On the fourth day of the first lunar month, the red sun was rising.

Inside the Luoxian Pavilion, a tall, graceful figure stood with hands behind her back, greeting the mystical mist that flowed between heaven and earth.

On the long bench inside the pavilion, Lu Ran sat quietly, having accompanied her the whole night.

The advancement of a Great Power in the River Realm was not as easy as it had been in the Sea Realm.

Just a minor breakthrough on this level could take 1 to 2 days.

Lu Ran didn't find the time dull.

He kept staring into the elusive mist, at the figure that sometimes appeared, silently lost in thought.

Lu Ran felt old.

Like an elder, sitting in his courtyard daydreaming, able to sit motionless for an entire afternoon.

Because everywhere he looked, memories flooded his mind.

Hmm...

Lu Ran suddenly had a strange expression.

After a lifetime of military service, reaching the pinnacle of Da Xia... returning to find he was still nineteen?

No, that's not right!

Today was the fourth day of the first lunar month; by the seventh, he would turn nineteen.

Lu Ran smirked.

Ever since the success of the Immortal Worship, life had been so damn exciting!

A year's experiences could fill a lifetime.

"Ruyi." Lu Ran stood up and called softly.

"Hmm?"

"Your uncle and aunt booked today's flight back home. While you advance, I will see them off."

"Hmm." Jiang Ruyi softly responded with closed eyes.

Lu Ran wanted to say more, but seeing Jiang the Immortal's cold demeanor, he dared not act rashly.

He had to turn and leave.

Jiang Ruyi heard the footsteps gradually fade away and pursed her lips, feeling a sense of loss.

But for some reason, the footsteps returned.

Smooch~

A gentle kiss landed on her fair cheek.

The Mountain Master Lu couldn't help himself!

He returned to tease his lady!

Jiang Ruyi bowed her head slightly. Though she knew it was a coincidence, she felt a little embarrassed, as if her thoughts had been seen through, and a blush appeared on her face.

The wicked man.

Go away, go away!

Lu Ran was quite surprised, as he expected to be scolded but instead saw the girl's blushing face.

She had stood all night, always cold as ice, with a daunting aura.

However, his sneak attack seemed to have worked?

Had she returned to her gentle and shy demeanor?

Ha,

Women.

Lu Ran left Luoxian Pavilion in a cheerful mood and walked down the mountain.

"A brief visit to the mortal world, storms and hell, yet there's your radiant face~"

Lu Ran hummed a little tune, inhaling the fragrance of flowers and grass on Luoxian Mountain.

It seemed that the sky had become a little bluer.

The residence where Jiang's parents temporarily stayed was on the easternmost side of Luoxian Village.

When Lu Ran arrived, he saw Deng Yuxiang lazily basking in the sun in the neighboring courtyard.

"Here you are."

Deng Yuxiang wore a white ladies' shirt and fitted trousers, standing by the fence wall overgrown with flowers and leaves.

The sunlight gave a beautiful sheen to the contours of her body.

There was a ruby earring shining brightly on her earlobe.

Making her proud visage even more charming and elegant.

Lu Ran smiled.

He's easygoing in dealing with others, but he also has his pride.

After all, being the Pride of Da Xia, he seldom feels inferior.

But at this moment, seeing Deng Yuxiang's demeanor, admiration surged in Lu Ran's heart!

She indeed is a powerful martial artist.

With an indomitable soul and a strong heart!

"What's up?" Deng Yuxiang was twirling a leaf between her fingers, looking toward the figure outside the fence.

"Up so early?" Lu Ran snapped back to reality, "Are you comfortable living here?"

Deng Yuxiang casually picked a leaf, changing the topic: "Last night, when I went up the mountain, the Immortal Sheep Lord kept me at the Luoxian Temple."

"Congratulations then?"

"Same to you." Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran with a half-smile, "And you? When do you plan to keep me?"

Lu Ran gestured to the standalone courtyard in front of him: "Ruyi's parents are heading back home, I'll take them to the airport, then come back to you."

Deng Yuxiang nodded lightly, suddenly remembering something: "Should I offer incense for you?"

Lu Ran almost laughed in disbelief, is that incense offering to me?

That's equivalent to wishing me an early death!

Lu Ran snorted: "After all the effort I put in to save you, yet you want to send me off?"

Deng Yuxiang's lips curled slightly: "Not even a bow?"

Lu Ran looked at Deng Yuxiang helplessly.

Deng Yuxiang appeared matter-of-fact: "I just want to follow the rules.

Before, I saw with my own eyes, the moment you made someone kneel."

The so-called someone naturally referred to Night Charm.

"That's true, I should have my own majesty too." Lu Ran nodded earnestly, as if seriously considering it.

But unexpectedly, Deng Yuxiang still wore a subtle smile.

Her words carried a teasing tone, but she was indeed willing to bow down.

Last night, when she offered incense at Luoxian Temple, the Immortal Sheep Lord was particularly merciful, leaving her a few words of transmission.

Deng Yuxiang knew she would be Lu Ran's first "human clan believer" under his command.

She was willing to set an example and lead by action.

In the future, everyone who followed Lu Ran should naturally follow her lead.

To give absolute loyalty to Lu Ran, always with utmost respect.

"You…" Lu Ran was dumbfounded.

He thought he was merely joking, and though Deng Yuxiang was smiling, her gaze seemed serious?

"Later, wait for me at the Immortal Worship Hall." Lu Ran simply bypassed the topic, stepping into Jiang's residence.

"Okay." Deng Yuxiang watched Lu Ran leave, then she looked up at the rising sun.

In just one day, her identity had transformed completely.

From the heights to the abyss, then from the abyss to the clouds.

At this moment, Deng Yuxiang still found the world somewhat unreal.

Lu Ran seemed somewhat unreal.

When Lu Ran entered the residence, he saw them packing up.

"Xiao Ran is here?" Jiang's mother, Zhuang Jingyi, quickly approached, holding Lu Ran's arm, scrutinizing him closely.

Her face was full of concern, her eyes reddened instantly.

"I'm fine, Aunt Zhuang." Lu Ran smiled and said, "Ruyi is in the critical moment of her advancement, she can't come, so I'll take you to the airport."

"No need." Zhuang Jingyi swallowed many words, "Xianxian has already arranged a car for us, you should go back and rest."

Jiang's father also approached, looking at the unharmed Lu Ran, feeling a mix of emotions.

It's hard to imagine, the Lu Ran yesterday was the one in the photo.

Even harder to imagine, after enduring such intense pain, Lu Ran still stood before them, with a warm smile.

Lu Ran: "Uncle Jiang."

Jiang Zheng also advised: "Go back and rest, or keep Ruyi company."

Lu Ran naturally refused. After some persuasion, he still sent his future in-laws to the airport.

Since Lu Ran was back, Qiao Yuanxi didn't leave with the couple.

When he returned to the mountain, it was only half-past nine.

Lu Ran temporarily let the maid accompany little Yuanxi to play, while he headed straight for the Immortal Worship Hall.

Unexpectedly, Grandfather Cheng Yi was standing at the entrance of the main hall. Kneeling inside was the new disciple, Deng Yuxiang.

"Grandpa Cheng, Happy New Year." Lu Ran cupped his fist in greeting.

"Mountain Master, Happy New Year." Cheng Yi's smile was full of gratitude.

Since Cheng Yi was taken by Lu Ran to receive the Divine Blessing together, he had entered a state of seclusion.

A few days before the new year, Cheng Yi finally advanced to the Sea Realm!

Cheng Yi, who had pursued this all his life, now realized his dream, how could he not be grateful to Lu Ran?

"Mountain Master, please go in." Cheng Yi gestured inside the hall, "She's been waiting for you for a long time."

Originally, Grandfather Cheng called Lu Ran "little friend."

After Lu Ran returned to the mountain this time, Cheng Yi changed to calling Lu Ran "Mountain Master."

"Sorry to trouble Grandpa Cheng, I have some private matters to discuss with Deng Yuxiang."

"Yes!" Cheng Yi responded respectfully.

It's hard to believe, this was a Great Power of the Sea Realm.

Lu Ran took steady steps into the hall, and Cheng Yi, remaining outside, closed the vast door behind him.

"Sister?" Lu Ran inhaled the incense aroma, walking step by step deeper into the hall.

The walls on both sides of the hall were adorned with a thousand varied White Sheep Jade Carvings.

Every small Divine Sculpture seemed to be staring at Lu Ran.

Deng Yuxiang knelt on a cushion, turning slightly to see Lu Ran approach.

For a moment, she felt a bit dazed.

This scene made her realize one long-overlooked thing.

They had known each other for so long.

It seemed that he had always been the one approaching her?

That day at Wu Lie Bridge Head, it was he who took the initiative to help her forge the Night-cutting Blade's Artifact Spirit.

Before his arrival, she had been troubled for a long time.

That day on the abandoned rooftop, it was he who came to her side to impart knowledge and guidance, assisting her in advancing to the River Realm.

Before his arrival, she was trapped in the Fifth Rank of the Sea Realm, unable to comprehend for a long, long time.

It was also he who said he would go to Beifeng City to support her with his hometown, with the night sky's crescent moon, with the waters of the Wu Lie River.

It was also he who took the field to save her life repeatedly.

From her opponents, from the hands of the divine.

Afterwards, he pulled her out of the mire and gave her a new life.

All of it, she had never actively requested, and some things she didn't even know about.

He had taken care of everything privately for her.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Lu Ran arrived at Deng Yuxiang's side and knelt down as well.

Proper and respectful.

"Ha." Suddenly, a cold laugh echoed in Lu Ran's mind.

Lu Ran was startled: "Immortal Sheep Lord, what's the matter?"

The deep voice echoed in his mind, with a hint of teasing: "You are truly grateful.

Looks like I saved her life, and it was the right choice."

Lu Ran: "..."

No, no, no.

I always express gratitude to you as well! You're my domineering Sheep-CEO...

"Buzz!"

Lu Ran's mind shuddered, and then everything went black.

When he regained consciousness, he had entered the spiritual world, finding himself in the God Demon Sculpture Garden.

In front of him stood a towering stone sculpture—the Night Charm Evil Sculpture!

"This sculpture belongs to you."

Lu Ran immediately turned around, facing the quietly burning Black Fire Sheep Head.

"Yes, Immortal Sheep Lord." Lu Ran clasped his hands in gratitude.

"You can command the Evil Sculpture to do anything."

"Yes, Immortal Sheep Lord."

"Now, connect closely with the Night Charm Evil Sculpture, command it, control it, act as its full representative."

"Yes..."

Inside the Immortal Worship Hall, Deng Yuxiang quietly looked at Lu Ran.

Clearly events had already transpired, yet she seemed belatedly aware.

The talk of mutual care, mutual support...

Mutual?

Such nonsense, even she had been fooled by it.

"Ha."

Deng Yuxiang laughed silently, lowering her gaze.

His Night Charm,

the first sharp blade under his command, indeed should be hers to bear.

"Hoo~" Lu Ran's body surged with energy.

In the human form, a demonic phantom suddenly emerged!

Evil Demon·Night Charm!

Lu Ran slowly stood, reaching a hand down.

From above and behind, the phantom of Night Charm also reached down a pale hand.

One person, one demon, their hands, one large, one small, one phantom, one real.

Overlap together, pressing down on Deng Yuxiang's head.

Deng Yuxiang's body slightly trembled.

A fleeting, enchanting purple glimmer passed through her eyes...

...

It's a new month, asking brothers for a monthly ticket to support!

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