October 9, under the witch's crow feet,

A squad of soldiers escorted a young man and woman, like prisoners, out of the central building of the military camp.

The sky over Rain Alley City was gloomy, as usual.

In the continuous rain, a middle-aged woman holding an umbrella eagerly approached as her daughter was escorted out, saying,

"I'm sorry for the trouble, sorry for the trouble..."

Si Caiqin apologized to the soldiers with full remorse on her face.

The soldiers, all business, gave a few instructions to the family member and then turned and left.

Lu Ran and Si Xianxian, left behind, stood in the cold curtain of rain, facing Si Caiqin who had come to pick them up.

Si Xianxian remained indifferent, her gaze wandering away, not even looking at her own mother.

Lu Ran was full of apologies, "Aunt Si."

"Get in the car first, we'll talk in the car," Si Caiqin stepped forward, holding an umbrella for Lu Ran, leading him to the parking lot.

Si Xianxian pouted, drenched alone in the rain, following behind the two.

Who knows whose real mother you are!

As the trio got into the car, Lu Ran explained, "Auntie, it's not what you think, and it's mostly my fault."

"Don't make excuses for her," Si Caiqin said with a wry smile, shaking her head, "I know what my daughter is like."

"What am I like?" Si Xianxian caught fire from the back seat.

"What do you think you are?" Si Caiqin looked into the rear-view mirror with a disappointed expression, "Look at yourself, fighting again!

How many times have you been punished, and you still haven't learned your lesson?

If you lose any more Believer points, you won't even qualify to enter the Demon Cave!"

Si Xianxian huffed carelessly, "So what if I don't enter? Isn't there still training?

On the night of the fifteenth, I will still slaughter!

They can't keep the Evil Demon from invading the city on the fifteenth even if they stop me from entering the Demon Cave."

Si Caiqin was quite irritated, "You... you!"

Lu Ran suddenly turned around, looking back, "You, be quiet for now."

Si Xianxian turned to Lu Ran, opening her mouth as though about to protest but then shut up.

"Hmph!" Eventually, she angrily turned her head away, looking out the car window.

Si Caiqin was shocked!

Knowing one's child is a mother's grace, she clearly understood that her daughter, having been imprisoned for several days, had long been harboring resentment, now erupting.

In such a situation, even as a mother, she likely couldn't stop her volatile daughter.

However, it seemed Lu Ran had some magic, able to calm the emotionally charged Si Xianxian with just a few words.

"Auntie, Xianxian has always been very obedient and well-behaved," Lu Ran turned to the woman beside him, continuing apologetically, "Let's first go home and talk in detail."

"Okay... yes." Si Caiqin started the car, glancing again in the rear-view mirror.

Si Xianxian then opened the car window, letting the cold rain spray over her face as she took a deep breath.

Twenty minutes later, at Rain Alley residential complex.

Lu Ran opened the door to his home, inviting the guests inside.

"Meow?" A Li Hua immediately rushed out, curiously looking at the people.

Unlike her first visit, this time Si Xianxian made herself at home, walking directly to the couch and sitting down.

"Get up, go to the room and Worship God first!" Si Caiqin scolded.

"No need, Auntie, let's not disturb the gods," Lu Ran quickly entered, closing the door to the small bedroom.

He returned to the living room, observing Si Caiqin, who looked displeased, then glanced at Si Xianxian's listless appearance…

Leaving the mother and daughter together would surely end in an argument sooner or later.

"Sister Xian'er."

"What?" Si Xianxian was in a bad mood, her tone sharp.

Since two days ago, when she had been released from jail, she had been watched and escorted by soldiers.

Anyone would be in a bad mood under such circumstances.

"The cat feeder is running low on food." Lu Ran approached the sofa.

Si Xianxian impatiently replied, "So?"

Lu Ran pointed toward the kitchen, "Top cabinet, the first one has the cat food."

Si Xianxian paused, then incredulously pointed at her own nose, "You're asking me?"

Lu Ran smiled, "Go on, and the water is also low, remember to top it up."

Si Xianxian stared blankly for a long while, then suddenly grabbed Lu Ran's collar, pulling him close.

Her lips near his ear, she whispered fiercely, "I'm your teammate, not your servant!"

Lu Ran whispered, "You don't want to always be training with Auntie, do you?"

Si Xianxian's breath caught slightly!

Lu Ran continued softly, "You've fought again, from now on, Auntie will only keep a closer watch on you.

Wherever you go, Auntie will always be by your side."

"Mmm…" Si Xianxian frowned slightly, closing her eyes.

After a brief moment, she pushed Lu Ran away to stand up, carefully smoothing out the wrinkles in his collar:

"Is the cat food in the first cabinet?"

"Yes." Lu Ran responded softly.

One could tell, Si Xianxian was trying hard to smile gently.

Sadly, her expression was too stiff, clearly struggling with something, "I'll go get it."

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Si Xianxian's slippers slapped noisily as she walked.

"Sit, Auntie." Lu Ran gestured to the sofa, "You see, she really is obedient."

Si Caiqin: "..."

"That's how it is." Lu Ran sat across from Auntie at the coffee table, recounting the entire incident in detail.

After listening, Si Caiqin finally realized that her daughter had fought to defend Lu Ran.

"I'm sorry, Auntie." Lu Ran indeed felt very guilty.

She had entrusted him with her daughter, yet he had caused Si Xianxian to end up in jail, losing points.

"In that case, there was indeed a reason," Si Caiqin's tone softened significantly.

"Huh?" Si Xianxian, crouching in front of the automatic feeder, turned towards her mother upon hearing this.

Surprise filled her face—had her mother finally come to her senses?

Si Caiqin spoke seriously, "If every fight is for a teammate, I will never blame you."

Si Xianxian pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes looking towards Lu Ran.

Indeed, it's different when you're the favored one!

"Meow~" The Li Hua trotted to the beautiful sister's feet, looking up curiously at Si Xianxian.

Si Xianxian huffed.

Well, at least there's someone in this world who likes me.

She reached out to grab the Li Hua to hold it in her arms.

"Meow~" The cat agilely turned and ran off.

Leaving Si Xianxian standing alone by the feeder in disarray.

The next moment, Si Xianxian stood up abruptly: "You come here!"

"Si Xianxian!" Si Caiqin scolded, "How old are you, quarreling with a cat?"

Si Xianxian's chest heaved with irritation, "That damn thing is taunting me, treating me like a fool!"

"Meh~~~"

Suddenly, the sound of a sheep bah-ing struck.

Si Xianxian steadied herself with a hand to her forehead, her form swaying slightly.

"Meow~" The little Li Hua ran back, jumping back into Lu Ran's arms.

"Here!" Lu Ran approached Si Xianxian, holding out the Li Hua to her, "Be gentle."

"I don't want it," Si Xianxian turned and walked towards the living room window, sulking as she gazed out at the rainy view.

Lu Ran, holding the small cat, stood there, smiling helplessly.

On the sofa, Si Caiqin was also gradually coming to her senses, her eyes full of affection, "Lu Ran, don't bother with her, come over and sit."

"Auntie, I will often seek out Xianxian for missions to the Demon Cave in the future."

As he spoke, Lu Ran walked towards the window, passing the Li Hua into Si Xianxian's arms, "Go on, play with your sister."

Si Xianxian pursed her lips until Lu Ran persisted, then she reluctantly stretched out her hands to hold the little creature.

Lu Ran turned to Si Caiqin, his expression earnest, "I assure you, this won't happen again!"

"Thank you, Lu Ran," Si Caiqin expressed her gratitude, "sorry for the trouble."

Although things had gone awry, Si Caiqin did not blame Lu Ran, she was rather worried about whether her daughter would "pass the test."

Deep down, she hoped Lu Ran could take Si Xianxian under his wing.

Besides this powerful, exceptionally special young man, Si Caiqin really couldn't think of any other martial artist who could keep up with her daughter.

As she had stated earlier, she was no longer capable of keeping pace with Si Xianxian and could not accompany her on further adventures.

Si Caiqin also knew that once she let go, her daughter, free from discipline, would only cause more trouble.

Until someday…

Her daughter might end up like those Fierce Heavenly believers, meeting the same fate.

"It's no trouble at all, Sister Xian'er takes good care of me too, it's not just polite talk, she is also capable of looking after me."

Speaking, Lu Ran sighed deeply, "This world is becoming increasingly dangerous, the survival environment grows harsher by the day, everyone is on edge.

To meet her, and to grow stronger together, facing all kinds of dangers in the future...

It's also my privilege."

Si Xianxian remained silent, gently stroking the cat in her arms.

Listening to Lu Ran's words, the irritation and anger in her heart gradually dissolved.

"Alright, Auntie understands," Si Caiqin was somewhat moved.

"Look at me." Lu Ran suddenly changed the subject, slapping his forehead, "I've even forgotten to serve you water."

"No need, no need, we won't impose any longer," Si Caiqin stood up, "I'll take Xianxian home.

After the fifteenth, if Lu Ran is free, he can contact Xianxian."

Now that Lu Ran had stated his position clearly, Si Caiqin had a lot of things to discuss with her daughter in private.

The long-silent Si Xianxian suddenly looked at Lu Ran, "Do you live alone?"

Lu Ran: "Ah?"

"Xianxian, don't be ridiculous," Si Caiqin naturally understood her daughter's implication.

Si Xianxian matter-of-factly said, "He just said that I am capable of protecting him, so let it start from the night of the fifteenth."

Si Caiqin: "..."

I only asked Lu Ran to team up with you for training, and you want to move into his house?

How much do you want to stay away from me, not even wanting to come home?

Lu Ran spoke, "I have a mission on the night of the fifteenth."

"Not welcome, then forget it," Si Xianxian huffed, placing the Li Hua cat on the windowsill.

Lu Ran realized the misunderstanding, speaking again, "I really do have a mission."

"Lies!" Si Xianxian's beautiful eyes blazed as she looked at Lu Ran, "Last month, your Rain Alley City just experienced the descent of the Demon Lord.

What kind of defense mission would a high school senior have?"

Lu Ran smiled, "The school indeed doesn't have defense duties.

But I will be patrolling with the Divine People Bureau from Yunshan City, Moon Watching Division."

"Oh?" Si Xianxian raised an eyebrow.

This response was completely unexpected.

This guy... actually has a mission?

Si Caiqin was also quite astonished, having thought that Lu Ran was making up excuses.

It turns out this young man is so outrageous!

A high school student at Stream Realm Third Rank, executing a mission with members of the Divine People Bureau's Moon Watching Division?

And it's a patrol?

To have encountered this young man in the black-lit Demon Cave, how much virtue must I have accumulated...

"You..." Si Xianxian was about to speak but paused, reassessing Lu Ran.

This kind of "reassessment," she had already done many times during previous adventures.

Lu Ran pursed his lips and smiled, sending her a classic emoji: "You can also apply to try, it's quite simple.

Anyway, I got approved as soon as I applied~"

Si Xianxian: ???

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