Chapter 606: One-Year Anniversary

The nineteenth day of the first lunar month.

This was a special day, marking the full one-year anniversary since Lu Ran and Deng Deng Yuxiang entered the Holy Lingshan Realm.

At this moment, both of them were inside the Flying Immortal Hall.

Deng Deng Yuxiang leaned her back against the smoothly polished stone wall, her gaze sweeping over the crowd of devoutly praying figures before settling on the young man standing suspended in mid-air deep within the hall.

No matter how many times she looked at that black-and-gold imperial robe, she never felt tired of it.

She had to admit that the Sect Master's Lady still possessed impeccable aesthetic taste.

"One year."

Deng Deng Yuxiang sighed silently in her heart as she surveyed the Flying Immortal Hall.

Nearly two hundred disciples of the Ran Sect, and one after another, guardian divine generals capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Who could have imagined that when they first arrived in this realm, the two of them had been hunted down, fleeing in a wretched state, with only each other to rely on for survival?

Recalling those arduous times, Deng Deng Yuxiang felt quite emotional.

Now, he seemed to possess everything.

Powerful strength, and subordinates who were utterly loyal.

Devout disciples, and a sect homeland that was peaceful and tranquil.

If they were to stay in the Holy Lingshan Realm forever, perhaps there would be nothing wrong with that?

Deng Deng Yuxiang lifted her eyelids, gazing into the distance at the young man floating between two colossal stone statues deep within the hall.

Suddenly, the young man looked back, and their eyes met.

【What's wrong, sister?】 Lu Ran asked in confusion.

【Nothing.】

【Then why are you staring at me?】

【Heh.】 Deng Deng Yuxiang's lips curled slightly. 【What, is the Sect Master my lord feeling shy?】

Lu Ran:?

What kind of talk is that!

Who could have thicker skin than me... uh, why am I insulting myself?

Lu Ran instinctively wanted to scratch his head but forcibly stopped himself; after all, with a sea of people filling the hall, he still needed to maintain the dignity of a Sect Master.

【Sign the contracts; the disciples are getting impatient,】 the voice of the Great Da Da Mengyan transmitted into his mind again.

【Oh.】 Lu Ran slowly descended and headed first toward the formation on the left.

Just like last time, Lu Ran offered the disciples two choices: Master Yu Fu and Divine Lie Tian.

At this moment, a total of 68 Weak God disciples from the Wolf Bone Village and the Wolf Flower Village had already made their selections.

Facts proved that the Lietianyi Sect was indeed more popular!

Even though Lu Ran had explicitly informed everyone that the Divine Art · Lie Huo Liehuo Liehuo Tiankui had been sealed by him, and would only be unsealed when encountering a life-or-death crisis at Cloud Sea Cliff, this peerless divine art remained irresistible.

Yet the Weak God disciples still flocked to the Lietianyi Sect like ducks to water.

Lu Ran found it hard to imagine that if there really were some blind sect daring to attack Cloud Sea Cliff,

and nearly a hundred Lie Tian disciples of the Ran Sect mobilized together!

Each activating Lie Huo Liehuo Liehuo Tiankui, launching a round of relentless bombardment straight away!

Who could withstand that?

"Thank you, Sect Master, thank you..."

As Lu Ran signed contracts with the disciples, words of gratitude constantly rose up, often accompanied by choked sobs and sniffles.

First for defying heaven to change their fate, and second for a stable sanctuary.

Every item Lu Ran provided for his disciples was granting people a new life.

Deng Deng Yuxiang frowned slightly; seeing the expression on Lu Ran's face, she realized his mood was heavy, so she immediately shouted sternly:

"Silence!"

The Flying Immortal Hall instantly fell into complete silence.

Lu Ran remained silent throughout, signing contracts one by one with the sect members.

When the abstract concept of suffering materialized on countless weeping faces, whose heart could feel at ease?

All living beings,

have suffered under the gods for too long...

Only after finishing the contract with the last disciple did Lu Ran leave the Flying Immortal Hall directly.

Stepping out of the hall doors, sunlight spilled over his body.

A gentle breeze from the forest carried the scent of the sea, brushing against his face, which made Lu Ran feel much more comfortable.

"It's quite good," a female voice came from behind.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran turned his head to look, meeting a bright and beautiful face.

Deng Deng Yuxiang wore a smile as she looked at Lu Ran's gloomy demeanor: "Compassion, empathy."

"You still care, always treating people as human beings."

Lu Ran snorted coldly, stubborn as ever: "You are all colder and more ruthless than the next; if I don't cover for you a bit, there will be no way to live these days."

"What are you chatting about?" A clear, cold voice arrived, undoubtedly belonging to another cold-hearted individual.

"The Great Da Da Mengyan was praising me," Lu Ran said casually. "Saying I have the heart of a Bodhisattva."

Deng Deng Yuxiang neither affirmed nor denied this, turning around to say respectfully: "Lady."

If only the three of them had been present, she would not have used that title.

At this moment, Leng Xuanshuang had already "taken up her post," following closely behind Jiangjiang Xianzi.

"Mm." Jiangjiang Xianzi nodded in acknowledgment, stepped forward, and took Lu Ran's arm. "Shall we go to the Council Hall now?"

This had already been decided: after the Sect Master accepts disciples, he must hold a small meeting with the high-ranking members of the Ran Gate.

"Let's go."

When Lu Ran arrived at the Council Hall, he found the interior furnishings had changed completely.

Deep inside the hall stood a chair of impressive size; it had once been the throne of the Wolf Bone Chief, solemn and majestic.

In front of the throne lay a heavy desk, antique and elegant.

To the side and rear of the desk was a seat belonging to Jiangjiang Ruyi, though the chair was slightly smaller in size.

Below the hall, two rows of chairs were arranged on the left and right.

These exquisite chairs all came from the Wolf Flower and Wolf Bone tribes, truly elevating the prestige of the Ran Gate.

"This?" Lu Ran stood at the doorway, no longer recognizing his own Council Hall.

He had not ordered the Council Hall to change its style, so this could only be Jiangjiang Ruyi's doing.

"What's wrong?" Jiangjiang Ruyi asked with a smile.

Lu Ran also smiled: "You aren't going to hang a plaque reading 'Bright Mirror Hanging High' for me?

And place a tally box on the desk, filled with tallies saying 'Execute Immediately'?"

"Hmph." Jiangjiang Xianzi spat lightly and led him inside.

Lu Ran waited in the hall for a while until all the Guardians, Divine Generals, and Hall Masters had arrived.

He had been thinking of watching some fun.

Instead, everyone was very orderly, each with their own seat.

"Alright, let the court be in session!" Lu Ran propped his elbow on the desk, resting his chin in his palm. "All you great powers, do you have any grievances?"

A murmur of light laughter rose from below the hall, but no one stood up to plead their case.

Lu Ran's gaze swept over the crowd and finally settled on Guan Hongfu.

Guan Hongfu was naturally skilled at reading expressions; he immediately stood up and waited silently for orders.

Lu Ran spoke slowly: "Regarding this disciple acceptance, I did not order the thirteen Flower Lamp disciples to change sects. They possess excellent healing methods and, previously at the Wolf Flower Tribe, were very considerate of the disciples of the Weak Gods.

Now that the Ran Gate has many more disciples, I plan to establish a Medical Hall, with the Flower Lamp disciples in charge.

Mr. Guan Hongfu will serve as He Tangzhu. What do you think, Mr. Guan?"

Guan Hongfu was momentarily stunned, then lowered his head and said gratefully:

"I obey the Sect Master's arrangement."

Guan Hongfu was indeed somewhat surprised; after all, he had told Lu Ran about his experiences at Thousand Flower Ridge.

Previously, he had thought Lu Ran would take in the thirteen Flower Lamp disciples.

But Lu Ran did not force anyone against their will.

After today's disciple acceptance ceremony, Guan Hongfu had also thought that this group of brothers and sisters who had always followed him would be scattered and assigned to various halls.

Yet he did not expect that Lu Ran would still keep the thirteen of them together.

He even let Guan Hongfu, the leader of this group, lead them personally?

Guan Hongfu felt the Sect Master's trust, and even more, the Sect Master's confidence!

"I promised Mr. Guan that I would not let you and your brothers and sisters suffer grievances." Lu Ran looked at Guan Hongfu.

Surprise, shame, gratitude.

The other's gaze and various subtle expressions naturally could not escape someone's pair of dog eyes.

Lu Ran smiled and sighed softly: "The days at Holy Lingshan were so bitter; those close to one another should stay together.

Do not be separated."

"Thank you, Sect Master!" Guan Hongfu said gratefully.

"What name should we give this Medical Hall?" Lu Ran propped his chin, suddenly recalling the feeling of being in a classroom, sitting before a desk.

Apricot Grove Hall?

Return of Spring Hall?

Cloud Sea Cliff First People's Hospital?

"Sect Master." From the first seat in the right row below the hall, Yu Fish Changsheng stood up.

"Does Mr. Yu have any good ideas?" Lu Ran perked up.

"Fu Shou Hall, how about that?" Yu Fish Changsheng lightly waved his paper fan. "The character 'Fu' is taken from He Tangzhu Guan's name.

The character 'Shou' represents a beautiful wish for all of our Ran Gate people."

"Excellent." Lu Ran nodded repeatedly. "It's settled! This Fu Shou Hall will be under the charge of Mr. Cong Long."

"Yes!" Yu Fish Changsheng nodded in agreement.

The four great Guardians of the Ran Gate now all had troops under them.

Yumotang, Feixian Hall, Fu Shou Hall, and the Shadow Guard.

The Shadow Guard was an exception, having no He Tangzhu; as for the other three halls,

if a He Tangzhu has any matters, they should go to their respective supervising Guardian Lord for instructions!

Do not bother the Sect Master.

He's quite busy~

Lu Ran gave further instructions, inquired about everyone's recent conditions, and then prepared to adjourn the meeting.

At this moment, Xiang Xiang Luoying stepped forward: "Sect Master."

"Divine General Luo?" Lu Ran looked at his young mother.

Xiang Xiang Luoying asked for instructions: "This subordinate wishes to bring the children to live at Cloud Sea Cliff. I wonder..."

"Great!" Lu Ran was somewhat surprised, but nodded immediately.

Seeing Lu Ran agree so readily, Xiang Xiang Luoying felt a warmth in her heart.

Lu Ran added, "However, the Rán Gate has many disciples now; too many eyes and ears."

Having made this decision, Xiang Xiang Luoying had clearly prepared for it long ago. She spoke with clear logic: "The disciples cherish the opportunity to live at Cloud Sea Cliff; the atmosphere inside the cliff is very good.

I am fortunate to have a statue erected within the Flying Immortal Palace; the disciples are very respectful toward both me and Yi Fei.

My residence is located in the eastern part of the cliff; ordinary disciples are not permitted to set foot there."

Lu Ran listened and nodded: "Fine, as long as you and your husband have thought it through."

"Coming to Cloud Sea Cliff, the children's lives will be richer, and there will be more space to play."

"Thank you, Gate Master!" Xiang Xiang Luoying's face showed gratitude.

"Thank me for what? This is my honor." Lu Ran smiled at the young mother.

Children are the lifeblood of the Xiang couple.

The couple making this decision signifies their absolute trust in Lu Ran, and their approval of the Rán Gate's environment and safety.

The couple's small courtyard at the valley bottom is indeed hidden, but they hunt and fish all day, coming and going; there are inevitably hidden dangers.

Lu Ran said, "When you move, just tell me directly; I will open a teleportation mirror for you."

Traveling tens of kilometers back and forth with children still carries risks.

Hearing Lu Ran's gentle words, feeling his attentiveness and concern, Xiang Xiang Luoying was moved and said softly:

"Thank you, Gate Master. Let it be today."

"Fine. Does anyone else have matters?" Lu Ran's gaze swept over the crowd.

Seeing no one rise, he announced the meeting was adjourned.

After everyone left, Lu Ran opened a teleportation mirror for Xiang Xiang Luoying, leading directly to her valley-bottom residence.

After agreeing to meet again at dusk, Lu Ran dispersed the mirror, then stretched viciously:

"Ugh~~~"

A study desk truly has a kind of magic, doesn't it?

Sleepy.

Lu Ran simply lay prone on the antique-style writing desk, inhaling the scent of the wood.

Beside him, Jiangjiang Ruyi wore a strange expression, watching the young man sleeping on the desk.

Behind her, Leng Xuan Shuang stood silently, observing the young man in the imperial robe.

The him who returned to the Rán Gate was a completely different person from the him at Wolf Flower Village and Wolf Bone Village.

One was a decisive, ruthless king with overwhelming momentum.

The other was a gentle, benevolent leader.

"Something wrong?" Lu Ran rested his head on his arm, seemingly asleep with eyes closed, yet suddenly spoke.

Leng Xuan Shuang quickly lowered her eyelids.

Jiangjiang Ruyi then smiled: "Do you plan to sleep here?"

"Jiang Ruyi, tell me about mathematics." Lu Ran suddenly blurted out.

Jiangjiang Ruyi: "..."

What does that mean?

To help him sleep?

(End of this chapter)