Chapter 302: Silhouette at Sunset

The sun set in the west; the mountain forest lay silent.

Two figures moved one after another along the mountainside.

Jiangjiang Ruyi kept her head down, silently following slightly behind Lu Ran, without a word the entire way.

Several times she wanted to speak, yet she did not know whether she should disturb the young man beside her.

He must be calming his emotions.

Just like in the early hours of this morning, when Jiangjiang Ruyi had edited a message for a long time, but in the end, she had only sent the two characters: "Congratulations."

She did not want to disturb him, yet he still came.

He appeared beside her and gave her the sense of security she needed most.

That battle just now was earth-shattering.

Lu Ran, contrary to his usual self, displayed thunderous methods, his posture incredibly forceful!

It was as if that Wu Seng believer were not human, but a Jiang Jing vicious dog.

Such a terrifying fight also made everyone reassess this great summer prodigy.

"Are you alright?" After a long while, Jiangjiang Ruyi finally spoke, her voice very soft.

Lu Ran gazed at the dense mountain forest, his pace unhalting:

"What, do you think I'm very irritable and dangerous right now?"

"No, how could I." A trace of panic flashed through Jiangjiang Ruyi's eyes; she immediately reached out and took hold of two of Lu Ran's fingers.

In the previous battle, Lu Ran's methods had indeed been brutal.

For the vast majority of people, there would no longer be any impulse to step forward and ask for an autograph or a photo; they would only want to stay away from Lu Ran.

On "Prodigy," he was the demon-slaying vanguard charging into battle.

Now, seeing him in daily life, he was equally fierce and sharp.

However, Jiangjiang Ruyi was not among those people.

She knew Lu Ran's character well; clever as she was, she had also figured out why his style had changed so suddenly.

Even taking a step back, even if Lu Ran became a brutal person, his blade would never turn toward her.

This confidence stemmed from every minute and second they had spent together.

It stemmed from that unique look in his eyes whenever he gazed at her.

"I'm sorry." Jiangjiang Ruyi lowered her head and whispered.

"Why apologize?" Lu Ran stopped, turned his head, and looked at the young girl.

"Because of me, you only..."

"Jiang Ruyi." Lu Ran cut off her words. "Is it your fault that you are beautiful?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Lu Ran reached out and smoothed her long hair: "Is it your fault that you are so outstanding and admired by others?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi fell silent, hanging her head, her expression somewhat complex.

A smile appeared on Lu Ran's face, unfortunately hidden by his black mask:

"Is it your fault that I don't want you to suffer grievances?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi kept her head lowered, listening to Lu Ran's gentle words; her eyes gradually turned red.

This girl from Anning Town, after breaking into the noisy and troubled big city, had always been very strong.

She had become aloof, become unapproachable, adapting to everything outside while protecting herself.

Yet, standing before Lu Ran, her strength vanished; somehow, all sorts of grievances welled up from the bottom of her heart.

Lu Ran suddenly changed tack: "But you do indeed have a fault."

Jiangjiang Ruyi immediately lifted her head; her reddened eyes and injured face radiated an overwhelming sense of fragility.

Lu Ran pretended not to see, looking down: "Wearing high heels is where you went wrong."

Jiangjiang Ruyi stared at Lu Ran, stunned for a good while, before a smile finally appeared on her face.

Although she had not cried, she truly felt like someone breaking into laughter through tears, and she whispered:

"Being a bit taller can also dissuade some people."

Lu Ran: "..."

Is it really that subtle?

Oh no!

Does that group of people include me?

"If you don't like them, I'll throw them away when we get back." Jiangjiang Ruyi, holding Lu Ran's hand, gave it a gentle shake.

This tiny little motion, paired with her gentle words, was worlds apart from her previous aloof demeanor.

Lu Ran grinned: "That won't be necessary."

The moment his words fell, he felt a buzzing in his pocket.

Lu Ran took out his phone and saw an incoming call from Principal Zheng.

This principal surnamed Zheng was actually a vice-principal, and he was also in charge of admissions.

Lu Ran's phone naturally could not receive calls from strangers.

The two of them were able to contact each other only because earlier, when Lu Ran had requested the Tian Chen Dao from the school, he had taken the initiative to reach out to the other party.

"Principal Zheng." Lu Ran spoke.

"Little Lu, I'm attending a meeting out of town; I heard you've returned to the school?" On the other end of the line came the warm, thick voice of a middle-aged man.

"Mm."

"Has the Pilgrimage matter concluded?"

"No, I still have to go."

Hearing this, Zheng Wenhan sighed inwardly, unable to help but connect many dots.

His tone gentle, he spoke: "Little Lu, I've heard about the incident at the martial arts arena.

After yesterday's opening ceremony, the school already implemented controls, yet Classmate Xiao Jiang's popularity far exceeded our expectations."

Lu Ran fell silent for a moment, then said: "Mm, our living environment is too unique; we never lack crazy people."

Zheng Wenhan: "Regarding this matter, I will give you an explanation.

Since you chose to come to Wu Lie River University, we will do our utmost to provide you with a stable learning environment."

"Troubling you, Principal Zheng," Lu Ran said softly, his words becoming slightly more numerous, "I am currently preparing to advance to the River Realm and cannot stay at the school.

As for when I will return, I am not quite certain; I am asking for leave in advance."

"Advancing to the River Realm?" Zheng Wenhan felt quite surprised and immediately said, "Good, go ahead and comprehend with peace of mind.

As for Classmate Xiao Jiang, rest assured; we will first transfer her to the faculty dormitory."

"I'm also taking leave," Jiangjiang Ruyi suddenly spoke.

"Mm?" Lu Ran looked at the young girl beside him.

Jiangjiang Ruyi naturally knew where Lu Ran intended to go to advance to the River Realm.

Rain Alley City, by the Wu Lie River!

Jiangjiang Ruyi stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Lu Ran's arm, her face showing a plea.

"Very well." On the other end of the phone, Jiangjiang Ruyi's words were clearly heard, "When you two return, the school administration will definitely provide you with a normal learning environment."

After exchanging a few more words, both parties hung up the phone.

It seemed some people were about to suffer disaster.

At the very least, some teachers would be held accountable.

The timing of Lu Ran's return was truly coincidental.

In order to let Lu Ran cultivate with peace of mind, Jiangjiang Ruyi not only told him nothing herself but also forbade her companions from mentioning anything.

Therefore, Lu Ran's motive was pure: simply to advance to the fifth stage of the River Realm and then come to see Jiangjiang Ruyi.

As a result, on the second day of the school term, such an incident occurred.

It was hard not to associate that Lu Ran had returned specifically for Jiangjiang Ruyi.

"You want to go back with me?" Lu Ran asked, smiling at the young girl.

Jiangjiang Ruyi nodded gently: "I will accompany you to advance to the River Realm."

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then said: "Actually, if you stay at the school, you should be able to live normally now."

Many times, bandits are more useful than soldiers.

Soldiers must act according to rules, following procedures and formalities, bound hand and foot, ensuring punishment fits the crime.

Bandits are different.

They can place a blade directly against your neck and simply ask if you fear death.

In this incident, Lu Ran was that bandit.

On the martial arts arena, he directly chopped off the head and hands of the Wu Seng believer, dismembering him alive and beating him until he was a bloody mess.

Such killing the chicken to scare the monkey possessed absolute deterrent power.

After all, the opponent Lu Ran encountered was quite suitable.

Not only was he a believer under the First-Rank Deity · Wu Seng, but he was also a great expert of the Named River Estuary Realm!

From now on, anyone wishing to disturb Jiangjiang Ruyi's peace would have to think twice.

"No, I will go back with you," Jiangjiang Ruyi said, her tone very resolute.

She could imagine the scene of Lu Ran staying on an abandoned rooftop by the Wu Lie River, bitterly comprehending.

With her there, at the very least she could bring him meals daily and take care of his life.

"Alright then." Lu Ran searched in his pocket, "Close your eyes."

A slight stir arose in Jiangjiang Ruyi's heart; she did not refuse, slowly closing her eyes.

There was no expected kiss, causing her secretly hopeful little thought to feel somewhat disappointed.

However, she seemed to hear a pleasant sound.

A cold, icy sensation landed on her wrist.

Was this a bracelet?

"Done!" Lu Ran lifted her arm with one hand, looking at her fair wrist.

Jiangjiang Ruyi eagerly opened her eyes, examining the gift Lu Ran had given.

It was a thin gold bracelet, intricately constructed, shimmering brilliantly under the setting sun.

Embedded on the thin gold bracelet was a pendant, a small piece of deep red jade.

It looked like a red bean.

"Ning Hong Jade produced from the demon cave beneath the feet of the Deity · Cai Yu; before processing, it received the blessings of Lord Cai Yu."

While speaking, Lu Ran held the young girl's arm, examining it closely: "It is said to have a certain effect of calming the spirit."

Jiangjiang Ruyi gazed entranced at the small jade stone, caring not which demon cave produced the mineral material or what effects it possessed.

She only saw that it was a red bean.

And she understood the longing for love within it.

"Do you like it?" Lu Ran asked casually.

The jade bracelet was exceedingly exquisite, matching her slender wrist and snow-white skin so perfectly.

As for whether this bracelet or her delicate jade-like hand was more beautiful...

Lu Ran leaned toward the latter.

"Jiang Ruyi?" After receiving no response for a while, Lu Ran turned to look at the young girl.

"I like it." Jiangjiang Ruyi finally came back to her senses.

She suddenly leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, and whispered, "I like it so much."

"So easy to trick; a single bracelet and you're throwing yourself into my arms?" Lu Ran said with a laugh.

Jiangjiang Ruyi tilted her head slightly and discontentedly bumped the side of Lu Ran's head.

"Alright, now it's time to argue." Lu Ran gently pushed Jiangjiang Ruyi away.

Jiangjiang Ruyi looked somewhat stunned: "What?"

Lu Ran looked into her beautiful eyes and smiled: "We agreed that after I advanced, we could chat together.

Instead, you give me a 'congratulations'?

You're so cold; do you want to freeze me to death in Cainan?"

"Can we not argue?" Jiangjiang Ruyi, who had just been pushed away, wrapped her arms around Lu Ran's neck once more, this time even tighter.

Her voice was so small and soft, so soft it made one's heart ache.

Lu Ran: "."

He had intended to use a joking tone to get her to change, to pay him more attention in the future.

He hadn't expected it to turn out like this.

It was undeniable that when he first received the message, he had indeed felt hurt, feeling greatly neglected.

But after seeing Jiangjiang Ruyi in person, all of that had long since vanished like smoke.

What truly made Lu Ran angry was that she had suffered such grievances, yet why hadn't she told him?

Lu Ran's silence, however, caused Jiangjiang Ruyi to misunderstand.

The noble and holy white moonlight, before a specific person, actually appeared somewhat humble: "Don't be angry.

I was afraid... afraid that if I talked to you too much, I wouldn't be able to stop, and I'd say more and more."

Several words popped into Lu Ran's mind: I really deserve to die!

"Let's go home." Lu Ran, smelling the faint fragrance on her, patted her back.

"Mm, okay." Jiangjiang Ruyi buried her head against Lu Ran's neck, nodding gently, yet she did not loosen her embrace.

The setting sun's afterglow,

stubbornly illuminated the mountain forest.

Stretching the shadows of the two people very long.

Thanks to Happy Little Deer Bambi, the great fan, for the many, many donations to the Character Card: Lu Ran!

Thanks to Luo Ji, T Mo 29, Wuhu Doudou, and the others for your donations!

Bosses, you're generous; thanks for the support!

( ˘ ³˘) Heart fingers

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(End of Chapter)