Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 263 Shocking Change at Longhu Mountain

"Fellow Daoist He's master..." Feng Changyuan's voice was hoarse, "...Old Celestial Master Zhang has met with such an unfortunate end."

"The Crimson Spirit Cult!" Feng Lie slammed his fist on the stone table beside him, making a dull thud. "These cowardly rats dared to lay a hand on Master Zhang!"

Qi Lan stared at her phone screen, her brows furrowed beneath her hat brim. The bell… She'd just left, saying there was an “emergency at home,” and this happened at Longhu Mountain. Was it a coincidence?

Wei Qingyi had quietly moved to Chen Anran's other side. Her cold gaze swept across his profile and landed on his clenched fist. She didn't say anything, just stood there quietly.

Chen Anran took a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs and forcibly bringing his chaotic thoughts back into order. He first apologized to Zhao Qiming, saying, "Mr. Zhao, an urgent matter has suddenly arisen at the sect, and I fear it requires my attention. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality today."

Zhao Qiming, being a man of great stature, instantly sensed the impending change from the heavy and oppressive atmosphere. Suppressing his surprise and doubt, he immediately cupped his hands and said, "Master Chen, you flatter me. Sect affairs are of utmost importance, and I cannot trouble you further. I shall take my leave now. If there is anything I may need, please let me know, and I will certainly not refuse." Then, Zhao Qiming looked at Zhao Mengmeng, "Mengmeng, as a member of the Immortal Sect, you shall stay here for now. Assist your master and the seniors well, and do not worry about home."

Zhao Mengmeng nodded vigorously, her eyes slightly red: "Dad, I understand. Please be careful on the road."

Zhao Qiming then bowed to Su Wan, Wei Qingyi, and the others to say goodbye before leaving.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was heavy at this moment.

"Junior Brother..." Feng Xiaolu's voice choked with sobs as she grabbed Chen Anran's sleeve as if it were a lifeline. "Master Zhang... how could he..."

Chen Anran grasped her cold fingers with her other hand and squeezed them tightly, but looked at Su Wan and Wei Qingyi: "Senior Sister, Second Sister, and fellow Daoists, let's talk inside."

The group moved silently into the main room.

Su Wan closed the door, shutting out the outside world. Chen Anran placed her phone on the table; the glaring message was still lit up.

"The message was sent by He Qingyun in the name of Longhu Mountain and made public in the righteous sects group." Chen Anran's voice was calm, but it was tinged with coldness. "Master Zhang was attacked in the back mountain of Longhu Mountain. The Chiling Sect's tokens were left at the scene. The funeral will be held in three days, and all sects will be invited to discuss how to deal with the Chiling Sect."

"The Crimson Spirit Sect has been dormant for many years, and now they've suddenly resorted to such swift and decisive methods to assassinate the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain. Their intentions must be far-reaching," Jiang Yun pondered. "Moreover, they chose the back mountain of Longhu Mountain, a place of secluded cultivation for the Celestial Master Zhang, a place unknown to ordinary people. Either the Crimson Spirit Sect has been planning this for a long time and has excellent intelligence, or..."

"Even the interior of Longhu Mountain might not be clean," Feng Changyuan interjected, his tone heavy.

Huiming twirled his prayer beads and chanted a Buddhist prayer: "Benefactor Zhang's Taoist skills are profound, and his character is upright. This calamity is a great loss to the righteous path. The Crimson Spirit Sect's provocation is likely not limited to Benefactor Zhang alone."

As Chen Anran listened to everyone's analysis, his gaze fell on his fingertips. The storage bag left behind by the bell was now lying quietly in his spatial ring.

The Crimson Fire Divine Decree... is damaged, but can be evolved and can summon demonic soldiers and generals.

A sacred object of the Crimson Spirit Cult? Why did the bell leave at this particular moment, entrusting it to me for "safekeeping"?

Before Chen Anran could figure it out, Su Wan said, "What we're saying now is just speculation. We'll have to go to Longhu Mountain to find out the specifics."

Wei Qingyi nodded, "That's right. We need someone to attend both the funeral and the conference. Master Zhang has been kind to the Yunyin Sect, so it's only right and proper that we go to see him off and also to find out the truth."

Feng Xiaolu immediately said, "I want to go! Grandpa Zhang... he's been so good to me..." Her voice choked up again, and she wiped her eyes hard.

Jiang Yun, Huiming, Qi Lan, and the Feng brothers all expressed their intention to go. Longhu Mountain is a leading righteous sect, and Zhang Nanshan, the Celestial Master, is highly respected. His murder has shocked the entire cultivation world, and no one can remain indifferent.

Chen Anran had already made up his mind. He looked at Su Wan and said, "Senior Sister, I will be going to Longhu Mountain with Second and Third Senior Sisters this time. But we can't leave the mountain unattended. I'll have to trouble you to stay in the sect and coordinate both internal and external affairs. Mengmeng will assist you in handling the liaison matters between the resort and the shops down the mountain as usual. Fatty Li will guard the Immortal Cuisine Shop, Lin Xiaoman will take care of the medicine fields, and Xiaoling'er is in seclusion and it's important that none of them move around lightly."

After listening to Chen Anran's arrangements, Su Wan remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding, "That's fine. I'll take care of everything on the mountain, so you can go without worry. But..." She looked at Chen Anran, her eyes full of worry, "On the way to Longhu Mountain, a gathering of cultivators will be fraught with hidden dangers. Anran, you've just recovered from your injuries, so please be careful."

"Don't worry, Senior Sister," Chen Anran said gently. "This trip is only to pay our respects to Elder Zhang and to find out the truth. We will not cause any trouble."

Wei Qingyi's gaze swept over Chen Anran and landed on Feng Xiaolu's still slightly red eyes. She said softly, "Xiaolu, go pack some personal belongings. Make sure you have clothes, medicine, and protective magic items."

Feng Xiaolu nodded vigorously, wiped her eyes, turned around and quickly left the main room, her back view appearing somewhat hurried.

At this moment, Chen Anran looked at the rest of the group: "If you are all also going to Longhu Mountain, why don't you travel together tomorrow? With these mechanical birds as transportation, it will be faster and less strenuous, and you can also help each other along the way."

Jiang Yun and A Sheng exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement: "That's very good. Then we'll trouble Fellow Daoist Chen. We'll go back and make some preparations, and then we'll meet up again tomorrow."

Qi Lan was silent for a moment, then pulled her hat brim down further: "I also want to get to the bottom of this."

Feng Lie made the decision: "We definitely have to go! Brother Changyuan, let's go back and arrange things at Baicao Pavilion, and let Feng Lu and the others handle it."

Feng Changyuan nodded and looked at Su Wan and Chen Anran: "We'll go and come back quickly, so as not to delay tomorrow's itinerary."

After discussing it, everyone decided not to linger any longer. They all got up to say goodbye and hurriedly left the Cloud Hidden Sect to attend to their own affairs and prepare for their journey the next day.

For a moment, only members of the Cloud Hidden Sect remained in the main room.

Su Wan looked at Chen Anran, her brows furrowed with worry: "Anran, the journey to Longhu Mountain will surely be fraught with trouble. The Crimson Spirit Sect dared to attack Elder Zhang, their intentions are far from small. The three of you must support each other, consult with Qingyi on everything, and refrain from acting impulsively."

"Don't worry, Senior Sister, I understand," Chen Anran solemnly replied. He knew that this trip was by no means a simple condolence visit; it might very well draw him into a major storm between good and evil.

However, Chen Anran was more worried about Su Wan than about them.

"Senior Sister, you must also be careful. If you encounter any danger, immediately take the people in the sect and leave. The sect can be rebuilt, but the people must be kept safe."