Volume One: First Steps on the Path Chapter Seventy-Five: The Dining Hall

When Lin Xin heard Ye Junze say that he had pierced a large hole through the stone tablet using the small cauldron in his hand, she couldn’t help but gape, exclaiming, “Did I hear you right? Junior, are you saying you left a huge hole in the assessment tablet, even pierced straight through it?”

Ye Junze scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “Well, not the whole thing—just the middle part of the tablet.”

“Even so, that’s pretty impressive. In all the years of our Daoist Arts Department, there are only a handful of people I know of who could achieve that in the Qi Refining stage.” Lin Xin paused, then continued, “I thought I already understood you, but clearly I’ve underestimated you. I wonder how many more surprises you’ll bring if you keep going like this.”

As she finished speaking, Lin Xin thought to herself, “No wonder the teacher gave him extra rewards. To reach this level at the very start of cultivation, he certainly deserves it.”

Ye Junze quickly waved his hand and said, “Senior, please don’t flatter me. If you keep this up, I’ll get arrogant. I know my own limits.”

Hearing this, Lin Xin stopped in her tracks, her expression serious. “Junior, don’t be too modest. Maybe you don’t think what you’ve achieved is anything remarkable, but I assure you, it truly is.”

Ye Junze could tell Lin Xin was speaking earnestly, so he nodded and replied gratefully, “I understand. Thank you, Senior.”

Lin Xin waved it off, indicating it was nothing, then smiled again. “Don’t be so solemn. You’ve done well, but I hope you won’t slack off. Keep working hard.”

“I will,” Ye Junze replied with a nod.

“Alright, let’s hurry. The dining hall isn’t far, we’ll be there soon.” With that, Lin Xin moved forward again.

Ye Junze responded affirmatively and followed after her.

“By the way, Junior, tell me more about those classmates who passed the assessment along with you. You only mentioned them briefly before—I haven’t heard the details yet.” Lin Xin said as she walked.

“Of course, no problem. Let’s start with the one who passed after me, named Yun Tianhan,” Ye Junze replied.

Lin Xin smiled adorably. “Mm, I’m all ears.”

Ye Junze proceeded to give a detailed introduction about those he’d mentioned earlier, and Lin Xin listened with a smile, asking questions from time to time. The atmosphere between them was harmonious and lively.

...

As they chatted, Lin Xin kept an eye on their surroundings. When she spotted a tall building suddenly appearing before them—

Ye Junze heard an excited cry beside him, “Ah, we’re here, Junior, look!”

He looked up as instructed and saw a towering building in an ancient architectural style. It was reminiscent of the grand structures he’d seen in period dramas—carved railings and jade steps, exuding an aura of elegance and authenticity. He could see clearly that the building was about five or six stories high.

“A dining hall with so many floors—isn’t that a bit extravagant?” Ye Junze couldn’t help but think.

Noticing Ye Junze’s entranced expression, Lin Xin asked, “What are you thinking, Junior? You look so absorbed.”

Ye Junze snapped back to himself and replied, “Ah, nothing. Senior, is this the Anze dining hall you mentioned? It does look magnificent.”

“That’s right! Our school’s dining hall has it all—not only the eight major Chinese cuisines we’re familiar with, but also many lesser-known ones. Besides that, it includes international cuisines: Japanese, French, English, American—you name it. Maybe not absolutely every cuisine, but I’d say we cover eighty to ninety percent.” Lin Xin explained proudly.

Before Ye Junze could respond, Lin Xin continued, “And don’t be fooled by how the building appears to have just a few floors. Once inside, you’ll find each level actually contains one or two hidden mezzanine floors. Each floor offers different cuisines. The first floor is Chinese, and the upper floors feature various international cuisines. In short, our dining hall will certainly satisfy your appetite.”

“I see. Thank you, Senior.” Ye Junze replied sincerely, grateful for Lin Xin’s patient explanations.

Lin Xin waved her hand. “No need to thank me.”

“Listening to you, Senior, I really can’t wait to go inside and take a look.” Ye Junze said.

Almost as if on cue, his stomach growled audibly, “Grrrr~.”

Lin Xin heard and giggled. “Looks like you really are hungry, Junior. I’ll cut the chatter—let’s hurry inside.”

Embarrassed by his own stomach’s timely intervention, Ye Junze nodded, “Sorry for making you laugh, Senior. Let’s go, I’m even hungrier after hearing your descriptions.”

“Haha, alright, let’s go.” With that, Lin Xin led the way.

Ye Junze quickly followed, and the two walked toward the dining hall.

Soon, they arrived at the base of the building. As he got closer, Ye Junze noticed a traditional-style signboard hanging on the first floor, and four large, ornate characters spelled out “Anze Food Hall.” The clarity of the sign left no doubt—this was indeed Anze’s dining hall.

Lin Xin saw Ye Junze stop and look up at something, followed his gaze, and realized he was staring at the signboard. Thinking he might have questions about the name, she explained, “That’s right, as you can see, our school’s dining hall is called ‘Anze Food Hall.’ Many people think the name sounds a bit rustic, but I actually like it—it’s clear and direct. Anyone who sees it knows what it is, and with so many cuisines gathered here, it truly is a ‘hall.’”

Ye Junze nodded in agreement. “I agree, Senior. The name is straightforward—too much flourish wouldn’t be as elegant.”

Hearing Ye Junze’s response, Lin Xin’s eyes immediately lit up, her face bright with delight. “Right? You think so too! I’ve told others this, but they laughed at me. Now I see there are people who share my view—you have good taste, Junior.”

Ye Junze chuckled. “Just happened to think the same.”

“Alright, let’s go in. You must be starving now.” Lin Xin urged.

“Okay, let’s go.” With that, the two entered the dining hall.

Upon entering the first floor, Ye Junze found the scene quite different from what he’d imagined. He had expected Anze’s dining hall to be like most school cafeterias—a row of food windows and lines of people waiting for their meals. But what he saw completely contradicted his assumptions; the entire floor was filled with tables and chairs—some for two, some for four, and even many round tables with matching seats. Groups of people were already seated, some eating.

Surprised, Ye Junze asked, “Senior, I don’t see any food windows here. Where do we get our meals?”

Lin Xin laughed. “I can tell it’s your first time here—you thought our dining hall was like the ones you’ve seen elsewhere. Honestly, I thought the same when I first arrived.”

Ye Junze scratched his head, embarrassed. “Sorry for making you laugh, Senior, but I did think that.”

“No worries, Junior. Are you planning to have Chinese cuisine? If you want to try something else, we can go upstairs.”

“Chinese is fine. I can try the others later.” Ye Junze replied promptly.

“Alright, follow me.” Lin Xin glanced around, picked a spot, and led the way.

Suppressing his curiosity, Ye Junze followed.

Soon, Lin Xin brought Ye Junze to a two-person table she’d chosen. She sat down first and said, “Junior, sit here.”

Ye Junze obediently took his seat.

“Shall we start ordering?” Lin Xin asked.

Though still puzzled, Ye Junze answered, “Sure.”

He wondered, “But there’s no menu here—how do we order?” He kept his doubt to himself.

Lin Xin quickly resolved his confusion. She traced her finger across the tabletop, and immediately a familiar projection interface appeared before him.

Seeing the projection, Lin Xin smiled, “Junior, does this look familiar?”

“It does,” Ye Junze replied. Then, as if struck by a realization, he continued, “Senior, is it that the dishes here are also delivered through a teleportation array?”

Lin Xin clapped her hands, as if to acknowledge his correctness, and praised, “That’s right, Junior, you’re clever.”

“Alright, since you know how it works, you should be able to order. Go ahead—it’s getting late.” Lin Xin encouraged.

“Okay.” With that, Ye Junze began browsing the projection menu.

Seeing this, Lin Xin relaxed and started ordering her own meal.