Inside the restaurant, that terrifying Aura spread out like something physical, and the surrounding air seemed to become several degrees heavier.
The other diners in the restaurant were so frightened by this Aura that they lowered their heads one after another, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Even the clerk standing to the side had legs that were trembling slightly, and the menu in his hand almost fell to the ground.
However, facing the pressure of a Spirit King, the several people present did not have much of a reaction. (Long Aotian's first appearance was during the second Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Competition, held every five years. He was a Spirit Saint at his debut, but his current strength is temporarily set as a Spirit King.)
Tang Wulin acted as if he hadn't seen Long Aotian's anger; his eyes suddenly lit up, and he looked quite happy.
"You... you are from the Heavenly Soul Empire's Body Sect?"
There was a hint of pleasant surprise in his voice.
"That's right."
Long Aotian straightened his back, his tone carrying a hint of pride.
"I am of the Body Sect, Long Aotian."
When Xie Xie heard the name "Long Aotian," he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Long Aotian?
This name...
Xie Xie silently repeated it twice in his heart, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
Surname Long, given name Aotian.
Isn't this a bit too arrogant and over-the-top?
After hearing Long Aotian admit his identity, Tang Wulin shouted out even more joyfully.
"That's great!"
"Wait for me to finish eating these things first. After I'm done, could you please take us to the Body Sect to have a look? Is that okay?"
Long Aotian was stunned upon hearing Tang Wulin's words. He had originally thought Tang Wulin would say something else, like making an excuse.
Or perhaps, if Tang Wulin were a fake, he would surely be scared into kneeling and begging for mercy when facing an authentic Body Sect member like himself, just like those scammers.
Thinking that the Body Sect was a hidden Sect and wouldn't come out to find trouble with them, they would use the Body Sect's name to swindle people everywhere.
But he hadn't expected this fellow, Tang Wulin, to actually ask him to lead the way to the Body Sect directly?
What was the meaning of this?
Long Aotian's brow furrowed even deeper as his gaze swept back and forth over Tang Wulin.
Could it be that what Xie Xie meant earlier by "my boss is also from the Body Sect" was... Tang Wulin wanted to join the Body Sect?
Rather than already being a Disciple of the Body Sect?
Long Aotian thought to himself, and the vigilance in his eyes receded slightly, but still carried a hint of scrutiny.
Wanting to join the Body Sect?
He carefully sized up Tang Wulin, then glanced over at Xie Xie, Wei Xiaofeng, and Ling Luochen beside him.
These four people were not very old, looking to be about ten or so years old. Although their Spirit Power fluctuations were well-restrained, judging from their performance under the pressure of his Aura just now, they should have some strength.
Anyone possessing a Body Martial Soul is a member of the Body Sect, regardless of who they are; this is the rule of the Body Sect. If these several people truly had Body Martial Souls, then joining wouldn't be an issue. The Sect Master and Elders would even be very happy to see new members added to the Body Sect.
However, if they did not possess Body Martial Souls but some other Spirits, and only wanted to receive the Body Sect's protection, then they were gravely mistaken.
"What is your name?"
Long Aotian asked, the coldness in his tone softening slightly.
"Tang Wulin."
Tang Wulin answered truthfully.
"Tang Wulin..."
Long Aotian repeated the name once and then asked.
"What is your Spirit?"
Tang Wulin blinked, looking at Long Aotian with those clean and clear eyes, and answered without hesitation.
"Blue Silver Grass."
As the words fell, the entire restaurant seemed to go silent for a moment.
Long Aotian's face darkened at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Blue Silver Grass?
He had originally thought that since Tang Wulin dared to say he was a person of the Body Sect, he would at least have a Body Martial Soul.
Like an arm, a leg, or eyes, for instance.
But Blue Silver Grass?
That is a plant-type Spirit, completely unrelated to a Body Martial Soul!
Was this guy treating him like a fool, trying to say his Body Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass? Unless this fellow Tang Wulin was a Blue Silver Grass in human form, thinking that Blue Silver Grass was a Body Martial Soul was simply insulting his intelligence.
In Long Aotian's view, a Blue Silver Grass Spirit was more suited to being the Tang Sect's Sect Leader; thinking about entering the Body Sect was simply a pipe dream!
"Blue Silver Grass Spirit?"
Long Aotian's voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
"The most basic requirement for the Body Sect to accept a Disciple is to possess a Body Martial Soul. Your Spirit is Blue Silver Grass; even if your talent were higher, it would be impossible for you to join our Body Sect."
Hearing Long Aotian's words, Tang Wulin gave him a puzzled expression.
"I never said I wanted to join you guys?"
Was this guy making fun of him?
Long Aotian's expression became somewhat unsightly, and a surge of anger at being toyed with rose in his heart.
"Then you say you are a person of the Body Sect?"
"I have been a part of the Body Sect for a long time."
Tang Wulin looked at Long Aotian earnestly.
"It's just a different Body Sect."
Long Aotian was stunned.
Another Body Sect?
He had lived for so many years and traveled far and wide, yet he had never heard of the Body Sect having another branch.
He was just about to lose his temper when he saw that Tang Wulin's simple and honest face was full of sincerity, without the slightest hint of playfulness or mockery.
It didn't look like an act.
Long Aotian's brow furrowed tightly.
Could it be... there was some hidden story behind this?
"Wait for me a moment."
Tang Wulin turned his head and looked at the clerk behind him.
"Is the food ready?"
"Rea... ready."
The clerk answered stutteringly and hurriedly signaled the kitchen to bring out all fifty portions of Braised Pork and the other dishes.
They were packed densely, filling three large tables.
Tang Wulin's eyes shone as he picked up his chopsticks and began his meal like a whirlwind sweeping away clouds.
Piece after piece, plate after plate.
His mouth almost never stopped, and his chewing speed was astonishingly fast.
Xie Xie and Wei Xiaofeng, watching this scene, had long since grown accustomed to it and just ate the dishes in their own bowls.
Ling Luochen also smiled slightly and didn't say much.
As for Long Aotian, he was directly frozen in place.
He widened his long, narrow eyes and looked at Tang Wulin in disbelief.
Fifty portions of Braised Pork, plus the dishes ordered before, added up to a volume sufficient to stuff more than a dozen adults.
Yet Tang Wulin had actually finished it all by himself in such a short time?!
Moreover, his stomach still looked flat, without any sign of bulging!
Long Aotian's mouth twitched twice.
He was a Disciple of the Body Sect himself and Cultivated his physique; his appetite was naturally much larger than that of ordinary Spirit Masters.
But even he, after high-intensity Cultivation, could not do what Tang Wulin did, especially since the other's digestion speed appeared to be quite fast.
Tang Wulin stuffed the last piece of meat into his mouth, chewed twice, and swallowed it.
Then he let out a long breath and reached out to pat his stomach.
"Two-tenths full."
He said softly, his tone carrying a hint of regret.
"It's a pity the food here isn't very filling. If it were the academy's food, eating this much would probably last me half a day."
"..."
Long Aotian's mouth opened, but he couldn't squeeze out a single word.
Two-tenths full?
Fifty dishes, and only two-tenths full?
What kind of monster is this guy?!
He re-examined Tang Wulin, his gaze gaining a bit more gravity.
This seemingly simple and honest youth might truly possess some extraordinary abilities.
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
1 Review = 1 Bonus Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.