For Lu Ran, the past week had flown by incredibly swiftly.

He even had the illusion that time was hastening.

After much contemplation, Lu Ran concluded: perhaps it was because he was too happy, too joyful.

The logic was simple and easy to understand.

The forty-five minutes of class time were sheer torment.

But browsing on the phone, playing games, time blinked away overnight...

During this time, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi trained together, dined together, and practiced martial arts together on the rooftop of the Wu Lie River neighborhood.

Under the intensive training of a great master, Jiang Ruyi's close-combat survival skills had significantly improved.

As a top student, Jiang Ruyi naturally was not lacking in martial skills.

Adding the master's guidance and her own "Defense Skill·Golden Jade Eight Talismans"...

Even Lu Ran had to put in considerable effort to break through her defense.

Alas, the joyful times were always short-lived.

The fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month had eventually arrived.

In the dimness of the early morning, in the master bedroom, Lu Ran slowly opened his eyes.

He turned his head slightly and saw Jiang Ruyi, who was fast asleep on her side.

She was sleeping deeply, with one hand on Lu Ran's arm, clutching it lightly.

Sunlight filtered through the beautifully patterned curtains, casting both light and shadow on her face.

Lu Ran carefully reached out his hand and gently pried her slender jade fingers from his arm.

After some effort, Lu Ran managed to get up and quietly slipped out of the room.

"Phew..."

Lu Ran stood outside the door, took a deep breath, and stretched lazily.

He first went to the small bedroom, bowed respectfully to the deity, and then headed straight to the bathroom.

After his shower, Lu Ran glanced at the time and then headed towards the kitchen.

Undeniably, Jiang Ruyi's arrival had changed him somewhat.

Lu Ran, who had always lived alone, had never used his kitchen, always settling for simple meals.

But lately, he had started learning to cook.

Well... half was learned from Jiang Ruyi, and the other half from his phone.

Technically, frying an egg or cooking plain porridge wasn't complicated.

Only for stir-frying did he need to look up the steps on his phone.

"Pray that heaven spares a couple in love, hoping what's feared never comes to pass..."

Lu Ran hummed softly, slicing the pork into thin pieces.

He was quite confident in his knife skills.

In no time, Lu Ran looked satisfied with his creation and picked up the mushrooms nearby, cutting them in half:

"Pray to the Heavens to be kind for ten minutes, bestow her kiss upon me, as if pitying a sinner... Hmm?"

Lu Ran suddenly closed his eyes, slightly tilted his head as if he heard something.

Shortly after, a tall figure appeared at the kitchen doorway.

Jiang Ruyi stood silently, watching Lu Ran busying himself at the counter.

The sunlight streaming through the windows cast a light glow on his white T-shirt.

"Finally awake?" Lu Ran didn't turn his head, a comment slipping out.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh, leaning her shoulder against the door frame, "You hold grudges well."

"I'm just joking." Lu Ran smiled and turned to face her, "Go freshen up.

Since you're awake, I've started cooking."

However, Lu Ran noticed that Jiang Ruyi looked sleepy, as if she hadn't fully woken up.

"We agreed yesterday that I would make breakfast." Jiang Ruyi complained, stepping into the kitchen.

"Whoever wakes up first makes it," Lu Ran remarked indifferently.

Jiang Ruyi moved behind Lu Ran, leaned forward, resting her cheek against his shoulder:

"Yours isn't tasty."

Lu Ran: ???

Is that even a thing to say?

"Ha ha~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but giggle, closing her eyes.

Lu Ran huffed, "Be careful what you say, I'm holding a knife here."

Jiang Ruyi then fell silent.

Lu Ran nudged his shoulder, signaling the person behind him, "Hey, wake up! Or maybe you should go back to sleep?"

Jiang Ruyi suddenly said, "After the exams, I won't come over anymore."

"Why, you don't like the food I make that much?"

Jiang Ruyi gently rubbed her cheek against Lu Ran's shoulder, "With the city lockdown, it's not good for me to keep coming and going.

Tomorrow morning, I'll come back with you one more time to take little Calico back."

City lockdown?

Ordinary people indeed need to stay at home and not step out.

But for Lu Ran and Jiang, such rules were virtually negligible.

Lu Ran was silent for a while before asking, "Not even coming on the nineteenth to see me off?"

"Meow~" Out of nowhere, little Calico came to Jiang Ruyi's feet, rubbing its fluffy little head against her ankle.

"You're awake too." Jiang Ruyi didn't respond to Lu Ran but bent down to look at the little one at her feet.

"Meow~" Little Calico hummed softly.

Jiang Ruyi leaned down, picked up little Calico, and walked out of the kitchen.

Lu Ran turned and watched Jiang Ruyi's departing figure.

He could indeed sense Jiang Ruyi's increasingly complex emotions these past days.

Perhaps, she feared becoming too attached, afraid to entangle herself?

Lu Ran shook his head with a smile, turned back to the frying pan, and tossed in the meat slices.

"Sizzle~~~"

How could it not be delicious?

Before each dish is served, I always sneak a few bites~

....

At 7:30 AM, Lu Ran and Jiang, fully equipped, left the house.

The weather in Rain Alley City was exceptionally clear and sunny today.

Perhaps they would see a full moon tonight.

Familiar with the route, they walked through desolate areas, hurrying to the campus.

It had been a long time since a large notice had been posted at the entrance of the campus.

On the fifteenth of the previous month, Rain Alley City had faced the descent of a Demon Lord, so there was no need for rankings.

All surviving students had received perfect scores.

If not for today's special circumstances, being the day of the grand exam, many students would likely have been confined at home for the night.

Once Lu Ran and Jiang entered the campus, they immediately became the center of attention.

Teachers, students, and Moon Gazers all stared at these two Heaven's Chosen.

"Wow, Ran Dog!"

"Bro, you are truly bold! I thought you were typing at home. You should keep it down, what if he hears you?"

"Oh my! Lady Jiang is really beautiful..."

"Go for it, friend, I support you! Go and have a fierce duel with Ran!"

"Right! Take down Lu Ran, and you'll be third on Da Xia's list!"

Among the murmurs, Lu Ran and Jiang, with heads down, quickly made their way to their usual spot.

It was exactly one year ago that Lu Ran had been punished here, forced to stand and set up a stall.

The trio, Deng Tianchang, immediately came over to greet them.

"Sister Ruyi!" Tian Tian rushed forward and grabbed Jiang Ruyi's arm.

"Congratulations on advancing to the River Realm Second Rank." Jiang Ruyi smiled and patted Tian Tian's little head.

Just a week ago, the small team had shared cold drinks, at which time Tian Tian was still at River Realm·First Rank.

According to Tian Tian, right after everyone dispersed that day, she had launched into upgrade mode as soon as she got home.

Lu Ran raised his fist and bumped it against Deng Yutang and Chang Ying's fists, "How about you guys, did you advance?"

Deng Yutang's smile froze for a moment, awkwardly saying, "Soon, soon."

It had been nearly three and a half months since Deng Yutang had advanced to River Realm·First Rank, which indeed was a bit long.

Chang Ying couldn't stop smiling, giving Lu Ran a thumbs up.

"Oh?" Lu Ran's eyes lit up.

Back then, Chang Ying had been stuck at Stream Realm·Fifth Rank, advancing to the River Realm a few days later than Deng Yutang.

Now, she had unexpectedly moved ahead, advancing first?

There truly was a gap in talent between a fourth rank believer and a fifth rank believer.

Chang Ying leaned forward slightly, covering her mouth with a hand, and whispered, "I did just as you taught me, worshipping non-stop at home!

Day and night, fruits and candles and all..."

Lu Ran: "..."

Did I teach you that?

Well... more or less.

"Ran treasure." Chang Ying, curious, suddenly said, "Did you get handsomer?"

Lu Ran: "Ah?"

Chang Ying nodded seriously, scrutinizing Lu Ran, "You look so sunny.

That chilly vibe is all gone."

Lu Ran couldn't help but laugh, "Wait until tonight, I'll kill a few Evil Demons, and then I'll change back."

Beside him, Jiang Ruyi stole a glance at Lu Ran.

Indeed, Lu Ran's eyes, always cold and distant, had only warmth now, without a trace of harshness.

"Everyone assemble!!"

A male teacher's voice came from the podium.

The field was chaotic for a full several seconds before the students finally formed lines.

"Today is your college entrance exam day!" the male teacher walked back and forth on the podium, microphone in hand, "And also the hundred-point scale final exam!"

Lu Ran was uninterested in listening further; his gaze searched the crowd until he spotted the class teacher at the back.

Li Yanzhu noticed Lu Ran signaling with his eyes and immediately came over.

Lu Ran whispered, "Teacher, I need to ask for leave, I can't participate in the school's June 1st task.

I have to leave after the exam."

Li Yanzhu looked puzzled, "Why?"

If it were someone else asking for leave, Li Yanzhu might think they were scared.

But Lu Ran?

He had faced off against a River Realm Evil Dog; how could he possibly be frightened?

Lu Ran explained, "I need to go on a pilgrimage.

The Divine sent a message, ordering me to listen to teachings at the foot of the Divine Sculpture."

"Oh, that's wonderful." Li Yanzhu immediately nodded, "Of course you should go!

I'll speak to the school authorities for you. You have a valid reason, so the school won't deduct any believer points from you."

"Thank you, teacher." Lu Ran smiled.

Li Yanzhu also smiled, patted Lu Ran on the shoulder, and was about to say something more, but suddenly a voice came from the podium:

"Before we proceed to the next item, I want to specially commend a student!

Class Senior 3 (4), Immortal Sheep Believer, Lu Ran!"

Lu Ran: "..."

Again?

Are you really that persistent?

Today of all days, the day of the college entrance exam, you still make me a target?

The male teacher declared loudly, "Everyone knows, Lu Ran is Da Xia's genius, ranking third on the heavenly list!

On the fifteenth of last month, Lu Ran helped the Moon Gazer forces by slaying a descended Demon Lord!"

Lu Ran could certainly feel countless eyes fixed on him.

He kept his head down, pretending to be modest.

However, with such glorious achievements, being low-key was futile.

The male teacher held up a document: "Lu Ran voluntarily requested to fight for the people of Rain Alley.

He showed the spirit of a great general and recorded remarkable military merits.

To acknowledge Lu Ran's outstanding contributions to this city, the Divine People Bureau awards Lu Ran 30 believer points."

Hearing this, Lu Ran was somewhat astounded.

On the Night of Ghosts of the Tangled Silk Shadow family, he had discussed this with Captain Sun Zhengfang.

But Uncle Sun had made it clear that Lu Ran was participating in "Heavenly Pride" and could not earn points from both sides.

But this time...

Was it because his military merits were too remarkable, the contribution too significant?

The male teacher put down the document: "Our school also awards Lu Ran 20 believer points.

Thank you for bringing honor to our alma mater and protecting our hometown."

"Good!!"

"No problem, well-deserved! Ran Shen is awesome!!"

"Applause!" Cheers erupted, and applause thundered.

Initially, when Lu Ran was made a target, students had all sorts of thoughts. Now, everyone was simply in awe!

Jiang Ruyi looked tenderly at Lu Ran, who kept his head bowed in silence.

The people living in Rain Alley indeed should be grateful to you, and no amount of applause or praise was too much for you.

You deserve it.

After a while, the field quieted down.

The male teacher continued, "Including these points, Lu Ran's score has now reached 639.6 points."

"Sss…"

"Damn!" A series of breaths were sharply drawn.

Keep in mind, the hundred-point scale final exam hadn't even started yet!

Lu Ran's college entrance exam score...

Was he aiming for 700 points now?

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.