"Why do you have to go to another place?" Lu Ran stepped forward, "Is your family moving, or are you transferring schools?"

Lu Ran's barrage of questions carried with them a thick layer of concern.

Hearing this made Jiang Ruyi's heart sweeten.

"Speak up!" Lu Ran plunked down beside the feeding machine, startling the tabby cat.

"It's nothing, it's nothing," Jiang Ruyi softly soothed the tabby cat.

Not until the little one continued eating did Jiang Ruyi open her mouth to speak: "It's not about moving; my family has lived here for generations."

Saying this, she turned her eyes toward Lu Ran: "My mom and dad are just like you.

They cannot leave their hometown, can't step out of this old, small city."

Lu Ran pursed his lips.

Rain Alley City really has nothing going for it.

The sky is grey and hazy all year long, with endless rain, cold and oppressive.

But still, everyone has their reasons for not wanting to leave their hometown.

Strictly speaking, the words "hometown" explain it all.

And the reason Lu Ran doesn't want to leave involves someone who is forever here.

Even though he had already opened the Pupil of the Dead World and knew that the person no longer existed, this did not stop Lu Ran from frequently visiting the banks of Wu Lie River.

Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "I'm going to the Jade Gate Pass."

"Jade Gate Pass?" Lu Ran's brow slightly wrinkled, "The Western Regions?"

Suddenly a thought struck Lu Ran; the Divine·Jade Talisman's true Divine Sculpture stood erect in the Western Regions' Jade Gate Pass!

He looked at Jiang Ruyi: "Are you going on a pilgrimage?"

"Mhm." Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly, changing her position to kneel on the floor.

Silence fell in the living room, with only the small cat between the two continuing to munch away unconcernedly.

Lu Ran was somewhat puzzled: "Why are you going on a pilgrimage?"

This sort of question shouldn't come from the mouth of a Believer.

Lu Ran also realized his mistake and quickly changed his question: "When are you going to do the pilgrimage?"

Jiang Ruyi: "The high-speed train at three in the afternoon, then the flight at six in the evening."

Lu Ran was quite confused: "Why the rush?"

Jiang Ruyi's eyelids drooped, playing with the cat's ears: "Hmm, I need to leave before the city goes into lockdown."

"That's too rushed..."

"I returned home last night and, as usual, prayed in front of the small Divine Sculpture," Jiang Ruyi said softly, "Lord Jade Talisman suddenly sent me a divine message."

No wonder!

Lu Ran realized why Jiang Ruyi's decision was so sudden; it turned out to be a divine command.

To Lu Ran, divine messages weren't much.

The domineering Immortal Sheep could startle Lu Ran at any moment.

But for Jiang Ruyi, receiving a divine message was probably a first, right?

Jiang Ruyi continued: "Lord Jade Talisman ordered me to go beneath the Divine Sculpture, to listen to the teachings."

Lu Ran nodded, letting out a deep sigh: "This is truly a great fortune!"

It was not common, but it did happen that "gods personally summon Believers."

Those who were summoned by the gods were typically people of exceptional talent, particularly devout, and highly favored by the divine.

Ordinary Believers could not even dream of such luck.

You trek through mountains and rivers on a pilgrimage, and the gods may not even acknowledge you, let alone be chosen for an audience?

You wish!

Yet the only problem was:

Such chosen Believers were usually at the Stream Realm·Fifth Rank, River Realm·Fifth Rank, Jiang Realm·Fifth Rank levels.

The gods appreciate your talent, which is why they'd be willing to provide guidance, helping you leap like a carp to become a dragon.

But Jiang Ruyi's current strength and realm...

She is just at Stream Realm Second Rank!

Even if she were to have a few more days, if everything went smoothly, at most she would reach Stream Realm Third Rank.

Why would she receive personal summoning by the god?

"I'm sorry." Jiang Ruyi showed a hint of apologetic expression, "I need to be away for a while, I won't be able to fight side by side with you."

"No need to apologize, you have no right to refuse," Lu Ran shook his head, "Besides, this is a wonderful thing."

"Indeed, I'm very lucky," Jiang Ruyi remarked with emotion, "With such meager strength, I've attracted the attention of the god."

Lu Ran thought for a moment and speculated: "Maybe it's because of your high potential, Jade Talisman holds you in special regard.

On the Worship God Platform, you even rejected Second-class God·Tianluan!

You were so firm in joining under Third-class God·Jade Talisman, leaving the high and mighty Second-class God snubbed.

Such behavior likely scored you big points."

"Don't say that," Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran and quietly interjected.

Lu Ran also reached out his hand, pinching the other ear of the tabby cat: "How long will you be gone?"

Jiang Ruyi, however, smiled: "You're a Believer too, why ask me?"

Lu Ran: "..."

This question was destined to have no precise answer.

From a personal emotional standpoint, of course, Lu Ran hoped that Jiang Ruyi would leave and return soon.

But considering her development, the longer Jiang Ruyi stayed under the Divine Sculpture, the greater the benefit!

The divine power bestowed by the original Divine Sculpture to believers is beyond comparison in all other areas.

Not to mention, the god had intentions of cultivating Jiang Ruyi.

"Meow~"

The tabby cat, being pinched by both its ears, finally became unwilling.

It stopped eating and ran away.

"Baah~"

The sheep's bleat sounded, and the tabby cat abruptly froze.

In front of a "great demon" like Lu Ran, neither the small tabby cat nor ordinary people had any say in their will.

When Immortal Sheep Believers turn their backs on the founding principles of their faction and are neither disciplined nor punished by their gods...

Such Immortal Sheep Believers are undoubtedly a scourge on society.

They are extraordinarily dangerous beings!

"Meow~" The tabby cat meowed and returned to Lu Ran's arms.

But Lu Ran passed the tabby cat to Jiang Ruyi's arms: "Your Sister Ruyi is about to go study, let her pet you a bit more."

Jiang Ruyi smiled and playfully glared at Lu Ran, soothing the little cat for a while before letting the tabby go again.

Lu Ran pouted.

No appreciation for kindness, truly!

Jiang Ruyi watched the tabby cat scurry away: "While I'm gone, you'll need to lead the team well."

Lu Ran: "Oh."

Jiang Ruyi: "Take good care of Tian Tian, she's always been very humble and sensitive."

Lu Ran: "It's been over three months now, she has grown a lot and has become very strong."

Jiang Ruyi turned her head, her beautiful eyes looking at Lu Ran: "Encourage her more, try not to blame her."

"Okay, okay, okay," a conceding Lu Ran raised his hands.

Jiang Ruyi laughed a bit, but then her smile faded, and she simply looked at Lu Ran quietly.

Silence once again descended upon the room.

Indeed, without the tabby cat, the atmosphere was a bit awkward.

Lu Ran reached out a hand, waving it in front of her face.

Jiang Ruyi snapped out of her trance, feeling a bit embarrassed, and immediately stood up: "I should get going."

"You're leaving just like that?" Lu Ran questioned.

Jiang Ruyi hurried toward the door: "The three o'clock train."

Lu Ran also stood up: "As for the teammates..."

Jiang Ruyi, while putting on her shoes, said: "I'll call them in a bit."

With that, she put on her shoes, grabbed her umbrella, and walked out the door.

She didn't look back, nor did she slow her pace.

"So then..." Lu Ran stood at the doorway, watching the retreating elegant silhouette, "I wish you gainful learning?"

Jiang Ruyi stood at the entrance of the apartment building, her hand pressed against the door: "Thank you."

Her expression seemed slightly forlorn.

Lu Ran's voice came again: "Come back soon."

She was still facing away from Lu Ran, but this time, a smile finally appeared on her face:

"Mhm, okay."

"Click."

The girl pushed open the apartment building door, and at the same time, a tiny figure darted out from under Lu Ran's feet.

"Meow~"

"Eh?" Lu Ran hurriedly chased after it.

Jiang Ruyi bent down to pick up the swiftly running tabby cat with ease.

Through the dark red knitted scarf, she gently pressed her lips onto the tabby's little head.

You little one,

You know better than your owner.

Lu Ran arrived immediately, taking the tabby cat back into his arms.

Jiang Ruyi opened her umbrella and walked away: "Take care."

All the while, she seemed to be purposely quickening her pace, not wanting to draw out the goodbye.

"You too," Lu Ran watched the young girl as she left.

Cold autumn rain, bleak autumn wind.

The figure treaded on the yellow leaves scattered all over the ground, moving further and further away...

He suddenly yelled: "Ruyi!"

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi turned her head, looking far away towards the figure at the apartment entrance.

"Wait for me a moment!" With that, Lu Ran disappeared from view.

Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment but ultimately stood in the rain under her umbrella, staying still in silence.

Before long, Lu Ran emerged carrying a black ice longsword.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes widened slightly.

Of course, she recognized that sword - Cold Night.

"You, usually so gentle and considerate, where has it all gone?" Lu Ran approached under the umbrella while muttering, "You didn't even offer to take it from me."

Jiang Ruyi's mind was in a whirl, as if she hadn't heard his words.

"Here." Lu Ran handed the Cold Night Sword over.

Jiang Ruyi shook her head, unwilling to take the sword: "It's too valuable, I can't take it."

Lu Ran mumbled: "Worth tens of thousands!

I'm just lending it to you, you have to return it to me when you come back."

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head with a smile.

Saying goodbye to such a person, there's no need to hurry the process, the mood isn't going to be somber anyhow.

Lu Ran shoved the Cold Night Sword into the young girl's arms: "Take it.

You're going to the gods, there will inevitably be trials, and you might have to enter the Demon Cave, it's all uncertain.

Having a sharp weapon could help you to better complete the tasks given by the god."

Before she could say anything, Lu Ran added: "Take it, I'll feel more at ease."

Jiang Ruyi picked up the golden hilt, silently staring at the tassel of the sword.

In her mind whirled the words exchanged by the siblings in the back of the van.

"That's it, I'm off now," Lu Ran began to say his goodbyes.

"Hold this for me," Jiang Ruyi suddenly spoke up.

"Huh?" Lu Ran didn't understand, yet took the umbrella and sword again.

Jiang Ruyi swiftly removed the dark red knitted scarf from her neck and draped it around Lu Ran's neck.

Lu Ran wore an odd expression: "You're quite the businesswoman, aren't you?"

Jiang Ruyi: ????

Lu Ran laughed slyly: "I didn't see...ugh!"

Jiang Ruyi suddenly pulled tight on the dark red scarf wrapped around Lu Ran's neck.

She snatched the umbrella and the sword from Lu Ran's hands and turned to leave.

"Good one~" Lu Ran tugged at the scarf, finally taking a breath as he watched her swiftly moving figure, "You're trying to strangle me!"

Jiang Ruyi lowered her head slightly, her complexion flushed, as she walked even faster.

Maybe it would be better to die,

To save on being missed.

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