Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 296 Reception at the Immortal Cuisine Restaurant

Chatting and laughing, the two arrived at Xian Shan Fang. Even though the busiest lunchtime rush had passed, the main hall was still about 70-80% full.

Fatty Li, who was behind the counter, saw Chen Anran and his fat face immediately lit up with a smile. He personally came up to her and said, "Master! Senior Sister Xiaoling, what brings you here? If you want anything to eat, just give me a call and I'll bring it up for you."

"It's nice to go for a walk down the mountain when you have nothing to do," Chen Anran said as he led Xiao Ling'er to an empty table and sat down.

Just as Chen Anran was about to order, four people walked in from the store entrance. The one in the lead was a middle-aged man. He was wearing a gray suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he looked honest and unassuming.

"I saw in the group chat that they were talking about food containing spiritual energy. This must be it, 'Immortal Cuisine House'. Hmm, that should be it."

As the middle-aged man spoke, he led the other four people inside. As soon as they entered, he saw Chen Anran and quickly walked up to him, smiling as he said, "Fellow Daoist Chen."

Chen Anran looked up upon hearing the voice and saw that the person who had come was Han Bailian, the head of the Han family in the lake.

Chen Anran was slightly taken aback, then said, "Fellow Daoist Han, please sit down."

After Han Bailian took his seat, he said to the four clansmen accompanying him, "Find a table for yourselves and order whatever you want to eat."

Then Han Bailian looked at Chen Anran with a warm smile, "The name of the Hidden Immortal in the Clouds has become increasingly well-known in the cultivation world lately."

Chen Anran poured him a cup of tea, his expression frank: "Fellow Daoist Han, you flatter me. It's just a matter of keeping up appearances. May I ask if Fellow Daoist Han has come here on important business?"

Han Bailian picked up his teacup but didn't drink it immediately, seemingly considering his words. He glanced at Ling'er, who was eating her snacks quietly with wide, curious eyes, and then looked around at the lively yet orderly scene inside the Immortal Cuisine Shop, his eyes full of admiration.

Han Bailian put down his teacup, his expression turning serious: "Indeed, I have something to discuss. But there's no rush, let this young friend enjoy his meal first."

He smiled and looked at Xiao Ling'er, who was taking small bites of the Spirit Honey Cake. When Han Bailian saw her, she slowed down her movements, feeling a little embarrassed.

Chen Anran said gently to Xiaoling'er, "Eat slowly, there's no rush."

Little Ling'er was very sensible. Knowing that the adults had important matters to discuss, she held the milk tea and cake and said softly, "Junior Uncle, I'll go eat at the table by the window over there." After saying that, she obediently moved to the small table by the window.

Chen Anran watched her sit down before turning to Han Bailian, his expression calm: "Fellow Daoist Han, please speak freely."

Han Bailian stopped beating around the bush, "Fellow Daoist Chen, you must already know about the events at Longhu Mountain. The cultivation world is currently rife with undercurrents, and many forces are secretly observing, and some are even... itching to make a move."

Chen Anran picked up his teacup and gently blew on it: "It is truly regrettable that the highly respected Master Zhang suffered such a misfortune."

"Now, He Qingyun, the acting leader of Longhu Mountain, has united with several sects, including Jingang Temple, Maoshan, and Qingcheng, and is doing his utmost to track down the whereabouts of the Holy Maiden of the Crimson Spirit Sect." As he spoke, Han Bailian sighed, "I estimate that the day we find the Holy Maiden will be the day we launch our attack on the Crimson Spirit Sect."

"To exterminate the Crimson Spirit Sect..." Chen Anran repeated in a low voice, then looked at Han Bailian, "Fellow Daoist Han came here specifically to inform you, so it must be more than just delivering a message."

Han Bailian blinked. "It really is that simple?"

Chen Anran was taken aback again, and then saw Han Bailian grin and say, "I also wanted to come and try the food at 'Xianshanfang'. My good-for-nothing cousins ​​saw someone post pictures of the dishes here in the group chat and they were so hungry that they kept pestering me to bring them here to see for themselves."

These words were spoken casually, as if he had truly come for a delicious meal. But Chen Anran was astute; he knew that someone like Han Bailian, even if he seemed honest, was certainly not without his own schemes and wouldn't make a special trip just for a meal. However, since the other party was unwilling to say so openly, he didn't press the matter further, simply following the conversation with a smile: "In that case, Fellow Daoist Han must have a good taste. Chef Liu's Sichuan cuisine is truly exceptional."

"Of course." Han Bailian smiled and beckoned to the waiter, ordered a few signature dishes, and also asked for a pot of spirit rice wine.

Before long, the dishes were served. The fresh aroma of the food, mixed with the unique fragrance of the spiritual ingredients, was incredibly tempting. The four members of the Han family brought by Han Bailian sat at the next table, already impatient, eating with gusto and sweating profusely, unable to stop.

Chen Anran also called Xiao Ling'er back.

Han Bailian raised his cup, took a sip of the spirit rice wine, squinted his eyes, and savored it carefully. After a while, he put down the cup and sighed, "Good wine! The spiritual energy is mellow, the rice aroma is sweet, and what's rare is that the wine is mild and does not harm the meridians. This Cloud Hidden Immortal Realm is indeed full of treasures."

Chen Anran smiled and said, "It's just some ordinary homemade brew. I'm glad Fellow Daoist Han likes it."

The only sounds at the table were the clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the chewing. The four young men from the Han family brought by Han Bailian were eating with great enthusiasm, occasionally exchanging whispered words like "This fish slice is so tender" and "The numbing sensation is so satisfying," their eyes filled with satisfaction.

Xiao Ling'er sat back down next to Chen Anran, sipping her milk tea, her round eyes unable to resist secretly observing Han Bailian with curiosity. Although she was young, she had been around Su Wan for a long time and could vaguely sense the deeper and more composed aura emanating from this Han family head, which was different from that of the Feng brothers.

Xiao Ling'er sat back down next to Chen Anran, sipping her milk tea, her round eyes unable to resist secretly observing Han Bailian with curiosity. Although she was young, she had been around Su Wan for a long time and could vaguely sense the deeper and more composed aura emanating from this Han family head, which was different from that of the Feng brothers.

Han Bailian seemed to sense something, turned to Xiao Ling'er with a kind smile, and took out a small brocade pouch from his sleeve and handed it to her: "It's a small token of my appreciation for our first meeting. Inside are a few 'Azure Water Heart-Nourishing Pearls,' a specialty of the lake. Wearing them can calm the mind and soothe the spirit, and may be helpful in stabilizing one's state of mind during the early stages of cultivation."

Xiao Ling'er was taken aback and looked up at Chen Anran.

Chen Anran nodded slightly: "I cannot refuse such a gift from an elder. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Han."

Little Ling'er then accepted the gift with both hands and politely thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Han."

The "Azure Water Nourishing Pearl" that Han Bailian gave her was no bigger than a fingernail, and it was a bright green color. It was cool to the touch and had a faint mist of moisture about it. Xiao Ling'er held it in her palm and looked at it again and again. She liked it very much and carefully put it in her bosom and put it close to her body.

"Fellow Daoist Chen's junior disciple has pure spiritual energy and a solid foundation. She will surely achieve great things in the future." Han Bailian looked at Xiao Ling'er with genuine admiration in his eyes.

Chen Anran raised his glass in acknowledgment: "Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist Han."

After several rounds of drinks, most of the dishes on the table were gone. The Han family members brought by Han Bailian had already eaten their fill and were leaning back in their chairs, talking quietly.

Han Bailian wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said casually, "Speaking of which, the head of the Feng family also came here a few days ago, didn't he? I received a message from Fellow Daoist Feng Wenzheng a couple of days ago, mentioning that he had reached a preliminary agreement with your sect on several cooperation matters."

Chen Anran understood, but his expression remained calm: "That is indeed the case. The Feng family is very sincere, and the proposed cooperation is beneficial to both parties."

"The Feng family has always had a keen eye for talent." Han Bailian smiled meaningfully. "It was a wise move to forge a good relationship with a promising sect like the Cloud Hidden Sect at the very beginning of the spiritual energy recovery."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "The cultivation world today appears calm on the surface, but it is actually full of hidden reefs. The Longhu Mountain incident may seem like a struggle between good and evil, but no one can say for sure how many other hands are stirring things up beneath the surface."

Chen Anran looked up at him: "Fellow Daoist Han seems to have a hidden meaning in his words?"

Han Bailian laughed and waved his hand: "It's just some sentiment. My Han family is located in the middle of the lake. We don't have the deep foundation of the Feng family, nor are we as well-established as those major sects. Over the years, we've just been guarding our ancestral properties and refining some low-grade pills to barely make ends meet."

He spoke modestly, but Chen Anran knew that although the Han family in the lake was not as prosperous as the Feng family, it was still a family with a history of hundreds of years, and it was by no means as simple as "barely maintaining".

"Fellow Daoist Han is too modest," Chen Anran said.

As they spoke, a new group of customers came to the restaurant, waiters bustled about, and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked dishes.

Little Ling'er had finished her snacks and the "Spirit Pepper Noodles" that she had specially asked Chef Liu to put less spice in. Her little face was flushed from the spiciness, and she was sipping milk tea to relieve the heat.

Han Bailian glanced at the sky, stood up, and said, "I have troubled you for a long time today, and I should take my leave now. Those young men in the clan probably haven't had enough of sightseeing yet. I'll take them to the resort for a look around, and we'll go up the mountain for a formal visit earlier tomorrow."

Chen Anran stood up to see him off, saying, "Take care, Fellow Daoist Han."

"Thank you for your trouble." Han Bailian cupped his hands in greeting, then smiled kindly at Xiao Ling'er. "Young friend, until we meet again."

After seeing the Han family off, the Immortal Cuisine Restaurant returned to normal. Fatty Li leaned closer and whispered, "Master, who was that just now...?"

"Just a fellow cultivator, nothing more than casual acquaintances." Chen Anran patted him on the shoulder. "Master Liu's skills are indeed excellent; you've worked hard these past few days."

Fatty Li immediately beamed, "No trouble at all! As long as Master is satisfied!"

After saying that, Fatty Li thought for a moment and then said, "Master, I overheard a few of your conversations just now. He didn't seem like someone who was just here for a meal. His words were roundabout and polite, but I felt like he was hiding something."

Chen Anran turned to look at Fatty Li, "You're quite observant."

Fatty Li chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "Having followed you, Master, for so long, I've learned a thing or two about judging people. Besides, our resort has a good reputation now, and all sorts of independent cultivators come here. As the manager, I have to keep an eye on things, right?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Anran laughed and retorted, "Do you need to teach me how to judge people?"

Fatty Li said with a grin, "No, no, Master's eyes are so discerning, there's no need for me to say anything. I just... just said it offhand, just said it offhand!"

Chen Anran chuckled and shook her head, too lazy to argue with him. She turned to look at Xiao Ling'er, whose belly was already round and who was sipping her milk tea: "Are you full?"

Xiao Ling'er nodded vigorously, her eyes curving into crescents: "I'm full! Junior Uncle, Master Liu's noodles are so delicious. Although they're spicy, they make me feel warm and comfortable all over."

"I'm glad you like it," Chen Anran said gently, then instructed Fatty Li, "Later, take some money from the account and give Master Liu an extra red envelope. Tell him that Xiaoling really likes his cooking, and this is just a small token of my appreciation. You can decide on the exact amount, don't be stingy."

Little Ling'er stuck out her tongue and obediently followed Chen Anran outside, not forgetting to turn back and wave to Fatty Li: "Goodbye, Fatty Senior Brother!"

"Take care, junior sister! Come again anytime!" Fatty Li stood at the door, smiling broadly as he watched them leave.

Stepping out of Xian Shan Fang, the afternoon sun was just right, making people feel lazy. The main street of the resort was still crowded, but much less so than at noon. Chen Anran, holding Xiao Ling'er's hand, walked unhurriedly towards the mountain gate.

As Xiao Ling'er walked, she fiddled with the "Flowing Light Firefly" that Jiang Yun had given her. The little gadget shimmered softly in her palm, attracting frequent glances from passersby. She was having a great time playing with it.

"Junior Uncle, can I go down the mountain more often in the future? Like... like today?"

"As long as your master agrees, of course you can," Chen Anran said with a smile. "But remember, going down the mountain is to broaden your horizons and temper your character, not just to eat, drink, and have fun. Cultivation ultimately depends on yourself."

"I've got it!"

As they spoke, they reached the stone steps at the foot of the mountain. Looking up, the winding stone steps were hidden among the lush green trees, stretching all the way to the mist-shrouded mountain gate. In the distance, the eaves of the sect's main hall shimmered with a faint golden light in the sunlight, serene and majestic.

Chen Anran stopped and looked back at the bustling and vibrant resort behind him, then looked up at the quiet and secluded sect on the mountain. A sense of emotion suddenly welled up in his heart.

Below the mountain lies the bustling world of mortals; above, a place of tranquil cultivation, a path to immortality. He, along with the newly established Cloud Hidden Sect, stands between these two realms, tasked with maintaining the foundation and fortune of the land below, while also safeguarding the heritage and serenity of the mountain above.

Han Bailian's arrival, seemingly casual, was in fact inevitable. The Feng family's proactive efforts to befriend him, the undercurrents of turmoil at Longhu Mountain, and even the mystery brought by the bell... all foreshadowed that this seemingly peaceful cultivation world was brewing a deeper transformation.

"Junior Uncle?" Xiao Ling'er called out softly when she saw him standing and gazing into the distance.

Chen Anran snapped out of her daze, looked away, and smiled gently at her: "It's nothing, let's go back to the mountain."

He led Xiaoling'er step by step up the stone steps.

The road ahead is long, and there's much to do. But we'll take it one step at a time.

....................................

The day after returning to the mountain, Wei Qingyi's film crew officially moved into the Yunyin Xianzong Resort.

At dawn, as the sky began to lighten, several large vans loaded with filming equipment slowly drove along the newly built mountain road into the resort's designated parking lot. The director, cinematographer, lighting technician, production assistants, and a group of actors disembarked one after another, and the twenty or thirty people instantly added a lively industrial atmosphere to the otherwise quiet morning.