In the depths of late autumn, Rain Alley City was blanketed with withered yellow grass and trees.

Leaves wafted in the wind, making the already deserted street appear even more desolate.

As the sun set in the west, the shadows of a couple stretched long.

The pair strolled leisurely, chatting and laughing, standing out starkly against the bleak backdrop.

It was as if they were defying the world around them.

"Now, you could advance to the River Realm anytime," Lu Ran said to his girlfriend beside him.

"Mm-hmm," Jiang Ruyi replied joyfully, unable to resist a smile.

Before, she had been nervous about exciting Lu Ran, so she felt awkward and unsure whether to share the good news.

Now, she had no worries at all.

Jiang Ruyi could feel that Lu Ran was sincerely happy for her.

*Click*

The black ladies' boots made a strange noise as they stepped on the dry, yellow leaves.

She walked on the curb that separated the road from the sidewalk.

Her hands spread out in the air, occasionally tiptoeing, trying to walk in a straight line.

The beautiful Ruyi was usually a quiet person.

This slightly mischievous behavior revealed the joy in her heart.

"Tell me about your main focus," Lu Ran smiled at his girlfriend, "What are you planning to comprehend?"

"Guess?" Jiang Ruyi suddenly took a big step forward to avoid stepping and crushing another dry leaf under her feet.

Lu Ran: ??

Guess, like a child?

"Lu Ran," Jiang Ruyi suddenly turned around and started walking backward.

With a slight smile on her face, she gently looked at Lu Ran.

"What's up?" Lu Ran, however, was looking at her boots.

This little game of walking in a straight line had, unknowingly, affected him too.

Her sense of balance was very good; even walking backward step by step, she did not miss a beat.

Lu Ran secretly thought it was a pity when he looked up at her face again, only to find Jiang Ruyi had turned back around and was walking normally once more.

Lu Ran: "..."

What does that mean?

She called out to me all of a sudden, and then there was no follow-up?

"I say, we may have taken the wrong turn; we were going to the school for hotpot, but this way leads to your home," Lu Ran suddenly spoke.

"Are you very hungry?"

"Not really."

"Then let's take this familiar road to the school," Jiang Ruyi hopped off the curb, crossed the street, and walked towards the desolate area.

This was the route the couple often took home during high school and also led to the banks of Wu Lie River.

Lu Ran suddenly stopped.

With a somewhat astonished look, in the middle of the road.

Suddenly, for a moment, he realized.

Just now, Jiang Ruyi wasn't calling his name, but she was giving an answer.

What her comprehension for advancing to the River Realm was all about.

"Shall we go?" Jiang Ruyi stood across the street, looking back at Lu Ran.

He looked silly, just like the first time she took him home to meet her parents.

"What, you don't want to treat me to hotpot anymore?"

Jiang Ruyi turned to face Lu Ran, her hands behind her back, her eyebrows slightly raised.

A dark trench coat, jeans, black boots, a dark red knitted scarf.

And the shiny black hair fluttering in the wind.

The once tender girl had now grown into such graceful beauty.

The only thing unchanged was that answer, right?

"Oh," Lu Ran lowered his head and quickly walked towards her.

Can one's comprehension for advancement, the support for their climb...

be another person?

Right after Jiang Ruyi spoke out, she regretted it a bit.

Seeing that Lu Ran was at a crucial stage of advancement, she shouldn't have rushed him.

Jiang Ruyi cautiously looked at Lu Ran and softly asked, "What were you thinking just now?"

"Ah," Lu Ran smirked and made up an excuse, "I was thinking that standing in the middle of the road for a while might bring some short-sighted drivers.

With a bang, you wouldn't have to go to a restaurant for lamb..."

Jiang Ruyi playfully slapped his shoulder, both irritated and amused.

So not eating in the restaurant, would they just pick it up from the street?

As she thought, it wasn't satisfying enough, so she lifted one long leg.

I'll dodge~

"See, that's rushed!" Lu Ran decisively quickened his step and whispered, "Be more ladylike."

Jiang Ruyi glared at Lu Ran, annoyed but followed him.

The street leading to Wu Lie River wasn't completely desolate.

At least, before reaching the abandoned residential area, there were stores, pharmacies, small restaurants along the side.

In the past two months, Lu Ran had almost wandered through the entire West River district.

He continually sought comprehension for advancement, dispirited, returning to the place that raised him.

"The Rain Season Flower Shop is closed," Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, looking at a worn-out sign by the road.

Flowers are not a necessity in life.

But they're like music that heals the soul, cross-talk to accompany sleep, inspiring "Heavenly Pride," and more.

People need these to help them through dark and difficult times.

So, the flower shop had always done alright.

But now...

The wooden fence in front of the shop was dismantled, the decorative flowers were gone, leaving only a few rusty iron frames and some flower pots piled in a corner.

"It's been closed for a very, very long time," Lu Ran said softly.

He remembered the shop owner, a gentle women who liked to wear dresses.

However, Lu Ran didn't know her name.

"Look on the bright side," Jiang Ruyi hooked Lu Ran's arm, "Maybe she moved away from this city."

Indeed, it's better to think positively.

It would be too sad to imagine her tragically dead in the street, her dress stained with blood.

"Old Zhang's family hasn't moved away, though." Lu Ran slightly raised his head, gesturing toward the small 'Wedding Photography' sign beside the flower shop.

Jiang Ruyi fell silent.

The shop was still running, but it was now managed by his son because Old Zhang had passed away.

During high school, when they needed various-sized photos, she often came here to get them taken.

Now, everything has changed.

On this street filled with memories, some familiar faces can only resurface in their recollections.CenterScreen.

Lu Jiang walked silently, observing the storefronts they had passed countless times on their way home.

Old friends are like trees in a courtyard;

With each passing breeze, they grow more distant.

As they approached the Wu Lie River residential area, the shops vanished.

Lu Ran inwardly sighed in relief.

In recent days, he had retraced this route many times.

Through each shop, he saw and thought of many people.

Those who were still alive, those who had died, those forever remaining in Rain Alley.

Suddenly, Lu Ran slowed his pace.

Jiang Ruyi, holding onto his arm, immediately sensed his abnormality and slowed her steps as well.

Since she had felt guilty after crossing the road earlier.

This time, she didn't speak up right away but quietly observed Lu Ran's profile.

She noticed that Lu Ran was staring blankly ahead.

Following his gaze, Jiang Ruyi turned to see a desolate view in front of Wu Lie River residential area.

The street ahead was empty.

Only dry leaves were being blown about by the wind.

No one was there.

Really... was no one there?

In Lu Ran's vision, there appeared a pair of ghostly figures.

The ghostly boy was dressed in a blue and white school uniform, with a school bag slung over one shoulder, and a wooden sword in his hand, practicing against the setting sun.

The ghostly girl, also in a school uniform, carried a backpack and walked with a shy look on her face.

"Jade Talisman," the ghostly boy said with a smile, his eyes firm.

"Why?" the ghostly girl looked at the boy, a trace of curiosity in her eyes.

"My dad is a Jade Talisman Believer. Every fifteenth night, he goes out to slay evil spirits. He's very impressive!"

The boy raised his wooden sword, blocking the sunlight in front of his eyes.

"Oh, I see. Is your uncle one of the Moon Gazers?" the girl asked with a hint of respect in her eyes.

"No, he's a soldier," the boy's voice lowered slightly, his mood seeming to falter, "He moved here to take care of me, working with the Wangyue Army on missions."

"What rank was your uncle?"

"He died, sacrificed," the boy looked up towards the abandoned building not far away.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know…" the girl's face showed a flash of panic.

"It's okay," the boy continued walking, suddenly lowering the wooden sword from his face.

Lu Ran's heart trembled slightly!

He wasn't sure if the boy walking towards him was making eye contact or looking at the setting sun behind him.

The two sets of figures, both young and old, walked towards each other.

He wore a school uniform, holding a somewhat tattered wooden sword, his face youthful yet resolute.

She wore a school uniform, her hair tied in a neat ponytail, her eyes filled with naive affection.

The young boy and girl walked side by side, a small distance between them.

He wore a hat and a mask, his posture more upright, his eyes calm and serene.

She wore a long coat, graceful and elegant, her long black hair over her shoulders, her eyes full of gentleness.

The young man and woman walked arm in arm, with no distance between them.

The two pairs of figures moved forward step by step.

Their figures passed through each other...

"So I will join the Jade Talisman Sect to complete his unfinished business!" the boy's voice came from behind.

Lu Ran stopped in his tracks and turned to look.

Jiang Ruyi also stopped, sensing something, and looked towards the empty street behind.

"I will protect this city for him!"

"I will fight through every fifteenth night, to avenge him."

"One day, I will eradicate all the evil spirits in this world!"

The boastful words echoed in their ears.

Carrying the unique vigor of youth and great ambitions.

Under the remaining light of the sunset, the ghostly figures of the boy and girl, facing the setting sun, gradually moved further away.

*Sigh~*

A faint wind stirred.

In the clear sky, clouds suddenly gathered.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes widened slightly, a flash of joy in her expression.

She released her hand, gesturing to step aside.

Lu Ran, however, wrapped his arms around her shoulders, drawing her into his embrace.

Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't say anything, gently hugging him, burying her face in his shoulder.

In Lu Ran's eyes, the ghostly figures of the boy and girl gradually faded into the distance.

But suddenly, for a moment, the ghostly boy turned his head and looked towards Lu Ran from afar.

"Thank you," Lu Ran murmured softly, the energy fluctuation around him growing more intense.

The ghostly girl also turned her head, as if curious about what the boy was looking at.

Or perhaps...

Her naive eyes, crossing through the years, glancing through time, saw the couple embracing by the roadside.

Saw herself in his arms.

...

Seeking some monthly tickets.

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