Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 69 The Cloud Retreat Banquet: Delicacies Shake the Mortal World

Just then, the sound of a car door opening and closing, along with a burst of hearty laughter, came from outside the courtyard gate.

Led by Zhao Qiming, five or six distinguished-looking men and women, dressed in fine clothes, entered one after another. Most of them were in their forties or fifties, and they exuded an aura of authority that came with long-standing privilege. Their gazes casually swept over the courtyard, carrying a hint of scrutiny and curiosity.

Fatty Li immediately greeted Zhao Qiming with a beaming smile, firmly grasping his hands. "Chairman Zhao! Welcome, welcome! It's truly an honor to have you all here at Yunyin Xiaozhu!"

Xiao Zhou followed closely behind, bowing slightly, her voice clear and melodious: "Welcome, distinguished guests, to Yunyin Xiaozhu." The waiters behind her also greeted her in unison.

Seeing Fatty Li and the professional reception setup, Zhao Qiming nodded in satisfaction. He smiled at his friends and said, "Everyone, this is the place, Yunyin Xiaozhu. Don't let its remote location fool you; the things inside will make your trip worthwhile."

Fatty Li quickly said, "Our Yunyin Sect's Sect Leader Su Wan and Immortal Master Chen are already waiting in the private room."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qiming's smile widened, and he said to his friends, "Come on, let me take you to pay your respects to the true master of this place; he's a real expert!"

The group followed Fatty Li and Xiao Zhou through the elegant courtyard and arrived at the "Listening to Bamboo Pavilion".

Fatty Li knocked gently on the door, and only after receiving permission did he push it open and step aside to let the guests in.

Inside the room, Su Wan sat regally in the main seat, her gentle and serene demeanor like a rare orchid in a secluded valley. Though she remained silent, she possessed an air of captivating grace. Chen Anran and Xiao Ling'er sat on either side of her.

Zhao Qiming immediately stepped forward and respectfully bowed, saying, "Sect Leader Su, Master Chen, I apologize for disturbing you. These are all my good friends. They heard that Yunyin Xiaozhu had opened and came to try these delicacies of immortals."

The friends behind him, though all influential figures in society, unconsciously restrained their usual arrogance in the face of Su Wan and Chen Anran. They could sense that these two were no ordinary people; their transcendent aura was genuine. Moreover, Zhao Qiming had previously shown them the video of Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu fighting the little zombie, and had even said that the spiritual treasures he had "obtained" from Master Chen were all very effective.

So these people came here not to eat, but to meet a reclusive master and casually "invite" a few magical treasures back with them.

So the wealthy men followed suit and greeted them politely.

Su Wan nodded slightly in return, her voice gentle and calm: "Layman Zhao, fellow laymen, there's no need for such formalities, please sit down."

Chen Anran greeted them with a smile, "Chairman Zhao, my friends, you must be tired from your journey. Please have a seat."

After Zhao Qiming and the others took their seats as instructed, Xiao Zhou cleverly led two other waiters forward to pour tea for everyone. The aroma of the tea was fragrant and refreshing.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Qiming took the initiative to introduce the friends he had brought. One was Mr. Wang, who was in the mining and energy business; another was Mr. Li, a rising star in the internet industry; and the third was Mr. Liu, who owned several chain hospitals, and his wife... Without exception, they were all wealthy individuals who had made significant achievements in their respective fields.

"Master Chen, Sect Leader Su, to be honest, I brought a few friends with me this time. Firstly, I've long admired the serene beauty of Yunyin Mountain and wanted to soak up some of its mystical energy; secondly, I also wanted them to personally experience what truly good things are like!"

As they were talking, Fatty Li, who was waiting at the door, personally led the waiters to serve the dishes. One dish after another was carefully arranged on elegant porcelain plates and brought in by the waiters in simple uniforms.

First came a plate of stir-fried mountain vegetables. The seemingly ordinary greens were a vibrant jade green, exuding an indescribable, refreshing aroma that was invigorating just to smell them. Next was a mushroom soup, its clear broth holding several perfectly shaped mushrooms floating in it, the steam carrying the unique fragrance of the mountains and forests. Following this were glistening, distinct grains of rice, and several exquisitely prepared mountain snacks.

The dishes are not complicated, and the plating tends to be natural and simple, but all the ingredients subtly exude a pure vitality, which is quite different from ordinary food.

"Please enjoy your meal, everyone," Su Wan said gently, as the hostess.

The executives Zhao Qiming brought along initially had some reservations when they saw the dishes served. The menu seemed far too simple and plain, not quite matching the elegant setting or the "celestial delicacies" Zhao Qiming had previously touted. Mr. Li, the internet executive, even habitually started mentally estimating the cost of this "farmhouse meal."

However, the moment the first bite of the stir-fried mountain vegetables entered their mouths, everyone's expectations were instantly overturned.

The vegetables were sweet and crisp upon first bite. With each chew, an indescribable freshness slid down the throat and into the stomach, then transformed into a warm sensation that spread throughout the body. It wasn't a strong stimulation of the taste buds, but rather a feeling of comfort from the inside out, as if all the accumulated fatigue had been washed away by this warm current, and the mind became clear.

"This..." Mr. Wang, the mine manager, stared wide-eyed at the half-eaten vegetable on his chopsticks, his face full of disbelief. "This vegetable... what's going on? After eating it, I feel warm and comfortable all over!"

Mrs. Liu let out a soft "Eh." Her joint problems, which she had developed years ago, would ache faintly on rainy days, but now she felt that the lingering chill had been dispelled somewhat, though faintly, the feeling was incredibly real. "Honey, this soup..." she whispered to Mr. Liu beside her, gesturing for him to drink the soup.

Mr. Liu took a spoonful of the mushroom soup with some skepticism. The soup was exceptionally delicious, and after swallowing it, the warmth became even more pronounced. He couldn't help but drink a few more mouthfuls, feeling comfortable in his stomach and even easing the sluggishness caused by his recent busy social engagements.

"Old Zhao, these ingredients..." Mr. Li from the Internet also put aside his calculations and looked at Zhao Qiming with a shocked tone, feeling the real changes in his body.

Seeing the undisguised astonishment on his friends' faces, Zhao Qiming smiled smugly, as if sharing in their glory: "Now you know I wasn't lying, right? Master Chen and his group are reclusive masters, their sect is even a celestial realm! The food is a gift from immortals. Its benefits to the body are incomparable to those so-called top-grade ingredients and nutritional supplements outside. Come, try this rice!"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned their attention to the seemingly ordinary bowl of spirit rice. The grains were plump and glistening, emitting a faint, natural aroma. One bite revealed its soft, chewy texture and sweet flavor, while a gentle warmth replenished the body's energy.

For a moment, only the faint sounds of chewing and occasional gasps of surprise filled the private room.

Seeing the surprised looks on the uncles and aunts' faces, Xiao Ling'er covered her mouth and secretly laughed. After being gently looked at by Su Wan, she obediently sat down.