Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 288 Night Talk at Meow Immortal Abode

With a tap of the fingertip, one is instantly transported to the wonderful world of Chapter 288, "Night Talk at the Meow Immortal Abode (Part 1)".

There are quite a few independent cultivators like him in the resort. Their cultivation levels are not high, mostly hovering in the early stages of Qi Refining. They lack systematic training and sufficient resources, and usually either explore on their own in deep mountains and forests or in the alleys of cities, or do odd jobs for small cultivation families or shops in exchange for meager wages. The appearance of the Cloud Hidden Immortal Trail Resort is a rare blessing for them.

The spiritual energy here is richer than outside, and there is a relatively safe trading environment where you can buy some basic pills, talismans, and low-level materials. You can even occasionally hear some news from the cultivation world. If you're lucky, you might even meet one or two seniors and receive some guidance.

As a result, the resort gradually became an informal gathering place for low-level independent cultivators in the surrounding area. They would gather in twos and threes, either exchanging information in hushed tones in the corners of teahouses, searching for what they needed in shops like "Lingqiaofang," or simply meditating for a while in a secluded spot to absorb the richer spiritual energy of heaven and earth compared to the outside world.

As the sun rose higher, the resort came alive with activity. Tourists thronged the area, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Ordinary visitors enjoyed the picturesque scenery and ethereal cuisine, casting curious glances at the occasional passerby with their distinctively unique demeanor.

Feng Changyuan and Feng Lie emerged from Baicao Pavilion and strolled leisurely along the main street. Feng Lie held a newly purchased sugar painting made from spirit grains, munching on it with relish.

"Brother, look over there," Feng Lie nudged Feng Changyuan with his elbow and gestured towards the second floor of the teahouse, "Isn't that the table by the window where they were discussing Longhu Mountain at the pancake stall this morning?"

Feng Changyuan looked up and saw four or five rogue cultivators dressed in different styles sitting around a table by the second-floor window. Tea and several plates of snacks were placed in front of them. They were talking in low voices with serious expressions, and occasionally they would glance in the direction of the main peak of Yunyin Mountain.

"Yes, it's them." Feng Changyuan nodded. "It seems that the matter of Master Zhang has spread among the lower-level rogue cultivators, and people's hearts are unsettled."

"If you ask me, it would be better if a real fight broke out." Feng Lie finished the sugar painting in a few bites, wiped his mouth, and said, "Heroes emerge in troubled times! Maybe our Feng family can take this opportunity to advance further."

"Watch your words." Feng Changyuan glared at him. "The situation is unclear; loose lips sink ships. Don't forget our current mission."

Feng Lie shrank back and chuckled, "I know, I know, it's to help Xiao Lu. But bro, do you think Chen Anran will come down the mountain today? Should we go up the mountain and 'bump into' her?"

Just as Feng Changyuan was about to speak, his gaze was drawn to a figure not far away.

Chen Anran was slowly descending the stone steps of the mountain path, accompanied by Wei Qingyi. Both were dressed in simple casual clothes. Chen Anran had a calm demeanor, while Wei Qingyi remained aloof as ever. They stood out in the bustling resort streets, yet strangely blended into the lively atmosphere.

They seemed to be talking. Wei Qingyi occasionally turned her head to listen to what Chen Anran was saying and nodded slightly.

Feng Changyuan's eyes lit up: "The opportunity has come." He pulled Feng Lie aside, adjusted his expression, and showed a warm and cheerful smile as he quickly went to meet him.

"Fellow Daoist Chen! Fellow Daoist Wei! What a coincidence!"

As they spoke, Feng Changyuan glanced behind them and asked, "Where's Xiaolu? Isn't she with you?"

Chen Anran stopped upon hearing the voice and saw that it was Feng Changyuan and Feng Lie. He smiled gently as usual and said, "Xiao Lu was called away by Mengmeng early this morning to help manage the newly opened herb garden on the back mountain. But you two look quite well today."

Feng Changyuan smiled and said, "Thanks to the sect's blessings, the spiritual energy here is nourishing. My eldest uncle and third uncle were praising the Yunyin Sect yesterday, saying that its grandeur is magnificent, and the resort's management is particularly ingenious." His gaze naturally swept over the bustling streets around him. "Are Fellow Daoist Chen and Fellow Daoist Wei going down the mountain on business?"

"Go see Elder Qi Lan," Wei Qingyi said calmly.

"Meow Immortal Abode?" Feng Lie interjected. "By the way, Elder Qi Lan ran into my eldest uncle and third uncle yesterday, right outside her shop."

Chen Anran's eyes flickered slightly, but her smile remained unchanged: "Is that so? Senior Feng is also interested in spirit pets?"

"We just happened to meet while taking a walk last night and chatted for a bit," Feng Changyuan picked up the conversation casually. "Elder Qi has a unique personality, and his cat is quite intelligent." He paused, as if remembering something, "By the way, Fellow Daoist Chen, we just passed by Xian Shan Fang and discovered that Fatty Li has hired a new Sichuan cuisine master chef. His skills are superb. How about we brothers treat everyone to a taste tonight? Little Lu, Sect Leader Su, Fellow Daoist Wei, and the others from the mountain, please come along as a small token of our gratitude for the trouble our uncle and the others caused yesterday."

This invitation was reasonable and showed a humble attitude. Chen Anran pondered for a moment, glanced at Wei Qingyi, and seeing that she did not object, nodded in agreement: "Fellow Daoist Feng is too kind. In that case, it would be impolite to refuse. However, my senior sister is about to go into seclusion and needs quiet meals, so I'm afraid it will be inconvenient for her to come along."

"I understand, I understand. Cultivation is the priority." Feng Changyuan's smile widened. "Then let's arrange it for dinner? We'll reserve a private room at the Immortal Cuisine Restaurant in advance."

After the agreement was made, the Feng brothers wisely refrained from further inquiries, making an excuse that they needed to go to the Hundred Herbs Pavilion to inventory the medicinal herbs, and then took their leave.

After they walked away, Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi continued walking towards "Meow Fairy Residence".

"The Feng brothers are certainly very attentive," Wei Qingyi said calmly, looking straight ahead.

"Their true intentions lie elsewhere," Chen Anran smiled, his tone calm. "However, they acted with restraint and did not cause any annoyance. If the cooperation is truly as Patriarch Feng says, mutually beneficial, it will also be helpful to the sect's development."

Wei Qingyi glanced at him sideways: "You're quite open-minded."

"Let's just go with the flow," Chen Anran said. "Let's go see what Elder Qi Lan has to do. She sent a message last night saying she had something important to discuss, and her tone seemed somewhat urgent."

When the two arrived at "Miaoxianju", the wooden sign that read "Closed" was still hanging on the door. Qi Lan seemed to have been waiting for them. The door was ajar, and she opened it from the inside as soon as she sensed their arrival.

The shop was dimly lit, and several cats were either lying or lounging. When strangers entered, they merely glanced up lazily, showing no alarm. Qi Lan was wearing a grey dress today, her long hair loosely tied up, looking less mysterious and aloof than usual, and more casually at home. However, her eyes remained bright, and she looked directly at Chen Anran.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, Fellow Daoist Wei, please come in." She led the two through the front hall to a more private tea room at the back. The tea room was small, simply and elegantly furnished, with calming incense burning.

After the three sat down at the low table, Qi Lan personally poured tea and, without much pleasantries, went straight to the point: "Fellow Daoist Chen, an 'old friend' visited last night and asked me to make sure you come to see him."

Chen Anran took the teacup, already having some guesses in his mind, but remained outwardly calm: "I wonder which old friend it is, that Elder Qi Lan would personally send a message?"

Qi Lan raised her eyes and looked directly at Chen Anran: "She said you've seen her 'bell'."