To the south of the colorful clouds lies Yeyu City.

When Lu Ran set foot on this land, he could only feel that the sky was so pure.

Cloud after cloud looked like cotton candy, gently drifting above in the blue sky, giving Lu Ran an overwhelming urge to fly up and pinch them.

"Cang Mountain, Erhai, Yeyu Ancient City..."

Lu Ran stood outside Fengyi Airport, gazing at the distant mountains.

There were many beautiful sights here, sadly, Lu Ran had come alone.

Just then, a cloud on the horizon took the shape of a girl, and Lu Ran associated it with Jiang Ruyi.

Lu Ran vigorously shook his head, taunting himself quietly:

You're finished~

You've fallen in love.

Lu Ran took out his phone, aimed at the cloud above the distant mountains, took a photo, and then silently queued up for the bus.

The original statue of Divine·Immortal Goat wasn't located in the city center.

Unlike the statues of most gods, Lord Immortal Goat stood aloof from the noisy markets, perched in the deep forests to the north of Yeyu City.

Lu Ran got into a taxi and simply said "Luoxian Mountain," then bowed his head and fiddled with his phone.

He sent the photo of the "Cloud Girl" to Jiang Ruyi.

He also added a message: Does it look like her?

After sending the message, Lu Ran quietly awaited her reply.

Nothing.

The journey took nearly half an hour, and Jiang Ruyi still hadn't responded.

"Little Ruyi, such a cruel heart," Lu Ran murmured, raising his eyebrows slightly.

The last one to be judged so by Lu Ran was Yan Zhi.

So, you're really going to ignore me until I level up?

Lu Ran turned to look out the window, and as the vehicle approached Luoxian Mountain, he finally saw the Divine Sculpture itself.

Beneath the blue sky and white clouds, amidst the rolling mountains.

The towering Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture stood in silence, still with its benevolent smile and fists held respectfully together.

With the sunlight shining upon it, the wide white jade stone robe it wore was even more lustrously radiant.

Bizarre, dazzling, it was mesmerizing.

"Sir, we've arrived." The vehicle slowly came to a stop at the foot of the mountain.

"Thank you." Lu Ran scanned the QR code to pay for the ride and looked up at the mountain range.

It's said that a mountain is not renowned for its height, but for the immortals who reside in it.

Apparently, the name Luoxian Mountain was chosen by Lord Immortal Goat himself.

Lu Ran followed the path, quickly making his way into the mountain.

To his surprise, there were very few people he met on the way up.

Keep in mind, Yeyu City was a tourist city with a huge flow of visitors!

In this "live one day at a time, make money one day at a time" world, loads of people shared the same consumption views as the Deng family siblings.

And yet, under these circumstances, Luoxian Mountain still had few visitors.

It showed just how unpopular Lord Immortal Goat really was...

Come to think of it, the Immortal Sheep sect did not partake in wars.

You couldn't expect them to help or save anyone.

Instead, the Immortal Sheep sect required the protection of others!

Being Believers yet vying with commoners for protected slots...

That did require some nerve.

Moreover, with the Immortal Sheep God Sculpture standing here, causing strong energy fluctuations, it attracted hordes of Evil Demons, posing an even larger threat to the city.

Combining all these factors, it was no wonder the Immortal Sheep sect was disliked.

Even with Lu Ran's meteoric rise, he could not change people's views of the sect.

After all, people's opinions were not prejudices but harsh realities.

Since the broadcasting of "Heavenly Pride," a notion spread wildly online and also gained the recognition of most people:

"What is respected is Lu Ran the person, not the Immortal Sheep Believer."

Ever since Lu Ran became famous, mainstream media also reported extensively, imploring the audience to be rational.

Little Lu Ran was a one-of-a-kind existence.

Others definitely should not get carried away and join the Immortal Sheep sect.

"Luoxian Temple."

After a long climb, Lu Ran saw a mountain gate through the dense tree shadows in the distance.

He quickened his pace on the stone steps.

Lu Ran had passed three such gates before he finally arrived at the real Luoxian Temple.

"Goodness me."

Lu Ran stood outside the great gate, observing the vast grounds.

In the center of the courtyard was a large incense burner, still burning vigorously.

The number of worshipers around was sparse; it seemed likely that the incense was offered by the Immortal Sheep Believers themselves.

Wherever his gaze landed, whether it was the grounds or the buildings, it all showcased a simple style, with signs of slight dilapidation here and there.

Lu Ran had done his homework before coming, but he was still taken aback upon seeing Luoxian Temple for the first time.

Is this truly the dwelling of the Divine Sculpture?

Think of Lord Beifeng's Beifeng City or Lord Jian Yi's Jian Tianque!

Weren't they all situated in bustling cities on priceless lands?

Those ancient cities were bustling with excitement, with an endless stream of visitors.

Buildings within the city were grand and exquisitely constructed, with all sorts of amenities such as commercial streets and martial arts arenas.

Then look at Luoxian Temple!

Here, there were... um, mottled courtyard walls, a few buildings with an antique style, and within the halls, an Immortal Sheep Jade Carving.

And a grand courtyard with one large incense burner.

That's it.

You might not believe it if you tell someone.

This kind of environment somehow amused Lu Ran~

It turns out, when someone is utterly speechless, they might inexplicably laugh a little.

"Lord Immortal Goat, quite minimalist, eh?" he uttered, looking up at the towering Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture.

It was located deeper in the mountains; perhaps the temple had a hidden paradise inside.

Lu Ran walked into the courtyard, looking around, it was blatantly obvious who were Immortal Sheep Believers and who were tourists.

The Immortal Sheep Believers all wore the same uniform, a white practice attire.

They also seemed to be older, resembling the elderly you'd find in the park practicing Tai Chi early in the morning.

Not a single young person?

Lu Ran searched and searched but couldn't find a young Immortal Sheep Believer!

No wonder the Immortal Sheep sect was in decline.

Looking around, it was a sea of "glorious sunset red"...

"Young friend, would you like to offer incense?" An elderly voice called out.

Lu Ran turned to see an old man with white hair.

His respectful posture, holding his fists as if learning from Lord Immortal Goat, was clear.

He had a kind face and wrinkles piled upon it, looking to be in his sixties or seventies.

"Sure." Hesitating for a moment, Lu Ran nodded in agreement.

"Please, follow me." Upon hearing this, the old man's smile became even warmer.

He led Lu Ran to the left side of a great hall in the courtyard, where there was a long table piled high with various incenses.

A few elderly in Tai Chi attire were greeting the few worshipers that were there.

One old lady even held a payment QR code in her hand...

"These incenses must have different prices, right?" Lu Ran stood before the long table, carefully selecting.

Embarrassingly, this was the first time Lu Ran was offering incense to Lord Immortal Goat since he began his worship.

So, he planned to offer something decent.

The old lady said with a smile, "Young friend, the incense is free."

"Ah?" Lu Ran looked up at her.

The old lady smiled kindly, nodding, "The incense is provided for free by the temple, all as you wish, see for yourself."

While saying so, the old lady passed the payment QR code toward Lu Ran.

Lu Ran: "..."

"If the young friend is financially strained, there's no need to force it," chuckled the old man who had led Lu Ran there. "Sincerity is all that matters."

Lu Ran silently took out his phone and scanned the QR code.

He donated 41 yuan, and then chose the three incense sticks that seemed most pleasing to him.

Why 41 yuan?

4 represents the fourth strength realm for Believers: River Realm.

1 represents the lower rank: First Rank.

Don't be too greedy, this pilgrimage is sufficient if I can cultivate to the River Realm.

"Did you come here alone, young friend?" The kindly old man took full responsibility for guiding Lu Ran, accompanying him to offer the incense.

"Yep, alone," Lu Ran nodded.

"Are you here on vacation?" The old man led Lu Ran to the incense burner.

Holding the incense to the furnace, Lu Ran lit them while saying, "I'm here on a pilgrimage."

"Pilgrimage?" The old man paused.

In Luoxian Temple, the term 'pilgrimage' was only applicable to Immortal Sheep Believers.

And Lu Ran was obviously young!

This was indeed quite rare!

"Young friend, are you also an Immortal Sheep Believer?" The old man was quite surprised as he examined the youngster.

Yet with Lu Ran wearing a hat and mask, his face was obscured; only his eyes were visible.

"Yeah." Lu Ran nodded slightly, humble as well, "Senior, I am too."

The old man opened his mouth as if to form words, but after a long time, he didn't manage to say anything.

In the end, the old man only patted Lu Ran's shoulder with a sigh: "Ah..."

Lu Ran: ???

What are you sighing about?

Shouldn't you be happy to have fresh blood joining the Immortal Sheep sect, rather than lamenting?

This old man... hmm, seems quite conscientious.

As an Immortal Sheep Believer, the old man naturally wouldn't speak excessively or persuade Lu Ran to leave the sect.

But as a human being, he found it pitiful and regrettable to watch Lu Ran jump into what he considered a "fire pit."

If the young man before him had joined any other deity, he might have had a chance to change.

Following Lord Immortal Goat will only make you weaker.

On the long pathway of life ahead, you will be labeled a coward, subjected to endless ridicule and disdain.

Anyone, once they learn of your status, might bully or take advantage of you.

After all, there are no repercussions for such behavior.

Immortal Sheep Believers are expected to be forbearing, to always show kindness to others.

"I'm off to offer incense now." Suddenly, Lu Ran spoke, interrupting the old man's thoughts.

"Please." The old man's regret was evident on his face as he continued to lead Lu Ran to the incense burner.

The spacious square incense burner was sparsely visited by worshipers.

Lu Ran took his place, and through the swaying incense smoke, he saw an Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture sitting in the hall straight ahead.

But Lu Ran didn't offer to that one.

He looked straight up instead, towards the towering Divine Sculpture in the back mountains:

"Lord Immortal Goat, thank you for your grace in reshaping me, for your guidance and protection all this way.

May I live up to your expectations and gain your recognition soon.

Lord Immortal Goat, your disciple Lu Ran, comes to you in pilgrimage!"

With those words, he bowed three times.

Lu Ran stepped forward and inserted the three incense sticks into the burner.

"Om!!"

The ground suddenly trembled lightly, and everyone in the temple looked astonished, swaying on their feet.

"An earthquake?"

"Get down, everyone get... ah?"

"What's this?"

A pillar of light descended from the sky, enveloping the incense burner in front of the temple.

To be precise, it was enveloping the young man offering the incense.

The source of the trembling earth was also found—the Immortal Sheep God Sculpture itself!

"Is this... a blessing?"

"A Divine Blessing?"

"My heavens, this is a real Divine Blessing! A rare event in a decade..."

"That young man, could he be one of our Immortal Sheep Believers?"

For a moment, the uncles and aunts, grandpas and grandmas in Tai Chi attire all turned their gaze towards the youth in the light column.

"Who is he? Why is he favored by Lord Immortal Goat?"

"Ey! Isn't he that, that one..."

"Lu Ran? The genius of Da Xia?"

"Right, right, right, look at the two swords on his back! Could it be him?"

"Gods above! It's Lu Ran! It's our junior disciple Lu Ran!!"

...

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