Zi Yuner's hand paused slightly as she held her bowl. A layer of frost silently formed along its rim, only to melt in the steam from the boiling soup.
Feng Xian'er's gaze lingered on the tips of her chopsticks for an instant before moving away. She said nothing.
Bai Youyou's chopsticks slowed almost imperceptibly before returning to normal. She spooned some broth into Feng Xian'er's bowl and changed the subject with a smile. "Master, this black wind dog meat is so tender. Where did you catch it?"
"Over on the Back Mountain. I staked it out for half a month before I caught one."
Feng Xian'er put a piece of meat in her mouth and chewed, her gaze sweeping over Zi Yuner before settling back on Lin Shisan's face.
She raised her wine cup and took a sip, her tone as casual as everyday conversation.
"Miss Zi's Cold Ice Spirit Body is quite rare. No wonder you ended up with this silly disciple of mine."
Zi Yuner froze slightly, then played along. "You have a discerning eye, Master. The cultivation method I practice does indeed lean toward cold."
Bai Youyou secretly breathed a sigh of relief and placed another slice of meat in Zi Yuner's bowl.
"Yun'er's cultivation method is really powerful. Last time, she froze a third-tier demon beast on the Back Mountain. Even Shisan praised her."
Lin Shisan scratched his head. Though he had not figured out what was going on, he still nodded honestly.
The atmosphere at the table grew lively again. Broth bubbled in the copper pot, steam rising with the fragrance of meat.
Feng Xian'er asked where Lin Shisan had been these past three years. Holding his wine cup, Lin Shisan picked out what he could tell her.
He began with the Little Fishing Village,