Chapter 380: The People Inside the Divine Temple

"It was my obsession with advancing that was too strong."

The young girl's voice broke the silence inside the car.

Just as Lu Ran was about to speak, Jiangjiang Ruyi said again, "I should have gone with you."

Lu Ran whispered, "I am allowed to make mistakes; you are not."

In his arms, the girl lifted her head: "Do you think I care?"

Lu Ran fell silent.

Jiangjiang Ruyi stared straight into Lu Ran's eyes: "Lu Ran, tell me, what is it exactly that I care about?"

A heavy sigh echoed in Lu Ran's heart.

He knew better than anyone that Jiangjiang Ruyi's "Dao" consisted of only two words—Lu Ran.

This was a forced binding!

Setting aside the ridiculous emotions of the human race and speaking only of the path to heaven and one's career prospects,

once Lu Ran died, everything of Jiangjiang Ruyi's would collapse completely.

"If I fail this advancement, it will be because of you," Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly.

Usually gentle and magnanimous, her words had never been so sharp before.

It was clear that Jiangjiang Ruyi was truly anxious.

She was going against her own heart, using another method to achieve her goal.

Lu Ran spoke: "I promise to be more careful and cautious in the future, ensuring my own safety."

Jiangjiang Ruyi commanded: "Say it while looking into my eyes."

Lu Ran, however, removed both of their masks and lowered his head to press his lips against those delicate, luscious ones.

Jiangjiang Ruyi did not flinch; she stubbornly kept her eyes open, staring at the detestable face right before her.

In the driver's seat, Wen Yang hurriedly averted his gaze from the rearview mirror.

He sat upright, gripping the steering wheel tightly, focusing all his attention on the road ahead.

At the same time, in another vehicle.

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi looked at Si Si Xianxian beside her and asked with worry, "Sister Jiang Ruyi and Brother are going to argue, aren't they?"

Si Si Xianxian let out a scoffing laugh: "Your Sister Jiang Ruyi can only keep a cold face toward outsiders."

"Toward your brother?"

"She'll go soft within three minutes."

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi blinked her eyes and murmured softly, "Seeing Sister Jiang Ruyi again during this New Year, I realized she has changed so much."

"Originally, she was so gentle and kind to everyone."

Si Si Xianxian pursed her lips: "After all, she is at the Jiang Jing realm; the higher one cultivates, the less human one becomes."

"The fact that she still has us two in her eyes and is willing to indulge us is already good enough."

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi murmured softly, "After I advance to Jiang Jing, I definitely won't change."

The corner of Si Si Xianxian's mouth lifted slightly as she reached out to flick the young girl's ponytail: "Sister, don't make such absolute claims."

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi suddenly hugged Si Si Xianxian's arm, bringing her delicate face close:

"After you become Jiang Jing, you must still indulge me and play with me just like you do now!"

Si Si Xianxian turned her head to look out the window and said awkwardly, "I'll try my best."

Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi pouted her small lips: "Pah, scum woman!"

Si Si Xianxian:???

You little brat, how dare you speak like that?

Do you think that just because you are Lu Ran's sister, I wouldn't dare slap you?

Hmm, never mind, never mind.

The vehicle gradually slowed down and came to a gentle stop at the foot of Lady Luo Sister Xian Mountain.

In the two cars ahead, several people disembarked one after another; only Wen Yang's car showed no sign of opening its doors.

Sitting in the driver's seat, Wen Yang was deeply conflicted.

He wasn't sure whether he should remind the Mountain Lord and the Lady to get out, or whether he should get out himself to leave them some private space.

Until from the back seat came Jiangjiang Ruyi's instruction: "Take them up the mountain first and arrange accommodations."

"Yes, Lady," Wen Yang replied, feeling as though he had received a pardon, and hurriedly opened the door to leave.

Lu Ran looked at Jiangjiang Ruyi leaning against his side and sighed at her changes.

People all change.

They constantly change along with their experiences, state of mind, strength, and social status.

And Jiangjiang Ruyi's appearance, with her eyes closed and clinging tightly to Lu Ran, also proclaimed a fact:

There is one thing that will never change.

The car was filled with silence; Lu Ran inhaled the faint scent of jasmine, and his heart gradually calmed down.

Jiangjiang Ruyi parted her thin lips slightly: "You just said that Master Xiang Xiang Xianyang agreed to let Deng Deng Yuxiang challenge the Divine Ruins."

"Mm."

"Because she is about to become a believer of Xianyangyi Sect?"

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, then changed the subject: "The world beyond the Divine Ruins will inevitably hold countless hardships and dangers for me."

"We both know clearly how strong Great Nightmare is; with her there, my safety will be even more guaranteed."

Jiangjiang Ruyi asked, "If I were a believer of Xianyangyi Sect, could I also accompany you to challenge the Divine Ruins of Yufuyi Sect?"

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "You have no reason to withdraw from Yufuyi Sect."

Jiangjiang Ruyi raised her eyelids, gazing directly into Lu Ran's eyes: "No?"

"Whenever it concerns you, whatever I do has a reason."

Tonight, Jiangjiang Ruyi was somewhat different.

Nothing happens without a cause.

It seemed the events in Lord Bei Feng City had truly frightened her.

Previously, her words had been sharp; now, she was bold and direct.

Lu Ran did not know Jiangjiang Ruyi's exact state when she saw that photograph.

Worry, panic.

Nearly suffocating!

"Jiang Ruyi," Lu Ran said softly.

Jiangjiang Ruyi lifted her stunningly charming face, looking stubbornly at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran gently squeezed her palm: "Lord Bei Feng wanted Deng Deng Yuxiang dead and sought to seize her soul; that is why she withdrew from the Lord Bei Feng faction."

"The Yufuyi Sect has given you much; Yu Fu Shen Fa helped you reach where you are today."

"You are not a cold-blooded, heartless person."

Lu Ran paused, then continued: "I know that every day after your noon nap, Sister Sister Xian accompanies you to that small house a few kilometers down the mountain."

"There, before Master Yu Fu's small divine statue, you pray and offer the power of faith."

"Only before sunset do you two return to the mountain to watch the evening glow."

"Whether it is gratitude and repayment, or an unwillingness to owe a debt, this is who you are."

"If you withdraw from the Yufuyi Sect now, this may become an obstacle on your path of cultivation in the future."

"The higher people ascend in cultivation, the stricter the requirements naturally become for their state of mind."

Jiangjiang Ruyi remained silent for a long time, then whispered: "I once believed that focusing my heart without distraction and devoting myself single-mindedly to bitter cultivation was the correct answer for walking alongside you."

"For this, I even caused you to misunderstand me."

"On New Year's Eve, you advised and begged me to treat you as a human being."

"But what happened today..."

Lu Ran suddenly interrupted: "You are not wrong; that is the correct answer."

Jiangjiang Ruyi lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes trembling gently.

Seeing this made Lu Ran's heart ache again.

Sometimes, having senses that are too keen is truly not a good thing.

Lu Ran's voice was gentle: "You are entangled over the events in Lord Bei Feng City, so let me tell you another version."

"All those injuries on my body were inflicted intentionally."

Jiangjiang Ruyi frowned slightly, looking at the face before her, trying to find traces of a lie.

Lu Ran nodded in confirmation: "I admit, some blade auras were unavoidable."

"But to tell you the truth, some of those blades I took intentionally, such as the cut on my face."

Jiangjiang Ruyi pressed her lips together.

Lu Ran asked and answered himself: "Do I have any fatal wounds? No!"

"When admitting fault, one must show attitude; when taking a beating, one must stand straight."

"Since I was at fault first, the more miserable I appear, the more satisfied the Lord Bei Feng faction feels, and the easier it becomes to handle my affairs."

Jiangjiang Ruyi raised her hand, her fingertip gently brushing across Lu Ran's cheek.

There had once been a cut there, deep enough to expose the cheekbone, with blood gushing out in streams.

Lu Ran sighed lightly: "I displayed an attitude of apology, and the Lord Bei Feng City Lord clearly understood; the matter was on the verge of being resolved through negotiation."

"But then Liao Liao Wushuang flipped the table, so let's not speak of it."

"What I mean is, this morning at the training grounds, I was not struggling desperately; I am far, far stronger than you imagine!"

Lu Ran caught her hand resting on his cheek, his expression serious: "The Divine Ruins cannot harm me."

"No matter what lies behind the Divine Ruins, if even a Lord Bei Feng disciple at River Realm Stage Five can enter, then once I go in, I could kill my way in and out ten thousand times."

"Be more humble; you must harbor a heart of reverence," Jiangjiang Ruyi said with dissatisfaction.

Jiangjiang Xianzi's attitude instead made Lu Ran breathe a sigh of relief.

It seemed explaining the events within Lord Bei Feng City was extremely necessary.

Lu Ran's expression became solemn: "I will complete the task assigned by Master Xiang Xiang Xianyang; I will definitely return from the Divine Ruins!"

"I hope that when I return, I will find you equally powerful."

"There are still many goals waiting for us to accomplish together."

Lu Ran's heart was filled with unwavering resolve.

Jiang Ruyi, you will remain clean and pure.

Once I understand the true nature of this world, I will take you away from the Yufuyi Sect.

Your Dao heart, your path of the heart, will not have even the slightest stain.

Only then can you walk farther and climb higher mountain peaks.

"Jiang Ruyi, our future path is very, very long; you cannot, for a moment's..." Lu Ran's expression suddenly froze. "Hmm?"

Streams of energy began to churn violently.

Fog outside the carriage grew thick, drifting inside and surging toward the young girl's body.

Was she about to advance?

Jiang Jing Stage Two?

Lu Ran's face lit up with joy, but Jiangjiang Ruyi seemed not to notice.

Her beautiful eyes gazed quietly at Lu Ran.

As if she regarded him as the distant stars in the night sky above Silver River Bay;

As if she regarded him as the evening glow on the far horizon above Lady Luo Sister Xian Mountain;

As if she intended to thoroughly merge this person, destined to depart for a distant land,

Into the depths of her eyes.

"Quick, fly back up the mountain." Lu Ran immediately opened the door and got out of the car.

Do not mistake this for merely a minor realm advancement; this is Jiang Jing!

Breaking through is extremely difficult!

Whether Jiangjiang Ruyi can shatter her shackles still depends on fate.

The closer one gets to the divine statue of Xiang Xiang Xianyang's true form, the denser the divine power naturally becomes, which greatly aids Jiangjiang Ruyi's improvement.

"I will strive to become stronger, just as you hope," Jiangjiang Ruyi said, her gaze burning. "You must also remember the promise you made me."

"Hmm?"

"You said you would definitely return from the Divine Ruins."

"Definitely!" Lu Ran stood outside the car, leaning his upper body inside.

He lifted her out in a princess carry: "Fly up; I will follow shortly."

But Jiangjiang Ruyi said, "Carry me up the mountain, step by step."

Lu Ran was slightly bewildered: "Ah?"

Having spent so much time together, the beautiful Jiang Ruyi had always been gentle and considerate, hardly ever willful.

Yet now that she was being willful just once, she was playing so big?

You are in the midst of advancing your realm.

Today, Jiangjiang Ruyi had shown Lu Ran too many different sides of herself.

Lu Ran wanted to say more, but he saw Jiangjiang Ruyi in his arms close her eyes, seemingly concentrating on her breakthrough.

As if sensing Lu Ran's gaze, she whispered softly, "Step by step."

Lu Ran felt helplessly amused; he had indeed intended to summon his divine weapon and fly up the mountain.

Hmm... very well.

You are breaking through; right now, you hold the greatest authority.

Compared to the difference in divine power concentration between the summit and the foot of the mountain, her mood and state during her breakthrough were naturally far more important.

The surrounding mist gradually thickened as Lu Ran, carrying his fiancée, walked toward the stone steps for Dengshan.

Jiangjiang Ruyi suddenly spoke, her voice soft and gentle: "With every step you climb, silently recite your promise to me in your heart once."

Lu Ran paused in his movement, stepping onto the first stone stair: "Alright."

Regarding true peace of mind.

The deity seated atop Xianshan could not give it to her.

Deep within her Dao heart, at the end of her heart's path, stood a divine temple.

Inside the temple, one person was enshrined.

Jiangjiang Ruyi rested her head on Lu Ran's shoulder, her cheek gently rubbing against his neck.

She had to pray to him.

A new month is almost here; begging all you brothers for support with monthly tickets!!

(End of Chapter)