A Bite of Douluo Continent

Tai Lei, who was sitting at the next table, quickly came up with an idea: "Three servings of Dongpo pork knuckle, one serving of dragon beard noodles, and one serving of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)."

Carnivorous Tyrell said that one serving of Dongpo pork knuckle was not enough.

After the four branch leaders finished ordering, Tang Qianqiu also decided what he wanted to order. He looked at Fuya with a smile on his face, "Little girl, give this old man a dish of fish belly stuffed with mutton, and a dish of dragon beard noodles."

Tang Qianqiu's martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, so his appetite is naturally normal. Although he wanted to try all the other dishes, the shop had a rule against wasting food, which he was happy to comply with.

Different strong individuals also have different personalities. Although Tang Qianqiu possesses the power to break all worldly rules, he disdains such things.

He still remembers the words of his late mentor.

"To possess great power and then break the existing rules is not the mark of a strong person; it is merely the act of a weak person trying to prove themselves strong. The true strength lies in possessing the power to break the rules yet still abiding by them, because they possess not only power but also the heart to restrain that power."

Moreover, experiencing life like an ordinary person occasionally is also a good experience for him.

Tang Qianqiu always used the pretext of inspecting various branches to wander all over the continent, just for the sake of freedom.

Having come all this way to Shrek City, he planned to stay a while longer. He figured he'd finish the new dishes at the small shop eventually, so there was no rush.

But speaking of which... now that Shrek Academy has come, it seems we can't avoid a certain annoying old guy.

Ha, just what I feared most has come to pass.

As Tang Qianqiu's thoughts raced, a familiar figure entered the shop. The slightly hunched figure straightened up a bit upon seeing Tang Qianqiu, and the figure stared directly into Tang Qianqiu's eyes.

In their eyes, a dazzling galaxy spun, and the sun and moon rose and fell.

In a mere instant, yet it felt like an eternity, the two simultaneously withdrew their gazes. The aged figure walked straight toward Tang Qianqiu and casually sat down next to Tang Qianqiu's table, next to the table where Tai Lei was.

"You don't mind me sitting here, do you?"

The old man glanced at Tai Lei and spoke with a smile. Tai Lei's face froze for a moment, then he suddenly recognized the old man's identity. His pupils trembled wildly, and his eyes, filled with a survival instinct, instantly turned to his sect leader.

"sit down."

Tang Qianqiu's voice remained calm and composed, but Tai Lei's expression changed drastically in an instant.

Holy crap... Sect leader, please stop! I just want to quietly enjoy my pork knuckle all by myself!

Help me! Help me! Help me!

Unlike Tang Qianqiu's flamboyant appearance in a golden robe, this old man wore a simple gray linen dress, his figure was slightly hunched, and his face had deep wrinkles left by the years.

But after he spoke, the four branch leaders all changed color.

Before the old man spoke, the four renowned Title Douluo powerhouses of the time had not sensed anyone approaching them.

The other party appeared suddenly beside them, like a ghost.

However, considering the other party's identity, the four branch leaders suddenly had the absurd thought that "if it is him, this is normal."

Qi Poxiao, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion and the Cloud Spear Douluo.

Who would have thought that such a simple old man, who looks like a country farmer, is the strongest person in the world of Douluo Continent?

Bonus chapter preview and author's note upon release

Time flies! Before I knew it, this book had already reached over 200,000 words and would soon be available for purchase. I am truly grateful for everyone's continued support and encouragement.

This book already has over five thousand favorites, which I'm quite satisfied with. As for the initial subscription, I'll leave that to fate.

The release date is set for midnight on October 1st. I thought that the National Day holiday is long, and everyone will have more time to watch it. In addition, it's a new month and a new beginning, so I chose such a special day.

Generally, authors seem to stockpile chapters before release and then release a massive update on the day of release. However, since there isn't much content left in the first volume, I plan to release a massive update before release to finish the first volume, allowing everyone to read more free chapters. Then, I'll release a massive update for the second volume after release. This is why I'm posting my release message in advance.

The day before it goes on sale, which is tomorrow, will be the first day of a major update for this book, so please come back if you've been waiting for it to be published! The lovely author needs you.

Many readers may have guessed from my pen name that I am not actually a full-time author. I just wanted to try writing one because I was experiencing a reading slump and couldn't find any books I liked. So, I am more like a reader and enjoy interacting with fellow readers.

I read all the comments carefully and reply to about 80% of them. The remaining 20% ​​are probably because I didn't know what to say, so I didn't reply. I think a novel without reviews is like an anime without comments—it has no soul. So please interact more!

Thank you all for your support. I'm very happy that so many people think my book is good. However, it's impossible to add more chapters now, because I'm a graduate student and can only manage two chapters a day. So after it's published, it will mainly be two chapters a day, with occasional extra chapters on holidays.

Next, let's talk about the new volumes.

The first volume is titled "There's a Shop in Shrek City," but it's actually a calm and mundane volume. It doesn't have many dramatic events; it starts with the operation of a small shop and lays the groundwork for many later plot developments, setting the stage for the current situation on the continent.

The second volume is titled "Blood and Fire: Luo City," and as the name suggests, this volume is anything but ordinary. A heads-up: this volume will be filled with blood and fire, because...

Duck blood hot pot is coming soon!

Okay, just kidding. Anyway, the plot will get more dramatic and exciting later on, but everyday life will still be the main theme. I hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 103 Let Me Show You How

Qi Po-xiao slowly sat down, no longer looking in Tang Qian-qiu's direction, but instead looking at the price list on the wall. After a while, he beckoned Fu-ya over and then spoke with a smile.

"Give me an order of fish belly stuffed with mutton and a bowl of dragon beard noodles."

After ordering, Qi Po-xiao leaned back in his chair and looked at Tai-lei. "These dragon beard noodles are somewhat similar to the dragon beard needles of your Tang Clan. I wonder if they are as fine as hair as dragon beard needles."

Talk to me?

Tai Lei was a little confused. He and this Cloud Spear Douluo seemed to have no connection. However, since he was a senior expert, he opened his mouth, about to say a few words, when he heard a faint voice coming from the side.

"It's probably just a similar name. This little kid probably hasn't even seen the Dragon Beard Needle of my Tang Clan."

Okay, Thales shut his mouth.

Clearly, these two big shots don't want to communicate directly; they're chatting across servers instead...

I, Thales, am ultimately just a dispensable person.

The xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) had been prepared long ago, so the food was served quickly. Not long after Qi Po-xiao ordered, the xiaolongbao for the five members of the Tang Clan were served. Yu Hua and Zhao Yun-sheng shared one basket, while Niu Yue and Tai Lei each had one basket.

Four small dishes of vinegar were also served.

Qi Han had already instructed Fuya that the way to eat xiaolongbao was special, and diners needed to tell her how to eat it the first time they ordered it.

However, before she could speak, a boisterous voice rang out, "Hey, is this a steamed bun? How can such a small one fill you up?"

Before Fuya could react, she saw Tai Lei grab a small steamed bun with his large hand and throw it into his mouth. After chewing for a while, he suddenly widened his eyes, closed his mouth tightly, and hissed as he inhaled the cold air.

Caught off guard, Thales was scalded by the soup inside the xiaolongbao.

Fuya's face stiffened, and she hurriedly said, "Although these xiaolongbao look somewhat similar to steamed buns, they are not the same. They contain soup inside, so the way to eat them is rather special." As she spoke, she quickly explained to everyone how to eat the xiaolongbao.

They have to hurry, or Thales will be eating the second one.

After hearing the method of consumption, everyone suddenly realized why Tai Lei had acted so strangely, and Zhao Yunsheng even cast a disdainful glance at him for a moment.

What a disgrace! Such an elegant way to eat xiaolongbao! This old geezer, Tai Lei, is simply wasting his breath.

As he was thinking, Zhao Yunsheng followed Fuya's instructions, picked up a small steamed bun with chopsticks, bit a small hole in the top, blew gently into the hole a few times, and then sucked hard.

The rich broth immediately filled Zhao Yunsheng's mouth. He took a sip and his eyes lit up.

This is great stuff!

This soup is so delicious, although it's not as flavorful as the soup with mutton stuffed in fish belly, it's still a rare treat. I never thought I could eat soup while having xiaolongbao.

That's really interesting.

As the flavor of the broth dissipated in his mouth, Zhao Yunsheng glanced at the slightly deflated steamed buns that had absorbed the broth, then dipped them in the vinegar dish before putting them directly into his mouth.

After a few chews, his eyes shone even brighter.

The dough is chewy, the meat filling is tender, and there's a tangy and refreshing vinegar flavor.

It was truly unforgettable and wonderful.

Yu Hua's actions were similar to Zhao Yunsheng's. Soon, he also felt the fun of these xiaolongbao. Both the soup inside and the xiaolongbao themselves were rare delicacies.

Just then, Yu Hua looked up and found his sect leader staring at him...

The two fell silent.

Tang Qianqiu was getting a little hungry. He had never seen these exquisite-looking steamed buns before. Seeing Zhao Yunsheng and Yu Hua sitting opposite him eating so deliciously, he wanted to try some too. However, he hadn't ordered any steamed buns and was too embarrassed to ask Yu Hua and the other person to let him have some.

Yu Hua seemed to be deep in thought. Only the sect leader at his table hadn't eaten xiaolongbao yet. How could that be?

However, he hesitated when he looked at the steamer in front of him. He was going to share the food with Zhao Yunsheng, and each of them could only eat five. If he gave some to the sect leader, wouldn't there be even fewer?

otherwise...

Yu Hua's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "Old Niu, I suddenly feel like you've ordered a bit too much food?"

Niu Yue had just put a small steamed bun in his mouth when he heard this and looked up blankly.

Is it too much?

Why does my old cow feel like there's not enough?

Where are there more?

Immediately afterwards, he saw Yu Hua give him a subtle wink.

After so many years of being brothers, we still have this much understanding. Niu Yue pondered for a moment, then understood!

He chuckled and said, "Sect Leader, I think I ordered too much. Would you like to eat a few xiaolongbao for me?"

The two exchanged glances, which naturally caught Tang Qianqiu's attention. However, thinking about being able to taste the xiaolongbao, Tang Qianqiu decided to pretend to be deaf and dumb for the time being. "Hehe, that's fine, I'll eat two for you."

On the other side, Tyree recovered from the scalding soup and realized he had made a big joke when he heard what Fuya said. However, he was thick-skinned and didn't even blush. Just as he was about to eat another one according to the way Fuya had suggested, he suddenly noticed a pair of chopsticks reaching for his steamer.

I'm fucking...

When I put my chopsticks into someone else's plate, how dare someone put their chopsticks into my old Thai plate?

Terry bristled for a moment, but when he looked up and saw the owner of the chopsticks, he immediately calmed down and gave an awkward smile, "Senior...isn't this inappropriate?"

Qi Po-xiao smiled very kindly, "Tai-lei, I am also familiar with your grandfather. I even held you when you were little. You were so naughty back then, and you even peed on my hand."

"It's been so many years since we last met, and you're still as naughty as ever. You're so fussy even when eating a xiaolongbao. This won't do. Come here, let me show you how."

Thales fell silent.

Cloud Spear Douluo?

The first person from mainland China?

It's just that old people never fix things!

How old am I? I'm almost eighty, yet this old scoundrel calls me a child.