The screams got louder.
A screech. A crash. Something exploded two streets down—pottery maybe. Or a cultivator's pride.
Adam kept slurping, chewing slowly, eyes half-lidded like he was watching reruns of a show he'd already memorized.
Another boom. This time, dust puffed through the alley behind him. The stall trembled.
The vendor flinched. "Senior…"
Adam raised a hand, still holding his chopsticks. "Almost done."
The vendor gulped and nodded, backing into the kitchen like it could protect him from whatever horror was making its way through town.
Then—
Fwump.
A giant white feather dropped from the sky. Landed right on Adam's bowl.
He paused. Blinked.
"...This better not be that idiot's phoenix again."
Another screech—high-pitched, echoing, way too dramatic. A blur zipped overhead, trailing golden flames and pink feathers. People screamed. A squad of disciples in matching robes chased after it, clearly outclassed and already regretting every decision that led them here.
