Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 494 Under the Mountain

Explore the genres of Xianxia novels; there's bound to be one that suits you.

Chen Anran's gaze swept over them, landing on several young faces.

Those little faces were tanned a deep red, with beads of sweat on their foreheads, but their eyes were bright and their smiles were genuine.

"They're all promising talents," Lu Kong said with a smile. "They're down-to-earth, hardworking, and observant."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Laoshi's wrinkles blossomed into a wide smile: "Immortal Lu, you flatter me. These lads may be a bit slow, but they are certainly hardworking. For the past six months, they've worked day and night with me without uttering a single complaint."

As he spoke, he pointed to the newly built halls in the distance: "Master Chen, look, those side rooms over there were built brick by brick by those few people. And that small hall over there is for the disciples' morning and evening prayers. Although it can't compare to the grandeur of those major sects, at least it can provide shelter from the wind and rain..."

Chen Anran looked in the direction he was pointing.

As dusk fell, the newly built palaces stood silently.

He withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Laoshi: "Has everything been peaceful up and down the mountain these days?"

Zhang Laoshi nodded hurriedly: "Peace and tranquility! With Master Chen's reputation standing tall, who would dare to cause trouble? That's right..."

He paused halfway through his sentence, a hint of hesitation on his face.

"What is it?"

Zhang Laoshi scratched his head and said awkwardly, "It's those... those cultivators who were captured down the mountain, and those rogue cultivators who came here to seek refuge. Every few days, someone comes up the mountain to inquire. They ask when you, Master Chen, will return, and when they can officially join the Yunyin Sect. I don't know how to answer them, so I can only tell them that we'll talk about it when you return, Master Chen."

Chen Anran nodded: "I understand."

Seeing that he didn't intend to say more, Zhang Laoshi wisely stopped asking questions, and just chuckled, rubbing his hands together as he stood there.

Chen Anran glanced at the sky, then at the group of disciples still standing to the side, and said to Zhang Laoshi, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest early."

Zhang Laoshi nodded repeatedly: "I'll have them finish work right away."

After he finished speaking, he turned and waved to his apprentices, "Did you all hear that? That's enough for today! Pack up your tools, we'll get back to work tomorrow!"

The apprentices responded and scattered, some picking up tools, others carrying timber.

Zhang Laoshi remained standing there, looking at Chen Anran. His wrinkled old face showed a mixture of reluctance and hesitation.

Chen Anran looked at him, not asking what he wanted to say, but said directly, "After you finish these jobs, you and your apprentices don't need to do these construction jobs anymore. If there is any demand, the Jiang family can bring the villagers from the foot of the mountain to do it."

Zhang Laoshi was slightly taken aback, then heard Chen Anran say again, "Go and cultivate with Fatty Li. You must cultivate diligently. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask the cultivators here, or ask our group of 'our own people' who came here together. If you need pills to help you, go ask them, or come directly to me. You must keep up with your cultivation."

"I don't want to wait until we go back three thousand years... then someone among us will be missing."

Zhang Laoshi stood there, looking at Chen Anran. His wrinkled old face suddenly reddened.

"Master Chen..." He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat felt like it was blocked by something. He could only nod vigorously, his gray hair trembling as he nodded. "I remember, I remember..."

Chen Anran didn't say anything more, waved to him, and turned to walk deeper into the sect.

Little Ling'er followed beside him, took a few steps, then turned back and waved to Zhang Laoshi: "Grandpa Zhang, see you tomorrow!"

Zhang Laoshi quickly waved back, his face crinkling with smiles: "Hey, see you tomorrow, Xiaoling!"

Lu Kong walked at the back. When he passed Zhang Laoshi, he paused and gave him a smile.

"Old Zhang," he said, "is very lucky."

After saying that, without waiting for Zhang Laoshi's reaction, he followed Chen Anran's footsteps.

Zhang Laoshi stood there blankly, watching the three figures gradually walk away. It took him a long time to come back to his senses. He raised his hand to wipe the corner of his eye and turned to walk towards the group of apprentices who were still packing up their tools.

"Hurry up!" His voice was much louder and more energetic than before. "Once you're done, go back and rest. You'll have work to do tomorrow!"

The disciples exchanged bewildered glances. Xiao Wu leaned closer and whispered, "Master, what did Master Chen say to you just now? Why...why are you crying?"

"Bullshit!" Zhang Laoshi glared at him. "I was just blinded by the wind!"

Xiao Wu shrank back, not daring to ask any more questions, and just chuckled as he ran back to continue tidying up his tools.

………………

Chen Anran and his two companions passed through the sect, bypassed the newly built side hall, and walked deeper into the sect along the path.

Just as they reached the area where the disciples lived, they heard a creaking sound from the door ahead.

Zhao Mengmeng was carrying a basin of water out of the house and was about to pour it into the drainage ditch in the corner of the yard when she looked up and saw three people walking towards her.

She froze for a moment.

The basin of water was still in his hand, held at an angle, and remained motionless for a long time.

"Master?"

Her voice was soft, tinged with uncertainty, as if she were confirming something.

Chen Anran looked at her and nodded: "Mm."

Zhao Mengmeng blinked, then blinked again, suddenly put the basin of water on the stone platform beside her, turned around and shouted into the house, "Xiaoman! Master is back!"

A series of clattering sounds came from inside the house, as if something had been knocked over. Immediately afterward, Lin Xiaoman rushed out, her hair still a little messy, clutching half a half-peeled spirit potato in her hand.

"Brother Chen?!" Her eyes widened as she looked at Chen Anran, then at Xiao Ling'er behind him, her expression incredibly complex. "Xiao Ling'er! You're really back!"

Little Ling'er had already hopped over, grabbed Lin Xiaoman's hand, and started chattering, "Sister Xiaoman! Let me tell you, Tianjing is huge! The buildings are taller than mountains! At night, it's so bright it's like daytime!"

Lin Xiaoman was stunned by her rapid-fire words and forgot to put down the piece of spirit potato in her hand.

Zhao Mengmeng stood to the side, watching Xiao Ling'er's beaming face, and couldn't help but laugh.

Her gaze shifted from Xiao Ling'er to Chen Anran's face.

"Master, was the journey tiring?"

Chen Anran shook her head: "It's alright."

Zhao Mengmeng nodded and didn't ask any more questions. She turned around, picked up the basin of water, poured it into the drain, and placed the basin on the shelf next to her.

Lin Xiaoman then asked, "Brother Chen, what about Sister Wei... no, Wei Yiran? Didn't she come up the mountain with you?"

"She's down the mountain," Chen Anran said. "There's also a group of little monsters who just settled down."