Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 206 The foot of the mountain is deserted; patrolling the newly opened resort

Jiang Yun was taken aback by Chen Anran's sudden, solemn pat on the shoulder, then chuckled and said, "Brother Chen, you flatter me. They're just little gadgets, hardly worthy of being called great inventions..."

Su Wan said gently, "Now that we've decided on our direction, you two might as well settle down at the hot spring hotel at the foot of the mountain. I'll have someone show you the shop location later. If you need any assistance from the sect, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, Sect Leader Su!" Jiang Yun quickly cupped his hands in thanks. "Then we won't bother you any longer. We'll contact you again when Brother Chen has time."

Chen Anran nodded, escorted the two to the outside of the hall, exchanged contact information with them, and then Jiang Yun and his companion left the mountain gate.

When Su Wan returned to the hall, she had already stood up. Her gaze fell on the direction of the back mountain outside the window, and she said softly, "Xiao Lu should not be lazy. It's just that she has a lively personality. I wonder how many days this punishment will keep her in check."

"Third Senior Sister is just childlike, but she's actually quite shrewd." Chen Anran walked to her side. "Senior Sister, would you like to go down the mountain today? It's the first day of the resort's opening. Although it's Chairman Zhao and the others who are in charge, as the hosts, we should still make an appearance."

Su Wan thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright. I'll change my clothes and then go."

Fifteen minutes later, Su Wan changed into her elegant long dress, loosely tied her long hair with a wooden hairpin, and went down the mountain with Chen Anran. Little Ling'er, hearing they were going down the mountain to play, excitedly held Chen Anran's hand, chattering incessantly with questions along the way.

Before the morning mist had completely dissipated, the group had already reached the foot of the mountain.

Passing through the archway and stepping onto the main street, the resort seemed unusually deserted compared to the hustle and bustle of yesterday's ribbon-cutting ceremony. The red ribbons and flower baskets were still there, but there were few pedestrians on the street. Several staff members in uniform were slowly sweeping up the confetti left over from last night. Upon seeing Su Wan and Chen Anran, they quickly stopped what they were doing and greeted them respectfully.

Good morning, Sect Leader Su. Good morning, Immortal Master Chen.

"Good morning." Su Wan nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across the entire street.

Most of the shops on both sides were open, but there were hardly any customers. In the souvenir shop, the clerk was looking down at his phone; by the teahouse window, two Taoist priests who had come to patronize the shop yesterday were huddled together, chatting and laughing quietly, their tea barely touched. In the distance, in the children's playground, the carousel spun empty, emitting monotonous mechanical music, and a staff member leaned against the railing, yawning.

"There are so few people." Xiao Ling'er held Chen Anran's hand and looked up at him. "Junior Uncle, weren't there a lot of people yesterday?"

Chen Anran ruffled her hair: "Yesterday was the opening ceremony, and most of the attendees were media and guests. The real tourists will arrive gradually."

Even so, looking at the excessively deserted scene before him, he understood that the resort's location was, after all, remote, and its main concept was too novel—"cultivation culture experience"—which would take time for ordinary tourists to accept.

When they arrived at Qi Lan's "Meow Fairy Residence" and Ling Dang's "Longhushan Special Pet Exchange Center," they found that the two rivals were arguing again.

"I told you, your stupid dog peed in front of my door again yesterday! This is the third time I've smelled that odor!"

"I'll say it again! That's a fat orange cat, not a dog! And who's to blame for not putting up a talisman to ward off evil spirits at your door? My kitten didn't run into your shop to catch mice."

"You—!" Bell stomped her foot angrily, "My shop sells spirit pet supplies! It's spotless! Where did this rat come from?!"

"Oh, so that means you didn't keep clean enough and attracted bugs."

Chen Anran and Su Wan exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat helpless. These two "neighbors" hadn't had a moment's peace since their first meeting.

I thought Qi Lan would get along peacefully with Ling Dang after she came back, but it seems I was wrong.

At the entrance of "Meow Fairy Abode," Qi Lan leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, her cat-ear hat pulled low, her amber vertical pupils filled with impatience. Across from her, Lingdang stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at her angrily, the sign behind them, "Longhu Mountain Specialty Pet Exchange Center," reflecting the morning light.

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Chen Anran cleared her throat and stepped forward: "Good morning, both of you."

Qi Lan glanced at him, snorted, and didn't say anything. When Lingdang saw Chen Anran and Su Wan arrive, she barely suppressed her anger, but her little face was still tense.

Su Wan spoke gently, "The resort has just opened and there are still few guests. We need everyone to work together to create a good atmosphere."

Lingdang stepped forward and began to act coy, "Sister Su is right. Actually, I didn't provoke her. It's just that this big cat can't control her own kittens."

"Who wants to work with this old woman who's clearly too old to be acting cute and stupid?" Qi Lan turned her face away.

Bell immediately retorted, "Who wants to do business with this rude cat!"

Seeing this, Su Wan gently shook her head and said no more. Chen Anran then stepped forward and changed the subject: "Elder Qi, Fellow Daoist Lingdang, are your shops all set up? If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask."

"No need." Qi Lan waved her hand lazily. "My 'Meow Fairy Abode' is just a place to sell cat toys and cat treats. It's very quiet."

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Chen Anran quickly pulled back Lingdang, who was about to retort, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Lingdang, is there anything I can help you with in your shop?"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Chen Anran quickly pulled back Lingdang, who was about to retort, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Lingdang, is there anything I can help you with in your shop?"

The bell was stopped by him, and she glared at Qi Lan angrily before reluctantly stopping herself, huffing, "No need for help! I have a stone to help me."

At this moment, Xiao Ling'er stepped forward and tugged at Lingdang's sleeve. "Sister Lingdang, don't be angry. Let's go to the amusement park."

As Lingdang was held by Xiaoling'er's soft little hand, and met her bright, expectant eyes, her anger subsided by more than half.

"Alright, alright, for your sake, I won't stoop to that stinky cat's level. Come on, let's go ride the carousel!"

Little Ling'er cheered, then turned back to ask Su Wan for permission. After receiving Su Wan's consent, she excitedly grabbed Lingdang and ran towards the playground. Lingdang turned back and waved to Shitou: "Shitou, watch the shop!"

Stone nodded honestly, his massive body standing at the shop entrance like an iron tower, which was quite intimidating.

Qi Lan watched the retreating figures of Lingdang and Xiaoling'er, scoffed, turned around and went back to her shop, the wind chimes on the door jingling loudly as she slammed them.

Chen Anran and Su Wan exchanged a smile and continued walking slowly along the main street.

As dawn broke and the mist dissipated, the resort's outline became increasingly clear. Its rustic and elegant architecture blended seamlessly with the surrounding mountains, truly bringing a sense of peace. However, this tranquility seemed somewhat too vast at that moment.

"Chairman Zhao and Mengmeng's plan is actually very good," Chen Anran said softly, "but the concept of 'cultivation culture' takes time for ordinary people to accept."

Su Wan nodded slightly: "Let nature take its course. This place is rich in spiritual energy and has beautiful scenery, which is naturally good for calming the mind and cultivating one's character. Even without the name of 'cultivating immortality,' it is still a rare place for relaxation."

As they were talking, the two arrived at the shop of the Feng brothers, "Feng's Herbs Pavilion".