Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 321 Morning Patrol

Chen Anran woke up earlier than usual.

As he pushed open the door, the eastern sky was just beginning to lighten, and dew still clung to the spirit-gathering stone slabs in the courtyard. He went to the back mountain for his morning exercise as usual, and with each breath, the thin yet pure spiritual energy of the mountain flowed around him. Today, the spiritual energy seemed exceptionally active, carrying a subtle, unusual fluctuation.

After finishing his set of boxing techniques, Chen Anran stood still, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He stood on the edge of the cliff, looking down at the mountain below. Most of the resort's lights had been turned off, with only streetlights and a few early-opened shops emitting a dim yellow glow. In the morning mist, the complex of buildings appeared tranquil and ordinary, as if the undercurrents of last night's "undercover investigation" were merely an illusion.

But Chen Anran knew it wasn't true.

He could sense the presence of the hundred or so cultivators below the mountain, like stars lurking in the morning mist—concealed yet undeniably real. Most of them were probably still asleep, conserving their energy in preparation for the upcoming "search."

"Seven days..." Chen Anran murmured to himself.

These seven days will be the biggest test the Cloud Hidden Sect has faced since establishing the resort and opening it to the public.

When Chen Anran returned to the Cloud Hidden Sect, Feng Xiaolu was already awake, squatting by the well brushing her teeth, her mouth full of foam. Seeing Chen Anran return from the back mountain, she greeted him indistinctly, "Good morning, Junior Brother... You're up so early today."

"I can't sleep." Chen Anran drew a bucket of water, scooped up a handful and splashed it on his face. The cool well water refreshed him.

Feng Xiaolu rinsed her mouth, wiped it, and leaned closer, lowering her voice: "What do you think those 'undercover' investigators will do today? After what happened at the children's playground yesterday, they should be more cautious, right?"

"I hope so." Chen Anran dried his face with a towel. "However, today is only the first day of the official investigation. The deacons and elders leading each faction should personally come down the mountain to keep an eye on things, and they won't let the young people run wild like they did yesterday."

As the two were talking, Zhao Mengmeng rubbed her eyes and came out of the room: "Good morning, Master. Good morning, Third Uncle... Ugh, I'm so sleepy."

"Go wash up quickly. After breakfast, you'll come down the mountain with me," Chen Anran said.

"Go down the mountain? What for?" Feng Xiaolu asked curiously.

"Since the various factions are going to conduct 'undercover investigations,' our Yunyin Sect cannot completely stand aside." Chen Anran hung the towels to dry. "I'll take you around the resort, firstly as a routine inspection, and secondly to see how the various factions are actually investigating."

During breakfast, Chen Anran told Su Wan about this arrangement. Su Wan nodded slightly: "That's excellent. Remember, we're just conducting normal patrols; there's no need to deliberately contact any factions. However, if we encounter any inappropriate behavior, we should remind them appropriately."

"I see."

After the meal, Chen Anran led Feng Xiaolu, Zhao Mengmeng, and Lin Xiaoman down the mountain. Wei Qingyi wanted to go with them, but Chen Anran asked her to stay on the mountain to take care of them.

The resort was still shrouded in a thin mist in the early morning, and the air was fresh. Early risers were already strolling the streets, and the aromas of breakfast wafted from several shops.

Chen Anran and his group went to Xian Shan Fang first. Fatty Li was busy in the kitchen; seeing Chen Anran arrive, he quickly wiped his hands and came out to greet him: "Master, what brings you here?"

"Come and take a look." Chen Anran looked around the lobby.

Fatty Li has always been a smart man. Even though Chen Anran didn't say much, he knew what he should say and do.

"Master, there were indeed a few unfamiliar faces who came to have breakfast this morning. They all seemed quite low-key. They ordered their food, ate quietly, and left without doing anything special."

"Okay." Chen Anran nodded. "Just operate normally. Answer their questions truthfully. There's no need to be deliberate or evasive."

"Understood," Fatty Li replied, then added, "It's just that... two disciples from the Han family inquired whether our sect leader often comes down the mountain and which resorts he likes to visit. I didn't say much, only that our sect leader spends most of his time cultivating on the mountain and doesn't come down often."

Chen Anran's eyes narrowed slightly, but her expression remained unchanged: "I understand. You go ahead and get busy, we'll just look around."

Leaving Xian Shan Fang, the four strolled slowly along the main street. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the shops on both sides of the street were opening one after another, cleaning and tidying up in preparation for welcoming tourists for the new day.

"Lingqiaofang" was already open. Jiang Yun was cleaning at the entrance. When she saw Chen Anran and his group, she nodded and greeted them. Her expression was normal, as if her conversation with Jiang Yan last night had never happened.

"Good morning, Senior Jiang!" Zhao Mengmeng waved cheerfully.

Jiang Yun smiled and continued sweeping the floor.

Further ahead was "Feng's Herb Pavilion". The shop door was ajar, and Feng Changyuan was carrying a pot of newly arrived spiritual herbs to the door. Upon seeing Chen Anran, he stopped and cupped his hands, saying, "Good morning, Fellow Daoist Chen".

"Good morning, Senior Brother Feng." Chen Anran returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping across the shop. "How's business?"

"Not bad." Feng Changyuan smiled gently. "There have been many tourists these past few days, but few who truly appreciate quality. But it doesn't matter; this is a business for self-cultivation."

Chen Anran then asked, "Where are your brother and Senior Wen Yuan?"

"Feng Lu brought a batch of medicinal herbs, and they went to meet him." Feng Changyuan arranged the herbs in their proper positions. "There are more people on the mountain these days, so the herbs are being consumed faster than usual." He paused, looked at Chen Anran, and added meaningfully, "Fourth Uncle went along too, saying he was feeling stuffy inside."

Chen Anran understood the meaning behind Feng Changyuan's words. As an elder of the Feng family, Feng Yue's attitude had always been somewhat ambiguous. His trip down the mountain to make purchases might also be a way to temporarily avoid the tense situation that could erupt on the mountain at any moment.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Anran took his leave.

The group continued forward, and as they passed "Meow Fairy Residence," Chen Anran's gaze lingered for a moment on the half-open door. Qi Lan didn't seem to open the door early as usual; the wooden sign on the door was turned up to "Preparing." He knew that Qi Lan and Shi Tou were probably in the underground chamber looking after the bell.

Lin Xiaoman, noticing Chen Anran's gaze, asked softly, "Is Boss Qi still not open today?"

"Hmm, something might be wrong." Chen Anran didn't say much, and looked away. "Let's go check out the children's playground."

The children's playground has returned to normal. Several young employees in uniforms were inspecting the facilities and greeted Chen Anran and the others. Yesterday's "stunt show" seemed to have left no lasting effects, and the first group of children, accompanied by their parents, had already entered the park, their laughter ringing out clearly and pleasantly.

Chen Anran paused for a moment at the entrance of the children's playground, his gaze sweeping over the children playing inside and their accompanying parents. As the morning light grew stronger and the mist dissipated, the laughter and joy in the playground seemed exceptionally pure, creating a subtle contrast with the undercurrents flowing below the mountain.