Martial Wasteland Realm, Small Mountain Village.
It was New Year's Eve, and Small Mountain Village was especially lively.
"Happy New Year!"
In the village, a group of children chased one another around, holding toys the adults had made for them. They bounced and ran, their faces beaming with innocent smiles.
For children in the countryside, the New Year was always one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions. On this day, they could wear new clothes, eat delicacies they had been longing for, skip farmwork, and enjoy themselves for several days.
Everyone in the village had been up since early morning, cleaning their homes and making their courtyards spotless. Lanterns and couplets hung everywhere, and the festive atmosphere was at its peak.
The cooks in every household were busy preparing a lavish New Year's Eve dinner. Chickens were slaughtered, geese butchered, smoke curled from chimneys, and firecrackers went off from time to time.
"Xiao Li,"
Li Fan had brought his disciples back to the village, where they happened to run into Second Uncle. Carrying a bundle of mugwort, he walked over, his old face full of surprise.
"Huh? Where did you get all this game?"
Li Fan smiled.
"Second Uncle, Dade and the others caught it outside. Go round up everyone in the village. Let's have New Year's Eve dinner together tonight!"
Second Uncle was delighted, too.
"Good! Good! I'll go tell everyone right now. We'll all eat together—that's what makes it lively! Second Uncle will show you all one of his signature dishes tonight!"
At that, Wu Dade and the others' eyes lit up. Second Uncle could cook, too?
"Oh, right,"
Second Uncle suddenly seemed to remember something. His face turned serious.
"The shaman said that on New Year's Eve, you have to bathe so you won't lose your soul