Cang Mountain loomed like a screen, and Erhai Lake mirrored the heavens.

Inside the Luoxian Pavilion, Jiang Ruyi stood next to a column, gazing at the beautiful tapestry beneath the blue sky and white clouds.

Lu Ran sat on a bench nearby, heedless of the scenic view.

He simply tilted his head and quietly admired the enchanting silhouette of his fiancée.

Fiancée.

Lu Ran liked this title.

He had already discussed the matter of the wedding with the Jiang Family and had received their approval and blessings. It was fitting to change his address accordingly.

However, as he watched, a thread of frustration rose in his heart.

In three months, the Divine Ruins would open.

He had also tried to ask Lord Immortal Goat when he could return, but the deity had brusquely dismissed him.

As for the date of return,

It seems infinitely distant.

What he said to her would make her sad.

Lu Ran silently turned his head and looked westward.

The sun had yet to set; the sunset would still take a while longer.

"Lord Immortal Goat," Lu Ran whispered meekly, "I have a presumptuous thought I wish to discuss with you."

All around was serene silence.

Lu Ran organized his thoughts and slowly began, "I see that the light column you bestow is quite thick and large..."

A snicker echoed in his mind, "Heh, trying to offer a favor?"

Lu Ran's expression became solemn and he nodded immediately: "Several elders from the Cheng Family have fought under your banner.

They have been unswervingly loyal to you, and such mighty figures will undoubtedly become my support in the future.

I was thinking, if during my blessing I could let the two elders share a bit of your grace..."

"Shasha~"

The wind swept through the forest, bringing with it the pleasant sound of rustling leaves.

A deep voice echoed in his mind:

"Walk your own path."

"Thank you, Lord Immortal Goat, for your generosity!" Lu Ran said gratefully, his voice low.

No sooner had he finished speaking did he hear something faint.

Turning, he saw Jiang Ruyi looking back at him, her long hair gently waving in the breeze, a sight of incomparable beauty.

"Did I disturb you?" Jiang Ruyi's face showed an apologetic look.

"Not at all," Lu Ran smiled, in high spirits.

"Are you communicating with the deity?"

"Uh-huh," Lu Ran nodded lightly and reached out his hand to his fiancée.

Jiang Ruyi hesitated noticeably, unsure whether she should engage in intimate gestures with Lu Ran.

After all, the Immortal Sheep God Sculpture stood imposingly in the distance.

Towering into the sky, the atmosphere was grand.

The whole of Luoxian Mountain seemed like an Immortal Realm, sacred indeed.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran looked inquiringly.

Jiang Ruyi cast an almost imperceptible glance in the distance.

However, Lu Ran simply smiled and beckoned, "Come over."

Moments later, Jiang Ruyi walked over and sat beside Lu Ran.

Lu Ran's smile grew brighter.

Whether out of any consideration,

The beauty, Ruyi, inclined more towards "Lu Ran's request" against the "respect for the deity" mindset.

"This place has a beautiful view, doesn't it?"

Lu Ran didn't want to make her uncomfortable and just sat properly, gazing into the west.

The sun set so slowly...

"Yeah." Jiang Ruyi whispered in agreement and, noticing Lu Ran's propriety, felt a sigh of relief.

But there was also a hint of disappointment.

After a brief exchange, silence fell upon the pavilion.

After a while, Jiang Ruyi seemed to realize something and turned to look at Lu Ran.

As the day waned, the fading sun cast strange glimmers in his dark pupils.

Jiang Ruyi's heart sank gradually.

She realized that Lu Ran had something difficult to say, hence his silence.

"I have something to tell you," Lu Ran suddenly spoke after a long while.

Jiang Ruyi elegantly crossed her legs and folded her arms in front of her.

Her body language subtly expressed resistance.

In the recent days, she was overjoyed at her advancement to "Jang Realm Great Power".

She thought she had caught up to Lu Ran's pace and could face the chaotic world with him.

But he was leaving once again.

"If I pass the test, I might have to leave for a while," Lu Ran said softly.

Jiang Ruyi lowered her head and gently played with her slender fingers.

Resistance was futile now.

With the will of a deity involved, Lu Ran lacked the power and even more so the right to refuse.

Everyone could only accept it and silently endure.

Lu Ran reached out and gently picked up her delicate hand, giving it a squeeze: "I'll be back."

He wanted to say, "I'll be back soon," but that would be deceiving himself.

Even he didn't know when he would return.

"Yeah." Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly, suppressing her surging emotions.

In a few brief seconds, her face lit up with a gentle smile, her voice tender and firm:

"I'll wait for you."

Lu Ran's heart ached.

Jiang Ruyi obviously wasn't one to throw tantrums, but at this moment, Lu Ran would rather have her vent her feelings.

Instead...

Her face carried a smile, her voice still tender.

Jiang Ruyi played with Lu Ran's fingers, softly saying: "You will surely pass the test, I believe in you."

Lu Ran turned to look at the sunset and sighed softly.

After some reflection, he also smiled and said:

"There are still three months. Are you trying to send me off already?"

This time, Jiang Ruyi was silent.

The sun dipped lower,

The afterglow spreading across the sky.

The subtle twilight, like tender silk dancing at the horizon,

Briefly offered a consoling waltz for this world full of separation and reunion.

Lu Jiang sat in silence contemplating their wishes.

Silence.

Silence befell the Luoxian Pavilion in the gloaming.

"Do you remember the first time we participated in 'Heavenly Pride'?" Jiang Ruyi suddenly spoke up, breaking the quietude.

Lu Ran nodded: "I remember, that night we encountered the Tangled Silk Shadow – Night of Ghosts."

Jiang Ruyi: "Every time we walked by the bridge outside Hexi Park, you would act strangely, and I would ask what was wrong.

You mentioned that your former teammate's saber used to clank as he crossed the bridge.

Now that it's silent, you're not used to it.

Uncle Sun said that people who become Jiang Realm Great Powers go to guard the Wu Lie Building.

Later, you would gaze towards the topmost floor of Wu Lie Building."

Memories surfaced in Lu Ran's mind.

He didn't understand and looked back at Jiang Ruyi.

Jiang Ruyi relaxed with a smile: "When you gazed at the tallest building, I always looked at you."

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Ruyi then looked towards the sunset: "After that episode of 'Heavenly Pride,' I went home, and my mother told me many things."

Lu Ran: "Oh?"

Jiang Ruyi murmured: "I remember one thing she said.

My mother told me: Love is not just about gazing at each other but looking together in the same direction."

Lu Ran opened his mouth, watching Jiang Ruyi talk with a smile.

Was this a smile of letting go?

Had she adjusted her state of mind so well?

Lu Ran felt slightly at ease.

Jiang Ruyi still gazed towards the horizon, her eyes misty: "So, go with confidence.

Strive for your goal, do not be hampered by ties.

I, too, will work hard cultivating here.

You've said that we would change this world together, and I'm part of that too."

"Uh-huh!" Lu Ran nodded firmly, once more looking at the evening sky.

After a long thought, he couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, quietly lamenting, "Auntie makes a lot of sense."

Jiang Ruyi nodded with a smile, agreeing with Lu Ran's words.

Twilight is fleeting, stars rise after the sunset.

The pair, having admired the view in the pavilion, finally got up to leave. Alas, the mountain path was narrow, only wide enough for one.

Lu Ran walked ahead, holding Jiang Ruyi's hand, heading toward the Luo Xian Residence.

Under the dim night sky, Jiang Ruyi quietly lowered her head, her somber emotions concealed in her eyes.

Does it make sense?

I don't think so.

...

With no more words for the night, the next morning at dawn.

The two, Lu Jiang, had finished washing up early and sat in the courtyard of the mountain residence, waiting for their senior sister Cheng Rou.

Lu Ran, now a Jiang Realm Great Power, no longer needed to eat.

But the mushroom and pork stir-fry was really delicious!

Taking advantage of the food, Lu Ran ate two floral steamed buns.

Rose-filled, well... rounded up, it's like eating flowers~

"Take it easy, little junior brother." Cheng Rou was constantly smiling, glancing at Lu Ran now and then, and more at Jiang Ruyi.

Most of her attention, however, was directed at Jiang Ruyi.

Compared to the ravenous Lu Ran, Jiang Ruyi was truly elegant.

Her ethereal temperament matched the vibe of Luoxian Mountain.

Perhaps she was the true mistress of the Luo Xian Residence?

"Rou Sister." Jiang Ruyi looked at her precious mother, her gaze slightly reproachful.

"Hehe~" Cheng Rou smiled apologetically, knowing it was impolite to keep staring at someone.

But she couldn't help it.

Cheng Rou shifted her gaze: "By the way, last night Grandpa and Third Grandpa discussed it.

Third Grandpa would also like to meet you, little junior brother. He'll be at the Immortal Worship Hall today.

You may visit him at any time."

Lu Ran immediately said: "I'll go after eating. It so happens I have something to discuss with the two Grandpas Cheng."

"Oh?" Cheng Rou was very curious, "What's that about?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Rou realized her bluntness and hurriedly said: "Let's eat, I'll take you there later."

"It's no secret." Lu Ran smiled and looked at his senior sister, "I asked the deity for a blessing."

"A blessing?" Cheng Rou was stunned.

Such a thing was obtainable by asking?

Of course, believers could shamelessly beg the deity if they weren't afraid of angering them.

But the thing was,

The little junior brother asked, and the deity agreed?

No!

We, the Immortal Sheep Believers, have never heard a word from the deity in our lifetime.

And it came to you...

Lu Ran: "The two respected elders have made significant contributions to our sect.

Lord Immortal Goat has bestowed upon them his grace."

Cheng Rou stared blankly at Lu Ran, her mind in turmoil.

Indeed, the two elders had dedicated their lives to the sect of Immortal Sheep.

If the deity wished to bestow grace, it would have been given long ago, so why wait until now?

So,

Is this blessing for the two grandfathers from the deity?

This... This is all thanks to the little junior brother!

...

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