Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 50 Zhang Zong

The six people from Qingya Cave left in a hurry, their figures quickly disappearing into the dense forest.

Seeing the people from Qingya Cave retreat, Zhang Laoshi and his apprentices finally breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Chen Anran profusely: "Thank you so much, Brother Anran! If you hadn't arrived in time, we probably wouldn't have been able to get these materials up there today, and we might have even gotten a beating..."

Chen Anran comforted him, "Uncle Zhang, you're too kind. We've caused you all this trouble."

Zhang Laoshi waved his hands repeatedly, his gaze towards Chen Anran now filled with even more awe. Although he didn't know exactly what had happened, it was clear that these "immortals" on the mountain were more capable than he had imagined, even those menacing "Taoist priests" had been frightened away.

With the crisis resolved, the team continued their ascent up the mountain.

Upon returning to the Cloud Hidden Sect's mountain gate, the sight before them caught the eye of both Wei Qingyi and Lin Xiaoman, while Fatty Li gaped in astonishment.

The once somewhat dilapidated courtyard has been completely transformed.

The main house has a roof covered with neat blue tiles and whitewashed walls. The newly expanded side rooms are also taking shape, and craftsmen are busy with interior renovations.

In the center of the courtyard, the small square paved with newly delivered marble tiles is mostly completed. It is smooth and flat, and gleams with a warm luster in the sunlight.

The old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard is still lush and leafy, but there are now several brand-new stone tables and benches under the tree.

Although the sect was not luxurious, it exuded an atmosphere of cleanliness, solidity, and prosperity.

Zhang Laoshi said something to Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi, then led his disciples to carry a pile of materials inside to work.

"Senior Sister! Third Senior Sister! Little Bell! We're back!" Chen Anran shouted.

Upon hearing Chen Anran's shout, Feng Xiaolu was the first to rush out of the kitchen, still holding a spatula in her hand and with a few flour smears on her face. Seeing Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi, her eyes widened instantly, and she erupted in a thunderous cheer:

"Junior Brother! Second Senior Sister! You're finally back!!"

She rushed over like a gust of wind, first hugging Wei Qingyi tightly and patting her back forcefully, "You heartless bastard! We missed you so much!" Then she jumped in front of Chen Anran, looking him up and down, "Good lad, well done!"

As they spoke, Feng Xiaolu's gaze fell curiously on Lin Xiaoman and Li Pangzi, who was panting and carrying a large box.

Immediately afterward, Su Wan, holding Xiao Ling'er's hand, also came out of the main house. Su Wan still had that gentle and calm demeanor, but the worry between her brows completely disappeared when she saw that Wei Qingyi was safe and sound.

Little Bell broke free from Su Wan's hand and rushed towards Chen Anran like a little cannonball: "Junior Uncle! Second Uncle!"

Chen Anran smiled and bent down to pick up Xiao Ling'er. The little girl hugged his neck and giggled.

"Senior Sister, Third Sister, we're back." Wei Qingyi walked up to Su Wan, her expression somewhat complicated, her eyes slightly red.

Su Wan reached out and gently smoothed Wei Qingyi's slightly disheveled hair, her eyes filled with heartache and tenderness: "It's good that you're back."

Her gaze then fell on Lin Xiaoman and Fatty Li, and she looked at Chen Anran with a questioning look.

Chen Anran put down Xiao Ling'er and introduced them to each other: "Senior Sister, Third Sister, this is Lin Xiaoman. We met in Guangshi... we're friends. She had nowhere to go for the time being, so I brought her back to the sect to stay temporarily. This is Fatty Li, Boss Li. We met on the plane back. He's determined to abandon worldly life and enter the Dao, and wants to find a job in the sect, so I brought him back to see him."

He briefly mentioned Lin Xiaoman's background, without mentioning her past as a heretic cultivator.

Next, Chen Anran introduced Su Wan and Feng Xiaolu to Lin Xiaoman and Li Pangzi. As for Xiao Ling'er, they would get to know her later.

Lin Xiaoman hurriedly stepped forward and nervously performed a non-standard cultivator's salute: "Junior Lin Xiaoman greets Sect Leader Su and Senior Sister Feng." She could feel the gentle and profound aura emanating from Su Wan, which deepened her respect.

Fatty Li slammed down the box and bowed deeply, so excited he was incoherent: "This humble servant greets Fairy Su! Greetings Fairy Feng! This humble servant admires the Dao of Immortality and is willing to serve the sect like a dog or a horse. I beg the fairy to take me in!" His exaggerated actions amused everyone.

Su Wan gently raised her hand, and a soft force lifted Fatty Li up. She said gently, "Layman Li, there's no need for such formalities. The Cloud Hidden Sect is a humble place, and may not be the celestial abode you imagine. Now that we've brought you back safely, why don't you stay here and take a look?"

Feng Xiaolu circled Lin Xiaoman twice, then glanced at the "honest"-looking Fatty Li, nudged Chen Anran with her elbow, and whispered with a wink, "Well done, Junior Brother. You went out and not only found Second Senior Sister, but you also...brought back two? This girl looks pretty pretty, and this uncle...looks like he can handle a lot of work?"

Chen Anran glared at her helplessly.

Su Wan smiled and defused the situation: "Alright, don't stand in the courtyard anymore. Qingyi, Junior Brother, you must be tired from your journey. Settle down, wash up, and rest. Xiaolu, go and prepare the two rooms in the east wing for Miss Lin and Layman Li to stay in temporarily."

"Okay!" Feng Xiaolu replied, enthusiastically pulling the still somewhat reserved Lin Xiaoman along. "Sister Lin, come with me, I'll show you the room! Uncle Li, let me help you with your suitcase!"

Fatty Li dared not let "Fairy Feng" do anything, and quickly grabbed the box again, saying, "I wouldn't dare trouble you, Fairy Feng, I'll do it!"

Watching Feng Xiaolu lead the new members to settle in, Su Wan said softly to Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi, "It's good that you're back. You've seen the state of the sect now, all thanks to the money Anran left behind and Uncle Zhang and the others' hard work. Qingyi, Anran roughly explained your situation on the phone. Let bygones be bygones. From now on, just focus on cultivating and studying on the mountain."

A warm feeling welled up in Wei Qingyi's heart, and she nodded: "Yes, Senior Sister, I understand."

Chen Anran then asked, "Senior Sister, when we were going up the mountain just now, we encountered some people who called themselves 'Qingya Cave.' They stopped Uncle Zhang and the others from transporting materials, and said that this mountain area was under their jurisdiction for patrol. What's going on?"

Upon hearing this, Su Wan sighed softly, "In recent days, there have indeed been several small sects and cultivation families active in the surrounding area, their intentions clearly probing. Qingya Cave is one of them. It is said that its cave master has the cultivation of the late stage of Qi Refining, and has dozens of disciples, making it quite powerful in this area. Under the pretext of 'maintaining order,' they wanted to divide up their territory and demand offerings. I temporarily turned them away on the grounds that the sect was under repair and the sect leader was unable to attend to them, but I didn't expect them to directly block the craftsmen today."

Just as Chen Anran was about to ask something else, Su Wan told them to go and rest first, and that they could talk about anything else after dinner.

Chen Anran and Wei Qingyi had no choice but to go and rest as instructed.