"Bro," Qiao Yuansi ran out of the central building.

"What's up?" Lu Ran turned his head to look.

Qiao Yuansi pouted and shook her phone, "Mom said for us to go home first.

She's really busy and probably won't be able to come back until New Year's Day."

Although Lu Ran was mentally prepared, he couldn't help but sigh, "That busy, huh..."

Guan Yiren suddenly spoke up, "Senior Qiao must be busy with Jinghong Peak."

"Jinghong Peak?" Lu Ran questioned.

He was unsure if he had pronounced those three words correctly.

Guan Yiren turned around, lifted her head towards Divine·Sword One, and bowed respectfully before explaining:

"My Sword One sect is transforming a mountain peak in the northern part of Beijing."

Lu Ran nodded thoughtfully.

The word 'transforming' seemed a bit awkward, but he understood her meaning.

Mountains are not renowned for their height, but for the spiritual presence within.

A plain mountain once reorganized by the disciples of Sword One and surmounted with lofty palaces becomes an abode for a manifestation of Lord Jian Yi.

The fortunate peak that welcomes Lord Jian Yi is thus turned into a "Spirit Mountain."

From then on, imbued with Divine Power, it becomes a place of pilgrimage for all beings.

Lu Ran understood this because there were already eight such Spirit Mountains in and around Beijing.

Clearly, Lord Jian Yi was intensifying her control over her base of operations while expanding outward.

From the perspective of the common people, the establishment of Spirit Mountains offered tremendous benefits.

With thick Divine Power on the mountains, they naturally attracted the Evil Demon Clan during the nights of the full moon, sharing the city's burden.

For the Sword One sect, it meant that the Divine Lady was extending her influence and that the disciples had another place for tranquil cultivation.

As for Da Xia's perspective... well, Lu Ran didn't have the insight or wisdom to know how they played the game of power at the higher echelons.

Xiao Yusong spoke up, "Shall I drive you two siblings home?"

"Uh-huh," nodded Qiao Yuansi, grabbing Lu Ran's arm, "Shall we go eat at Burger King?"

Lu Ran smiled at Little Yuanxi's cravings, "Since we're free now, let's go see Mom."

"Oh?" Qiao Yuansi looked at Lu Ran curiously, "I remember you sleeping all day, how come you have so much energy now?

Don't you want to rest at home?"

Lu Ran shrugged his shoulders, "I haven't done any work these past few days, just shouting orders, so I'm not tired!"

Guan Yiren: "..."

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi couldn't help but chuckle.

"Let's go, get in the car, I'll take you," Xiao Yusong called out to everyone, heading for the parking lot.

"Thanks, Brother Xiao!" Qiao Yuansi smiled sweetly.

The vast expanse of Beijing was not the small alley of a town.

If you were in a small town, a twenty-minute drive would get you to the northern suburbs.

But to reach the so-called northern suburbs from Beijing... well, you'd just have to drive.

Driving towards the city's edge,

towards Wu Lie River province...

Although Xiao Yusong had a Teleportation Skill, he needed to set coordinates to teleport.

Luckily, the Night Charm Demon Cave was located in the northwest area of Beijing, which saved a significant distance.

Not until 9:30 in the morning did Xiao Yusong drop the siblings at the entrance of a village.

To get closer to Jinghong Peak, there was no road to follow.

The siblings had to make their way up the mountain on their own.

"Sister Yiren, would you like to come and see?" asked Qiao Yuansi as she got out of the car.

Guan Yiren shook her head, "Spirit Mountain is not yet finished, I won't disturb."

"Oh, okay, then see you after New Year!" Qiao Yuansi waved goodbye to everyone.

"See you," Lu Ran nodded in acknowledgment.

Guan Yiren looked at Lu Ran and whispered, "Thank you."

"Hehe," Lu Ran just smiled, saying nothing more.

From Guan Yiren's perspective, Lu Ran had indeed invested a lot of time and effort.

But the problem was, Lu Ran had also reaped a lot of benefits for himself.

So, not selling out was Lu Ran's final stand.

The siblings watched the car leave and then turned to look at the path leading to the small village.

Beside the road stood a large stone with three bold characters inscribed on it — Emperor Village.

"Goodness gracious~" Lu Ran grinned, "Emperor, that's quite a name."

It was predictable that once Jinghong Peak was completed, the villages within a certain radius at the foot of Spirit Mountain would be largely spared the incursions of the Evil Demon Clan.

Qiao Yuansi looked at the knife in Lu Ran's hand and mused, "Do we really need to climb the mountain?"

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly, "What are you thinking?"

"How about flying with the Dawn Blade?" Qiao Yuansi playfully said, "Brother, carry me~"

Lu Ran: "..."

Qiao Yuansi patted Lu Ran's shoulder, "Quick, quick, squat down."

Lu Ran squatted down, mumbling, "Why not just fly yourself with the lantern?"

"My brother loves me the most!" Qiao Yuansi giggled, wrapping her arms around Lu Ran's neck, and with a light jump...

In an instant, Lu Ran mockingly stumbled forward.

Qiao Yuansi: ???

Is he calling me fat?

"You drama king!" Qiao Yuansi bumped her forehead against the back of Lu Ran's head, discontentedly saying, "You were Heavenly Flying and Earthly Escaping in the Demon Cave!

Now you're going to fall over just carrying me?"

"Hehe," Lu Ran chuckled, "Hold on tight, the blade's about to fly."

"I'm not like you, I... Whoa!" Qiao Yuansi held Lu Ran's neck tightly, feeling the Gale howling past her ears.

Lu Ran held the handle of the knife and shot straight into the forest.

Jinghong Peak was not hard to find.

As Lu Ran ventured deeper into the mountains, he saw disciples of Sword One flying on their swords.

Soon, a figure flew towards them.

The woman wore a classical white dress, her countenance ice-cold, fitting the stereotypical image of a Sword One Believer.

"Halt, both of you!"

The woman approached on her sword and blocked Lu Ran's path.

Since Lu Ran was hanging onto the knife handle for flight, it was clear to the discerning eye that it was a Divine Weapon, so the Sword One Believer was relatively accommodating.

With a thought from Lu Ran, the Dawn Blade hovered in mid-air.

The young woman asked, "Where are you two headed?"

"To Jinghong Peak," said Lu Ran.

The woman sized up the two of them, "You are not disciples of our sect, why do you come here?"

Qiao Yuansi tilted her head and looked at the Sword One Believer, "Our mom is Qiao Wanjun.

I just called her, and she said she's not coming home until New Year's Eve, so we wanted to come see her."

"Senior Qiao?" The woman was somewhat surprised and looked them over again.

Qiao Yuansi offered, "Shall I call her again for you to confirm?"

The woman nodded slightly, "That would be best."

"Just wait, okay? Coming up!" Qiao Yuansi fumbled with her phone.

Upon further confirmation, the woman finally nodded, "Follow me."

"Whew~"

The woman led the way with Sword Flight, and Lu Ran followed closely.

As they flew, Lu Ran couldn't help but feel a bit odd.

He saw a large mountain gate hidden deep in the mountains and stairways leading to the peak.

What surprised Lu Ran was to see Sword One Believers, all females, carrying stones up the mountain.

All without exception were women of varying heights, mostly leaned in stature.

So... they all came here to carry stones up the mountain?

Moreover, since Sword One Believers could fly, why would they opt to carry building materials by foot?

Lu Ran was puzzled but didn't ask aloud.

He didn't know what rules Lord Jian Yi had established...

Led by the young woman, the siblings flew all the way to the peak, amazed at what they saw.

The apex had been leveled, and various stone and wooden structures, though not yet completed, were scattered across the top.

Lu Ran, being there, became the odd one out.

Because the Sword One sect did not take male disciples!

Even with the young woman's guidance, Lu Ran had to answer many questions.

However, once Lu Ran identified himself as the son of Qiao Wanjun, the Sword One Believers eased their attitudes and let him pass without delay.

Clearly, Qiao Wanjun held a certain status within the Sword One sect.

As for what her exact position was, Lu Ran was not sure.

About Divine Sect matters, she rarely spoke of them to the siblings.

"Sister, where's mom?" Qiao Yuansi curiously looked around.

"Senior Qiao is on the back mountain, over there."

The two followed the woman as they flew to the back mountain, where no one else was to be seen, only tranquility.

At the edge of a snowy peak and cliff, Lu Ran finally saw the silhouette he had long missed.

She stood motionless, quietly.

"Please," the Sword One Believer said softly, not daring to approach and disturb, and quietly withdrew.

Lu Ran landed steadily on the peak, observing the tall and graceful figure.

She wore a white and gold dress with an antique charm, and her long, pitch-black hair fluttered gently in the wind.

Sensing someone behind her, the woman finally turned.

That was when Lu Ran saw her wearing a white veil covering the lower half of her face.

Therefore, her salient brows and indifferent eyes stood out even more.

"Mom," Lu Ran called out.

Lord Mother was already in her mid-thirties but looked quite young.

In this unique era, people married and had children early.

Plus, with Qiao Wanjun's high cultivation level, she almost seemed like a Fairy who had descended from the heavens, radiant and lively.

Lu Ran would like to describe her with "Unrivaled Charm," but it might seem like he's praising his own mother too much...

As a son, Lu Ran's perception of his mother naturally had a filter.

In his eyes, Lord Mother was no less remarkable than Divine·Sword One.

Although this view would probably not be agreed upon by others.

Well... it didn't matter.

One day in the future, when the Divine Sculpture of Divine·Sword One took on the likeness of his mother...

Everyone would agree then, wouldn't they?

At this thought, Lu Ran hurriedly composed himself.

Such 'blasphemous' thoughts had to be kept well hidden.

"Ranran has come," Qiao Wanjun's voice was soft.

With just one phrase, Lu Ran felt as if the entire frigid mountain had melted.

As a disciple of Sword One, Qiao Wanjun undeniably had a cold and indifferent aura.

But as a mother, the smile on her face upon seeing Lu Ran was so tender.

Lu Ran pressed his lips together.

Great,

She's even more like the Jian Yi in my heart.

...

I ask for some monthly tickets.

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