December 19, at the west station of Beijing.

The crowd was bustling at the exit, and among them was a young man in black, silently moving forward with a pair of swords wrapped in cloth.

"Ah." Lu Ran sighed inwardly.

A mere hour's journey, yet it felt like he had been transported to a different world.

From the desolate rain-drenched alleys to the bustling city of Beijing.

"Brother!" A pleasant female voice called out from afar.

Lu Ran turned and his eyes swept across the crowd, landing on a delicate face.

Just like Lu Ran, many turned to look.

The young girl stood gracefully, charming, and beaming like a flower, as if she existed on a different plane from the other travelers.

She seemed accustomed to being the center of attention, her eyes fixed on Lu Ran as she waved energetically.

"Mm." Lu Ran also smiled, hastening his steps.

Beautiful things really do soothe the body and mind.

"My reserved brother, finally willing to see me!"

Qiao Yuansi stepped forward and grabbed Lu Ran's arm.

Lu Ran: "..."

He hadn't expected that one day he would be described as "reserved."

"Did you bring me something delicious?" Qiao Yuansi looked up at Lu Ran's profile.

As she spoke, her hands reached for the bulging pockets of Lu Ran's coat.

Sure enough, there were treats!

Lu Ran: "It's cold."

"No worries!" Qiao Yuansi was thrilled, pulling a small box out of Lu Ran's pocket.

A hamburger from the small town's rainy alleys had the fortune to enter the belly of Beijing's young miss, well... except for the lettuce.

From the window of a black sedan parked on the street, Guan Yiren looked out at the siblings approaching.

Rarely did the truly reserved Sword One Believer show a faint smile.

The usual Qiao Yuansi was cheerful and lively, but Guan Yiren could tell that her joy was heartfelt at the moment.

"Let me go greet them." Niu Zhengzheng who was sitting in the passenger seat turned and looked towards the back seat.

Guan Yiren said nothing but continued to watch through the window, gently nodding.

Niu Zhengzheng was used to the attitude of his teammates.

As he opened the door and got out, on the driver's seat, a young man looked outside: "That is Lu Ran."

Guan Yiren silently ignored him.

The young man eyed the black-clad youth approaching the car, but Niu Zhengzheng, being broad and tall, obstructed the view even more.

"Ran bro, how come you've lost even more weight?" Niu Zhengzheng laughed heartily.

His large hands rested on Lu Ran's shoulders, lightly squeezing, as if measuring their thickness.

Lu Ran looked up at the towering strongman and remarked, "You've gotten even sturdier, haven't you?"

Qiao Yuansi's cheeks puffed up as she mumbled, "Must be the bullhead he ate."

Lu Ran turned to his sister and replied with a smile, "You're not far behind."

In just a short walk, Qiao Yuansi's hamburger box was already empty, only some fried chicken fillet crumbs remaining.

Qiao Yuansi looked at Lu Ran unhappily.

"Ah!" She gestured for Lu Ran to open his mouth while she picked up the crumbs with her fingers and aimed for his mouth.

Lu Ran: "..."

"I heard from Yuansi that you've reached River Realm," Niu Zhengzheng looked admiringly at Lu Ran.

His heart had completely changed.

Since their last training session together, Niu Zhengzheng no longer regarded Lu Ran as merely an Immortal Sheep Believer.

But rather with a few words added: The Immortal Sheep Believer who refused the Yan Zhi.

With the "Yan Zhi" prefix, Lu Ran's potential and strength became clearer.

"Aren't you too?" Lu Ran casually commented, eating the crumbs beneath his sister's curved smiling eyes.

These past few days, Lu Ran had been texting frequently with his sister.

He knew that among the team of three, both Guan Yiren and Niu Zhengzheng had advanced to River Realm.

The two, being First-class God and Second-class God Believers, indeed possessed extraordinary talents.

Within the team, only Little Yuanxi, a Third-class God Believer, remained at Stream Realm·Fifth Rank.

Given such a rank, Lu Ran was even more reluctant for her to enter the Night Charm Demon Cave.

Unfortunately, as his sister was the team leader and the three formed a team, she couldn't leave the group.

"Get in the car!" Qiao Yuansi urged, "We'll talk on the way."

The tall and burly Niu Zhengzheng naturally took the front passenger seat.

Lu Ran casually opened the rear door and saw Guan Yiren already seated inside.

In this cold December, Beijing was also covered in snow.

However, the Sword One Believer, dressed in a white ancient-style long dress, seemed quite resistant to the cold...

"Morning." Lu Ran greeted.

Guan Yiren didn't move from her seat, looking up at Lu Ran: "Long time no see."

"Yo?" Qiao Yuansi clicked her tongue in surprise, looking at Sword One Believer, "Sister Yiren said four words!"

Unable to help, Guan Yiren gave Qiao Yuansi a little smile.

Sword One Believer might strive to be closer to their own god but, when facing close ones, they still showed some expression.

"Slam."

Qiao Yuansi closed the car door and tugged Lu Ran around the rear of the car: "I want to sit by the window."

"Stop fooling around." Lu Ran opened the door and unceremoniously pushed Little Yuanxi inside.

"Hey?" Qiao Yuansi quickly ducked and plopped down onto the rear seat, tumbling into Guan Yiren's embrace.

She pouted, looking back at Lu Ran: "I'm this tiny, but you're still quite strong."

Lu Ran: ?????

What does that even mean!

"Ha ha ha ha!" Niu Zhengzheng burst into laughter, "Ran bro really needs to eat more, haha!"

Lu Ran felt uncomfortable and settled into the car.

Truly, his cultivation often made him neglect his sleep and food.

On the contrary, each time he entered the Demon Cave for training, he ate quite a lot and slept more regularly at the stone inn.

"Um." Qiao Yuansi shifted slightly but didn't get up, comfortably leaning into Guan Yiren's embrace.

Guan Yiren looked at the mischievous girl with some helplessness.

One hand rested on Qiao Yuansi's cheek, somewhat like a rebuke, she pinched Little Yuanxi's earlobe gently.

"By the way." Qiao Yuansi covered her ear, "This brother's name is Xiao Yusong, he's Sister Yiren's...um."

"Childhood friend." The young man named Xiao Yusong cut in, "Grew up in the same compound."

Lu Ran observed the young man through the rearview mirror.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, with medium-length hair, and had quite an artistic vibe.

Qiao Yuansi continued, "Hearing that Sister Yiren is going to the Night Charm Demon Cave, he volunteered to protect us."

"Nice to meet you." Lu Ran spoke politely.

Xiao Yusong looked up at the rearview mirror, locking eyes with Lu Ran: "I've heard much about you."

"Kind of you to say." Lu Ran nodded lightly.

Xiao Yusong scrutinized Lu Ran, his gaze unabashed.

The silence stretched within the car, and after about seven or eight seconds, Xiao Yusong suddenly spoke: "Nice swords."

Lu Ran was slightly surprised.

His twin swords, still wrapped in cloth, hadn't been shown to anyone.

Lu Ran said, "They were gifts from my father."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yusong spoke, "I meant you."

Niu Zhengzheng, scratching his head, turned to look at Lu Ran: "I knew something was off, but now that Xiao bro mentioned it... it does seem true?"

Guan Yiren toyed with Little Yuanxi's earlobe, turning slightly to look at Lu Ran.

After several months apart, Lu Ran's aura had indeed undergone a dramatic transformation.

For the Believer community, such changes were common.

Everyone was continually improving, and advances in strength and realm naturally manifested in a person's spirit.

"Have I turned into a sword?" Qiao Yuansi didn't feel quite the same.

Since seeing Lu Ran, he was still the brother she remembered.

Always sharp-tongued, with no lessening in his indulgence towards her.

"Are you a North Wind Believer?" Lu Ran inquired.

"I've had no such fortune." Xiao Yusong smiled and shook his head, his demeanor quite carefree.

Qiao Yuansi quickly added, "Xiao bro is a legendary figure! On the Worship God Platform, he managed to attract the attention of the First-class God·Martial Artist!"

"Oh?" Lu Ran understood his sister's point, "Didn't you join the Martial Artist afterward?"

Xiao Yusong shook his head: "I am a Dust Shadow Believer."

Lu Ran was taken aback, what had he just heard?

Eight-class God·Dust Shadow?

Damn, this guy's a rare find?

Dust Shadow was a plant-type god, appearing as a massive gray-black flower.

On the flower, energy occasionally flowed, revealing shadows of the mundane world.

It could be mountains and rivers, bustling cities,

celestial bodies, or mundanities such as alleyways and houses.

Thus, people also called it "Dust Shadow Flower."

As an Eight-class God, Dust Shadow dared to compete with a First-class God for a Believer?

The only possibility was: Perfect fit!

It's worth mentioning that although Dust Shadow ranked eighth, its Divine Technique was indeed top-notch!

Regardless, if you are a First-class God Believer or a Second-class God Believer, in terms of value to Da Xia Country, you really can't compare to a Dust Shadow Believer.

Because a powerful Dust Shadow Believer could open a teleportation array!

Such Divine Technique had transcended the usual scope of strength and weakness, moving instead into a realm of "strategic value."

Just like the Seventh-class God, Lietian, Dust Shadow's low ranking was for a specific reason.

At its core, the reason was the scarcity of disciples in the Dust Shadow sect.

Whether it's that the Human Clan's physique wasn't suited to Dust Shadow Believers, or if Dust Shadow itself had high standards for disciples, was unknown.

Either way, the Dust Shadow sect suffered from a dearth of talent.

Moreover, the god Dust Shadow itself preferred a more neutral position, liking the role of an "Observer."

This also led to an even bigger problem:

Indeed, the disciples of Dust Shadow sect possessed incredible skills, but only a minority served Da Xia.

Most disciples, taken by their god into different paths, ended up being "human cameras."

Pretty... well, very much like minstrels.

"Yuansi said you volunteered to protect us," Lu Ran asked, "you don't mind joining worldly affairs?"

Xiao Yusong shrugged his shoulders, his nonchalance as charming as ever.

Worthy of the man who rejected a First-class God to "marry down" to an Eighth-class God.

He truly had some uniqueness.

Lu Ran also smiled: "If you're willing to partake in worldly conflicts, then you are a treasure of Da Xia.

Don't bother protecting us; let me protect you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yusong couldn't help but make a weird face.

Even though he knew about Lu Ran, he still couldn't help but chuckle silently.

"Brother, be a bit humble!" Qiao Yuansi poked Lu Ran's shoulder, "Xiao bro is not just unconcerned about joining worldly affairs, he also participated in 'Heavenly Pride'!

By the way, bro, do you know about the Heavenly Pride show?"

This time, it was Lu Ran's turn to wear a puzzled look.

Just yesterday afternoon, Deng Yuxiang had called, saying that 'Heavenly Pride' had agreed to Lu Ran's participation.

She had also laughed, saying that Lu Ran's Divine Weapon - Rosy Clouds Blade had earned him quite a few points.

Lu Ran nodded: "I've heard a bit about it."

"Uh?" Qiao Yuansi was at a loss for words, "You already know?"

Lu Ran: "My teammate's sister, representing Wu Lie River University, participated in the beta."

"So you know how prestigious it is, and you still want to protect others!"

During the conversation, Qiao Yuansi sighed deeply: "Those who can participate are indeed the best of Da Xia's young generation."

Lu Ran looked at Qiao Yuansi's admiring expression and couldn't help but smile:

"Why don't you ask if I'm participating?"

"You?" Qiao Yuansi looked at Lu Ran, "No matter how skilled, you're only at River Realm First Rank!

Besides, you're still a high school student, without a university..."

As she spoke, Qiao Yuansi suddenly stopped.

Looking at Lu Ran's indulgent smile, she opened her mouth slightly: "You... ah?

You really are participating... ah?

Ah???"

...

Today's three updates, at 12, 18, 22.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.