Time marched on, and finally, it was New Year’s Eve.

5:00 PM.

Under Zhang Meng’s skillful hands, the small courtyard had taken on an entirely new look. Door gods and couplets were pasted on the courtyard gate, and red silk ribbons hung from the branches of the peach tree. Inside the house, many new items had been added, permeating the air with a thick, festive atmosphere.

“Bang!”

A crisp crackle echoed in the yard.

Xiao Ziyun, dressed in brand-new clothes, was setting off firecrackers, his face beaming with excited smiles. Even his beloved little wooden sword, which he usually never let out of his sight, had been tossed aside for the moment.

“Bang!”

“The crackle of firecrackers sweeps away the old year; the spring breeze brings warmth to the Tusu wine.”

Qin Lu sat by the stone table, snacking on some fruit while idly flipping through a newly purchased calendar.

“Oh dear, I need to start cooking! Otherwise, there won’t be enough time!”

Zhang Meng suddenly hurried out of the main room looking anxious. She was still holding a rag and a bucket of water, having just finished a deep clean of the interior.

“Hey…” Hearing her panic, Qin Lu quickly put down the calendar and looked up with a smile. “No need to cook. Let’s go out for a nice meal tonight.”

Zhang Meng paused mid-step, turning her head with slight hesitation. “We… go out for the New Year’s Eve dinner?”

“That’s right.” Qin Lu stood up cheerfully. “Didn’t you say Yueman Tower stays open on New Year’s Eve? So let’s not cook and just eat out.”

“Huh? But Yueman Tower is very expensive…”

“We can afford it, no matter the cost! Besides, isn’t today a special day? After working hard all year, shouldn’t we treat ourselves?”

“Mother, I want to go out and play too~” Xiao Ziyun suddenly chimed in, his voice filled with anticipation.

Seeing this, Zhang Meng put down the bucket and rag and nodded gently. “Alright then.”

After a simple tidy-up, the three of them left the courtyard and headed toward Yueman Tower.

The accumulated snow by the roadside had begun to melt, leaving the streets quite damp, but this didn’t dampen the spirits of the pedestrians. The warming weather coupled with the approaching Spring Festival—good weather and good days—brought smiles to many faces.

When making eye contact, people would smile and nod; some even cupped their hands in return salutes, presenting a picture of a harmonious society. It was much more amiable than usual.

Seeing this scene, Qin Lu’s mood brightened considerably.

This is how it should be!

What’s the point of fighting and killing all day? We should coexist peacefully and reduce conflicts! Discard the cultivation world’s bad habit of drawing swords over the slightest grievance and build a harmonious atmosphere of mutual aid!

If everyone got along this harmoniously, he wouldn’t need to stay low-key at home every day, engaging in dull cultivation.

“By the way…” Zhang Meng suddenly remembered something. “On our way back later, we need to buy some spirit beast meat. Your appetite has grown so much recently; we’re running out of meat at home.”

Qin Lu paused for a moment before smiling and nodding.

Ever since he advanced his sword technique to the “Proficient” level, not only had his swordsmanship power increased greatly, but subtle changes had also occurred in his body. After over two months of high-intensity training, the layer of belly fat he once had was gone entirely. His whole physique had become extremely well-proportioned and toned.

Consequently, his demand for meat had increased significantly. Sometimes he even ate four or five jin of meat in a single day! This led to a rapid depletion of their spirit beast meat stock.

The two chatted as they walked. Meanwhile, Xiao Ziyun kept his eyes wide open, constantly looking around with an expression full of curiosity.

The market district was festooned with red lanterns and colored streamers. With people coming and going, the New Year atmosphere was in full swing.

Soon, the three arrived at Yueman Tower.

Qin Lu was no stranger to the five-story restaurant before him. He passed by it from time to time but had never stepped inside until today. Led by Zhang Meng, they entered the establishment and quickly took seats in the main hall.

As they entered, quite a few cultivators greeted Zhang Meng warmly, and she responded with smiles. These were her former colleagues.

At this moment, the main hall was bustling with noise and excitement. Various sounds of eating, drinking, and toasting mingled together into a lively cacophony.

“What would you like to eat?” Zhang Meng asked.

Qin Lu was currently observing the restaurant’s decor. Hearing her question, he replied casually, “I’m easy; anything is fine.”

Hearing this, Zhang Meng didn’t hesitate. She called over a nearby waiter and ordered several signature dishes. After taking the order, the waiter hurried to the kitchen.

While they waited, Zhang Meng began introducing the layout of the restaurant and reminiscing about her days working there. Qin Lu listened with a smile, chiming in with a few questions from time to time.

Just as they were chatting happily, a young female cultivator suddenly approached their table.

“I thought that silhouette looked familiar! It really is Sister Meng’er!”

Hearing this, Zhang Meng turned her head. Upon seeing the young girl, she immediately smiled. “It’s Xiao Ning! Long time no see! Are you on duty tonight?”

The girl was precisely Ning Ning. She was holding a serving tray and giggled as she replied, “That’s right! My father went out to set up his stall. I was bored at home alone, so I came to work at the shop!”

“You father and daughter really are diligent!” Zhang Meng laughed.

“Hehe~ If one isn’t diligent, everything falls apart!”

At this point, Ning Ning looked toward Qin Lu, who was smiling calmly beside them, and said playfully, “This must be the Brother Qin that Sister Meng’er often talks about, right?”

“Yes.” Zhang Meng introduced him. “Her name is Ning Ning. She was my friend from back when I worked at the restaurant.”

“Fellow Daoist Ning.” Qin Lu cupped his hands with a polite smile. “Pleased to meet you.”

“I heard you’re quite timid, Uncle?” Ning Ning suddenly asked with a giggle.

“Uh…”

Qin Lu’s smile instantly froze on his face.

He didn’t mind the evaluation of being timid; he could admit to being cautious. But being called ‘Uncle’… that stung a bit. He could accept being called ‘Uncle’ by little brats like Xiao Ziyun, but here he was, a soul in his twenties, being called ‘Uncle’ by a girl just a few years younger than him…

“Yes, yes…” Qin Lu laughed awkwardly.

“Xiao Ning!” Zhang Meng, her face flushed, quickly pushed the girl away. “Go serve the dishes!”

“Hehe! I’m off!” Ning Ning waved her hand and left quickly with a mischievous smile.

“Don’t listen to Xiao Ning’s nonsense. I never said you were timid…” Zhang Meng said with a helpless expression.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. She’s just a kid. It’s normal for them to talk nonsense. If they have this bad habit, just give them a good beating and it’ll be cured.” Qin Lu smiled slightly.

Zhang Meng: “……”

After this little interlude, it wasn’t long before all their ordered dishes were served.

Qin Lu began enjoying his first New Year’s Eve dinner in the cultivation world. It had to be said, dishes cooked by professional chefs were far more delicious than what they cooked themselves.

The delicious food made Qin Lu sigh with emotion once again. The culinary delights of this world truly should not be missed. This meal was worth it, no matter how many Spirit Stones it cost!

The entire restaurant was filled with laughter and joy. Time slipped away quickly as everyone feasted heartily.

And thus, the new year began!

But no one could have imagined that a massive storm, one encompassing all cultivators of the Wuji Market, was already on the verge of erupting…