The sun and the moon took their turns, and it was the middle of August again.

It was another evening.

A young man with two swords on his back stood on the abandoned rooftop of a residential building near the Wu Lie River, his hands propping himself up against the stone railing as he gazed into the roaring Wu Lie River.

The longing in his eyes was like that of a wife looking out to sea for her husband's return.

From the 4th to the 14th of August.

Lu Ran's heart had gone from full of expectation to a complete stillness.

It shouldn't be like this...

The understanding in his heart was supposed to be correct.

Initially, when he had advanced from Stream Realm·Fifth Rank to River Realm, it had already been clear that his insight hadn't strayed from the path.

Moreover, when Deng Yuxiang had advanced from River Realm·Fifth Rank to River Realm, she had used this same understanding.

Why then?

Why wouldn't the gate to the River Realm open for him?

Don't tell me that this thing is a one-time deal.

How could that be possible?

So, was his understanding still not profound enough?

"Ah..." Lu Ran sighed deeply, lifting his head to look at the overcast sky.

After a while, Lu Ran reached into his pocket and took out his phone.

He scrolled through his contacts and his gaze stopped on three characters: Big Nightmare.

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment but eventually made the call.

Unexpectedly, the call connected.

Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly and waited patiently; after a moment, a familiar voice came from the other side:

"Little Lu Ran?"

"Sister Yuxiang," Lu Ran called out.

There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment before she spoke again, "Why did you suddenly think to call me?"

Lu Ran: "Have you been doing well recently?"

Deng Yuxiang's words were brief: "Cultivating, preparing for battles."

"Hmm..."

"What's wrong?" Big Nightmare's voice carried a hint of concern.

"I've advanced to River Realm·Fifth Rank."

"Oh? So soon?"

Lu Ran spoke softly, "I'm at the Wu Lie River bank, standing right where you once stood."

Deng Yuxiang's eyes shimmered with a trace of reminiscence as she spoke softly, "Trying to advance to Jiang Realm."

"That's right," Lu Ran lowered his head and kicked the stone railing, "I've been watching for ten days with no sign of anything."

"Hehe~" She chuckled lightly, "Seems I was luckier than you.

When I advanced, I had a teacher to guide me, but you don't."

Lu Ran rolled his eyes: "Doesn't your heart ache saying that?"

"Ha ha ha ha~" Deng Yuxiang laughed heartily, utterly uninhibited.

He confirmed it, some people really don't feel guilty.

What Lu Ran didn't know was that it had been a long time since Deng Yuxiang last laughed.

For a good while, Deng Yuxiang finally restrained her laughter and teased, "Do you want me to give you some pointers?"

Lu Ran pursed his lips, correcting her, "It's reviewing!"

Deng Yuxiang spoke as though it was inconvenient for her, "Alright, first call me master and let's hear it."

Lu Ran's face darkened, "Do you have no shame?"

Deng Yuxiang huffed, "At one point, I did call Master Ran, you know."

Lu Ran said gruffly, "So now you've been wronged?"

Deng Yuxiang's laughter was full and warm, "Call."

Lu Ran: "Meh~"

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

After some back and forth, Miss Deng's mini-class finally began.

Lu Ran put a foot up on the railing, looking towards the distant river water, trying to recall past lessons and gain new insights.

It was when Deng Yuxiang said something that Lu Ran suddenly realized a problem.

All this time, his focus had been on the surging Wu Lie River.

But what he really should be paying attention to was the Rain Alley City, the world around him?

After Deng Yuxiang finished explaining, she asked, "What do you think? Any ideas?"

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, then said, "Not sure, I'll give it a try."

"Good luck," Deng Yuxiang said softly.

"Sis."

"Hmm?"

"Remember, when you go to challenge it, you must tell me in advance!" Lu Ran's voice was unusually stern.

Hearing this, warmth filled Deng Yuxiang's heart.

Ever since she came to Beifeng City, she hadn't laughed as freely as just now.

The dark clouds overhead and the uncertain path of life and death had also softened her heart for the first time in a long while.

"Okay, it's a promise!" promised Deng Yuxiang solemnly over the phone.

"Mm." Lu Ran hung up, shifting his gaze from the river water to the surrounding area.

The overcast sky, the old and broken buildings.

The dusky streetlights, the deserted city neighborhoods.

Suddenly, Dawn Silence Night unsheathed all at once, crossing in an "X" shape on the ground as commanded by their master.

Lu Ran took a step forward, his feet on the paired Divine Weapons, and his body began to float slowly.

He flew higher into the sky, rising higher and higher until he was nearly three hundred meters up, overlooking the small city below.

Lu Ran rarely indulged himself like this.

He had flown with swords in hand countless times, skimming through the sky to rush to the battlefield.

But this time, he stood above the city for real, with Rain Alley City beneath his feet.

"Whoo~"

The winds were strong up high, making his raincoat rustle loudly.

Lu Ran looked down, scrutinizing the city.

From up here, he didn't feel above everyone, in control of everything.

Lu Ran felt like a young child with a little power, nowhere near enough to protect her completely.

He could only watch her, as she slowly withered in the wind and rain, day after day.

Her?

For the Rain Alley City that had birthed and raised him, including the Wu Lie River, Lu Ran was willing to refer to them as "her."

"Ah..." Lu Ran closed his eyes and took a deep sigh.

The lights below in the night were a rare sight in this cursed land.

There weren't many people living here.

But every night, when the lights in each household lit, they were enough to create a cozy tableau.

Lu Ran opened his eyes again and saw his past self in the familiar streets.

The road home, and the poplar trees lining that road.

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