Several families, celebrating New Year's Eve with joy.

The festive, united family atmosphere was something Lu Ran and the others especially enjoyed.

After midnight, Qiao Yuansi and Si Xianxian chose to stay overnight at the Jiang Family.

Lu Ran, however, returned to Luo Xian Residence with Jiang Ruyi.

The mountain path was quiet, with a warm breeze caressing the air.

The star-filled sky watched over a pair of silhouettes, walking hand in hand.

Having shared half a glass of liquor with Jiang Zheng, Lu Ran was slightly tipsy and murmured softly,

"They wanted me to join the national publicity department, and some old leaders tried to pull me into service, recommending me for enlistment.

I used the Immortal Sheep Sect to decline—it's true, this Luo Xian Mountain Master title does come in handy..."

Jiang Ruyi listened quietly, wordless.

Suddenly, Lu Ran stopped talking and looked at the girl beside him.

Perceiving his gaze, Jiang Ruyi turned to look as well.

"Ruyi."

"Hmm?"

"I've been talking all day; you've been so quiet."

Jiang Ruyi smiled and bent her head to walk forward,

but someone wouldn't allow it.

Lu Ran wrapped his arms around his fiancée's slender waist and drew her back into his embrace with one hand.

On the deserted mountain path, he was quite bold.

Jiang Ruyi raised her eyes slightly, gazing at the person close at hand.

In that moment, Lu Ran felt as if he saw the stars of the night sky hidden in the depth of her gentle pupils.

Admiring those beautiful eyes, he whispered, "Did you go to Galaxy Bay?"

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly, "Grandpa Cheng took me there to practice swordplay; real combat is also necessary."

A sliver of guilt crossed Lu Ran's mind: "I should have gone with you."

Jiang Ruyi chuckled: "But you don't know how to use a sword."

Paths chosen by oneself.

And even more so, the people one chooses.

So there's nothing to complain about.

Over half a month ago, Lu Ran had hurriedly arrived and just as hurriedly departed.

Jiang Ruyi felt a tinge of grievance.

She woke to her senses, reflected after feeling the pain, and during the following days of focused cultivation, she worked hard to correct herself.

She had made up her mind early on:

Her focus would only be on gaining strength.

Any more dramatic emotional turmoil would only delay him and herself.

"What are you thinking?" Lu Ran's forehead rested lightly on hers.

Jiang Ruyi felt the warm breath, tinged with a hint of alcohol.

Lu Ran in turn smelled the light scent of jasmine, refreshing to the soul.

"Thinking of nothing," Jiang Ruyi gently pushed Lu Ran away, tilting her head back slightly.

"You seem different now," Lu Ran noted.

"How can that be?"

"The old you, you never pushed me away," Lu Ran said with a pout.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Ran froze!

Damn it?

How did that tone come out of my mouth?

I'm done!

I've spent too much time with Little Yuanxi; I've been influenced by her!

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help laughing, teasing him, "The foremost Heavenly Pride of Da Xia, are you being coy with me?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Under the starry night sky,

Jiang Ruyi's eyes sparkled with beauty and a hint of playfulness: "Hmm?"

Lu Ran, thick-skinned as ever, pretended nothing happened: "So, why push me away?"

One person only attacked, never defending.

The other appeared cool and casual, not stepping into the fray.

Jiang Ruyi, still embraced around the waist, leaned slightly back, silent.

After a moment of silence, Lu Ran said, "Don't become a detached and passionless Immortal, okay?"

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran with a smile.

Was it possible that she had grown a year older and her understanding of love had deepened?

The right restraint would not hinder his steps.

Lu Ran was a bit panicked: "Don't be like that, you need to treat people like people!

It doesn't matter about others, but at least you should treat me like a person... huh?"

Jiang Ruyi suddenly leaned in and lightly kissed Lu Ran on the lips.

Once again, her cheeks flushed slightly as she whispered softly, "Are you reassured now?"

Lu Ran, taken aback for a moment, then said: "Not really, but I still need to thank Jiang Xianzi for her grace."

"Slick talker," Jiang Ruyi glanced at him reproachfully, broke free from his embrace, and walked ahead.

The mountain path grew narrower, only wide enough for one person.

Although one followed the other, Lu Ran stubbornly took Jiang Ruyi's fair hand, playing with her slender fingers.

Jiang Ruyi didn't explain too much, leading Lu Ran to misunderstand.

To him,

Jiang Ruyi at this moment was a flower in full bloom at the summit of the clouds.

It couldn't drift any further away!

Lucky to have realized this early, he needed to pull it back to the mortal world...

"By the way, on the third day of the lunar year, will you accompany me to North Wind City?" Lu Ran invited.

"North Wind City?" Jiang Ruyi was somewhat surprised.

Right away, Lu Ran began to recount the story of Deng Yuxiang's struggle for the Divine Weapon Domain.

As the two neared Luo Xian Residence and the path widened, they walked side by side.

Lu Ran, stealing glances at Jiang Xianzi's profile, was astonished to find that she had refused.

"You don't want to go?" Lu Ran was truly dumbfounded.

How many years had it been?

When had Jiang Ruyi ever refused him?

"I have swordsmanship classes every day; it's not good to interrupt.

Plus, I need to cultivate.

I feel like I'm close to reaching the threshold of the River Realm·Second Rank."

Lu Ran: "..."

Crap!

Have I been so busy with my career that I've neglected my fiancée?

But regarding the reason Jiang Ruyi gave, Lu Ran believed it.

While Lu Ran was conquering on all fronts and busy with various "Heavenly Pride" events, Jiang Ruyi had been engaging in tough cultivation.

Even more crucially, she was cultivating under the feet of the divine presence itself!

This was far more terrifying than other Believers making pilgrimage!

After all, those making pilgrimages under the guise of worship couldn't even be sure of entering the inner city beneath the feet of divinity.

Yet Jiang Ruyi was rooted in the Luo Xian Residence daily!

Under the blessing of the statue of Immortal Sheep himself, she enjoyed the top resources for cultivation in the world.

How could she not grow rapidly?

"So... I'll go alone?" Lu Ran inquired.

Jiang Ruyi turned and looked at Lu Ran with a gentle voice: "Do you really want me to accompany you?"

Lu Ran opened his mouth, struggled for a long while, then shook his head: "Never mind, don't bother."

Jiang Ruyi was about to touch the threshold of advancement; how could he hold her back?

Because of this, Lu Ran swallowed all subsequent invitations.

He had wanted to take his fiancée back to Beijing to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

On that day, his mother would rarely return home.

Furthermore, that night was also the shared birthday of Lu Ran and Little Yuanxi.

But now it seemed best not to disturb her.

The two returned to the mountain residence, and Jiang Ruyi went to bathe.

Lu Ran sat by the eight immortals table in the master bedroom, pouring tea cup after cup.

After a long while, the sound of a hairdryer came from the bathroom.

Lu Ran thought for a moment, got up from the master bedroom, crossed the hall, and approached the bathroom door: "Can I help you dry your hair?"

Inside, the hairdryer stopped.

Leaning against the door frame, Lu Ran offered, "Little Yuanxi always lets me help her; I've just realized I've never done it for you."

"Click~"

The bathroom door opened, with thin mist swirling within.

Wearing a white bathrobe, just out of the shower, Jiang Ruyi's cool features had a tempting flush.

A different kind of charm.

"Sure," Jiang Ruyi smiled at Lu Ran.

"Gulp." Lu Ran's Adam's apple bobbed.

Holding the hairdryer, Jiang Ruyi said, "Let's go to the bedroom."

Suppressing his inner fire, Lu Ran followed behind, and when his fiancée sat down in front of the vanity mirror, he suddenly said: "Am I not good enough as a boyfriend?

We lived together at home for so long, and it never occurred to me."

Jiang Ruyi smiled at the reflection in the mirror, her voice tender: "Your hands are meant to wield a sword."

Lu Ran silently combed through her hair, holding the hairdryer, setting to work.

Jiang Ruyi looked into the vanity, observing the serious reflection.

After only a few seconds, she closed her eyes.

That darned guy.

Stirring up my heart again!

Why be so gentle?

At this rate, I'm going to lose it.

After a while, the noisy sound of the dryer stopped.

Lu Ran's hand lifted her jet-black hair, as if holding silky satin, allowing strands to slip through his fingers.

Suddenly, Jiang Ruyi spoke up: "I'll accompany you on the third day."

This time, Lu Ran responded decisively: "No need, cultivation is most important!

The more strength we have, the better our chances of survival."

Bowing his head, Lu Ran gently kissed her hair and left with the hairdryer.

Jiang Ruyi's gaze followed the reflection in the mirror, murmuring softly:

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

...

The rest of the night passed without words, and come early dawn,

When Lu Ran opened his sleepy eyes and reached beside him, the lady had already gone.

He pushed aside the bed canopy, listening intently, but there was no sound in the residence.

Only the tick-tock of the clock echoed in the distance.

Five-thirty?

Remember, they had stayed up past midnight before returning home yesterday.

Why was Jiang Ruyi up so early?

Lu Ran rubbed his head, dressed, and set out straight for the Luoxian Pavilion.

And as expected!

In an open space surrounded by woods, south of the Luoxian Pavilion, Lu Ran found two figures, an elder and a youth.

"Lu Ran, Happy New Year," Cheng Li greeted with a cupped fist and a beaming smile.

"Grandpa Cheng, I should be the one to greet you," Lu Ran quickly returned the greeting with respect.

"Ha ha," Cheng Li laughed heartily, stroking his long beard habitually.

"Not taking a break on New Year's Day?" Lu Ran asked with a smile.

Cheng Li turned to his disciple, pride shining in his eyes: "Lady Luo Xian is very hardworking."

Lu Ran looked over to see Jiang Ruyi holding a wooden stick, performing sword movements meticulously.

He asked softly, "How is the progress of her training?"

Cheng Li's smile was warm, "The lady is highly gifted, humble, and diligent.

She's been singularly focused and naturally progressing rapidly these past half a month."

Lu Ran: "..."

Are those words pointing at me?

Should I leave?

Understanding the hint, Lu Ran immediately cupped his fist: "After breakfast, both of us will come to visit and wish you a Happy New Year."

But Cheng Li asked, "Young friend, may I speak with you privately?"

Lu Ran was rather surprised but nodded, following Cheng Li deeper into the woods.

Once they were alone, Cheng Li said, "Young friend, I've heard that in a few days, Lord Immortal Goat will open a Divine Ruins for you?"

Lu Ran affirmed: "Yes."

After a silent moment, Cheng Li said, "The Mountain Master is blessed with enormous fortune; surely you will return safely."

Lu Ran smiled: "I appreciate Grandpa Cheng's kind words."

Cheng Li: "I have an unconventional request..."

Lu Ran interjected, "Grandpa Cheng, you're being too polite. Just say it."

Cheng Li carefully chose his words, then slowly stated, "Young friend, are you aware that I have four brothers in the Cheng Family?"

Lu Ran: "I've heard something of it."

The fates of the five Cheng brothers were diverse.

The eldest, Cheng Ren, had died in battle.

The second, Cheng Yi, and third, Cheng Li, were still stationed at Luoxian Mountain.

The fourth, Cheng Zhi, had left the Immortal Sheep Sect early and joined another deity.

The youngest, Cheng Xin, had disappeared without a trace many years ago.

Cheng Li: "What you don't know, young friend, is that my youngest brother disappeared after challenging the Divine Ruins."

Lu Ran's interest was piqued: "Oh?"

Cheng Li: "With your capabilities, you will certainly succeed in your challenge. When you venture into the world beyond the Divine Ruins, I hope you can help me find my youngest brother."

As he spoke, Cheng Li sighed, "I just want some news, whether alive or dead."

Lu Ran frowned slightly: "Haven't you asked Lord Immortal Goat?"

Cheng Li smiled without a word.

Who else but the Luo Xian Mountain Master could question a deity?

Cheng Li wasn't even sure if asking Lu Ran for help would displease Lord Immortal Goat.

Lu Ran read Cheng Li's expression, tentatively offering, "Shall I ask on Grandpa Cheng's behalf?"

Cheng Li shook his head: "It has been many years since Lord Immortal Goat mentioned it; there must be a reason. Best not to ask rashly."

That would be minor if it upset the deity, but if his still living brother were implicated, it would be disastrous.

Lu Ran reflected for a moment, sorting through his thoughts.

He was shown favoritism, but other Believers, even someone as strong as Cheng Li, had to be cautious.

Who would have thought, beyond the Divine Ruins, there existed followers of Immortal Sheep?

If Cheng Xin were still living...

How strong must he be?

Adding another powerful general to Ran Sect?

What an unexpected joy.

...

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