Lü Shaoqing scolded, "Glutton."
Xiao Yi held Xiao Hong (the little red bird) in her hands, gently stroking its feathers.
"So soft and smooth, even silkier than my hair. I'm so envious."
Xiao Hong lifted its head, its small eyes darting around.
Although just a bird, it managed to convey an air of arrogance.
"Second Senior Brother, can I take it to eat some spirit beans?"
Lü Shaoqing replied, "It only eats boiled ones."
"Really?" Xiao Yi said, "Then I'll buy some and cook them for it."
Lü Shaoqing said, "Too much trouble. Just order takeout."
Xiao Yi, showing generosity, said, "Let's go, Second Senior Brother. I'll treat you to a meal."
Lü Shaoqing's eyes lit up but then he asked cautiously, "Do you have spirit stones? Don't expect me to pay. I'm broke."
"If you can't cover the bill, you'll have to wash dishes to pay off the debt."
Xiao Yi fumed, "Second Senior Brother, do you think so little of me?"
"I may not have much, but I can at least afford to treat you to one meal."
Lü Shaoqing replied, "I have a big appetite. Are you sure?"
Xiao Yi responded confidently, "Don't worry, just eat to your heart's content."
Lü Shaoqing smiled. "Alright, I won't hold back then. Let's go."
With the promise of food, Lü Shaoqing didn't mind heading down the mountain.
"Should we invite Master and Eldest Senior Brother?" Xiao Yi asked.
"No need," Lü Shaoqing said. "Master's busy cultivating, and Eldest Senior Brother won't care about anything else for the next ten days or so."
"He's preoccupied with fixing the Sword Cave."
Lü Shaoqing led Xiao Yi down the mountain.
The Lingxiao Sect was located on the mountain, while at its foot lay Lingxiao City, a place where mortals and cultivators mingled.
The city was under the protection of the Lingxiao Sect, one of the three major sects in Qizhou.
Many came here to seek discipleship and cultivation skills, making it a prime location.
Outer disciples of the sect often worked here to earn money.
Even cultivators still had the desire for good food, so there were plenty of restaurants and inns around.
"Second Senior Brother, where should we eat?"
Xiao Yi was overwhelmed by the sheer number of dining places.
"Follow me," Lü Shaoqing said.
He led her to a newly opened inn, its entrance still adorned with red flowers.
"This is the place," he said.
Just as they entered, Lü Shaoqing bumped into an acquaintance.
"Hey, Junior Brother Wang, what are you doing here?"
Wang Yao turned around and, seeing Lü Shaoqing, was pleasantly surprised. "Senior Brother Lü, what brings you here?"
Lü Shaoqing explained, "Didn't you say Old Hu switched jobs and came here? I brought my junior sister to try the food."
"Junior Sister?"
Wang Yao's gaze shifted to Xiao Yi.
"Hello, Senior Brother Wang," Xiao Yi greeted him politely.
Lü Shaoqing introduced her. "She's my master's new personal disciple, Xiao Yi."
Wang Yao was taken aback.
Disciples of the Lingxiao Sect were categorized into outer disciples, inner disciples, core disciples, and personal disciples.
While anyone could become an inner or core disciple through contributions and cultivation strength, personal disciples were different.
Only the sect leader, deputy sect leader, elders, and the five peak masters could take personal disciples.
Moreover, according to sect rules, each could only have up to three.
Wang Yao quickly realized that Xiao Yi was now the third personal disciple of Tianyu Peak.
He recalled seeing the peak master of Chiyue Peak a few days earlier and figured out what had happened.
So this was arranged behind the scenes—definitely an inside job.
He promptly bowed, "Greetings, Senior Sister Xiao."
As a personal disciple, Xiao Yi's status was the highest, meaning that even if Wang Yao were hundreds of years older, he would still have to address her as senior sister.
"Get us a private room," Lü Shaoqing said.
Wang Yao smiled. "No problem, Senior Brother. I know what to do."
Having known Lü Shaoqing for years, Wang Yao was familiar with his preferences.
He personally led them to one of the best private rooms in the inn. "Senior Brother Lü, Senior Sister Xiao, this is our inn's finest room. What do you think?"
Lü Shaoqing didn't pay much attention to the room's décor; his main concern was privacy.
"It's fine. Bring us the best dishes you have."
"Old Hu isn't the only chef here, right? If he were the only one, it wouldn't match this place's fancy design."
Wang Yao assured him, "Of course not. We have others as well."
After about half an hour, Wang Yao stepped out of the room and ran into the inn's steward.
The steward, a plump man named Zhang Jin with a smiling face, was not a disciple of the Lingxiao Sect. He was said to be part of the inn owner's family.
"Steward Zhang!" Wang Yao greeted him with a respectful bow.
Wang Yao had learned from Old Hu that Zhang Jin, despite his friendly demeanor, was a powerful figure—a smiling tiger—and it was best not to offend him.
"You placed them in Room One. Who are they?" Zhang Jin asked with a smile.
"Steward, they are Senior Brother Lü and Senior Sister Xiao, personal disciples of Tianyu Peak."
"Oh? Personal disciples?" Zhang Jin's eyes lit up with surprise.
He had been managing the inn for a while but hadn't even seen a core disciple from the Lingxiao Sect, let alone a personal disciple.
"If that's the case, I should personally serve them."
Wang Yao tried to stop him. "Steward, that might not be a good idea. Senior Brother Lü doesn't like being disturbed."
Having known Lü Shaoqing for years, Wang Yao was well aware of his personality.
He disliked interruptions.
Zhang Jin scoffed, "What do you know? If they're truly personal disciples, they are esteemed guests and must be treated with the utmost care."
Ignoring Wang Yao's protests, Zhang Jin strode toward the room, dismissing the words of an outer disciple as unimportant.
But Zhang Jin emerged shortly after, his face darkened.
He hadn't even finished introducing himself before being unceremoniously kicked out.
Wang Yao smirked inwardly. I told you not to go in. You just had to bring this upon yourself. Serves you right.
Zhang Jin shot Wang Yao a disapproving glare before storming off, huffing in annoyance.
As the inn's steward, Zhang Jin was used to having the final say in all matters.
Being part of the Fang family, the inn's owners, he expected a certain level of respect.
But the young man in the private room hadn't shown him any courtesy whatsoever.
Just because you're handsome, you think you can disregard others?
However, knowing that these were personal disciples of the Lingxiao Sect, Zhang Jin muttered to himself.
I can't afford to offend them.
If they had only been inner disciples, he wouldn't have cared.
I need to confirm their identities.
With this thought, Zhang Jin noticed a few people entering the inn and his eyes lit up.
He quickly approached them.