Chapter 290

The clear blue sky was like it had been washed, with clusters of white clouds.

A gentle breeze blew through the forest, bringing the rustling sound of leaves, which was very pleasant to hear.

The breeze also blew a few strands of the young woman's hair, brushing past her gentle, smiling face.

"Little Junior Brother, are you hungry?" Cheng Rou held the bamboo basket and lifted it slightly.

"Thank you, Deng Deng Shijie Cheng." Lu Ran did not stand on ceremony; he was indeed starving.

"Wait a moment." Cheng Rou turned and walked toward a corner of the courtyard, where there was a wooden table and two wooden chairs.

She placed the bamboo basket on the table, lifted the cloth cover, and began taking out dishes one after another.

Lu Ran's gaze lingered for a moment before he looked up at the sky; staring at a young girl constantly was rather impolite.

And as soon as Lu Ran looked up, he saw the clouds in the sky again; the more he looked, the more they really resembled cotton candy.

The sky of Ye Yucheng was truly beautiful.

Especially since Lu Ran came from Rain Alley City, from that world of eternal gray haze.

This stark contrast made Lu Ran feel even more that it was unreal.

"Little Junior Brother?" A woman's voice came from behind him. "Come and eat."

"Coming." Lu Ran walked over quickly and sat down on the chair.

Steamed buns with white porridge, a plate of braised beef, and a plate of stir-fried mushrooms.

Lu Ran did not recognize what kind of mushrooms these were, and he also never expected that this stuff could be so delicious.

"Hehe~"

Cheng Rou rested her face on one hand, watching with a smile as Lu Ran wolfed down the food.

The young man before her and the heroic young man in "Heaven's Pride" did not seem to be the same person.

Lu Ran felt a bit embarrassed, slowed down his speed of eating the mushrooms, and asked, "Deng Deng Shijie, who lives in this residence?"

Lu Ran felt that the owner of this residence should be a highly respected believer of the Xiang Xiang Xianyang.

But after thinking it over, that didn't seem quite right either.

Even if a certain Xiang Xiang Xianyang believer's status was high, they couldn't bear the weight of the three words "Lady Luo Xian Residence"!

Cheng Rou shook her head and said softly, "Since it was built, no one has ever lived here.

We come regularly to clean and make repairs; other than that, we are not allowed to approach this place."

Lu Ran was somewhat puzzled: "No one lives here? Then why build it?"

Cheng Rou said softly, "It's been such a long time, and we are also very puzzled as to who the owner of this residence actually is.

Until yesterday, when you arrived."

Lu Ran: "."

Cheng Rou's lips curled slightly: "Thanks to Little Junior Brother's blessing, yesterday, I received a voice transmission from Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang.

This was the first time I had ever heard the voice of a god."

Lu Ran ate the mushrooms silently, not daring to chime in.

He could communicate with Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang anytime and anywhere.

But for other Xiang Xiang Xianyang believers, communicating with a god was undoubtedly a tremendous gift.

Cheng Rou continued: "Yesterday, I helped you to the back mountain Immortal Temple, intending to take you to our living quarters.

On the way, I heard Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang's instructions, so I sent you here instead."

As she spoke, the smile on Cheng Rou's face grew even deeper: "You didn't see it, but everyone's expressions at the time were quite spectacular.

So this Lady Luo Xian Residence was prepared for you."

Lu Ran silently finished off a plate of mushrooms, not daring to say anything.

"Is it to your taste?" There was a hint of anticipation in Cheng Rou's eyes.

"Mm-hmm." Lu Ran nodded immediately.

Cheng Rou was very happy: "Next time, I'll bring some more."

"Thank you, Deng Deng Shijie." Lu Ran looked up at the woman and said with a smile.

"Rustle~"

A clear breeze blew, accompanied by the pleasant sound of rubbing leaves, blowing through Lu Ran's short, messy hair.

Cheng Rou looked at the young man before her with his sunny smile and clear eyes, and couldn't help but be momentarily lost in thought.

To the outside world, he was a Heaven's Pride of Great Xia.

To the inside, he was the master of Lady Luo Xian Residence.

Cheng Rou was not yet sure if Lu Ran realized what this residence actually meant.

Perhaps

he had already realized it, but he just didn't show it much.

"What is Deng Deng Shijie's strength realm?" Lu Ran suddenly asked.

"Me?" Cheng Rou's train of thought was interrupted, and she immediately said, "I am at the fourth stage of the Jiang Jing."

"Fourth stage of the Jiang Jing?" Lu Ran was quite surprised. "That's so impressive; I see that Deng Deng Shijie is very young?"

However, the other party's response left Lu Ran completely dumbfounded.

Cheng Rou smiled and shook her head: "I am already twenty-seven years old; my eldest son is seven, and my little daughter is four."

Lu Ran fell silent.

Well... she already has two kids?

The mountains really do nurture people!

Looking at Cheng Rou's state, she was like a pure female college student; who would have thought she was a mother of two?

Uh... these days, female college students and moms don't seem to be in conflict.

Cheng Rou said softly: "Little Junior Brother, shall I introduce you to the situation inside the Immortal Temple?"

"Okay." Lu Ran took another bite of the steamed bun.

Cheng Rou: "Inside the Immortal Temple, there are 556 resident believers, most of whom are Mist Realm believers.

More than 200 people have reached the Stream Realm, and 14 have reached the Jiang Jing..."

Lu Ran listened quietly, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

A mere five hundred or so people; it sounded quite pitiful.

You have to know, this is the location of the god, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang himself!

And there are only this many Xiang Xiang Xianyang believers?

And among these five hundred plus people, there are only fourteen in the Jiang Jing?

Hmm... okay.

This aptitude is indeed worthy of the title "Ninth-Grade God Believer."

Cheng Rou: "There is one River Estuary Realm believer."

"Oh?" Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly. "There's even a River Estuary Realm?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lu Ran felt it was offensive and hurriedly said: "No, I..."

"It's fine." Cheng Rou didn't look annoyed at all, remaining gentle and soft. "My grandfather is at the fifth stage of the River Estuary Realm."

Lu Ran:???

Fifth stage of the River Estuary Realm?!

He thought it would be good if an Xiang Xiang Xianyang believer could just reach the early River Estuary Realm, but it turned out there was a great expert at the fifth stage of the River Estuary Realm?

This... is this possible?

Since they were disciples under the Ninth-Grade God, Xiang Xiang Xianyang, it meant their natural talent and aptitude were quite limited.

How could Grandfather Cheng possibly reach the peak of the River Estuary Realm?

Cheng Rou smiled as she watched Lu Ran's stunned expression and explained: "It is said that Grandfather also once received a blessing from Lord God."

Lu Ran: "It is said?"

Cheng Rou nodded and said: "That was a very, very long time ago, so long ago that I wasn't even born yet.

Grandfather has also never confirmed it directly; when Little Junior Brother has rested well, you can go and have a chat with him."

Lu Ran said: "Since I'm awake, I'll go visit Grandfather Cheng in a while; can Deng Deng Shijie take me?"

Lu Ran certainly wouldn't be arrogant because of favor.

What's more, since Grandfather Cheng was also an Xiang Xiang Xianyang believer, in the future, he would naturally be one of his own sources of support.

"Okay." Cheng Rou's smiling eyes were gentle; she really appreciated this humble and polite Little Junior Brother.

When "Heaven's Pride" aired and Lu Ran burst onto the scene, Cheng Rou realized one thing:

Lu Ran was extremely special and definitely not an ordinary Xiang Xiang Xianyang believer!

Like her grandfather, his personality was not weak, and he was not timid in his conduct.

On the contrary, they were terrifyingly fierce, like a divine weapon, extremely sharp!

"Deng Deng Shijie, shall we go now?" Lu Ran finished the steamed bun in a few bites and looked up at the woman.

Cheng Rou immediately cleared the tray and joked: "Let's go; it's only right that Little Junior Brother goes to visit.

After all, this place is a forbidden area.

Except for me, who delivers meals, no one else is allowed to come and disturb you; even Grandfather cannot set foot here."

Lu Ran: "."

"Hehe~" Cheng Rou smiled and patted her forehead. "Sorry, you look so well-behaved, different from how you look on 'Heaven's Pride,' and I always want to tease you."

Lu Ran rolled his eyes and followed his Deng Deng Shijie out of the residence.

The mountain path was fairly easy to walk.

The two of them, one in front and one behind, had only walked for a few minutes when they came to a fork in the road.

"Little Junior Brother." Cheng Rou pointed to the fork. "This path leads to the cliff; over there, we have built a pavilion for you.

You can practice in seclusion there, and no one will come to disturb you."

Lu Ran didn't know what to say anymore: "I..."

Cheng Rou looked up and smiled at Lu Ran: "The scenery over there is wonderful; you can see Mount Cangshan and Erhai Lake!"

Lu Ran pursed his lips, and a thousand words turned into two: "Thank you."

Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang,

you were so fierce when you scolded me, but now you're giving me a house and land...

How is this any different from a domineering CEO?

Lu Ran couldn't help but recall when he first brought the shrine and statue home, the white jade sheep sculpture suddenly turned dark-faced and then gave a wicked smile.

That's it~

Domineering Sheep CEO confirmed.

Having said that, since this place is a forbidden area, then once I have mastered the evil technique "Mirror Flower Moon," can I hide the Night Charm in Lady Luo Xian Residence?

Lu Ran thought secretly as he followed Cheng Rou forward.

After walking for a long time, he saw a series of building complexes!

The Lady Luo Xian Temple was indeed not in that dilapidated state; the back mountain really had a world of its own.

Lu Ran marveled secretly, looking at the antique architectural style; it really felt like entering a Taoist temple.

"Oh my, Heaven's Pride Lu!"

"Heaven's Pride Lu is here..." Surprised voices rang out one after another, and a group of middle-aged women gathered around.

More Xiang Xiang Xianyang believers were watching from afar, not daring to approach rashly.

One curly-haired woman was emotionally excited, grabbed Lu Ran's hand, looked him over, and kept saying:

"Good, really good, our Xiang Xiang Xianyang faction has successors! You're tall, fair and clean, and you look good too..."

Lu Ran felt weird.

Why does this feel like looking at a son-in-law?

"Auntie Liu, I'll take Little Junior Brother to see Grandfather first." Cheng Rou hurriedly relieved the situation.

Auntie Liu let go reluctantly: "Are the mushrooms delicious? Auntie will go pick some more for you tomorrow."

"Delicious, delicious!" Lu Ran imitated Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang's manner, cupped his hands, and thanked her repeatedly.

And this action of his seemed to trigger some kind of switch!

All the Xiang Xiang Xianyang believers around cupped their hands and immediately returned the salute.

Lu Ran was startled!

Good grief, I can't just cup my hands easily in the future.

In this Lady Luo Xian Mountain, this action must be quite formal.

"Let's go quickly." Cheng Rou whispered, speeding up her pace.

Lu Ran stepped on the stone path, walked past building after building, and finally stepped into a large gate.

The view before him suddenly opened up, with stone bricks paving the ground.

"Every morning, after paying respects to the god, we practice here."

Cheng Rou introduced as she led Lu Ran to the side of the field, in front of a large hall.

Lu Ran looked up and saw three large characters written on the plaque—Respect Immortal Hall.

Inside the hall, a stone sculpture of an Xiang Xiang Xianyang sat upright.

On the prayer mat in front of the stone sculpture, an old man was kneeling with his head bowed.

Cheng Rou walked up quickly and whispered: "Grandfather, Lu Ran has come to see you."

"Oh?" The old man turned his head to look.

Outside the hall, Lu Ran's eyes narrowed!

The old man was wearing a white robe with a white inner garment, also wearing a bun, with a simple wooden hairpin stuck in it.

Although his hair was white, he was full of vigor.

His eyes showed no signs of cloudiness; instead, they were bright and piercing.

"Since Little Friend Lu is here, you might as well pay respects to the god first." The old man stood up and gestured toward the prayer mat.

Lu Ran, however, looked at the old man, examining him carefully.

Beneath this appearance of a sage, Lu Ran saw a sharp weapon!

A long spear?

No, not a spear! What is that?

The old man stood quietly, not urging Lu Ran to enter the hall.

Cheng Rou was a bit puzzled and just about to say something, but was stopped by the old man raising his hand.

Lu Ran said: "Is Grandfather Cheng a practitioner of the halberd?"

"Hahahaha!" The old man laughed heartily and stroked his white beard. "Worthy of being the master of a divine weapon, Little Friend, good eye!"

Lu Ran felt terrible.

This... this?!

You're telling me this is an Xiang Xiang Xianyang believer?

Isn't this a Dongting believer?

(End of chapter)