The next day, in the morning.

Lu Ran sat meditating in front of the shrine when he suddenly heard the sound of a key entering the door lock.

"Uh?" Lu Ran was a bit surprised and immediately stood up.

He had just reached the door when he saw Jiang Ruyi opening the front door.

"Meow~" The little calico cat ran up to greet her as if it had seen a family member.

"How are you?" Jiang Ruyi bent down and smiled at the little creature.

"Meow~" The little calico cat cried softly, rubbing against the girl's trouser leg as if seeking affection.

Lu Ran was dumbfounded!

All the time he'd had the little calico cat, when had it ever rubbed against his trouser leg?

Jiang Ruyi was amused and laughed, bending down to pick up the calico cat with one hand while reaching out towards the shoe rack.

But then she stopped mid-motion.

Then, Jiang Ruyi straightened up, still playing with the calico cat but throwing a fleeting glance at Lu Ran in the distance.

Lu Ran: "..."

It's never easy to learn good manners, but bad habits catch on quick~

"Done paying respects to the gods?" Lu Ran walked over, picked up a pair of slippers from the shoe rack, and threw them at the girl's feet.

However, Jiang Ruyi just tilted her head and stared silently at the slippers without moving.

Such a scene made Lu Ran laugh.

He immediately knelt down and helped the girl change her shoes.

Jiang Ruyi felt the gentle gesture from Lu Ran and was secretly delighted.

"I thought you wouldn't come today," Lu Ran said as he unbuckled her leather boot straps, speaking casually.

Jiang Ruyi's foot, clad in a white sock, was just stretched out but then retracted back into the boot: "Should I go then?"

"No, no, no!" Lu Ran quickly grabbed her foot and slipped the slipper on.

Jiang Ruyi was all smiles, having only intended to tease Lu Ran.

But with Lu Ran's actions, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she fell silent.

"By the way, I negotiated with the gods last night," Lu Ran spoke softly.

"Huh?" Jiang Ruyi was a bit surprised.

What do you mean "I negotiated with the gods"?

Are Divine beings someone you can just contact whenever you like?

And you, a Believer, can actually negotiate with a Divine being?

Lu Ran took two steps back and stood up: "Lord Immortal Goat has agreed to allow you to cultivate in front of the shrine."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

The girl silently looked at Lu Ran, feeling completely overwhelmed.

Lu Ran had said only a few words, but each one had upended Jiang Ruyi's understanding of the world.

Jiang Ruyi was, of course, aware of the special care Lord Immortal Goat gave to Lu Ran.

Divine·Immortal Goat not only permitted Lu Ran to fight but also taught him several special Divine Techniques.

Since the airing of "Heavenly Pride," discussions about it online were fervent.

The mainstream opinion was that Nine-class God·Immortal Sheep had found itself a great deal, hence its particularly doting and nearly indulgent affection towards Lu Ran.

It seemed that opinion was not without merit!

Lu Ran smiled: "From now on, whenever you come over, we can meditate together in front of the shrine."

Jiang Ruyi hesitated and spoke softly, "Isn't that inappropriate?"

"Ah, come on, just do it," Lu Ran said as he grabbed her wrist and led her toward the small bedroom.

Jiang Ruyi was certainly a stickler for rules; she casually placed the calico cat on the computer desk, then stood in front of the shrine, palms together in a proper bow:

"Lord Immortal Goat, Ruyi intrudes."

"Sit," Lu Ran sat down with his legs crossed.

Jiang Ruyi, however, was unsettled and simply couldn't sit down.

"Lord Immortal Goat is gentle and friendly with people... ahem, very easygoing."

Lu Ran clearly stumbled over his words, silently thinking it a sin.

Jiang Ruyi had no doubt about what Lu Ran had said.

After all, the world only ever sees the amiable side of Lord Immortal Goat.

Who has ever seen it with a black look, glaring with a pair of sinister Dead Sheep Eyes?

Lu Ran tugged at Jiang Ruyi, earnest: "This is permitted by Lord Immortal Goat."

Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment but was reluctant to refuse Lu Ran's request.

She chose a compromise, kneeling down in a posture reminiscent of how they sat for meals in ancient times.

"Just cross your legs and meditate," Lu Ran said softly, "you're not an Immortal Sheep Believer."

Jiang Ruyi's expression was complicated as she pursed her lips and looked at Lu Ran.

It wasn't Jiang Ruyi's fault.

People living in this era are heavily constrained by the times.

Even if Divine·Immortal Goat wasn't the Divine Jiang Ruyi worshiped, she still wouldn't dare to overstep her boundaries.

"Listen to me," Lu Ran said as he gently tucked a strand of Jiang Ruyi's hair behind her ear.

Thinking of the Divine watching from above, Jiang Ruyi's cheeks suddenly reddened.

She lowered her head, struggling internally for a moment, but eventually relented to Lu Ran.

Follow the host's lead?

But that depends on who "the host" is.

If it were anyone else, Jiang Ruyi would absolutely not comply.

The girl sat down with her legs crossed, clearly still somewhat anxious.

Lu Ran: "Let's cultivate together until noon, and then go out for hot pot, how about that?"

"Mhm... okay," Jiang Ruyi replied in a small voice.

"Let's start!" Lu Ran closed his eyes.

Around them, within the shrine, wisps of white mist flowed continuously towards the two of them.

It proved that Lu Ran's choice was right.

After solving the big problem of "cultivation," the quality of their time together improved significantly.

For the next ten days, Lu Ran lived a joyous life, meeting with little Ruyi every day.

They watched movies together, went shopping, ate frozen treats, and even strolled leisurely by the Wu Lie River during quiet nights.

Of course, these were considered "extracurricular activities."

More often, they were meditating at home or practicing martial arts on an old rooftop.

The nature of the Jade Talisman Sect's Divine Techniques meant that Jade Talisman Believers could follow two growth paths: close combat or ranged.

Looking at Jiang Ruyi's trajectory, she was on the path of ranged damage.

Lu Ran wasn't trying to forcefully change her.

His thought was, if enemies ever got close to Jiang Ruyi on the battlefield, at least she should have the ability to protect herself.

This blissful world for two continued until the eleventh day of the lunar month.

That afternoon, the two had an appointment and hurried to the cold drinks shop in Snow Alley.

The trio of Deng, Tian, and Chang had finally returned from their trials on the tenth night and had not seen each other for a long time, wanting to catch up.

Lu Ran also made it clear: he would treat them to this meal.

After all, the trio deserved credit for their hard work!

While Lu Ran and Jiang comfortably stayed at home, sweetly together,

Deng, Tian, and Chang were slaving away in the Demon Cave, completing school assignments for the duo...

It sounded downright scandalous~

...

West River, in front of the Snow Alley cottage.

"Here they come!" Tian Tian excitedly clenched her little fists, whispering to herself.

She saw a couple, both wearing hats and masks like they were too ashamed to show their faces, walking down the street.

"Wow~" Chang Ying rested a hand on Tian Tian's head, admiringly saying, "Don't they match well?"

Tian Tian nodded repeatedly, thrilled to hear such words, feeling pleasantly warm inside:

"Master and Sister Ruyi are the most perfect match!"

As Lu and Jiang approached, Tian Tian couldn't contain her longing and trotted over.

"Sister Ruyi!"

Tian Tian whispered softly, like a swallow returning to its nest.

"Oh." Jiang Ruyi hugged the petite Tian Tian and stepped back to slow the momentum.

Tian Tian buried her head in Jiang Ruyi's chest, acting greedily content, rubbing her cheeks left and right.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile contentedly, "Missed me?"

"Mhm," Tian Tian blushed and whispered back.

Lu Ran smiled at the scene, truly struggling to penetrate little Tian Tian's heart, not understanding the special feelings she harbored for Jiang Ruyi.

Tian Tian had reached River Realm; you'd think she'd have some air of a powerful being.

But in front of Jiang Ruyi, she remained like a little sister...

"Let's go inside!" From a distance, came Deng Yutang's voice.

Lu Ran looked up to see Deng Yutang standing at the entrance of the Snow Alley cottage, waving cheerfully towards them.

In front of the cottage, Chang Ying was also beaming, "Lu Ran, come quick~"

Lu Ran too smiled as he approached, basking in the joy of this rare reunion.

Minutes later, the five of them settled into a small private room.

Lu Ran finally took off his mask and hat, looking around: "How was it, tiring from the trials?"

"Not bad at all," Chang Ying said cheerfully.

Her eyes sparkled as she stared at Lu Ran's face as if she could see flowers blossoming.

Deng Yutang and Tian Tian were also watching Lu Ran with admiration evident in their eyes.

Lu Ran was indeed a role model for them all.

Ever since "Heavenly Pride" aired, Lu Ran's standing in their hearts had skyrocketed.

In fact, they were well aware of the brilliance Lu Ran had shown during the Night of Ghosts and the Barbaric Woman.

But they could only superficially observe through photos, and animated images.

"Heavenly Pride," however, was different!

With comprehensive, no blind-spot coverage, it perfectly showcased Lu Ran's fearsome combat power!

After this battle, Lu Ran became the center of attention, a "big shot," indeed deserving of worship.

"Uh." Lu Ran touched his nose.

The usually thick-skinned him felt unusually embarrassed and changed the subject: "Think you'll get a perfect score for this training assignment?"

"Don't worry, Master," Tian Tian whispered, "We'll definitely get the full 20 Believer points."

Deng Yutang nodded confidently: "With these 20, I'll have over three hundred Believer points.

I'll be nearly ready to graduate."

Deng Yutang's tone carried a hint of emotion, as high school life was ending soon.

The college entrance exam was only two months away!

Jiang Ruyi turned to the beside her, Tian Tian: "And you?"

Tian Tian promptly said, "I have a bit more than Yutang, 307 Believer points."

"That's good," Jiang Ruyi nodded with satisfaction, "Before the college exams, we'll get points from two more fifteenth-of-the-month city defenses and two more school training assignments.

The college exam on May fifteenth is itself the big end-of-term exam, and it's scored out of a hundred.

Per tradition, on the first day of the sixth lunar month, the day we all Worship God, we have a special bonus mission.

Your final score will be good."

"Mhm mhm." Tian Tian, having received the Goddess's approval, wore a happy smile.

Since the beginning of the third year of high school, the school had not only increased the points for training assignments to 20 Believer points but also raised the points for the fifteenth-of-the-month city defense tasks as the students' realms climbed and their responsibilities grew heavier.

Previously, the individual and team leaderboards were capped at 10 Believer points each.

Now, the cap had increased by 10 points for each leaderboard.

That meant, where Lu Ran used to take the first place on both leaderboards for a total of 20 Believer points, if he managed it now, he could earn 40 points!

Last month on the fifteenth, Rain Alley City experienced the special event Night of Ghosts, and the students who survived got full marks.

That added a whopping 40 points to everyone!

What a triumph!

"Lu Ran doesn't have to worry anymore," Deng Yutang smiled at Lu Ran.

"Exactly," Tian Tian felt especially energetic today, "Including these 20 points, Master already has 459.6 points."

Lu Ran looked puzzled: "You know better than I do?"

Tian Tian clenched her fist: "I calculated, Master's final score will definitely be much higher than the Beijing University cutoff!"

"Hey, wait a minute!" Chang Ying suddenly spoke up, looking at Lu Ran, "Heavenly Pride doesn't give Believer points?"

Lu Ran shrugged: "You have to wait till the end of the year, they award Believer points and Divine Weapons based on the overall ranking of the leaderboard."

"Oh," Chang Ying murmured regret, whispering, "It would be nice if it settled after each competition.

Directly winning first place~"

Lu Ran: "..."

If they settled after each competition, that would indeed be a bit too overwhelming.

Since the second half of the sophomore year, the accumulated Believer points over the upcoming year were equivalent to the college entrance scores.

Of course, certain prestigious universities still have their entrance exams, and students need to reach the cutoff before they can apply.

That's a story for later. Just look at Da Xia's top one hundred Heavenly Prides, aside from me, they're all college students.

College students use points for honor, to glorify their Divine beings and Sects, and to embellish their personal records.

Am I meant to use "Heavenly Pride" points directly added to my college entrance scores?

Who could compete with me then~

...

Friends, tomorrow is the fifteenth of July, and I need to go on a trip to pay respects to our ancestors.

I'll be taking a one-day leave tomorrow, and I hope for everyone's understanding.

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.