tianyuan Sect. Perfect timing; I sought you out earlier, but Sect Leader Lin mentioned you were away from the estate. Since we have crossed paths here, let us dine together. My treat, of course."
Although Yu Shaoqing tended to be arrogant under ordinary circumstances, the influx of various factions for the upcoming Spirit Medicine Valley quota competition had prompted him to adopt a more subdued demeanor. Above all, maintaining amicable ties took precedence.
"Young City Lord, your hospitality is appreciated. However, since I have already placed the order, how could I let you pay? I shall treat. Furthermore, I have ordered quite a substantial amount, which will be more than enough for everyone. Come in."
Qin Xiao flatly declined Yu Shaoqing's offer, primarily because he intended to pack up the leftovers afterward. If he were to pack ten full menus, the cost would exceed a million Spirit Stones-an expense that might test even the Young City Lord's composure. It was safer to foot the bill himself.
"Enough, let us dispense with the courtesy. Young Master Yu, trust me and let him pay. He is remarkably wealthy."
Seeing the two men exchanging polite refusals, Ling Ruoxue intervened, advising Yu Shaoqing not to insist before walking straight into the private room.
"Since Miss Ling has spoken thus, I shall not refuse further."
Yu Shaoqing had initially intended to press the matter, but yielded once Ling Ruoxue gave her word.
Moments later, the eleven representatives spanning five major factions were fully assembled-the very five powers that traditionally secured entry into Spirit Medicine Valley.
Following a round of introductions, Qin Xiao became acquainted with his rivals for the upcoming tournament. The quiet, taciturn youth was Gong Yuankui, the new generation Senior Brother of the Pure Yang Sect. The young man bearing a striking resemblance to Cang Xing was his younger brother, Cang Chen. Su Lin and the pair of striking sisters belonged to the Mysterious Yin Sect: the older sister was Luo Yunbing, and the younger sister was Luo Yunshuang.
Upon making further inquiries, Qin Xiao learned that all six disciples from these two rival sects possessed Heavenly Spirit Roots. The revelation left him inwardly salivating; if he could manage to take all six as disciples, his prospects would soar instantly.
"Brother Qin, why are you staring at us in such a manner?"
Noticing the peculiar gleam in Qin Xiao's eyes, Cang Xing asked with some hesitation.
"Ah, it is nothing. It is simply my first time beholding so many Heavenly Spirit Root prodigies, so I am somewhat envious."
Realizing he had momentarily betrayed his thoughts, Qin Xiao offered a hasty explanation.
"Pardon my forwardness, but... have any of you ever entertained the thought of changing masters?"
Even as the words left his mouth, Qin Xiao wondered what compelled him to ask, yet he found himself unable to resist.
"Qin Xiao, that is remarkably forward. Who on earth asks such a question out of nowhere?"
Ling Ruoxue was left entirely speechless by his audacity.
"Ah, I was merely jesting to liven the conversation."
Qin Xiao acknowledged that he had crossed into indiscretion.
"Oh? Little brother, are you trying to trick this elder sister into joining the Tianyuan Sect?"
Luo Yunshuang cast a flirtatious glance toward Qin Xiao with a teasing smile.
"Junior Sister, do not be impudent."
Luo Yunbing immediately checked her sister's behavior.
"Remarkable, the sisters possess completely opposite temperaments-the elder is cold and laconic, while the younger is lively and alluring. Their personalities bear no resemblance to their names whatsoever."
Observing the twins, Qin Xiao silently formulated his impressions.
"Haha, my Junior Sister merely enjoys a joke. Do take no offense, Brother Qin."
Noticing the sudden awkwardness, Su Lin hastened to smooth things over.
"Not at all, not at all. I rather admire Senior Sister's disposition."
Qin Xiao laughed it off with a casual wave.
"Master, are you being somewhat too greedy? You already have the two of us as disciples, yet you still eye outsiders?"
Yun Man remarked with evident dissatisfaction.
"Indeed, Master, what is the meaning of this? Could it be that you are already weary of us?"
Lin Shimeng chimed in quickly.
"What? What is happening here?"
Everyone present stared in absolute bewilderment. They had assumed Qin Xiao and the two women were simply fellow sect juniors, especially since Lin Shimeng was the Sect Leader's daughter and senior in age to Qin Xiao. Yet by her own words, she regarded Qin Xiao as her master?
While Yun Man acknowledging him as master was plausible given her youth, Lin Shimeng addressing him in the same manner defied common sense.
Among the entire assemblage, only Ling Ruoxue was privy to this dynamic; the rest found the notion utterly incomprehensible.
"Qin Xiao, what on earth is going on? Are both of them truly your disciples?"
Cang Xing asked with unconcealed astonishment.
Sensing that the atmosphere had reached its peak, Qin Xiao made his decision.
"Very well, since the secret is out, I will no longer keep up pretenses. I lay the cards on the table: both of them are indeed my disciples, and our trio shall represent our sect in the upcoming tournament."