Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

As winter fades and spring arrives, the snow in the mountains melts, and tender green shoots break through the soil, bringing vibrant life.

As the day of the Righteous Path Assembly draws ever closer, the cultivation atmosphere within the Hidden Cloud Sect grows increasingly tense.

With the help of spirit stones, spirit rice, and spirit bricks, Su Wan successfully broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining, Feng Xiaolu also stabilized her cultivation at the mid-stage of Qi Refining, and Wei Qingyi was slightly less advanced, but she also reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

Chen Anran himself was still at the early stage of Qi Refining, but he had completed the six "Guardian Vajra Plaques" he had evolved, and distributed them to Su Wan, Wei Qingyi, Feng Xiaolu, Lin Xiaoman, Xiaoling'er and himself.

This Dharma Protector Vajra Token may seem like an ordinary wooden token, but once activated, it can withstand the power of an attack from those below the Foundation Establishment stage, making it a life-saving trump card in critical moments.

The evolution of the wrathful Arhat statue continues, and it is already more than halfway complete, exuding a chilling aura.

On this bright and sunny day, the warm sunlight bathed the mountain peaks of the Cloud Hidden Sect, and birds sang sweetly. However, this tranquility was broken by the clear and melodious sound of a bell coming from outside the mountain gate.

The one who rang the bell was Fatty Li. Chen Anran had instructed him to go down the mountain to "Yunyin Xiaozhu" after completing the welcoming ceremony, and not to go up the mountain unless he sent a text message.

Su Wan stood up: "Our guests have arrived, we should go out to greet them."

The melodious sound of bells echoed through the valleys of the Cloud Hidden Sect, carrying a solemn and dignified air, breaking the tranquility of the mountain afternoon.

Su Wan took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and regained her usual gentle and calm demeanor. Her gaze swept over Chen Anran, Wei Qingyi, Feng Xiaolu, and the slightly nervous Lin Xiaoman and Xiaoling'er.

Everyone changed into formal sect attire, a simple white robe with blue trim, the wide sleeves and hem embroidered with faint cloud patterns.

A few strands of Su Wan's black hair fell beside her temples, which made her face look even more gentle and her eyebrows and eyes as beautiful as a painting.

Wei Qingyi wore a simple robe that accentuated her tall and slender figure. Her hair was tied high in a neat ponytail, revealing her snow-white neck.

As for Feng Xiaolu, she was constantly tugging and pulling here and there, her little face scrunched up like a bun.

"Ugh! This ancient skirt is inhuman!" Feng Xiaolu groaned softly, trying to roll up the oversized sleeves. "The sleeves are so big, they swing around when I walk. If I need to fight later, won't I trip myself? And this belt, it's so tight, I can't even breathe properly! Modern clothes are so comfortable!"

She complained as she bounced around a couple of times, trying to get used to the outfit, muttering, "I really don't know how the ancients managed to fly and perform supernatural feats while wearing this. Weren't they afraid of tripping over their clothes?"

Chen Anran found it amusing and changed into a white robe with cloud patterns.

"Third Senior Sister, just bear with it," Chen Anran teased with a smile. "After all, you are the face of our Cloud Hidden Sect. Look how beautifully the Eldest Senior Sister and Second Senior Sister are dressed."

Feng Xiaolu rolled her eyes and was about to retort when the bell outside the mountain gate rang again, this time three times in a row, longer than before.

"Follow me to greet the guests." Without saying another word, Su Wan took the lead and walked calmly towards the courtyard gate.

The group followed closely behind Su Wan, walked out of the hall, and arrived at the newly renovated sect square.

At the mountain gate, a group of figures slowly approached. There were quite a few of them, and they were all extraordinary individuals. A faint spiritual light flowed around them, and their auras varied in strength.

The two leading figures were the most imposing and awe-inspiring.

On the left stands a figure dressed in a purple-gold Taoist robe, wearing a hibiscus crown. His face is gaunt, and his hair and beard are all white, but his eyes shine like morning stars. He holds a white jade whisk, and his steps are unhurried, as if he were one with the surrounding world.

Behind him followed two young Taoist priests, a man and a woman. The man was tall and straight, carrying a long sword on his back; the woman had bright eyes and white teeth, and held a jade ruyi in her hand.

"Celestial Master Zhang Nanshan of Longhu Mountain has arrived with his disciples!"

On the right stood Master Shi Haisheng, clad in a red robe, his face ruddy and benevolent. He held prayer beads in his hand, his face bearing his usual warm smile. Behind him followed disciples, but the procession was far larger than Zhang Nanshan's, a sea of ​​gleaming bald heads. However, Chen Anran did not see Huiming among this group of bald men.

Abbot Shi Haisheng of Jingang Temple has visited!

Besides these two groups, which attracted the most attention, there were dozens of people following behind them. They were dressed in different clothes and had varying auras. They were obviously representatives of other invited sects or families. Among them were the group from Qingya Cave, with whom they had clashed before. Senior Brother Wang was much more restrained at this moment, standing behind a middle-aged Taoist with a gloomy face and his eyes flickering.

Such a scene made the originally spacious square feel much more crowded. An invisible spiritual pressure filled the air. Xiao Ling'er subconsciously gripped Su Wan's clothes, and Lin Xiaoman also held her breath.

As the head of a sect, Su Wan possessed the composure expected of her. She stepped forward, met the gazes of the crowd, and bowed slightly, saying, "Su Wan of the Yunyin Sect, along with her disciples, respectfully welcomes Celestial Master Zhang of Longhu Mountain, Master Shi Haisheng of Jingang Temple, and all fellow practitioners. Our sect is humble and we have failed to properly welcome you; we hope for your understanding."

Zhang Nanshan, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, lightly flicked his whisk and returned the greeting with a smile. "Sect Leader Su, you are too kind. The Yunyin Sect has a long history. Although the mountain gate is simple, the Daoist spirit still remains. I am here today to discuss the important matters of the righteous path."

Master Shi Haisheng smiled and clasped his hands in prayer, saying, "Amitabha."

Chen Anran stood behind Senior Sister Su Wan, listening to Master Zhang and Master Shi Haisheng exchanging pleasantries with Senior Sister. To him, these small talk and formalities were far less appealing than the slowly evolving wrathful Arhat statue on the back mountain.

Seeing that her senior sister was handling the situation well and conversing amicably with the two leaders, and that they didn't need to interrupt for the time being, Chen Anran quietly moved closer to Wei Qingyi and Feng Xiaolu, and whispered, "Second Senior Sister, Third Senior Sister, how about... we take the disciples from each sect to settle down first?"

Wei Qingyi, who was feeling a bit awkward in this setting, nodded slightly upon hearing this. Feng Xiaolu, who had already been feeling uncomfortable, immediately nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes! Junior Brother is right! Let's take them to rest quickly."

Although Su Wan was talking to the guests, she was also paying attention to what was behind her. When she heard Chen Anran's words, she nodded slightly, almost imperceptibly, to indicate her agreement.

Having received permission, Chen Anran stepped forward, bowed to Zhang Tianshi and Master Shi Haisheng, and then addressed the young disciples from various sects waiting nearby, saying in a loud voice, "My fellow disciples have come from afar and must be tired from their journey. Please follow me; our sect has prepared guest rooms for you to rest."