The small SiHeYuan courtyard, usually quiet and forgotten in the winding alleys of the city's northern district, was alive with laughter and light by mid-afternoon.0

People came and went, carrying baskets, dishes, and decorations. Cultivators in plain robes darted about, stringing up lanterns and helping arrange tables and benches. From time to time, curious residents popped their heads out to ask what was going on.0

"A birthday party," the guests would reply.0

"Whose?" they'd ask.0

But the junior members of the Poshan Gang all gave the same answer—tight-lipped grins and vague shrugs. No names. No details. Just popcorn.0

Each helper left with a large bamboo tube of fresh popcorn—golden, sweet, and crackling with faint spirit energy. Normally, these are sold for one spirit stone apiece at Whitestone Plaza. But tonight, they were handed out freely.0

"Only our Hall Leader would be this generous. Everyone who came to help got a tub!" someone muttered.0

By the time Zeng Wen, accompanied by his nephew Tang Quan, found their way through twists and turns to the courtyard's entrance, it was almost dusk. The faint sound of laughter spilled from within, blending with the soft pop-pop-pop of beans in a covered pan.0

Tang Quan looked around, clearly puzzled.0

"Hall Leader Luo must be earning a lot of spirit stones," he muttered, "so why's he living all the way out here?"0

Tang Quan curiously examined the surroundings, thinking...0