Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Feng Xiaolu looked at Chen Anran, then at Su Wan, gritted her teeth, and said, "Senior Sister, I think Junior Brother makes sense. He's not the weakling he used to be. With those treasures in hand, he can definitely handle ordinary troubles. Besides, Second Senior Sister has such a stubborn temper. If something really happens, it might really be someone like Junior Brother, who looks harmless but is actually quite shrewd, who can 'trick' her into coming back."

Looking at her junior brother before her, and then thinking of her missing second junior sister, Su Wan was torn between two conflicting emotions. In the end, her longing for her junior sister overcame all her concerns.

She sighed deeply and gently patted Chen Anran's shoulder: "Alright... go ahead. But you must promise your senior sister that your own safety is your top priority! If anything goes wrong, return immediately. Don't be reckless!"

"Don't worry, Senior Sister, I've got it." Chen Anran solemnly promised.

"I'll go with you!" Feng Xiaolu jumped up. "At least two people can look out for each other!"

"Third Senior Sister," Chen Anran shook her head, "the sect needs help, and Senior Sister can't handle it all by herself. Besides, you should stay on the mountain and make the most of your time to cultivate with the spiritual rice and improve your strength as soon as possible. In case... I mean, in case, there really is some trouble in S City that I can't foresee, your higher cultivation level will make you a stronger ally."

Just as Feng Xiaolu was about to argue, Su Wan said, "Listen to your junior brother. You need to cultivate diligently with me during this time. Besides being able to support him at any time, it's also to prepare for the 'Righteous Path Conference' after next year."

Chen Anran and Feng Xiaolu both looked puzzled when they heard the words "Righteous Path Assembly." This term was completely unfamiliar to them.

Su Wan explained, "Just the day before yesterday, I received several calls from the heads of reclusive sects and cultivation families. They mentioned on the phone that the signs of spiritual energy recovery are becoming increasingly obvious. Many long-dormant sects and forces are starting to become active again."

She paused, her tone becoming serious: "In order to cope with the upcoming great changes, and also to redefine spheres of influence and discuss resource allocation, several long-established and powerful sects and families will take the lead in holding a 'Righteous Path Conference' after the New Year next year, inviting all righteous people from all over the world to gather together."

"Redrawing spheres of influence?" Feng Xiaolu keenly caught the key phrase, and pouted, "They make it sound so nice, but it's just that everyone wants to grab territory and resources now that spiritual energy has recovered! Senior Sister, can we not go to this conference? Our Yunyin Sect is small in number; if we go, won't we just be easy prey for those big sects?"

Su Wan gently shook her head and sighed, "I'm afraid it's not up to us. No matter how small the Cloud Hidden Sect is, it's still one of the orthodox sects that has been passed down to this day. If we receive an invitation and don't go, it will only arouse suspicion and even make us an outcast. At this time, staying at home is not a good idea. Besides..."

She looked at Chen Anran with a meaningful gaze: "Anran possesses extraordinary secret techniques, and the future of our sect is promising. We need to take this opportunity to understand the situation outside, see how other sects are developing, and perhaps even forge some good relationships, thus securing a glimmer of hope and room for development for the Yunyin Sect."

Chen Anran nodded thoughtfully. Her senior sister's considerations were indeed far-sighted. With the revival of spiritual energy, the world would no longer be the same; closing oneself off from the world would only lead to being passively attacked. Participating in this conference carried both risks and opportunities.

"I understand, Senior Sister," Chen Anran said in a deep voice. "Therefore, I must find Second Senior Sister as soon as possible and ensure her safe return before the conference. Not a single one of us from the Cloud Hidden Sect can be missing."

Su Wan shook her head and said, "I still maintain that your personal safety is the top priority. If anything goes wrong, turn back immediately and don't be reckless." As she said this, a complex look flashed in Su Wan's eyes.

These words immediately made the atmosphere somewhat heavy.

Little Ling'er blinked her big eyes, looking at this person and then at that person, before interjecting in her childish voice, "Master, Junior Uncle, Third Uncle, don't worry too much! Second Uncle is so capable, maybe she's just too busy with work! Just like Aunt Li down the mountain said, city people work so hard to earn money, they have to work overtime, they don't have time to look at their phones! Second Uncle is definitely safe and sound, she's just too busy to pay attention to us!"

The child's innocent words startled the three people who were immersed in worry.

Su Wan was stunned at first, then chuckled. She reached out and pulled Xiao Ling'er to her side, gently pinching her little cheek: "You're so clever. I hope it's true, your second uncle is just too busy to even have a moment to spare."

Feng Xiaolu also realized what was going on and burst out laughing, instantly lightening the atmosphere considerably: "Right, right! Xiaoling'er is right! That money-grubber Second Senior Sister must be working on a big film crew, with non-stop acting offers, or she's landed some huge deal and is counting money until her hands cramp! She doesn't have time to bother with us poor relatives!"

Chen Anran smiled and continued, "Xiao Ling'er is right. Perhaps we're worrying too much. Second Senior Sister has always been decisive and capable; maybe she really is just busy with work?"

Even so, his desire to search for her remained undiminished. Even if his second senior sister was truly just busy making a living, only by confirming her safety with his own eyes could everyone be truly at ease. Besides, not contacting her for so long was rather unusual.

Su Wan seemed to see through Chen Anran's thoughts and said softly, "In that case, Anran, it would be good for you to go to S City and see for yourself. Seeing it with your own eyes is better than us just imagining things here. If she is really just busy, then go and see her for us, bring her some spirit rice and supplies, tell her that everything is fine in the sect, and tell her not to worry and not to work too hard."

"Yes, I understand." Chen Anran nodded in agreement.

"Alright, alright, let's eat first! The food's getting cold!" Feng Xiaolu picked up her chopsticks, tapped the rim of her bowl, and tried to liven things up again. "Nothing's more important than eating! Junior Brother, you'd better eat more so you have enough energy for your journey... oops, I mean, for your departure!"

Little Bell picked up her little bowl again and nodded vigorously, "Eat, eat! Junior Uncle needs to eat his fill so he'll have the strength to go find Second Junior Uncle!"

As night deepened, a gentle mountain breeze blew. Inside the hall, the warm, steady light of the oil lamp cast the shadows of the four people onto the newly renovated walls.

Although the longing from afar remains, the warmth of the meal at the table is the main theme of this moment.

Chen Anran shoveled the fragrant spirit rice in his bowl, already planning his route and preparations for going to S City.

No matter what, he was determined to bring his second senior sister home safely.