Chapter 22: Encounter in the Cafeteria

Mingyue had finally been admitted to the Shushan Academy of Immortality. The sense of drifting and helplessness that had plagued her finally settled into a feeling of stability; she felt as though she had found a home. Overflowing with joy, she found her food exceptionally delicious and began to eat with abandon. She had always loved fine food, and the academy’s fare was, in fact, quite excellent.

Lost in her meal, Mingyue was eating happily, completely unaware that the previously boisterous cafeteria had suddenly fallen silent. Many students had risen to their feet, all gazing toward the entrance.

At the cafeteria doors, five Shushan disciples of extraordinary presence were walking in.

Leading them was a man with deep, phoenix-like eyes, features as handsome as if carved from stone, and a tall, elegant posture. Even standing still, he looked like a figure from an ink wash painting, as dazzling as the brightest star in the heavens. Every gesture he made exuded a peerless grace that made it impossible to look away. This was Feng Qingcheng, the foremost inner-disciple of the Shushan Immortal Sect.

Behind him walked a man twirling an ink-wash landscape fan, his face a cheerful, baby-faced mask—this was Qiao Chuyua, one of the Five Immortals.

Next was a man carrying an ancient zither on his back, his peach-blossom eyes curved in a half-smile, possessing a striking, handsome appearance—this was Hua Qiandu, another of the Five Immortals.

Following him was a man with a look of stern integrity, carrying a ruler on his back, his sword-like brows etched with resolve—this was Mei Ren, one of the Five Immortals.

Finally, there was a man as elegant as jade, dressed in flowing white robes, handsome and free-spirited—this was Murong Yiwen, the last of the Five Immortals.

The academy students let out gasps of awe. Some female disciples had pink stars in their eyes and began to stand up and crowd toward the Five Immortals, hoping to catch their attention.

Once the Five Immortals reached the center of the cafeteria, everyone felt as if the room had suddenly brightened. These five men were truly as radiant as jade trees in the wind, their presence unparalleled.

The cafeteria erupted in a frenzy. Students vied to stand and pay their respects to the Five Immortals, who nodded in acknowledgment as they walked by.

Mingyue, with her back to the entrance, remained focused on her food, oblivious to the change in the room.

"Yurou," Mingyue said, munching on a meat bun, "these buns are so good! They’re my favorite mushroom filling. I’m definitely going to eat a few more today."

With her mouth full of bun, she looked up to find Nangong Yurou, Dou Ruhua, and Mo Yao suddenly standing up.

Thinking they had finished and were leaving, she took a large bite and said, "Hey, I’m not done yet. Don't go!"

Only then did Mingyue realize something was off. Nangong Yurou was blushing, her face flushed as she stared wide-eyed at the space behind Mingyue. Dou Ruhua’s face was beet red, and a stream of blood gushed from her nose, dripping steadily into her bowl. Mo Yao looked equally dazed, pink stars twinkling in her eyes.

Mingyue stood up, still gnawing on a bun, and asked, "What is wrong with you all? Even when we ran into those zombie-worms, you didn't act this strange."

Nangong Yurou blinked at her, pointed a finger behind her, and struggled to say, "Mingyue, behind you..."

Mingyue turned around out of curiosity. When she saw the men standing there, she froze. The meat bun fell from her open mouth, rolling across the table before hitting the floor.

Almost everyone looked at her stunned, naive expression with a mix of reactions—some were awestruck, some stifled giggles, some were gloating, and others looked on with disdain.

Nalan Meidai looked at her with contempt, her bright eyes filled with mocking scorn. Jiang Yiyi curled her lip and whispered in a voice full of disdain, "Look at that stupid face. A country bumpkin who’s never seen the world."

Mingyue could no longer care about the mockery and whispers. She was mortified; if she could have found a hole in the ground, she would have zipped into it in an instant.

Just a few steps away stood the five breathtakingly handsome men, the very Shushan Five Immortals the students worshipped above all else.

Many female disciples finally snapped out of their trance and began to crowd forward, calling out loudly:

"Senior Brother Feng!"
"Senior Brother Hua!"
"Senior Brother Qiao!"
"Senior Brother Murong!"

Even Jiang Yiyi waved her hands and shouted, "Senior Brother Murong, it's me, Jiang Yiyi!"

Murong Yiwen glanced toward her at the sound, but merely offered a faint nod without any trace of surprise. Jiang Yiyi stood beside him, flushed with excitement.

Nalan Meidai also walked up to Feng Qingcheng, her beautiful eyes fixed on him with deep affection, but Feng Qingcheng did not even look her way.

The Five Immortals were accompanied by a cool-headed cafeteria supervisor, whose face was flushed red with the effort of managing the crowd. He said to Feng Qingcheng with an awkward smile, "The disciples admire the five Immortals too much, please forgive the lack of decorum."

Feng Qingcheng’s long, phoenix-like eyes swept over the dazed girl who was caught between standing and sitting, looking utterly flustered. Though she was small of stature, she stood out in the crowd, as pure and beautiful as a clean drop of morning dew. Many male disciples nearby kept glancing at her, their eyes fixed firmly upon her.

Feng Qingcheng walked calmly up to Mingyue, bent down, picked up the bun that had rolled onto the floor, and placed it gently back onto the plate on her table. "The food here is good," he said. "If you like it, eat plenty." Mingyue’s eyes filled with stars, and she nodded frantically.

Feng Qingcheng smiled faintly and turned back to join Hua Qiandu. Hua Qiandu, watching Mingyue’s dazed expression, laughed unrestrainedly and gave her a thumbs-up.

Nangong Yurou gazed at Qiao Chuyua with infatuation, whispering, "Senior Brother Qiao."

Qiao Chuyua heard her and turned to wink at her. Nangong Yurou covered her face in surprise, too happy to speak.

Mei Ren stood there with a stern expression, acting as if he hadn't seen a thing.

Nalan Meidai stood beside Feng Qingcheng, gazing at him with longing, and whispered shyly, "Cousin." Feng Qingcheng merely nodded dismissively, his expression unchanging. Nalan Meidai’s face dimmed, a flash of anger crossing her eyes.

Feng Qingcheng walked on, instructing the supervisor, "Let’s go check the inner kitchen."

"Yes... yes... please, everyone, continue your meal," the supervisor said, leading the five young men away while introducing them to the crowd. "As you all know, these five Immortals are the inner-disciples appointed by the Shushan Immortal Sect to oversee your studies for the next five years. They are..." He proceeded to introduce the Five Immortals in detail.

Once the introductions were finished, the supervisor led the Five Immortals to inspect the kitchen’s hygiene and the quality of the food preparation.

The students of the Shushan Academy were in an uproar. Their fervent gazes followed the outstanding young men, and sounds of worship and praise rose in waves.

"I think the Great God Feng looked at me just now," one girl said shyly.

"I felt Senior Brother Murong look at me," another countered, "and he wouldn't look at someone who looks like you."

The first girl retorted angrily, "Are you so beautiful? What on earth are you talking about?"

The crowd looked on at their petty squabbling, speechless.

The Shushan Five Immortals were the most exceptional disciples from the previous term and the objects of their fanatical worship.

As everyone else discussed them excitedly, Mingyue kept her head buried, her small face hanging low, feeling as though life had lost all meaning. She was overcome with regret.

"Yurou," Mingyue lamented, "why didn't you tell me they were coming? I've completely humiliated myself."

"I was giving you frantic signals! Who told you to eat like a reincarnated starving ghost?" Nangong Yurou rolled her eyes, chuckling. "Besides, food is the most important thing to the people; there's nothing wrong with eating."

"I know that, but... it's just so embarrassing!" Mingyue said weakly, especially having made a fool of herself in front of such distinguished people.

"Oh my, so many handsome men, it’s such a feast for the eyes. Senior Brother Feng is like a god, so high and unreachable. Senior Brother Qiao Chuyua is so handsome, and he smiled at me so gently—he's the prince charming of my dreams!" Nangong Yurou’s eyes were filled with pink stars. "He even winked at me when I called his name! Could he be any more dashing?"

Mo Yao’s spirited brows furrowed as if she were plummeting into an abyss. "All five are excellent. Which one is the best? Let me think."

Dou Ruhua took a large bite of a steamed bun and wiped her nosebleed. "Senior Brother Feng is exactly what I imagine an immortal to be."

"Ruhua, are you okay?" Mingyue asked, seeing the blood still flowing. "Your internal heat is too high. You shouldn't eat so much."

Dou Ruhua didn't care. "Unless I'm dead, I'm not stopping." She shoved more food into her mouth, leaving the others speechless.

As the four of them were talking, Jiang Yiyi at the next table sneered, "People should know their place. A toad wanting to eat swan meat is just asking to be laughed at."

Mingyue and the others looked up to see Jiang Yiyi curl her lip in disdain. "Did you drop that bun on purpose in front of the Five Immortals? You should take a look at your own reflection and see what you look like."

Nangong Yurou retorted without hesitation, "Oh, so you're the most beautiful? Why don't you go fetch a basin of water and look at yourself?"

Nalan Meidai cast a cold glance at Mingyue. Remembering how Feng Qingcheng had picked up the bun for her, she felt a surge of fury, and her gaze toward Mingyue turned spiteful.

Mingyue couldn't be bothered with them. She grabbed Nangong Yurou’s hand and pulled her away. Dou Ruhua and Mo Yao followed, not forgetting to glare at Nalan Meidai and Jiang Yiyi before leaving.

Nangong Yurou fumed, "She has the nerve to talk about others. The way she looked at Senior Brother Murong just now was truly disgusting."

Mingyue consoled her, "Alright, don't get angry over irrelevant people. You'll turn into an old hag if you get too worked up."

Nangong Yurou laughed, "I'm just intolerant of evil, you know?"

Mingyue nodded. "Yes, I understand now."

The four of them enjoyed a comfortable hot bath and a wonderful sleep, ready to welcome the opening ceremony of the Shushan Academy of Immortality the following day.