Nonsense! How could my adopted son be a villain?

The group of cultivators following behind looked at each other in bewilderment.

Xu Lingguang didn't go to buy elixirs after all; why did he go to the back?

What kind of things do they sell on that street behind?

"I don't know, I think it's a place that sells spirit beast meat or something. It's very dirty inside, I've never been there."

"Many of the spirit beast meats are freshly slaughtered; how could they not be dirty? What are you doing there, Fellow Daoist Xu?"

"Could it be some good material for alchemy?"

"Maybe, let's go and see."

The Junan Chengdong vegetable market was exceptionally lively today.

Usually, it's mostly waiters from restaurants and eateries who come to buy supplies, and occasionally some cultivators come too, but not in large numbers.

Although this place sells spirit beast meat, spirit plants, and the like, cultivators rarely cook these themselves, and even if they do have the inclination, they usually send their servants or children to buy them.

After all, a slaughterhouse is bound to be dirty no matter how much it's cleaned up.

But there were an unusually large number of cultivators today, making the entire market noisy.

Xu Lingguang didn't notice anyone else and continued walking around.

The spirit beast meat here is indeed fresh. He plans to buy more, not only for hot pot but also to make some dried meat or other easy-to-store snacks to take on the road.

The cultivators who were sneaking around behind him saw Xu Lingguang browsing through each stall, buying one thing from this one and a little something from that one.

Before long, they had bought quite a lot of spirit beast meat.

Finally, someone couldn't hold back any longer: "Those spirit beast meats don't seem to have anything to do with alchemy, do they?"

"I've eaten the meat of that ray fish before. Although it's farmed, the meat is tender and the spiritual energy is very abundant..."

"So Fellow Daoist Xu isn't here to select alchemy materials, but to buy ingredients?"

"...It seems...it looks like it..."

The group looked at each other and fell silent.

The alchemists, in particular, found it most incomprehensible.

Alchemists have precious time, which can be used to cultivate spiritual herbs, refine pills, or even eat, drink, and have fun. But it is unheard of for an alchemist to personally come and purchase ingredients.

How precious are the hands of an alchemist!

I don't mean I'll have to cook for myself, do I?!

Finally, someone broke the silence: "Fellow Daoist Xu must have his own reasons for doing this."

Unfortunately, Xu Lingguang was unaware of their thoughts. If he had known, he would have sincerely told them that they didn't understand the joy of feeding the cubs.

Xu Lingguang returned home laden with spoils.

Mu Yun, who was perched on his shoulder, started smacking her lips: "The ray fish smells so fresh today, it must taste delicious."

Yun Feng licked his lips: "Just dip it in the pot, no need for dipping sauce."

Yu Rong couldn't wait any longer. She eagerly pawed at Xu Lingguang's chest with her four paws and volunteered, "I can help cut the fish slices!"

Yun Feng immediately objected: "No way! You're definitely trying to steal some food!"

Zhaoling listened in a daze for a while, and when she heard the word "stealing food," she immediately flapped her wings and pecked at Yu Rong's head, chirping, "Don't steal food!"

Yu Rong rolled over and used all four claws to push him.

Seeing this, Yunfeng and Muyun quickly joined the battle, and for a moment, down and feathers flew everywhere.

Xu Lingguang hissed, a wisp of downy hair landed on his nose, and he sneezed violently.

After placing the tangled little ones on a chair, Xu Lingguang rubbed his nose and looked up, only to see Chong Xue standing at the door.

Chong Xue arrived at some unknown time and stood there quietly watching Xu Lingguang.

Xu Lingguang met his gaze and saw a red bird feather drift down and land on his shoulder.

Xu Lingguang: "..."

Ah this.

He glanced at the cubs, coughed, and explained somewhat embarrassedly, "The cubs are quite lively."

Chongxue nodded, expressionlessly removing the feathers from her shoulder: "It's better for the cubs to be lively."

Xu Lingguang breathed a sigh of relief.

Perhaps it was because Chongxue looked too unapproachable that he always felt the other party might not like the cubs making noise.

But now it seems that's not the case.

After a brief conversation, Xu Lingguang looked at the person standing at the door who showed no intention of leaving and hesitated whether to invite them in.

If you come in, the room is filled with flying fluff. The four little ones show no intention of entertaining guests and are busy playing together. There's not even a place for Chongxue to sit down.

If it's not light, you can't just send the guest away, can you?

Just as Xu Lingguang was hesitating, Lan Jian spoke first: "I heard from Youyu that you're going to make hot pot?"

Xu Lingguang exclaimed "Ah!" and then belatedly realized that he hadn't invited Chongxue. He quickly added, "Yes, I bought a lot of ingredients. You can come along if you don't mind."

"Well, is there anything I can help you with?"

Lan Jian did not refuse as expected, but instead agreed immediately.

Xu Lingguang paused for a moment, then said, "Youyu is enough to assist me."

Lan Jian nodded and naturally stepped into the house.

As she passed by Xu Lingguang, the ends of her hair swayed gently. Sunlight streamed in through the window, its rays fragmented into small patches by the latticed window frame, falling perfectly on Lan Jian's silky silver hair. Her silver hair and green dress shimmered with golden light, making her appear ethereal and otherworldly.

Xu Lingguang's gaze froze, and a question arose in his mind once again: Is Chong Xue really a human?

They all seem to be from a completely different species.

A person of a different kind stepped past Xu Lingguang, bent down and picked up Yu Rong, who had accidentally rolled off the chair and was lying on her back unable to get up.

He lifted Yu Rong with a practiced yet rough manner, pinching the little chubby boy's thick nape fur with two fingers and lifting him up.

Yu Rong's body was suspended in the air, his two hind legs hooked up and twitching, his eyes straining to look back at the person holding him, while he shouted loudly, "Put me down!"

Lan Jian snorted, put him back on the chair, and said with a hint of disgust, "The floor is dirty."

Yu Rong didn't listen to what he was saying at all. He stuck out his butt, kicked off with his hind legs, and pounced on Mu Yun again—it was Mu Yun who had ambushed and pushed him down earlier!

Lan Jian ignored the playful children, sat down in the empty seat next to him, slowly straightened his clothes, and picked up the teapot on the small table to pour himself a cup of tea.

He picked up his teacup and saw Xu Lingguang still standing at the door staring at him. He paused, looked down at himself, and made sure that every strand of hair was smooth and every piece of clothing was wrinkle-free before asking in confusion, "Is there something wrong?"

Xu Lingguang met his eyes and quickly shook his head: "No, then you can help watch over them, I'll go to the kitchen."

After saying that, he quickly turned around and slipped away.

He walked a few steps quickly out of Chongxue's sight before slowing down and patting his pounding heart.

What a hell.

When Chongxue looked at him just now, his heart suddenly pounded wildly.

"You can't just jump around like that."

Xu Lingguang patted his chest and muttered to himself.

Putting aside the fact that Chongxue is from a different generation than him, Chongxue's appearance doesn't look human at all; there might be some kind of species isolation.

Xu Lingguang rubbed his face, shaking off the jumbled thoughts, and plunged into the kitchen.

Let's cook instead, so I don't overthink things.