---
Three days of "restful spiritual silence" later, Lin Feng finally found peace. That is, until a ghost courier zoomed through the meditation fog, hit a bell, and screamed, "Urgent invite from the Spirit Realm Innovation Council!"
The envelope landed in his lap, still smoking with ghostly glitter. Bai Xue picked it up, arched a brow, and read aloud, "Dear Master Lin Feng, founder of the Rest-First Path and Enlightenment Snacks... We cordially invite you to present a keynote address at TED (Transcendent Enlightenment Discourse) Spirit Talks. Dress code: flowy. Bring snacks."
Lin Feng blinked. "Did they just summon me to ghost TED Talk?"
Flame Duck flapped over wearing tiny glasses. "It's an honor. Only the most confusing and viral philosophies are invited. You've changed the way ghosts meditate and munch. This is serious spiritual business."
"I literally fell asleep on a rock and said 'eat something if you're hungry,' and somehow that became doctrine."
Bai Xue grinned. "You're basically a one-man relaxation revolution."
Lin Feng groaned. "Why can't I just go back to being ignored by the universe?"
"Nope," said Flame Duck. "You've got slides to prepare."
---
Three Days Later… In the Spirit Realm
The TED Spirit Talk stage hovered over a glowing lotus pond. Ghosts floated in neat rows of plush cushions, nibbling on transparent cookies. A crystal spotlight beamed down on Lin Feng, who stood in a loose robe, clutching his emergency fan.
He peeked behind the curtain and whispered, "I shouldn't be here. I don't even know what my philosophy is."
"You say some snacks are spiritual," Flame Duck said, adjusting his headset. "And naps are sacred. Just wing it. That's what all the great spirit philosophers do."
Lin Feng stepped onto the stage.
He immediately tripped over his robe, flailed wildly, and accidentally triggered the spirit crystal screen behind him. A slide appeared: "The Path of Snackful Enlightenment: A Rest-Driven Philosophy."
The crowd gasped.
"It's performance art!" someone whispered.
Lin Feng cleared his throat. "Uh. Hello. I'm Lin Feng. I used to be a guy who just wanted to sleep on a mountain. But now… I lead a ghost meditation snack cult."
Polite chuckles.
"True enlightenment," he continued awkwardly, "is not about becoming immortal or glowing in the dark or floating through walls. Sometimes… it's about realizing you're just hungry and tired. And that's okay."
The audience was silent.
Then a ghost in the front row wiped a tear. "So true."
Another floated up holding a sign: "REST IS RESISTANCE."
The room exploded with spiritual applause. Some ghosts burst into peaceful weeping. Others began floating in synchronized nap poses.
Even the crystal screen behind him generated a quote automatically:
"Sleep. Snack. Transcend. – Master Lin Feng"
Lin Feng was horrified.
---
Back at the Mountain Retreat
When they returned, the retreat had expanded. A new wing had been built: "The Snooze Pavilion." Bai Xue looked amused. "While you were giving that speech, the Ghost Construction Guild volunteered to upgrade the facilities."
Lin Feng stared blankly. "I just wanted to nap. How did this turn into... architecture?"
Ghost volunteers bustled about planting lavender bushes. A floating yoga instructor ghost waved. "Master Lin Feng! We're adding hot spring therapy sessions for stressed spirits. Thank you for leading us with your grounded vision!"
"I didn't lead anyone! I was literally just eating dumplings!"
"Exactly," the ghost replied, eyes sparkling. "So human. So inspiring."
---
That night, Lin Feng sat under his favorite pine tree with Bai Xue. Ghosts were gathered below, humming softly and passing around mooncakes shaped like clouds.
"Do you think," he asked cautiously, "I should just accept this is my life now?"
Bai Xue smiled. "You accidentally founded a worldwide afterlife relaxation movement. Honestly, that's kind of impressive."
"I miss when the weirdest thing in my life was my talking duck roommate."
Flame Duck appeared behind them with a clipboard. "Speaking of, we've just received a new invite. The Netherworld wants to open a Lin Feng-themed wellness resort."
Lin Feng laid down flat on the grass. "I give up. Wake me when my life goes back to normal."
Bai Xue laughed. "So… never?"