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Spirit beast meat could be eaten—but it wasn't suitable for ordinary people.
Without spirit power, commoners couldn't refine the energy within the meat.
Indulging recklessly risked explosive consequences.
Also, spirit beast meat was expensive.
These four dishes and soup were all made from spirit beast ingredients—this meal wasn't cheap!
"To think you're also knowledgeable about spirit beast cuisine, esteemed guest."
"Frankly, the first time I tried this beef, I suspected the Seven Treasures Hotel of serving me spoiled meat."
"But as my teacher's sect's establishment, making a scene wasn't an option…"
"Xue Qinghe" shared this embarrassing anecdote to bridge the gap between herself, Zhongli, and Paimon.
She wanted them to feel: If she's willing to reveal this, she truly sees us as 'her own.'
Of course, she did genuinely wish to deepen ties with Zhongli now—
From advisor to friend, even sworn brother.
An advisor could come and go as they pleased, contributing only when inclined.
But binding Zhongli to her cause? That was her goal.
"Wow, Your High— I mean, Qinghe! Were you gonna smash the place?!"
Paimon spoke between bites, her words slightly muffled.
With her cheeks stuffed like a hamster's, she looked adorably ridiculous.
"I'd never go that far—at most, a stern discussion with the manager."
"Xue Qinghe" smiled.
Zhongli side-eyed her. He wasn't buying this fairy tale.
Unaware how fresh beef looked when cooked?
Please. This was the Pope's granddaughter!
Such a basic mistake? Impossible.
This story was clearly fabricated—
Dinner-table small talk.
Or perhaps—
Qian Renxue: I don't eat beef.
As time passed and plates emptied, the trio lounged in contentment.
Then Zhongli's question nearly shattered "Xue Qinghe's" composure:
"Qinghe, did you bring money?"
His deadpan delivery and expressionless face made her question reality.
Didn't you invite me?
Why are you asking me for money?!
"…???"
"Xue Qinghe's" mind flooded with question marks.
"Ahem… Your High— I mean, Zhongli has this… bad habit."
Hearing Paimon, "Xue Qinghe" turned to her.
"He never carries money when going out…"
Morax without Mora. The God of Wealth, penniless.
Paimon rolled her eyes.
"!!!"
What kind of person doesn't carry cash?!
Wait—was Zhongli actually broke?
That time with the tofu pudding, Paimon's flustered expression… Qian Renxue had paid.
Zhongli wasn't destitute—Dugu Bo, in gratitude, had gifted him a mansion and chests of gold soul coins.
But Zhongli and Paimon rarely touched those reserves.
"Xue Qinghe" exhaled slowly, her smile straining.
Her visible storage soul tool? Given to Paimon earlier.
So currently, she was also cashless.
But with Zhongli's question posed—could she refuse to pay?
Obviously not.
"I also didn't bring money, having left in haste."
Zhongli & Paimon: "0.0"
…Are we washing dishes to pay?
"However, we can charge it to the Crown Prince's estate, settled month-end."
Given her status, tabbing a meal was hardly outrageous.
Besides, as Ning Fengzhi's public disciple, the hotel would honor it.
"Yay—"
Paimon's cheer died as she noticed "Xue Qinghe's" darkening expression.
"I mean—Your Highness, this was supposed to be our treat, yet you ended up paying!"
"Sorry! Next time we'll bring money and treat you again!"
"Next time" would still bill the Crown Prince's estate.
Earlier, "Xue Qinghe" had declared all Zhongli and Paimon's expenses would be covered by her.
Hence her earlier return.
Yet after receiving her card and storage soul tool—they still charged the meal to her?!
"Xue Qinghe" felt like a walking charity.
Had they even opened the storage tool?!
"Charge it to the Crown Prince?"
The manager blinked, then quickly nodded.
These were not people to offend. Even if they never paid, it'd be fine.
If this secured the sect a powerhouse like Zhongli? Permanent free meals were negotiable.
Let alone a simple tab.
Personally authorized by the Crown Prince!
Safe. A hundred percent safe.
"Of course, Your Highness!"
Truthfully, in the Seven Treasures Hotel's history—this was its first-ever tab.
Patrons here were nobility—not minor aristocracy, but high-ranking elites.
For lesser nobles, dining here was painfully extravagant. Only the truly wealthy indulged regularly.
And nobles? Prideful.
Would they ever stoop to asking for credit?
Even if allowed—who owned this hotel?
The second-greatest sect on the continent!
Seven Treasures Mountain, Outside Heaven Dou City
Named for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's headquarters at its peak.
Within the grand hall, Chen Xin, Gu Rong, and Ning Fengzhi sat in heavy silence.
Finally, Ning Fengzhi spoke:
"Because of that Star Luo brat's recklessness, Rongrong nearly offended a twin-martial-souled Titled Douluo… with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
When news reached them, the trio had been stunned.
Thankfully, as the Crown Prince's advisor—and with "Xue Qinghe" present—the man had spared Rongrong.
"The child acted rashly this time."
Even Chen Xin and Gu Rong—notorious for spoiling Ning Rongrong—didn't disagree.
A Titled Douluo with a hundred-thousand-year ring was terrifying enough—
Add twin martial souls?
Could someone who slew hundred-thousand-year beasts possibly be weak?
"Should we recall Rongrong for a while?"
Gu Rong ventured, uneasy about leaving her exposed.
Having angered such a figure—what if he retaliated covertly?
Without prior interaction, who knew his temperament?
"Too late."
"We'll maintain the status quo. Tomorrow, I'll meet this Titled Douluo myself."
As a guest advisor, Zhongli could leave the Crown Prince's estate freely.
If such a powerhouse could be recruited for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect…
Ning Fengzhi's eyes gleamed golden.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 25 on my patreon, go check it out.