The lively bonfire party continued until sunrise the next day.

The sky brightened, and the bonfire extinguished.

After offering incense to their ancestors once more, the crowd dispersed, either taking a short rest, visiting family and friends, or engaging in playful activities.

The Tushan Celestial Foxes all had cultivation, so they naturally didn't need rest, and many who hadn't seen each other for years gathered and left together.

As for Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan and her family, along with Yan Hongxia and Ao Qi, they were invited into the depths of Tushan to participate in a New Year banquet with the core Celestial Fox members.

During the banquet, the elderly lady asked Liu Qingyan, "You're not in a hurry to go back, are you?"

"Not at all." Liu Qingyan shook her head, "We can stay until the fifteenth, because I still have a younger sister to pick up."

"Oh?"

"That's Du Yueyao, who coincidentally became the Saintess of the Southern Border Primordial Saint Sect. She has a kind heart and has been learning medical skills from me," Liu Qingyan explained, "This year, her family needs to travel back to their hometown for ancestral worship. The journey is long, so Lu Lang and I flew back with them. Now that the New Year is over, we've arranged to pick her up on January fifteenth."

"I see." The elderly lady nodded. She had heard about Du Yueyao from Liu Qingyan a few days ago, and she was one of the few friends and sisters she had.

"Anyway, ten or so days is sufficient." The elderly lady smiled and said, "During this time, you shall cultivate with me in the back mountain."

For a moment, everyone looked at Liu Qingyan with envy. It was known that the elderly lady had many affairs to handle, and she also needed to cultivate herself. Out of the two thousand or so people in the Celestial Fox Lineage, only those with extraordinary talent could receive her personal guidance.

But considering Liu Qingyan's young age, her notable Dao practice, her recent study of the Tushan Scripture, and her uncanny resemblance to the third ancestor grandmother, it was only natural that she would receive personal guidance from the elderly lady.

"Many thanks to the elderly lady!" Liu Qingyan hurriedly bowed in gratitude, then involuntarily glanced to the side.

The elderly lady naturally noticed Liu Qingyan's gaze and smiled softly, then turned to Liu Qingquan, who was savoring the Tushan roast chicken, and said, "Qingquan, you come as well."

"Huh?" Liu Qingquan blinked, then quickly stood up and bowed respectfully under the intense, warning gazes of Liu Qingyan and Madam Liu, "Many thanks to the elderly lady!"

...

In the following days, the Liu sisters stayed in the back mountain of Tushan, while Lu Zheng acted as the intermediary among the Tu Family's Three Sisters, Yan Hongxia, and Ao Qi, forming a team to roam around Tushan.

After a few days, the two bid farewell and left.

"Are you planning to continue heading west?" Lu Zheng asked Ao Qi.

"No, going further west isn't much different from here, and there's not much to see. It's been two years since we've been home, so I plan to return to the East Sea with Hongxia, and then we'll see what happens," Ao Qi replied.

Watching the two of them fly away, Lu Zheng had pretty much explored the surroundings of Tushan.

However, since the Liu sisters were still in seclusion, and Lin Wan on the modern side was aware of his situation and would naturally cover for him...

So...

Though the risk of being discovered was minimal, Lu Zheng saw no need to make a special trip just to report peace of mind.

Therefore, in the following days, Lu Zheng transformed into a chef, cooking a variety of dishes for the Tu Family Sisters and numerous little foxes.

Then…

This attracted even more foxes.

"I never expected Brother Lu to have such a skill. I've missed out on how many meals!" Tu Yuchen couldn't help but stomp and sigh.

The little foxes couldn't drink alcohol, but the Tu Family's Three Sisters drank Cyan Plum Wine and Flower Carved Wine. Later, a few elderly foxes, eager for a taste, came by, and Lu Zheng brought out some Wuliangye.

Thus…

In Lu Zheng's little courtyard, they had three tables at lunch today!

Luckily, Lu Zheng's Dao practice was remarkable, allowing him to perform spells and multitask; otherwise, he'd probably be stuck in the kitchen.

With Tushan's Nine-tailed Tribe having cattle, sheep, chickens, and dogs, and the spiritual qi gathering around Tushan, some valleys grew vegetables, giving Lu Zheng enough ingredients to work with.

And although there was no spiritual qi, the clear and refreshing modern drinks left the foxes young and old thoroughly enjoying themselves.

"Come, come! Brother Lu, come quickly!"

As the last roasted lamb flew onto the table, Lu Zheng emerged empty-handed, and Tu Yuchen promptly stood up to greet him.

"From our conversation the other day, I only knew Brother Lu was knowledgeable in astrology and geography and worldly affairs, but I never expected Brother Lu to have such dexterous hands, proficient in cooking and knowledgeable in winemaking. Truly impressive!"

Lu Zheng laughed, "Brother Yuchen overpraises me; after all, it's hard to please everyone. As long as these dishes suit everyone's taste, it's fine."

"Very good! Very good!"

"Brother Lu, this culinary skill of yours, did you perhaps master it from the Central Plains Imperial Palace?"

"Brother Lu, my granddaughter is also a renowned beauty in our tribe. Would you have time to meet her?"

Several old foxes joined in teasing, and the young foxes followed suit.

"Brother-in-law! You should stay. Look, my sister is also very pretty, let her and Sister Qingyan both serve one husband."

A young boy directly arranged a marriage, pointing at a beautiful girl talking with Tu Yujiao, only to be slapped to the ground by his sister.

But...

What does it mean when you sneak a glance at me with blushing cheeks and then nod gently?

... 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Transforming into a chef to cook.

Dueling and sparring with the Celestial Fox Lineage.

Playing chess and drinking with the Fox Race elders.

Chatting and discussing with the Fox Race new talents.

Playing games and having fun with little fox spirits.

After over ten days, Lu Zheng had become the sweetheart of Tushan.

The Liu sisters returned, only to find their temporary courtyard bustling with activity.

A group of little foxes, while eating candy, chocolates, and marinated chicken legs, played checkers and cat's cradle.

A few old foxes basked in the sun, playing chess and sipping alcohol.

A few female foxes chatted with the Tu Yuya sisters while admiring a painting and occasionally sneaking glances at Lu Zheng.

Several male foxes drank tea and brewed alcohol with Lu Zheng, chatting and discussing, occasionally clapping and laughing or putting their arms around each other in excitement.

The Liu sisters, "..."

"Qingyan! Qingquan!"

Lu Zheng, of course, was the first to notice Liu Qingyan and Liu Qingquan.

"Lu Lang!"

"Brother-in-law!"

"Qingyan and Qingquan are back!" The Tu Family's Three Sisters, along with a group of female foxes, welcomed the Liu sisters inside.

Liu Qingyan looked around, puzzled, "What's all this?"

Tu Yuya giggled and said, "Isn't it because of your husband? With a few tables and some drinks, he enticed these large and small gluttons over, and as a result, revealed many talents: skilled in chess, drawing, storytelling, and making toys. Thus, here we are."

Tu Yuqing brought over the painting they had been admiring and gently unfolded it. It was a "Tushan Bonfire Painting," depicting the scene of the bonfire celebration on New Year's night.

Though the painting wasn't large, Lu Zheng used a micro-sculpture technique, painting directly with hair strands, so the small scroll depicted hundreds of people.

The characters were intricately depicted, with diverse facial expressions, clothing styles, and bearing unique flair. Upon closer inspection, Liu Qingyan could find everyone present at the scene in the painting.

Even Tu Yuya and Tu Yujiao dancing on the field, Tu Yuchen drinking in the corner, and Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan appreciating from the side could be seen.

Vivid and lifelike, as if they were real people.

Tu Yuchen embraced Lu Zheng with a laugh, "Brother Lu, your talent is truly astounding. Such painting skills leave us awestruck and in admiration."

Lu Zheng waved it off with a smile, "It's just a minor skill, nothing worth mentioning. I just wanted to create a memento because that night was unforgettable."

Liu Qingyan nodded, understanding why those fox spirits stole glances at Lu Zheng with blushing faces.