Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

October 1st, National Day.

At six o'clock in the morning, just as dawn was breaking, the alleyway entrance of Qianmen Dashilan West Street was already bustling with activity.

Chen Yu stood in front of a newly renovated shop, watching He Yuzhu climb up and down to hang the signboard. The signboard was written by Yan Bugui—"Huaixiu Snacks," three large characters that were dignified and beautiful, with a line of smaller characters next to it: steamed buns, mantou, flower rolls, and porridge.

"Brother Zhu, be careful!" Qin Huairu held the ladder from below, looking very nervous.

"Don't worry!" He Yuzhu clapped his hands after hammering in the last nail. "All done! Come down and take a look!"

He jumped down the ladder, looked up at the signboard, and nodded in satisfaction: "Uncle, your calligraphy is really good, much better than those printed ones."

Yan Bugui adjusted his glasses and said modestly, "Not at all, I'm just making a fool of myself."

Zhang Xiulan stood at the shop entrance, her eyes slightly red. She never dreamed in her life that she would be able to open a shop. Although it was a small breakfast stall, it was still her own business.

"Xiao Chen, Huai Ru, thank you so much." She held Chen Yu and Qin Huai Ru's hands, "I...I..."

"Aunt Zhang, we're family, no need for formalities," Chen Yu said with a smile. "Today's the first day of business, we need to wish for good luck. Huai Ru, are the firecrackers ready?"

"Ready!" Qin Huairu took out a string of firecrackers from the shop and handed it to He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu took it, hung it on the bamboo pole by the door, and lit it.

"Crackling and popping—"

The sound of firecrackers was particularly loud in the alleyway in the early morning, attracting many early risers. Neighbors living nearby gathered around to watch the excitement.

"Oh, a new store opening?"

"Huaixiu Snacks, what a lovely name!"

"Aunt Zhang, is this your shop? Congratulations!"

Zhang Xiulan responded to everyone with a smile, while Qin Huairu invited them to come inside and sit down. The shop had four square tables and a dozen chairs; although simple, it was kept clean and tidy.

After the first group of guests sat down, Qin Huairu and Zhang Xiulan got busy. The steamed buns were prepared in advance and just needed to be steamed; the porridge had been cooked all morning and was piping hot; the pickled vegetables were made by Zhang Xiulan herself and were refreshing and appetizing.

"These steamed buns are great! Thin skin and generous filling!"

"The congee is cooked perfectly, so thick and creamy!"

"The pickled vegetables are really flavorful!"

The guests praised them highly, and Zhang Xiulan and Qin Huairu beamed with joy.

Standing at the door, Chen Yu looked at the bustling scene inside the shop, and a sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart. This was the life he wanted to protect—ordinary, warm, and full of everyday life.

Just as I was thinking, I suddenly sensed a gaze.

He turned his head, and at the corner of the alley, a figure flashed by. Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, he recognized him—it was Xu Damao!

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat. What was Xu Damao doing here so early? Was he spying on him?

He didn't make a fuss, but secretly became more vigilant.

Business was exceptionally good in the morning. The prepared steamed buns and mantou were sold out before 10 o'clock. Zhang Xiulan and Qin Huairu were so busy that they barely had time to breathe, but the smiles on their faces never stopped.

At 10:30, the last group of guests left, and the two finally had a chance to sit down and catch their breath.

"I'm exhausted!" Qin Huairu wiped her sweat, but her eyes were bright. "Aunt Zhang, how much did we sell today?"

Zhang Xiulan counted the money and exclaimed with delight, "More than twenty yuan! After deducting costs, I can make at least ten yuan!"

Ten yuan was a considerable sum of money in those days. An ordinary worker's monthly salary was only around thirty yuan, and they earned ten yuan in just one morning.

"Great!" Qin Huairu looked at Chen Yu excitedly. "Chen Yu, we made money!"

Chen Yu smiled and nodded: "Work hard, things will only get better from here on out."

At noon, He Yuzhu and Yan Bugui also stayed for lunch. Zhang Xiulan cooked several dishes, and the group sat together, eating with great enthusiasm.

"Huai Ru, you've opened a great shop!" He Yuzhu took a bite of his steamed bun. "I'll come here every day from now on!"

"Brother Zhu, I won't charge you!" Qin Huairu said with a smile.

"That won't do!" He Yuzhu glared. "Even between brothers, accounts must be kept clear. Not a penny less than what's due!"

Everyone laughed.

After the meal, Chen Yu made an excuse to leave and headed in the direction where Xu Damao had disappeared.

At the corner of the alley was a narrow lane leading to an old residential area. Chen Yu spread his spiritual sense and quickly sensed Xu Damao's presence—he was hiding in an abandoned house thirty meters away.

Chen Yu did not approach, but instead used his spiritual sense to probe.

Xu Damao wasn't the only one in the house; there was also a strange man in his forties with an ordinary face but sharp eyes and a faint spiritual energy fluctuation emanating from him—the third level of the Qi Refining stage!

Another cultivator? Didn't the people from the Temple of Fire God already leave?

The two were talking in hushed tones, and Chen Yu listened intently:

"...Are you sure it's him?" came the voice of the stranger.

"I'm sure." Xu Damao's voice carried a hint of fear. "Chen Yu lives in that small courtyard near the front gate. His wife runs a shop at the entrance of the alley."

"Is there anything unusual about him?"

"Something's wrong..." Xu Damao thought for a moment, "He used to be an ordinary worker, but in the last few months he suddenly became rich, went to Hong Kong, and came back as a different person."

"What's changed?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, it's just... his demeanor is different. And, it seems like he can sense that I'm watching him."

The stranger was silent for a moment: "Keep an eye on things, and report back immediately if anything happens. Remember, don't alert them."

"Yes, yes." Xu Damao nodded repeatedly.

Chen Yu withdrew his spiritual sense, his mind racing.

Who is this strange man? Why are they investigating him? The people from the Temple of Vulcan have already left; could there be other forces involved?

He left quietly without disturbing the two of them.

Back at the shop, Qin Huairu was clearing away the dishes. Seeing him return, she asked with concern, "What's wrong? You don't look well."

"It's nothing, I'm just a little tired." Chen Yu didn't want her to worry.

That evening, after seeing He Yuzhu and the others off, Chen Yu and Qin Huairu returned to the small courtyard in front of the gate.

"Huai Ru, be careful these next few days," Chen Yu said seriously. "If you encounter any suspicious people in the shop, ignore them and come back to me immediately."

Qin Huairu's expression changed: "What's wrong?"

"Xu Damao is spying on us," Chen Yu didn't hide it from her, "and he has someone backing him."

Qin Huairu bit her lip, but quickly calmed down: "I understand. Don't worry, I'll be careful."

Chen Yu nodded, but became even more vigilant.

Who is that strange man? Why are they investigating him? Is he connected to the Temple of Vulcan?

He entered the small world and checked his system points—150 points, not enough to exchange for advanced cultivation techniques or magical artifacts. He needed to continue signing in to accumulate more.

[Ding! Do you wish to check in for today?]

【Yes】

[Sign-in successful! Rewards: 3 Low-grade Spirit Stones, 2 Beginner Concealment Talismans, 1 Reconnaissance Skill Upgrade Pack, 30 RMB]

The reconnaissance skills upgrade pack has arrived just in time! Chen Yu immediately used it, and a wealth of knowledge about tracking, counter-tracking, concealment, and disguise flooded his mind, making his reconnaissance skills far more advanced than before.

With this, he could better monitor Xu Damao and the stranger without being detected.

After exiting the small world, Chen Yu meditated cross-legged until late at night. His cultivation at the fourth level of the Foundation Establishment stage was already stable, but he still needed to accumulate a lot of experience to break through to the fifth level.

In the dead of night, he quietly left the courtyard and made his way to Xu Damao's house.

Xu Damao lived in a small house in the backyard of the courtyard house. Chen Yu sneaked to the window, activated his concealment technique to the fullest extent, and seemed to blend into the night.

The lights were on inside, and through the cracks in the window, you could see Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e talking.

"Da Mao, what are you doing?" Lou Xiao'e's voice was filled with worry. "Who are those people? How did you get involved with them?"

"Don't worry about it," Xu Damao waved his hand impatiently. "I know what I'm doing."

"Know your limits?" Lou Xiao'e sneered. "You got caught trafficking cultural relics last time, haven't you learned your lesson? Those people are obviously not good people. If you hang out with them, you'll get into trouble sooner or later!"

"What do you know!" Xu Damao lowered his voice. "Those people aren't ordinary; they're really capable! As long as we help them get things done, we can make a fortune! Then, we won't have to be stuck in this dilapidated courtyard anymore!"

"Get rich? Get rich what way? Aren't you afraid of risking your life?"

"Alright, alright, stop talking." Xu Damao waved his hand. "Go to sleep."

Lou Xiao'e sighed and stopped talking.

Chen Yu heard everything clearly from outside. It seemed Xu Damao had been used, but he himself didn't know the true identities of those people.

He quietly left and returned to the small courtyard in front of the gate.

The next few days seemed peaceful on the surface, but undercurrents were brewing beneath.

The business of "Huaixiu Snacks" is getting better and better. Zhang Xiulan and Qin Huairu are busy from morning to night every day. Although they are tired, they are happy. Chen Yu occasionally helps out at the shop during the day, and at night he secretly monitors Xu Damao and the strange man.

He discovered that the stranger would come every two days, stay at Xu Damao's house for about half an hour, and then leave. The two would talk mostly about Chen Yu's whereabouts and daily life.

"What exactly does that person want to do?" Chen Yu wondered to himself.

October 5th, late at night.

Chen Yu sneaked into the courtyard house again, only to find that Xu Damao's house was dark and empty.

He felt a chill run down his spine and spread his spiritual senses, searching the entire courtyard—but there was no trace of Xu Damao.

Where did it go?

He followed the lingering scent of Xu Damao and arrived at Houhai. In a secluded corner of Houhai, he saw Xu Damao and the strange man.

There was another person standing opposite the two of them—a man in his forties, wearing a dark Zhongshan suit, with a stern face and a powerful aura!

Foundation Establishment stage! At least the fifth level of Foundation Establishment! One level higher than Chen Yu!

Chen Yu's heart sank.

The man spoke, his voice low and deep: "It's confirmed, he's the person we're looking for."

Xu Damao nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes. That Chen Yu is definitely suspicious."

"Very good," the man said calmly. "Keep an eye on it, and when the time is right, we'll make our move."

"yes!"

The three quickly dispersed. Chen Yu did not follow them; he was unlikely to be a match for that fifth-level Foundation Establishment expert.

Back in the front courtyard, Chen Yu sat there for a long time without moving.

A new enemy has emerged, and it is more powerful than the Temple of Vulcan.

Who are they? Why are they looking for him?

He didn't know, but one thing was clear—

An even bigger storm is approaching.

And he must be prepared.