They were now seated inside CloudveilPavilion (云纱阁)—the LinFamily's favorite gathering spot. It had always been a treasured place for LinXuanji and his mèimei, LinQingyu, as their parents used to bring them here whenever they had free time.
Though their parents had long since passed, the siblings continued to visit the pavilion, clinging to its memories.
Cloudveil Pavilion Specialties:
Drunken Phoenix Soup – Brewed with fire-bird marrow and thousand-year spirit wine.
Heavenly Lotus Steam Buns – Said to cleanse and harmonize meridians.
Void-Caught Carp Sashimi – Caught between seconds of time; its flesh hums with residual Dao.
Moon Nectar Tea – Brewed only under the first spring full moon. Suppresses inner demons for a month.
Notable Secrets:
Rumor has it that inscriptions beneath the menus are Dao puzzles left by an immortal chef.
Sect elders often gather here for quiet negotiations behind veils of illusion.
Some dishes are said to contain enlightenment, but only if fate allows.
This was why Cloudveil Pavilion was renowned not just in Yunxiao Healer Sect, but across many major sects of the Martial World.
The siblings and the Liu twins eagerly placed their usual orders and began digging in. Halfway through the meal, Lin Qingyu set down her chopsticks and spoke:
"Xuan gege, I wanted to tell you—tomorrow, the Empress Dowager of TianxuSect will begin selecting candidates to become concubines for His Highness, the Crown Prince…"
Lin Xuanji glanced at his mèimei and said evenly, "And?"
Before he could finish his sentence, Qingyu quickly blurted out, "You know I don't want to be a concubine! I want to travel the world freely—and one day marry the person I truly love!"
Lin Xuanji—no, Mo Tianzun—lifted his eyes, recalling the system's notification:
[Main Quest Activated]
Welcome to the System!
Objective: Make Crown Prince Zhao Longxuan fall in love with you—and only you.
Ascend as his sole consort, with zero concubines.
Lin Xuanji stood up, one foot resting proudly on the table. "Then I'll take your place!" he declared.
A loud gasp rippled through the restaurant. The Liu twins leapt to their feet.
"WHAT!?" they shouted in unison, while Qingyu clapped her hands in delight.
"B-But... Master Xuan, you're a man!" said Liu Fenglan, wide-eyed.
"That doesn't mean he can't be one!" Qingyu said defensively, frowning as she stood to protect her gege.
Liu Zhenhai, who had remained quiet, placed a hand on his chin in thought. "Actually... it's possible. With sufficient cultivation, some experts can transform their gender or disguise their appearance."
Fenglan blinked, then nodded slowly. "Yeah... you're right."
"And besides!" Qingyu added, grinning. "Other sects already allow male consorts and concubines. Brother JiJi is the most beautiful man you've ever seen in your life, right?"
The twins exchanged a glance—then, reluctantly, nodded.
Lin Xuanji—once the fearsome Mo Tianzun—was stunned speechless.
"Beautiful?" he thought. No one's ever called me that… not even once…
He cleared his throat and coughed lightly, regaining his composure. The table quieted as the others looked at him.
"Let's just finish eating," he said. "And afterwards, mèimei, you can tell Aunt Ruyan whatever you need."
Qingyu nodded eagerly and returned to her meal, as did the twins.
Lin Xuanji exhaled slowly, muttering under his breath, "Tch. Damn system... damn ridiculous quest…"
"Did you say something, Xuan gege?" Qingyu looked up, blinking innocently.
"No. Just eat your food," he replied calmly.
She giggled and continued eating, while Lin Xuanji picked up his chopsticks and finally began eating too—still internally fuming, yet strangely amused.