The beautiful view from the air while riding the winged horse made Yuan Fen feel very excited. This new experience became precious to this simple and orphaned young man. If not for the meeting with Manager Xu Bao, who managed and organized all the worker disciples in the Cloud Sword Sect, perhaps now he would have been reduced to begging.
Morning Star City was truly beautiful.
++++
Yi Zan ran around happily in the market area of Morning Star City. She stopped at stalls selling snacks and confectionery, then pulled Yuan Fen's hand to enter a women's clothing store.
Unfortunately, as a Cloud Sword Sect disciple, Yuan Fen had to wear the uniform of the sect's robes and could not adorn himself with any other clothing or accessories. Even so, Yi Zan still couldn't resist buying some female accessories, such as earrings, hair clips, rouge, lipstick, and powder.
Yuan Fen was astonished at Yi Zan's enthusiasm for various accessories and makeup tools. He didn't realize that girls liked to dress up and decorate themselves from such a young age, already understanding the concept of beauty that men would admire.
"Let's stop by to sample the delicious dishes at that fancy restaurant!" shouted Yi Zan after exiting the fashion store, setting her sights on a grand three-story building that was bustling with people.
Morning Star City was bustling that afternoon. Apart from the townspeople, there were also many Cloud Sword Sect disciples milling around in every corner of the city. It was obvious from their uniforms, which bore swords and clouds on their chests. Proudly wearing those uniforms, they felt respected by the people around them. Anyone who dared to disturb the Cloud Sword Sect, a major force in the Great Ying Empire, would definitely face severe consequences.
Yi Zan and Yuan Fen stepped inside the Noble Dish Restaurant. On the ground floor, the atmosphere was bustling with hundreds of people sitting and enjoying the dishes, creating a cacophony that echoed all around.
"Hmm... not to my taste. It's too crowded, I won't be able to enjoy my meal. Let's move to the second floor," Yi Zan said as she pulled Yuan Fen's hand, inviting him to go upstairs.
Yuan Fen looked hesitant, but without much consideration, he followed Yi Zan as she dragged him along. As they climbed up the stairs to the second floor, there were two servants standing guard. Yuan Fen's eyes glanced at them, identifying them as novice cultivators at the Mortal Realm (3rd Layer). Their abilities were enough to scare away any unruly customers who might cause trouble in the restaurant.
"Apologies, ladies and gentlemen... The second floor is reserved for cultivators..." The waiter couldn't continue when he saw the sword and cloud emblem on Yi Zan's chest.
"Please proceed to the second floor," said the waiter politely, gesturing for Yi Zan and Yuan Fen to ascend.
The scenery on the second floor was quieter than the ground floor. The atmosphere was not as crowded, as this place was reserved for cultivators. Payment on the second floor required Energy Stones, where 1 Energy Stone was equivalent to 100 gold coins. The food here was indeed more expensive.
Yi Zan chose a spot by the window, enjoying the view of the bustling city below.
"Give me a dish of snow bear paw cooked in spicy sauce, fried pigeon, young lamb wontons, grilled duck (a specialty of the southern region), and grapes from the Aryan Region in the West," Yi Zan said as she placed 10 low-grade Energy Stones on the table.
The servants of the Noble Dish Restaurant immediately greeted their orders with enthusiasm. Their demeanor changed, and they treated Yi Zan and Yuan Fen like young masters and young mistresses. Money truly had power in this world.
When their dishes arrived, Yi Zan and Yuan Fen greedily savored the food in front of them, not caring about the astonished looks from the people around. They devoured the food with a voracious appetite, giving off an impression of stubbornness that belied their cuteness.
Not long after, graceful footsteps could be heard approaching.
The steps sounded like music, each one carefully calculated to convey an air of authority. Yi Zan glanced boredly toward the staircase, feeling that the steps were too contrived, like an opera dancer performing on a folk stage. Meanwhile, Yuan Fen innocently turned his face, showing curiosity.
From the direction of the stairs leading to the second floor, there appeared a handsome young man wearing a flashy outfit. About 17 years old, his face was as clean and white as alabaster.
His tall and slim body was adorned with the latest fashion from expensive stores. He wore a pastel green, large-sleeved robe, covered by a dazzling emerald green outer garment. A discerning eye could guess that the young man's clothes were made of expensive silk from the Aryan Region in the West.
His shoes were crafted from soft dark beast leather, adorned with exquisite carvings. His hair was neatly tied up using fragrant sandalwood oil, forming a small bun secured with a silk ribbon. His entire appearance gave the impression that he was either a noble descendant or the child of a wealthy tycoon.
A man accompanying the young man—likely a bodyguard—approached Yuan Fen and Yi Zan's table. Yi Zan looked bored, gazing at the street below, while Yuan Fen remained friendly toward the bodyguard.
"Young masters," the man said, "this seat is reserved for our master, Young Master Ruan Cheng. If you would kindly choose another seat, we will compensate you for this one."
Just as Yuan Fen was about to reply and offer to move, a stern and fierce voice cut in.
"There are plenty of chairs and tables on the second floor. Pick an empty one. This table is occupied, and we're still ordering more food," Yi Zan interjected, barely glancing at the young man before turning away dismissively.
"Little girl, don't overreact. Do you know who Young Master Ruan Cheng is?" the bodyguard retorted, barely containing his temper.
"And do you know who I am? I'm Yi Zan, and I don't let anyone bully us just because we're two kids," Yi Zan shot back firmly.
"Go find another seat. I don't like excessive talk," she added, shooting the man a sharp glare.
"Little brat, let me teach you some manners," the man growled, preparing to throw a punch.
With a sly smile, Yi Zan swiftly retrieved something from her spatial ring.
"Here's a small reward for your lack of manners," she said, throwing an explosive talisman at the man.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted on the second floor of the Noble Dish Restaurant. The bodyguard was hurled five meters backward, his clothes in tatters and his hair standing on end. His body was covered in charred black marks, making him look half-naked. Humiliation was etched on his face as the other patrons watched in shock.
Yi Zan's voice cut through the silence, cold and unyielding.
"That was just a low-grade talisman. If you keep causing trouble, I won't hesitate to give you a gift that will scorch half your body. By then, you'll be begging for death to escape the pain."
The second floor fell completely silent. Some people were awed, others horrified, and a few even pitied the bodyguard, who now looked on the verge of tears after provoking the two young diners.
Among the crowd, there were those who had initially harbored malicious intentions, considering robbing the two children. But after seeing Yi Zan casually spend 10 Energy Stones on a meal and waste a talisman just to teach a lesson, they reconsidered.
Yi Zan was either a talisman master or someone with immense wealth. Either way, she was not to be trifled with.
Those who had been scheming now silently turned away, abandoning their plans.
What would the two children do next?
Continued.