Chapter 619: A Small Request

"Huh?" Lu Ran watched in shock as the black-clad youth vanished.

Just like that?

So abruptly?

Lu Ran turned his head and met Jiangjiang Ruyi's gaze.

After a long silence, he muttered: "This isn't really Shangguan Hongfu's fault, you know~"

Jiangjiang Ruyi: "."

At this moment, the two of them, like Shangguan Hongfu of old, had seen the Chenying disciple.

The outcome was no different.

They didn't even get a chance to speak—the other simply teleported away.

"Shhh~"

Lu Ran's figure flickered, appearing where the youth had stood; the dense flowerbed held no trace.

He rose slowly, scanning all around:

"Truly afraid of death."

Qianhua Ridge lay peaceful and serene, awash in vibrant hues—where was the black flower, the black shadow?

The practical question was: if the other was Jiang Jing, the maximum range of the Divine Art·Bianhua Flower was one hundred kilometers.

If the other was Hai Jing, then the Hai Pin·Bianhua Flower would undergo a qualitative transformation!

Maximum range: three thousand kilometers!

As the sworn enemies of the demonic Niejing Yao clan, the Chenying sect's teleportation techniques were no less impressive than those of those golden-blooded elites.

The world was vast—where could one possibly search?

Lu Ran silently scoured the area for a long while before flickering back to the river valley.

There he saw Jiangjiang Ruyi approaching.

"Don't come over!" Lu Ran quickly raised his hand to stop her.

This babbling stream was like a stage's dividing line—was Jiangjiang Xianzi about to exit?

"Next time," Jiangjiang Ruyi said casually.

"No, don't go!" Lu Ran looked heartbroken.

Damn Chenying devotees—always ruining other people's good moments!

"Hehe~" Jiangjiang Ruyi couldn't help laughing, yet her exit continued.

Her sword dance had been interrupted; she had no heart to continue.

The deeper reason: she sensed someone else might be present in this realm.

So she no longer wished to dance.

She didn't want anyone else to see.

"Jiang Ruyi, Jiang Ruyi," Lu Ran clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, murmuring under his breath: "Follow my will."

He looked as if, the moment he opened his eyes, Jiangjiang Ruyi would reappear in the sea of flowers, continuing her unfinished sword dance.

Jiangjiang Ruyi watched Lu Ran with amusement.

You guy,

Are you cheating again?

And Lu Ran still kept his eyes shut, muttering: "Quickly manifest, quickly manifest~"

Jiangjiang Ruyi felt a headache coming, helplessly staring at Lu Ran.

Fine,

I'll manifest once.

She floated down slowly beside Lu Ran and said: "Bring Xuan Shuang. Let her dance for you."

"Huh?" Lu Ran opened his eyes, his whole demeanor collapsing.

Is this even an option?

Jiangjiang Xianzi said coolly: "I'll learn too—I feel I'm still missing something."

Lu Ran fell silent.

Something's off!

There's a trick here!

Though he longed for it, Lu Ran still shook his head: "Forget it. I'll watch when you're in the mood again."

Jiangjiang Ruyi smiled: "Let's stay here a while longer—maybe that person will come back."

Lu Ran was skeptical.

Jiangjiang Ruyi added: "Next time we meet, instantly teleport and kick that person out of the Bianhua Flower."

Forcefully interrupting the technique?

Such a maneuver would require extraordinary skill.

Unlike the Niejing clan, the Chenying sect's casting speed was astonishing—flowers bloomed and withered, and they were gone.

The Niejing clan, by contrast, were a nuisance: they had to first cast the basic technique·Nie's Mirror, then alter the bronze mirror's nature, transforming the oval ancient bronze mirror into a floor-length mirror.

Jiangjiang Ruyi suggested: "Also, bring the Shadow Guard Corps."

Lu Ran followed her logic: "If this person doesn't return today, can we leave a shadow guard here, lying in wait?"

This Chenying disciple had returned here after two or three years—clearly he was attached to this place.

Even better: perhaps, without our knowledge, this person often came here to admire the scenery and soothe his spirit.

Lu Ran's heart settled: "Let's go back to Qianhua Cottage first."

This matter must be sabotaged in secret!

In the river valley, there were seven small and large wooden houses; the one bearing the name "Thousand Blossom Dwelling" was naturally the residence of Lu Ran and Jiangjiang Ruyi.

Inside the house, Lu Ran activated the teleportation mirror and summoned several shadow guards, including the Evil Shadow Guardian.

He also called upon Leng Xuanshuang.

After receiving the order, the Evil Shadow Guardian swiftly assigned tasks, and the four vanished one by one.

The terrain of Thousand Blossom Ridge was peculiar; the sea of flowers reached waist-high, making it easy for the shadow guard unit to hide.

When Leng Xuanshuang learned the purpose of her mission here, she immediately nodded in agreement, her expression utterly grim.

"Relax," Jiangjiang Ruyi sighed inwardly.

She understood Leng Xuanshuang's psychology perfectly.

That was precisely why she had suggested bringing Leng Xuanshuang here.

Jiangjiang Ruyi could feel that, in recent days, Lu Ran's many gestures toward Leng Xuanshuang had burdened her with far too much pressure.

Leng Xuanshuang desperately wanted to do something for the Burn Sect.

Yet her strength was insufficient; she didn't even qualify to accompany the sect master on missions.

Shame. Self-reproach.

Feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and more—all tangled together—pressed upon her until she could barely breathe.

And now, the Burn Sect Lady had finally given her an opportunity.

"Xuanshuang?"

Leng Xuanshuang snapped back to attention and looked at the young man.

Today, Lu Ran wore a loose white robe, appearing considerably more relaxed.

"Don't be so serious," Lu Ran said with a strange expression. "I'm not an examiner."

Why does it feel like an exam?

"Yes," Leng Xuanshuang replied solemnly, giving a slight nod.

Lu Ran: "."

"Right here by the door," Jiangjiang Ruyi smiled, leading Lu Ran to sit on the front steps.

Though the two were casual, Leng Xuanshuang remained fully alert.

Moments later, petals of plum blossoms drifted down.

Around the house, faint fragrance lingered.

The Zu Zhi Xie Fa of the Ice Plum Demon Queen's clan: any technique involving "plum" elements carried the scent of plum blossoms.

What left Lu Ran stunned was that the body technique Xie Fa—Plum Fall, Startling Crane—not only made Leng Xuanshuang dance as lightly as a startled crane.

It also caused her, while wielding her sword, to leave behind beautiful afterimages!

The afterimages were dreamlike and illusory, lingering briefly in the world.

Beneath the setting sun's glow, they left behind one exquisite scene after another.

"No way."

Lu Ran was dumbfounded!

This is way more beautiful than little Jiang Ruyi's dance… cough.

Lu Ran snapped out of it and stole a glance beside him.

Jiangjiang Ruyi leaned gently against Lu Ran, eyes glazed, utterly entranced.

Lu Ran couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

You little minx! How can you dare call me a decadent monarch?

The graceful shadow, draped in twilight, continued until the dance ended.

One by one, the afterimages chased the still-standing figure, finally dissolving beside the woman.

Leng Xuanshuang lowered her eyelids, as if awaiting judgment.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Lu Ran clapped involuntarily, eyes filled with admiration.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's gaze shimmered as she gazed at the stunning woman, growing more fond with every moment.

For the first time in her life, she felt something like fandom.

She suddenly said: "It feels like it's missing a melody?"

"Melody?" Lu Ran thought. There were many believers who could provide music.

Jade Flute believers, Jade Harp believers, Immortal Pipa believers…

If expanding the musical scope, one could add Desert Drum believers and War Horn believers.

Jing Hong, the He He Tangzhu, could play a mournful horn.

Choosing a tragic-style sword dance for Leng Xuanshuang would suit it well?

"We'll talk about it later," Lu Ran said. "We must set out southward again tomorrow morning."

Joyful moments belong on the next day of triumphant return.

Jiangjiang Ruyi lifted her head slightly and looked at Lu Ran: "This morning, the Yemo Yemo Xiesu in your mind only stopped humming."

You've rested only one daytime, just woken up."

"It's fine—I'm tough!" Lu Ran laughed carelessly.

Jiangjiang Ruyi sighed softly: "The battles at Wolf Bone Village, Wolf Blossom Village, Thousand Blossom Ridge, and the past seven or eight days' journey through the snow forest..."

Lu Ran, you need to slow your pace.

Besides, focusing your cultivation inside the Cloud Sea Cliff isn't slowing your growth."

Lu Ran listened silently, his gaze drifting far away toward the brilliant sunset on the horizon.

But this Holy Lingshan,

still has many things waiting for me.

Jiangjiang Ruyi naturally sensed Lu Ran's restless heart.

After pondering for a long time, she turned and asked, "You have never given Wu Sheng a title; do you have other plans?"

Lu Ran nodded: "Wu Sheng's main base lies further south. From Shangguan Hongfu's description, this sect's founding purpose is no different from that of other great sects."

Jiangjiang Ruyi realized her speculation was becoming reality.

Lu Ran grew more serious: "Wu Sheng is a peak of the Sea Realm; if he descends upon Wu Sheng's main base, he will surely command immense prestige!"

"You want Wu Sheng to become a Heavenly Emperor of a region, to become the second He Qi Feng?"

"Yes, but the path needs slight adjustment. We must make good use of Wu Sheng's unique identity. Ideally, we should seize the position of Lu Lu Zongzhu at Wu Sheng's main base."

Jiangjiang Ruyi pressed her lips together and suddenly said, "Sects like Mount Jingting Mountain, Daoji Peak, and Tianhuang Mountain were ultimately founded by disciples of the Second-Rank Gods."

Wu Sheng is a First-Rank God, and his disciples possess extraordinary talents.

Wu Sheng's believers who can enter Holy Lingshan are even qualified to change the human world's landscape."

Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly: "Are you worried that the Lu Lu Zongzhu of the Wu Sheng sect is a powerhouse of the Heaven Realm?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi did not respond; instead, she leaned her cheek against Lu Ran's shoulder, reached down with her slender jade hands, and grasped Lu Ran's palm.

She gently squeezed the center of his palm.

Lu Ran: "..."

It was always him playing with her hands, squeezing her palm.

"Slow down a bit, Lu Ran," Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly, "Didn't you promise Evil Shadow that when she reaches the peak of the Jiang Realm, you would take her to Daoji Peak for revenge?"

"That is true."

"It is mid-February now; she should be able to advance by March or April, right?"

"Mm, it should be." Lu Ran nodded again to confirm.

"Before dealing with the Wu Sheng sect, we should first take Evil Shadow and settle the score," Jiangjiang Ruyi said, unusually pessimistic. "No one can guarantee what accidents might occur during the mission."

Lu Ran recalled the battle between himself and Wu Sheng.

For the soldiers of the Ran Gate, Wu Sheng was indeed an extremely terrifying existence.

Jiangjiang Ruyi spoke softly: "Let us return and cultivate for a month. Before helping Evil Shadow take revenge, let us not create unnecessary complications, how about that?"

Lu Ran pondered for a long time and murmured, "With my current cultivation progress, I will probably also advance in March or April."

Jiangjiang Ruyi's eyes shifted slightly.

Yes, this was what she wanted.

The higher a cultivator's major realm, the more obvious the gap between minor stages becomes.

From the moment believers advance to the Jiang Realm, the Zhan De Shen Fa they wield should no longer be crudely defined as Jiang Pin.

Instead, it should be specified down to Jiang Pin Stage One.

This is even more true for the Sea Realm!

Even for techniques like the Teleportation Mirror, although the teleportation distance will not increase, the casting speed will also rise.

Let alone other offensive and defensive techniques, which will genuinely increase their effects.

Every step Lu Ran takes forward, his growth is astonishing.

"Then it's settled, okay?" Jiangjiang Ruyi gently squeezed Lu Ran's palm again.

Her pleading manner was truly at odds with her aloof temperament.

Lu Ran could not help but lower his head slightly and pressed a kiss onto those gorgeous lips:

【Mm, okay.】

(End of this chapter)