It takes about two hours to travel from Heaven Dou City to the next city by spirit tool train.
Fang Yang and the others chose to drive a spirit tool car alongside their mechas, ultimately taking nearly four hours to reach their destination—Tianling City.
The extra time was mainly spent waiting for Xie Xie, who was driving the spirit tool car.
The speed of the spirit tool car couldn't compare to the full-speed dash of the mechas.
Tianling City is a typical medium-sized city.
Although not as grand and magnificent, or as deeply rooted as Heaven Dou City, it possessed its own orderly and bustling prosperity.
The city's architecture was well-arranged, the streets clean and wide, and people came and went, with vitality and life evident everywhere.
When they arrived in Tianling City, it was high noon, with the sun shining brightly.
"We finally made it…"
Xie Xie steadily parked the spirit tool car by the roadside and let out a long sigh of relief.
He rubbed his somewhat sore arms. "Driving is much more tiring than I imagined."
Fang Yang and Tang Wulin also slowly descended in their mechas.
With a slight whirring of machinery, the舱门 slowly opened, and Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan lightly jumped out.
"This Tianling City looks pretty good, doesn't it?"
Xu Xiaoyan curiously surveyed the surrounding streetscape and shops, her eyes filled with pleasant surprise. "It's much more prosperous and lively than I imagined."
Gu Yue stood silently beside her, her gaze sweeping over the neat streets and bustling crowds, and she nodded slightly: "Hmm, it's a livable place."
The midday sun filtered through the lush trees lining the streets, casting dappled, swaying light and shadow on the ground.
A gentle breeze carried the faint sounds of hawking from the distant market and the aroma of food.
This city possessed both modern spirit tool technology facilities and a quaint, leisurely atmosphere of life, giving people a comfortable and peaceful feeling.
Subsequently, Fang Yang and Tang Wulin each stored their mechas and spirit tool car into their mecha storage spirit tools.
"I'm so hungry…"
Tang Wulin couldn't help but rub his stomach.
"Alright, then let's go eat first," Fang Yang said.
"Agreed!"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.
"What should we eat then?"
Tang Wulin then asked, his gaze sweeping over the various signs along the street.
"I'm not familiar with this place either."
Xie Xie shrugged, indicating he couldn't help.
Everyone looked at each other; it was their first time in Tianling City.
Upon hearing this, Fang Yang turned his gaze to Wu Changkong, who had been silent at the back.
"Teacher Wu, you wouldn't want to see your students starve, would you?"
Everyone suddenly realized, and they all simultaneously turned their expectant gazes towards Wu Changkong.
That's right, it was their first time here, but Teacher Wu couldn't possibly be visiting for the first time.
"Fang Yang, speak to me normally," Wu Changkong's cool voice came.
"Teacher Wu."
Everyone spoke in unison, their eyes full of reliance on him.
A thoughtful glint appeared in Wu Changkong's eyes.
After a moment, he said helplessly, "Alright, I'll take you. Is that satisfactory?"
"Oh yeah, that's great!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately beamed with joy.
"Follow me," Wu Changkong turned and led the way forward.
Thus, after passing through several streets and turning into an inconspicuous but clean and tidy small alley.
Wu Changkong stopped in front of a small restaurant with a modest facade.
The restaurant's frontage was less than four meters wide, and through the bright glass window, one could see inside, where there were only four old but spotlessly clean tables.
A rich and enticing aroma of homemade stir-fried dishes wafted out from within.
Wu Changkong stood silently in front of the small restaurant, not entering immediately. He looked at the familiar door, a complex emotion in his eyes.
It was an expression interwoven with deep memories, faint contemplation, and a hint of bewilderment.
Fang Yang and the others were surprised to find that their usually cold Teacher Wu's eyes seemed to have softened considerably at this moment.
They even held a sense of… nostalgia that they had never seen before.
"Oh, Changkong? It really is you! Come in, come in!"
Just then, a man who looked to be in his fifties, with neat short hair, a stout build, but nimble movements, quickly walked out from inside.
His face instantly broke into a warm and surprised smile, clearly very familiar with Wu Changkong.
He naturally put an arm around Wu Changkong's shoulder and guided him into the shop.
"This…"
This scene left Fang Yang and the others so astonished they could barely close their mouths.
Their Teacher Wu, who had severe mysophobia and kept strangers at bay, actually showed no resistance or annoyance at this moment.
He merely nodded gently, one could even say submissively, in response to the man's pull, and then followed him inside.
Thus, with hearts full of wonder and doubt, Fang Yang and the others also followed into this small restaurant.
The restaurant was indeed very small, with old-fashioned decor, and the tables, chairs, and benches all bore the marks of time.
The hygiene conditions could only be described as ordinary; it was a standard, down-to-earth "fly restaurant" (a casual, local eatery).
However, the incredibly enticing aroma of food wafting through the air made everyone's stomachs rumble even louder.
"Changkong, it's been a long time since I've seen you. How are you doing now?" The Fat Boss led him to a table by the window, his tone full of concern.
Wu Changkong, quite accustomed, sat down on the inner side, "I'm fine."
"These are…?"
The Fat Boss only then noticed Fang Yang and the others following behind, a curious smile appearing on his face.
"My students," Wu Changkong said faintly.
"Hello, Boss!"
Fang Yang and the others immediately greeted him in unison, with a hint of curiosity.
"Haha, hello, children!"
The Fat Boss laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over the children, appearing very pleased.
"The usual, but add a bit more today," Wu Changkong nodded to him.
The Fat Boss then reacted, his smile growing wider: "Good, good! The usual it is."
"I'll go get it ready for you right away! This is great, Changkong, this is just great!"
He said, and immediately turned and scurried into the back kitchen to get busy.
The Fat Boss left, and the warmth on Wu Changkong's face returned to coldness.
As soon as the Fat Boss left, that rare trace of warmth on Wu Changkong's face vanished at a visible speed, replaced by the familiar layer of coldness that everyone knew.
"Teacher Wu… this boss is…?"
Fang Yang probed, voicing the question in everyone's minds.
Everyone's gazes focused on Wu Changkong.
"An old friend."
Wu Changkong's voice returned to its usual coolness.
"I see…"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded thoughtfully; though curious, Teacher Wu's demeanor suggested he didn't wish to elaborate.
"Teacher Wu, did you used to come here often?" Fang Yang pressed further.
"Mm."
Wu Changkong's gaze seemed to drift out the window as he responded faintly, an acknowledgment.
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