The sun was setting in the west, and the mountain forest was tranquil.

A pair of figures, one after the other, were making their way up the mountainside.

Jiang Ruyi, with her head bowed, silently followed Lu Ran, without a word along the way.

Several times she thought about speaking up, but she didn't know whether she should disturb the young man by her side.

He must have been calming his emotions.

Just like this morning, after editing the message for a long time, she merely sent "Congratulations."

She didn't want to disturb him, but he still came.

Appearing by her side, providing her with the security she needed most.

The battle they just had was earth-shattering.

Lu Ran, in an uncharacteristic display, showed a thunderous approach, striking a most powerful pose!

It was as if the Martial Monk Believer was not of the Human Clan, but an Evil Dog from the River Realm.

Such a terrifying battle also made everyone re-evaluate Da Xia's genius.

"Are you okay?" After a long time, Jiang Ruyi finally spoke up, her voice very soft.

Lu Ran continued to gaze at the dense forest, his pace unbreaking,

"What, you think I'm irritable and dangerous now?"

"No, how could that be?" Panic flashed in Jiang Ruyi's eyes, and she immediately reached out and grasped two of Lu Ran's fingers.

His methods in the previous battle, indeed, had been ferocious.

To most people, there would no longer be the impulse to ask for autographs or photos; instead, they would only want to stay away from Lu Ran.

In "Heavenly Pride," he was the vanguard slaying demons on the frontlines.

Seeing him in real life, he was equally fierce and aggressive.

However, this did not include Jiang Ruyi.

She knew Lu Ran's character well, as clever as she was, she had figured out why his style had suddenly changed.

Moreover, even if Lu Ran were to become violent, his saber would never turn towards her.

This confidence originated from every second they spent together.

It came from the unique look in his eyes whenever he gazed at her.

"I'm sorry," Jiang Ruyi said softly, hanging her head low.

"Why apologize?" Lu Ran stopped walking, turning his head to look at the girl.

"Because of me, you had to..."

"Ruyi." Lu Ran interrupted her, "Is it your fault for being beautiful?"

Jiang Ruyi opened her mouth, but couldn't get the words out.

Lu Ran reached out, smoothing her long hair, "Is it your fault for being so excellent and admired?"

Jiang Ruyi fell silent, bowing her head, her eyes complex.

A smile appeared on Lu Ran's face but was unfortunately obscured by the black mask,

"I don't want you to suffer. Is that your fault?"

Jiang Ruyi kept her head lowered, listening to Lu Ran's gentle murmur, her eyes gradually reddening.

This girl from the peaceful small town had barged into the bustling big city, and had always been strong.

She'd become aloof and unapproachable, adapting to everything outside and protecting herself.

Yet standing in front of Lu Ran, her strength vanished, and somehow all her grievances seemed to surge from the depths of her heart.

"But you are indeed at fault." Lu Ran changed the subject.

Jiang Ruyi immediately looked up, her reddened eyes and wounded cheeks brimming with a sense of fragility.

Lu Ran pretended not to notice, looking downward, "Wearing high heels, that's where you went wrong."

Jiang Ruyi stared at Lu Ran, at a loss for words, but at last, a smile crept onto her face.

She hadn't cried, but she certainly felt like she was on the verge of doing so, whispering softly,

"Being a bit taller might fend off some people."

Lu Ran: "..."

Is that so detailed?

Oh no!

Does that include me too?

"If you don't like them, I'll throw them away when I get back." Jiang Ruyi, holding Lu Ran's hand, gently shook it.

Her subtle movement and the soft tones of her voice contrasted sharply with her previously cold demeanor.

Lu Ran grinned, "Well, it's not necessary."

No sooner had he spoken than he felt a buzzing from his pocket.

Lu Ran took out his cell phone to see a call from Principal Zheng.

Principal Zheng, in fact, was a vice-principal who was also in charge of admissions.

Naturally, Lu Ran's phone would not receive calls from strangers.

They could contact each other because Lu Ran had previously taken the initiative to ask for the Heavenly Star Saber from the school.

"Principal Zheng," Lu Ran said.

"Lu, I'm at a meeting out of town. I heard you're back at school?" A hearty middle-aged man's voice came through.

"Yes."

"Is the pilgrimage over?"

"Not yet, I have to go."

Hearing this, Zheng Wenhan sighed inwardly, his thoughts drifting.

In a gentle tone, he said, "Lu, I heard about the incident at the Martial Arts Arena.

Control was imposed by the school right after yesterday's opening ceremony, but Miss Jiang's popularity far exceeded our expectations."

Lu Ran was silent for a moment, then responded, "Yes, our living environment is too special, never lacking in madness."

Zheng Wenhan: "I'll give you an explanation for this.

You chose Wu Lie River University, and we will do everything we can to provide you with a stable learning environment."

"Thank you, Principal Zheng," Lu Ran said quietly, and spoke a bit more, "I'm currently preparing to advance to the next level of the River Realm and can't stay at school.

As for when I'll be back, I'm not sure, but I wanted to ask for your leave in advance."

"Advancing to the River Realm?" Zheng Wenhan sounded quite surprised, and immediately responded, "Alright, go ahead with your enlightenment.

Don't worry about Miss Jiang, we'll first transfer her to the faculty dormitory..."

"I'm also taking a leave," Jiang Ruyi suddenly said.

"Uh?" Lu Ran looked at the girl beside him.

Of course, Jiang Ruyi knew where Lu Ran was going to advance to the River Realm.

Rain Alley City, by the Wu Lie River!

Jiang Ruyi took a step forward, wrapping her arms around Lu Ran's arm, a pleading look on her face.

"Agreed." The voice on the phone, having clearly heard Jiang Ruyi's words, assured, "When you come back, the school will definitely provide you with a normal learning environment."

After a couple more exchanges, they hung up.

It seemed some people were in for it.

At least some faculty members would be held accountable.

The timing of Lu Ran's return was indeed very coincidental.

In order to let Lu Ran cultivate in peace, Jiang Ruyi, not only did she keep herself from telling Lu Ran anything, but she also ordered their companions not to mention it.

Thus, Lu Ran's motive was pure, simply to visit Jiang Ruyi after advancing to the Fifth Rank of the River Realm.

But on the second day of school, such an incident had erupted.

It was hard not to speculate that Lu Ran had come back for Jiang Ruyi.

"Do you want to come back with me?" Lu Ran smiled at the young girl.

Jiang Ruyi gently nodded, "I'll accompany you to advance to the River Realm."

Lu Ran considered for a moment, "Actually, you should be able to live normally if you stayed at school."

Sometimes, bandits are more useful than soldiers.

Soldiers have to follow rules, go through procedures, with their hands tied and punishment fitting the crime.

Bandits are different.

They can put a knife directly to your throat and ask if you're afraid to die.

In this incident, Lu Ran was that bandit.

At the Martial Arts Arena, he directly beheaded and dismembered the Martial Monk Believer, leaving him bloodied and disfigured.

Such an example undoubtedly had a powerful deterrent effect.

After all, the opponent Lu Ran faced was quite suitable.

Not only was he a disciple of a First-class God·Monk, but also a great power of the Jiang Realm!

From then on, anyone thinking to disturb Jiang Ruyi's peace would have to think twice.

"No, I'll accompany you back," Jiang Ruyi stated resolutely.

She could imagine Lu Ran on the abandoned terrace by Wu Lie River, painstakingly striving for enlightenment.

With her there, she could at least bring him food every day, caring for his daily needs.

"Okay then." Lu Ran fished something out of his pocket, "Close your eyes."

Jiang Ruyi was slightly moved and did not refuse, slowly closing her eyes.

Instead of the anticipated kiss, which left her secretly hopeful, she seemed to hear a pleasant sound.

A cool sensation touched her wrist.

Was it a bracelet?

"All set!" Lu Ran held up her arm, inspecting the wrist.

Eagerly, Jiang Ruyi opened her eyes to examine the gift Lu Ran had given her.

It was a delicate gold bracelet, exquisitely made, shimmering in the sunset's glow.

On the gold bracelet was a pendant, a small piece of deep red jade.

Like a red bean.

"This is Ning Hong Jade from beneath a Demon Cave, blessed by the Great Cai Nan before it was crafted."

As Lu Ran explained, he held her arm, examining closely, "It's said to have a calming effect."

Jiang Ruyi was enthralled by the small piece of jade, unconcerned with which Demon Cave it came from or its effects.

She only noticed that it was a red bean.

And she understood the longing it represented.

"Do you like it?" Lu Ran asked casually.

The jade bracelet was incredibly beautiful, matching her slender wrist and fair skin perfectly.

As for which was more beautiful, the bracelet or her delicate hand...

Lu Ran was inclined to choose the latter.

"Ruyi?" Lu Ran turned his gaze back to the girl, not receiving any response.

"I like it," Jiang Ruyi finally came back to her senses.

Suddenly leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering, "I really like it."

"Are you that easy to deceive, to fall into my arms over a bracelet?" Lu Ran teased.

Jiang Ruyi slightly tilted her head, discontentedly bumping the side of Lu Ran's head.

"Alright, now's not the time for arguments," Lu Ran gently pushed Jiang Ruyi away.

Confused, Jiang Ruyi queried, "What?"

Lu Ran looked into her eyes, laughing, "We agreed to have a chat after my advancement.

You just sent me 'Congratulations'?

You're so aloof, do you really want to freeze me to death in Cai Nan?"

"What if we don't argue?" Jiang Ruyi, just pushed away, once again embraced Lu Ran's neck, a bit tighter this time.

Her voice was soft and light, tinged with a piteous tone.

Lu Ran: "..."

He had intended to jokingly make her change her ways, to pay more attention to him in the future.

But it had turned into this.

Undeniably, he had felt pained upon reading her message, feeling abandoned.

However, seeing Jiang Ruyi herself, all that had dissipated.

What truly angered Lu Ran was that she had endured these grievances and hadn't told him.

But Lu Ran's silence made Jiang Ruyi misunderstand.

The noble and pure moonlight, in front of a certain person, also seemed a bit lowly, "Don't be mad.

I'm afraid... If I talked to you too much, I wouldn't be able to help myself, and would end up saying too much."

Lu Ran had several words come to mind: I really deserve to die!

"Let's go home," Lu Ran said, smelling her light fragrance, patting her back.

"Yes, okay," Jiang Ruyi buried her head in Lu Ran's neck, nodding slightly but not loosening her embrace.

The waning sun,

stubbornly bathing the forest.

Stretching out their shadows, very long.

...

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