After the tragic explosion of Senior Sister Bai Xue's alchemical masterpiece (caused entirely by Lin Feng's god-tier sneeze), the sect hall had returned to a cautious, post-apocalyptic calm.
Lin Feng, now unofficially nicknamed "Walking Disaster," decided it was time to make a better impression.
"I need to show them I'm a serious cultivator," he declared, while using a mop to swat a flame duck trying to eat the cleaning herbs.
"Quack!" said the duck, dodging expertly and farting a small puff of flame in protest.
Lin Feng sighed. "Can't even clean in peace… Maybe a good meal will help."
---
At the Dining Pavilion
As he arrived, Lin Feng noticed a long line of disciples queuing up outside the elegant wooden building known as the Jade Spoon Hall.
At the front stood two inner sect disciples arguing.
"I heard the Sect Leader himself is dining here today!"
"No way! He never eats with us commoners."
"Shhh! You'll get turned into a pill if he hears you!"
Lin Feng's ears perked up. Sect Leader? Food? That sounded fancy.
Then he heard a voice call out, "Those who want to join the Sect Leader for lunch, please come to the central table!"
But unfortunately for Lin Feng… his ears were still clogged from the alchemy explosion. What he heard was:
"Those who want to punch the Sect Leader, please come to the central table!"
Naturally, Lin Feng raised his hand immediately. "Me! I'll do it!"
Silence.
Every disciple turned slowly. A few gasped. One fainted. Even the flame duck stopped chewing and looked mildly impressed.
A hush fell across the courtyard as a tall figure emerged from within the hall. He wore flowing blue robes embroidered with golden clouds, his face calm yet sharp as a blade dipped in frost.
Sect Leader Mo Tianyun.
He floated across the ground with the grace of a falling leaf and the presence of a divine tiger.
"You wish to… punch me?" he asked, gaze calm but vaguely amused.
Lin Feng puffed his chest confidently. "Yes! I heard you're strong, so I challenge you to a duel for lunch!"
Gasps echoed. Someone dropped their soup.
The Sect Leader raised one perfect eyebrow. "A duel… for lunch?"
"Exactly," Lin Feng nodded. "I'm very hungry and apparently you're in charge."
Mo Tianyun turned to Elder Mu Dan, who had just arrived with a fresh bruise from yesterday's exploding cauldron incident. "Is this the boy you said 'defies all logic and basic survival instinct'?"
She sighed. "The very one."
---
One Hour Later – Sect Arena
Lin Feng stood on the dueling platform, nervously cracking his knuckles. "Okay. Just punch the Sect Leader. Easy."
The duck was in the audience, wearing a mini bandana and waving a stick like a referee.
The entire sect had gathered. Disciples whispered furiously:
"Does he have a death wish?"
"Maybe he's possessed."
"Or very, very stupid."
Mo Tianyun stood opposite Lin Feng, hands behind his back, smiling faintly. "I will not retaliate. You get one punch. If you impress me, I'll give you lunch. If not…"
He trailed off, letting the ominous silence finish the sentence.
Lin Feng gulped. He focused his qi—what little there was. His dantian wheezed. His spirit veins groaned like old plumbing.
Then he charged.
"HYAAAAAA!!"
His fist flew through the air like a heroic cabbage.
And—
He tripped.
Faceplant.
Right into the Sect Leader's robes.
The duck quacked dramatically.
A full five seconds passed.
"…Are you okay?" the Sect Leader asked, blinking.
Lin Feng looked up, cheek smooshed against divine silks. "That… was a feint. I call it the Earth Bow Technique."
The Sect Leader sighed. "You win."
"What?!"
Mo Tianyun turned to the stunned audience. "Anyone with that level of confidence, absurdity, and sheer foolish courage deserves at least one meal."
---
Later, at the Jade Spoon Hall
Lin Feng sat cross-legged at a golden table, happily devouring celestial noodles while the Sect Leader sipped tea beside him.
"You are… unique," Mo Tianyun said, watching him slurp.
"Thanks," Lin Feng said, mouth full. "You're not bad either. You smell nice."
Mo Tianyun blinked slowly. "That's my cultivation fragrance. From the heavens."
"Oh. I thought it was lavender soap."
The duck sat beside Lin Feng, pecking dumplings.
Meanwhile, Senior Sister Bai Xue stared from the window, jaw slightly dropped. "He actually got a meal with the Sect Leader… How??"