Late at night, Yeyu City.

The airport arrival hall was bustling with people, and at the baggage claim area, a group of four quietly waited.

Judging from their attire, it was clear these four had traveled across the entirety of Da Xia, from the snow-covered North Country to the spring-like Cai Nan.

Two of them were clearly a couple.

The young man was tall and handsome, the young woman fair-skinned and beautiful, a perfect golden couple, but the two had a heavy "sense of discretion"!

It was a bit funny.

From time to time, the couple would sneak glances at the woman beside them to check her mood.

Deng Yuxiang wore a dark woolen coat, standing 1.78 meters tall, her expressionless and beautiful face exuding an overwhelming presence.

Only her slightly curly shoulder-length hair softened her whole aura, giving her a bit of a lazy elegance.

This kind of beauty should indeed be the center of attention, but she was tired of being stared at.

Deng Yuxiang slightly turned her head, coldly scanning those beside her.

Deng Yutang and Bai Manni looked like two children who did something wrong, lowering their heads meekly.

"Don't scare the kids," Lu Ran said softly.

The mask muffled his voice somewhat.

Deng Yuxiang had been about to warn the distant onlookers, but upon hearing Lu Ran's words, her gaze softened slightly, and she did not take further action.

Deng Yutang and Bai Manni exchanged a look, their eyes filled with complexity.

They had long noticed something was off!

Earlier in the day, at the hotel suite, when Deng Yuxiang and Lu Ran came out of the bedroom, Deng Yutang was stunned!

He had expected his sister to be in a terrible state.

Despondent and utterly dejected...

After all, Deng Yuxiang had endured unimaginable torment and blow.

She lost completely, was severely injured and on the brink of death, with her Divine Weapon shattered, and its Artifact Spirit dissipated...

Deng Yutang had prepared for the worst, intending to comfort and encourage his sister as much as he could, accompanying her through this dark time.

He never expected it!

Deng Yuxiang... was fine!

Fine?

Was Deng Yuxiang's inner strength really that formidable?

Deng Yutang was overjoyed!

Bai Manni felt ashamed.

Inwardly asking herself, if it had been her, her spirit and will might have been completely shattered.

Unable even to stand up.

Deng Yuxiang stood up, and even said coldly to Deng Yutang, who had red eyes, "Why are you crying?"

After the surprise, Deng Yutang and Bai Manni imagined a lot, thinking that Deng Yuxiang was likely pretending, wrapping herself in a thick shell.

Thus, the two were cautious, not daring to comfort or encourage her, afraid that any word might provoke Deng Yuxiang.

However, Deng Yuxiang seemed truly unaffected!

She inquired about the flight details and instructed the young couple to buy clothes.

After a day of interactions, Deng Yutang realized another issue.

Deng Yuxiang was overly compliant toward Lu Ran!

This wasn't right!

Very wrong!

How could my proud and assertive sister become so gentle?

Did Brother Lu change my sister's 'core'?

Of course, this was a joke.

Deng Yutang wanted to ask but didn't dare to, he was genuinely puzzled about what had transpired between Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang in the bedroom for several hours.

Well... love is what it is.

Since Deng Yuxiang hadn't fallen into despair, what more could he ask for?

"Let's go." Lu Ran picked up the luggage from the conveyor belt and said casually.

Deng Yutang snapped back to reality, and they immediately followed.

Just as they stepped out of the hall, a figure rushed toward them.

"Brother!!"

Qiao Yuansi ran up and threw herself into Lu Ran's arms.

"Oh." Lu Ran was jolted backward, his chest aching.

Was this a hug?

Or a rocket headbutt...

"Are your injuries healed?" Qiao Yuansi quickly broke away and examined Lu Ran from head to toe.

"They're healed, healed long ago." Lu Ran reassured softly.

Qiao Yuansi pouted her lips, her small fists pounding on his shoulder, "You scared me to death!"

Lu Ran accompanied her with a smile, constantly soothing his sister.

This look of accompanying with a smile somewhat mirrored the demeanor of Lord Immortal Sheep.

Qiao Yuansi's eyes were full of heartache, "I saw your photos online, all covered in wounds, and your clothes soaked in blood!"

Behind Lu Ran, Deng Yuxiang lowered her eyes in silence.

She was the culprit.

All the injuries Lu Ran suffered, all the reputations he bore, were because of her.

"Alright, alright." Lu Ran quickly said, "Let's not talk about this."

Lu Ran coaxed and comforted, walking with Qiao Yuansi for a few steps before stopping.

In the distance stood two tall figures.

Lu Ran automatically ignored a certain Xian'er and looked at the true mortal fairy.

The simple white knit sweater highlighted her cool and ethereal aura.

Under the peaked cap, her beautiful eyes were like cold stars, bright and beautiful, but not moving.

Because her gaze was cold.

So cold that Lu Ran felt apprehensive...

"Gulp." Lu Ran's Adam's apple moved slightly, silently pushing Qiao Yuansi forward as he walked.

"Eh? Eh?" Qiao Yuansi realized she was being used as a human shield.

She twisted and wriggled, eventually running away.

"It's so late, and you came to meet us?" Lu Ran said with an awkward smile, "We can go up the mountain ourselves."

Jiang Ruyi quietly looked at Lu Ran without a word.

Strangely, the tall girl beside her, Lietian Daniao, was standing properly too.

Si Xianxian held a handbag with both hands placed in front of her, showing a meek and gentle demeanor.

Weren't you supposed to be unruly and unrestrained?

Have you really become a well-behaved little maid?

"Class monitor!"

"Class monitor Jiang." Deng Yutang and Bai Manni spoke up in succession, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

Of which, Deng Yutang carried a hint of apology, a hint of trying to gain favor.

After all, Lu Ran endured everything because of Deng Yuxiang.

Jiang Ruyi's gaze swept over them, gently nodding.

Her eyes finally fell on Deng Yuxiang.

The entire day, the internet had exploded!

Videos and photos from Beifeng City were spreading wildly online.

Especially the scene of Lord Immortal Sheep smiling apologetically, making onlookers jaw-drop in amazement!

And pictures near the Martial Arts Arena in Beifeng City were scarce online.

However, one photo showed Lu Ran full of wounds, holding the bloodied Deng Yuxiang.

"This is my fiancée, Jiang Ruyi." Lu Ran immediately introduced, "This is my comrade, Deng Yuxiang."

Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yuxiang knew each other.

They also both knew the other's relationship with Lu Ran.

But all along, they had almost no interaction.

Deng Yuxiang sized up Jiang Ruyi, marveling at the girl's growth.

More than just demure and graceful?

She was nearly an ethereal fairy.

Her cold aura and strong presence demonstrated the Vast River's majesty, making those around tremble in fear.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ruyi was also observing Deng Yuxiang.

The proud and radiant woman in her impression seemed dimmed now.

No longer as brilliant as in her memory.

Jiang Ruyi knew Deng Yuxiang was severely injured, possibly on the verge of death.

But...

Jiang Ruyi cared more about Lu Ran!

In the morning, when Xiao Yuanxi ran over in a hurry, showing Jiang Ruyi the phone, her mind went blank with a buzz!

She almost couldn't stand upright.

Lu Ran had fought in countless battles, be it Night of Ghosts or the Demon Lord's advent, having faced the most dangerous battlefields.

Never before had he been as miserable as today.

Covered in bruises, dripping with blood.

In all this time, the steady mental state Jiang Ruyi maintained was surprisingly fragile.

Merely one photograph completely unsettled her.

There were too few photos from inside Beifeng City, she couldn't ascertain the details.

The most terrifying was the footage captured outside the city showing the confrontation between Divine·Immortal Goat and Divine·Beifeng.

Jiang Ruyi's heart almost jumped out.

If Lord Immortal Sheep came to the rescue, he should be able to save Lu Ran, right?

But the manifestation of Divine means the situation is more severe!

Luckily, Qiao Yuansi got through on the phone.

That was on the train from Ice City to Xidu.

And at that time, Jiang Ruyi had already booked her flight and was preparing to board...

"Let's go back to the mountain first," Lu Ran suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Deng Yuxiang suddenly spoke, gently nodding, "Hello, Ruyi."

Jiang Ruyi was silent for a moment, her voice very light, "Hello."

"Let's go." Lu Ran held Jiang Ruyi's hand, leading her outside.

The Immortal Sheep Sect dispatched three cars, and Lu Ran took Jiang Ruyi into Wen Yang's vehicle.

Xiao Yuansi also wanted to ride with her brother but was intercepted by Si Xianxian, coaxed into another car.

The vehicles slowly started, heading north of Yeyu City.

Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi sat in the back seat.

He looked at her; she gazed at the dark night outside the window.

"Are you mad?" Lu Ran squeezed her palm.

Jiang Ruyi remained silent, with no response.

For the first time, the girl who was always gentle in front of Lu Ran made him feel a trace of coldness.

Lu Ran toyed with her slender fingers, "You know I was always in her patrol team.

She saved me too, I couldn't just watch her die in front of me."

Jiang Ruyi still said nothing.

In the driver's seat, Wen Yang drove silently, containing his nervousness, with his hands slightly trembling on the steering wheel.

This world is truly harsh.

The realms remind every living person at every moment that there are differences in the status of people.

The emotions of a Great Power in the River Realm can indeed affect the surrounding environment.

"With Lord Immortal Sheep present, I couldn't possibly be in harm's way..." Lu Ran's words suddenly stopped.

Jiang Ruyi turned her head, her eyes red, with a layer of mist lightly covering her eyes, her trembling eyelashes visibly heart-wrenching.

"I'm sorry, I'm wrong." Lu Ran immediately hugged Jiang Ruyi, coaxing softly.

Was it wrong?

Right, or not wrong.

Even if given ten thousand chances to choose again, Lu Ran would still step up ten thousand times.

Of course, Jiang Ruyi would worry and hurt ten thousand times; they don't contradict.

"Look on the bright side, I gained a strong Immortal Sheep Believer." Lu Ran said softly, "Sister Yuxiang has been expelled from North Wind Sect.

Tonight, she'll join our Immortal Sheep Sect.

From tomorrow, every time she sees you, she'll have to greet you respectfully..."

"Go!" Jiang Ruyi finally spoke, lightly scoffing a sound.

Lu Ran: "Don't be angry, don't be mad at a newly joined little rookie.

How about this, first thing in the morning, I'll have her come and pay respects to you."

Jiang Ruyi looked up at Lu Ran, her eyebrows which were supposed to display her cool temperament slightly furrowed.

The neon lights flashing by the streets, reflected in the girl's eyes.

Like scattered stars across the ground.

Both the gaze and seemingly her heart.

The term "sense of fragmentation," Lu Ran found the most beautiful explanation.

Who can stand this!

Lu Ran embraced her, inhaling the faint jasmine fragrance, gently planting a kiss on her hat:

"I'm sorry."

The words sincere, full of guilt.

He took off her hat, gently smoothing the jet-black hair.

Jiang Ruyi felt his gentle comforting, after a long time, she slowly closed her eyes.

As if finally at ease.

Or as if resigning to fate.

What can she do?

Him returning safely is already a blessing, isn't it?

...

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.