Why are all the people in my chat group rumored to be from the outside world?

In a sense, it should have been expected, or rather, who else but this guy would order such a spicy hot pot?

“Longmen is a nice place, but the food is too bland. Look…” A red, flame-like hand held a pair of chopsticks and scooped out a few pieces of meat from the lava-flowing hot pot. Under the watchful eyes of Ember and Talulah, the hand dipped some meat in chili sauce and put it in its mouth.

The white-haired woman with two horns on her head smiled as she saw the look of horror on Ember and Talulah's faces. "Not spicy at all."

"Why that expression? Let me tell you, eating spicy food is an attitude, an attitude towards life. It's about that moment when the slight stinging sensation and intense urge explode on your tongue."

"It will produce unexpected surprises!"

"Come and have some food. It's fate that we met. I'm definitely much older than you all. This meal is on me, so please eat as much as you like."

"Hehe, we've only just met, how could I let you spend your money?" Talulah looked at the molten hot pot broth and felt her eyes start to hurt. She swallowed hard, forced a smile, and said to the woman she was meeting for the first time, "Miss Nian, we appreciate your kindness, but let's just forget about it."

Yu Jin was less tactful: "I bet only you can handle this kind of chili. If I took a bite, I don't know if I'd end up in the hospital."

"Have you ever eaten this before? If you haven't, how would you know this would happen? Try a bite, and you'll absolutely love this surprising feeling, just like I have!" Nian used chopsticks to help Yu Jin scoop a few pieces of meat from the boiling hot pot, dipped them in chili sauce again, and placed them in the bowl in front of Yu Jin.

Yu Jin glanced at the chili peppers in the bowl, then at the guy with the expectant look on his face.

year.

Once, it was one of the fragments of the giant beast [Sui] of the Yan Kingdom.

Yu Jin never expected to run into the other party here, and even get entangled with them. He thought about some things he had seen before.

"Could this guy be a NPC that keeps spawning at the hot pot restaurant?"

With these thoughts in mind, Yu Jin, amidst Nian's devastated gaze, rinsed the chili peppers in the bowl with water, then picked up two slices of meat with chopsticks and put them in his mouth.

Under Talulah's worried gaze, Ember swallowed the food in his mouth: "The method is feasible. Since she's treating, let's eat as much as we want. Let's go get some ingredients."

"Stop! Stop it! This isn't how you eat hot pot!"

The year was like a useless husband, watching his beloved possessions being destroyed by the two of them, while she could only watch helplessly.

Ember: "Hey, food is what brings happiness. As long as you enjoy eating, nothing else matters."

Talulah: "I agree!"

"You're not a traditionalist, are you? You mean one of those old-fashioned, conservative types?" Yu Jin's voice carried a hint of teasing.

Upon hearing this, Nian's expression turned somewhat strange.

She's...an old-fashioned?

Are you kidding me? She's incredibly innovative!

Everyone in the family says her version updates too quickly. Now that she's reached Longmen, she's even being called an old relic!

Originally, Nian wanted to see what the so-called "Dragon Gate Twin Gods" were, but when she saw this hot pot restaurant, she couldn't move on. She thought that was all for today, but then she saw these two men and women entering the restaurant.

She could immediately tell that the woman was a Drak, but the man was not; he was more like herself than a Drak.

Isn't this something that comes without any effort?

I wanted to go find the other person, but they came to me on their own.

This is a golden opportunity, I definitely have to go up and say a few words!

Over a hot pot brimming with spiciness, the group chatted from the beginning to their final thoughts on their own positions!

This is how it should be done, but why, why is it like this? Watching the other person scoop up the meat and dip it in the water, she couldn't accept it! She really couldn't accept this way of eating hot pot!

Just as she made up her mind to replace the other person's bowl of water with flammable water...

Boom!

What terrifying crashing sound came from outside!

The loud commotion successfully attracted the attention of everyone in the hot pot restaurant.

Ember and Talulah narrowed their eyes and looked out the window.

"What's going on? Is someone causing trouble in broad daylight?" Yu Jin thought to himself as he saw a figure rapidly retreating, crashing heavily onto the street and kicking up a cloud of smoke.

Before Yu Jin could even see what was happening, a figure rushed into the swirling smoke from a certain direction. The next second, that figure was sent flying backward as if it had been knocked away!

After Yu Jin clearly saw who had been sent flying, he stood up with a thud: "Holy crap, why is that guy here? Wait, how did he get knocked away? There's an enemy!"

Just then, the door of the hot pot restaurant was flung open, and the Doctor waved urgently at Ember: "Come help quickly, this is tough, Kevin can't hold on much longer!"

"Let me have a go at him!"

Ember made a perfect leap and arrived next to the Doctor, rushing out through the open door!

Talulah stood up and said to Nian with a serious expression, "Miss Nian, I'm very sorry, but some unexpected situations have suddenly arisen here, and I need to deal with them."

Just as Nian was about to say something, he saw the smoke-filled area suddenly dispersed by a hand, revealing the face of the person inside. This sight made Nian jump up.

"Ah, big brother!"

Under Talulah's bewildered gaze, Nian moved almost in sync with Ember's earlier actions, leaping perfectly to the Doctor's side before dashing out through the open door, shouting:

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting! We're all on the same side!"

Volume 1: Chapter 88 Talulah: Then I won't be polite.

In the same hot pot restaurant, at the same seat, the number of people has increased from three to six.

An awkward atmosphere filled the air. Ember, Kevin, Doctor, and Talulah sat in a row, while Nian and martial arts grandmaster Chongyue sat opposite them.

In the midst of this quiet atmosphere, a waiter carrying a full bowl of meat entered this area.

Yu Jin and Chong Yue reached out to take the plate of meat at the same time. Their fingertips touched the cold edge of the tray almost simultaneously, and then they realized that the other was there.

Their eyes met, and a barely perceptible look of surprise flashed across their faces. Almost reflexively, they both paused slightly, wanting to withdraw their hands—

"Dear guests," the waiter said with a professional, impeccable smile, "if this plate of meat is accidentally dropped on the ground during the handover, our restaurant is not responsible according to our policy. Thank you for your understanding!"

This casual reminder made Yu Jin and Chong Yue firmly grip the two ends of the tray, even though they were about to back down.

"Let me do that," Chongyue said, breaking the silence.

Yu Jin nodded: "Then I'll trouble you."

The waiter's gaze swept back and forth between Yu Jin and Chong Yue with great interest, then glanced at the group of people beside them. He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Wow, if it weren't for this whole table of people sitting here, just looking at these two's actions and expressions, I would almost think they were putting on some kind of... scene..." His smile remained unchanged, he bowed slightly, and turned to leave briskly.

The young man coughed lightly, a smile spreading across his face: "Well, we've become friends through a bit of a misunderstanding, so please don't take it too seriously, let's eat first..."

"I apologize for this unauthorized follow," Chong Yue's calm voice rang out, directly interrupting Nian's attempt to turn the page.

"Brother, at a time like this, we should just let this topic go. Why did you bring it up again?" Nian thought helplessly to himself.

"No, no, no!" Kevin waved his hand, his face showing sincere apology. "We were too impulsive and attacked without asking any questions. If we're really talking about right and wrong, we were the ones who were reckless and should be the ones apologizing, Mr. Chongyue."

Chong Yue shook his head slightly: "Facts are facts. I did follow your friend. Although I didn't have any malicious intent, my behavior was inappropriate, and I won't make excuses."

"Anyway, just like Miss Nian said, we became friends after a fight. And Mr. Chongyue, you are really amazing. I was no match for you at all. If you hadn't held back, perhaps... I would have been lying on the ground by now." Kevin scratched the back of his head, somewhat embarrassed.

Hearing Kevin's sincere praise, Chong Yue's serious face softened with a warm smile: "You're too kind. I can see that you are exceptionally talented, possessing an extremely powerful and... unique strength within you. When you fought me, you also held back, not going all out."

He looked at Kevin, then changed the subject, extending a finger with the air of an elder instructing a younger person, "However, there is one thing I must say frankly."

Kevin immediately sat up straight: "Please speak!"

“Your fighting style—” Chong Yue frowned slightly, as if searching for the most accurate description, “relies too much on instinct and intuition. Your punches and kicks are powerful and fierce, but they lack any foundation or technique. It’s like… a heavy hammer without a sheath, possessing immense power but lacking the method to control it. If you encounter an opponent who is truly at your level and has a solid foundation, your chaotic punches may be easily seen through, guided, or even used against you. At that time, even if you have immense power, you will inevitably be restrained at every turn and fall into a passive position.”

Kevin nodded in deep agreement: "You're absolutely right! Strictly speaking... I haven't experienced much real combat. My power... came from a rather unusual source, and I have almost no experience in fighting."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Chong Yue's eyes. He recalled the brief exchange just now. He had only used two seemingly ordinary grappling techniques, but the second time he used them, the young man in front of him broke free and neutralized them instantly with an incredible reaction speed and pure combat intuition!

He had only ever seen such beast-like adaptability and learning speed in a handful of unpolished gems throughout his life.

"...I see. Then your combat talent is probably far more astonishing than I imagined." Chongyue's gaze towards Kevin revealed his undisguised admiration and appreciation for his talent.

Kevin, at this moment, was completely convinced of the unfathomable skill of this grandmaster.

Although his opponent's movements did not appear to be as swift as lightning, nor as powerful as overwhelming force, every seemingly casual raise of his hand or step seemed to contain a rhythm and power that he could not comprehend, precisely striking the points where he was most uncomfortable and unable to exert force, making his strength feel like hitting cotton, with nowhere to use it.

This combat experience of being completely understood and controlled was absolutely unprecedented for him.

Seeing the two staring at each other, Yu Jin couldn't help but wave.

"How about we eat first? And while we're at it, we can chat about why you two are here."

Even Yu Jin should have guessed that the appearance of these two here could not have been an accident. If it were just Nian, there would be a reason, but with Chong Yue added, things have changed.

Faced with Yu Jin's gaze, Nian awkwardly looked away.

"It's all my fault, brother. What are we going to do now..."

Chongyue, on the other hand, was much more composed. With a calm expression, he met Yu Jin's gaze and got straight to the point: "I have come here to seek out the two gods who are said to protect Longmen."

"When I first arrived here, I sensed an extraordinary aura emanating from you, quite different from ordinary people. I intended to find an opportunity to speak with you alone, but unexpectedly..."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Kevin and the doctor, with a hint of apology, "You know what happened next. I had some misunderstandings with these two friends, and a conflict ensued."

“I see.” Yu Jin nodded.

His gaze immediately shifted, his sharp eyes landing on Kevin and the doctor.

"Then why are you here?"

Cold sweat trickled down the Doctor's forehead. Facing Ember's question, he forced himself to remain calm, even replying in an overly indifferent tone, "Of course, it's to enjoy the scenery. The rebuilt Lungmen is worth seeing, you see..."

The doctor waved the camera in his hand, trying to increase his persuasiveness, "The camera is our most powerful proof."

"Really? Let me see the camera."

Looking at the calm face of Ember, the Doctor, hidden under his hood, forced a smile.

"More than a frozen moment in a photograph, I hope you can personally experience the vibrant scenery of Longmen right now..."

"Could the photo in the camera be of me?" Yu Jin's eyes narrowed.

The doctor sensed the growing danger in those eyes and immediately shifted his gaze to Chongyue, speaking rapidly: "Ah! Right! Mr. Chongyue! That's right! I am one of the Dragon Gate deities you are looking for! What do you want to discuss? Come, come, let's find a quiet place to talk alone!" He made a move to get up.

A hand rested on the Doctor's shoulder, and Ember's cold voice whispered in the Doctor's ear.

"Hand over the camera."

Looking at the indifferent Ember, the Doctor's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, then he suddenly hugged the camera tightly, closed his eyes, and shouted, "No!"

A soft, muffled tap.

After a few seconds.

"As you can see, I am the god you are looking for. So, what do you need me for?"

Chongyue looked at the doctor in front of him who was covering his head and whose behavior was completely out of character for a god. Even with his extensive knowledge and experience, Chongyue couldn't help but twitch his eye. Was this person really the god he was looking for?

Despite thinking this, Chongyue still spoke up: "It's nothing important. I came here just to take a look. After that person passed away, there is actually another god willing to stand on the side of Yan Kingdom. This aroused my curiosity, so I wanted to come and take a look."

After that, the conversation between the two had nothing to do with Ember. After Ember got the camera, he wanted to check immediately what kind of shady things the Doctor had secretly photographed, but he found that the camera in his hand was completely different from any model he remembered.

Ember looked the thing over and over, pressing his fingers tentatively on the various protrusions, but there was no response.

Just as he was considering a physical disassembly solution, a hand reached out, its fingertip pointing to an inconspicuous, tiny button on the side of the camera.

"I... if I remember correctly, it should be here." Talulah's voice rang out from nearby, tinged with uncertainty.

She had somehow ended up sitting next to Yu Jin, leaning slightly forward, her gaze fixed intently on the camera, as if trying to recall something.

"Let me see."

Ember pressed the button that Talulah pointed to, and soon the camera actually showed a picture.

The first photo is clearly the last masterpiece taken by the Doctor before he was caught. In the picture, Talulah is holding Ember's wrist, and the two are jogging towards the hot pot restaurant through a bustling street.

"It doesn't seem like anything special."

He then pressed a button, and the photos flipped through the screen one by one.

Most of the scenes show him and Talulah walking on the streets of Lungmen. Sometimes they stand side by side in front of a newly built building, with Talulah saying something. Sometimes they are at a food stall, with Ember holding some novel food. Sometimes they are just walking through the crowd, with Talulah walking a little ahead, as if leading the way.

After taking one last look and confirming that there was nothing strange, Ember handed the camera directly to Talulah, whose expression was somewhat odd.

"What should we do with this? You decide."

"Huh! For me?" Talulah looked at the camera handed to her, somewhat taken aback.

"What else? Compared to me, you have more right to decide this. Those two guys were a bit rude. I apologize on their behalf."