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This rain... doesn't look like it'll stop anytime soon...
At the doorway of a rundown hut, Lu Xian stood with arms crossed under the eaves, gazing up at the rolling black clouds. Pale flashes of lightning snaked wildly through the sky.
The downpour had been going on for more than an hour now. Judging by the time, it should be getting dark.
But with those thick clouds, there was no way to tell day from night.
Inside the hut, the little cat girl finished her meditation. Her soaked clothes had already been dried using her soul power. She stepped forward slowly.
"You hungry, or just missing that soft bed of yours?"
"Ayo, what are you reading my mind, or something?"
Lu Xian teased, glancing back at her. "As if I don't know you..."
She curled her lips slightly, a rare smile softening her delicate features.
"Don't get your hopes up. There's nothing here." "That might not be true—watch this."
Lu Xian: @Xiao Yan, hey Flame Bro, it's pouring here. I'm stuck in a rundown hut in the wild, haven't had dinner yet. You know what I mean, right?
Xiao Yan: Brother Lu, that's easy. I'll go check the kitchen for you right now! Lu Xian grinned smugly. Now this is how you use a chat group!
Need something? Just ask. That's what brothers are for. No need to be shy. A moment later...
Xiao Yan: Only found some cold rice. You want it? This guy... forget it.
Lu Xian: ? Lu Xian: Bro seriously? That's how you repay me for sharing my wisdom and teachings earlier? Xiao Yan: You know my situation, Lu Bro.
Even though I'm the third young master of the Xiao Clan, I wasted three years and everyone's been talking behind my back.
Our family's strict too. I have to rush for meals, or it's leftovers or whatever's left in the kitchen... Lu Xian rubbed his head. Okay yeah, that did sound like his situation.
Lu Xian: What about the others?Ye Fan: You know me, Lu Bro. I'm out here in the remote fields of Yan, soaking in medicinal baths all day, absorbing spiritual essence from herbs.
I don't even feel hungry anymore. But if you want, I can send you some bathwater—it's full of life energy. Could fill your belly...Lu Xian: Bro, do you hear yourself?! Who says that kind of thing?! Life essence?! That's not even the point anymore! You son of a—!
Yan Lingji: Lu Bro, you know me too. I barely manage to eat myself. But I do have plenty of bathwater. If you're thirsty, just say the word.Lu Xian: I didn't even ask you, Fire Girl! So now you're joining in on the nonsense too?!
Lu Xueqi: I'll check the kitchen.
Finally, something comforting. Lu Xian's aching heart found a bit of peace.
Lu Xian: Knew I could count on my dear Xueqi! Lu Xian felt a surge of emotion. Back at
Xiaozhufeng's kitchen— Lu Xueqi, dressed in flowing white robes, flew in on her sword.
The kitchen was still lit by candlelight and filled with the smell of food. She glanced at the new messages in the group chat.
Lu Xueqi: Just checked. Nothing left in the kitchen.Lu Xian: …
Lu Xueqi: But I can make something for you.Lu Xian: For real?! Could this be… love?!
Lu Xueqi: But I've never cooked before.
Lu Xian: … Lu Xueqi: I have watched my junior sister cook, so I figure I can do it too.
Lu Xian: You sure you can, or just think you can?
Lu Xueqi: Of course not. I can't.Lu Xian: … Wow. Not a single reliable person in this group!
Lu Xian was feeling seriously let down.
Lu Xueqi, seeing the chat go silent, let a rare smile appear on her usually cool face.
That's what you get for always flirting.
Lu Xueqi sent Lu Xian a personal red packet "Huh?"
Lu Xian blinked and opened the packet. Inside were three plates of simple vegetarian dishes and a few white buns. That's when he realized he'd just been trolled by the supposedly sweet and serious Xueqi.
Lu Xian: Xueqi! Can't believe even you learned to mess with me!
Lu Xian: Got any meat dishes? Send more!
Lu Xueqi: Eat it or don't.Lu Xian: I wanna eat something you made, I bet it'd taste better.
Lu Xueqi: You're welcome to come over. I'll personally "cook" you a feast—with my Tianyao divine sword.
Lu Xian: Uh, no thanks. We old folks have weak teeth. Gotta stick to soft foods. Don't want anything that hard. Soon, a small table and a few dishes were set up inside the hut.
As a candle flickered to life, a warm yellow glow filled the gloom under the stormy sky.
"Where did you even get all this..." The cat girl looked confused. The food was still steaming—clearly fresh. "If I told you a friend from another world sent it to me, would you believe it?"
"I do believe you!" "Huh?"
Lu Xian was surprised. Cat girl took a little bite of a bun. "There's no way you cooked all this yourself." They were just digging into dinner— When the constant sound of rainfall was suddenly joined by something else.
Footsteps splashing through puddles… and faint voices. The two inside the hut exchanged a look but kept eating calmly.
Killers and regular people—easy enough to tell apart. They were deep inside the Tian Dou Empire now.
No way the Zhu clan's assassins could follow them here. The footsteps got closer. Must've seen the candlelight and followed it. Then— A clear girl's voice rang out from outside:
"Hello? Is anyone in there? Can we come in to wait out the rain?"
Zhu Zhuqing saw that Lu Xian didn't respond, so she got up and walked to the door.
Standing in the rain were a young man and woman. Both looked about their age.
"We're just sheltering from the rain here too. You're welcome to come in."
"Really? That's great! Third Brother, let's go in!"
Lu Xian froze mid-bite. Third Brother? No way… seriously? A girl in a pink skirt and white stockings burst through the door, soaking wet.
Bunny ears sat on her head. Her round face, big eyes, and rosy skin gave her a very lively look.
Behind her followed a boy in a dark blue outfit. He looked plain, skinny, and even shorter than the girl, with short hair and an alert vibe.
Both of them looked like they'd just gone swimming in mud, completely drenched and dirty up to their ankles.
Lu Xian's gaze lingered for a second on the boy's belt—set with 24 jade stones. Yup, it really was that much of a coincidence.
There was no need to guess their identities anymore.
Tang San and Xiao Wu. The hut was already small, and now with four people and a horse, it felt way too crowded.
"Third Brother, they've got hot food!" Xiao Wu rubbed her belly, clearly tempted.
Tang San looked confused. This kind of shack looked like a random woodcutter's place.
No stove, no kitchen—how did they make hot food? And those clean tables and chairs? Way too out of place. Clearly brought in later.
These two were definitely soul masters too. Probably had some kind of spatial storage tools, like his own Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges.
He pulled Xiao Wu back as she tried to chat with them.
"Let's just stay out of trouble. Everyone's here to escape the rain."
"Okay…" The hut fell into silence again. Aside from the occasional snort from the horse, there was just the sound of chewing and rain pounding outside.
Splash splash—
More footsteps in the puddles, getting closer again. What is it, festival day or something?
Lu Xian was baffled. Out in the middle of nowhere, and everyone wants to come to this shack?
Maybe it was… enchanted or something? "Hey! Anyone in there?!" "No answer? I'm coming in!"
These are mostly stylistic suggestions. The original text is understandable, but these minor adjustments can enhance the flow and readability.
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