Chapter 960: Good Fortune Arrives?

The sun was high in the sky.

In a quiet corner of Yunhai Residence, a large bedroom held a man and woman still fast asleep on their bed.

“Mm.”

Lu Ran emitted a muffled grunt and slowly opened his drowsy eyes.

After a long while, he finally remembered where he was.

Not a barren desert, not a dry, scorching cave on a wasteland mountain.

It was Yunhai Cliff beneath azure skies and emerald seas, the serene and comfortable Yunhai Residence.

Lu Ran’s taut nerves gradually relaxed.

The years of battle on Shengling Mountain had truly worn him down—soon they’d drive him mad.

Lu Ran turned his head and saw a face of exquisite, breathtaking beauty.

Her peaceful, sleeping form was especially lovely.

Lu Ran even felt he was dreaming.

Even though he and Jiang Ruyi had reunited nearly ten days ago, every time he opened his eyes and saw her, he still felt dazed.

Since entering the mountain, he had endured every hardship Shengling Mountain inflicted.

Now, heaven suddenly treated him so kindly—it made Lu Ran feel utterly unreal.

“Mm?” Lu Ran suddenly noticed her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

The long, rhythmic breathing had also ceased.

Was she awake, pretending to sleep?

Lu Ran smiled, leaned forward, and kissed her soft lips.

“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi could no longer pretend; her cheeks flushed deeper, and after a long moment, she pulled away.

She propped herself up on one arm, her long black hair sweeping over her shoulders and cascading down.

“Your hair’s grown so long—it’s reached your waist.” Lu Ran’s fingers threaded through the black strands, smoothing them from top to bottom.

“Yours has grown too.” Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran, her tone gentle. “Shall I cut it for you?”

To her surprise, Lu Ran blurted out: “This is the Shengling Mountain arc—Ran Shen Limited Edition skin.”

Jiang Ruyi: “.”

Lu Ran also sat up, leaning against the headboard, joking: “The straw hat and rain cape are part of the skin too.

I’ve got dozens of white robes in my wardrobe—never worn a single one.”

Jiang Ruyi turned her gaze to the corner of the bedroom, where a large wardrobe stood.

Shengling Mountain was a remote backwater.

Yet the furniture inside Yunhai Residence was surprisingly complete!

Each wooden piece, though far from exquisite, was perfectly serviceable.

These tables, chairs, beds, and wardrobes all came from “Xun Baba’s” hands.

Unlike others struggling to survive in Shengling Mountain, Xun Yifei had a complete family, so Xun Baba’s “skill tree” had far more branches unlocked than anyone else’s.

Jiang Ruyi grew curious, slipped on her robe, and stepped off the bed.

Her pale toes lightly touched the floor.

A water-armored veil, thin and faint as a mist, nearly invisible to the naked eye, kept her jade feet spotless.

Lu Ran stared, spellbound, at the ethereal, graceful figure, lost in thought.

Jiang Ruyi opened the wardrobe and indeed found many white robes, each styled differently.

Lu Ran snapped back to reality and quickly explained: “I seized all these from Tian Tu Mountain.”

Jiang Ruyi thought for a moment and understood Lu Ran’s meaning.

Her fingers brushed over the garments, finally selecting two large white robes, then turned to look at Lu Ran.

“You want to wear them?” Lu Ran asked. “Should I take them to the shore and wash them first?”

The robes were clean enough, but Lu Ran still wanted to wash them thoroughly before wearing.

Jiang Ruyi asked: “Don’t you have anything else to do today?”

Lu Ran thought: “I’ll go find General Xun later—we’ll pick a site together, bring the Ghost General squad, and build a Feixian Palace inside the cliff.”

“Then go ahead,” Jiang Ruyi said, studying the loose white robes, imagining them draped on Lu Ran. “I’ll go see the sea.”

Lu Ran hesitated, then suddenly said: “Evil Shadow.”

“Master.” Yan Shuangzi appeared silently.

Jiang Ruyi’s fingers tightened slightly on the robes.

Had Yan Shuangzi never left?

No—she wouldn’t have disobeyed Lu Ran’s orders.

She must have returned after last night.

Jiang Ruyi pressed her lips together, soothing herself.

Lu Ran: “Could you wash these two robes for me?”

“Yes.” Yan Shuangzi rose and stepped toward Jiang Ruyi, reaching for the robes.

But Jiang Ruyi was still dazed—Yan Shuangzi couldn’t take them. She whispered softly: “Madam?”

“Hmm?” Jiang Ruyi looked at the woman with sunken eyes.

Without meaning to, Jiang Ruyi’s gaze grew complex.

“Madam, please give them to me.” Yan Shuangzi whispered her request.

“Thank you.” Jiang Ruyi’s voice was soft as she released the robes.

Yan Shuangzi bowed slightly, then vanished in a flash.

Jiang Ruyi turned to Lu Ran, her expression reproachful.

Lu Ran, however, wore an innocent look: “That Feixian Palace is dedicated to you—let’s pick the site together.”

Jiang Ruyi suddenly remembered something, her gaze darkening: “Master?”

Last night, Evil Shadow Protector had called him that too.

But back then, Jiang Ruyi had been too flustered to think deeply about it.

“Don’t mention it,” Lu Ran sighed, exasperated. “I’ve corrected her countless times—she’s stubborn as hell. In public, she at least calls me ‘Menzhu.’

Sometimes, even with others around, she can’t stop herself.

I forcibly changed her protector title—she originally insisted on calling herself ‘Evil Dog.’”

Can’t change?

Even if she changes her words, isn’t it just surface-level?

Jiang Ruyi silently shook her head; she only knew the broad strokes of Yan Shuangzi’s story.

For this woman who had remade her Dao-heart, Jiang Ruyi grew even more curious. “You pick the site yourself. Go get Mengyan—I’ll wait for her in the study.”

Lu Ran: “.”

Seeing Lu Ran’s wounded look, Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help but smile slightly. “Go on. I’ll speak alone with Mengyan—and give her the Seven-Star Blade.”

As she spoke, she stepped to the bedside, unusually taking the initiative to lean down, cradle his face in her hands, and kiss him gently.

“Fine,” Lu Ran grumbled, hastily throwing on his robe before vanishing in a flicker.

As his figure disappeared, Jiang Ruyi smiled helplessly.

Between Yan Shuangzi and Lu Ran, both were as elusive as ghosts—she simply couldn’t get used to it.

She steadied her mind, sat cross-legged behind the study desk, and stared at the overly ornate Seven-Star Blade, sinking into thought.

“Knock knock knock~”

The front door of Yunhai Residence suddenly rang.

“Study.” Jiang Ruyi spoke softly.

She knew Deng Yuxiang, as the inheritor of Yemo Xiesu, would hear.

Sure enough, Deng Yuxiang entered the residence, turned right, and stood before the study door, bowing respectfully to the cold, seated woman: “Madam.”

“Yuxiang-jie.” Jiang Ruyi lifted her eyelids, smiling at the visitor.

Deng Yuxiang’s brow twitched, barely perceptible.

Such a term was rare coming from Jiang Ruyi’s lips.

What surprised Deng Yuxiang even more was Jiang Ruyi’s next words: “In private, just call me Ruyi.”

Deng Yuxiang fell silent for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

It was a signal of reconciliation.

Though still from a position of superiority.

After learning of Lu Ran’s abilities and grand ambitions, Jiang Ruyi had clearly changed.

Lu Ran needed loyal allies—and more importantly, a united team.

Jiang Ruyi generously set aside her resentment toward Deng Yuxiang, burying past grievances once and for all.

Deng Yuxiang clearly realized: the Lady of Luoshan had elevated her understanding and ambition to a new level—she was now ready to serve as the Lady of Ran Men.

“Sit.” Jiang Ruyi invited.

Deng Yuxiang stepped in and sat cross-legged before the desk.

“You protected him well,” Jiang Ruyi said softly.

Deng Yuxiang removed her straw hat, remembering Jiang Ruyi’s earlier instruction in the mortal world: “Protect him.”

Four blunt words had long haunted Deng Yu: You owe him.

Deng Yu shook her head and whispered, “He’s the one who’s always protected me.”

“As long as you’re alive, that’s enough.” Jiang Ruyi did not press further on the topic; she picked up the short knife from the table and handed it to the woman across from her.

“What’s this?”

“Your Zhan Ye Dao has become a divine weapon. Cultivate another one.” Jiang Ruyi’s voice was soft.

“Yes.” Deng Yu took the Seven-Star Precious Knife, pinched its blade between two fingers, and gently stroked it.

Jiang Ruyi said softly, “Yu Xiang, tell me the story of what happened after you entered the mountains.”

Deng Yu: “Didn’t little Lu Ran tell you?”

Jiang Ruyi smiled. “You know him—he’s always afraid of worrying others, so he tells stories in the lightest possible way.”

“I want to hear it from you.”

Deng Yu smiled too, recalling Lu Ran’s face. “Alright, fine.”

Meanwhile, on the northern cliff of the sea.

Lu Ran, accompanied by Xun Yifei, the three members of Feixian Hall, and the ghost general squad led by Jing Hong, finally selected a location.

“Let’s choose here,” Lu Ran said, standing amid the tall, lush forest, surveying the surroundings. “By the way, Xun, this Feixian Hall must be larger than the Council Chamber.”

“In the future, stone statues will be enshrined inside.”

Xun Yifei nodded thoughtfully. “Understood.”

Lu Ran turned to Song Yu and the others. “You four, follow Xun General’s orders these days and help build the grand hall.”

Everyone responded in unison.

“I won’t disturb you further.” Lu Ran clapped Xun Yifei on the shoulder and vanished in a flash.

The next moment, he stood at the eastern sea cliff, gazing across the endless ocean.

“Will something good happen?”

Lu Ran murmured to himself, feeling deeply hopeful.

This was what Old Bai Yanhui had told him just now, when Lu Ran was assembling the construction team in the Council Chamber.

Lu Ran had been quite surprised.

Could something good possibly happen in a place like Shengling Mountain?

Isn’t just surviving the day in peace already good news?

“Tch.” Lu Ran clicked his tongue, sitting habitually on the cliff’s edge, his legs dangling over the precipice.

Jiang Ruyi had clearly said she wanted to speak alone with Deng Yu—Lu Ran now had a home he couldn’t return to.

He idly swung his legs, closed his eyes, and entered cultivation mode.

Not long after, Lu Ran faintly heard footsteps behind him.

“Hmm?”

He turned to see the Two Birds of the Western Wastes.

“Sorry to disturb the Gate Master.”

“Gate Master.” The two immediately halted and called out from afar.

Lu Ran smiled. “Are you two comfortable here?”

Seeing no reproach in Lu Ran’s tone, Gao Yunyan stepped forward at once. “I’ve been on Shengling Mountain for nearly two years, and I’ve never slept so peacefully.”

Compared to the harsh desert of the northwest, Yunhai Cliff was paradise.

Yet Gao Yunyan’s sense of comfort likely referred more to her inner state.

“Good.” Lu Ran turned his gaze to the sea. “You two have been battered by sandstorms for so long—feel free to swim or bathe whenever you like.”

“This stretch of sea is now under my control, and belongs to Ran Gate.”

Gao Yunyan and Xue Fengchen exchanged a glance, each seeing shock in the other’s eyes.

In fact, when the two arrived at Yunhai Cliff yesterday and saw Lu Ran establishing his base by the sea, they had been utterly stunned!

Wanjian Mountain was indeed extremely dangerous.

But the sea was no less so!

Now, hearing Lu Menzhu’s words and seeing his calm, effortless demeanor—

This sea… you’ve taken control of it?!

“You two seem to have a lot to say to me?” Lu Ran suddenly spoke, still gazing at the sea without turning around.

The two stepped forward; on the way, Gao Yunyan pinched Xue Fengchen’s arm.

Xue Fengchen winced in pain, then came to stand a few meters behind Lu Ran, staring at the familiar back of the supreme leader of Tianjia, and said gravely:

“Gate Master, I have many questions—could you—”

Lu Ran, unexpectedly agreeable, replied casually, “We’re brothers—ask away~”

(End of Chapter)