Zhao Kang and his wife were really surprised. When the two of them washed up and went out, they found that their companions had already gathered in the accommodation hall outside, each with a face full of surprise.
"Old Zhao, you're here. Did you notice that when you got up today, the Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex seemed a bit different?"
"Yes, when we arrived yesterday, it didn't feel so beautiful."
"Yes, today it just feels that all the buildings around have a kind of ancient charm and are very attractive."
"..."
Zhao Kang and his wife were amazed. It seems not only they had this feeling, but others did too. It's really quite magical.
At this time, Zhao Kang saw Xiaoyu, who received them yesterday, walk in. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Xiaoyu, we woke up this morning and found that your ancient buildings here look even better. We didn't have this feeling when we came yesterday. It's really amazing."
Xiaoyu was actually very surprised herself. When she got up this morning, she felt that her room was different.
Clearly, it was still her own layout, but it had a very strong aesthetic feel, and that kind of ancient simplicity, as if at a glance it felt full of heritage.
She thought it was just her own illusion. Who knew Mr. Zhao and these other visitors also felt the same way.
But she didn't know what was happening either. Seeing Mr. Zhao asking, she had a flash of inspiration and explained, "Mr. Zhao, you drove here yesterday, and it was a long journey. You didn't have the heart to enjoy the scenery. But today, after a good night's sleep, you're naturally feeling different."
Zhao Kang and others thought this explanation was plausible. Besides, they were here yesterday, focused on discussing the Chen Family's Ancient Techniques, attracted by the historical heritage of the Chen Family, and then went to the vegetable garden to experience the joys of farm life. Their mindset was to explore the ancient building complex further this morning.
Now, after a night's sleep, all their attention was on the ancient buildings, naturally feeling them more profoundly.
Isn't there a saying: you can only discover the beauty of things through careful observation.
Xiaoyu didn't want to dwell on this matter, so she promptly invited, "Ladies and gentlemen, our Chen Clan has already prepared breakfast for everyone. After breakfast, we'll take you to experience the scenery of our Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex."
Mr. Zhao and his group nodded. After all, they came here because of the videos shot on Tiao Yin, naturally, they should have a good tour.
On the other side, Chen Han was already looking at the interface in his mind, where another sect's base interface appeared. Opening it, attribute information appeared:
Sect's Base: Chen Family Ancient Building Complex
Level: Level 1 Sect's Base.
Effect: Ancient +2, Aesthetics +2
Upgrade Requirements: 1. 100,000 Wealth (25,400/100,000). 2. Reputation 500 (3/500).
Special Functions: 1. Can reclaim sect's base effects into a Sect Base Construction Token. 2. Special Spiritual Acupoint (not yet constructed, construct conditions: find a spiritually beneficial place within the sect's base).
Obviously, this sect's base can be upgraded.
And, just like those pay-to-win games, this setup is meant to extract money from the players.
This game system extracts money even more ruthlessly than those pay-to-win games.
Previously, construction only required 10,000 Wealth and 10 Reputation. Now that it has been built, upgrading requires 100,000 Wealth and 500 Reputation.
It's like being extorted as if I'm Japanese.
I wonder if I can settle in yen?
However, he had already seen the transformation effect of the Sect Base Construction Token on the Chen Family Ancient Building Complex. If this sect's base could be upgraded, after upgrading, there should be new attribute effects appearing, right?
Currently, it's just Ancient +2, Aesthetics +2. If the level increases, wouldn't there be something like a guardian formation?
Thinking this, Chen Han looked at the special spiritual acupoint function, wanting to know what effect this acupoint had.
It's just that this acupoint hasn't been constructed and construction requires certain conditions.
And, he doesn't understand what 'finding a spiritually beneficial place' means.
So, he had no clue.
Fortunately, it was noted that it should be found within the sect's base, so it must be found within the Chen Family's area.
Anyway, without understanding, just find it first and talk later.
He started directly from his own courtyard and then around the ancient building complex. At each place he tried, the game prompt was: [The current location is not suitable for constructing a special spiritual acupoint!]
Instead, he walked too much, and his physical condition didn't allow it, leaving him out of breath and somewhat tired.
He had to sit down and rest at the location of the martial arts arena.
This place used to be where the Chen Family organized martial arts contests for the youth of the nearby villages. Some ancient martial arts facilities were still there.
He had just sat down for a while when he saw Xiaoyu bringing Mr. Zhao and the others walking towards this side.
"This Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex is really very nice. Such a return to simplicity is really hard to come by."
"Yes, it's better than those scenic spots that claim to focus on ancient buildings. Previously, I went to that ancient city, but it didn't have the feel of Chen's place."
"..."
Zhao Kang and others were full of emotion. The more they wandered through the Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex, the stronger this feeling became. That kind of ancient charm really catches the eye, making one feel like they are in ancient times.
Xiaoyu found it increasingly incredible in her heart.
She was guiding Mr. Zhao and the others, taking photos and videos along the way. Firstly, to give them to Mr. Zhao and his group, secondly, to use them as material to edit and promote on Tiao Yin.
Today, she clearly felt that the photos and videos she took were more beautiful than before, with that ancient and aesthetic quality almost overflowing from the screen, especially in certain distinctive places within the Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex.
Anyway, something felt very off.
Although she was not a member of the Chen Family, she wouldn't mind becoming one in the future. After becoming an apprentice, she has been connected with the Chen Family for more than ten years and is very familiar with the Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex. It definitely wasn't like this before.
After explaining the Martial Arts Arena to Mr. Zhao and his group, she saw her senior brother lounging lazily nearby. She let Mr. Zhao and his group wander freely around the Martial Arts Arena and walked towards her senior brother angrily.
Since her senior brother returned this time, he really became lazy. He was often seen lounging like this and showed no interest in promoting tourism for the Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex.
She felt she needed to educate him a bit.
"Senior Brother," Xiaoyu called out with a hint of resentment when she reached him.
"Xiaoyu, you've worked hard," Chen Han looked at his charming junior sister and complimented her with a smile, "Today your Hanfu is also very beautiful!"
"Senior Brother, really?" Xiaoyu's pout turned into a sweet smile upon hearing his praise, "I specially bought it from Taobao after careful selection."
"Yes, you look beautiful, and you look good in anything," Chen Han smiled, generous with his compliments.
"No way, there are plenty more beautiful than me!" Xiaoyu modestly protested, though her smile was hard to suppress.
The senior brother is really something, praising her so blatantly. If he knows how to compliment, he should do it more.
Then, she couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother, doesn't it feel like the Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex has changed somehow?"
Chen Han wasn't surprised by this question; the effect of the Sect Base Construction Token was too obvious.
However, he feigned ignorance and said, "No changes, isn't it the same? Isn't it still the same trees, the same buildings, the same square..."
Xiaoyu hurriedly said, "Those haven't changed, but it just feels different."
Chen Han seriously explained, "I think it's the halo effect. When a person's mindset changes, their perspective on a person or thing also changes. Junior Sister, have your feelings changed recently?"
Xiaoyu blushed hearing this; indeed, her feelings had changed recently.
Because her senior brother was back, she was very happy.
However, she felt this was wrong and asked again, "Senior Brother, what about Mr. Zhao and the others? They also felt things were different today compared to yesterday and asked me about it."
"How did you answer them?" Chen Han asked instinctively.
Xiaoyu explained, "I told them they drove here yesterday and were too tired to appreciate the scenery. Today, after a good night's rest, they naturally felt different."
"You're right; it must be that," Chen Han nodded confidently.
"..." Xiaoyu was speechless; she had just made that up. In the end, she added, "Senior Brother, even when I take photos and videos, I find the surrounding buildings and scenery more aesthetic."
Chen Han congratulated her with a smile, "Xiaoyu, that means your photography skills have improved. You're really impressive."
Being praised again made Xiaoyu feel a bit embarrassed, "Not really..."
Still, she couldn't suppress her smile.
Senior Brother really didn't seem to notice the change, or perhaps it was indeed her own illusion.
Could it be that my photography skills have really improved?
Chen Han didn't want to dwell on this topic with his junior sister. After resting for a while, he decided to leave and continue searching for the 'Spiritual Benefit Assisting Site.' Despite feeling exhausted and having tried all the places he could think of, he hadn't found a suitable spot.
Finally, he decided to leave the antique building complex and headed to the pavilion under the three old elm trees, where he continued to lounge.
This pavilion had obviously been remodeled, exuding the same ancient aura, full of aesthetics, and was pleasing to the eye at first glance.
Since returning to the Chen Clan, this is where he liked to rest the most, with breezes flowing through, good air quality, and the key feature of being under the pavilion of the three old elm trees, making it refreshing and cool.
Thinking of the three old elm trees, his eyes suddenly lit up because elm trees are also considered spiritual trees in the Taoist sect.
Moreover, the Chen Clan specifically planted these three old elm trees long ago when expanding the Chen Clan Ancient Building Complex, as elm trees symbolize protection, guardianship, and suppressing evil spirits, aligning with the teachings of the Demon-Vanquishing Celestial Venerable.
Many folklore tales also say that elm trees over a hundred years old have spirits, capable of protecting the local people. Towards the end of the Qing Dynasty, during an outbreak of plague and malaria, people near an old elm tree were unaffected.
Some places even refer to elm trees over a hundred years old as 'Qi Nian Trees,' believing they have spirits.
The three old elm trees of the Chen Family have been around for more than 300 years, making them ancient. Haven't you noticed that each of the three old elm trees has a numbered tag hanging on them?
It was his father who, before he passed away, went to the forestry bureau to obtain special identity tags for the three old elm trees.
If you dare to chop these trees, the sewing machine will be smoking from being overworked.
With this in mind, Chen Han immediately attempted to construct a special spiritual acupoint.
This time, it worked.
[Congratulations, you have found the Spiritual Benefit Assisting Site. Do you wish to construct a special spiritual acupoint here?]
Chen Han immediately chose yes. In the next moment, he saw a white light appearing at the center between the three old elm trees, where the pavilion was located, and this light spread, instantly filling the entire pavilion.
Within it, intricate, special runes could be seen quickly moving about.
Then, his eyes lit up, and a very wonderful feeling appeared.