Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 216 Cultivators at the Resort

Zhang Nanshan paused with his folding fan, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before turning into a smile of interest. "I seem to remember you. You were here when the earthquake struck Chongqing last time, weren't you?"

Jiang Yun respectfully replied, "In response to the Celestial Master, I accompanied Elder Jiang Yan to the disaster relief work in the neighboring town."

Zhang Nanshan nodded slightly, but his gaze did not leave the metal plate that Jiang Yun had placed down. The silver patterns shimmered like ripples in the sunlight, possessing an inner spiritual charm, and were by no means ordinary decorations.

"This is...?" Master Tianbao also noticed it, his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses narrowing slightly.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Yun quickly explained, "Replying to the two seniors, this is a component of a 'small scene' that Ah Sheng and I designed for the resort. It combines some runes with... well, modern craftsmanship, to add some fun for tourists."

"Interesting?" Zhang Nanshan, fanning himself with a folding fan, strolled forward, carefully examining the patterns on the metal plate. His interest deepened. "The direction of these patterns... seems to have the effect of gathering and guiding spiritual energy, though the effect is negligible, almost nonexistent, but the design is ingenious. Placing it in this place frequented by ordinary tourists, is it meant to subtly create a sense of ethereal 'celestial realm'?"

Jiang Yun was secretly shocked. Zhang Tianshi was indeed insightful, seeing through the underlying design of his "Spirit Gathering and Guiding Board" at a glance.

"Your wisdom is truly profound, Master," Jiang Yun said respectfully. "I apologize for my humble skill, senior."

"Don't laugh, don't laugh." Zhang Nanshan laughed heartily, clapping his hands lightly with his folding fan. "Keeping up with the times is good. Looking at the scene on the street, I think you young people are much more interesting than us old folks guarding our ancestral property."

Master Tianbao smiled and nodded, "Young friend Jiang, there's no need for such modesty. The Tao follows the natural way and should also adapt to the world. To be able to skillfully integrate cultivation elements without affecting worldly affairs is commendable."

After chatting for a few more minutes, Jiang Yun and Asheng took the metal plate, bid farewell to the two Taoist priests and the others, and went back to work on their "little scenery".

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Zhang Nanshan fanned himself and chuckled, "That young man from the Jiang family in Sichuan is quite interesting."

Master Tianbao nodded: "With the revival of spiritual energy, there are indeed more and more young people in various families and sects who are willing to explore new paths."

Seeing this, Zhao Mengmeng continued to lead the group forward, giving a general introduction to shops such as Xian Shan Fang, Feng Shi Bai Cao Ge, Miao Xian Ju, and the Longhu Mountain Special Pet Exchange Center.

Zhang Nanshan and Daoist Tianbao nodded repeatedly, clearly quite interested in the Yunyin Sect's "cultivation culture experience" model. The accompanying young disciples also looked around curiously. In particular, when several young female disciples passed by Qi Lan's "Meow Immortal Abode," their eyes lit up when they saw the cat-eared girl curled up and dozing on the bamboo chair at the door and the kittens rolling around at her feet. They couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

Shen Zui remained head down at the back of the group, the wheels of his suitcase rattling on the stone pavement, which drew several glances from Mo Han, who suppressed a smile.

After strolling along the main street, Zhao Mengmeng led the group to the International Hot Spring Hotel to check in. The hotel reception had already been notified and quickly and thoughtfully arranged rooms for the group of nearly twenty people. Zhang Nanshan and Daoist Tianbao each requested a quiet single room, while the other disciples were assigned double or triple rooms.

Just as everyone received their room keys and gathered in the lobby for a short rest, the hotel's automatic door slid open gently, and Chen Anran walked in, leading Xiao Ling'er in.

Xiao Ling'er spotted Zhao Mengmeng in the crowd at a glance and excitedly called out, "Junior Sister Mengmeng!" Then she curiously looked at the room full of unfamiliar but distinguished older brothers, sisters, uncles, and grandfathers.

Chen Anran's gaze immediately fell on Zhang Nanshan and Daoist Tianbao. He released Xiaoling'er's hand, stepped forward, and cupped his hands with a smile: "Master Zhang, Daoist Tianbao, please forgive me for not welcoming you properly, seniors, you have come from afar."

Little Ling'er followed Chen Anran's example, clasping her little fists and saying in a childish voice, "Hello, Grandpa Zhang Tianshi! Hello, Grandpa Tianbao Daoist!"

Her endearing clumsiness, coupled with her earnest attempt to appear grown-up, instantly lightened the somewhat formal atmosphere. Zhang Nanshan chuckled and pointed at Xiao Ling'er with his folding fan: "Xiao Ling'er, you saw me at last year's Righteous Path Conference, haven't you? You've already forgotten your grandpa?"

"How could she remember things from last year so clearly?" Chen Anran smiled and ruffled Xiao Ling'er's hair, then said to Zhang Nanshan, "The Celestial Master's demeanor is even more impressive, which is truly admirable."

"Don't flatter me." Zhang Nanshan waved his hand, smiling as he looked around the hotel lobby. "You've done a great job here. I've seen the ads online a few times, and it looks interesting. I thought I'd bring these kids out to broaden their horizons."

Master Tianbao also said gently, "How has Sect Leader Su been these days? I apologize for coming so abruptly without prior notice."

Chen Anran replied, "Senior Sister originally intended to come down the mountain to greet you personally, but some trivial matters in the mountains have held her back. She will arrive shortly. Seniors and fellow Daoists, you have had a long journey. Why don't you go to your rooms to rest for a while first? Later, Senior Sister and I will host a welcome dinner for you all."

Master Tianbao also said gently, "How has Sect Leader Su been these days? I apologize for coming so abruptly without prior notice."

Chen Anran replied, "Senior Sister originally intended to come down the mountain to greet you personally, but some trivial matters in the mountains have held her back. She will arrive shortly. Seniors and fellow Daoists, you have had a long journey. Why don't you go to your rooms to rest for a while first? Later, Senior Sister and I will host a welcome dinner for you all."

Zhang Nanshan waved his hand: "No rush, no rush. My bones are stiff from sitting in the car all day. This is a good opportunity to stretch my muscles. Sect Leader Su is busy with his business. We're all family here, no need for formalities."

Master Tianbao also said, "I just took a walk with young friend Zhao. The layout of the mountain is quite ingenious, blending the ancient and the modern without being jarring, which shows great skill. What is especially rare is that the spiritual energy here flows naturally and smoothly. Although it has been planned by human hands, it has not diminished the natural beauty of the mountains and rivers, but has instead added to the peaceful and livable atmosphere."

"You flatter me, Daoist Master. It's all thanks to everyone's hard work," Chen Anran said modestly. He then looked at the young disciples behind the two Daoists who were looking around curiously, especially at a few familiar faces, and nodded with a smile: "Fellow Daoist He, Fellow Daoist Mo, Fellow Daoist Shen, how have you been?"

He Qingyun calmly returned the greeting: "Fellow Daoist Chen, I apologize for disturbing you."

Mo Han returned the greeting, smiling as she said, "This place is really nice! Even more interesting than the photos!"

Shen Zui remained sullen, clutching his luggage, and merely nodded as a greeting, prompting his fellow apprentices to secretly nudge him.

Seeing this, Chen Anran knew that Shen Zui must have been forced to come by his master.

However, Chen Ran didn't point it out, and only said to everyone, "I presume that everyone's rooms have been arranged. If you need anything, please feel free to let Mengmeng or the hotel staff know. Dinner will be at the Immortal Cuisine Restaurant, where we can all have a good get-together."

Zhang Nanshan shook his fan and said to his disciples and Maoshan disciples, "Did you all hear that? Go back to your rooms, tidy up, change into some comfortable clothes, and you can wander around the resort, but don't go too far. Watch your words and actions, and don't disturb the peace of this place."

The disciples responded in unison, and then, in twos and threes, they took their room keys and followed the hotel staff to the elevator or stairs.

Zhang Nanshan and Daoist Tianbao sat down with Chen Anran at a tea table on one side of the hall. Xiao Ling'er told Chen Anran that she was going to find her playmate Lingdang to go to the children's playground.