The Blazing Sun Sect's open hostility hung in the air, but according to the tournament schedule, there was a rare, two-day break. To ease the mounting pressure, Elder Guo surprisingly granted the team permission to leave the Crimson Phoenix Arena and explore the nearby river market town that had sprung up to serve the event.
The moment they stepped out of the arena's imposing gates, the world changed. The sterile, high-pressure atmosphere was replaced by a wave of humid, fragrant air, thick with the scent of sizzling meats, lemongrass, galangal, and the smoky sweetness of coconut sugar grilling over charcoal.
The town was a vibrant chaos of color and sound. Wooden stalls with woven palm-leaf roofs lined the narrow streets, selling everything from pungent nam prik (spicy chili paste) to sweet, sticky mangoes. The vibrant hues of women's phasin (traditional wrap-around skirts) and the glint of cheap, pretty jewelry made the place feel alive. The air was filled with the rapid, melodic chatter of the local language and the distant, rhythmic clanging of temple bells.
Li's eyes lit up like a child's. "Now this is more like it!" He immediately vanished into the crowd, reappearing moments later with two paper-wrapped parcels. "Here, try this! Khanom krok (coconut-rice pancakes)!" The small, round pancakes were hot, sweet, and creamy, with a crisp edge.
Even Kael's stern expression softened as he accepted one. He looked more at home here, among the earthy smells and simple, sturdy structures, than in the polished arena.
Wang Chen walked slowly, his senses, so used to analyzing spiritual energy, now soaking in the simple, vibrant life around him. He watched an old woman deftly wrapping miang kham (herbal snacks in wild leaves), her movements a practiced, peaceful kind of skill. For a moment, the relentless pursuit of power felt very far away.
He saw Jian pause by a stall selling delicate, hand-carved wooden amulets. Her fingers, usually so still and ready for her sword, gently brushed over the intricate carving of a Garuda, a mythical bird-like creature. She didn't buy it, but for a long moment, she simply looked, a flicker of something other than battle-intent in her eyes.
Wang Chen found himself at a stall selling roti gluay (banana pancakes). The vendor, a smiling man with a thick mustache, deftly stretched the dough, fried it on a hot griddle, and slathered it with sweetened condensed milk and sliced bananas. The first bite was a revelation—warm, comforting, and uncomplicated. It was a taste of a normal life he had never known.
As dusk fell, lanterns were lit, casting a warm, golden glow on the bustling night market. They sat on low wooden stools at a roadside noodle shop, slurping rich, aromatic kuay teow (noodle soup). For the first time since forming, they weren't discussing tactics or cultivation. They were just… eating.
"It's different here," Wang Chen said quietly, watching the peaceful, everyday bustle. "Their strength isn't in breaking things, but in… building this." He gestured at the lively market around them.
Kael nodded, understanding in his eyes. "A different kind of foundation."
Li grinned. "A much tastier one!"
Even Jian, who was neatly picking herbs from her soup, gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod of agreement.
The break was a gift. It reminded them what lay beyond the sect rivalries and the thirst for power. It filled them with the simple, sturdy warmth of a shared meal, fortifying them for the storm they knew was waiting back in the arena. The scent of lemongrass and smoke would linger, a comforting memory against the coming blaze of the Blazing Sun.