Chapter Fifty-Four: Instant Noodles in the Cultivation World

Myoxin Pavilion in the southern part of the city was one of the industries owned by the Myoxin Sect in Wuzhou. Although most sects were reluctant to meddle in worldly affairs, they would still establish some businesses in the mundane realm for convenience during their travels. Some sects, lacking in spiritual stones, would even bring surplus medicinal herbs and spiritual plants into the city to exchange for resources.

Myoxin Sect was considered a mid-tier sect in the Wuzhou cultivation circle—not among the eight great sects, but by no means weak. It was somewhat unconventional, as it only accepted female disciples from outside.

The proprietor of Myoxin Pavilion, Myo Kangtai, was one of the rare male disciples in the sect, born into the direct line of the sect’s elders and raised within its walls. Even so, he was not highly regarded and was thus dispatched to Wuzhou to manage mundane affairs. Fortunately, his temperament was easygoing; he had little ambition for the path of immortality, so he found untroubled freedom in the city.

The Myoxin Pavilion was among the more luxurious taverns in Wuzhou, but Myo Kangtai rarely cared for business. He mainly attended to sect members on official matters or relayed the latest intelligence.

These past few days, the Myoxin Pavilion had been abuzz with visitors, thanks to the much-anticipated duel between Bai Liu and his rival. Many female disciples of the sect had arrived—some were Myo Kangtai’s peers, mostly at the Integration Stage; others were from the younger two generations, mainly at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Numerous elders led these groups, and to Myo Kangtai’s delight, several elders from the Kang family lineage had come as well, including his most respected maternal grandmother. These people rarely left their closed-door cultivation or ventures into the wild with disciples to train; seldom did they enter the secular world.

After ensuring everyone was settled, Myo Kangtai eagerly laid out an array of pastries he had purchased from a Yang family franchise in front of his grandmother for her to enjoy.

Myo Kang Wenxin, over two hundred years old and a formidable cultivator at the Golden Core Stage, appeared no older than a common woman in her forties or fifties. She, too, couldn’t help but sample these unfamiliar delicacies.

Myo Kangtai introduced, “Grandmother, these are the latest food sensations in Wuzhou this year. Supplies are limited each day and hard to come by. When I heard you’d be arriving, I reserved a whole table yesterday. How do you find the taste?”

Myo Kang Wenxin regarded her dispatched grandson, whom she hadn't seen in over twenty years, and nodded with satisfaction. “The flavor is excellent. Having cultivated in the sect since childhood, I have never tasted such refined food.”

Myo Kangtai quickly replied, “As long as Grandmother is pleased. After the duel between Bai and Liu, I’ll procure more for you to take home and enjoy at your leisure.”

Myo Kang Wenxin said, “You are thoughtful, Tai, but food is a minor matter. Have the arrangements been made for our viewing area on the day of the duel? Many of our disciples attending are rising stars, the focus of cultivation for each generation. Observing a peak-level contest will surely bring them great insight. You must not bungle this and cause me embarrassment.”

Myo Kangtai hurriedly assured her, “Rest assured, Grandmother. I know I am lax by nature, but I dare not be careless with such important matters. I reserved the sect’s viewing area half a month ago.”

He added, “The central square will be extremely crowded. Many noble families are negotiating with the city lord’s mansion to allocate viewing zones in advance to avoid any conflicts that might be difficult to contain.”

Myo Kang Wenxin replied, “Naturally. If even Tong Meng can’t handle such arrangements, the city will be torn apart by hundreds of noble families clashing.”

Myo Kangtai said, “You’re absolutely right. Still, for such a match between two juniors, you’ve come all this way—what an honor for them.”

“You know nothing,” Myo Kang Wenxin retorted. “Your mother tells me you’ve been unruly since childhood, with little ambition for the great Dao. Seeing you today confirms it—truly a block of wood beyond carving, not a hint of progress all these years.” She glared at him.

Myo Kangtai was deeply ashamed. He heard his grandmother continue, “Enlightenment comes at its own pace, irrespective of age or seniority. That ‘Silver Threaded Jade Sword’ Bai Muyun, despite his youth, is a proven powerhouse. Ten years ago, he was already peerless in Wuzhou, and even among the heads of the eight great sects, few could claim a certain victory over him. Now, a decade later, his cultivation must be unfathomable.

“And that ‘Demon of Mist and Rain’ Liu Changqing, though eccentric and disliked by many sects, is nonetheless formidable, rarely defeated—his opponents often sect leaders themselves.

“Since achieving the Golden Core stage, I have been stuck at this level for many years. The higher one climbs, the harder progress becomes. Most of life has passed, and the path to the Dao remains distant. If I can gain even a shred of insight from their duel, I would gladly call them seniors.”

Myo Kangtai said, “Grandmother is right. I spoke out of turn.”

As they conversed, a beautiful young woman burst in. “Elder, look what I’ve bought for you!”

Myo Kang Wenxin scolded, “Myo Lingxi, you impudent girl! How many times have I told you—compose yourself and be more dignified in public.” Despite her words, there was indulgence in her eyes. Neither Myo Lingxi nor Myo Kangtai felt the rebuke was harsh.

Myo Lingxi stuck out her tongue. Noticing Myo Kangtai’s presence, she quickly straightened and greeted him with due respect. “Greetings, Uncle.”

Myo Kangtai returned the gesture promptly; he dared not offend this girl. She was the outstanding disciple of her generation in the Myoxin Sect—not only gifted but also exceptionally diligent, much beloved by the sect leader and elders. Barring any surprises, she was likely to lead the sect in the future. Her excellence was such that even rival factions vying for power within the sect considered themselves outmatched.

“Bring it in,” she called out. Two attendants carried in a large object.

Both Myo Kang Wenxin and Myo Kangtai were puzzled as Myo Lingxi arranged the item and pulled the elder from her cushion, seating her on it. “Elder, is it comfortable? This is called a sofa. I bought it as a gift for you.”

Myo Kang Wenxin stroked the armrest. “This is wonderful. How much did it cost? We could bring some back for the sect leader.”

Myo Lingxi replied, “This one cost me over three hundred spirit coins—it exhausted my savings.”

Myo Kang Wenxin was surprised. “So expensive? And it’s just a mundane item, with no spiritual energy?”

Myo Kangtai was also taken aback. He’d heard about this shop a few days ago but hadn’t had a chance to visit. This girl had just arrived and already beat him to it, robbing him of the chance to honor the sect elders.

He quickly said, “I’ve saved up quite a bit over the years. If Grandmother likes it, I’ll send more with you when you leave—give them to whomever you wish.”

Myo Kang Wenxin nodded. Though she had many grandchildren, Kangtai was proving the most endearing; she wondered how she hadn’t noticed before.

After the delivery people left, Myo Lingxi looked at the table. “Wow, so much delicious food! Pity I’m already full. But I’ve brought some snacks too, Elder—please try them.” With that, she pulled out a lotus-wrapped packet, revealing a small, white cube, and popped it into Myo Kang Wenxin’s mouth.

A bite released a creamy sweetness that melted on her tongue.

“Tasty, isn’t it, Elder? This is called milk candy.” She unwrapped another packet. “And this one is spicy—super delicious, called spicy strips.” She handed one to Myo Kangtai, who found it piquant but addictive.

She produced yet another packet. “This is instant noodles. Elder, when we go out for training, we won’t have to eat beast meat all the time anymore. I’m so sick of it. With this, just add hot water and it’s ready.”

“And this is chocolate—good for staving off hunger when there’s nothing else to eat.”

“And these are biscuits…”

As Myo Lingxi kept pulling out treat after treat, soon the table was piled high again. Myo Kangtai felt a bit dizzy. Was he really still in Wuzhou? How was it he’d never seen any of these things before?

He couldn’t help but ask, “Lingxi, where did you buy all this?”

“Uncle, you don’t know? There’s a grocery right next to Myoxin Pavilion. The owner calls these snacks—there are all sorts, and the prices aren’t high. Ordinary folks can afford them.”

A few days earlier, Yang Cheng had taken advantage of a lull to recruit a batch of grocery stores as franchisees with the help of various taverns, supplying smaller shops with goods. With more contacts, distribution was faster, and prices were kept low enough that most people could buy them. The new products quickly spread. The food factory managed by Aunt Wang began to turn a profit, spirits were high, and new products kept rolling off the line.