Mu Feng held the can in his hand, confused about its working. He knew about noodles, as he had often visited street vendors to eat theirs.
'Boss said we need to eat them here and there isn't anything on which the noodles could be made?'
But what was this metallic can? Did someone actually make the noodles and then seal them in here? Who does that?
That should be impossible… unless they were packed inside an Artifact. But who wastes a high-grade Artifact… on noodles?
'Of course, these artifacts are nothing for someone like Boss so that possibility can't be rolled out.'
"Let me show you how it works," Yun stood after he recovered from his surprise.
He had really overlooked the fact that people here wouldn't know about instant noodles because of how common they were back on Earth.
Mu Xue and Mu Feng instinctively straightened their backs.
If Yun had pulled out an alchemy cauldron, they wouldn't have been surprised.
Taking a can from their hand, Yun pulled the tab on top of the can with a crack and peeled the lid open to demonstrate every step properly.
"After you open the can like this, you'll find the noodles and this seasoning packet inside. Just sprinkle it on the noodles."
Seeing that they were paying attention, Yun smiled and sprinkled the seasoning.
After that, he stood up and walked opposite the reception.
The duo followed him with their gazes and found another strange object placed near the wooden wall.
It was a tall, slim device with a glowing light on top of it. It had two taps, one red and one blue, and below it was a tray that caught the drops from those taps.
Yun placed the can below the red tap, tapped on the strange light, and steaming water came down the tap, mixing with the dry noodles and the seasoning.
"Use this water dispenser to get hot water and then close the lid again. Then, you need to wait for three minutes."
'Another artifact being used for small purposes. Boss is really something else,' Mu Feng thought.
'If the red tap is for hot water, then the blue one must be for cold water. This… is at least a Mystic Grade Artifact.' Mu Xue blinked with her mouth agape.
She briefly wondered if the taps had spirits sealed inside them. Maybe the red one was guarded by a fire elemental.
"Why don't you try it too?" Yun asked, as their weird looks were making him a little uncomfortable.
"Wait! That's all?" Mu Xue blurted out. "I mean, that's the entire process?"
"Yes, they are very easy to make and become ready quickly to eat. Reason for their name," Yun smiled. "Now, why don't you try it too?"
Mu Xue nodded and slowly followed the steps Yun had shown.
As a cultivator of the Qi Refining Realm, her memory was very good, so she remembered everything clearly.
Still, she was worried she would mess up, so she took her time with it.
'This seasoning smells good, but I don't sense anything special in it.' Mu Xue thought. 'Perhaps it's because I am too weak and can't sense the greatness like with that water.'
She went to the water dispenser and did exactly as Yun did.
Then, they just needed to wait—and so they did.
After three minutes of great anticipation, Yun finally signaled them to open the cans.
"You can take a seat there and enjoy the noodles," Yun said as he went to sit on his recliner and pointed at tables to them.
Fortunately, the store's area was big, and it provided many services, including tables for others to rest or eat.
The duo nodded and sat at the table after taking the wooden chopsticks. Then they opened the closed lid once again.
Steam curled from the opened cans, rising like a gentle mist that carried the scent of rich broth, earthy herbs.
Mu Feng picked up the chopsticks awkwardly. "Do we just... eat it?"
Yun, on the recliner, looked half-asleep. "Yes. Through your mouth."
Mu Xue was more graceful with hers. She twirled a few strands of noodles and took a small bite.
Her eyes widened, "It's… good."
Mu Feng didn't wait. He slurped up a full mouthful, chewing slowly. Then he blinked, "…It's really good."
Warmth spread through their mouths, then down to their bellies.
The noodles were springy, perfectly soft, coated in broth that somehow reminded them of comfort, safety, and long-forgotten home-cooked meals.
The two of them sat in silence, eating spoonful after spoonful.
A peaceful air filled the shop. Even Yun noticed the quiet and glanced over.
"Not bad, right?"
Neither answered.
They were too focused, yet relaxed.
It wasn't a spiritual trance.
Just… nice.
Warm.
Familiar.
Like a good dream you didn't want to end.
Mu Feng finished first and leaned back with a long exhale. "That was better than any feast I've had in the clan."
Mu Xue wiped her lips gently. "I feel… calm."
Then it came.
A subtle hum.
A gentle vibration in their chests. Like a string being plucked within the soul.
Mu Feng sat upright, blinking rapidly. "Wait! Wait! Wait!… what's this feeling in my Qi Sea?"
Mu Xue's gaze sharpened. "My thoughts… they're clearer than before. So much clearer."
The two of them closed their eyes, not to meditate, but because the insight was already slipping in.
No force. No pushing. Just… understanding.
Mu Feng whispered, "I think I can improve my sword technique."
Mu Xue's lips curled into a smile. "I finally understand where I was going wrong with the Blossom Step."
On the recliner, Yun yawned.
"I told you," he said lazily. "It's just noodles."
But the two of them didn't reply, as they were busy assimilating with the gains of the enlightenment.
After around five minutes, they opened their eyes and looked at each other.
They could see the shock on each other's faces.
"I advanced to Five-Star Qi Refining Realm," Mu Xue was full of excitement. "And my mastery over Blossom Step has also increased… This…"
Before coming to the store, she was just at Three-Star Qi Refining Realm. And she had worked hard to reach there.
But now, just eating some noodles allowed her to directly skip one minor realm. Not to mention, it also provided insights on techniques she was having problems with.
"And I just need a little push to break through to Foundation Realm. This is just amazing," Mu Feng also couldn't control his happiness.
They turned towards Yun, who was resting on the recliner, and their fear and respect for him increased.
They were also grateful to him, as they could never get such enlightenment even if they paid a hundred times more.
'Senior must be a benevolent soul who wanted to help us mortals while resting in the mortal world.'
Of course, Yun sensed their heated gazes, but he ignored them as he was busy checking his system window.
But before he could do anything, he heard a loud laughter full of smugness coming from some distance away.
'Damn, so I finally attracted some trouble?'