"So it's Senior Saint Light Dao Master. This junior, Chu Feng, greets you with honor."
He had never heard of this person, but Chu Feng's first reaction was to rise and bow respectfully.
That was only proper when facing one's elder.
But as Chu Feng bowed, he sent a secret voice transmission.
"So it's young friend Chu Feng. Please, have a seat."
"It seems they haven't mentioned me to you. *Sigh*, I've been away from home so long, they've probably all but forgotten about me."
The Saint Light Dao Master smiled as he sighed, though his tone was lighthearted, meant to smooth over the awkwardness.
"Come, waiter — a bowl of the finest immortal wine."
As he spoke, the Saint Light Dao Master produced a Exalted Armament and placed it on the table.
The waiter had been eyeing Chu Feng this whole time, ready to usher him out if he didn't order any wine.
But when he saw that the Saint Light Dao Master was actually ordering wine on Chu Feng's behalf, he hurried over.
"Waiter, take this one."
However, before the waiter could collect the Exalted Armament, Chu Feng flicked his wrist and another Exalted Armament appeared in his hand, which he offered to the waiter.
Seeing the Exalted Armament, the waiter's eyes lit up instantly, and his respect for Chu Feng multiplied several times over.
He had originally doubted whether Chu Feng could even afford wine. After overhearing the exchange between Chu Feng and the Saint Light Dao Master, he had some admiration for Chu Feng's ability to talk someone into ordering such expensive wine with just a few words.
But he had also considered it a trick — not something earned through true capability.
Now, however, things were entirely different. Chu Feng producing an Exalted Armament of his own was a whole other matter. After all, no matter how you looked at it, Chu Feng was still a junior.
For a junior to produce an Exalted Armament for wine was not remotely the same concept as an old master doing the same.
When the Saint Light Dao Master saw that Chu Feng had brought out his own Exalted Armament, he said nothing further, though his gaze toward the young man shifted.
He seemed to understand now why this junior had managed to befriend so many prominent figures in his Sacred Valley — this one clearly had an impressive background.
"Waiter, is there a limit on how much one can drink here?" Chu Feng asked.
"No, sir," the waiter replied.
"Two more bowls, then." As he spoke, Chu Feng produced two more Exalted Armaments.
Those words drew the attention of everyone else in the establishment.
Most people who came here ordered only a single bowl — not for any other reason than that one Exalted Armament per bowl was already painful enough.
One bowl to taste was plenty. Any more than that, and they simply couldn't bring themselves to do it.
But Chu Feng had just ordered three bowls in one go.
"Young friend, you're going to drink all three yourself?"
Even the Saint Light Dao Master looked at Chu Feng with surprise.
"Senior, I'll drink two myself and offer one to you — a small token of respect. Please don't refuse," Chu Feng said.
"Young friend, you truly are extraordinary."
"I'll accept this small gesture."
The Saint Light Dao Master was straightforward about it and didn't decline.
Soon, three bowls of immortal wine were brought to the table. Chu Feng picked up one bowl.
"Junior Chu Feng, a toast to Senior."
With that, he drained the bowl in one gulp.
The Saint Light Dao Master likewise drained his in a single swallow.
"Truly fine wine."
Chu Feng let out a sigh of satisfaction.
The wine was smooth and invigorating the moment it touched his lips. It was potent, yet its fragrance was mellow and rich — far beyond what could be brewed from any ordinary ingredients. Upon entering his body, he could even sense the essence of an ancient era, sending tremors through his very soul.
Most importantly, it carried the effect of extending one's lifespan.
Such a delicacy was exceedingly rare in this world.
One Exalted Armament was a steep price, but for Chu Feng, this wine was worth it.
As for his second bowl, Chu Feng didn't drain it in one go this time. Instead, he sat down and sipped slowly, enjoying the drink with the Saint Light Dao Master.
"Well, young friend, was it worth it?"
The Saint Light Dao Master asked with a smile.
"Absolutely. This Qian Family Tavern truly deserves its reputation as the second finest establishment in the Totem Galaxy," Chu Feng replied with a grin.
"Sir, I'm afraid that's not quite accurate."
At that moment, the tavern's shopkeeper suddenly spoke up.
"First of all, the Qian Family Tavern sells wine."
"The Dragon Breath Spring Pavilion sells spring water — the two are fundamentally different things."
"If we're talking strictly about taverns, then the Qian Family Tavern was always the finest."
"If we set aside the wine and spring water, and simply talk about the best place to drink..."
"Then yes, the Qian Family Tavern was second in the past. But now, it's first."
As the shopkeeper spoke, he swept his gaze around the room, a look of pride on his face.
His words piqued everyone's curiosity.
How had they suddenly risen to first place?
Whether in terms of strength or reputation, the Dragon Breath Spring Pavilion had always sat firmly at the top. Though the two were separated by only one rank, the gap between them was actually quite significant.
After all, the Dragon Breath clan itself had an impressive lineage.
"You gentlemen may not have heard the news yet."
"But the Qian Family Tavern has received reliable information — the Dragon Breath Spring Pavilion has suffered a catastrophic calamity and has completely vanished from the vast Martial Cultivation World."
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire tavern erupted in chatter.
"Shopkeeper, is this true?"
Someone pressed.
"I wouldn't dare spread such words lightly. A reliable source witnessed it firsthand — a massive red hand covered the sky and seized the Dragon Breath Spring Pavilion directly."
"And it happened simultaneously, with red hands appearing all across the Totem Galaxy to take every last Dragon Breath Spring Pavilion."
"Now, the Dragon Breath Spring Pavilion has vanished without a trace. I'm afraid the outlook is grim."
"Red hands appeared simultaneously all across the Totem Galaxy? And they took every Dragon Breath Spring Pavilion?"