Lu Ran had spent a full month and a half within the Demon Cave.

When he emerged, his Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture had reached the Jiang Realm·Second Rank!

For this period of training, Lu Ran had only summoned one general and one charm on the first day; after that, he traveled alone.

The inevitable result was a decrease in the efficiency of combating enemies.

However, Lu Ran, who liked to handle everything personally, became increasingly proficient in the use of various Evil Techniques.

Including the blade technique he had newly comprehended, he had trained it to perfection!

Lu Ran named the third style of the Ran Sect Blade Technique "Shuo Star."

"Shuo" was taken from the word "shimmer."

"Star" represented the geographical environment, inspired by the unique scenery within Galaxy Bay.

During his days in the Demon Cave, whenever Lu Ran looked up, he could see the dazzling Milky Way crossing the night sky.

Thus, the name "Shuo Star" was set.

By the time Lu Ran left Galaxy Bay, it was already the twenty-third of July by the lunar calendar.

He had spent both mid-months in the Demon Cave.

The difference was indeed astonishing.

On the fifteenth of June, Galaxy Bay was relatively peaceful, and the number of Evil Mirror Demons Lu Ran found was fewer.

But as the fifteenth of July approached, the Evil Mirror Demons became unusually active, even appearing in groups, forcing Lu Ran to temporarily avoid their sharp edges.

The military stationed in Stone City was naturally prepared.

Lu Ran also joined the city's defenders, clearing out the Evil Demons wreaking havoc in the city.

His Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture had reached the Jiang Realm·Second Rank, largely thanks to the "Evil Demon Uprising" around the fifteenth of July.

Fortunately, the Stone City where Lu Ran was located did not suffer a large-scale, organized assault from the Evil Mirror Demon race.

As for the situation in other parts of Stone City and at the frontline walls, Lu Ran had no way of knowing...

After returning to Luoxian Mountain, Lu Ran reported to the Immortal Sheep faction and then went back to the Luo Xian Residence, entering a mode of closed-door cultivation.

A full month and a half of bloodshed had given him much insight and accumulation.

Lu Ran had a vague premonition that he was about to reach the bottleneck of a minor rank!

Previously, such a thought wouldn't have even crossed his mind!

Bear in mind, he had advanced to the River Realm·Fourth Rank just on the sixth of June.

And now, on the twenty-third of July, he felt he was about to touch a new threshold?

Lord Immortal Goat's blessing and the so-called "Body Tempering and Marrow Cleansing" really were extraordinary!

With that, Lu Ran entered seclusion within Luo Xian Residence.

Time flew, and it was the third of August by the lunar calendar.

This day was special.

Because it was September 1st by the solar calendar, the day universities reopened.

Also, it was the day Lu Ran finally achieved a breakthrough after ten days of seclusion!

It was in the evening, inside the Luoxian Pavilion...

"Ah..."

Lu Ran, wearing a long white robe, sat cross-legged in the center of the Pavilion, his sigh carrying a slight tremble.

Immortal Fog continuously gathered toward the pavilion from between heaven and earth.

Within the man in the pavilion, Divine Power flowed like rivers along the meridians, circulating endlessly.

Lu Ran frantically absorbed the surrounding Immortal Fog, condensing it into rivulets within his body and merging it into his vast internal rivers.

He constantly expanded his meridians, repeatedly striking at his shackles, trying to break through the physical constraints.

As the sun set, it slowly dipped behind the mountain peaks.

The afterglow of the setting sun, set against the evening clouds, turned Yeyu City into a picturesque scene.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a Gale blew up, Lu Ran's white robe fluttering.

The flowers and grass outside the Luoxian Pavilion bent with the wind, countless petals scattering in all directions.

River Realm·Fifth Rank!

Lu Ran did not stand up immediately; he continued absorbing the surrounding Immortal Fog, consolidating his new realm.

Only after the sun had completely sunk behind the mountains did Lu Ran slowly open his eyes.

His eyes still shimmered with brilliance, radiant as the stars.

At this moment, Lu Ran, surrounded by lingering Immortal Fog, exuded an ethereal and celestial presence.

It's unclear whether it was the influence of Luoxian Mountain environment or his previous experience with Body Tempering and Marrow Cleansing.

In any case, there was a certain change in Lu Ran's demeanor.

He wore the white robe of the Immortal Sheep faction, his features sharp and heroic as ever, but now appeared even more commanding.

It was a moment worthy of celebration, yet he remained calm and composed, with a hint of transcendence.

Such an attitude and demeanor made him especially well-suited to the ancient charm of the Luoxian Pavilion.

"Whoosh..."

Lu Ran slowly exhaled and stood up.

Looking westward, where the sun had set, leaving only the evening clouds.

"River Realm Fifth Stage now." Lu Ran gazed toward the horizon, his eyes slightly misty.

This advancement was certainly joyful, but more than that, it was a culmination of steady, step-by-step progress.

The setting sun, the sunset clouds, and Luoxian Mountain.

All this serenity and beauty had indeed, without him realizing, calmed Lu Ran's mind.

Lu Ran watched for a long time until the sky darkened, then finally started walking towards Luo Xian Residence.

Just as he stepped into the residence courtyard, he saw a bamboo basket on the small wooden table.

Lu Ran smiled, reminded of the treasure mother with her hair tied in buns.

Coming daily to deliver meals had indeed been hard on her.

He stepped forward and lifted the cloth, seeing his favorite stir-fried mushrooms.

Ever since he expressed his liking for this dish, the old ladies and men had been picking mushrooms from the mountains every day.

"Ah..." Lu Ran sighed softly.

Ever since arriving at Luoxian Mountain, he had been meticulously cared for.

This allowed him to focus on cultivation and ascend smoothly.

Indeed, they were a group of kind-hearted and warm people.

"What's left is insight." Suddenly, a deep voice echoed in his mind.

"Lord Immortal Goat?" Lu Ran paused in his eating.

"Your body is ready, advancing to the Jiang Realm, it's not about physical training but about inner insights."

Hearing this, Lu Ran nodded slightly.

Lord Immortal Goat blandly stated, "The insight for advancing to the Jiang Realm cannot be provided by Luoxian Mountain at this time."

Lu Ran frowned slightly, picking up on a particular phrase.

"Luoxian Mountain at this time?"

So, was it possible that in the future, this Luoxian Mountain could offer him a different kind of enlightenment?

After pondering for a while, Lu Ran ventured, "Lord Immortal Goat, should I return to Rain Alley City?"

Immortal Goat: "Stay or leave at will, follow your heart.

When the day comes for you to reach the Jiang Realm, go in front of the inner hall and offer a stick of incense."

Lu Ran's heart stirred!

It seemed that Lord Immortal Goat intended to send him to another world to explore challenges at that time.

He put down his chopsticks and nodded: "Disciple understands!"

"Hm." The voice transmission dropped a word and then fell silent.

Lu Ran waited for a moment, then picked up the chopsticks again, silently eating.

Not until the dishes were wiped clean did Lu Ran tidy up the plates and put them back in the bamboo basket, setting it back on the courtyard table.

Eating and drinking every day was embarrassing enough for Lu Ran.

It really wasn't proper to also have someone else wash his dishes.

After setting the basket down, Lu Ran returned to the master bedroom and picked up his phone.

No one had disturbed him, including the small group chat with five people, where nobody had spoken for a very long time.

Lu Ran suspected that Deng Yutang and others had probably created a new group...

Perhaps worried about disturbing his meditation by chatting in the group?

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then sent a message to Jiang Ruyi:

"Is today the start of school?"

After waiting for a while with no response, he sent another message: "I've advanced."

He quietly watched his phone for a long time, but still, no response came.

Lu Ran couldn't help but remember Jiang Ruyi's elegant and aloof demeanor.

She was always like that in the phone.

Only when standing in front of her did Lu Ran see her gentle side.

And even...

Even when accompanying her, when she was silent and lost in thought, there was an intangible distance.

Sometimes, Lu Ran wondered if the current Jiang Ruyi went to worship Lord Jian Yi, whether he would accept her.

The growth of the mind and body, tempered by the flames of war.

Indeed, she was no longer that naive young girl.

Lu Ran placed his phone on the nightstand, turned, and went to the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, after bathing, Lu Ran returned to the bedroom and checked his phone again.

There was still no response.

"Ruyi, what a hard heart..." Lu Ran murmured softly, as he climbed into the square bed, pulling the bed curtains around him.

Days of strenuous cultivation had exhausted him both physically and mentally.

Despite his dissatisfaction, he fell asleep quickly and soundly.

The night passed without event, and the next morning arrived.

Lu Ran, groggy, opened his eyes and picked up his phone to check the time, but he saw a message instead.

It was from Jiang Ruyi, sent in the early hours of the morning.

He immediately opened it, finding just two simple words lying there quietly:

"Congratulations."

Lu Ran: "..."

Yesterday, even at the moment of his advancement, he had maintained a serene demeanor.

Because his heart was at peace.

But now, seeing Jiang Ruyi's brief message, his heart was in turmoil!

Yes, I'm in seclusion, and you really shouldn't disturb me too much.

But on the day of my advancement, is that all you have to say, those bland and formal two words?

Goddess Jiang,

Are you belittling me?

Lu Ran directly opened the booking app and purchased a flight ticket to Wu Lie River City.

As he made the payment, he faintly heard the courtyard gate being pushed open.

Lu Ran quickly got out of bed, draped the long white robe over his shoulders, and walked out.

On the small courtyard table was a bamboo basket.

In the forest path outside the courtyard, the figure of Senior Sister Cheng quietly leaving was visible.

"Senior Sister Cheng!" called out Lu Ran.

"Hm?" Cheng Rou stopped and turned her head.

Seeing Lu Ran's sleepy appearance, a gentle smile appeared on Cheng Rou's face:

"Are you awake?"

As she spoke, Cheng Rou turned back and pushed open the courtyard gate.

Lu Ran: "..."

Cheng Rou was only twenty-seven, but Lu Ran always felt like her words and demeanor were as if she was dealing with her own son...

"What's wrong, Junior Brother?" Cheng Rou looked concerned.

"Ah, Sister, I'm leaving, the flight's at noon today."

"Eh?" Cheng Rou looked a bit surprised. "You're leaving so soon?"

Lu Ran smiled and nodded: "I'll return soon, after I reach the Jiang Realm."

Cheng Rou was momentarily stunned, then her face lit up with a joyful smile: "You've already advanced to the River Realm·Fifth Stage?"

Lu Ran nodded again.

"Wow!" Cheng Rou's eyes sparkled, filled with pride and admiration: "That's amazing!"

Lu Ran was rather speechless.

This tone, this demeanor!

Lu Ran seriously suspected that Cheng Rou was applying her childcare techniques on him.

Lu Ran said helplessly: "Sister, is there any special product here? I'll take some back."

Cheng Rou replied: "Are you buying a gift for your girlfriend?"

She was a faithful viewer of "Heavenly Pride" and naturally knew that a beautiful figure always accompanied her junior brother.

Without waiting for Lu Ran's response, Cheng Rou was already pondering, murmuring:

"For such a beautiful girl, we have to pick a delicate gift, don't we?"

...

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