Jiang Ruyi finally advanced successfully, and it happened on the fifth night of the first lunar month.

That night, the evening breeze was gentle, and the stars were twinkling.

"Whoosh!!"

A sudden gust of wind erupted inside Luoxian Pavilion, breaking the original tranquility.

Lu Ran sat on the bench inside the pavilion, shielding his face with one hand, looking through his fingers at the fairy in the center of the pavilion.

Her robes fluttered, and her long hair waved through the air.

And there was that noble, cold aura that made others feel inferior.

A line of poetry flashed through his mind:

Drifting like a separate existence, ascended to immortality.

Lu Ran sat quietly, waiting for his girlfriend to adjust her state.

Of course, if she wanted to stand in the pavilion for another night, Lu Ran would accompany her.

Admitting fault requires an attitude of admitting fault.

If Lu Ran could stand upright in Beifeng City, how much more in front of his fiancée?

He didn't know how much time had passed when Jiang Fairy slowly opened her eyes and turned to look at him.

Lu Ran immediately returned to his senses, their eyes meeting.

"What are you thinking about?" Jiang Fairy spoke softly.

Lu Ran's expression was a bit unnatural, and he shook his head.

Even though they were close, Lu Ran felt his answer might offend her at this moment.

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi wouldn't let it go.

Looking at the aloof fairy, Lu Ran hesitated for a moment before biting the bullet and stomping his foot:

"You."

Jiang Ruyi rolled her eyes at Lu Ran teasingly, "Smooth talker."

She took a few steps forward to the pavilion post and gazed into the distance.

She turned her back to Lu Ran, the corners of her lips slightly curled up.

Hmm, it's the answer I like.

The bright moon hung high, with brilliant stars.

Under the night sky, Erhai Lake sparkled with unparalleled beauty.

"I'm standing right next to you, why would you think?" A faint voice, carried by the evening breeze, reached Lu Ran's ears.

"Oh, then I won't think."

Lu Ran leaned back, resting against the pavilion post, watching her graceful silhouette.

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly.

Even the gentle evening breeze seemed a bit colder.

"Think!" Lu Ran said decisively.

Women truly are strange creatures.

Who makes sense anymore?

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Her immense power came with one downside; it was difficult for her to hide her emotions.

Especially since she had just advanced, the special stage was not yet over, and her connection with the world was still quite close.

This also caused the atmosphere in the pavilion to fluctuate with her emotions.

"I'm one small rank higher than you now." Jiang Ruyi said softly.

"I'm getting there too." Lu Ran's expression was peculiar, and he added, "Getting there soon."

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh.

Her laughter made the evening breeze much lighter.

Lu Ran's deliberately imitated tone reminded her of that red cloth young master.

"Really soon." Lu Ran said earnestly.

"These days, I neglected Yutang and the others, let's take them out to play tomorrow."

"They went down the mountain yesterday." Lu Ran replied, "The Big Nightmare went to repair the Night-cutting Blade, and Deng Shao and Manni went with her."

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly, her body leaning, shoulder resting against the pavilion post, chewing over a word:

"Big Nightmare..."

Lu Ran advised, "Don't be mad at her, she didn't know what I was going to do, she was unaware of everything.

She came without hesitation, prideful even in face of death.

It was I who forcibly intervened in her fate and disrupted the situation."

Jiang Ruyi remained silent, giving no response.

Lu Ran continued, "In the future, she will be a strong ally for us, our most loyal comrade."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruyi gave a faint "Hmm."

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then changed the subject: "On the fifteenth of this month, my mom will take one evening to come home and celebrate little Yuanxi's birthday.

Do you want to come back to Beijing with me?"

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly, "Okay."

Lu Ran continued, "Before going home, I need to go to Qiantang River and visit the Bamboo Sea."

Jiang Ruyi was somewhat surprised, "Bamboo Sea?"

"To see an old friend, do you want to go?"

"When?"

"Within these two days... how about the day after tomorrow?"

Jiang Ruyi said softly, "The day after tomorrow, the seventh, is your birthday."

"I don't..." Lu Ran paused, feeling moved, "You want to celebrate my birthday?"

"You always celebrate together with little Yuanxi." Jiang Ruyi's tone was devoid of specific emotion.

Lu Ran, however, smiled, "You want to pamper your own boyfriend, right?"

Jiang Ruyi finally took the trouble to look at Lu Ran.

She turned to see Lu Ran's bright smile under the moonlight.

Out of place with the night, exceptionally contagious.

Both powerful in the River Realm, both blessed by the divine.

Lu Ran's influence on the environment and atmosphere was undoubtedly impressive, but he had always been particularly introverted.

The evening breeze brushed against his face, his shirt collar gently swaying in the breeze.

At this moment, Jiang Ruyi felt as if she had returned to those midsummer days in high school.

Seeing the boy standing by the window.

The bright sunshine, clean shirt and face, and those clear eyes.

Jiang Ruyi suddenly understood what Lu Ran meant when he said "thinking of you" earlier.

After all this time, he really hadn't changed.

Jiang Ruyi turned away, no longer looking at Lu Ran.

And with that turn of a glance, the sunny scene was gone; she was back in the night-shrouded Luoxian Pavilion.

She calmed her mind and said softly, "What birthday gift do you want?"

Lu Ran rested the back of his head against the pavilion post, thinking seriously for a moment, "Accompany me for a stroll through the Bamboo Sea."

"Choose another, I was already going to accompany you."

"Then... spend a couple more days with me in the Bamboo Sea?"

Jiang Ruyi turned with a smile, folding her hands before her, leaning languidly against the pavilion post:

"Nothing else you want?"

"I have everything already." Lu Ran extended his hand towards her.

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran with an amused yet helpless expression.

Such audacity.

Or perhaps he's just so easily satisfied?

Lu Ran stubbornly beckoned until warmth and softness filled his embrace.

He took a deep breath, savoring the fragrance of her hair.

Under the moonlit Luoxian Pavilion, silence returned, the sporadic sound of insects enhancing Luoxian Mountain's tranquility.

In his arms, the lofty Jiang Fairy gradually shed her cold exterior.

No longer a powerhouse in the human world,

She returned to being a gentle and lovable girl.

After a while, Lu Ran picked her up horizontally and walked towards Luoxian Residence.

Jiang Ruyi's face grew increasingly red, seemingly aware of his mischievous intentions.

A night of indulgence.

The stars and moon turned.

The next day, Lu Ran and the others booked their tickets.

Si Xianxian's choice again surprised Lu Ran; she decided to stay on the mountain.

It seemed she had become completely immersed in this paradise, unable to extricate herself.

A few months ago, Lu Ran would still have worried, wondering if Xian'er, left unchecked, might cause trouble.

But now it's different.

Jiang Ruyi also assured him that Xian'er wouldn't cause any issues on her own, so Lu Ran didn't insist further.

On the seventh, around noon, the trio of Lu Jiang and Qiao landed in Anji City, Qiantang River Province.

Fully armed, the three of them met the tall young man, Hao Tian, who came to pick them up at the airport.

"Shh!"

Lu Ran approached, and before Hao Tian could react, he issued a silence command.

"Huh?" Hao Tian finally realized.

The young man before him, wearing a fisherman's hat and mask, was Brother Lu whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

Hao Tian was thinking of shaking hands, but Lu Ran immediately enveloped him in a hug, slapping his back soundly.

"Brother Hao! Long time no see!" Lu Ran said with a smile, "Sorry for troubling you to pick me up."

"No problem, no trouble at all." Hao Tian responded, overwhelmed with unexpected happiness.

Behind them, Qiao Yuanxi clung to Jiang Ruyi's arm, curiously observing this young man.

Hao Tian's eyes were bright and spirited, his posture upright and commanding, exuding the demeanor of a martial artist.

Qiao Yuanxi nodded to herself.

As expected from a disciple of the Second-class God of the Dongting Sect, truly a dragon among men.

Though, still far off compared to my brother~

Lu Ran provided a simple introduction for everyone.

Both Jiang Ruyi and Qiao Yuanxi had been featured on "Heavenly Pride," so Hao Tian naturally knew of them and repeatedly expressed his admiration.

On the way to the parking lot, Hao Tian couldn't help but sigh, "The last time we met, I remember Brother Lu was still at Stream Realm Fourth Rank?"

"Seems like it." Lu Ran nodded with a smile, "Thinking back, those were truly youthful days."

Hao Tian couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Lu is still youthful now; after all, it's only been a year."

Mentioning time, Hao Tian's eyes were full of admiration and a sense of wonder, "Only a year, and Brother Lu has advanced to the River Realm, truly..."

Lu Ran sized up Hao Tian, "Brother Hao isn't far off either, also at River Realm First Rank, right?"

Hao Tian rarely felt a bit of self-assurance; though older than Lu Ran, being in the River Realm meant leaving the ranks of ordinary folk.

He had ample reason to be proud.

Except maybe for Jiang Ruyi...

Hao Tian thought he might be mistaken in his judgment.

Why did he feel that Brother Lu's girlfriend was stronger than Lu Ran?

Hao Tian shook his head, tossing aside the unrealistic thought completely.

Hao Tian drove and took the three towards the western suburbs of Anji City.

Lu Ran sat in the passenger seat, casually asking, "How's your sister been lately?"

"Don't mention it." Hao Tian sighed, full of helplessness, "Since Rouyin advanced to the River Realm, she doesn't need to eat.

Her temperament has become increasingly hard to deal with.

The last two times I went to visit her, she refused to see any guests, I stood outside Youhuang Ferry and didn't even catch a glimpse of her."

Lu Ran laughed, "You truly are being the humblest of brothers."

Suddenly, a small hand reached from the back seat, pulling on Lu Ran's ear.

"Hey?" Lu Ran said in pain, leaning his head back.

Qiao Yuanxi pinched Lu Ran's earlobe, her tone tinged with jealousy, "How come I didn't know you had a sister?

I thought you were on vacation with Sister Ruyi, but you're actually looking for your sister?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Ruyi watched this scene with a smile, without intervening.

Lu Ran quickly clarified, "She's Brother Hao's sister, not mine, we're just friends."

Qiao Yuanxi still sounded envious, "Why are you looking for her? Coming all this way?"

Lu Ran rolled up his sleeve, shaking his wrist with ancient coins.

Qiao Yuanxi questioned, "What about it?"

Lu Ran explained, "This was a gift from Lady Li Rouyin, worshipped by her god."

Hao Tian held back his laughter, Lady such a title was used?

He had thought that after not seeing Lu Ran for a year, he had matured into a renowned Da Xia genius, becoming more domineering and strong-willed.

Unexpectedly, not so!

Brother Lu was also obediently tamed by his sister!

Hao Tian felt deeply empathetic.

Lu Ran internally apologized, speaking half-seriously, "With the fifteenth approaching, I'm thinking before doing something big, I should try to give this Magic Artifact Fragment a blessing again.

At least to try my luck and enhance my combat power as much as possible."

"I see." Qiao Yuanxi released her grip, "Okay, I wrongly accused you!"

Her gentle little hand softly massaged Lu Ran's earlobe, murmuring, "Does it hurt?"

Originally, Hao Tian was smiling widely.

But now he wasn't smiling.

Really!

Kicking, yelling, sulking, giving the cold shoulder... they should be directed at your brother!

How did it come with apologizing, concern, and ear massages?

Hao Tian was feeling a bit rattled.

How was he supposed to empathize with this?

...

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