Chapter 364: An Unexpected Joy

A whole family, happily celebrating New Year's Eve.

The joyful atmosphere of family reunion made Lu Ran and the others especially enjoy it.

After midnight, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi and Si Si Xianxian chose to stay overnight at the Jiang couple's home.

Lu Ran, however, took Jiangjiang Ruyi back to Lady Luo Sister Xian's Residence.

The mountain path was quiet, and the warm breeze was intoxicating.

A sky full of stars guarded the silhouettes of two people walking hand in hand.

Lu Ran had drunk half a cup of white liquor with Jiang Zheng and was slightly drunk, murmuring softly:

"They wanted me to join the national propaganda department, and some old leaders also tried to pull me into office and recommend me for enlistment.

I blocked them all off using the Xianyangyi Sect; I have to say, my identity as the Master of Xianshan is quite useful."

Jiangjiang Ruyi listened quietly, saying nothing.

Suddenly, Lu Ran stopped speaking and looked at the girl beside him.

Jiangjiang Ruyi sensed it and likewise turned her gaze to meet his.

"Jiang Ruyi."

"Hmm?"

"I've been doing all the talking; it's been the whole day, and you've been so quiet."

Jiangjiang Ruyi smiled, lowered her head, and walked forward.

But a certain person would not allow it.

Lu Ran wrapped an arm around his fiancée's slender waist, pulling her back into his embrace with one hand.

On the mountain path where no one else was around, he was utterly unrestrained.

Jiangjiang Ruyi raised her eyes slightly, looking at the person right before her.

At this moment, Lu Ran seemed to see the stars of the night sky hidden within the depths of her gentle eyes.

Admiring those beautiful eyes, he said softly, "Did you go to Silver River Bay?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi nodded gently: "Grandpa Cheng took me; practicing swordsmanship all day also requires actual combat."

A trace of guilt arose in Lu Ran's heart: "I should have accompanied you."

Jiangjiang Ruyi smiled: "You don't know how to use a sword anyway."

The path was one's own choice.

The person was even more so one's own choice.

So there was nothing more to say.

More than half a month ago, Lu Ran had come in haste and left in haste.

Jiangjiang Ruyi realized that she seemed to feel a bit aggrieved.

She woke up from this realization, reflected deeply on the pain, and during the days of devoted cultivation that followed, worked very hard to correct herself.

She had made up her mind long ago:

To focus her mind solely on strength.

Any further intense emotional fluctuations would only delay him and delay herself.

"What are you thinking about?" Lu Ran's forehead gently pressed against hers.

Jiangjiang Ruyi felt the warm breath, carrying a hint of alcohol.

Lu Ran, meanwhile, smelled a faint scent of jasmine, refreshing to the heart and mind.

"Nothing much." Jiangjiang Ruyi gently pushed Lu Ran, tilting her head back slightly.

Lu Ran: "I feel like you're different from before."

"How could that be?"

"The you from before would never have pushed me away," Lu Ran pouted.

The words had just left his mouth when Lu Ran froze!

Holy crap?

How did that kind of tone come out of my mouth?

It's over!

I've spent too much time with little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi; near vermilion, one gets stained red!

"Hehe~" Jiangjiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh and teased, "Is the foremost genius of Great Xia acting spoiled with me?"

Lu Ran: "."

Beneath the night sky and starlight.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's eyes were breathtakingly beautiful, holding a trace of amusement: "Hmm?"

Lu Ran had thick skin; he pretended nothing had happened: "So, why did you push me away?"

A certain person only attacked without defending.

A certain person remained calm and indifferent, simply not entering the arena.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, still held by the waist by him, leaned her upper body back slightly, saying nothing.

Lu Ran fell silent for a moment, then said, "Don't tell me you really intend to become an immortal with no desires?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran with a smile.

Is it possible that I've grown a year older, and my understanding of love has become a bit deeper?

Only appropriate restraint will not hinder your steps.

Lu Ran panicked slightly: "Don't! You have to treat people as humans!

Others don't matter, but you at least have to treat me as a human, mm?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi suddenly leaned in close and lightly kissed Lu Ran on the lips.

Once again, her cheeks flushed slightly red as she whispered softly, "Feeling reassured now?"

Lu Ran stood stunned for a moment before saying, "No, but I must still thank Jiang Xianzi for her gracious gift."

"Smooth talker." Jiangjiang Ruyi cast a feigned reproachful glance at Lu Ran, broke free from his embrace, and walked forward.

The mountain path grew increasingly narrow, allowing only one person to pass.

Although the two walked one behind the other, Lu Ran stubbornly took hold of that fair jade hand, toying with her slender fingers.

Jiangjiang Ruyi had not explained too much, leading Lu Ran to misunderstand.

To him,

the Jiangjiang Ruyi of this moment was a flower blooming atop the cloud peaks.

She could not drift any farther away!

Fortunately, he had discovered it early; he must quickly pull her back toward the mortal world.

"By the way, on the third day, will you accompany me to Lord Bei Feng City?" Lu Ran invited.

"Lord Bei Feng City?" Jiangjiang Ruyi asked, somewhat surprised.

Lu Ran immediately spoke, recounting the matter of Deng Deng Yuxiang competing for the Divine Weapon Domain.

As they spoke, the two approached the vicinity of Lady Luo Sister Xian's Residence; the road grew increasingly wide, and they walked side by side.

Lu Ran secretly gazed at Jiang Xianzi's profile, only to discover with shock that she was shaking her head in refusal.

"You don't want to go?" Lu Ran was truly dumbfounded.

How many years had it been?

When had Jiangjiang Meiren ever refused him?

Jiangjiang Ruyi said, "I have swordsmanship classes every day; I cannot interrupt them.

Moreover, I also need to cultivate.

I feel that I am about to touch the threshold of Jiang Jing · Stage Two."

Lu Ran: "."

Oh no!

Had he been so busy with his career outside that he had worked his fiancée away?

However, regarding the reasons Jiangjiang Ruyi gave, Lu Ran believed them.

While Lu Ran fought everywhere and busied himself participating in various "Heavenly Genius" activities, Jiangjiang Ruyi had been cultivating bitterly.

More crucially, she was cultivating right beneath the feet of the Divine Being's true form!

This was far more formidable than the "pilgrimages" of other believers!

After all, those believers, waving the banner of pilgrimage, might not even be able to enter the inner city beneath the Divine Being's feet.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, however, had taken root daily within Lady Luo Sister Xian's Residence!

Under the blessings of the Xiang Xiang Xianyang true form's sculpture, she enjoyed the world's top-tier cultivation resources.

How could her growth speed not be rapid?

Lu Ran said, "Then I shall go alone?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi turned her head to look at Lu Ran and said softly, "Do you really want me to accompany you?"

Lu Ran opened his mouth, and after a long while, finally shook his head and said, "Never mind, no need."

Since Jiangjiang Ruyi was about to touch the threshold for advancement, how could he drag her back?

Consequently, Lu Ran swallowed all his subsequent invitations back down into his stomach.

He had originally intended to bring his fiancée back to Jingcheng to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

On that day, Mother would rarely return home for a visit.

Moreover, that day was also the combined birthday night of Lu Ran and little Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi.

Seeing the situation now, it was better not to disturb her.

The two returned to the mountain dwelling; Jiangjiang Ruyi went to bathe.

Lu Ran sat beside the octagonal table in the master bedroom, gulping down cup after cup of tea.

After a long while, the sound of a hairdryer came from the direction of the bathroom.

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then rose and left the master bedroom, crossed the hall, and arrived before the bathroom door: "Shall I help you dry your hair?"

Inside the room, the sound of the hairdryer stopped abruptly.

Leaning against the doorframe, Lu Ran said, "Little Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi always asks me to dry her hair; I only realized belatedly that I have never dried yours."

"Click~"

The bathroom door opened, revealing thin mist swirling within the room.

Jiangjiang Ruyi wore a white bathrobe; due to having just bathed, her cold-type beauty carried a hint of alluring rosiness.

It possessed a unique charm.

"Alright." Jiangjiang Ruyi smiled as she looked at Lu Ran.

"Gulp." Lu Ran's Adam's apple rolled once.

Holding the hairdryer, Jiangjiang Ruyi said, "Let's go to the bedroom."

Lu Ran forcibly suppressed the fire in his heart and followed behind her; just as his fiancée sat down before the dressing table in the master bedroom, he suddenly said, "Am I such an incompetent boyfriend?

We lived at home for so long before, yet I never once thought of this matter."

Gazing at the person in the mirror, Jiangjiang Ruyi said with a gentle voice, "Your hands are meant for holding blades."

Silently, Lu Ran toyed with her long hair, holding the hairdryer in one hand as he began to work.

Jiangjiang Ruyi kept watching the dressing mirror, observing the serious expression of the person reflected within it.

Barely ten-odd seconds later, she closed her eyes.

That detestable fellow.

Coming again to disturb my Dao heart!

Why be so gentle?

If this keeps up, I won't be able to hold it together.

After quite a while, the ear-splitting wind finally stopped.

Lu Ran lifted her glossy black hair with one hand, as though cradling a length of smooth satin, letting the strands slip through his fingertips.

Jiangjiang Ruyi suddenly spoke: "Third Brother, I'll go with you."

This time, Lu Ran answered crisply: "No need. Cultivation is most important!

One more fraction of strength means one more scrap of capital to survive."

Lu Ran lowered his head, pressed a light kiss to her hair, and left with the hair dryer in hand.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's gaze drifted as she silently watched the figure in the mirror depart, murmuring to herself:

"Mm, as you say."

The night passed without another word. At the small hours of the next morning—

When Lu Ran opened his bleary, sleep-heavy eyes and reached to the side of the bed, the beauty was already gone.

He pushed aside the bed curtain with one hand and pricked up his ears, hearing no sound anywhere in the dwelling.

Only the faint tick-tock of a clock's second hand on the distant wall.

Five-thirty?

One had to remember, the two of them had stayed up for New Year's Eve the night before and only returned after midnight.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, up this early?

Lu Ran rubbed his head, dressed, and headed straight for Lady Luo Sister Xian Pavilion.

Sure enough!

On the south side of Lady Luo Sister Xian Pavilion, in a clearing ringed by trees, Lu Ran found two figures—one old, one young.

"Young Friend Lu, Happy New Year." Cheng Li cupped his fist in greeting, chuckling as he spoke.

"Grandfather Cheng, it should have been me coming to wish you a Happy New Year." Lu Ran hurriedly returned the courtesy.

"Hah." Cheng Li laughed heartily, one hand stroking his long beard out of habit.

"Not taking a rest even on the first day of the New Year?" Lu Ran asked with a smile.

Cheng Li turned to look at his beloved disciple, the color of approval in his eyes hard to conceal: "Lady Luo Sister Xian is very diligent."

Lu Ran glanced over and saw Jiangjiang Ruyi holding a wooden branch in her hand, going through the motions with utmost seriousness.

He asked in a low voice: "How is her cultivation progress?"

Cheng Li beamed: "The Lady is exceptionally gifted and humbly diligent.

Over the past half month, she has been single-mindedly focused, so naturally her progress has been swift."

Lu Ran: "."

Is that a jab at me?

Should I leave, then?

Lu Ran was tactful. He immediately cupped his fist: "After breakfast, the two of us will pay a visit and wish you a Happy New Year in person."

Cheng Li, however, said: "Young Friend, may we speak a step aside?"

Lu Ran was rather surprised, but nodded at once and followed Cheng Li deeper into the woods.

Only when the two had come to a stop did Cheng Li speak: "Young Friend, I've heard that in a few days' time, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang will open a Divine Ruin for you?"

Lu Ran confirmed: "That's right."

Cheng Li was silent for a moment, then said: "The Mountain Lord's fortune is as vast as heaven—surely you will return safely."

Lu Ran smiled: "I'll borrow your auspicious words, Grandfather Cheng."

Cheng Li: "I have a presumptuous request, old man that I am."

Lu Ran said directly: "Grandfather Cheng is too polite. Just say it."

Cheng Li organized his words for a moment, then said slowly: "Young Friend, do you know that my Cheng brothers number five in all?"

Lu Ran: "I've heard as much."

The five Cheng brothers met with five different fates.

The eldest, Cheng Ren, died in battle.

The second, Cheng Yi, and the third, Cheng Li, still hold down Lady Luo Sister Xian Mountain.

The fourth, Cheng Zhi, left the Xianyangyi Sect early on and pledged himself to another deity.

The fifth, Cheng Xin, vanished in his early years and has not been heard from since.

Cheng Li: "What you may not know, Young Friend, is that my fifth brother disappeared without a trace after challenging a Divine Ruin."

Lu Ran's heart stirred: "Oh?"

Cheng Li: "With your abilities, Young Friend, you will surely succeed in challenging the Divine Ruin.

When you go to the world beyond the Divine Ruin, I hope you might help me search for my fifth brother."

As he spoke, Cheng Li sighed: "Whether alive or dead, just send me word."

Lu Ran frowned slightly: "Haven't you asked Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang?"

Cheng Li smiled and said nothing.

In this world, besides you, the Mountain Lord of Lady Luo Sister Xian, who has the right to question a deity?

Cheng Li wasn't even sure whether privately seeking Lu Ran's help might displease the Lord God.

Lu Ran read the expression on Cheng Li's face and tested the waters: "Shall I ask Grandpa Cheng for you?"

Cheng Li shook his head: "After so many years, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang has not revealed it; there must be a reason. It is best not to inquire rashly."

In that case, the deity's blame would be a small matter; if it implicated my fifth brother, who is still alive, that would be disastrous.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and sorted out his thoughts.

He was the favored one, but other believers, even as powerful as Cheng Li, had to be extremely cautious.

Who would have thought that after the Divine Ruins, there would even be a trace of a Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang believer?

If Cheng Xin were still alive...

just how strong would he be?

Would my Ran Gate not be adding another great general?

Truly an unexpected joy.

Thank you to Bosses Zui Sixiang, TOTorz, BookFriend20220604085904165, and Jiang Zhu Yu Jiang Qiao for their rewards! Thank you for the support; the bosses are generous!

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(End of this chapter)