Huh? Isn't this an adventure kingdom building game?!

The thought of being called something like "Wangcai" or "Fugue," Lingdi definitely wanted to keep his name in the courtyard and naturally needed the inner disciples to assist.

"Elder, Elder Ancestor?" Xie Chenyuan was almost in tears, thinking what on earth was happening?

He didn't know what exactly was going on, and could only use secret communication to quietly inquire, "Why have you come here, Elder?"

Lingdi glanced at him, coldly snorted, "Fool, can't even recognize me? Your master often boasts, saying you have more talent in comprehending the Celestial Secret Dao than him. You can't even see through my disguise?"

He couldn't possibly say he recognized him earlier but didn't dare to greet him, right?

He had just looked at something he shouldn't have.

Xie Chenyuan could only find an excuse and explained, "Elder Ancestor, please don't be angry. Last night, I was curious and took a look at Elder Qingbird and was injured by her true form. So I'm now apprehensive and dare not casually observe anyone around Elder Jiang…"

"I see, that one indeed isn't someone you can easily spy on at your current stage."

Upon hearing this, Lingdi slightly closed his eyes and softly replied, "To be able to remain and cultivate in this small courtyard would be your fortune; if you cannot stay, forming good relations with that young Jiang would be a rare opportunity.

Seize the chance, as in cultivation, such opportunities frequently arise. It's said many of the ascended predecessors weren't excessively brilliant, but simply chose the right path at the crucial moment."

He stole a glance at Wan Mingchuan and the others, continuing the secret communication, "An old saying goes: When one attains Dao, even the pets ascend. It's not just talk; there are precedents. Look across the river at that peach tree that seems ordinary, can you discern anything?"

Wan Mingchuan was still looking up, discussing with Yun Mo about naming the puppy. Xie Chenyuan pretended to be casual as he glanced at the spot the Elder pointed, and immediately widened his eyes!

"How could it be?! Isn't that an 'Immortal Peach' tree?" He exclaimed in secret communication, "It shouldn't be; I personally saw that demon tree on Wo Hu Mountain being destroyed..."

"This one was just planted by young Jiang, I saw him sow the peach seed with my own eyes, then used some secret technique to make it grow quickly and mature."

"I see!" Xie Chenyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, "No wonder Elder collected the peach seeds when people ate peaches, it turns out he wanted to personally cultivate them, so there shouldn't be another demon tree growing."

He briefly recounted the encounter he had with Jiang Yuan and company on Wo Hu Mountain. Lingdi fell into deep thought upon hearing it.

After a while, he sighed wistfully, "The demon monk Guang Hui you mentioned, I once knew as well. He was quite talented, yet fate was unkind. He used to be a vigorous Buddhist Cultivator pursuing the compassionate Dao, and never thought he'd fall this far for survival."

"As cultivators, we all know the slightest mistake along the cultivation path can lead to utter destruction, leaving nothing behind. Very few who reach the Tribulation Crossing Realm can reincarnate; many cultivators across the world are tempted by the allure of immortality and fall to evil cultivation as a result."

Xie Chenyuan let out a heavy sigh. In today's end-of-the-Dharma era, ascension seems even further out of reach. It's inevitable that some cannot comprehend the Celestial secrets but possess earth-shattering abilities and thus fall into wrong ways.

Thus, the already chaotic world harbors filth and deceit everywhere, growing increasingly troubled and human hearts becoming more hard to find.

"Elder Ancestor, with your disguise... Can Elder Jiang see through it?" He suddenly thought of the previous "slurp, slurp, slurp," thinking if Elder Jiang did see through it, that'd be too bold of him!

Lingdi raised his head slightly, looking pleased, and said, "I specially disguised myself this time. Without cultivating the Celestial Secret Technique of our sect, one cannot see through it. So far, I speculate he hasn't discovered anything."

Upon mentioning this, he felt slight disappointment, for if he continuously couldn't see through, it would mean he hasn't cultivated the Cloud Concealment Sect's Secret Technique, and thus isn't some reincarnated and returning figure.

The matter of reincarnation and rebirth has only been a legend in the Cloud Concealment Sect, with no actual record of success; it seems the hope for this is growing dimmer.

"Dinner's ready!" The elderly and the young were just sitting idle in deep contemplation when Jiang Yuan finished an order, busied at the stove, and upgraded his cooking skill by another level, then cheerfully called everyone for dinner.

"Sniff sniff!" Lingdi sniffled, and the sadness in his mood from just a moment ago instantly vanished, his eyes shining as he stood up, wagging his little tail and exclaimed, "Woof! So fragrant, so fragrant, it's the culinary skill of an Immortal Chef! Hurry, I want to sit at the table and eat!"

Xie Chenyuan: …

Could it be that I'm just a freeloader too, Elder Ancestor?

Moreover, if Elder Jiang really couldn't see your background, he'd surely treat you as an ordinary stray dog from the Mortal Realm, daring not to let you eat food containing spiritual energy?

Of course, he could only silently grumble in his heart, as after all, he wasn't familiar with Elder Ancestor, nor did he truly understand his temperament. It'd be troublesome if he angered him.

"Master's cooking is growing more fragrant and delicious. When I looked at those restaurants in Carefree City, I felt not a single dish could compare to half of what Master cooked. During those days I didn't return to eat, I relied on the meals Master packed for me in my Storage Bag for sustenance."

Once seated, Wan Mingchuan grinned and asked, "Tonight we'll be heading out to follow Elder Xie for hunting again, could we trouble Master to make more food for us to bring along?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan didn't directly answer but asked in return, "How do you compare the spiritual energy in Carefree City during the day to that in our courtyard? Where is cultivation more efficient and faster?"

"Of course, it's better at home," Hu Zhile answered swiftly, "The spiritual energy at home is far purer and denser than that in Carefree City, plus the city is indeed bustling, even if an estate is well-arranged, it's still not as safe and quiet as our home, though running back and forth wastes Teleportation Scroll energy."

Yun Mo nodded in agreement, "I feel besides the dense spiritual energy, the most important thing is the sense of safety at home, allowing us to quickly enter a state when cultivating. Anyway, during those days in Carefree City, hunting at night and meditating by day was always hard to calm down."

Being the youngest with the lowest realm, Wan Mingchuan was used to relying on his Master at home and elders outside, so he added, "I never felt assured in Carefree City without seeing Master."

"Since you all feel home is better suited for cultivation, then later on, we will go to Carefree City for hunting in the evenings and return home for cultivation during the day. That way, we can also eat meals together early and late." Jiang Yuan thought to himself, public orders don't demand enough advanced dishes, and if he wanted to level up cooking skills, it'd be better to make those and consume inventory daily.

While upgrading cooking skills, he could increase fondness and enhance the members' sense of belonging in the courtyard, achieving multiple benefits.

"Everyday teleporting?" Hu Zhile, used to living frugally, furrowed his brow upon hearing this, "Wouldn't it be a bit wasteful?"

Jiang Yuan waved his fingers with a smile, "Not wasteful. In a moment, I'll teach you how to use the Teleportation Array at the back, only consuming a few Spirit Stones to let you focus on daily cultivation back home, it's very cost-effective."

Previously, for the safety of the courtyard, he had set the Ancient Teleportation Array for his use only.

Now, with more people and affairs, and fondness accumulated sufficiently high, it was time to appropriately loosen the permissions for the two contract pets. With Bai Yunqi and Hu Zhile leading the teleportation, he believed they wouldn't casually bring unrelated people home.