Under the guidance of Senior Sister Cheng Rou, Lu Jiang and his companion arrived at Luoxian Village.

As expected, in the dwellings of the Immortal Sheep Believers, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi were once again surrounded.

The kind and enthusiastic aunties were incessantly concerned about how well the two were resting, whether they were accustomed to the food, and what else they could do for them.

Their strong concern deeply moved Jiang Ruyi.

The Immortal Sheep Believers were a distinctive group.

They were not just passive, they even had a bit of an "altruist" connotation.

In such a clan, if a selfish individual were to intrude, they would enjoy all resources and take advantage of everything!

Fortunately, the founding Believers—the Cheng siblings—guarded the mountain.

There were also military forces stationed here, with strict discipline.

Otherwise, there would be no need for an Evil Demon to invade; the scheming among the Human Clan would have been enough to consume the Jade Talisman Sect completely.

With the help of Cheng Rou, the two were smoothly extricated and entered a large estate.

The sprawling grounds were empty, and to the right, the grand hall had its doors wide open.

"Immortal Worship Hall."

Jiang Ruyi raised her eyes to the plaque, then her gaze shifted downward to see two elderly men kneeling deeply within the hall.

"Grandpa, Great-Uncle, our junior brother has arrived."

Cheng Rou quickly walked into the hall, came alongside the elders, and whispered.

The two men did not react but continued their worship.

Only after a good ten seconds did they simultaneously open their eyes and stood up.

This tacit cooperation left Lu Ran secretly admiring them.

When the two turned around, Lu Ran blinked.

Identical?

Both elders were clad in white Taoist robes, with white hair and flowing beards.

They were not tall, around 165cm, with buns atop their heads fastened by wooden pins.

They exuded vitality, with an air of immortality and sageliness.

"Young friend."

"Young friend," both Cheng brothers promptly greeted with clasped fists.

Lu Ran returned the greeting in kind and addressed the elder on the left, "Grandpa Cheng Yi."

Then he turned to the other elder and called, "Grandpa Cheng Li."

The two men exchanged glances and then burst into hearty laughter, "Hahaha!"

"Eh?" Cheng Rou blinked her beautiful eyes, "Junior brother is really skilled; sometimes even I can't tell them apart!"

Can't tell apart?

Then feel with your heart.

Cheng Yi was innately resolute, even exuding a hint of domineering character.

In Lu Ran's eyes, he was not an old man with white hair, but a halberd.

Cheng Li was graceful, calm, and carefree, seemingly detached from the mundane world.

In Lu Ran's view, he was an elegant and lively sword.

Inside the Immortal Worship Hall, where were the meek Immortal Sheep Believers?

One was a domineering halberd wielder!

The other was a carefree swordsman.

The commonality was that, although of advanced age, both were energetic in their old age.

They both seemed quite capable in a fight~

"Second brother, I lost, haha!" Cheng Li turned to Cheng Yi, chuckling.

Cheng Yi stroked his beard, nodding repeatedly, "Very well, you lead the morning exercises tomorrow.

I will take Gugu into the mountains to play."

Cheng Li's eyes crinkled with a smile, "Understood, understood."

Lu Ran: "..."

He always felt that beneath Senior Sister Cheng's gentle exterior, there lurked a hint of mischief.

Who would call their daughter Gugu?

Mr. Cheng also went along with it—even with his own great-granddaughter, he still said it out loud...

"That might not work, Grandpa," Cheng Rou promptly said.

"What's the matter?" Cheng Yi frowned displeased, "Is that unworthy husband of yours planning to take the child back again?"

Cheng Rou immediately shook her head, "No, no, it's the junior brother!

He's brought Grandpa and Great-Uncle some good news! It's, it's..."

Cheng Rou wanted to burst out with it, to share the joy, but she forced herself to stop and looked at Lu Ran.

Yet Lu Ran simply smiled, his gaze capturing Senior Sister Cheng's frustrated expression, "Please, you say it."

"Sure!" Cheng Rou's face lit up with a happy smile as she recounted the tale.

Her exhilarated and barely concealed excitement hardly matched that of a mother of two children.

Rather, she seemed more like a clear-sighted college girl.

Luoxian Mountain had kept Cheng Rou too well protected; life must have been carefree for her.

As his granddaughter relayed her tale, Cheng Yi's expression grew increasingly astonished.

"This... this..." It took him a while to come back to his senses.

Cheng Yi faced Lu Ran with clasped fists, his expression one of excitement: "I truly don't know how to thank you, young friend."

Cheng Yi was a man accustomed to turbulent events and should have maintained a stable state of mind.

But his situation was quite special!

Cheng Yi had been stagnant in the Jiang Realm·Fifth Rank for countless years.

Even he was unclear whether it was due to a lack of insight, insufficient resolve, or perhaps that his talent had reached its limit and could progress no further.

If it were the latter, then the blessing Lu Ran sought would come as a great help to Cheng Yi.

To call it a "great kindness" was no exaggeration!

Understand that the path to ascension isn't just about enhancing your power.

When you reach a certain level and ascend again, it can increase your lifespan!

Of course, it's only been four decades since the gods descended to earth.

How much lifespan one could gain specifically from ascending within the River, Sea, or higher realms was still uncertain.

Furthermore, in such a dangerous world, it was rare for Believers to die of natural causes.

No matter what, adding vitality to an aged body was indeed tangible!

"Great kindness, the Cheng family, will forever remember it in our hearts!"

Cheng Li likewise clasped his fists, the smile on his face disappearing into a solemn expression.

Lu Ran promptly returned the gesture, "It is Lord Immortal Goat who is willing to grant favor."

Cheng Li's smile returned as he nodded gently, "Good, good!"

With that, the pair turned and kneeled towards the Immortal Sheep sculpture on the prayer mats.

Cheng Rou also knelt down beside them, continuously expressing gratitude.

Outside the hall, Lu Ran raised his eyes towards the distance, admiring the towering figure of the Immortal Sheep God Sculpture itself.

Jiang Ruyi stood slightly behind and to the side of Lu Ran, watching the Cheng family trio displaying their gratitude.

She could empathize with the three more profoundly.

Believers, in the presence of gods, had no rights to speak of.

You are but a servant summoned and dismissed at will.

If you receive a word or two from the god in your lifetime, it is an honor beyond measure!

Within the same sect, it is even a boast-worthy achievement!

Your fellow Disciples will respect you further.

After all, you are among those who have received a "Divine Edict" from the gods!

As for someone like Lu Ran...

It's really hard to say.

"Ruyi." Lu Ran gently took her hand.

Jiang Ruyi instinctively tried to pull away, but Lu Ran held on even tighter.

She looked up at the towering god himself, hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head, ceasing to struggle.

Lu Ran: "You can ask Grandpa Cheng Li about swordsmanship.

I think his style must be carefree and elegant, which suits you."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

You can tell what weapon someone uses based on first impressions?

Actually, she could too.

After all, Jiang Ruyi was a producer of Divine Weapons, equipped with the corresponding qualities.

But to discern someone's combat style and the essence of their swordsmanship from a single encounter?

Lu Ran's understanding of weaponry, indeed, ran deep!

After all, he had opened the Divine Weapon Domain.

"Hm?" Lu Ran looked at his fiancée and gently pinched her palm.

It was soft and comfortable.

Jiang Ruyi bowed her head, whispering softly, "I'll listen to you."

That look of unwillingness to disrespect the gods and reluctance to pull away from Lu Ran's hand seemed awkward.

Quite amusing~

Lu Ran pushed further, interlocking his fingers through her slender ones.

Jiang Ruyi's gaze dropped even lower as she bowed her head further.

Lu Ran's voice was soft as he spoke, "I'm not asking you for intensive special training in the coming days, I'm hoping you will take him as your master.

I was originally thinking of asking my mother to teach you, but now it seems unnecessary."

Lu Ran paused, then continued, "Grandpa Cheng Li is a first-generation disciple!

He is among those who fought battles alongside Lord Immortal Sheep!

His combat prowess and mastery of martial arts are beyond our imagination.

I know your fighting style leans towards distance casting, but I also hope you can systematically study swordsmanship."

As Lu Ran spoke these words, he also mused in his heart.

If one day, you lose the Jade Talisman Divine Skill, or have a gap period...

If you can possess strong swordsmanship, you can at least protect yourself.

Of course, this was Lu Ran's worst-case scenario!

He would certainly do his utmost, try to seamlessly transition to the garden sculpture once Jiang Ruyi left the Jade Talisman Sect to avoid periods of "helplessness."

How should one put it,

Better safe than sorry!

Having a skill at hand is always beneficial.

Jiang Ruyi nodded, "I understand."

Lu Ran: "I will help you make the connection and arrange everything.

After I leave, you can often come to Luoxian Mountain, and preferably gain the true inheritance from Grandpa Cheng Li..."

While talking, Lu Ran felt his palm tighten.

Listening to Lu Ran's gentle whispers, Jiang Ruyi forgot her concerns and gripped his hand tightly.

It was as if...

The tighter she held, the later he might leave.

"Lu, young friend, Jiang, young friend."

The grandparent trio emerged from the Immortal Worship Hall, addressing the silent pair.

Cheng Li still had a cheery smile as if oblivious to the atmosphere between the two:

"What a pair of celestial paramours, truly enviable to others."

"Hehe~" Lu Ran chuckled, "If the two of you are free, shall we head to Luo Xian Residence now?"

"Certainly," Cheng Yi immediately nodded.

Receiving a Divine Blessing was no small matter, and it should not be taken lightly.

Not to mention accepting the blessing right away,

If you asked Cheng Yi to wait at the mountain residence's entrance for a decade or even longer, he would have no objections.

As they walked outside, Lu Ran recalled something and turned to Cheng Li, "By the way, I forgot to congratulate Grandpa Cheng Li for successfully leaving seclusion.

I presume your strength has improved a great deal, yes?"

Cheng Li: "I share your joy."

Lu Ran laughed, indeed it was shared joy!

He ventured, "Yesterday, Grandpa Cheng Yi said you were stronger than him; could it be that Grandpa Cheng Li has ascended to the Sea Realm?"

"Hehe." Cheng Li stroked his beard, looking at Lu Ran with a smile, "This old man reached the Sea Realm more than a decade ago."

Lu Ran couldn't help but grin.

Good fellow!

"Hehe~" Cheng Rou laughed as she watched her junior brother's astonished reaction.

Cheng Yi swept a glance at his granddaughter, and Cheng Rou immediately behaved, stifling her laughter.

Lu Ran composed himself. Having asked twice without a definitive answer, it would be impolite to press further.

He changed the subject, "Grandpa Cheng Yi, Grandpa Cheng Li, my fiancée is a practitioner of the sword.

Her foundation is not very solid; having joined the Jade Talisman Sect, she spends every day throwing talismans..."

The elders needed no further hints to understand Lu Ran's meaning.

Cheng Yi had just glanced at his younger brother when Cheng Li had already spoken,

"Young friend Lu, rest assured, I am also a swordsman and will be willing to offer some guidance."

"Really?" Lu Ran said with gratitude, "Thank you for the trouble."

Cheng Li continued smiling warmly, "As requested by the Mountain Master, it is my duty!"

The change in appellations also clarified their respective identities.

Lu Ran smiled at the elder, "Grandpa Cheng Li, if you do not mind, please take her as your disciple.

My fiancée desires to attain mastery in swordsmanship and seeks your true inheritance."

Hearing this, Cheng Li understood the implications.

This wasn't about learning a few tricks to assist the Jade Talisman Divine Skill in combat.

It was about focusing on swordsmanship?

Cheng Li pondered for a moment before replying, "Yes!

I shall devote my full effort and meticulous teaching."

Jiang Ruyi listened quietly, her thoughts fluctuating.

The master of Luoxian Mountain was indeed like the lords of Jiantianque City and Beifeng City—more than just a reputation.

Cheng Li was a Sea Realm Great Power...

An existence that people should revere and worship!

During the casual conversation, Cheng Li always smiled amiably, addressing Lu Ran as "young friend."

But once Lu Ran entrusted a serious request,

Cheng Li was so perfectly respectful.

...

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.