The figure who slowly rose to his feet was none other than the Third High Priest of Spirit Hall—Azure Luan Douluo.
Wearing an expression of complete satisfaction, he first straightened his robes, then turned toward the counter and bowed respectfully to Lin Feng.
"Senior," he said solemnly, "this junior has finished his meal. May I now draw a reward?"
Draw a reward?
Those three words were like a magic incantation.
They pierced straight into Sea Horse Douluo's ears.
Almost reflexively, he turned his head. His eyes—still lingering in the afterglow of the egg fried rice's supreme deliciousness—were now filled with confusion and curiosity.
And in the very instant he turned—
He witnessed a scene that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Behind the counter, the young shop owner everyone respectfully addressed as Senior didn't even raise his eyelids.
He merely flicked his finger.
A faint, almost imperceptible streak of golden light shot out like a silent meteor, instantly entering Azure Luan Douluo's glabella.
"Your reward," Lin Feng said calmly, "is a one-level increase."
His tone was flat. Unemotional.
Yet that single sentence plunged the entire Feng Ran Pavilion into absolute silence.
One level?!
Before entering the shop, Azure Luan Douluo had already been a Level 97 Titled Douluo.
After frequenting Feng Ran Pavilion and being "nourished" by its food, he had long since broken through his bottleneck and reached Level 98.
Now—
Another level up?
That meant—
Before anyone could fully process this terrifying implication—
BOOM!!!
A vast, overwhelming surge of spirit power erupted violently from Azure Luan Douluo's body!
Azure-colored energy waves rolled outward in all directions, visible to the naked eye.
Behind him, an enormous phantom of an Azure Luan Bird unfurled its wings and soared skyward, releasing a clear, resonant cry that echoed through the pavilion like divine music!
In that instant—
Every Titled Douluo below this realm felt as if an ancient mountain had been slammed onto their shoulders!
Golden Crocodile Douluo and the others had already grown somewhat accustomed to such scenes.
Even so, watching a colleague casually step into a realm they had spent a lifetime striving for—right after finishing a meal—still stirred indescribable emotions in their hearts.
As for the newcomer—
Dugu Bo's worldview completely collapsed.
His emerald-green snake eyes bulged so wide they nearly popped out of their sockets.
In the next second, he abruptly turned around and grabbed Chrysanthemum Douluo by the collar, his voice warped by sheer shock.
"H-He… he's Level 99?!"
"Just from eating a meal—he reached Level 99?!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo was yanked so hard his eyes rolled back, and he was just about to explode in anger—
When a cold hand slapped Dugu Bo's shriveled, claw-like grip away with irresistible force.
Ghost Douluo stood beside Chrysanthemum Douluo, expressionless.
He calmly straightened Chrysanthemum Douluo's rumpled collar, every movement meticulous and patient.
Only after finishing did he slowly lift his gaze and look at Dugu Bo with emotionless eyes.
"Making a fuss," Ghost Douluo said hoarsely.
His voice was flat, yet carried an unshakable confidence.
"In Senior's shop, while eating and drawing rewards…"
"Anything is possible."
Dugu Bo froze.
He stared blankly at Ghost Douluo.
Then at Chrysanthemum Douluo, whose face clearly read you country bumpkin.
His mind completely short-circuited.
So this wasn't a one-time miracle?!
Eating here could actually lead to instant ascension?!
His gaze abruptly snapped toward the menu he had casually tossed aside earlier.
At this moment, that menu looked like a peerless divine scripture.
Dugu Bo snatched it up as if afraid it would disappear.
"Waiter! Waiter!"
He shouted at the top of his lungs, waving frantically at Hu Liena, his face burning with urgency.
"I want to order! I want to order right now!"
But halfway through shouting, he suddenly remembered something.
He turned back and stared intently at Ghost Douluo's face—so different from the ghastly visage in his memories that it almost seemed handsome.
He hesitated, then asked awkwardly,
"By the way… who are you?"
The instant those words left his mouth—
Ghost Douluo stiffened.
A surge of validated, soul-shaking ecstasy flooded his heart.
Had he finally reached the day when others would marvel at his appearance?!
His mood soared instantly.
He subconsciously adjusted his hair, striking what he believed was his most aloof and dashing pose, preparing for a grand introduction.
"I am—"
Before he could finish—
Dugu Bo impatiently waved his hand without even turning his head, eyes glued to the menu.
"Forget it. Whoever you are, it has nothing to do with this old man."
Ghost Douluo: "..."
His posture froze.
The carefully prepared lines jammed in his throat.
Blood rushed to his head, and he nearly coughed up three liters of it on the spot.
Beside him, Chrysanthemum Douluo finally lost it.
"Pfft—!"
He burst into laughter, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
—
All of this unfolded clearly within Sea Horse Douluo's sight.
He had seen Azure Luan Douluo's breakthrough.
He had seen Poison Douluo's shattered composure.
He had heard Ghost Douluo's casual declaration—
Anything is possible.
At that moment, everything clicked.
No wonder.
No wonder the Great Priestess refused to return no matter what.
This place didn't just offer divine-level food that elevated the soul—
It offered heaven-defying opportunities.
Forget the Great Priestess.
If it were him, he wouldn't want to leave either!
Returning to that cold, damp Sea God Temple—reeking of fish and seawater—spending every day facing brainless sea spirit beasts?
Compared to this immortal-like life…
That was hell.
Just as Sea Horse Douluo's worldview was being completely rebuilt—
A clear, cold voice softly sounded beside him.
"You just mentioned Sea Witch," Posey said calmly.
"What happened to her?"
Sea Horse Douluo shuddered violently, snapping out of his thoughts.
He looked up and met Posey's sea-blue eyes.
Within them flickered inquiry—
And a faint, unmistakable warning.
His heart skipped a beat.
He understood.
This was his final chance.
Sea Horse Douluo swallowed the remaining egg fried rice in his mouth.
In an instant, all traces of grief vanished from his face.
What replaced it was an unprecedented solemnity—upright, dignified, and righteous.
Still kneeling, he straightened his back like a spear, his voice ringing loud and firm.
"Reporting to the Great Priestess!"
"This subordinate believes the traitorous Sea Witch is insidious, cunning, and deeply scheming—far beyond what ordinary Titled Douluo can contend with!"
"Though the Great Priestess's power reaches the heavens, an open spear is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against!"
"To prevent that traitor from resorting to sinister and despicable methods in desperation—"
"This subordinate has decided!"
"From this day onward, I will remain here to assist the Great Priestess!"
"Until the traitorous Sea Witch is captured and escorted back to Sea God Island for judgment!"
"Before the traitor is apprehended—this subordinate vows never to return to the island!"