Chapter 256: The Scapegoat

For the next few days, Lu Ran remained at home cultivating, preparing for his breakthrough.

Jiangjiang Ruyi did not come to visit; presumably, she was worried about disturbing him.

Their text message exchanges were fairly frequent; every night before sleep, they would chat for a few moments.

On the phone, Jiangjiang Ruyi was as aloof as ever.

She seemed to possess a certain talent, always managing to kill the conversation.

It was so annoying~

There were several moments when Lu Ran wanted to get dressed, go out, head straight to the Shui Zai Yi Fang residential complex, drag her out of her home, and see exactly what was going on!

In the end, Lu Ran summarized one answer: They just hadn't kissed enough.

Little Jiang Ruyi, just you wait.

Wait until the fifteenth!

Lu Ran's sinister schemes did not succeed, because on the fourteenth day of the lunar month, Jiangjiang Ruyi actually came to visit his door.

It was early morning; when Lu Ran heard the knocking, he felt somewhat puzzled.

After all, it was the fourteenth day of the lunar month; the entire city was under martial law, and not just anyone could leave their home.

He walked out of the small bedroom, hurried to open the door, and as the door swung open, a graceful figure came into view.

"Jiang Ruyi?" Lu Ran's expression froze in surprise.

Jiangjiang Ruyi wore a black raincoat; beneath the hood, on that fair and beautiful face, a faint smile lingered.

Seeing Lu Ran's silly appearance, she couldn't help but let out a soft laugh:

"We've only been apart for a few days, and you don't recognize me?"

That cute and lovely demeanor was completely different from the person she was on the phone.

The next moment, the teasing in Jiangjiang Ruyi's eyes vanished without a trace, because Lu Ran suddenly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I'm wet," Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly, averting her gaze.

It was raining lightly outside, and her raincoat was indeed soaked.

However, Lu Ran didn't care; he leaned his face forward and kissed her delicate, rosy lips.

"Mm." Jiangjiang Ruyi's cheeks flushed red, and she subconsciously pushed against Lu Ran's shoulders.

Before long, she closed her beautiful eyes, gave up struggling, and let him have his way.

After a long while, Lu Ran finally let her go.

This time, it was his turn to tease: "You're so aloof on the phone?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi lowered her eyelids and said softly, "Every time you message me to chat, it's too late.

I wanted you to go to sleep early and save your energy for the promotion."

Lu Ran understood immediately and smiled, "So that's the reason you always reply with just an 'Mm'?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi said quietly, "Oh, then next time I won't reply at all."

Lu Ran:???

Little Jiang Ruyi, you've gone too far!

"You said last night you planned to promote this morning?" Jiangjiang Ruyi suddenly changed the subject and brought up the matter at hand.

"Yes." Lu Ran nodded.

"Here." Jiangjiang Ruyi raised her right hand.

Only then did Lu Ran realize she was holding a bag in her right hand, containing a thermal food container.

"What's this?"

"You haven't eaten breakfast, have you?" Although Jiangjiang Ruyi phrased it as a question, she used a declarative tone, seeming to know Lu Ran very well.

Lu Ran: "."

"Promoting isn't like normal cultivation; you need to maintain constant focus, which consumes a lot of stamina. How can you do it on an empty stomach?" Saying this, Jiangjiang Ruyi stuffed the bag into Lu Ran's hands.

Lu Ran felt warmth in his heart; he had originally planned to just eat a can of luncheon meat and drink a can of milk to settle the matter.

He hadn't expected a lovingly prepared breakfast.

Hehe, really nice~

It was worth being trapped by you in the Illusion Realm and resting for so long in Ghost Moon Mountain.

Jiangjiang Ruyi took a step back and said softly, "After you eat, focus on your promotion; I'll head back first."

"Don't go!" Lu Ran pulled her over to the shoe rack, squatted down directly, and changed her shoes for her.

Jiangjiang Ruyi hesitated for a long time, but in the end, Lu Ran finished changing her shoes, helped her remove her raincoat, and led her inside.

When facing Lu Ran, she never knew how to refuse.

Meanwhile, the scene in the small bedroom made Jiangjiang Ruyi suppress a smile.

Scattered across the floor were the Ghost Moon Fox's demon crystals, exactly as they had been during Lu Ran's previous promotion.

Additionally, a little Li Hua was batting at one of the demon crystals, playing carefree and worry-free.

Once again, Jiangjiang Ruyi elegantly rose onto her tiptoes, stepping only on the empty spaces between the crystals, until she reached the small shrine.

"My lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang, Jiang Ruyi disturbs you."

The young girl pressed her palms together and bowed properly and respectfully.

Unlike last time, Jiangjiang Ruyi was now very familiar with this shrine and its divine statue.

Or rather, she was already very familiar with this home.

The only place she had never entered was the master bedroom in the house.

"While I promote, you cultivate nearby," Lu Ran suggested. "It's a perfect opportunity for you to consolidate your realm."

When believers promote, the divine power surrounding them becomes extremely dense.

"Eat first," Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly.

"Meow~ Meow~" Upon seeing its mistress return home, Little Li Hua immediately darted forward, constantly rubbing against her trouser legs.

With that pitiful little appearance, one might think Lu Ran had been abusing it.

The breakfast Jiangjiang Ruyi brought was sumptuous.

Boiled eggs, white congee, pan-fried potato cakes, along with cold-tossed okra and greens with shiitake mushrooms.

It truly delighted Lu Ran to eat!

Honestly, if he failed this promotion, he would be letting this meal down.

After eating and drinking his fill, Lu Ran and Jiangjiang Ruyi returned to the small bedroom, where the two sat down before the shrine as well.

"Rustle-rustle~"

Lu Ran casually scooped up a handful of demon crystals, steadied his mind, and then inhaled deeply and massively!

By noon, the Ghost Moon Fox demon crystals in the room had been mostly absorbed, and Lu Ran finally initiated his promotion mode.

The mist between heaven and earth gathered toward the small bedroom one after another.

"Hush," Jiangjiang Ruyi soothed the restless cat from the side; feeling the divine power within the small room growing ever denser, a trace of joy flashed across her eyes.

Although all of this seemed a matter of course, Jiangjiang Ruyi remained immensely relieved.

Once Lu Ran advanced to River Realm · Stage Three, he would be able to learn the Divine Art · Scapegoat Body.

From now on, Lu Ran's safety would be greatly guaranteed!

Whenever facing a critical moment, he could summon Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang to descend and block a fatal strike for him!

For an ordinary believer of Xiang Xiang Xianyang, fearing they might never receive even a single act of grace from Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang in their entire life.

But as for Lu Ran...

Given the degree to which the deity Xiang Xiang Xianyang doted on Lu Ran, surely He would manifest at least once to save Lu Ran's life, right?

Jiangjiang Ruyi rejoiced silently while also silently blessing Lu Ran.

This wait lasted until dusk.

By then, Little Li Hua had long slipped out of the small bedroom; only the young girl remained beside Lu Ran, awaiting the moment of arrival.

"Whoosh!!"

A wild wind suddenly rose, and waves of qi churned!

Jiangjiang Ruyi shielded her face with one hand, her long black hair dancing wildly.

Immediately after, the immortal mist swirling within the room was absorbed completely by Lu Ran at a speed visible to the naked eye, all crushed and condensed into flowing water that circulated slowly within his body.

"Heh."

Lu Ran exhaled a long breath, leaned backward, and lay directly on the ground.

He possessed not even a shred of a master's demeanor.

Jiangjiang Ruyi tidied her disheveled long hair, looked at Lu Ran lying sprawled on his back, and could not help but chuckle inwardly.

In this world, there was probably no believer who would dare to be so unrestrained as he.

As to exactly how deeply Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang doted on Lu Ran, Jiangjiang Ruyi truly found it difficult to judge.

"Success!" Lu Ran turned his head to look at the girl beside him.

"Mm." Jiangjiang Ruyi looked at him with a smiling face, "Shall we practice the Divine Art?"

Lu Ran: "."

Not even a celebration, and straight to practicing the Divine Art?

In your eyes, just how fragile am I?

"Alright then." Lu Ran adjusted his attire, stood before the shrine, pressed his palms together, and said, "Thank you, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang, for your protection!"

Inside the shrine, the white jade carving of Bai Yang sat quietly, with faint white mist still swirling around it.

Lu Ran continued, "Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang, may this disciple test the Divine Art · Scapegoat Body?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi stood quietly to the side, listening to Lu Ran's excessive request.

She too was somewhat greedy and very much hoped Lu Ran could successfully cast the art, rehearsing this life-saving divine technique in advance.

"Whoosh~"

The next second, Lu Ran's divine power surged, becoming ever more violent.

Over these past few days, Lu Ran had already learned the method to cast the Divine Art · Scapegoat Body, but whether he could successfully cast it still depended on whether Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang was willing to manifest.

Jiangjiang Ruyi quickly retreated backward, her eyes fixed tightly on Lu Ran.

They saw Lu Ran release his divine power outward, wrapping his entire body.

This method was similar to the casting style of the Water Flow Armor, but it was a one-time deal and would consume a quite enormous amount of divine power.

"Whoosh!!"

Immortal mist rose in all directions, and Lu Ran's short, fragmented hair danced lightly.

His pair of pupils were even more brilliant with light, overflowing with colorful radiance!

The streams of water coiling around Lu Ran's body seemed as if they were boiling, creating a scene that was particularly astonishing.

Divine Art · Scapegoat Body!

"Disciple Lu Ran earnestly requests the deity's protection!"

Lu Ran murmured, pressed his palms together, and bowed slightly toward the shrine.

"Buzz!!"

A huge illusory figure descended from the sky, enveloping Lu Ran within it.

Though it was in a seated posture, the sheep horns on its head were nearly touching the ceiling!

It wore a wide white jade long robe, surrounded by immortal mist, fully displaying an immortal bearing and Daoist bone structure.

That long robe was as crystal-clear and lustrous as mutton-fat jade, shimmering with a strange glow, and like a tidal wave, it slowly rose and fell.

Not only was it breathtakingly beautiful, but it also exuded overwhelming majesty!

Jiangjiang Ruyi stood with her mouth slightly open, looking up at the enormous phantom of the deity.

Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang has indeed manifested.

After reacting for a moment, she hastily knelt on the ground, pressed her palms together, and murmured in her heart:

"Thank you, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang, for protecting Lu Ran; I am endlessly grateful."

The phantom of Xiang Xiang Xianyang seemed to notice something; it turned its head slightly to look at the human girl kneeling devoutly nearby.

Its originally kind gaze quietly changed.

It seemed somewhat appreciative, but more than that, it was filled with gratification.

"Whoosh~"

The phantom of Xiang Xiang Xianyang vanished without a trace, taking with it all of Lu Ran's surging divine power.

Only a faint immortal mist lingered; within the mist, Lu Ran wore an expression of extreme discomfort.

He had only just advanced, and his body was brimming with divine power!

Yet, with just Yi Ci Shi Fa, it had forcibly drained more than half of the divine power within Lu Ran!

This consumed too much "mana."

But then again, compared to saving his life, it was worth it.

"From now on, I can be a bit more unrestrained," Lu Ran said, licking his lips.

Suddenly, a low, hoarse voice echoed directly into Lu Ran's mind:

"You dare!"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare," Lu Ran hurriedly shook his head.

The voice transmitted again: "It is no problem if you expend some divine power.

But if I am injured while in this state, it will deplete my source of energy."

Lu Ran was startled in his heart; knowing well the importance of the energy source, he immediately said, "This disciple understands!

Unless it is a matter of life and death, I will absolutely not Shi Zhan Ci Fa."

Bai Yang's jade carving: "Mm, this method is only somewhat useful within the human world.

Now that you have reached Yi Zhi He Jing, Stage Three, various Xie Fa are sufficient to protect you without worry; devote yourself to studying them, especially the Shun Yi Zhi Fa of the Evil Dog clan.

Additionally, you must learn the paper effigies of the Rouge Paper sect as soon as possible.

Another realm is still waiting for you."

The deity had rarely spoken at such length, and hearing this stirred Lu Ran's heart greatly!

He nodded heavily: "Yes!"

(End of Chapter)