Lu Ran landed slowly at the edge of the cliff, facing Qiao Wanjun, and sheathed the Silent Night Blade.

The two of them were about a meter apart, with the latter half of Lu Ran's foot hanging in the air.

Towards his mother, Lu Ran had always been filled with both love and respect, reluctant to make her step back, so he settled for this.

It was rather funny when one thought about it.

Lu Ran had thought that upon entering that study, he had let go, that he had reconciled with his younger self.

Yet upon returning to Jinghong Peak, he realized that he was still as cautious as ever.

As if nothing had changed.

The emotions filling Lu Ran's mind at the prospect of meeting his mother weren't expectations, longing, or joy.

His first thought was a worry about being turned away at the door.

That alone said a lot.

Before Lu Ran could speak, Qiao Wanjun joked in a way that indicated she had been waiting for him.

A simple sentence dissolved all of Lu Ran's worries.

Perhaps, on the night when Lu Ran had brought her warm milk, Qiao Wanjun had already figured out how she would take care of Lu Ran.

Only Lu Ran,

was still trapped in those special years of youth.

Cautious, nervous.

"You surpassed my expectations, having opened the Divine Weapon Domain with it," Qiao Wanjun spoke gently.

Lu Ran glanced at his mother's side.

In Qiao Wanjun's hand behind her, she was holding the Dawn Blade.

The Dawn Blade that was struggling vehemently.

"Hum! Hum!!"

The Dawn Blade kept trembling, its brilliance dazzling, as if trying to break free from the woman's control.

Yet, Qiao Wanjun held the hilt firmly, preventing any movement.

Relaxed and content.

Lu Ran questioned in his heart whether he could do the same.

Even as a Jiang Realm Great Power, even if he activated the Evil Technique·Soul Splitting Power, he still struggled to confine the Dawn Blade.

This was a Divine Weapon, after all!

And one that had opened the Divine Weapon Domain!

After a moment of silence, Lu Ran said, "Mom, you told me before that once the Dawn Blade opened its Divine Weapon Domain, it would be hard for you to wield it."

Qiao Wanjun smiled, "The Divine Weapon Domain has its levels of strength and weakness.

Whether it's people or weapons, the path of ascent is endless.

You could help it more."

Lu Ran: "..."

As expected, the more beautiful the woman, the more deceitful.

Wait until I bring the Dawn Blade and understand deeper layers of the Divine Weapon Domain, and unleash the auspicious cloud vortex...

Will it still not move in your hands?

"Alright," Qiao Wanjun spoke lightly, her thumb gently stroking the hilt.

The Dawn Blade: "..."

Are you telling me to stop causing trouble?

You...well, okay, you're the mother of my master.

The Dawn Blade seemed resigned and quieted down.

Sensing the Dawn Blade cease its struggle, Qiao Wanjun let go.

Her genuine son was standing right in front of her.

The "Artifact Spirit son" could indeed leave now.

She just didn't want to let go abruptly when the Divine Weapon was resisting fiercely, for the Dawn Blade would have shot out fiercely and possibly shattered the cliff.

"Hum~"

The Dawn Blade flew back to Lu Ran's side and didn't return to its sheath but pushed its hilt into his hand.

Such a powerful Divine Weapon now had a wronged look.

Seemingly seeking comfort?

Qiao Wanjun didn't pay attention to the Dawn Blade; instead, she gently gazed into Lu Ran's eyes,

"It's been a long time since we've seen each other, and you've had an incredible adventure."

Lu Ran nodded, "Mom, I am now the master of Luoxian Mountain."

Qiao Wanjun slightly frowned, pondering, "The master of Luoxian Mountain?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Is my small sect unworthy of your attention?

I mean, in terms of rank, I am higher than you!

Mine is a true divine mountain!

But yours is just a branch, and it's without divinity.

Of course, these were words Lu Ran dared not voice.

Qiao Wanjun seemed to remember something, "Cainan Province, Yeyu City, the Sect of Immortal Sheep, Luoxian Mountain."

"Yes!" Lu Ran nodded vigorously.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Wanjun did not show a smile.

Even the warmth in her eyes quietly faded, turning back into deep pools.

She mused for a moment and said softly, "It seems Lord Immortal Goat holds you in high esteem.

He has granted you the status of Human World Sect Master."

Lu Ran's heart stirred, probing, "Mom disagrees?"

"How could that be." Out of nowhere, Qiao Wanjun softened again, gazing at Lu Ran with a smile, "Do you plan to face me like this the whole time?"

"Oh, oh." Lu Ran quickly removed his mask and fisherman's hat.

Qiao Wanjun quietly looked at Lu Ran; suddenly, she became speechless.

Not just the Human World Sect Master of the Sect of Immortal Sheep.

Have you also been blessed by a deity?

Qiao Wanjun, immersed in cultivation, was completely cut off from the outside world.

She didn't know the Dawn Blade had opened a domain, nor was she aware of Lu Ran being bestowed with a blessing.

But after Lu Ran removed his disguise, his heavenly demeanor was enough for Qiao Wanjun to infer a lot.

There was silence on the cliff.

Only the sound of the cold wind and the fluttering frosty snow.

"Mom?" Lu Ran called out softly.

Qiao Wanjun snapped out of her memories, shaking her head with a smile, "Originally, you had a three parts resemblance to him.

Now, you surpass him by far, there's no comparison."

Lu Ran's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

In Lu Ran's heart, his father had always been a hero, the goal he looked up to and chased.

But when Lu Ran accomplished all this and even obtained Qiao Wanjun's approval, he didn't feel as much joy as he had expected.

Not knowing what to say, Lu Ran switched topics,

"By the way, mom, I brought you back a gift. It's in your study."

Qiao Wanjun was quite surprised, "Study?"

Lu Ran shrugged, nonchalant, "You told me not to enter the study and disturb you.

But since you weren't in the study, I obviously couldn't disturb you."

"Hehe~" Qiao Wanjun chuckled.

This Female Sword Immortal standing atop Jinghong Peak seemed more alive.

She raised her hand, waving Lu Ran over.

Lu Ran took a step forward, finally able to stand without half of his foot scraping the ground.

Her palm rested on Lu Ran's head, gently tousling it.

She didn't rebuke him, but rather seemed somewhat relieved, her eyes showing a hint of approval.

However, her body seemed to have been soaked by frost.

Her hand was terribly cold and not as soft as imagined.

Lu Ran suddenly spoke, "Mom, are you fighting against something?"

Qiao Wanjun paused for a moment, then covered it up quickly, whispering, "What makes you think so?"

Lu Ran, "The calligraphy on the wall."

He intended to continue, talking about the character "Sword," about the strokes and the brushwork.

But as soon as she heard Lu Ran speak, Qiao Wanjun suddenly lifted her gaze.

Those depths, colder than her hand, sent a chill through Lu Ran.

"What gift did you bring your mother?" Qiao Wanjun smilingly asked.

Her tone was normal, as if nothing had happened, as if that look never came from her.

Lu Ran sighed heavily in his heart.

It seemed she didn't want to speak.

Did she have some concerns?

Just now, when he mentioned becoming the master of Luoxian Mountain, her reaction was off.

There wasn't the comfort or joy from a mother, but rather she sunk into deep contemplation.

This...

"Wait until you get home, then you'll know," Lu Ran answered heedlessly, his thoughts in disarray.

Qiao Wanjun didn't press further, but instead said, "They didn't trouble you, did they?"

Lu Ran instantly understood that his mother was referring to the pair of Divine Weapons in the study.

"No, not at all," Lu Ran shook his head repeatedly, suddenly remembering something, "Right, you better not ask them!"

"Alright, alright."

That slightly helpless indulgent tone finally sounded like that of a normal mother.

"Mom, how goes your cultivation here? Is everything smooth?"

"It's okay."

"When will you come home?"

"Do you want me to come back?"

Qiao Wanjun teased with a smile.

The longer they talked, the more human she seemed.

Lu Ran pondered a moment, probing, "Would you come back for Little Yuanxi's birthday on the fifteenth of the first lunar month?"

The hopeful look in Lu Ran's eyes and his cautious plea softened Qiao Wanjun's heart.

She could feel that the relationship between the siblings was genuinely good.

If it weren't for Qiao Yuansi, Lu Ran would never be so "insistent."

Seeing his mother remain silent, Lu Ran continued, "I accompanied Little Yuanxi through new year's eve.

You come back for Lantern Festival, celebrate both our birthdays with us.

Just for one night, okay?"

Lu Ran knew well that one must not be disturbed during a retreat.

Even more so for someone like Qiao Wanjun.

To this day, Lu Ran didn't know the extent of Qiao Wanjun's strength.

But he would not be recklessly fearless due to ignorance.

Rather, because of ignorance, Lu Ran held even more reverence.

"Alright, I promise you," Qiao Wanjun said, her eyes fleeting with guilt.

Lu Ran sighed with relief.

Little Yuanxi would be thrilled for a long time.

"By the way, Mom, there's something else."

"Mm?"

"Lord Immortal Goat communicated with me, saying that he was going to open a Divine Ruins and that I should prepare well."

The smile on Qiao Wanjun's beautiful face slowed.

Like a receding tide, it vanished completely.

Frigid.

Once again, through his mother's eyes, Lu Ran felt a cold that reached straight to his heart.

Qiao Wanjun was silent, and Lu Ran grew more anxious.

Wasn't he a Jiang Realm Great Power? How had he become so weak?

Lu Ran suddenly realized something!

Why Chen Jingjing naturally assumed she would be punished to kneel by Qiao Wanjun.

Chen Jingjing, as a Jiang Realm Great Power, was respected wherever she went.

But when she mentioned it, there was no discontent.

Nor did she feel the slightest humiliation!

Standing before Qiao Wanjun, Lu Ran truly understood.

In the eyes of Qiao Wanjun, a Jiang Realm Great Power was no different from any ant!

Lu Ran and his mother Wanjun, after all, had a mother-son bond.

Lu Ran knew she wouldn't hurt him.

But what about others?

"Lord Immortal Goat," Qiao Wanjun said, unfeeling.

Lu Ran's scalp tingled!

Could you, perhaps, add "Lord" after "Immortal Goat"?

Lu Ran opened his mouth, "You don't want me to go?"

Qiao Wanjun, "Do you know when your sect's Divine Ruins will open?"

"Three months...uh, in two months, just in time to celebrate Little Yuanxi's birthday."

Qiao Wanjun took a step forward.

Lu Ran, quick to react, stepped aside at once.

Qiao Wanjun stood at the edge of the cliff, gazing at the distant snow-covered peaks.

Lu Ran was silent, watching her serene figure.

After some time, Qiao Wanjun spoke softly, "It won't be easy for you to come back alive."

Lu Ran spoke lowly, "I'm prepared mentally."

"Still want to go?"

"I still want to go!"

"Why?" Qiao Wanjun's voice was light, "You're growing fast, far beyond my expectations.

In the mortal world, you could ascend step by step."

Lu Ran absorbed his mother's peculiar words, not replying immediately.

There were too many reasons for him to go.

About fulfilling Lord Immortal Goat's expectations.

About uncovering the secrets of this world.

"I will come back, Mom," Lu Ran said firmly, "Lord Immortal Goat has granted me immeasurable grace."

Qiao Wanjun lowered her gaze to the vast snow forest at her feet.

Lu Ran asked, "Mom, have you been to the Divine Ruins? Do you know what's behind the Divine Ruins?"

Qiao Wanjun suddenly said, "Ranran."

"Hmm?"

"Promise Mom one thing."

"What?"

"If you find out that this world isn't as you've imagined..."

...

I'd like some monthly tickets.

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