A New Kitchen and New Friends

Lin Xiao wandered the sect, feeling lost and alone. He didn't know what to do with himself, now that Mei was no longer a part of his life. He felt like he had lost his best friend and his partner in the Kitchen Dao, and he didn't know how to move forward.

As he wandered the halls, he stumbled upon a small, dingy kitchen that he had never seen before. It was dusty and cluttered, and it looked like it hadn't been used in years. But for some reason, Lin Xiao felt drawn to it.

He stepped into the kitchen, curious, and was surprised to find a group of mischievous-looking fox spirits sitting around a table, munching on snacks and chatting. They looked up at Lin Xiao, their eyes shining with mischief.

"Hello, human," one of the fox spirits said, grinning. "What brings you to our humble kitchen?"

Lin Xiao shrugged, feeling a little overwhelmed. "I don't know. I was just wandering and I stumbled upon this place. It's...interesting."

The fox spirits laughed, their laughter tinkling like bells. "Yes, it is interesting. We like it here because it's hidden and nobody bothers us. We can do whatever we want without anyone knowing. It's perfect for us."

Lin Xiao nodded, feeling a little curious. "What do you do here, in this kitchen?"

The fox spirits grinned, their eyes twinkling. "We cook, of course. We love to experiment with different ingredients and create delicious dishes. We're not as skilled as the chefs in the main kitchen, but we have fun and we learn a lot. It's a great way to pass the time."

Lin Xiao smiled, feeling a spark of interest. "That sounds fun. I love cooking too. Maybe I could join you and we could cook together. It could be a nice distraction and a way for me to continue practicing the Kitchen Dao."

The fox spirits looked at each other, then back at Lin Xiao. "We don't usually allow humans in our kitchen, but you seem like a nice guy. And we could use another set of hands. What do you say, Lin Xiao? Do you want to join us?"

Lin Xiao hesitated, unsure. He wasn't sure if he was ready to join a group of mischievous fox spirits and cook in a hidden kitchen. But at the same time, he didn't want to spend his days alone and miserable.

"Sure, why not?" Lin Xiao said, shrugging. "It sounds like fun. Let's cook together and see what happens."

The fox spirits grinned, their eyes shining with excitement. "Great! We'll teach you all our secrets and you can teach us some of yours. Let's get started!"

Lin Xiao smiled, feeling a sense of excitement and curiosity. He had no idea what was in store for him in this hidden kitchen, but he was ready to find out. He was finally moving forward and embracing a new chapter in his journey as a Kitchen Daoist.