Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 265 Cloud Hidden Departure, Dragon and Tiger Storm

Seeing the earnest attitude of Wang Rui and the other two, their words filled with reverence and obedience to the Yunyin Sect, Su Wan's heart stirred slightly. She stepped forward, her gentle eyes carrying a hint of solemnity, and said softly, "We have seen your good intentions. These past few days, there have been many complicated matters both on and off the mountain, and we have indeed relied on your meticulous care."

Wang Rui quickly bowed and said, "Sect Leader Su, you flatter us. This is all within our duty. It is our honor to be able to do our part for you and for the Yunyin Sect."

Su Wan glanced at the three people's sincere yet somewhat nervous faces, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "The path of cultivation is about fate and also about one's character. Although you are not formal disciples of my sect, your actions these days have been diligent and sincere, and you have not lost your original intentions. You have established some connection with the Yunyin Sect."

She paused, then said, "I appreciate your immediate support when the sect faced this crisis. Do your best, stay true to your duties, and don't harbor any vain thoughts. If the time is right and the conditions are right, I might grant you a nominal outer sect membership, to be a guiding light on your path of cultivation."

These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the ears of Wang Rui, Zhang Hao, and Sun Wei.

Outer sect disciple (regular name)!

What does this mean? It means that they, these marginal figures who only occasionally glimpse the mysteries of the mortal world of film and television but never truly grasp them, now have the possibility of stepping into that mysterious world! Even if it's just "registered" or "outer disciple," it's still the recognition of the Cloud Hidden Sect, a true destiny for immortality!

"Thank you so much, Sect Leader Su! I will remember your teachings and keep my duty in mind. I will never fail you! I will do my best to serve the Yunyin Sect and all the immortal masters in the future!" Wang Rui bowed deeply, his voice trembling with excitement.

All the hard work over this period of time was worth it; it's finally done!

Zhang Hao and Sun Wei followed closely behind, bowing deeply, their faces flushed with excitement.

"Since Senior Sister has spoken, you should keep it in mind," Chen Anran said. "The most important thing right now is to help Sect Leader Su stabilize the situation down the mountain. Follow Sect Leader Su's instructions on what to do and how to do it. Be careful not to ask questions or spread rumors."

"Yes! We will obey Master Chen's decree!" the three replied in unison, their attitude even more respectful and devout than before.

Wei Qingyi's cool gaze swept over the three of them without saying a word. Feng Xiaolu had composed herself and returned from outside. Hearing this conversation, she blinked her still slightly red eyes and whispered to Chen Anran, "Senior Sister is really generous... But those guys have really worked hard running around these past few days."

Chen Anran gave a soft "hmm" and said to Su Wan, "Senior Sister, I'm leaving the mountain and the valley to you."

Su Wan nodded, her eyes gentle yet firm: "Don't worry. Be careful on your journey."

With the matter settled, the group did not delay any longer. Chen Anran, Wei Qingyi, Feng Xiaolu, and Huiming would meet up with Jiang Yun, Asheng, Qi Lan, and the Feng brothers the next day to go to Longhu Mountain together.

…………

As night falls, the "Lingqiaofang" (Ingenious Workshop) is located at the foot of the mountain.

The shop was already closed, and the wooden sign outside that read "Sold Out Today" swayed gently in the evening breeze. Inside, only a single lamp on the worktable cast a warm yellow glow.

Jiang Yun sat behind his workbench, his carving knife slowly and steadily slicing across a piece of deep purple wood. Wood shavings fell like snowflakes, gradually revealing the outline of a bird. His movements lacked their usual fluidity, instead carrying a deliberate, almost stagnant slowness, as if each stroke was a deliberation, a thoughtful consideration.

Ah Sheng sat quietly on a low stool to the side, wiping several completed small magical artifacts with a soft cloth—a talisman, a pair of earrings, and a miniature wooden sword. His movements were meticulous, and his lowered eyelashes concealed the emotions in his eyes.

"Ah Sheng," Jiang Yun suddenly spoke, the carving knife stopping in mid-air.

"Hmm?" Ah Sheng looked up.

"What do you think of...?" Jiang Yun's gaze fell on the gradually forming bird in his hand, "What do you think of Fellow Daoist Chen's mechanical bird?"

Ah Sheng was silent for a moment, then put down the soft cloth in his hand: "Exquisite craftsmanship, the ingenuity of the spiritual energy circulation is unparalleled in my life. Only someone who has immersed themselves in the great Dao of mechanisms for decades and whose control of spiritual energy has reached a state of perfection could create such a thing." He paused, then looked at Jiang Yun, "You think... that wasn't made by Fellow Daoist Chen himself?"

Jiang Yun slowly shook his head and continued to strike: "No, the harmonious feeling of the spiritual energy flowing through it vaguely matches Fellow Daoist Chen's own aura, so it must be his."

Jiang Yun really wanted to say that the bird always gave him a sense of familiarity, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.

However, Jiang Yun didn't think much of it and asked again, "Are you coming with me tomorrow?"

Ah Sheng gave a wry smile. "I won't go. It wouldn't be good if your uncle or your parents saw me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun slammed his carving knife down on the table with a "snap," sending a few wood shavings flying. He turned to Ah Sheng, his eyes slightly red, and blurted out in fluent Sichuan dialect:

"What did you say, 'An'?! Not going?! Are you out of your mind?!"

His voice was low, but every word was filled with anger.

"I've been asking you all the way here, and from the moment I heard the news until now, you've kept quiet! Now you're telling me you're not going? And what's with this 'it wouldn't be good for your uncle and parents' thing—'What a load of rubbish!!'"

Jiang Yun grew angrier as she spoke. She stood up, paced back and forth in front of the worktable, and pointed at Ah Sheng with her finger.

"Who was it back then who said they'd follow you wherever you go? Who was it that said, 'Who cares what the world thinks, we'll just live our lives'? Now that you're comfortable and have found a place to settle down, you're backing down? Is Longhu Mountain a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire? Does going there mean we'll be tied up and paraded through the streets?!"

Ah Sheng kept his eyes down, letting Jiang Yun rage on, his hand tightly gripping the soft cloth. Only when Jiang Yun stopped breathing heavily did he speak, "It's not that I'm shrinking back, nor that I'm afraid."

He put down the soft cloth and looked around the small "Skillful Workshop". Warm yellow light enveloped the materials, unfinished ritual implements and trinkets waiting for their destined owners in the shop window.

"I really think this place is great," Ah Sheng said slowly, as if sorting out his thoughts. "Yunyin Mountain... is different from any place we've been before. On the mountain, there are true cultivators like Master Chen and Headmaster Su, who are disciplined, value loyalty, and aren't pretentious. Down below, it's lively and bustling, with people coming and going—selling milk tea, running internet cafes, playing with cats... all sorts of people, but no one looks at us strangely."

He looked at Jiang Yun, his eyes softening: "We're here, so you can focus on your work. I'll help you out and watch the shop. No one will question our background, and no one will speak to us like 'people like you.' When the Feng brothers come to visit, they really just chat about medicinal herbs and tell jokes; Miss Qi Lan isn't talkative, but every time she passes by on her way to buy cat food from Lingdang, she greets us; and that girl Xiao Ling'er, so kind-hearted, always calls us 'Brother Jiang Yun' and 'Brother Asheng'..."

Ah Sheng paused, a slight smile curving his lips. "Even the tourists down the mountain, crowding around the windows to watch you carve, exclaiming in amazement, only think, 'This boss's craftsmanship is amazing,' and don't think anything else. I haven't experienced this kind of life in a long time. It's reassuring."

As Jiang Yun listened, the anger in her chest subsided somewhat, but her brows remained furrowed: "That Longhu Mountain..."

"Longhu Mountain is a major event. The celestial master Zhang is in trouble, and the righteous path is shaken. You should go," Ah Sheng said, his tone certain. "You are highly skilled and loyal. You can't live with yourself if you don't go at a time like this. But it's really inconvenient for me to go. It's not that I'm afraid to see your family—we've faced what we needed to face long ago. It's just that there's no need."

He picked up the purple wooden bird that Jiang Yun had just half-carved on the table. "I'll stay here, the shop will be open, the lights will be on. If anything happens up or down the mountain, I can help Sect Leader Su and Mengmeng take care of things. This place... is now one of our roots. When you go out on business, someone has to stay home."

Jiang Yun stared blankly at Ah Sheng, remaining silent for a long while. Silence returned to the shop, but the tension from before was gone. The occasional faint laughter of late-returning tourists from the resort drifted in from outside, making the tranquil space inside seem even more peaceful.

Finally, Jiang Yun let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumped, and he muttered as he sat back down at his workbench. He picked up his carving knife again and faced the piece of purple wood, but hesitated for a long time before making a cut.

"...Sharp-tongued." He muttered softly in Sichuan dialect, it was impossible to tell whether it was a complaint or something else.

Ah Sheng smiled, this time a very clear smile, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. He picked up the soft cloth and continued wiping the amulet, his movements returning to their previous gentle and composed pace.

"Go to sleep early," Ah Sheng said. "We have to travel tomorrow. I'll pack you two warm clothes; it's windy on the mountain."

Jiang Yun remained silent, focusing intently on carving the bird in her hands by the light. The soft rustling of the knife cutting through the wood became the most comforting accompaniment in the night once more.

He knew that Ah Sheng wouldn't leave. And here, at the foot of Yunyin Mountain, this "Lingqiaofang" (Clever Workshop), along with the people on the mountain and the fireworks below, had truly become a "home" they had unexpectedly found after hiding for so long, a place where they could settle down with peace of mind.

…………

The next morning, before dawn, Yunyin Mountain was shrouded in a thin, gray-blue mist.

In the front yard, everyone had gradually arrived. Chen Anran, Wei Qingyi, Feng Xiaolu, and Huiming were all ready. Feng Xiaolu's eyes were still slightly red, but her expression was much calmer than yesterday. Feng Lie and Feng Changyuan had also arrived, both dressed in practical, action-packed clothing, with bulging pouches at their waists, clearly indicating they had prepared plenty of pills. Qi Lan was still dressed in her usual sharp attire, her baseball cap pulled low, revealing only her well-defined jawline.

Jiang Yun walked alone from the foot of the mountain, carrying a small wooden box. She nodded slightly when she saw everyone. Ah Sheng didn't come to see her off, but the lights in "Lingqiao Workshop" had been on all night.

Su Wan and Zhao Mengmeng stood under the eaves. Su Wan handed several prepared food boxes to Feng Xiaolu: "For the journey. They contain dry food and water that keep well." She then looked at Chen Anran, hesitated, and finally said softly, "Be careful."

Zhao Mengmeng waved her hand vigorously, "Master, you must be careful."

Chen Anran nodded to Su Wan and Zhao Mengmeng, his gaze calm: "Wait for our news."

Chen Anran nodded to Su Wan and Zhao Mengmeng, his gaze calm: "Wait for our news."

He paused, then remembered his two fellow disciples and said to Su Wan, "Senior Sister, Xiao Ling'er is still in seclusion; please do not let anyone disturb her. As for Junior Sister Lin... once the matter of the evening primrose is resolved, have her keep an eye on things up and down the mountain. She's meticulous and might be able to help."

Su Wan nodded: "Don't worry, I've already set up an array in the quiet room where Xiao Ling'er is in seclusion, so no one will disturb her. Xiao Man was busy until midnight last night before returning from the herb field. I already told her this morning that she will help look after the herb field and keep an eye on any activity on the mountain."

Chen Anran was relieved and walked to the open space in the courtyard. He took out the mechanical flying bird and infused it with spiritual power. Under everyone's watchful eyes, the palm-sized wooden bird expanded again, transforming into a giant bird with a wingspan of three zhang (approximately 10 meters), and quietly rested on the ground.

"Everyone, please." Chen Anran was the first to board the wooden bird and open the hatch.

The group entered one by one. The cabin was still spacious. Chen Anran sat in the main seat at the front, Wei Qingyi sat to his left and slightly behind, Feng Xiaolu sat next to Wei Qingyi, and Huiming sat opposite Feng Xiaolu. The Feng brothers, Qi Lan, and Jiang Yun sat a little further back.

The hatch closed silently.

Chen Anran formed a hand seal and channeled spiritual energy into the core crystal. The wooden bird shimmered with spiritual light, emitting a deep hum. Its four legs bent slightly, and then it lightly rose from the ground, skimming over the eaves and treetops of the Cloud Hidden Sect, disappearing into the gradually brightening sky.

At first, the cabin was silent, save for the faint sound of the wind and the hum of spiritual energy circulating during flight. Below, Cloud Hidden Mountain and the resort at its foot, whose lights were gradually going out, rapidly shrank and disappeared into the morning mist and the surrounding mountains.

Feng Xiaolu hugged her knees, her face pressed against the cool, transparent window film, gazing blankly at the rapidly passing clouds. Wei Qingyi closed her eyes to rest, her breathing deep and focused. Huiming held prayer beads, her lips moving slightly as she silently chanted sutras. Feng Lie was restless, looking around, but was stopped by Feng Changyuan's gaze. Qi Lan leaned against the cabin wall, her eyes beneath her hat gazing out the window, lost in thought. Jiang Yun opened a wooden box, took out a piece of wood and a carving knife, and began to carve intently, the soft rustling sound becoming the only background noise in the cabin.

After flying for about an hour, the sky began to lighten with the first light of dawn, and the golden-red sunrise painted the sea of ​​clouds. The wooden bird glided smoothly above the clouds, with the vast, boundless sea of ​​clouds below, a magnificent sight.

"Fellow Daoist Chen," Jiang Yun suddenly stopped carving, looked up, and asked, "at this speed, how long will it take to get to Longhu Mountain?"

Chen Anran estimated: "If there is no delay, we should be able to reach the Longhu Mountain area in about fifteen minutes."

"So fast?" Feng Lie exclaimed in surprise. "In the past, when I went to Longhu Mountain with my elders, it would take one or two hours by plane or high-speed rail."

"After all, it's a flying magic artifact." Feng Changyuan sighed, "The legacy of ancient cultivators is truly extraordinary."

Qi Lan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, her voice somewhat low: "Longhu Mountain... is probably now a gathering place for people from all directions, and all sorts of forces will be arriving."

"Not bad." Wei Qingyi had opened her eyes at some point, her clear, cold gaze fixed on the surging sea of ​​clouds outside the window. "Master Zhang holds a revered position, and the Crimson Spirit Sect's actions are a blatant provocation. This funeral and conference will be attended by renowned sects, aristocratic families, and independent cultivators."