When the shout came, Lin Feng's hand—still holding a teacup—paused faintly in midair.
One eyebrow lifted.
Tang Hao?
He actually dared to come?
This was Spirit City.
The Spirit Hall's core.
A dragon's nest within a dragon's nest.
And Tang Hao—
A cripple.
A wanted criminal for more than ten years.
A man whose legs had just been broken, whose arm had been torn off by Spirit Hall Elders two days ago.
Where, exactly, did he find the courage to stroll in?
Did he think that being crippled meant the Spirit Hall wouldn't bother touching him?
A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Feng's mind, but that surprise quickly turned into a far more interesting thought.
His gaze drifted toward the counter.
The Blue Silver Emperor was stretching her leaves again—hard—desperately trying to brush against his sleeve.
If the Blue Silver Emperor absorbed her matching Spirit Bone, her recovery would greatly accelerate.
And if he could also get back her hundred-thousand-year spirit ring…
Lin Feng had originally thought that going out of his way to hunt down Tang Hao was troublesome.
But he never expected—
The delivery would arrive on its own!
If he didn't "sign for the package," he'd be letting down Tang Hao's devoted courier service.
At that moment, Tang Hao had no idea he had been automatically promoted to "Annual Outstanding Delivery Worker" in Lin Feng's heart.
He staggered, barely standing, and his bloodshot eyes swept across the restaurant.
He completely ignored the dozen Titled Douluo.
Ignored Ning Fengzhi and Dai Tianfeng as if they were mere scenery.
His eyes saw only one thing:
The potted plant on the counter.
Those familiar blue-gold leaves.
That life aura, ten times more vibrant than two days ago.
His chest trembled.
Ah Yin.
It really was Ah Yin.
But before the joy could fully bloom on his face—
It froze.
Because he saw—
The Blue Silver Emperor was wriggling.
No—twisting her leaves.
In a way he had never, ever seen.
It was… enchanting.
Shamelessly enchanting.
The delicate tendrils acted like fair, slender hands, actively, eagerly reaching toward the young man behind the counter.
Everything about her posture screamed:
"Pet seeking affection from its master."
A subtle, absurd mix of anger and betrayal exploded in Tang Hao's heart.
His mind buzzed.
"Ah Yin?"
His hoarse voice trembled.
The Blue Silver Emperor paused for one second—
Then continued brushing against Lin Feng's sleeve as if nothing had happened.
As if the voice behind her was a passing breeze.
Tang Hao's chest tightened painfully.
But excitement quickly drowned everything else.
Seeing her vibrant state—
He couldn't restrain himself.
"Ah Yin!!"
With that shout, he took a staggering step forward, rushing toward the counter.
But as soon as one foot crossed the threshold—
A massive figure blocked his way.
Gold Crocodile Douluo.
His sharp gaze held nothing but disgust.
Tang Hao's fury erupted instantly.
"Get—"
Slap!!!
Before he could finish, a golden-scaled hand smashed across his face.
Tang Hao spun through the air like a ragdoll, rolled across the ground, and lay there dazed and throbbing with pain.
Gold Crocodile Douluo spat out a furious snort.
"Trash like you wants to enter Senior's shop? Are you even worthy?!"
"Get lost! If you dirty Senior's floor, can you afford to compensate?!"
Lin Feng's face twitched.
No, no, no—
Gold Crocodile, don't hit him!
If you send him flying again, where am I going to get my hundred-thousand-year ring?!
Floor gets dirty? Zhu Zhuqing and her sister can mop it.
But if the delivery runs away, he'd really have to go chase it down.
Too much hassle.
Suppressing the urge to complain, Lin Feng coughed lightly.
"Cough."
"Golden Crocodile, that's enough."
His tone was calm.
"Let him in."
"I want to hear what he has to say after seeing the revived Blue Silver Emperor."
The words weren't loud, but everyone heard them clearly.
Gold Crocodile Douluo, who just moments ago was like a furious beast, instantly extinguished all his aggression.
He turned and respectfully cupped his fists.
"Yes, Senior."
Then he shot Tang Hao a cold, dismissive glare.
"Hmph. Senior is merciful enough to even look at you. Consider yourself fortunate."
With one step, he moved aside.
Tang Hao, still dizzy from the slap, finally regained his senses.
He had heard everything.
His gaze—full of disbelief—shifted away from Ah Yin and landed on Lin Feng.
Senior?
This young man?
The man described by Ghost Douluo.
The one who could revive Ah Yin.
The one who could reshape her body.
He looked no different from an ordinary young man with no spirit power.
Could he truly have such heaven-defying power?
But Gold Crocodile's respect could not be faked.
And Ah Yin's stunning recovery…
Reality was louder than any doubt.
Dragging his broken body, Tang Hao took slow, heavy steps inside.
The moment he entered Fengran Pavilion, he froze.
An intoxicating fragrance swept over him.
It burrowed into his nose, poked at his numb taste buds, and made his starved stomach churn and growl painfully.
He didn't know how long it had been since he tasted real food.
But what shocked him most—
Was the tranquility of the restaurant.
Outside was Spirit Hall territory.
Inside sat a group of Spirit Hall monsters who hated him to the bone.
Yet here—
The killing intent smothering him for years quietly faded.
Tang Hao's gaze locked onto Lin Feng.
This ordinary young man felt like he was wrapped in mist, out of reach, unfathomable.
But Tang Hao knew:
This man…
Was his only hope.
He took a deep breath and approached.
Two meters from the counter, he stopped.
Then—
Under countless gazes—
The head that had once looked down upon the continent slowly bowed.
"Please… save Ah Yin."
His voice cracked with pleading.
"If you can really do it…"
His left fist trembled.
"I am willing to give… everything."
The moment those words fell—
A strange, indescribable silence filled the restaurant.