The Azure Sky Sect kitchen was quiet… for now.
Li Ming carefully carried Lei Shan through the swinging doors, trying to keep him from noticing the stacks of pots, herbs, and boiling cauldrons.
"Little Thunderbub," he said firmly, "we are not here to play with food. Focus."
Lei Shan blinked at him. Then yawned. Then sneezed — a tiny spark lighting the tip of his nose. A cloud of steam puffed from a boiling pot.
Bai Guo hovered behind them, feathers ruffled. "Descendant, is it me, or is this mission already doomed?"
Li Ming gave him a sharp look. "Don't speak unless you want to clean up molten porridge."
---
He placed Lei Shan on the counter, giving him a small bundle of herbs. "Just… touch these lightly. We're refining a Qi-enhanced medicinal broth. Nothing else. Keep your powers in check."
Lei Shan sniffed the herbs, then stared at a nearby ladle as if plotting.
