Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 182 Gathering Under the Cover of Night, Secret Meeting at the Mountain Villa

Su Wan didn't answer immediately; her gaze fell on the elderly man queuing in front of the temporary medical station not far away. The old man was wrapped in a dirty cotton-padded coat and was holding a three- or four-year-old child in his arms. The child's cheeks were flushed, as if he had a fever and was breathing rapidly.

"There are things I need to do here."

Qi Lan raised an eyebrow and interjected, "Sect Leader Su, do you intend to deal with these mortals corrupted by the Yin Qi? Shouldn't this be left to ordinary healers? Our task as cultivators is to eliminate the source."

"We must cleanse the source, and we must also save the people in front of us." Su Wan turned to look at Qi Lan, her eyes clear. "These turbid energies are eroding their vitality, especially the elderly and children. If we don't purify them in time, even after the disaster is rebuilt, they will suffer from chronic illnesses and their lifespans will be greatly reduced."

Feng Changyuan nodded thoughtfully: "Sect Leader Su Wan is merciful. Indeed, the erosion of mortals by the Yin and Turbid Qi is slow but deadly. Our Feng family's 'Cleansing and Turbidity Pill' can come in handy." He took out a small white jade bottle from his bosom. "There are three pills here. Give them to the ones with the most severe symptoms first, and they can temporarily stabilize their life force."

Su Wan took the medicine bottle and nodded slightly: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Feng. Anran, go ahead."

"Alright, then Senior Sister, please be careful and stay safe." Chen Anran nodded, then turned to Qi Lan and the Feng brothers, "Let's go find Master Zhang."

Chen Anran, Qi Lan, Feng Changyuan, and Feng Lie bypassed the temporary medical station and headed deeper into the town. The further they went, the more pronounced the gloomy aura became, even faintly forming a pale gray mist that lingered among the broken eaves and collapsed walls.

Occasionally, one can see monks dressed in various colorful robes hurrying by on the street.

"It seems all the cultivators from the vicinity have arrived." Qi Lan lowered the brim of his hat, his amber vertical pupils scanning the surroundings. "I didn't see anyone from the Vajra Temple or the Liu family of Xiangxi."

Chen Anran said, "It's normal that they're far away."

As they turned a street corner, they saw several young cultivators dressed in Longhu Mountain Taoist robes forming a circle, their talismans igniting with golden flames to dispel a lingering gloomy mist. Leading them was He Qingyun, whose face was somewhat pale, but whose movements remained steady.

"Fellow Daoist Chen!" He Qingyun's eyes lit up when he saw Chen Anran. He threw out the last exorcism talisman in his hand, burning away the last wisp of yin mist, and then strode over. "You've come at the right time!"

"Senior Brother He," Chen Anran greeted, "Where is Celestial Master Zhang?"

He Qingyun pointed to the mountains behind the town: "Master and the Tianbao Sect Leader of Maoshan are at the epicenter of the Qinglong Mountain main vein, trying to stabilize the earth's veins, so they cannot receive you all right now." He paused, lowering his voice, "The situation here is more complicated than expected. The array left by that evil cultivator is extremely ancient, and it seems... not purely destructive, but more like a kind of 'awakening' or 'guidance.' Master and the Tianbao Sect Leader dare not venture too far in rashly, and are setting up multiple restrictions on the perimeter to prevent any unforeseen events."

"Awaken? Guide?" Chen Anran's heart skipped a beat.

"Furthermore," He Qingyun continued, lowering his voice even further, "the junior brothers patrolling the perimeter reported that they discovered traces of what appears to be a human sacrifice in several places where the yin energy is particularly dense. Although these traces have been destroyed and covered up, the lingering blood and resentment are undeniable. Moreover, these traces are very recent, dating back to before or after the earthquake."

"Human sacrifice?" Feng Lie's face instantly darkened. "It really is one of those shady dealings!"

A cold glint flashed in Qi Lan's amber-colored vertical pupils: "Using the blood sacrifice of living beings to strengthen the formation or to guide something... are they forcibly awakening some ancient cultivator?"

Chen Anran looked at He Qingyun, "So, what does Master Zhang mean?"

"My master requests that all fellow Daoists who have arrived first strengthen patrols around the perimeter to ensure the safety of the people." He Qingyun glanced at the sky; the sun was already setting and it was getting late. "We will gather here at eight o'clock tonight and go to the Jiang family residence together. My master will explain the situation to you all then."

When He Qingyun mentioned the "Jiang family," Chen Anran and the others were taken aback.

"The Jiang family?" Qi Lan raised an eyebrow. "The Jiang family that tinkers with cybernetic artifacts? They have businesses here too?"

He Qingyun chuckled twice. "Only Fellow Daoist Jiang Yun has such unique ideas about weapon crafting. The Jiang family is still considered relatively orthodox." He paused slightly, then continued, "There's a 'Jiang Family Manor' near Qinglong Town. It's a villa that the Jiang family acquired years ago, usually managed by a branch family. After the earthquake, the Jiang family head said he would send Elder Jiang Yan to lead a team to provide support, and he was willing to open the manor to the various sects' Daoists who came to provide support for a temporary rest. The manor is located a certain distance from the epicenter and has its own protective formation, so it's relatively safe."

Upon hearing this, Chen Anran understood. He looked around and asked, "Fellow Daoist Mo Han didn't come?"

"My junior sister insisted on coming, but Master asked her to help a few elders manage things on the mountain."

After saying this, He Qingyun gave Chen Anran and the others a few more brief instructions before hurriedly leading his fellow disciples to another place where yin energy was concentrated.

Without delay, Chen Anran and his companions began to assist in patrols and rescues on the outskirts of Qinglong Town, following Zhang Tianshi's instructions.

Without delay, Chen Anran and his companions began to assist in patrols and rescues on the outskirts of Qinglong Town, following Zhang Tianshi's instructions.

Qi Lan gracefully leaped onto a half-collapsed rooftop, her amber vertical pupils gleaming slightly in the dimming light as she scanned the surrounding energy flow. "I'll go check out that old residential area to the east; the yin energy is strongest there," she said to Chen Anran, turning back before disappearing among the ruins in a few leaps without waiting for a reply.

Feng Changyuan and Feng Lie exchanged a glance, and Feng Changyuan said gently, "Fellow Daoist Chen, my brother and I will go to the resettlement area on the west side."

"Thank you for your trouble." Chen Anran nodded.

After the Feng brothers left, Chen Anran paused for a moment, then turned and headed back towards the temporary medical point at the town entrance.

He wanted to visit his senior sister.

Chen Anran returned to the temporary medical point at the entrance of the town and saw Su Wan's figure in the distance.

As dusk settled, the few makeshift lights cast pale halos.

Su Wan knelt beside a feverish child, who was being held tightly in the arms of an old man. The child's face was flushed and his breathing was rapid. She did not use any obvious magic or pills; she simply extended her right hand, her fingertips hovering about an inch above the child's brow.

A faint white halo emanated from her fingertips, like the first warm breath exhaled in winter, quietly seeping into the child's skin.

Chen Anran stopped and watched quietly.

The child's breathing slowed to a visible pace, the abnormal flush on his face gradually faded, his curled-up body relaxed, and he fell into a deep sleep. The old man holding him was startled at first, then tears welled up in his cloudy eyes, and he nodded repeatedly to Su Wan.

Su Wan withdrew her hand, gently gave the old man a few words of advice, and then walked toward the next person who needed help.

She walked among the wounded and the panicked crowd, her plain white down jacket seeming to glow softly in the dim light. Wherever she went, the restless whispers would subside, and the painful groans would lessen. She was unassuming, her movements gentle, sometimes simply raising her hand to brush the forehead of the wounded, sometimes just pressing her palm lightly against their chest for a moment.

But the effects were real. Those who were most severely affected by the yin energy, with a sallow complexion or a dazed look, would regain some color in their faces and their eyes would refocus after she passed by.

The nearby medical staff and volunteers didn't initially pay much attention to this gentle-looking young woman, but as the injured people's conditions improved noticeably wherever she went, they began to look at her with astonishment. A middle-aged doctor couldn't help but step forward to ask, but Su Wan simply shook her head slightly and said softly, "I've learned some traditional Chinese medicine methods; perhaps I can help a little."

The doctor was skeptical, but seeing the remarkable results, he stopped trying to stop her, only following Su Wan with a curious gaze.

Chen Anran watched all this silently. He remembered what Feng Xiaolu had said. She said that their senior sister was very similar to that female evil cultivator, but how were they similar?

One is saving lives through their actions, while the other keeps talking about killing.

Moreover, how could Senior Sister have traveled all the way to Yun City when she was in the Yunyin Sect? Unless she could teleport.

Thinking of this, Chen Anran thought of Qi Lan again.

Qi Lan's reason for staying in the Yunyin Sect, besides her stated reason of "righteous people should help each other," is probably also to monitor Su Wan.

After all, Su Wan is still a suspect.

Chen Anran stood at the edge where the lights and the night intertwined, watching Su Wan's calm profile as she saved people. The doubts in his heart were quietly soothed by the warm scene before him.

That's the kind of person my senior sister is; she always gives the gentlest strength to those in need, like a mountain spring silently nourishing parched land.

He was about to turn away so as not to disturb Su Wan when he saw Su Wan seem to sense something and slightly turn her head. Through the crowd, her gaze landed precisely on him. Then, she whispered a few words to a volunteer beside her and slowly walked over.

"Why are you back?" Su Wan walked closer, her voice gentle. "Things are urgent with Master Zhang, so don't worry about me."

"Master Zhang and the Maoshan Sect Leader are stabilizing the earth's veins, and we were called out to maintain them. They said we'd gather again at 8 PM to go to Jiang Family Manor to rest," Chen Anran said honestly, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. "Your complexion is a little pale; have you used up too much spiritual energy?"

Su Wan smiled slightly and shook her head: "It's just ordinary guidance and comfort, it won't take much effort."

"Are you really alright?" Chen Anran looked at Su Wan's slightly pale profile and took a step forward, bringing the two very close together.

Before Su Wan could respond, he raised his right hand, his index and middle fingers joined together, and gently pressed on the Lingtai acupoint on the back of her neck.

A pure and gentle spiritual energy flowed through her fingertips, like melting snow in spring, gently flowing into Su Wan's slightly tired meridians.

Su Wan's body stiffened slightly, then she relaxed.

"An Ran's spiritual power is becoming increasingly pure."

"It's all thanks to the senior sister's excellent teaching."

The two stood side by side at the edge of the makeshift medical station, watching the sky gradually darken and the lights slowly come on. In the twilight, the distant mountains were reduced to hazy outlines, like the spine of a sleeping giant.

"When was the last time you went down the mountain with Senior Sister?" Chen Anran suddenly asked.

Su Wan tilted her head and thought for a moment, a look of reminiscence appearing in her eyes: "It was five years ago, wasn't it? Back then, you followed behind me to town to do some shopping."

Upon hearing this, Chen Anran smiled slightly: "Yes, back then, my senior sister was always afraid I would get lost, and she would hold my hand tightly even when crossing the street. Even though I was already seventeen years old at that time."

"We don't need to now." Su Wan turned her head to look at him.

Chen Anran met Su Wan's gaze and said, "Now it's my turn to worry about Senior Sister."

Su Wan paused slightly, then a gentle smile bloomed in her eyes, like a lotus flower just beginning to bloom under the moon. She didn't reply, but glanced at the time and realized that there were only ten minutes left until the agreed meeting time.

"Let's go, don't keep Fellow Daoist Qi Lan and the others waiting."

Without another word, the two walked together toward the agreed meeting point in the town.

The temporary streetlights erected along the street gradually lit up, spreading out circles of dim yellow light in the pervasive light gray mist.

The closer you get to the small square in the town center, the more cultivators you encounter.

In a corner of the square, Qi Lan leaned against a half-withered old locust tree, her hat pulled low. Feng Changyuan and Feng Lie stood beside her, talking in hushed tones. When Chen Anran and Su Wan approached, Qi Lan raised her chin in greeting, while Feng Changyuan gave a gentle smile.

"Sect Leader Su Wan, Fellow Daoist Chen, this way." Feng Changyuan waved to them.

"How is the situation?" Chen Anran asked as he approached.

Feng Lie said in a deep voice, "Three minor leaks of earth energy have been discovered at the western resettlement site. They have been temporarily sealed with talismans, but this is only a temporary solution. We have distributed some 'Cleansing Pills,' but the quantity is limited and it's just a drop in the ocean."

Qi Lan interjected, "The old houses to the east are filled with such thick yin energy that it's almost dripping with it, and there's also a musty smell of decaying corpses. I took care of two stray dogs that had been driven mad by the yin energy; their bones were completely black." She paused, her amber vertical pupils glancing at Su Wan, "However, I didn't find any trace of a human altar. It was either destroyed or hidden even deeper."

"You've worked hard," Su Wan said gently.

At this moment, He Qingyun also hurried over from another street, followed by several disciples from Longhu Mountain. He was sweating, and the hem of his Taoist robe was covered in mud and dust.

"Fellow Daoists, you have been waiting long." He Qingyun took a breath. "We have received news from Master that the initial restriction on the core of the earth vein has been completed and will not deteriorate further for the time being. Master and Sect Leader Tianbao will return to Jiang Clan Manor later to meet with everyone and discuss countermeasures. We can now set off for the manor."

"How do I get to Jiang's Manor?" Qi Lan asked.

He Qingyun pointed to a mountain road in the northeast of the town: "Follow this road, cross this mountain, and continue for about five li. The mountain villa is protected by an array, so it's relatively safe. Elder Jiang Yan of the Jiang family has already led people there ahead to make arrangements." As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and added, "By the way, there's a large rock blocking the road ahead, so we'll have to walk."

Without further delay, the group followed He Qingyun and headed up the mountain path.

The mountain road winds its way through the darkness, with the trees on both sides forming dark silhouettes in the night, and a few pale starlight occasionally filtering through the branches and leaves.

All of them were cultivators, and their pace was not slow, but it still took them nearly half an hour to walk. After crossing a mountain ridge, the view suddenly opened up before them.

Nestled in the mountains, a sprawling estate lies quietly under the cover of night.

The antique-style buildings with black tiles and white walls are arranged in a well-organized manner. A faint blue halo flows around the perimeter of the manor. That is the protective array set up by the Jiang family to isolate the manor from the chaotic earth energy and the pervasive yin and turbidity outside.

Two lanterns hung in front of the manor gate, and people were already waiting under them.