Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 127 Strangers on the Pedestrian Street

Holding cotton candy, the two strolled along the neon-lit pedestrian street with the flow of people.

Wei Qingyi was taking small sips of her blue star-shaped cotton candy as she walked. A slight commotion stirred within the crowd ahead, and they spontaneously parted to the sides. Chen Anran looked up and saw an exceptionally tall figure steadily walking against the flow of people.

The man was probably close to three meters tall, with broad shoulders and a thick back. He wore a simple dark gray tank top, and his exposed arms were muscular and rugged, with lines as hard as if carved from stone. His bronze skin gleamed with an oily sheen under the light. He walked with a steady gait, each step seemingly carrying the weight of a thousand pounds.

Even more striking was the sight of a little girl, about seven or eight years old, sitting steadily on his broad, mountain-like shoulders. She wore a faded floral dress and slightly worn red leather shoes, which swayed gently in the air. She clutched a worn-out rag doll, her hair styled in two pigtails, her face delicately sculpted, and her large, bright eyes curiously darting around, a stark contrast to the silent, resolute face of the man below.

This unusual pair drew the attention of passersby, but neither the mountain-like man nor the elfin-like little girl on his shoulder seemed to notice the stares. The man simply looked ahead, carefully protecting the little girl on his shoulder, as he moved through the dense crowd, like a giant ship cutting through ripples.

Just as they were about to pass each other, the little girl's gaze inadvertently fell on the almost untouched rabbit-shaped cotton candy in Chen Anran's hand. She blinked her big eyes, pointed with her little finger, and said in a clear, childish voice, "Stone, look, it's a big rabbit!"

Upon hearing this, the tall man paused slightly, turning his head to look in the direction the girl was pointing. His gaze first fell on the cotton candy, then he looked up and met Chen Anran's calm eyes.

Those were deep, steady eyes, bearing the vicissitudes and tranquility of someone who had weathered many storms. There was not a trace of hostility, only a faint scrutiny and vigilance, like the alpha wolf guarding its territory. His gaze lingered on Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi for a moment before he looked away.

Chen Anran could sense that the man's internal energy and blood were far more vigorous than that of ordinary people. Although there were no fluctuations in spiritual power, his condensed physical strength was not to be underestimated. The little girl on his shoulder had a pure aura and bright eyes, and seemed to be just an ordinary child.

Wei Qingyi also noticed the pair. She looked up slightly at the tall man and the cute girl, her eyes showing a hint of friendly curiosity. She did not show any fear or rejection because of their size or unusual combination.

When the little girl saw Chen Anran looking at her, she wasn't shy at all. Instead, she tilted her head and gave Chen Anran a sweet smile, revealing two small dimples.

"Big brother, where did you buy this cotton candy?"

Chen Anran snapped out of her daze and pointed in the direction they had come from, "It's just ahead, not far."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the little girl patted Stone's broad shoulder, "Stone, let's go buy a big rabbit!"

As instructed, Shi Tou once again took steady steps in the direction Chen Anran pointed. His enormous figure was particularly conspicuous in the crowd. Wherever he passed, pedestrians instinctively gave way, yet couldn't help but turn around to look curiously, some even taking photos or videos with their phones.

The little girl on his shoulder turned around and waved to Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi, her face still bearing an innocent and carefree smile.

Wei Qingyi watched their figures disappear into the crowd and said softly, "This pair... is quite special. That man's blood and energy are so strong, yet there is not a trace of spiritual power."

Chen Anran nodded, his gaze thoughtful: "Hmm, a pure body cultivator? Following the path of achieving sainthood purely through the physical body? That little girl is quite ordinary."

"With the revival of spiritual energy, many talented and extraordinary people emerge, and it is not surprising to encounter one or two by chance."

Neither of them sensed any malice from the other, so they put the minor incident aside for the time being.

The two continued strolling along the pedestrian street. Wei Qingyi enthusiastically introduced Chen Anran to the unique shops and Cantonese culture along the way. Although Chen Anran didn't say much, he listened attentively. After walking around for a while, experiencing the hustle and bustle of the city's nightlife, they decided to return to their accommodation.

Wei Qingyi's school dormitory is not far from here. She insisted that Chen Anran not take her back and took the subway by herself, but agreed to contact her tomorrow.

After parting ways with Wei Qingyi at the subway station entrance, Chen Anran returned to her hotel alone.

The room remained as tidy as when he left, and the night view of Guangshi outside the window was as dazzling as a galaxy, a stark contrast to the utterly silent night of Yunyin Mountain. He stood by the window, looking down at the endless river of car lights below, but his heart was not particularly stirred.

Chen Anran took out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, paused for a moment over the name "Feng Xiaolu," and finally dialed the number.

Zhang Nanshan's vague answers on the phone, and even his seemingly suspicious behavior, made Chen Anran uneasy.

Shen Zui and even his second senior sister were unaware of many of the details, but Chen Anran was well aware. At the time, Zhang Nanshan had told him not to have any contact with the Feng family, and even more so, not to let Feng Xiaolu have any contact with them.

The call was quickly connected, and Feng Xiaolu's cheerful voice came through.

"Junior brother, are you calling me because you miss me?"

Hearing her voice was normal, Chen Anran felt a little relieved. "How are things at the Feng family's? Are you settling in?"

"Oh, it's great!" Feng Xiaolu's voice came through the receiver. The background seemed a bit noisy, with faint sounds of people and birdsong. "It's so big here! The houses are antique and quite different from our Yunyin Sect, but they're still very beautiful. My uncle and aunt are so good to me. Today they even introduced me to the clan leader and several elders. They were all very excited to see me..."

She chattered on and on, her tone filled with curiosity about her new environment and a hint of excitement at being the center of attention, seemingly completely immersed in the atmosphere of "recognizing her ancestors and returning to her roots."

Chen Anran listened patiently, and after a slight pause, asked casually, "The Feng family didn't give you any trouble, did they? Or... did they make any special requests?"

"Difficult? No!" Feng Xiaolu replied quickly. "They just asked about my well-being, inquired about my life at the Cloud Hidden Sect, and asked about my cultivation progress. Any special requests... um, I don't think so? Oh right, one of the elders said my cultivation foundation is very solid, and praised me! He even said that some ancient books in the family might help me advance further!"

Chen Anran continued calmly, "Besides that?"

"Besides that?" Feng Xiaolu thought for a moment before saying, "There's nothing else. I eat and sleep well every day, and they treat me very well. If I had to say there's anything, it's just that our clan leader mentioned it to me, telling me to focus on my studies during this time. He said there might be some kind of gathering in a while, where young people from several reclusive families will exchange and learn from each other, and he wants me to go and see what it's like."