bookbashuk Chapter 76 The matter is settled
Chapter 76 The matter is settled
The atmosphere was lively in the private room of Lincheng's most luxurious hotel.
The huge round table was laden with exquisite dishes, but at this moment no one was paying attention to the food.
Several wealthy individuals, including Zhao Qiming, President Wang, and President Liu, sat on one side, while on the other side were Zhao Mengmeng, Wang Rui, Zhang Hao, Li Ming, and the girl in the dress who had just survived a life-or-death ordeal—she introduced herself as Sun Wei.
All the young people were present, without exception. They had taken a shower, changed into clean clothes, and transformed back into a group of dashing second-generation elites.
"Master Chen! My life, Zhao Qiming's life, belongs to you from now on!" Zhao Qiming raised his wine glass, still excited.
"Chairman Zhao, you flatter us. Slaying demons and eliminating evil is simply our duty as cultivators."
Chen Anran's suggestion to drink tea instead of wine drew praise from the wealthy crowd, with murmurs of admiration ringing out. The other five young men, though not explicitly praising him, wore expressions of pure admiration.
Zhao Qiming raised his glass and solemnly toasted Chen Anran again, his words sincere and his gratitude evident.
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation naturally turned to the unimaginable experience of the evening.
"Master Chen," Wang Rui, being the boldest and most outspoken of them all, couldn't contain his excitement and curiosity and cautiously asked, "You...you were radiating golden light at the end...were you an Arhat descended to earth?"
He asked the question that was on the minds of all the young people. Several wealthy people also pricked up their ears.
Zhang Hao immediately added, his eyes sparkling behind his glasses: "And that white guardian spirit! Did it...did it 'eat' all of those things in the hospital?"
Li Ming and Sun Wei also watched Chen Anran nervously, awaiting his answer. Zhao Mengmeng stared intently at him.
Chen Anran put down his teacup, faced the intense gazes of the crowd, and simply smiled calmly, downplaying the issue by saying, "Just some minor self-defense techniques, nothing to brag about."
He spoke casually, but who among the crowd would believe that this was just a "small trick"? However, seeing that Chen Anran was unwilling to talk about it in detail, they did not dare to ask for more details, but their respect for him only deepened.
After answering the first question, Chen Anran paused slightly before continuing, "As for the strange creatures in the abandoned hospital, they haven't been completely eliminated yet, so I'll stay in Lincheng for a while longer."
Chen Anran's words silenced the private room for a moment.
Zhao Qiming was the first to react, and he immediately declared, "Master Chen, please feel free to stay in Lin City. I will arrange all your expenses and other matters! During your stay in Lin City, please don't hesitate to ask if you need anything!"
The other wealthy men echoed this sentiment, saying they could also help in Lincheng and make sure Master Chen had no worries.
Wang Rui, Zhang Hao, and the other young men had their eyes light up.
Master Chen is staying in Lin City? This means they still have a chance to come into contact with this mysterious world! If it weren't for the occasion and the presence of their elders, they probably would have already asked to stay by Master Chen's side to "broaden their horizons".
Zhao Mengmeng looked at Chen Anran and asked softly, "Do you have a place to stay in Lincheng? Would you like my father to arrange a hotel for you?"
Chen Anran didn't stand on ceremony, "Then I'll have to trouble you."
After the banquet, several wealthy men personally escorted Chen Anran to the hotel lobby. Zhao Qiming had already arranged the presidential suite on the top floor, but Chen Anran declined, choosing only a regular executive suite. For him, luxury was meaningless; tranquility was all that mattered.
"Master Chen, please rest well. I'll come again tomorrow," Zhao Qiming said respectfully, only breathing a sigh of relief after watching Chen Anran enter the elevator.
Back in his suite, Chen Anran didn't rest immediately. He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the dazzling night view of Lin City.
His guardian spirit appeared beside him, and the two stood quietly by the window. After a long while, Chen Anran muttered to himself, "Whether it's improving my own strength or my overall strength, I have to do it as soon as possible, otherwise, when the spiritual energy fully recovers..."
Thinking of this, Chen Anran couldn't help but recall Shi Haisheng's last words.
"When that time comes... even if this old monk isn't here... there will be... others!..."
"The Hidden Cloud Sect...cannot be defended! You...Chen Anran...cannot be defended either!"
"They...are destined to be...everyone's...prey!"
Just then, his phone vibrated, interrupting Chen Anran's thoughts. He took out his phone and saw that it was a message from his senior sister, Su Wan.
[Anran, how is the situation?]
Chen Anran smiled gently and replied, "Senior Sister, rest assured, the person has been rescued and everything went smoothly. We encountered an evil cultivator manipulating strange objects, but I've eliminated him. I need to stay in Lin City for a few days to handle the aftermath."
Not long after the message was sent, Su Wan called directly.
"An evil cultivator?" Su Wan's voice was filled with worry. "An Ran, are you injured?"
"Senior sister, I'm fine." Chen Anran felt a warmth in her heart and briefly recounted what had happened.
"That's good." Su Wan breathed a sigh of relief. "Be careful while you're away alone. Everything is fine at the sect. Before leaving, Zhao Jushi's friends donated a considerable sum of money as a token of their gratitude for allowing them to meditate here."
The two chatted for a few more minutes about the sect's recent situation. Su Wan told him to go back as soon as he finished his business, and then hung up the phone.
After ending the call, Chen Anran was preparing to wash up and meditate when a soft knock came at the door.
A quick scan revealed Zhao Mengmeng outside the door.
He opened the door and saw Zhao Mengmeng dressed in comfortable casual clothes. Her hair was wet, obviously she had just taken a shower, and her face still had a blush from the shower. She looked less panicked than before and more fresh and beautiful like a young girl.
"Did I disturb your rest?" Zhao Mengmeng asked, twisting her fingers a little shyly.
Chen Anran was taken aback; he hadn't expected Zhao Mengmeng to still be at the hotel.
Zhao Mengmeng seemed to have seen through Chen Anran's thoughts, so she quickly explained:
"I live in the suite at the other end of this floor." She pointed to the other end of the corridor, her face slightly flushed, and as if she had thought of something, she added, "My friends also live here."
Chen Anran was silent for a moment before asking, "Is your father no longer worried about you?"
Zhao Mengmeng said with a smile, "With the immortal master here, what else does he have to worry about?"
Chen Anran ushered Zhao Mengmeng into the room. The suite's living room was spacious and softly lit.
Zhao Mengmeng seemed a little reserved. After sitting down on the sofa, she held the warm water Chen Anran had poured for her in her hands and said softly, "Master Chen, I... I just wanted to come and thank you again. If it weren't for you, we might..."