Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

The Unknown Jade Pendant in Display Case 7 of Chapter 106

As soon as Chen Anran stepped into the mountain gate, Feng Xiaolu, who had been waiting for a long time, jumped out with eagerness and curiosity on her face.

"Junior Brother! Why are you only just getting back? Did Shen Zui give you any trouble? What's the situation at Qingya Cave?" she asked in rapid succession, her gaze sweeping over Chen Anran before she let out a soft exclamation, "Huh? You...you've broken through?"

Chen Anran felt the spiritual energy within his body was much more abundant and pure than before. He smiled slightly and said, avoiding the main point, "Well, I broke through by sheer luck. The matter of Qingya Cave is quite strange. Section Chief Shen was just conducting a routine investigation. We'll talk about the specific details later."

Seeing that Feng Xiaolu wanted to press further, he changed the subject, asking, "Where's Senior Sister?"

"Senior Sister is resting in her room. She said she was a little tired today," Feng Xiaolu replied.

Chen Anran nodded, and after parting ways with Feng Xiaolu, went straight back to her room.

He sat cross-legged on the couch, not immediately entering a meditative state, but first carefully sensing the changes brought about by the mid-stage of Qi Refining. The spiritual energy vortex within his dantian became more solid, circulating faster, and the efficiency of absorbing and refining spiritual energy increased by several times. The range of his divine sense also expanded, and his perception became more acute.

"Finally... I've broken through." Chen Anran thought to himself with emotion. If it weren't for the pressure of being on the brink of death today, it would probably have taken him a long time to achieve this.

Then, his thoughts drifted to the Museum of Evolution.

As soon as he entered, Chen Anran noticed the difference. The museum space seemed to have expanded slightly, and what surprised him most was that there were now seven display cases instead of the original four!

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 10 ...

He first checked the existing display cases:

The spiritual vegetables in the first display case are still steadily evolving and producing.

In the second display case, the [Vajra Relic (Embodiment)] radiates golden light and exudes Buddhist power, with the estimated remaining time displayed as [1520 hours].

In the third display case, two [Detoxification Beads] have completed their evolution! The Detoxification Beads are entirely emerald green and exude a refreshing aura.

The "Mirror of Enlightenment" in the fourth display case has evolved more than halfway.

Chen Anran had a sudden thought and took out the detoxification bead. She'd give it to her eldest and third senior sisters tomorrow. As for her second senior sister, was she worried about not having good things in the future?

Every single item in that pile of junk is a treasure!

Chen Anran looked brightly at the pile of "junk" in the corner. As for the original storage ring, it had long been returned by express delivery.

He walked up to the pile of magical artifacts and, without thinking, chose three bronze swords.

Are you kidding me? Do you really think it's a joke that everyone has a "Xuanyuan Sword"?

The three newly opened display cases are perfect for evolving the Xuanyuan Sword.

Everyone must have one! Otherwise, outsiders will think that our Cloud Hidden Sect can't afford one!

The empty slot will be used to evolve the stone, thereby improving the sect's spirit-gathering effect.

Item: Severely Damaged Bronze Sword (Spirit Weapon)

Status: Evolving

"Evolution Path: Xuanyuan Sword (Chinese Imitation) (Estimated Time: 4010 hours)"

"Effect: Indestructible, imbued with sword spirit, and has a significant effect against demons and monsters."

When Chen Anran finished placing the two bronze swords and was about to put the last bronze sword in the seventh display case, he found that there was already something in that display case.

Inside the display case was a jade pendant. The jade was warm and smooth, with a bluish-green color, and the pattern was one that Chen Anran was very familiar with.

He had seen this jade pendant for twenty years.

"It's exactly the same as the jade pendant that Second Senior Sister always carries with her..."

Chen Anran was startled and quickly checked the information about the jade.

"thing:???"

Status: Evolving

Evolutionary path: ??? (Estimated time: ???)

"Effect:???."

"Unknown item, unknown evolutionary path, unknown effect, unknown time..." Chen Anran muttered to himself, "It seems that Second Senior Sister's jade has a great origin and is not ordinary."

If we want to explore further, we can only wait until Second Senior Sister returns to the mountain.

Chen Anran shook his head, put down his thoughts, and put down the sword in his hand. Then he left the Museum of Evolution.

…………

The next day, the morning sunlight streamed through the window and fell on Chen Anran. He slowly finished his practice, his eyes revealing a restrained glint. The night's meditation and consolidation had allowed him to firmly establish himself at the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

He pushed open the door, took a deep breath of the fresh air carrying the morning dew, and felt refreshed.

"Junior Brother! Good morning!" Feng Xiaolu's voice came from the courtyard gate. She skipped in, carrying a food box. "Come and try these mushroom buns that Fatty Li specially brought up the mountain this morning. They're so delicious you'll want to swallow your tongue!"

Chen Anran took the food box, opened it, and saw several plump, white buns inside, emitting an enticing aroma.

The buns have a soft dough with the unique fragrance of spirit wheat. When you bite into them, you find a filling made of finely chopped spirit fungus mixed with a little spirit vegetable. The soup is delicious and full of spirit energy, truly a delicacy.

"Mmm! Delicious!" Feng Xiaolu finished one in a few bites, sucking in breaths from the heat but unwilling to stop. "Shall we play a couple of rounds of Honor of Kings later?"

Chen Anran shook his head, "I want to cultivate."

"Shall we go catch some fish?"

"I want to cultivate."

"Shall we sneak down the mountain and stroll around town? There's a new movie out recently..."

"I want to cultivate."

Looking at Chen Anran's unyielding and single-minded focus on cultivation, Feng Xiaolu puffed out her cheeks in anger. "Can't you say something different?"

Chen Anran slowly finished the last bun, wiped his hands, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Now that spiritual energy has recovered, and there are unknown powerful evil cultivators near the sect, if you don't work hard, you might get captured and used as a furnace cauldron."

Feng Xiaolu rolled her eyes at Chen Anran's comment about "taking her as a cultivation furnace," and angrily punched him, saying, "Pah! You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth! Your senior sister here has profound cultivation and abundant blessings. Which blind evil cultivator would dare to make a move on me?"

Although she spoke toughly, her eyes involuntarily drifted towards the outside of the mountains, carrying a hint of worry.

The entire Qingya Cave sect has disappeared, and the Yunyin Sect is not far from Qingya Cave...

Chen Anran glanced at her and said with a smile, "Alright, I was just kidding. With the official support and the Maoshan Taoists leading the way, we'll be fine."

Feng Xiaolu rolled her eyes at him, relieved. "I'm not talking to you anymore. I'm going to find Mengmeng to see how the planning is going down the mountain, and also to inspect the future location of the internet cafe!" With that, she slipped away lightly.

Chen Anran watched her lively figure disappear into the distance and smiled helplessly.

Stepping out of the room, Su Wan arrived at the old locust tree in the front yard, where she was sitting on a stone bench reading a book.

Chen Anran sat down opposite Su Wan and poured herself a cup of tea.

Su Wan put down the book in her hand, looked up at Chen Anran, her gaze gentle and warm. "Anran, your aura is solid, and your spiritual power is abundant. Has your cultivation improved?"

"I can't hide it from Senior Sister." Chen Anran nodded. "Yesterday, I went to Qingya Cave with Section Chief Shen. We encountered some unexpected events on the way, and I managed to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining."

Upon hearing this, Su Wan's eyes flashed with a hint of relief. "Anran, I've always seen your talent and hard work. Breakthrough is a natural outcome, no need to be so modest. However..." She paused, her tone filled with concern, "The path of cultivation is fraught with dangers, you must be even more cautious in the future, and never be greedy for quick success."

"I will keep in mind Senior Sister's teachings," Chen Anran replied, then took out the two fully evolved detoxifying beads from his robes. The emerald green beads emitted a soft, clear light in his palm, brimming with spiritual energy.

"Senior Sister, these are two detoxifying beads that I recently 'nurtured'. Wearing them can ward off all poisons and purify the mind and spirit. One is for you, and one is for Third Sister."

Su Wan's gaze fell on the detoxification bead, sensing its pure purifying power, and a look of surprise flashed across her eyes.

"Anran, your 'nurturing' technique is truly miraculous." Su Wan praised softly, carefully putting away the detoxifying bead. "This is precious; I will give it to Xiaolu. Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

The two chatted for a while about sect matters and the progress of the "Hidden Immortal Footprints" project at the foot of the mountain, the atmosphere warm and peaceful. However, Chen Anran's mind was still preoccupied with the mysteries surrounding the Green Cliff Cave and the eerie shadow and bell from the previous night. After a moment's hesitation, he finally asked:

"Senior Sister, regarding the incident at Qingya Cave... who do you think was responsible? Or what was it?"

Su Wan paused slightly as she picked up the teacup, then resumed her normal motion.

She lowered her eyelids, gently blew away the tea froth, and said in a still gentle voice, "The world is vast and full of wonders. Perhaps it was the work of some reclusive evil cultivators, or perhaps it triggered some ancient forbidden formation. Now that Section Chief Shen and his team have intervened, they should be able to find out the truth soon. We just need to guard the mountain gate and observe the situation."

She raised her eyes and looked at Chen Anran with clear eyes. "Anran, this matter is strange and cannot be easily intervened by us."

Chen Anran nodded: "I understand."

…………

At the foot of the mountain, inside the Cloud Retreat, Fatty Li had just seen off a group of guests who had come to eat. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, picked up his purple clay teapot, and took a sip of tea with relish.

"Tsk, life is getting better and better." He looked out the window at the bustling construction site, listening to the roar of the machines that represented "wealth" and "future," his round face beaming.

Xiao Zhou was tidying up the accounts, but his expression was worried. "Mr. Li, those police officers who came yesterday..."

Fatty Li put down the purple clay teapot, waved his chubby hand, and his face showed little worry: "Little Zhou, don't worry! Who's behind this project? It's big shots like Chairman Zhao and President Wang! Why? It's for the immortals of the Cloud Hidden Sect! As for the officials, as long as the immortals haven't really broken any heavenly rules, Chairman Zhao and the others will naturally have the connections to communicate and coordinate."

Xiao Zhou was relieved after hearing this.

Just then, Qi Lan, dressed in simple black clothes and wearing a baseball cap, walked in.

With her hands in her pockets, she approached Fatty Li. "The Cloud Hidden Sect's assets?"

"Yunyin Xiaozhu is a property of the Yunyin Sect. Young lady, who are you?" Fatty Li put down the purple clay teapot and put on the warm smile that businessmen usually have.

Qi Lan didn't reply, but instead sniffed and walked straight to the nearest private room.

"Girl?" Fatty Li quickly got up and followed.

Qi Lan didn't stop walking. "What? Isn't this a restaurant? I want to eat."

"Uh," Fatty Li paused for a moment, "why don't you take a look at the menu first?"

During this period, many villagers came to support Yunyin Xiaozhu after hearing that it was a business on the mountain, but most of them were turned away after seeing the frightening prices on the menu.

Only people like Zhang Laoshi, who made even more money following the Yunyin Sect, were able to come and have a few meals.

After Zhang Laoshi ate there once, he was immediately amazed by the food. Unfortunately, although he made a lot of money, he didn't dare to come to eat there every day. He only dared to come once a month, and he didn't dare to order too many dishes.

The only ones who can eat here every day are Zhao Qiming and his group. Since the big project started here, these bosses have been living nearby and come here for dinner every day.

"No need to look, just bring out whatever good dishes you have."

Qi Lan chuckled confidently. As a cultivator of the Maoshan lineage and an elder, she received a monthly allowance of 50,000 yuan.

Looking at Qi Lan's nonchalant "I'm not short of money" demeanor, and then noticing the unusual amber eyes beneath her hat brim, Li Pangzi's heart skipped a beat. He ran Yunyin Xiaozhu at the foot of Yunyin Mountain, where he had hosted wealthy people like Zhao Qiming and met cultivators like Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu, and had long since developed a keen eye for judging people.

The young woman before me has a unique air about her and is no ordinary diner.

"Since you say so, young lady, please wait a moment, I'll make the arrangements right away." Fatty Li's smile widened, tinged with respect. "Xiao Zhou, quickly brew this distinguished guest a pot of the finest 'Cloud Mist Snow Bud' tea!"

Xiao Zhou responded and left.

Fatty Li personally went to the kitchen and instructed the chefs to use their best skills to prepare one of each of the signature spiritual dishes. As he watched the chefs work, he wondered to himself: This young lady specifically mentioned a property of the Cloud Hidden Sect, and with such an air of authority, could she be a friend of some immortal master on the mountain? Or... perhaps she is also an immortal?

Before long, several dishes, each with its own unique color, aroma, and flavor, were served.

Qi Lan looked at the dishes on the table, her appetite whetted, and her calm amber eyes shone brightly.

She picked up her chopsticks and began to taste the food with elegant yet quick movements.

With each bite, she could clearly feel the gentle, spiritual energy contained in the food being absorbed by her body.

"It truly possesses spiritual energy!"

Qi Lan's movements became faster and faster, and she quickly devoured all the dishes on the table, even drinking every last drop of the spirit rice porridge. She put down her chopsticks and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Check out."

Fatty Li hurriedly took the bill inside, his face beaming: "Miss, thank you, it's 688,888.8 yuan in total."

Qi Lan blinked her amber eyes beneath the brim of her hat. She remained silent, and a subtle awkwardness filled the air.

Fatty Li was incredibly shrewd; he immediately realized something was amiss. But he showed no sign of it, only his smile became even more humble: "Miss, will you be paying in cash or by card? Or… mobile payment is also acceptable."

Qi Lan finally moved. She took out her phone and made a call.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader, please send me some money."

"Hmm, not much, six hundred and eighty-eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight yuan. You only need to transfer six hundred and eighty thousand to me, I'll untangle the rest myself..."

Before Qi Lan could finish speaking, the phone was hung up, leaving only an even more awkward dial tone.