Chapter 235: Returning After Half a Year

For the next two days, Lu Ran and the others carried out their trial training in an orderly fashion.

Jiang Si and the other absorbed experience from battling Lady Lady Yanzhi Dolls, while Lu Ran secretly consumed the departed souls of those same dolls.

It had to be said that this trial training truly broadened Lu Ran's horizons.

Especially after encountering the Jiang Jing-level Lady Lady Yanzhi Doll, Lu Ran's thoughts became increasingly active.

The Xie Fa of the Lady Lady Yanzhi sect was simply too shocking.

Whether it was the large red sedan chair with its astonishing defensive power or the ghost bearers of considerable strength, both made Lu Ran's heart race with desire.

Once I master this technique, the next time I go out, I'll have such immense prestige!

Furthermore, the Lady Lady Yanzhi Doll after advancing to Jiang Jing was simply reborn!

She remained a bride devoted in love, yet she was even more an empress radiating noble authority!

Whenever Lu Ran thought that one day he too could possess such a Lady Lady Yanzhi Doll, he could not suppress a secret joy in his heart.

And his expression, with joy flooding his brow, frightened Si Si Xianxian so badly that she thought Lu Ran had been possessed by some evil spirit.

Lu Ran very much wanted to double his efforts to acquire more departed souls from Lady Lady Yanzhi Dolls.

Alas, this small desolate village could attract only a limited number of Lady Lady Yanzhi Dolls.

What was even more regrettable was that the military had granted Lu Ran only seven days for this trial training.

As soon as the stipulated time ended, the Li brothers transported the group directly back to Stone City and personally escorted them out of the Demon Lair.

They truly did not allow Lu Ran to stay a single second longer!

Lu Ran felt deeply aggrieved.

He was, after all, a great summer prodigy, yet he was treated with such disdain.

On the afternoon of the day they were expelled, Lu Ran and the others followed Chen Chen Jingjing, boarded a plane together, and returned to Jingcheng.

The moment they landed, Lu Ran immediately dialed his mother's phone.

Perhaps Lu Ran's prayers were effective, for the call actually connected.

"Ranran?" came a gentle female voice.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun's state was just as always; where was there even a trace of bitterness or depression?

"Mom, I'm back in Jingcheng, just got off the plane," Lu Ran reported his situation.

"Did you get what you wanted?" Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun asked softly.

Lu Ran instantly froze.

These words...

After a moment of reaction, he replied, "Mm-hmm, I gained quite a bit of experience; facing Lady Lady Yanzhi Dolls again in the future, I'll have some confidence now."

We even encountered a Jiang Jing-level Lady Lady Yanzhi Doll.

Sister Chen Jingjing was so amazing; she chopped the evil demon to pieces with a single sword strike!"

"Hehe." Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun chuckled and offered no further response.

Lu Ran said, "By the way, Mom, are you at home, or are you working?"

"Mom is rather busy and cannot accompany you recently," Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun said, her voice carrying a hint of apology.

Lu Ran immediately said, "Is Mom at Jinghong Peak? Let me go see you?"

"No need." Unexpectedly, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun's response was crisp and decisive.

While Lu Ran was still stunned, Jiang Qiao Wanjun softened her tone and said gently, "Ranran, Mom is very busy right now; you should relax with your teammates."

Or if you wish to go to another Demon Lair, you can speak directly to Chen Chen Jingjing, and she will arrange it for you."

Lu Ran said, "Mom, I want to..."

"Hehe." Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun laughed helplessly and teased, "What, did a trip to Lady Lady Yanzhi Village change your nature?"

Have you started becoming clingy?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun's smile faded, and she asked, "Did something happen?"

"Nothing, everything is fine," Lu Ran immediately reported his safety and explained, "I just wanted to go see you."

"As long as nothing is wrong, then next time, Ranran."

"Beep... beep..." Lu Ran still wanted to say more, but the busy signal was already sounding in his phone.

"What did Auntie say?" Jiangjiang Ruyi asked.

Lu Ran shook his head helplessly: "She's very busy and won't let me visit."

Seeing this scene, Chen Chen Jingjing, standing nearby, could not help but sigh inwardly.

After a moment of thought, Lu Ran looked at Jiangjiang Ruyi: "If I go directly to Jinghong Peak, will she get angry?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi: "..."

This matter, you're asking me about?

"It is best to obtain permission first," Chen Chen Jingjing suddenly spoke, advising, "Do not go against Sect Master Jiang Qiao's wishes."

The two characters "go against" were used with remarkable aptness.

This was also sufficient to show the status Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun held in Chen Chen Jingjing's heart.

Lu Ran nodded, sighed, and said, "Let's go, let's head home first... wait a moment."

Lu Ran's face turned awkward as he suddenly remembered something: "I don't have the house key."

Everyone: "..."

This son was truly being exceedingly humble.

Chen Chen Jingjing spoke up at the right moment: "Shall I arrange a hotel for you?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Si Si Xianxian finally interjected, saying hurriedly, "Staying at a hotel is better; there are deities in Lu Ran's home, so we really shouldn't disturb them."

"Mm, that's true." Lu Ran nodded.

The group of four arrived at the parking lot, retrieved the car they had left there earlier, and swiftly drove away from the airport.

Since the Lu and Jiang pair did not go to accompany their mother, the one who benefited the most was, of course, Si Si Xianxian.

Jiangjiang Ruyi fulfilled her promise, accompanying Si Si Xianxian on a three-day tour of Jingcheng, even visiting the night market that Sister Sister Xian had been longing for.

Lu Ran was also very cooperative, trying his best not to let his troubles dampen Si Si Xianxian's spirits.

On the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, Lu Ran tried calling his mother again.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Wanjun once again refused her son's visit, merely exhorting him to balance work with rest.

Lu Ran could only settle for the next best thing, comforting his mother over the phone and attempting to soothe her slightly.

His mother felt a trace of surprise and some gratification; Lu Ran could sense that her voice had grown gentler.

Even so, she did not chat with Lu Ran for long, hanging up the phone very quickly.

It was evident that she was truly busy.

Perhaps she was busy praying, busy making offerings, and dared not delay for too long?

Who knows.

Holding his mobile phone, Lu Ran silently bowed his head, a slightly rebellious thought rising in his heart.

If only he possessed sufficient strength to ask the deity Liangye Jian Yi face-to-face.

At least then he would know the specific reason.

Saving his own mother from such bitterness and sparing her from public criticism.

Sigh.

Strength, ah, strength.

Thinking about it, Lu Ran couldn't help but laugh at himself.

He had witnessed with his own eyes the strength of Chen Chen Jingjing, a believer of Liangye Jian Yi.

If even a subordinate believer was so formidable, just how powerful would the deity Liangye Jian Yi be?

When would he ever be qualified to confront a deity face-to-face?

What a pipe dream.

Lu Ran's strength was indeed growing stronger, but as he encountered more and more things, he only felt himself becoming increasingly insignificant.

Burdened by complex emotions, Lu Ran, on the first day of the third lunar month, took two teammates and boarded the train for the return journey.

In merely a short hour of travel, the Jiang and Lu pair arrived home.

After sending the reluctant Si Si Xianxian off on her train at the platform, they finally exited the station.

Thus, the streets of Deng Yuxiang City gained a mysterious couple.

They wore hats and masks, covered up tightly as if unwilling to be seen, yet they were strolling on the street, a most contradictory sight.

"Did you call Auntie Si?" Jiangjiang Ruyi asked softly.

"Mm, I did. Auntie is going to the platform to pick up Sister Sister Xian," Lu Ran said casually, gazing at the horizon.

Today, Deng Yuxiang City had rarely seen such clear weather.

Blue skies, white clouds, and a gentle spring breeze.

Pity that Lu Ran was in no mood to appreciate it.

Jiangjiang Ruyi lowered her eyelids, silently following beside Lu Ran.

Lu Ran did not know how to comfort his mother, and Jiangjiang Ruyi did not know how to comfort him.

Not until the two reached the entrance of the Deng Yuxiang Home residential compound did Jiangjiang Ruyi stop in her tracks: "Go back and get some good rest."

"Come on, I'll walk you home, then come back," Lu Ran said, having no intention of going inside.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, however, shook her head: "Go back."

"Perhaps meditating and cultivating before the shrine will calm your mind and make it more steady."

Lu Ran fell silent.

He claimed he did not want his troubles to disturb others.

But Jiangjiang Ruyi, who cared so much for him, how could she fail to sense Lu Ran's unusual behavior over these past few days?

Even that reluctant Si Si Xianxian had likely refrained from throwing a tantrum or overstaying her welcome precisely because of Lu Ran's mood.

Four white jade tablets swirling around her body, Jiangjiang Ruyi slowly rose into the air:

"Tomorrow, I'll come cook soup for you, how about that?"

"Great!" Lu Ran nodded immediately.

Jiangjiang Ruyi wore a mask that covered her face, but it could not hide those eyes brimming with laughter:

"In your dreams."

Lu Ran:?

He watched the young girl drift away into the distance, couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, then turned and walked into the residential compound.

"Meow?"

When Lu Ran opened the door, Little Li Hua, sitting on the living room coffee table, tilted her head, her eyes full of confusion.

Every time Lu Ran traveled, it was for over twenty days; this time, he had indeed returned very early.

"Did you miss me?" Lu Ran asked, waving to Little Li Hua as he walked toward the small bedroom.

Since he had spent a few days in Jingcheng, there was naturally no aura of violence on Lu Ran.

Little Li Hua rarely approached so closely, showing great mercy by allowing someone to pet her.

Lu Ran, however, betrayed Little Li Hua's trust; he scooped up the cat in one go, turned around, and headed straight for the bathroom.

The poor little creature was washed until her head spun.

Even as Lu Ran wrapped it in a large bath towel and stepped out of the bathroom, the little Li Hua cat was still cursing under its breath.

"My lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang."

Lu Ran rolled up the large towel, wrapping the cat within, and tossed it onto the small bed.

Speaking as he moved, he approached the shrine, pressed his palms together, and said, "Disciple can now activate the Lady Lady Yanzhi Figure sculpture."

"I just don't know to what realm the Yemo Yemo Xiesu can be cultivated."

"Buzz!"

Lu Ran's mind went blank, and his form swayed back and forth.

He felt only darkness before his eyes as he entered the spiritual world, standing before a massive sculpture.

Yemo Yemo Xiesu: Lady Lady Yanzhi Figure!

Even as a sculpture, the Lady Lady Yanzhi Figure lost none of its elegance; devoid of its deathly pale, paper-like complexion, it appeared even more beautiful.

"Buzz~"

The Yemo Yemo Xiesu activated immediately, vibrating with a humming sound.

Lu Ran tilted his head up, watching wide-eyed as the Lady Lady Yanzhi Figure statue continuously grew larger, clearly undergoing promotion.

Mist Realm, Stream Realm, River Realm!

Lu Ran's mood improved considerably; could this Yemo Yemo Xiesu actually Reach River Realm?

Could it continue further?

Could it reach River Realm, Stage Two? Hmm, well, I was thinking too much.

"It is not enough." A low, hoarse voice came from behind Lu Ran.

Lu Ran turned his head to look, seeing a ram's head wreathed in drifting black fire and those pair of lifeless horizontal pupils.

He understood the deity's meaning.

The Lady Lady Yanzhi Xie Fa: Paper Effigy, is a Xie Fa equipped for River Realm, Stage Three.

Given the Yemo Yemo Xiesu's current strength and realm, Lu Ran naturally could not learn it yet.

"The military only gave me seven days for this trial and won't let me go to the next village," Lu Ran offered in his own defense.

"You must strive harder; cultivate this clan's Yemo Yemo Xiesu into maturity as soon as possible." Leaving these words, the black-fire ram head's figure gradually dissipated.

Lu Ran pursed his lips: "What if on the fifteenth of this month, the Lady Lady Yanzhi Figures stage a Night of a Hundred Ghosts—"

His words cut off abruptly as he slapped his own mouth with one hand.

"Ptui, ptui, ptui! Crow's beak!"

Lu Ran turned around and looked up at the Lady Lady Yanzhi Figure Yemo Yemo Xiesu.

First, I'll learn all the Xie Fa that I can.

Let's leave it at that for this time; next month, I'll have Sister Chen Jingjing contact all three Lady Lady Yanzhi Figure demonic caves directly.

After finishing the killing here in seven days, I'll move straight to the next one, then the one after that!

I simply refuse to believe—

I must summon this bride!

Thanks to boss Gzc Ya for the donation of over twenty thousand! Thank you for your continued support!

Boss, you are generous! May the boss achieve immortality and agelessness, and enjoy peace year after year! Hooray~

(`) Finger heart.

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(End of Chapter)