bookbashuk Chapter 111 Quiet years in the mountains, soft whispers by the stream
Chapter 111 Quiet years in the mountains, soft whispers by the stream
Wei Qingyi couldn't help but rub her temples: "Internet cafe? Bar? I've only been away for a few months, how come the changes in the mountains seem even more dramatic than outside?" As she spoke, her gaze returned to the bustling construction site outside the window, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
"It's a long story," Chen Anran continued. "Second Senior Sister must be tired from your journey. Go back to the mountain and rest first. Eldest Senior Sister and Xiao Ling'er will surely be very happy to see you back."
"Right, right, let's go back up the mountain first!" Feng Xiaolu realized what was happening and quickly helped Wei Qingyi carry her luggage. "Senior Sister knew you were coming back today, so she must have prepared lots of delicious food!"
The group chatted and laughed as they left Yunyin Cottage and walked up the newly renovated stone path leading to the Yunyin Sect's mountain gate.
The trees along the roadside remained lush and green, blocking out most of the noise from below. The higher she went, the fresher the air became, and the more abundant the spiritual energy became. Wei Qingyi took a deep breath, and the familiar spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers permeated her heart and soul, gradually calming her mind.
"The air in the mountains is still the most reassuring," she sighed softly.
Feng Xiaolu chattered on and on, as if she wanted to recount all the fun things she had missed in the past six months: "Second Senior Sister, you have no idea how much has happened while you were gone! My junior brother and I went to Chongqing, and we almost... uh, we helped the Celestial Masters of Longhu Mountain with some things, and we even discovered a ton of treasures! Also, that Qi Lan down the mountain, don't let her young age fool you, she's a really high-ranking person! But she seems a bit poor, she almost couldn't pay for her meal, and my junior brother had to give her a free meal..."
Chen Anran listened from the side, occasionally adding a few words, or helplessly correcting Feng Xiaolu when she exaggerated. Zhao Mengmeng followed quietly behind.
As we approached the mountain gate, a figure in a pale yellow dress fluttered out like a butterfly, accompanied by a cheerful shout:
"Second Uncle! Second Uncle is back!"
Little Ling'er rushed over like a little cannonball, grabbed Wei Qingyi's leg, and looked up with her big eyes full of longing and joy.
Wei Qingyi's heart melted instantly. She bent down, picked up the little dumpling, and gently rubbed her soft cheek: "Little Ling'er, did you miss your Second Uncle?"
"Yes! I really want to!" Little Ling'er nodded vigorously, hugging Wei Qingyi's neck. "Second Uncle, Little Ling'er has learned to write so many characters! Master even taught me a new Taoist incantation!"
"Our little Ling'er is so wonderful." Wei Qingyi praised with a smile, carrying her towards the mountain gate.
At the doorway, Su Wan was already standing there. She was still wearing an elegant long dress, her figure slender, her face gentle, and a soft smile on her lips. Her gaze was as gentle as water, fixed on Wei Qingyi.
"Senior Sister." Wei Qingyi put down Xiao Ling'er and quickly stepped forward.
Su Wan reached out and gently smoothed the slightly ruffled hair at Wei Qingyi's temples, her movements tender: "It's good that you're back. You must have had a long journey; you look a bit thinner."
"It's not tiring at all." Wei Qingyi looked at Su Wan, a warm feeling of returning home welling up inside her. "It's just that there are a lot of trivial matters during finals. How is Senior Sister doing?"
"Everything is fine." Su Wan smiled and nodded, her gaze sweeping over everyone. "Let's go inside. The food is ready, all your favorite dishes."
The crowd escorted Wei Qingyi through the mountain gate. The familiar courtyard, the familiar halls, the familiar flow of spiritual energy—everything made Wei Qingyi feel incredibly safe and relaxed. Sure enough, the table in the hall was laden with exquisite dishes. Although most were simple and elegant spiritual vegetables and mountain delicacies, they were fragrant and filled with spiritual energy, clearly all carefully prepared by Su Wan.
After they sat down, the atmosphere became even more lively. Feng Xiaolu eagerly served food to Wei Qingyi, while Xiaoling chattered about the interesting things that happened on the mountain. Su Wan occasionally gently reminded Xiaoling to eat slowly, her gaze mostly fixed on Wei Qingyi, listening to her recount her experiences on campus with a gentle and focused look.
Watching this heartwarming scene, Chen Anran felt a surge of warmth in his heart. With his second senior sister back, the Cloud Hidden Sect was truly reunited. He noticed that his eldest senior sister, Su Wan, seemed to be in exceptionally good spirits today, her gentleness seemingly overflowing.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Feng Xiaolu patted her full stomach and sighed contentedly, "Senior Sister's cooking is still the best! Second Senior Sister, how long will you be staying this time?"
Wei Qingyi put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief: "Summer vacation lasts for two months, so I should be able to stay until the end of August."
"Two months! That's great!" Feng Xiaolu cheered.
Wei Qingyi smiled slightly as she looked at the excited Feng Xiaolu. She then turned her gaze to Su Wan, asking, "Senior Sister, during the six months I've been away from the mountain, has there been any matter within the sect that requires my help? Whether it's the medicinal fields, organizing the classics, or other miscellaneous tasks, I can take on any of them."
Su Wan smiled gently and placed a piece of stir-fried bamboo shoots on her plate: "You've just returned, so rest for a few days and familiarize yourself with the changes down the mountain. Everything is fine within the sect. Xiao Man is taking good care of the herb fields, and I often tidy up the library. If you can't stay idle, you could help Mengmeng look at the documents for the project down the mountain. She has a lot of contracts and plans involved, and with your meticulous mind, you could help her review them."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Mengmeng's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked at Wei Qingyi: "Really? Immortal Master Wei! That's wonderful! There are some legal provisions and business terms that I really need a professional to help me review!"
Wei Qingyi readily agreed: "No problem, I know a little about this and hope I can be of help."
"Hehe, with Second Senior Sister on the job, one is worth two!" Feng Xiaolu proudly raised her chin.
After they finished speaking, Chen Anran said to Wei Qingyi, "Second Senior Sister, may I take a look at your jade?"
Without a second thought, Wei Qingyi took out the turquoise jade pendant that she never parted with from her collar.
The jade pendant was tied with a red string.
"Here you go." Wei Qingyi handed it to Chen Anran, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Anran, why did you suddenly decide to look at this?"
Chen Anran took the jade pendant, feeling its slight warmth and smooth texture. But apart from that, there was nothing special about it.
He focused his senses and discovered that this piece of jade was exactly the same as the jade in the museum, displaying only question marks.
"I just feel that this jade pendant seems rather extraordinary," Chen Anran said casually as she handed the pendant back to Wei Qingyi, then asked, "Second Senior Sister, do you know the specific origin of this jade pendant?"
Wei Qingyi shook her head. "I've worn this jade since I can remember. When I asked my master about it, she only told me to keep it safe." She paused slightly, then added, "I think this jade was probably left to me by my unreliable parents."
As soon as she finished speaking, Wei Qingyi's expression darkened.
Not only Wei Qingyi, but even the usually carefree Feng Xiaolu couldn't help but feel a little sad after hearing about her parents.
All four of them were adopted by the previous sect leader, and none of them knew their own origins.
Chen Anran didn't care. After all, he was a transmigrator and didn't care about his background in this life. He hadn't thought about finding his relatives. If he really had parents and relatives in this life, he wouldn't know how to face them. So for Chen Anran, the current situation was the best.
Senior Sister Su Wan remained calm and composed, unchanged.
Even so, the presence of Wei Qingyi and Feng Xiaolu, two people who were saddened by this, made the atmosphere momentarily somber.
Zhao Mengmeng buried her head in her rice, while Xiao Ling'er glanced at Wei Qingyi and then at Feng Xiaolu.
Seeing this, Su Wan gently put down her chopsticks and softly broke the slightly heavy atmosphere: "The past is like fleeting clouds, there's no need to dwell on it too much. The fact that the four of us can gather in Yunyin is the greatest fate. Now the sect is flourishing, and you have all grown up safely and have your own opportunities. If Master is watching from heaven, he will be gratified."
Her words were like a spring breeze across a lake, carrying a calming power. Upon hearing this, Wei Qingyi and Feng Xiaolu's expressions softened considerably. Yes, although they didn't know where they came from, the Cloud Hidden Sect was their home, and their fellow disciples were their closest family.
"Senior Sister is right!" Feng Xiaolu cheered up and nodded vigorously. "We have Senior Sister, Junior Brother, Second Senior Sister, and Little Ling'er, that's enough! Why think about all that other stuff!"
Wei Qingyi smiled, put the jade pendant back on her body, and patted it gently: "Hmm, I don't want to think about it anymore."
Just then, Lin Xiaoman strode into the hall and apologized to everyone, "I'm sorry I'm late. Just now in the herb field, a newly transplanted 'Moonflower Grass' suddenly wilted a bit. I was worried it was not used to the environment, so I stayed a little longer to help it regulate its spiritual energy. I didn't expect it to take so long."
Upon hearing this, Su Wan looked at her gently, her tone full of approval: "It's alright, the herbs are of utmost importance. Your dedication is a blessing to the sect. Please sit down and eat; the food is still warm."
Wei Qingyi smiled and greeted her, "Xiaoman, come and sit down. You've worked hard on the herb field, so please fill your stomach first."
Feng Xiaolu immediately stood up, pulled her to sit in the empty seat next to her, and served her a full bowl of spirit rice: "That's right, that's right, if you don't come soon, Xiaoling'er will eat this whole plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots!"
Little Bell'er's chopsticks, which were secretly reaching for the jade bamboo shoot, froze in mid-air. She pouted and protested, "Third Uncle, you're wronging me! I didn't steal any; I was just helping Second Uncle taste it!"
The child's innocent words made everyone laugh, making the atmosphere in the hall even warmer and more harmonious.
Feeling the warmth of this unreserved care, Lin Xiaoman's heart softened, and the slight unease she felt due to being late vanished. She picked up her chopsticks and looked at the familiar dishes on the table, dishes that tasted like "home," and felt completely at peace.
…………
The Cloud Hidden Sect enjoyed a peaceful and fulfilling month.
Wei Qingyi quickly readjusted to the pace of life on the mountain. During the day, she either improved her cultivation under Su Wan's guidance or helped Zhao Mengmeng review the ever-increasing number of contract documents for the "Cloud Hidden Immortal Traces" project. Her meticulous thinking and solid legal knowledge impressed Zhao Mengmeng, who exclaimed, "Master Wei is simply omnipotent!"
Chen Anran continued his regular life. His mid-stage Qi Refining realm was already stable, and his study of the "Five Thunder Orthodox Method Insights" was also progressing well. Although he could not yet summon real heavenly thunder, the electric snakes leaping at his fingertips had become more refined and their power was incomparable to what it used to be.
Feng Xiaolu remained the most restless one, seamlessly switching between cultivating, pestering Wei Qingyi, harassing Chen Anran, and running down the mountain.
Su Wan continued as usual, managing the sect and teaching Xiao Ling'er.
That afternoon, Wei Qingyi and Feng Xiaolu arrived at the riverbank at the foot of the mountain.
The stream at the foot of the mountain has undergone preliminary restoration; smooth stones have been laid on both banks, and the water remains crystal clear, shimmering like scattered silver in the July sunlight. Several water birds frolic among the reeds, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the construction site not far away.
Feng Xiaolu took off her shoes and socks, dipped her feet in the cool stream, and sighed comfortably, "It's so comfortable here! Second Senior Sister, come down quickly, it's so refreshing!"
Wei Qingyi smiled, unlike Feng Xiaolu who was more casual. She simply found a clean rock to sit on and said, "The stream seems clearer than before."
"Of course!" Feng Xiaolu swung her feet proudly, splashing water everywhere. "There's development going on down the mountain, and my junior brother specifically instructed us not to damage this stream and to protect it properly. I heard they're going to build a waterfront platform here in the future."
Wei Qingyi looked at the azure sky and said, "Junior Brother seems to have become much more composed lately."
Feng Xiaolu splashed in the stream, then nodded upon hearing this: "That's right! Before, I could drag him all over the mountain, but now he wishes he could be stuck in the training room for every single hour of the day." She paused slightly, then sighed, "Perhaps the incident at Qingya Cave put too much pressure on him."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qingyi also sighed softly.
"An Ran... has always cared about the sect and about us." Wei Qingyi's voice was gentle. "The incident at Qingya Cave was indeed strange and dangerous. Even the top disciples of Maoshan were helpless. It's normal for him to feel pressured. But..."
She paused, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "I always feel that Senior Sister seems to be a little different too."
Feng Xiaolu slowed down her movements as she splashed in the stream, tilting her head to think for a moment: "Really? Senior Sister is still the same, gentle and kind, managing the sect and teaching Xiaoling'er."
"A feeling." Wei Qingyi shook her head, not going into details. It was a feeling that was hard to describe, a subtle intuition formed over many years of getting along. Senior Sister Su Wan was still gentle and caring, but occasionally, beneath that gentle smile, Wei Qingyi felt that deep within Senior Sister's eyes lay a deep sea that she couldn't fathom.
"Maybe she's just been too busy lately," Feng Xiaolu said nonchalantly. "From Qingya Cave to the development project at the foot of the mountain, Senior Sister must have a lot on her mind. Things will definitely get better once this is over!"
Wei Qingyi smiled and didn't refute. Perhaps she was just overthinking it.
Feng Xiaolu suddenly thought of something and turned to Wei Qingyi, saying, "Why don't you take Junior Brother with you when you go back this time, Second Senior Sister?"
Wei Qingyi was taken aback by the suggestion and subconsciously asked, "Take Anran to Guangshi? Why?"