Chapter 381: The Alluring Purple

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, the red sun rose.

Inside the Lady Luo Sister Xian Pavilion, a tall and graceful figure stood with hands behind her back, welcoming the mist surging from between heaven and earth.

On the long bench within the pavilion, Lu Ran sat quietly; he had already kept her company for an entire night.

The advancement of a River Realm expert was not as easy as it had been during the River Realm stage.

Even a breakthrough of just a minor sub-stage required one to two days.

Lu Ran had no time to be bored.

He kept gazing at the figure that appeared and disappeared within the ethereal immortal mist, secretly spacing out.

Lu Ran felt that he had grown old.

Like an elder sitting in his own courtyard spacing out, motionless, sitting there for an entire afternoon.

Because wherever he looked, it was all memories.

Hmm.

Lu Ran's expression suddenly turned strange.

He had spent his whole life in military campaigns, climbed to the peak of Great Xia, only to return and find he was still nineteen years old?

No!

Today was the fourth day of the first lunar month; only when the seventh day arrived would he truly turn nineteen.

Lu Ran pursed his lips.

Ever since successfully completing the Jing Shen Cheng Gong, life had been too damn exciting!

The stories experienced in a single year could make up for a lifetime of living.

"Jiang Ruyi," Lu Ran stood up and called out softly.

"Hmm?"

"Uncle and Auntie booked today's flight tickets to return home; since you are advancing here, I will go see them off."

"Mm," Jiangjiang Ruyi replied softly with her eyes closed.

Lu Ran wanted to say something more, but seeing Jiangjiang Xianzi's icy demeanor, he ultimately did not dare to act presumptuously.

He could only turn and leave.

Hearing the footsteps gradually fading into the distance, Jiangjiang Ruyi couldn't help but press her lips together, feeling a trace of loss in her heart.

Yet for some reason, the footsteps returned.

Pop~

A light kiss landed on her Bai Xi cheek.

Mountain Master Lu couldn't hold back!

He had come back to act presumptuously toward his Lady!

Jiangjiang Ruyi lowered her head slightly; although she knew it was a coincidence, she felt a shy embarrassment as if her little scheme had been seen through, and a flush of red inevitably rose to her face.

That detestable fellow.

Go quickly, go quickly!

Lu Ran was quite delighted; he had expected to be scolded, but instead, he saw the young girl's blushing face.

She had stood all night long, maintaining a state cold as ice, with an aura so strong it was astonishing.

Yet this surprise attack of his had produced a miraculous effect?

Had she returned to her gentle, lovely, and easily shy appearance?

Heh,

women.

In high spirits, Lu Ran left the Lady Luo Sister Xian Pavilion and walked down the mountain.

"Coming once to the human world in haste, through small winds and big waves, hell and heaven, and still there is your brilliant face~"

Humming a little tune, Lu Ran smelled the fragrance of flowers and grass on Lady Luo Sister Xian Mountain.

It seemed as though the sky had become even bluer.

The residence where the Jiang couple were temporarily staying was located on the easternmost side of Lady Luo Sister Xian Village.

When Lu Ran arrived, he saw Deng Deng Yuxiang lazily basking in the sun within the independent courtyard next door.

"You're here."

Deng Deng Yuxiang, wearing a white women's shirt and slim-fit trousers, stood by the fence wall covered in flowering vines.

The rays of the red sun dyed the contour of her body with a beautiful luster.

On her earlobes, she wore a ruby stud earring that sparkled brilliantly.

Making her proud countenance appear even more sexy and gorgeous.

Lu Ran broke into a smile.

He was generally easygoing in dealing with people, yet he also possessed his own pride.

As the number one genius of Great Xia, he rarely ever felt inferior to others.

But at this moment, seeing Deng Deng Yuxiang in such a posture, admiration arose spontaneously in Lu Ran's heart!

She was indeed a powerful martial artist.

She possessed an unyielding soul and a powerful heart!

"What is it?" Deng Deng Yuxiang rubbed a flower leaf between her fingers and turned to look at the figure outside the fence wall.

"Up so early?" Lu Ran came to his senses. "Are you finding the stay comfortable?"

Deng Deng Yuxiang casually plucked a flower leaf and changed the subject: "Last night when I went up the mountain to offer incense at the Lady Luo Sister Xian Temple, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang took me in."

"Congratulations then?"

"Same joy." Deng Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran with a half-smile. "What about you? When do you plan to take me in?"

Lu Ran gestured toward the private courtyard before him. "Jiang Ruyi's parents are returning to their hometown. I'm sending them to the airport and will find you when I return."

Deng Deng Yuxiang nodded lightly, suddenly remembering something. "Should I burn incense for you?"

Lu Ran almost laughed in exasperation. Are you really burning incense for me?

You're shortening my life!

Lu Ran snorted. "I risked my life to save you, yet you want to send me away?"

The corner of Deng Deng Yuxiang's mouth lifted slightly. "Does that mean I'm spared from kneeling and bowing?"

Lu Ran looked at Deng Deng Yuxiang with great helplessness.

Deng Deng Yuxiang acted as if it were only natural. "I'm just trying to follow the rules."

"Before, I personally witnessed you making someone kneel."

The so-called "someone" naturally referred to Ye Mei.

"True, I suppose I should have some of my own authority." Lu Ran nodded solemnly, as if considering it very seriously.

Yet Deng Deng Yuxiang still wore a faint smile.

Her words carried a teasing tone, but she was truly willing to bow her head and submit.

Last night, while offering incense inside the Luo Sister Xian Temple, Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang showed special grace and transmitted a few words directly to her.

Deng Deng Yuxiang understood clearly that she would be Lu Ran's first "human believer."

She was willing to set an example and make a good start.

In the future, everyone who follows Lu Ran should naturally look to her as a model.

Offering absolute loyalty to Lu Ran, forever remaining respectful and reverent.

"You..." Lu Ran was stunned.

He had intended to joke, and Deng Deng Yuxiang was indeed smiling, but her eyes seemed very serious?

"In a while, come wait for me at the Hall of Quiet Virtue." Lu Ran simply bypassed the topic and stepped into the Jiang residence.

"Very well." Deng Deng Yuxiang watched Lu Ran depart, then raised her gaze toward the rising red sun.

In a single day, her identity had transformed completely.

Falling from the high peaks into the abyss, then stepping from the abyss toward the cloud peaks.

Even now, Deng Deng Yuxiang still felt this world seemed somewhat unreal.

Lu Ran seemed somewhat unreal.

When Lu Ran entered the house, he happened to see several people finishing packing their luggage.

"Xiao Ran is here?" Jiang Fu's wife, Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi, hurried forward, taking Lu Ran's arm and examining him closely.

Her face was filled with heartache, and her eyes turned red instantly.

"I'm fine, Aunt Zhuang," Lu Ran said with a smile. "Jiang Ruyi is in a critical stage of advancement and cannot come. I'll take you to the airport in a moment."

"No need." Zhuang Zhuang Jingyi swallowed many words back into her belly. "Si Si Xianxian has already arranged a car for us. You should hurry back and rest your body."

Jiang Fu also walked over, looking at the intact Lu Ran, feeling a strange bitterness in his heart.

It was hard to imagine that yesterday's Lu Ran had been in the state shown in the photograph.

Even harder to imagine that after enduring such bitter torment, Lu Ran now stood before them with a gentle smile on his face.

Lu Ran: "Uncle Jiang."

Jiang Zheng also spoke up, urging, "Go back and rest, or go accompany Jiang Ruyi."

Lu Ran naturally refused. After much back-and-forth, he ultimately sent his future father-in-law and mother-in-law to the airport.

Because Lu Ran had returned, Jiang Qiao Jiang Qiao Yuanxi did not leave with the couple.

When returning to Huishan, it was only nine thirty in the morning.

Lu Ran temporarily asked the maid Si to accompany little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi to play, while he headed straight for the Hall of Quiet Virtue.

Unexpectedly, Grandfather Cheng Yi was standing at the entrance of the main hall. Kneeling deep inside the hall was the newly initiated disciple, Deng Deng Yuxiang.

"Grandfather Cheng, Happy New Year." Lu Ran clasped his fists in greeting.

"Mountain Master, Happy New Year." Cheng Yi's smile was filled with emotion, his heart brimming with gratitude.

Since Lu Ran had taken Cheng Yi along to receive the divine blessing together, he had entered a closed-door cultivation mode.

A few days before the New Year, Cheng Yi finally advanced to the Sea Realm!

After a lifetime of bitter pursuit, Cheng Yi had finally fulfilled his wish. How could he not be grateful to Lu Ran?

"Mountain Master, please enter quickly." Cheng Yi gestured toward the hall. "She has been waiting for you for a long time."

Originally, Grandfather from the Cheng family had still addressed Lu Ran as "young friend."

This time, upon Lu Ran's return to Huishan, Cheng Yi changed his address to "Mountain Master."

"Trouble you, Grandfather Cheng. I need to speak privately with Deng Deng Yuxiang about some matters."

"Yes!" Cheng Yi responded respectfully.

It was hard to imagine that this was a mighty One Sea Realm expert.

Lu Ran stepped into the main hall, while Cheng Yi, remaining outside, closed the huge hall doors.

"Sister?" Lu Ran, smelling the fragrance of incense, walked step by step toward the depths of the hall.

On the walls on both sides of the hall were over a thousand white jade carvings of Bai Yang, each in a different posture.

Every small divine statue seemed to be staring at Lu Ran.

Deng Deng Yuxiang knelt on the prayer mat, turning her head slightly to watch Lu Ran approach.

Suddenly, for a brief moment, she felt dazed.

This scene made her realize one thing, something she had always ignored.

They had known each other for so long.

It seemed he was always the one walking toward her?

That day at Wu Lie Bridge, he had taken the initiative to approach and help her gather the Zhan Ye Dao's weapon spirit into form.

Before he arrived, she had already been troubled for a long time.

On that abandoned rooftop that day, he came to her side, voluntarily imparting knowledge and teaching, aiding her advancement to the River Realm.

Before he arrived, she had been deeply stuck in the fifth stage of the River Realm, unable to clarify her will, stagnating for a very, very long time.

It was also he who voluntarily said he would go to North Wind City to watch the battles and cheer, claiming to bring his hometown along, bringing the curved moon of the night sky and the waters of Wu Lie River.

It was also he who voluntarily entered the arena, saving her life again and again.

From the hands of opponents, from the grasp of gods.

Afterwards, it was he who dragged her out of the mire and granted her rebirth.

In all of this, she had never voluntarily asked for anything; indeed, regarding some matters, she was completely unaware.

He simply arranged everything for her in private.

"What are you staring at?" Lu Ran came to Deng Deng Yuxiang's side and likewise knelt down.

Properly and respectfully.

"Heh." Suddenly, a cold sneer echoed into Lu Ran's mind.

Lu Ran jumped in fright: "My Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang, what is wrong?"

A low voice echoed into his mind, carrying a hint of mockery: "You are truly full of gratitude.

It seems saving her life was the right thing to do."

Lu Ran: "."

No, no, no, no.

I am usually full of gratitude toward you too!

You are my domineering Boss Sheep.

"Buzz!"

Lu Ran's head shook, and then everything before his eyes went black.

When he regained consciousness, he had entered the spiritual world, arriving within the Garden of Demonic and Divine Sculptures.

Before him stood a stone statue of massive proportions—the Ye Mei Yemo Xiesu!

"This statue belongs to you."

Lu Ran immediately turned around and saw the sheep head burning with dark, ethereal flames.

"Yes, My Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang." Lu Ran pressed his palms together, bowed his head, and agreed.

"You may command the Yemo Xiesu to do anything."

"Yes, My Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang."

"Now, connect closely with the Ye Mei Yemo Xiesu, command it, control it, and act as its full proxy."

"Yes."

Inside the Hall of Quiet Virtue, Deng Deng Yuxiang quietly watched Lu Ran.

Though these things had happened, she seemed to realize them only now.

Taking care of each other, supporting each other...

Each other?

Such nonsense had even deceived herself.

"Heh."

Deng Deng Yuxiang smiled silently and lowered her eyelids.

His Ye Mei,

the first sharp blade under his command, indeed ought to be her.

"Whoosh~" Energy surged within Lu Ran.

Suddenly, a phantom of a demon expanded within his human body!

Demon·Ye Mei!

Lu Ran slowly rose, extending one hand downward.

Above and behind him, the Ye Mei phantom likewise extended a deathly pale hand.

The hands of man and demon, one large and one small, one illusory and one real.

The two hands overlapped, pressing down together upon Deng Deng Yuxiang's head.

Deng Deng Yuxiang's body trembled slightly.

A streak of seductive purple flashed across her eyes.

A new month begins; brothers and cuties, please support with monthly tickets!

(End of Chapter)