April 9th of the lunar calendar, Lu Ran and his group emerged from Ghost Moon Mountain.

They reaped substantial rewards from this journey of trials!

Jiang Ruyi advanced in rank to become a River Realm·Third Rank powerhouse.

Lu Ran severed a karmic tie, confronted his inner demons, and would likely no longer be troubled by similar techniques in his remaining life.

He also comprehended a sword technique atop the cliff, which, combined with his unique skills, led him to master a new technique—Moon Inquiry!

This breakthrough meant that Lu Ran no longer focused solely on absolute speed but delved deeper to master the changes in rhythm.

Such a move would surely make Lu Ran shine brightly on the battlefield!

Meanwhile, everyone had properly finished their school assignments and the special mission assigned by the military.

If all went as expected, they would gain a total of 40 Believer points.

Lu Ran's score would likely reach 529.6 points.

With this, even if Lu Ran did nothing before the college entrance exam, his final score could still surpass the 600-point threshold!

After all, the college entrance exam (the final major exam) was graded on a percentage scale.

Would Lu Ran rest on his laurels?

Of course not!

As Da Xia's genius and the only high school student among the Heavenly Pride, Lu Ran was certainly expected to achieve an astonishing report card.

He aimed to achieve a special accomplishment and become what every parent referred to as "someone else's child."

That title...

Just thinking about it could get one hated, right?

That afternoon, Lu Ran and others returned to Rain Alley City.

As they exited the train station, it started drizzling.

The familiar overcast sky and street scenes gave Lu Ran a strong sense of belonging.

"Let's wait a bit, the car is almost here," Deng Yutang took shelter under the eaves at the exit, looking out toward the distant street.

"Ah~" Chang Ying burst into the rain, unconcerned about getting drenched, her face showing only enjoyment.

The group had spent a whole twenty days in Ghost Moon Mountain.

When they had first entered the mountain, everything was picturesque.

But having stayed inside for long, even the most beautiful scenery could not beat the natural change of sun and moon, or the shifting of wind and weather in the ordinary world.

Looking at Chang Ying playing joyfully in the rain, Lu Ran joked:

"What if Mr. Deng doesn't let you get in the car all wet like that?"

Chang Ying brushed her wet hair with one hand, revealing a wild-looking face as she casually replied:

"Then I'll just walk back myself, I'm thirsty anyway."

Everyone: "..."

You are truly wild, Chang Ying!

Lu Ran looked puzzled: "If you're hungry, are you going to catch a kid on the way and take a bite?"

Chang Ying turned to look at Lu Ran, her face full of question marks.

I'm just drinking rainwater, and the next thing is to eat a kid?

"Um." Tian Tian shifted a step sideways, hiding behind Jiang Ruyi.

"You little Tian Tian!" Chang Ying strode over, her large hands reaching out, "following Ran to tease me!"

"Ah!" Tian Tian exclaimed, circling around Jiang Ruyi.

The group was warm and lively.

While Lu Ran was joking around, he gradually grew more serious.

He silently watched the scene, truly wishing this team could always be like this.

Jiang Ruyi seemed to sense something and approached Lu Ran, softly asking, "What's wrong?"

"Ah?" Lu Ran snapped back to reality.

He was just a bit silent and disengaged, yet Jiang Ruyi had noticed it.

Little Ruyi,

is your mind filled with thoughts of me?

Unable to resist, Lu Ran reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Deng Yutang was stunned for a moment, then quickly looked away, appearing to follow a principle of "see no evil."

In contrast, Tian Tian's eyes widened, full of expectation.

"Kids, don't look," Chang Ying wrapped one arm around Tian Tian, covering the girl's eyes with her other hand.

Jiang Ruyi gently wriggled out of Lu Ran's embrace, her face slightly pink as she glared at him:

"There are many people here."

Lu Ran watched her blushing face, admiringly for a moment, then turned his head to enjoy the rain.

He remained silent.

This piqued Jiang Ruyi's curiosity, as normally he was sharp-tongued.

She had no idea that Lu Ran's thoughts were intensely complex.

The journey to Ghost Moon Mountain had profoundly clarified something for Lu Ran:

His life was intertwined with hers.

The Ghost Moon Evil Technique·Chasing Moon Eyes was special, a conjured illusion between the caster and the victim.

When Lu Ran was pulled into the illusionary world, even the enchantingly beautiful Ghost Moon Fox had no choice but to use Jiang Ruyi as a model to penetrate deeper into Lu Ran's heart…

Why say more?

White fox adds grief to separation, while the bright moon mirrors my heart.

In fact, that illusionary world had another significant impact on Lu Ran.

It came from the final scene:

The feeling of loss.

Especially the taste of death, that was too hard to bear.

This deep heartache was something Lu Ran kept buried deep within, silently processing it.

Try harder, cherish more…

Lu Ran absolutely did not want to go through that a second time.

Although the person who died in the illusion wasn't really her, the feelings for the deceived Lu Ran were genuinely palpable.

"Beep beep~"

The van arrived, pulling Lu Ran out of his thoughts.

As Lu Ran walked towards the vehicle, he faintly heard Tian Tian anxiously asking Chang Ying something:

"Did they kiss? Did they?"

Subsequently, he heard Tian Tian's soft whimper, it seemed she was lightly reprimanded by Jiang Ruyi…

Deng Family's eldest son sent each team member home, on the way, they still made time to wish Lu Ran an early promotion and good results in the upcoming fourth season of "Heavenly Pride."

Lu Ran participated in "Heavenly Pride" every even-numbered lunar month, and soon, it would be the 15th of April.

For the upcoming night of the 15th, Lu Ran was very confident!

He couldn't wait to unleash the "Moon Inquiry" move and dominate the battlefield.

What made Lu Ran even more confident was that he had already encountered the bottleneck of cultivation three days ago!

Lu Ran had advanced to River Realm·Second Rank on February 11th of the lunar calendar.

Today being the beginning of April, almost two months had passed.

Once back, he needed to sincerely ask Lord Immortal Goat for a blessing...

Lu Ran, filled with anticipation, carried a bag full of Ghost Moon Fox Demon Crystals as he opened his house door.

"Click~"

The door opened, and a voice reached Lu Ran's ears.

"Meow?"

The curious tabby cat ran up, looking up at its master.

"Missed me?" Lu Ran quickly shut the door to keep the little guy from slipping out.

The tabby cat watched Lu Ran for a moment, then quickly ran away.

In Ghost Moon Mountain, Lu Ran had indeed killed quite a few beings, and like the Evil Dog and Soul-splitting Demon, Ghost Moon Fox Clan members had fleshy bodies, their blood splattering on Lu Ran's body, naturally not dissipating.

Even though Lu Ran often washed his clothes when returning to the village, the scent of blood was really hard to remove.

"Baa~"

Lu Ran was used to this scene; he headed straight for the bathroom, continuously calling out.

Poor tabby cat, once again toyed with by the Enchanting Demon Sheep.

From a cautious escape to an overflowing chase, it only took a moment...

The tabby cat meowed as it followed Lu Ran into the bathroom.

With the tabby cat still meowing, Lu Ran held it in her arms after about fifteen minutes, muttering, "Stay still."

He wrapped the tabby cat in a large towel, turning it into a "cat roll," and casually placed it on the small bed in the bedroom.

"Lord Immortal Sheep!"

Lu Ran approached the shrine, placed his hands together, and bowed a greeting.

The small shrine was quiet, the White Sheep Jade Carving silently still.

Lu Ran didn't mind and began recounting his journey of trials.

From his cultivation progress, the understanding of sword techniques, to the growth on an emotional level.

Aside from the worldly concern for Believer points, Lu Ran shared everything he had experienced and achieved with the divine deity.

Lu Ran had thought it to be a one-sided report.

Unexpectedly, Lord Immortal Goat bestowed great kindness, offering him a high evaluation:

"Good!"

A single word made Lu Ran's mind buzz.

"Lord Immortal Sheep, the Ghost Moon Fox Clan is extraordinary," Lu Ran immediately said, "They have Illusion Techniques, Healing, and can even foresee danger."

The White Sheep Jade Carving asked, "Do you intend to activate this clan's Evil Sculpture?"

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and replied, "The Ghost Moon Fox Clan is indeed a rare helper; it might be good to keep it on standby."

According to the number of enemies killed, Lu Ran's trip to Ghost Moon Mountain and his sculptures in the God Demon Sculpture Garden, the Ghost Moon Fox Evil Sculpture should be able to cultivate to the middle part of the River Realm.

Lu Ran thought and continued, "Considering the current Evil Sculpture configuration I've activated…

I'm probably missing Purification Techniques and Spirit Defense Techniques?"

The White Sheep Jade Carving stated, "You may judge on your own."

Lu Ran opened his mouth but ultimately remained silent.

When Lu Ran had first become a Believer, Lord Immortal Goat had clearly directed him, allowing him to activate the Evil Dog Clan's Evil Sculpture.

Subsequently, Lord Immortal Goat had ordered Lu Ran to activate the Yan Zhi Clan's Evil Sculpture.

The Evil Dog Evil Sculpture indeed displayed incomparable value, helping Lu Ran rise and accompany him in battles to this day.

The Yan Zhi Clan, representing life-saving techniques, was essentially Lord Immortal Goat ensuring Lu Ran's safety.

Beyond these two sculptures, Lord Immortal Goat no longer interfered much with Lu Ran's decisions.

Divine·Immortal Goat had led Lu Ran to the doorway and onto the path.

It also repeatedly indicated that the path ahead should be walked by Lu Ran himself.

Or perhaps it should be put another way: Lu Ran should walk his own path!

Not one laid out by Lord Immortal Goat.

"Yes!" Lu Ran bowed deeply out of sincere respect to Lord Immortal Goat.

The shrine remained quiet, the White Sheep Jade Carving falling back into silence.

After a long silence, Lu Ran spoke again:

"Lord Immortal Sheep, I think I've reached a bottleneck, and I'm about to learn Divine Technique·Body of Sin.

I just don't know if I can advance before the 15th of April.

This time, I've brought back a bag of Ghost Moon Fox Demon Crystals, in case it's not enough…"

Lu Ran was about to ask the deity for help, if just a bit more was needed, to request Lord Immortal Goat's blessing.

However, before he could finish, a deep gravelly voice echoed in his mind:

"Cultivate."

Lu Ran's heart immediately filled with joy: "Yes."

What everyone says is true!

Lord Immortal Goat really loves me~

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