Volume One: The Beginning of the Path Chapter 104: The Underwater Restaurant

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Upon hearing Wen Yu’s words, several people chuckled softly but said nothing. After all, who hasn’t had their youthful days?

Kong Qing smiled and said, “Then let’s satisfy your wish—we’ll set off right away.”

With that, Kong Qing led the way outside. The others followed suit, especially Wen Yu, who hopped along cheerfully, clearly in high spirits.

Before leaving, Ye Junze couldn’t help but glance once more at the image projected by the blue orb. Then he withdrew his gaze and quietly followed the group.

After they departed, the door to the room closed tightly again, returning to its previous untouched state.

Walking ahead, Kong Qing said, “Putting everything else aside, the dishes here are quite good. I believe they will satisfy your appetites.”

Wu Jiang nodded in agreement, saying enthusiastically, “Absolutely. The cuisine of Yizhu City is truly a rare delight in this world.” As he spoke, he licked his lips, as if his mouth was watering.

“Oh no, I can’t take it—I’m drooling just thinking about it!” Wu Jiang hurriedly wiped his mouth.

Wen Yu clapped her hands, eyes sparkling with anticipation, “Really delicious? Then I won’t hold back later.”

“Of course! Just open wide and eat as much as you want,” Wu Jiang smiled at the adorable young girl.

“Hehe, okay,” Wen Yu nodded playfully.

Qi Yi shook his head helplessly and said nothing more, his gaze full of affection toward Wen Yu.

Ye Junze smiled, somewhat eager to see if the food was truly as good as Kong Qing and Wu Jiang had claimed.

If it really was, he wondered how Wang Dongdong would react when he told her. Would she beg him to bring her into this dream world? A smile involuntarily tugged at Ye Junze’s lips.

As he pondered this, Wen Yu’s voice suddenly reached his ears: “Hey, Brother Junze, what are you smiling at?”

Ye Junze waved his hand and replied, “Nothing. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. You just looked so silly smiling just now—sillier than me!” Wen Yu said without a hint of restraint.

Qi Yi’s eyelid twitched, and he whispered sharply, “Yu Mei!”

Ye Junze waved it off casually, “It’s fine. It’s no big deal.”

Wen Yu stuck out her tongue and made a face, “Brother Qi, you worry too much! Didn’t Brother Junze just say it’s okay?”

Qi Yi shook his head, helpless. He thought to himself that he would have to keep a closer eye on Wen Yu in the future. Senior fellows might be easygoing, but that didn’t mean everyone they’d meet down the road would be so forgiving.

Qi Yi’s concerns were not unfounded. On the path of cultivation, no one knew what kind of people or events they might encounter. Someone like Ye Junze, with a kind temperament, wouldn’t take a child’s careless teasing to heart—instead, he might see it as innocence not yet lost. But not everyone shared that mindset. Some people had thin skins, and if they met someone like Wen Yu who joked freely, what appeared as a harmless slip might be seen as deliberate provocation. If such people encountered Wen Yu, the consequences could be serious.

Along the cultivation path, many with newfound power believed they could act as they pleased. If they were mocked by someone weaker, they would not hesitate to retaliate harshly, often without explanation.

Hearing the group’s lively banter, Kong Qing smiled quietly but said nothing, calmly leading them toward their destination.

Before long, Kong Qing arrived at a spot and said, “Here we are.”

Everyone looked up, but all they saw was a transparent cylindrical structure—nothing else—which puzzled them.

Wen Yu spoke up, “Uncle Doctor, you said we’re here, but there’s nothing here at all.”

Kong Qing chuckled, “Haha, don’t worry. Just go down from here.”

Wen Yu nodded in slight confusion, uttering an “Oh.”

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Ye Junze shared Wen Yu’s thoughts but, hearing her question and the answer, settled down quietly to wait.

After responding, Kong Qing reached out and tapped on the transparent cylinder.

Suddenly, a rounded arch door slid open slowly from left to right in front of the cylinder.

Kong Qing nodded with satisfaction and said to the group, “Come on in.” He then stepped inside first.

Seeing this, Ye Junze thought, “Could this be some kind of elevator?”

Wen Yu noticed his expression and said, “Brother Junze, don’t just stand there—come on in.” She tugged at him.

Ye Junze looked at her and replied, “Alright, let’s go in together.”

One by one, they entered the cylinder.

Once everyone was inside, the arched door slowly closed again.

Seeing that all were inside, Kong Qing smiled and said, “Get ready—we’re setting off.”

Everyone nodded.

With that, Kong Qing pressed a transparent button nearby.

Afterward, he retracted his hand, clapped lightly, and stood quietly behind, waiting.

In the blink of an eye, the cylinder beneath their feet began to move.

From outside, one could see the cylinder suddenly plummet downward at high speed.

Yet inside, the group remained stable, unaffected by the rapid descent.

Ye Junze thought again, “So it really is an elevator.”

After descending for a short time, the cylinder gradually stopped as if reaching its destination. Then the arched door slowly opened again.

Kong Qing looked at them and said, “We’re here. Let’s go out.”

The group nodded and followed Kong Qing out of the “elevator.”

They walked ahead and eventually arrived at a new place.

Looking up, Ye Junze saw a space still dominated by blue tones, dotted here and there with white speckles like stars—exquisitely beautiful.

Kong Qing led them closer and said, “I’m sure you’ve been waiting eagerly. This is it.”

Everyone looked up, surveying the scene.

“All right, let’s go inside and see,” Kong Qing smiled and added, “Wu Jiang, you’ve been here many times—why don’t you introduce it to our guests?”

Wu Jiang nodded, “Sure, Doctor.”

The group followed Kong Qing inside.

Along the way, Wu Jiang explained, “This is actually our institute’s dining hall. On festivals, birthdays, weddings, and so on, everyone gathers here to celebrate. I’m not bragging, but this is the best food I’ve ever had in my life. You’re lucky to be here with us today. Don’t hold back—eat your fill. I guarantee you won’t regret it.”

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“Since Brother Wu Jiang says so, we certainly won’t be shy,” Ye Junze said with a smile.

Wu Jiang laughed heartily and said generously, “Haha, don’t hold back. If you do, I’ll get mad at you.”

With Wu Jiang’s introduction, everyone’s anticipation grew even stronger.

Wen Yu rubbed her belly and complained, “Oh, listening to this is making me so hungry I could die.”

Everyone laughed in unison.

Kong Qing chuckled, “All right, all right. Since you’re here, we’ll satisfy your cravings soon.”

With that, he quickened his pace.

At that moment, a sweet-faced woman approached and greeted, “Doctor.”

Kong Qing stopped and said, “I was just about to find you. Since you’ve come, you’ve saved me some trouble.”

The woman replied respectfully, “Doctor, please give your orders.”

Kong Qing nodded, pointing at Ye Junze and the others, “These guests arrived today. Please prepare a banquet to entertain them—do it carefully.”

The woman looked toward Ye Junze and the others, smiled, and said, “Greetings, guests. My name is Ren Wei, the manager of this dining hall. If you need anything, just let me know.”

The group nodded, and Wen Yu sweetly greeted, “Hello, Sister Ren. I’m Wen Yu.”

“Hello, hello,” Ren Wei smiled in return.

Kong Qing waved his hand, “All right, go ahead and make the arrangements. I’ll take them to the private room. Once everything’s ready, just bring out the dishes.”

“Yes, Doctor,” Ren Wei responded and turned to carry out the instructions.

“Let’s go then,” Kong Qing said.

Everyone nodded and followed him to the private room without hesitation.

Upon entering, Kong Qing said, “All right, everyone, please sit and wait a moment.”

They all took their seats in turn.

Kong Qing smiled and said, “Ren Wei works efficiently; we shouldn’t have to wait long.”

Ye Junze shook his head and said, “No rush. We’re bothering the doctor enough already.”

“No worries, don’t be so formal. As the saying goes, guests are always welcome. Since you’ve come all this way, it’s only right that we hosts do our best,” Kong Qing waved off the concern casually.

Ye Junze smiled silently, saying nothing further.

The group then chatted idly while waiting for the food to be served.