The two people who were sitting cross-legged suddenly opened their eyes and entered the house with lightning speed. They sat upright in the dining room chairs and stared longingly at the old duck soup bubbling and emitting a fragrant aroma on the stove not far away.
Ji Xiaoxiao shook her head, turned around and went into the house.
"Sister, hurry up, I'm starving," Liao Kongmin urged.
"Xiao Qiong, you've been so lazy lately. How can you spend less and less time cooking? That's not good, not good at all. Food is the most important thing for people. Eating and drinking are the most important things." Grandpa Wu patiently explained the "great principles of life" to Ji Xiaoxiao.
Ji Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes at them, calmly put on her heat-resistant gloves, picked up the black pot, and placed it steadily on the dining table.
"Ah, let's start drinking."
Liao Kongmin jumped up, grabbed a bowl, and prepared to "get something for nothing".
Grandpa Wu stroked his white beard, and if it weren't for his eyes never leaving the pot of duck soup, he would have seemed like a wise and unfathomable master.
"Haste makes waste."
Ji Xiaoxiao slapped Liao Kongmin's groping hand.
Turning around, Ji Xiaoxiao walked towards the stove and rummaged around until she finally found the soup spoon.
"Take your time." Ji Xiaoxiao held a soup ladle in one hand and slowly lifted the pot lid with the other. White steam rose into the air, hazy and dreamlike, like a fairyland. A refreshing aroma wafted over, and a gentle sniff instantly swept away physical and mental fatigue.
"Good soup." Grandpa Wu picked up the bowl and handed it to Ji Xiaoxiao.
Delicious food always whets the appetite.
Ji Xiaoxiao took the bowl and served a bowl to Grandpa Wu.
Grandpa Fog eagerly took the bowl back, examining it with the same caress one would give tea. The broth was clear and fragrant—delicious! Grandpa Fog, impatient, took a small sip without using a spoon, and a shiver ran through him. The old duck soup was rich, flavorful, and sweet, leaving a lingering, indescribable taste on his lips and teeth.
"Xiao Qiong, your cooking skills have improved again."
Grandpa Wu never hesitated to praise Ji Xiaoxiao's cooking skills.
Ji Xiaoxiao smiled gently, feeling quite smug inside.
"Sister, what about mine?" Liao Kongmin pouted and asked pitifully.
Ji Xiaoxiao was in a good mood and gave Liao Kongmin a big spoonful of duck soup.
"It's delicious." Liao Kongmin took a sip, his eyes lit up, and he began to wolf it down.
Ji Xiaoxiao was very happy that her cooking was liked by others.
People need food to survive; you'll get hungry if you skip a meal. Ji Xiaoxiao accepted Grandpa Wu and Liao Kongmin, so naturally she wouldn't let them go hungry, even if they might not need to.
After a delicious meal, the three of them slumped in their chairs, unwilling to move.
"Xiao Bao, how is your cultivation going?" Just like any ordinary parent who cares about their child's studies, Ji Xiaoxiao naturally asked Liao Kongmin about his cultivation.
"Not bad, I'm already at the eighth level of Qi Refining," Liao Kongmin said calmly.
Grandpa Fog rolled his eyes when he heard this.
In just five short years, he went from an ordinary mortal to a cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Is that what you call "not bad"? Damn it, this kid is too despicable. He's actually showing off like nothing's wrong.
Ji Xiaoxiao patted Liao Kongmin's head and gently said a few words of praise and admiration.
"Sister, I will try my best," Liao Kongmin said solemnly.
Liao Kongmin did not deceive Ji Xiaoxiao. Five years later, Liao Kongmin broke through the Qi Refining stage and became a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection cultivator in a short period of time.
Grandpa Wu was very pleased with Liao Kongmin's efforts, but as a loving parent, Liao Kongmin's rapid advancement also worried him. The faster he leveled up, the more spiritual energy he absorbed, and the more spiritual energy was stored in his body. Over time, the accumulated violent elements would eventually harm Liao Kongmin's young life.
"Xiao Bao, you need to be careful," Grandpa Wu said earnestly.
Sixteen-year-old Liao Kongmin suddenly grew taller. Although his face was still somewhat immature, his sharp aura was not to be underestimated.
"Grandpa Fog, I understand."
Liao Kongmin looked up and gazed at the gate opposite the compound.
Grandpa Wu understood the meaning behind Liao Kongmin's actions and said, "It's alright. Your sister is exceptionally capable and highly skilled in martial arts. She was just conducting a covert investigation of the Hope Base. She'll be fine."
Even so, Liao Kongmin was still very worried.
My father and great-grandfather have both passed away, and my sister must not be the first to go before him.
Liao Kongmin nodded perfunctorily, but the door still didn't open, so he simply went out and stood at the door waiting for Ji Xiaoxiao to return.
Three months ago, the Blue Sky Base was developing rapidly and was thriving, with a total population of 680,000 and an armed force of 200,000.
Based on the assurance of military force, Ji Xiaoxiao decided to attack Hope Base. Before attacking, however, Ji Xiaoxiao conducted some reconnaissance. Knowing your enemy is half the battle.
Ten years have passed since the rebellion at Hope Base. In these ten years, Hope Base has rapidly declined under Shen Fei's leadership, filled with resentment and widespread suffering. Many people have turned to Blue Sky Base to make a living. Ji Xiaoxiao has learned a little about the current state of Hope Base from them, but to understand it fully, she needs to see it for herself.
While secretly infiltrating the Hope Base, Ji Xiaoxiao heard mostly about the glorious deeds of the siblings Shen Fei and Shen Lu.
Six years ago, Shen Lu gave birth to a son, a child so ugly he resembled a dog or pig, that Shen Lu cruelly killed him by throwing him to the ground. A year later, Shen Lu gave birth to a daughter, who was also plain-looking. Shen Lu wanted to kill the girl, but Shen Fei stopped her in time. However, Shen Lu refused to let this monster insult her noble existence and insisted on the girl's death. Because of this, Shen Fei, for the first time, loudly scolded and severely punished her own sister, locking Shen Lu in her room and providing her with the best food and drink, forbidding her from going out.
Shen Fei raised the girl single-handedly, but the girl was physically weak. Two years ago, the girl suffered from heart and lung failure. Shen Fei consulted countless doctors, but to no avail. Her only response was to kill. A year later, the girl died in agony, and Shen Fei went mad. The crazed Shen Fei took pleasure in killing, hoping that thousands of people in the base would die at her hands.
With such a depraved leader, the lower ranks followed suit, and those under him reached new heights of wickedness. In an instant, Hope Base became a living hell.
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