Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

It takes twenty days, which is not a short time, but the results seem to be very useful, especially in finding spiritual objects or exploring ley lines.

Next, Chen Anran picked up the exquisitely crafted copper coin sword. Museum information indicated that this item was of very poor quality, its evolution path was "Glimmering Copper Coin Sword," and its effect was only "a slight deterrent effect on low-level Yin spirits," with an estimated time of 120 hours (ten days). The cost-effectiveness was clearly not as good as continuing to evolve more Evil-Slaying Glutinous Rice or finding better materials.

As for consumables like yellow talisman paper and cinnabar, they are not very meaningful for evolution. It would be better to directly evolve finished talismans. However, the power of a talisman largely depends on the artist's cultivation level and the inheritance of talisman techniques. Whether the museum can directly evolve finished talismans is still unknown and requires experimentation.

Chen Anran picked out the compass and the few unusual-looking ancient bronze coins: "Senior sister, these two items have a good foundation. I'll help you nurture them first. The others might not be as effective for now. It would be better to prepare some practical items like glutinous rice and black dog blood for me to nurture, which will more immediately enhance your 'combat power'."

Although Feng Xiaolu was a little disappointed that she couldn't upgrade all of them immediately, she understood the principle of not trying to do too much at once, so she readily nodded: "Okay! I'll listen to you! You decide which one to nurture first!" She picked up the few copper coins, "I found these copper coins at an antique market before. They said they were 'Five Emperors' coins,' but I don't know if they're real or not. They feel like they've been around for a while, so I kept them."

Chen Anran took the copper coin. Museum information showed:

Item: Copper coins from the previous dynasty (with a slight increase in popularity)

"Evolution Path: Small Five Emperors' Evil-Repelling Coins (Estimated Time: 48 hours)"

"Effect: When worn in series, they can form a small protective energy field to ward off evil spirits and resist ordinary malevolent influences."

"This is good, it only takes four days." Chen Anran put away the copper coins. "The compass takes longer, about two months."

"No problem! Anyway, I'm planning to use your spiritual rice on the mountain to cultivate properly recently, so I'm not in a hurry to go down the mountain!" Feng Xiaolu said with a grin.

After making the decision, Chen Anran took the compass and the Five Emperors Coins back to his room, closed the door, and sank his consciousness into the Museum of Evolution.

At this time, the three display cases in the museum are in the following condition:

The first display case was empty.

In the second display case, it will take twenty days for the pebble to evolve into a "Spirit Stone (Small)".

The third display case was empty.

Chen Anran put the copper coins into the first display case, but didn't rush to put the compass in, since he needed to leave a display case for the rice and fruits and vegetables.

Having made these arrangements, Chen Anran left the museum, feeling much more at ease. With these soon-to-be-evolved magical artifacts, coupled with a continuous supply of spiritual rice, vegetables, and fruits, the Cloud Hidden Sect's strength would steadily improve subtly and gradually.

He pushed open the door, and the afterglow of the setting sun filled the courtyard. Under the locust tree, Su Wan was instructing Xiao Ling'er to identify herbs, while Feng Xiaolu was playing happily with her newly bought brass bell, jingling and humming off-key folk songs.

Seeing this scene warmed Chen Anran's heart, but the only regret was that her second senior sister was not there.

Chen Anran went to the kitchen, took a bag of rice and put it in the museum, then prepared to go down the mountain.

As soon as they arrived at the courtyard gate, Feng Xiaolu asked, "Junior Brother, are you going out?"

Su Wan looked up at Chen Anran with a puzzled expression, while Xiao Ling'er ran to Chen Anran's side, shaking his big hand and saying, "Junior Uncle, I want to go down the mountain to play too."

Chen Anran looked down at the expectant little Ling'er, smiled, and ruffled her hair: "Junior Uncle isn't going to play; he's going to the villages at the foot of the mountain to find craftsmen to build us a new home. He'll be back soon. The mountain roads are difficult to travel, so you stay home and keep Master and Third Uncle company, okay?"

Although Xiaoling'er was a little disappointed, she still nodded sensibly, "Then... then Junior Uncle, you must come back soon! Bring me candied hawthorns!"

"Okay, it's a deal." Chen Anran extended her little finger and made a pinky promise with her.

Su Wan asked, puzzled, "We're perfectly fine here, why waste money on large-scale construction?"

Chen Anran walked up to Su Wan and explained gently, "Senior Sister, it's precisely because the sect is improving that we should improve our living conditions. Look at these old houses; they've been in disrepair for years, the roofs leak and the walls let in drafts. We cultivators are usually strong and healthy enough to endure it, but Xiao Ling'er is still young and inevitably suffers. Now that we have the resources, how can it be considered a waste to make our own family members more comfortable?"

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, the spiritual energy is gradually recovering, and we may have visitors in the future, or even recruit new disciples. The appearance of the sect is also part of its foundation. We don't seek luxury, but rather sturdiness, comfort, and livability. This expense is necessary."

Feng Xiaolu nodded vigorously from the side and interjected, "Senior Sister, Junior Brother is right! We have five million now, what's wrong with repairing the house? What's wrong with expanding it a little? Look at those film studios, how magnificent their sect buildings are! We don't need to compare ourselves to them, but at least we should look like a sect! Besides, we should at least fix the roof of my room, okay? Last time it rained, the basin in my room was almost full!"

Su Wan was somewhat swayed by their words. She looked around at the mottled walls and slightly dilapidated eaves, thinking of the dripping water on rainy days and the cold wind that seeped into the house in winter. Then she looked at Xiao Ling'er's innocent face and finally sighed softly: "What you said makes sense... I was being too rigid. Just keep everything simple and practical, Anran, and avoid extravagance."

"Don't worry, Senior Sister, I understand." Chen Anran smiled when Su Wan agreed. "I'll go down the mountain to discuss it with Uncle Zhang and the others. They are honest and reliable craftsmen, and their materials and workmanship are top-notch."

After saying that, Chen Anran turned and went down the mountain.

The mountain path wound its way, the setting sun casting a long shadow over him. Chen Anran walked briskly, his mind already planning how to repair the house:

The roof of the main house needs to be completely renovated and replaced with sturdy and durable blue tiles; the walls need to be repainted and reinforced, and it would be best to add some heat-insulating materials to the inner layer; the kitchen can be expanded to make it easier for him to show off his skills; a bright little study should also be set up for Xiaoling'er... Perhaps, a sunroom can also be built in the corner of the yard to cultivate some plants that require a lot of light?

Also, we need to expand some disciples' rooms and cultivation rooms, and repair the entire sect square. Oh, and the sect's main gate also needs to be renovated. But places like alchemy and weapon crafting are not in a hurry.

But the expansion that needs to be done must be done. Just as Feng Xiaolu said, a sect must look like a sect. Otherwise, if we wait until the spiritual energy has fully recovered before making preparations, how will we compete with other sects and families for disciples?