Moon Diner

"Six days!" Tang Zhi exclaimed in surprise. Although he was exhausted, he didn't expect to sleep for six days.

"It's normal for your body to go into rest mode when you clear your dantian of impurities," Gu Yufeng explained. "But now you'll never get exhausted from normal activities, and sleep won't be a problem either."

"Where's Li Xin? I haven't seen her in a while," Tang Zhi asked.

"A week after Brother Peng took you away, Brother Chang and Brother Peng asked her if she would like to go on a mission. Unfortunately, I couldn't go since I was still comprehending the Moonlight Supreme," Gu Yufeng explained.

"What's the mission about? Is it hunting cosmic beasts?" Tang Zhi asked, already planning to hunt some cosmic beasts once he learned to fight and acquired some good martial techniques.

"It's to help defend a merchant who's been having problems with other competitors. It's likely going to take a year, possibly two, before they return," Gu Yufeng explained with a sigh, still regretting that he couldn't go.

"One to two years! That can't be a good decision to make. You'll lose out on a lot of time for cultivation," Tang Zhi said, beginning to pity Li Xin.

Gu Yufeng shook his head solemnly. "That's not entirely accurate. During the mission, they'll spend most of their time cultivating, only intervening to protect the merchant or engage in discussions. Moreover, the mission offers a reward of 10,000 sect points." Gu Yufeng's regret over not being able to participate deepened further.

Tang Zhi's eyes widened in shock. Even some of the most challenging missions only awarded hundreds of sect points. Ten thousand points would enable anyone to acquire some of the best treasures for cultivation that the sect had to offer.

Both Tang Zhi and Gu Yufeng remained in silence, acutely aware that they had missed out on a significant opportunity to gain power, particularly Tang Zhi.

"By the way, three girls came here a few days ago asking for you. I said you were busy, and they left me their room number," Gu Yufeng said, handing Tang Zhi the paper with the room number.

Gu Yufeng leaned in closer to Tang Zhi with a mischievous smile and whispered, "You should give me at least one. Share some with your brother here."

Tang Zhi backed away slightly. "It's not like that. I promised them I would go and have a meal with them, nothing more."

Gu Yufeng sighed, contemplating how he would handle the situation if he were Tang Zhi. He thought he wouldn't just have a meal with them; he'd take them straight to their room.

***

Outside the sect, ten disciples of the Moon Palace Sect stood guard around a merchant as he sold valuable items.

Three Inner Court disciples surrounded an otherworldly beauty, attempting to ingratiate themselves with her.

"Junior Sister Li is undoubtedly a top genius of our generation!"

"You've managed to reach the Mortal Qi Realm in just one year!"

"In a year or two, you'll already be an Inner Court disciple! Such talent will surely be renowned throughout history!"

Li Xin was growing annoyed by the constant flattery from these men. She had grown accustomed to people trying to curry favor with her due to her family background, and she had learned that the best way to deal with them was to be direct.

"Get out of my sight," she said, her narrowed gaze sending shivers down their spines.

They bowed. "We apologize if we overstepped," they said before leaving.

Yin Peng commented, "Those prideful Inner Court disciples have no shame," as he approached Li Xin.

"Watch what you say; they are still your junior brothers," Chang An sighed.

"Those bastards don't even consider us as brothers. They think we're trash who don't deserve to be in the sect," Yin Peng said with frustration.

Chang An shook his head, knowing Yin Peng would never listen to him.

"It must feel great being born into the Ancient Family. Just a few words from you were enough to make those prideful bastards apologize, despite their higher cultivation base," Yin Peng couldn't help but envy people like Li Xin.

Talented, powerful backing, and an easy life—what's not to envy?

Chang An noticed Li Xin trembling after Yin Peng's comment, her lips pressed together tightly as she clenched her fists with great force.

"Excuse me, Senior Brothers. I'm suddenly feeling very tired," Li Xin said as she entered the merchant's home.

Chang An slapped Yin Peng on the back of the head. "Idiot," he muttered.

***

Standing before the room number written on the paper, Tang Zhi knocked on the door.

"I'll be there in a second!" came the voice from inside.

A few seconds later, the youngest of the three girls opened the door, her face lighting up upon seeing Tang Zhi.

"Zhi!" she exclaimed, prompting the other two girls to rush to the door.

"I'm sorry I couldn't join you three for a meal earlier. I was caught up with something," he said, bowing apologetically.

They panicked after seeing Tang Zhi bow before them. "No, no! It's fine, Zhi! We understand. As disciples, we're busy a lot!"

"Y-Yeah, so you don't have to apologize!"

"My mom would scold me if I didn't apologize after making a mistake," he said sincerely.

"You have a wonderful mother!" the youngest replied warmly.

"Thank you," he said.

After they got ready, they led Tang Zhi to the Moon Diner, the sole dining place in the outer sect area.

As they settled at their table, Tang Zhi inquired, "I realized I never got the chance to learn your names."

"I'm Ye Meihua, 18 years old, the youngest. You can call me Mei," she introduced herself.

"I'm Yueqing, 20 years old, the eldest," said the second girl.

"And I'm Yan Rui, 19 years old. You can call me Rui," the third girl added.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Tang Zhi responded politely.

A few seconds later, an outer court disciple approached them as their waiter. Upon noticing Tang Zhi dining with three beautiful women, he muttered, "Handsome bastard."

He handed them menus. "I'll be back in a few minutes to take your order," he said before leaving.

Tang Zhi perused the menu, his mouth watering at the array of delicious dishes offered. Just one dish here contained more food than he would typically eat in a week back home.