"Have all benefactors rested enough?"
After a long time, Master Yuyang opened his eyes and looked at everyone with a smile.
"Yes, Master."
President Liu responded eagerly and directly.
Seeing this, Master Yuyang nodded and immediately led the way: "Our Celestial Master Mansion's vegetarian meal is scheduled at two in the afternoon. Before that, let's have the benefactors choose their layman's retreat. What do you all think?"
Everyone listened and had no objection to this.
They had been seated for quite a while, and now they were starting to climb the mountain, causing stomachs to churn.
Eating a bit later naturally wasn't an issue.
"You can take a look at the albums first, with some locations and environments of the layman's retreats on them."
At this moment, a young Daoist took out several booklets and handed them out one by one.
Lu Yuan received one too, and he looked at it while walking.
The information was very detailed.
There were multiple locations, each with different positions and scenery.
A layman's retreat, simply put, is a place within Dragon Tiger Mountain that belongs to oneself, akin to renting a house, where one can live and reside. Generally, the term is ten years, but the interior cannot be altered as it belongs to the Celestial Master Mansion's property.
Most people donate and choose a layman's retreat to establish good relations with the Daoists of the Celestial Master Mansion.
Of course, for those a bit superstitious, it's also a means to seek some psychological solace.
Ordinary people might find it foolish.
But for wealthy individuals, it's different, as their wealth usually comes with some shady origins.
"These layman's retreats are pretty good, scenic and suitable for leisure vacations."
"Not bad, I could even have business meetings here when free."
"I think we should choose a place close to the Celestial Master Mansion."
Several wealthy individuals discussed with each other, feeling quite satisfied.
Dragon Tiger Mountain is a tourist hotspot, and naturally, its scenery is much better than big cities.
Thus, they were genuinely pleased with the arrangements for choosing their retreats, merely needing to confirm which one. President Liu believed that a place close to the Celestial Master Mansion should be selected, so as to gain a touch of celestial aura.
"Master, can we observe these places in person?"
At this time, Lu Yuan spoke up, raising a question.
Because he was uncertain where the Wordless Stone Stele was located, he could only see for himself.
"Of course, all benefactors please follow me." Master Yuyang smiled, then led everyone up Dragon Tiger Mountain.
Following the route, they visited each layman's retreat one by one, with a young Daoist introducing them nearby.
These were all built by the Celestial Master Mansion, with complete provisions for clothing, food, and shelter.
Most importantly, the environment was quite nice.
Each retreat had some Daoist scriptures that could be read in leisure.
The wealthy individuals made their decisions while observing in person, choosing their respective retreats. For the next ten years, they could freely come and go, and even have opportunities to converse with senior Daoists.
This was quite standard, given that everyone present had spent quite a sum.
Soon.
After reviewing the retreats prepared by the Celestial Master Mansion.
Everyone had completed their selections.
Only Lu Yuan remained undecided.
"Young Lu, make your decision, would you? It's getting late. I think Qingshan Residence is quite nice." Seeing this, President Liu couldn't help but urge.
The other wealthy individuals nodded slightly, thinking Lu Yuan was being too verbose. All retreats were essentially similar, with no real need for hesitation or conflict, merely a matter of proximity to the Celestial Master Mansion.
Now everyone was getting hungry and wanted to have a meal.
But Lu Yuan didn't answer.
After thinking for a moment, he turned and said, "Master Yuyang, Dragon Tiger Mountain has a place called Carefree Residence. Could you take me there?"
In the memory of his previous life, he vaguely recalled that the Wordless Stone Stele seemed to appear there.
Of course, he only heard about it back then.
But now.
Having visited many places without seeing it, he could only try once more.
"Carefree Residence? This..." Master Yuyang heard this and frowned slightly, kindly reminding him: "Benefactor, Dragon Tiger Mountain indeed has such a place, but it's rather remote, neglected for many years and overgrown with weeds, so it's not listed as a layman's retreat. Wouldn't you like to check somewhere else?"
"It's fine, please take me there, Master." Lu Yuan shook his head.
Consequently, Master Yuyang finally nodded in agreement.
After all, he was a guest.
Having spent so much money, it was a trivial matter.
President Liu and several wealthy individuals exchanged glances, but didn't say much and went along.
Deep down, they had already decided that if Lu Yuan didn't make a decision soon, they wouldn't wait any longer.
The location of Carefree Residence was indeed quite remote.
They walked for a full half-hour before they could vaguely see a modest little wooden house in the woods nearby.
Due to years of abandonment and lack of upkeep, the area surrounding the wooden house was covered in brambles and jagged rocks.
Especially as the path was extremely uneven, requiring caution with every step.
Otherwise, it would be easy to trip and fall.
"Didn't expect there to be such a primitive zone near the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon Tiger Mountain."
"So desolate, might there be snakes, ants, or poisonous insects?"
"Don't scare me, should we just leave?"
The wealthy individuals, all successful people used to luxury, were starting to lose patience.
But Lu Yuan was different from them; he continued forward, his steps steady.
Approaching the wooden house, he carefully observed the surroundings.
When he saw a stone stele hidden in a patch of weeds, his eyes brightened, and he squatted down to touch it.
The stele bore no inscriptions, and its age was indeterminate, but he realized it was no ordinary stone.
The reason was simple; Lu Yuan's physique, tempered by Elixir Essence, was far from ordinary, allowing him to clearly feel the stele's extraordinary hardness. Standing there for years, it showed no signs of weathering.
This was undoubtedly the Wordless Stone Stele he had been searching for.
Immediately, Lu Yuan had no hesitation, he turned and immediately said, "Master, I'll take this as my layman's retreat!"
Before Master Yuyang could respond, President Liu and the others were taken aback upon hearing this.
Clearly, they were surprised.
"Young Lu, you want this place?"
"Yes, quite rash, Qingshan Residence was so much better just now."
"Younger folks, this place is too remote, far from the Celestial Master Mansion."
The wealthy individuals all thought Lu Yuan's mind was a bit skewed; Carefree Residence sounded nice, but the surrounding area was too desolate, with no nearby water source, not to mention the wooden house, which couldn't compare to their chosen retreats.
If it were them, they might not last a night here.
Finally.
Master Yuyang spoke.
"Benefactor, you've donated ten million to Dragon Tiger Mountain, you can choose a better place."
"No need, Master, I'll stay here." Lu Yuan shook his head, his expression resolute.
From the beginning, he was here for the Wordless Stone Stele.
Now that the goal was achieved.
Giving it up was obviously out of the question.