Blood Bat Hall launched a massive search after losing many members, pushing Chen Yang to warn the Qiu Alliance to remain hidden in the hotel. Chen Yang also provided them with foundation-strengthening elixirs to aid their recovery and growth.
"Uncle Chen, Brother Chen Yang, may I go out? The people from the Blood Bat Hall don't recognize me, so it should be alright for me to take a stroll, shouldn't it?" Just as Chen Yang and Chen Tianmin were about to depart, He Xiran suddenly spoke up.
She felt a bit antsy and desired to accompany Chen Yang outside.
"Xiran, why do you wish to go out? It's better to be safe than sorry. Staying in the hotel is advisable," Chen Tianmin stated with seriousness.
He Xiran pouted, visibly displeased, "Uncle, the Blood Bat Hall's members don't know me. It's perfectly fine if I just take a walk."
"Moreover, I'm not simply going out to play. I'm considering if I can lend a hand with some exploration endeavors."
"What sort of exploration do you have in mind?" Chen Tianmin inquired.
"Naturally, it's to scout for our future foundations. To acquire more cultivation resources, we can't perpetually depend on Chen Yang's backing. We must initiate some of our own ventures, correct? That's precisely what Old Qiu advised me," He Xiran declared playfully, devising a cunning pretext to venture out. She then glanced at Qiu Hongguang, seeking confirmation. "Right, Old Qiu?"
With familiar faces around, He Xiran displayed an endearing personality.
Every member of the Chou League had endured the sorrow of losing loved ones.
He Xiran had long been cherished as if she were their own daughter.
This included Chen Tianming.
"There's merit in that. We indeed need to launch some ventures, otherwise, our resources will dwindle rapidly," Qiu Hongguang commented, being the one responsible for the Chou League's resources and thus acutely aware of their financial runway.
They required a consistent income stream to continuously procure necessary resources.
"Hehe, Uncle Chen, did you hear that? Even Old Qiu concurs. Grant me permission to accompany Chen Yang. I give my word that no unforeseen incidents will occur. I shall exercise extreme caution," He Xiran promised swiftly.
Chen Tianmin experienced a sense of resignation but ultimately conceded.
"Uncle, you are the absolute best."
Upon witnessing Chen Tianmin's agreement, He Xiran's face lit up instantly. However, just as she was poised to leave with Chen Yang, Chen Tianmin called her back.
"What's the rush? Wait a moment."
He Xiran turned her head, prompting, "What is it, Uncle? Is there something else?"
"Once you are outside, you must adhere strictly to Yang Zi's directives, do you understand? Do not act impulsively, or you forfeit this outing," Chen Tianmin instructed, understanding He Xiran's nature all too well.
She possessed a rather impetuous streak, and any mishap occurring outside could easily escalate into significant trouble.
Consequently, he stressed this point with great emphasis.
"Understood, Uncle Chen. I shall maintain composure and follow the plan meticulously," He Xiran affirmed without a second thought.
At this juncture, securing her departure was paramount.
Otherwise, remaining confined to the hotel daily without the liberty to make any noise would undoubtedly drive anyone to the brink of madness.
"Very well." Observing He Xiran's compliance, Chen Tianmin felt a measure of relief.
"Yang Zi, I apologize for the inconvenience. Xiran, please stay vigilant and ensure nothing untoward happens," Chen Tianmin addressed Chen Yang.
"Understood." Chen Yang held a favorable impression of He Xiran.
Furthermore, he recognized that his second uncle, Chen Tianmin, already viewed He Xiran as a daughter.
In that light, He Xiran should rightfully consider him akin to a brother.
Wasn't looking after a sister a brother's inherent responsibility?
"Hehe, alright, let's depart then."
With all arrangements finalized, He Xiran nudged Chen Yang to leave.
Chen Yang offered a slight smile, shaking his head, and led her away.
The moment they stepped out of the hotel, He Xiran's innate nature immediately surfaced.
Her penchant for enjoyment and shopping was evident.
The previous night, she had glimpsed the vibrant, bustling areas of Liuhe Village, igniting a strong desire to explore its streets.
Thus, as soon as they exited the hotel, her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Regrettably, Chen Yang had pressing matters to attend to and lacked the leisure to indulge her.
Moreover, allowing her to venture out unaccompanied was out of the question.
Should any incident arise, the repercussions would be dire.
As Chen Tianmin had cautioned, she needed to remain close and under constant supervision.
Therefore, Chen Yang politely declined her suggestion to go shopping first.
At that precise moment, Li Han's company's construction crew made their arrival.
Several pieces of heavy machinery rumbled impressively into the village.
Chen Yang stepped forward to engage in communication.
Li Han did not appear in person; only the two designers from the previous day were present.
"Yesterday, Mr. Li meticulously discussed the design with us throughout the night. She was recalled to the main office today, hence her absence," the designer explained in response to Chen Yang's inquiry.
Chen Yang felt a brief surge of empathy upon hearing this.
It was indeed demanding work for her.
"I understand."
"Yes, Mr. Chen, we have brought the construction team today. Let us proceed to the designated site and familiarize ourselves with the environment," the designer stated directly.
"Agreed."
Chen Yang gave a slight nod before escorting them towards the Green Cloud Taoist Temple.
The Green Cloud Taoist Temple, being less crowded in the morning, presented an ideal setting for an on-site assessment.
After approximately thirty minutes of diligent activity and movement, the fundamental operational sequence was successfully established.
The construction team then commenced their operations.
The expansion officially commenced.
After observing the construction team's efforts for a period and realizing there was nothing else demanding his attention, Chen Yang made the decision to depart.
He Xiran's spirits instantly lifted.
"Chen Yang, do we have some time? Why don't you accompany me back to your village for a stroll? Perhaps we can uncover some business prospects," He Xiran proposed.
Chen Yang let out a chuckle.
What sort of business opportunities could possibly exist in the village?
If she simply wished to have some leisure time, she should have just stated it. There was no need to fabricate such an elaborate justification.
"I'm afraid not. What we're doing is merely the first task. There's still a considerable amount to accomplish afterward," Chen Yang replied with a smile.
"Oh? There's much more to do? Are you truly this occupied every single day?" He Xiran inquired, a genuine look of bewilderment on her face.
She had anticipated a greater degree of freedom and enjoyment upon venturing out.
Had she foreseen becoming a mere attendant, tagging along on errands, she would have certainly opted against leaving at all.
It would have been far more preferable to relax idly in the hotel.
"Undoubtedly, my days are consistently packed. Did you imagine I was simply indulging in idleness?" Chen Yang retorted, casting a sideways glance at her without elaborating further.
He Xiran felt a pang of disappointment, yet she had no alternative but to continue following Chen Yang.
Having made the arrangements for the construction team, Chen Yang swiftly returned to his previous location.
He then departed in his vehicle, with He Xiran accompanying him, heading towards Fuling Village.
"Chen Yang, where precisely are we headed?" He Xiran asked.
"To acquire spirit stones," Chen Yang stated plainly, offering no pretense.
"Acquire spirit stones?" He Xiran expressed surprise. Then, a realization dawning upon her, she ceased her questioning.
The journey by car lasted approximately half an hour until they reached Fuling Village.
As per his usual routine, Chen Yang sought out the mine manager and obtained the spirit stones that had been accumulated in the safe during the recent period.
Upon careful counting, the total exceeded eighty.
The majority consisted of medium-grade spirit stones, with a smaller quantity of low-grade ones.
Both Chen Yang and the mine manager were accustomed to this arrangement; a silent understanding had already been established between them.
However, He Xiran was quite taken aback by the sight.
It wasn't that she had never encountered such a quantity of spirit stones before.
Rather, she found it almost inconceivable that Chen Yang, entirely on his own, could possess a spirit stone mine!
A spirit stone mine.
What kind of extraordinary circumstance was this?
Even during its zenith, the Chou League had never laid claim to such a resource.
Yet, Chen Yang was the proprietor.
This stark disparity left He Xiran utterly astonished!
"Manager, I'm rather pressed for these at the moment. Could you possibly recruit a few more dependable laborers to expedite the excavation process and yield a larger quantity?"
After securing the spirit stones, Chen Yang immediately conferred with the manager, expressing his desire to accelerate the extraction rate.
With so many individuals reliant on spirit stones, the eighty pieces currently in hand would suffice for merely a day or two at most.
