Chapter Fifty-Five: Paying Respects to the Mountain Sect

With the six of them together, including Ye Yan, the group was complete. The flight lasted two hours, landing just in time for lunch. Outside the airport, Xu Si had already arranged for transportation, and they headed straight for Dragon Tiger Mountain.

By the time they arrived at the famed Celestial Master's Mansion atop Dragon Tiger Mountain, it was nearly two o'clock.

"So this is Dragon Tiger Mountain? It just feels like any other tourist spot, doesn't it?" Zhang Chulan and Li Ziyuan, both first-timers to the mountain, couldn't hide their disappointment as they made their way up the trail.

The path was quiet. People were scattered along the roadside, some pausing to casually take photos, their faces beaming with smiles, interspersed with several tour groups. From these people, there was no sense of energy or aura—unmistakably, they were ordinary tourists.

"Well, what did you expect Dragon Tiger Mountain, the ancestral seat of the Orthodox Unity, to look like? Towering temples, dazzling gold and jade, Taoists flying through the air?" Ye Yan smiled at them.

Both Zhang Chulan and Li Ziyuan nodded in unison. Clearly, Ye Yan's words were more aligned with their own imaginations of the Orthodox sect—something closer to the extraordinary circles.

"That's simply impossible," Ye Yan chuckled, shaking his head. "The company has strict rules against displaying abilities before ordinary people. Even the revered old Celestial Master usually presents himself as nothing more than an ordinary man to the public."

"So, in the eyes of regular people, Dragon Tiger Mountain is just another ancient tourist attraction. It's perfectly normal for travelers to come and check in."

…Well, alright.

Though disappointed, neither of them dwelled on it, and Li Ziyuan even took out her phone to snap selfies with the Taoist guide and the scenery up ahead.

Chatting as they walked, the six of them soon passed through the stone steps and reached the summit of Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Compared to the quietness below, the mountaintop was much more open and lively.

Hawkers called out incessantly.

"Celestial Master’s Mansion specialties—evil-warding, luck-changing talismans! Don’t miss out, first come, first served!"

"Genuine Dragon Tiger Mountain peachwood swords, blessed by the Celestial Master! Thirty for one, a hundred for three!"

"Limited edition photo albums of Master Lingyu—authentic, only available here, stocks are limited!"

As a tourist destination, Dragon Tiger Mountain had long since developed into a small town, with bustling commercial streets, food stalls, and all kinds of entertainment, all set among ancient buildings that still held a thousand years of mystique—enough to attract plenty of visitors.

But it wasn't just the crowds; after the climb, the group could clearly sense the number of extraordinaries had increased as well.

…

"Since we're at the Celestial Master’s Mansion, I should pay my respects at the temple. Anyone want to come with me?" Xu Si lazily scratched his head, glancing at the others, inviting them to join.

Xu San had initially been eager to meet some of the old masters, but seeing Feng Baobao crouched by a fortune-telling stall, head tilted as she listened intently, he sighed and changed his mind.

"You go ahead. I'll stay here and keep an eye on Baobao. Remember to send my regards to the old Celestial Master."

"Alright!" Xu Si shrugged indifferently, then turned to Ye Yan. "What about you?"

Ye Yan shook his head. "You go on. I’m waiting for a friend here and will head over later."

One after another, Xu Si was refused. He glanced at Zhang Chulan with a questioning look.

"I’ll wait for Sister Bao’er," Zhang Chulan replied, straightforward as ever.

Xu Si let out a long, resigned sigh, bypassing both Feng Baobao at the fortune-telling stall and Li Ziyuan, whose eyes were glued to the grilled meatball stand. No need to ask those two—it would be pointless.

In the end, paying respects at the temple was left to Xu Si alone. All the hardships of the world, it seemed, fell on his shoulders.

Xu Si waved his hand. "Alright, someone has to do the dirty work. You all have fun."

Though he wasn’t particularly keen on going, there was no other way. He was no longer the Xu Si of old; now, he was Xu—Niu Hulu—Regional Director of North China—Si, comrade.

As regional director, Xu Si had many responsibilities. Gone were the days of being casual and carefree; he had to be diplomatic and handle every connection with finesse.

Thus, the first stop after the climb had to be at the temple, to pay his respects to the leader of the extraordinary circle.

With everyone’s answers, Xu Si departed alone, his silhouette forlorn, as if abandoned by a heartless lover—a drama all his own.

While Xu Si went off to pay his respects, Li Ziyuan queued at the meatball stall, and Xu San went to look after Feng Baobao.

Everyone busied themselves with their own tasks.

They scattered.

Zhang Chulan wandered around but found nothing to kill time, so he bought two ice creams and quickly returned.

He arrived just in time to see Ye Yan leaning against a stone pillar at the smoking area, cigarette in hand.

"Brother Yan, have an ice cream," Zhang Chulan said, coming over and offering Ye Yan one from his bag.

"No, thanks," Ye Yan waved him off, intending to refuse. He never accepted favors from strangers.

But Zhang Chulan said nothing, simply pressed the ice cream into his hand, then crouched beside him, calling him "Brother Yan" with easy familiarity.

Ye Yan was left speechless—this guy was almost too friendly.

Though it felt awkward, since the ice cream was already in his hand, Ye Yan couldn't return it.

He accepted with some embarrassment. "Thanks. I’ll treat you to a meal next time."

Zhang Chulan, ice cream between his lips, shrugged with a carefree grin. "No need to be polite. It's just an ice cream. No big deal."

Ye Yan only smiled, unwrapping the package and taking a bite of the creamy treat.

The two of them chatted idly.

"Brother Yan, I really owe you for what happened at the Underworld Assembly last time. If it hadn’t been for your help, Bao’er and I wouldn’t have gotten away so easily."

Zhang Chulan looked sincerely at Ye Yan—he still remembered that incident. From his perspective, without Ye Yan’s intervention, they would not have left the Underworld Assembly so smoothly; even if they had, it might have ended in a fight or with them suffering.

The overwhelming presence that Feng Zhenghao left on him was difficult to forget.

"Don’t overthink it. Uncle Feng isn’t as fierce as you imagine. Even if I hadn’t helped, he wouldn’t have done anything to you two."

"Maybe," Zhang Chulan sighed.

He hadn’t interacted with Feng Zhenghao enough to judge the man.

Just as Zhang Chulan was about to say something more, Ye Yan suddenly stood up with a smile and walked towards the mountain gate.