bookbashuk Chapter 27 A Connection in a Vast Sea of People
Chapter 27 A Connection in a Vast Sea of People
Is it an alternate world version of Shaolin Soccer? Or a cultivation version?
Chen Anran couldn't help but chuckle. "Master Shi Haisheng... truly has a heart for his country and lofty aspirations."
"Master often says that those who cultivate themselves should care about all living beings. If they can use their strengths to help the country prosper, it is a great merit," Huiming said earnestly.
The two chatted for a while longer, and Chen Anran, remembering the Righteous Path Assembly that his senior sister had mentioned, asked, "Senior Brother Huiming, regarding the Righteous Path Assembly next year, I wonder if Vajra Temple will participate?"
Huiming nodded affirmatively: "Jingang Temple will naturally not be absent from such a grand event. My master has already received the invitation and will personally lead the delegation there. I have heard that this conference is not only about the allocation of resources, but also about the exchange and learning among disciples from different schools. My master said that working in isolation is not the right path; we need to communicate more with our fellow practitioners in order to learn from each other's strengths and make up for our weaknesses, so as to cope with future changes."
Chen Anran thought to himself, "It seems that the Cloud Hidden Sect is determined to participate in this Righteous Path Assembly. Understanding the Vajra Temple's stance will also benefit our sect."
At the end of the conversation, Huiming returned to the initial question with concern: "Benefactor Chen, I have yet to ask, what is the name of the senior sister you are looking for? If she has a name, I may ask the temple to keep an eye out for relevant information so that we can be more targeted."
Chen Anran took a deep breath and uttered the name that had been lingering in her heart for so long: "My second senior sister's name is Wei Qingyi."
"Wei Qingyi..." Huiming repeated softly, as if trying to memorize it. "Alright, I've got it. After arriving in Guang City, I'll ask the temple to keep an eye out. I hope to find Sister Wei as soon as possible so that you and your fellow disciples can be reunited."
Chen Anran sincerely thanked him, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Huiming."
At this moment, the plane broke through the clouds and began to descend slowly. Through the porthole, one could already see the vast ocean of lights in the distant city, like stars scattered across the ground, dazzling and boundless.
Chen Anran put the spirit-gathering stone back into the museum, then turned his gaze to the unfamiliar sea of light.
The plane landed smoothly at Guangzhou International Airport.
The cabin door opened, and Chen Anran followed Huiming down the gangway. Outside, vehicles arranged by the Jingang Temple were already waiting on the tarmac.
"Benefactor Chen, the temple has arranged accommodation for you in the city. It is a quiet retreat with ties to our temple, which will be convenient for you to carry out your business." Huiming led Chen Anran to a black van.
"Thank you so much for the arrangements, senior brother. I am truly grateful," Chen Anran said again. Having a local like the Vajra Temple to help him when he first arrived was indeed a great relief.
The vehicle drove out of the airport and merged into the still bustling traffic of Guangzhou at night.
Outside the car window were towering buildings, dazzling neon lights, and seemingly endless crowds. The city's hustle and bustle, its lights and shadows, shone through the window and reflected in Chen Anran's calm eyes. He silently gazed at this unfamiliar, prosperous world, his urgent desire to find his second senior sister growing stronger.
Huiming took Chen Anran to a secluded retreat in the old town, a quiet oasis amidst the bustling city. The entrance was small, but the interior was a hidden paradise, with a deep courtyard, swaying bamboo shadows, and elegant, clean rooms—truly a perfect place for quiet contemplation.
"Please settle in here, Benefactor Chen. I will return to the temple to inform you of Sister Wei's situation and mobilize our network to investigate as soon as possible," Huiming said, pressing his palms together. "This is my contact information. If you have any needs or any leads, please feel free to contact me."
Chen Anran took the plain note with a phone number written on it and carefully put it away: "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother."
After seeing Huiming off, Chen Anran closed the door, shutting out the noise from the outside world. He casually placed his luggage on the couch against the wall, but did not rest immediately.
Chen Anran walked to the window and pushed open the carved wooden window.
The night sky over Guangzhou was tinged with a dark red by neon lights, obscuring the dazzling starry sky that usually graces the mountains. In the distance, the traffic on the overpasses flowed like ribbons of light, ceaselessly.
Chen Anran murmured to herself, "Tomorrow, let's go check out the 'Oriental Movie Metropolis' first."
…………
The abode was indeed serene, but Chen Anran had something on his mind and didn't sleep for long. Just as dawn broke, he got up and stretched his limbs in the courtyard before returning to his room. Holding the spirit-gathering stone, he began his daily morning practice.
Although he was in a different place and the spiritual energy seemed less pure than in the mountains, with the help of the spirit-gathering stone, he could still clearly capture those wandering spiritual lights and guide them into his dantian. After these days of consolidation, the qi sensation in his dantian had grown stronger and was circulating more smoothly.
After finishing his cultivation, Chen Anran changed into a set of ordinary clothes that were easy to move in and went out.
When she went downstairs, the waiter at the boutique had already prepared a light breakfast. After a quick meal, Chen Anran followed the directions on her phone's map and headed to Guangzhou's largest film and television base—Oriental Movie Metropolis.
The traffic in Guangzhou was already busy in the early morning, with the subway packed with commuters rushing to work. Chen Anran transferred trains and exited the station with the flow of people. When he stood in front of the magnificent gate of the Oriental Movie Metropolis, it was already past nine o'clock in the morning.
The film studio area is extremely large and divided into different shooting zones, featuring everything from antique buildings and Republican-era street scenes to modern urban blocks. Extras in various costumes and busy staff members can be seen moving around among them from time to time.
Standing at the massive entrance to the film studio, watching the endless stream of people and vehicles, Chen Anran felt an unprecedented sense of bewilderment. This place was enormous, far beyond his imagination. Film crews were separated by barriers, each guarded by staff at its entrance.
He tried asking people who looked like extras leaders or production assistants, describing Wei Qingyi's physical features. But the responses were mostly blank shakes of the head or impatient shooing him away.
"A young lady? Pretty good-looking? Dude, there's no shortage of pretty girls around here. Hundreds, even thousands, of people come and go every day, who can remember them all?"
"Wei Qingyi? Never heard of that person. Which group is she in? I can't find her without knowing the group name."
"Have someone go to the police station and ask; we're busy right now!"
Throughout the day, Chen Anran explored almost every open area of the film studio, asking everyone who might be able to provide clues, but to no avail.
As the sun sets, the filming location gradually quiets down, leaving only a few staff members finishing their work and a few scattered tourists.
Chen Anran stood in the antique-style streets, feeling utterly defeated.
Second Senior Sister, where are you? Has something really happened?
Dragging his weary steps, Chen Anran left the Oriental Movie Metropolis and took the subway back to the vicinity of the academy. He was in low spirits and didn't even have much of an appetite for dinner, only wanting to buy something to fill his stomach.
As night deepened, the convenience stores along the street were lit with warm lights. Chen Anran pushed open the glass door of a chain convenience store, and a cool breeze from the air conditioner hit him. He went straight to the refrigerated section, grabbed a bottle of mineral water and a rice ball, and then casually picked up a bag of biscuits that looked pretty good.
As he approached the cashier, he lowered his head, still wondering where he should look for it tomorrow.
Chen Anran absentmindedly placed the items in her hands on the cashier's counter.
"Hello, that's twenty-eight yuan and fifty cents in total."
Suddenly, a familiar female voice rang out.