---
Lin Feng was determined to reclaim some shred of his old life. So he declared—loudly, dramatically, and with a dumpling in each hand—that he was taking a vacation.
"I'm leaving the mountain," he said. "No ghosts. No duck lectures. No random enlightenment. Just… peace."
Naturally, the universe immediately punished him.
As he stepped through the retreat gates with Bai Xue and Flame Duck, a shimmering portal opened in the sky. A scroll shot down and slapped him in the face. Bai Xue plucked it off and read aloud:
"Congratulations, Lin Feng! You've been selected as Head Judge for the Annual Ghost Cooking Olympics! Report to the Floating Spirit Kitchen immediately. P.S. Bring napkins."
Lin Feng stared at the sky. "I hate everything."
Flame Duck beamed. "This is a great honor! The Spirit Kitchen rarely lets the living in. Plus, I hear the Dim Sum Duel is spectacular."
---
At the Floating Spirit Kitchen
A colossal, hovering banquet hall pulsed with ghost energy. Spirit-chefs in spectral aprons juggled glowing woks, and the scent of incense and miso wafted through the ether.
Lin Feng was escorted to the judge's table—a floating lotus throne surrounded by culinary spirits, each looking both enthusiastic and semi-transparent.
A host ghost with a flamboyant sash introduced him: "Welcome, Master Lin Feng, the legendary Snack Sage! May your judgment be soft yet profound… like a well-steamed bun."
"I have no culinary training," Lin Feng muttered.
"Exactly," said the sash ghost. "That makes you unbiased."
---
Round One: The Dumpling Duel
Two ghost chefs floated forward. One conjured dumplings that shimmered with spirit light and radiated peaceful energy. The other presented dumplings that glowed ominously and whispered ancient curses.
Lin Feng hesitated. "Are… are these dumplings possessed?"
The cursed dumpling growled.
Bai Xue leaned in. "Just eat the peaceful one."
He bit into it. A wave of warm nostalgia washed over him. "Mmm… tastes like sleeping under the stars."
Flame Duck scribbled notes. "Ten out of ten. Soulful flavor."
The cursed dumpling hissed, then deflated into ectoplasmic goo. "Fine," it said bitterly. "I'll try steamed next year."
---
Round Two: Enlightened Noodles
A ghost monk-chef floated forward with a bowl of noodles so perfect they glowed with the seven colors of qi. As Lin Feng tasted them, his vision filled with celestial patterns and ancient script.
"I can see… the meaning of tofu," he gasped.
The monk nodded. "Very good. Now slurp slowly and accept the nature of all things."
The next bowl came from a ghost street vendor who yelled, "MINE'S JUST SPICY!"
Lin Feng took a bite. Flames erupted from his nostrils.
"AAAAAAAAA—WORTH IT!"
The ghost crowd cheered wildly. "Duality of flavor! Truly enlightened judgment!"
---
By sunset, Lin Feng had judged thirty dishes, cried from eight spice levels, and experienced temporary nirvana from a jellied lotus dessert.
He collapsed in his lotus throne. "If I ever eat another dumpling, it'll be too soon."
A bell rang. "Final round!" shouted the host. "The winner receives the Spirit Ladle of Infinite Flavor… and one question with the great Culinary Ancestor!"
Bai Xue perked up. "Now that might be useful."
Lin Feng groaned. "I just want to lie down."
But the final chef wasn't a ghost. A figure in a cloak stepped forward—alive. The crowd gasped.
"A living challenger?" Flame Duck quacked. "That's impossible."
The figure pulled back their hood. It was a young woman with sharp eyes and a spirit wok hovering beside her.
"I'm Mei Li," she said. "And I challenge Lin Feng—not to a cook-off, but to a taste duel. If my dish beats your snack, I win the Spirit Ladle."
Lin Feng blinked. "I don't cook."
"That's the point," she smirked. "Let's see if the Snack Sage has any bite."
---
Final Duel: Snack vs. Masterpiece
Mei Li prepared a glowing dish of spiritual phoenix rice, bursting with qi and garnished with floating sesame flames.
Lin Feng stared at it. Then he slowly reached into his sleeve… and pulled out his emergency steamed bun.
The crowd murmured.
"That's it?" Mei Li scoffed.
"I… wasn't expecting to compete," Lin Feng said weakly.
He took a bite of his own bun. Then he looked at Mei Li's dish and, reluctantly, took a bite of hers.
It was transcendent. Harmony, flavor, spirit energy—flawless.
But then a ghost baby floated over and tasted Lin Feng's bun. Its eyes widened.
"Home," the ghost baby whispered.
The room fell silent.
Another ghost tried it. "This… tastes like life. Like simplicity."
Mei Li's dish was perfect, yes—but Lin Feng's bun evoked humanity.
The judges, ghosts, and even the wok nodded solemnly.
"The bun wins."
Mei Li bowed deeply. "You taught me something. Maybe mastery isn't about perfection. It's about meaning."
Lin Feng blinked. "Honestly, I just keep snacks in my sleeves out of habit."
---
Back at the Retreat – The End of the Ghost Arc
The Ghost Cooking Olympics wrapped up with tears, spiritual burps, and a final chant of "Restful Snacks Forever!"
Lin Feng returned to the mountain, only to find a new golden plaque installed at the gate:
"Site of the Great Ghost Enlightenment and Spirit Cuisine Revolution"
Founder: Master Lin Feng
Sidekick: Flame Duck
Unpaid Intern: Bai Xue
Lin Feng groaned. "We need to leave."
Bai Xue smiled. "Funny you say that. Mei Li left you a message."
She handed over a scroll. It read:
> "If you're tired of being a symbol, come find me. The mortal world is full of chaos—and I think you're just chaotic enough to survive it.
—Mei Li"
Below it was a map. It led beyond the Spirit Realm… into the Mortal World's sect war zones.
Flame Duck looked excited. "New adventures!"
Lin Feng sighed, looked at the mountain one last time, then started walking. "Fine. But I'm not joining another cult. Not even if it has snacks."
Bai Xue snorted. "You say that every time.