Jiang Ruyi worked very hard.

In the following days, each dawn found her on her way to learn her arts.

Her training ground was near Luoxian Pavilion.

Lu Ran had visited several times and saw that Master Cheng was indeed putting in the effort, starting from the very basics.

Jiang Ruyi was exceptionally talented and learned quickly, but Master Cheng's teaching standards were extremely strict.

This made the lessons exceptionally dull and tedious.

Jiang Ruyi was very patient, repeating the same few moves over and over without complaint.

Even at night, Lu Ran saw her carefully organizing her notes.

She recorded every single word Master Cheng said, every explanation of every move on her little notebook.

She said that even the most basic elements contained Master Cheng's insights and understanding of swordsmanship.

Hmm... truly a model student.

It's worth mentioning that in just a few short days, Jiang Ruyi's unrivaled charm had been significantly restrained.

Though still transcendent, she no longer made people feel deeply ashamed or inferior to the point of wanting to bury themselves in the ground.

Lu Ran had once asked her how she managed it.

Jiang Ruyi smiled gently, her eyes showing a touch of pride as she sized up Lu Ran:

"You don't need anyone to teach you; you've already understood it."

Lu Ran was a bit puzzled.

What have I understood?

I'm not good at studying; don't fool me, study genius...

Until dusk, when Lu Ran saw her silently gazing at the sunset glow, her eyes reflecting the rosy clouds at the horizon...

Lu Ran fully understood what she meant.

Luoxian Mountain indeed had a magical power that could soothe one's spirit.

The skill of containing one's radiance,

Was hidden between heaven and earth.

As long as you had enough wisdom, you wouldn't even need to consciously comprehend it.

The Cang Mountains and Erhai, the sunset and the rosy clouds, including every flower and leaf in Luoxian Mountain would subtly influence you and help transform your mindset.

Time moved to the thirteenth day of the lunar month.

That day, Jiang Ruyi uncharacteristically threw a small tantrum.

In the early morning at Luoxian Pavilion,

Master Cheng looked at the silent figure standing quietly next to the pillar; he wanted to say something several times but ultimately chose not to say anything.

"Hehe."

After hesitating for a long time, Master Cheng couldn't help but shake his head and smile.

It had been almost a week since he started teaching his disciple.

He had come to understand this disciple's temperament.

She was diligent and humble, showing great respect for him as her master.

However, today, when Master Cheng arrived, Jiang Ruyi had been standing there, looking at Erhai, motionless.

The swordsmanship lesson, naturally, was significantly delayed.

The aura she exuded also alerted Master Cheng that she was in a bad mood.

"Master Cheng." Suddenly, a young man's voice came from behind.

Master Cheng turned his head to look and saw Lu Ran draped in a white robe.

He immediately bowed with clasped hands, smiling: "Young Master Lu."

Jiang Ruyi obviously heard this address, but she did not turn around.

Lu Ran looked apologetic, clasping his fists: "I must leave today. So, could today's lesson be..."

"Of course, it's all good," Master Cheng said with a smile as he left.

"Master," Jiang Ruyi suddenly turned around, her eyes holding a hint of apology, "my state of mind isn't good today."

"Never mind, never mind," Master Cheng still smiled, waved his hand casually, and floated away.

Once the elder left, Lu Ran approached Jiang Ruyi from behind.

Jiang Ruyi continued to gaze at the distant Erhai.

Lu Ran gently stroked her hair with one hand, chuckling:

"Starting to feel like the mistress of Luoxian Mountain, huh?"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Damn him!

He had booked a flight back to defend Rain Alley City and to participate in "Heavenly Pride".

Yet he left her here!

Lu Ran stood behind her, his voice soft: "You've just started your swordsmanship lessons; you need to focus.

Don't worry about me.

I was able to slay the River Realm Demon Monarch even in River Realm, let alone now.

The night of the fifteenth... won't bother me."

Actually, there was another reason for Lu Ran's action.

He hoped that Luoxian Mountain would continue to help Jiang Ruyi contain her brilliance.

Even now,

She was still dazzling to behold.

When she appeared in "Heavenly Pride" back in River Realm, she was enough to amaze the world.

Now, not only has she ascended to River Realm, but she has also received a Divine Blessing.

Today's Jiang Ruyi was on a completely different level from before.

The influence of "Heavenly Pride" was too great; if she were to appear again, it would surely cause a significant stir in Da Xia.

It would be one thing if ordinary people saw her, but if Divine·Jade Talisman noticed...

Better to avoid additional trouble.

She could live normally, train and fight, but it was really not suitable for her to appear in "Heavenly Pride" again.

In fact, Lu Ran had discussed with Lord Immortal Goat whether they should let Jiang Ruyi switch to the Immortal Goat Sect first.

But for various reasons, Lu Ran gave up this idea.

First was Lord Immortal Goat, which advised Lu Ran to keep a low profile and not to publicize it.

Next was Jiang Ruyi herself; given her nature and having been protected by the Jade Talisman Divine Skill for so long, it made no sense for her to defect.

This also involved a belief:

The higher you cultivated, the more your mindset mattered, clinging to one's original nature.

When under various influences, if you do something against your heart, it might haunt you for life, becoming a stumbling block on your path of growth.

Of course, Lu Ran didn't want this to happen.

He wanted to discover the nature of this world, allowing Jiang Ruyi to retire from the Jade Talisman Sect without any concerns.

If Lu Ran had such confidence, it was naturally guaranteed by Lord Immortal Goat's own words.

Lastly, to be frank, she was there only because of her connection to Lu Ran, receiving a Divine Blessing.

If it really came down to it, that was all there was to it.

Lord Immortal Goat also made it clear to Lu Ran to be at ease.

Whatever happened, it would ensure that Jiang Ruyi was well protected.

"Stay here and practice with peace of mind, improve your strength and realm, and master your swordsmanship as soon as possible, okay?" Lu Ran whispered.

Jiang Ruyi remained silent, not speaking.

With a body blessed by the Divine, indeed her cultivation speed had surged.

Furthermore, the one-on-one instruction from the Sea Realm Great Power would undoubtedly cause her battle strength to soar.

The only problem was, she wanted to stay by his side.

In three months, Lord Immortal Goat would open the Divine Ruins!

While separation was already destined, before that predestined moment, he still had to leave.

Lu Ran fiddled with her hair: "Concentrate on your practice, and conceal your radiance sooner so you can return to society.

Next time we see each other, don't dazzle me so much.

I can't keep taking it day after day..."

Jiang Ruyi turned her head to look at the mirror-like Erhai.

A faint smile almost surfaced on her face, but she held it back immediately.

Still angry!

What's there to smile about, huh?

Lu Ran: "Hmm?"

After a long time, Jiang Ruyi let out a deep sigh:

"I understand; I'll work hard at my cultivation."

Lu Ran stepped forward, wrapped one arm around her delicate body, and inhaled the scent of her hair: "Wait for my return."

"Mm," Jiang Ruyi bowed her head.

No matter what the future holds, I will face it with you.

She had made up her mind one-week prior, at night.

Apart from strength, she would not consider anything else.

And yet, this damn person was leaving her to return on the night of the fifteenth.

Such a jerk,

Really disturbing my peace of mind!

"Go on then," Jiang Ruyi struggled slightly.

But Lu Ran held her even tighter. After she lightly struggled again, she let him have his way.

As the old saying goes, four things in this world are hard to hold back:

The pig at New Year's, the startled donkey, the angry wife, and a fish out of water.

Now it seems, they're not that hard to manage after all~

"I have a gift for you." Lu Ran lifted Jiang Ruyi's arm, rolled up the sleeve of her white robe, and exposed her slender wrist.

She had always worn a delicate bracelet, and that small red bean was increasingly smooth and lustrous.

Lu Ran took off the bracelet and took out a jade bead.

The small jade bead was warm and luminous white, similar in size to the red bean, surprisingly matched when strung on the bracelet.

"What is this?" Jiang Ruyi slightly raised her eyebrows.

"It's a 'Worry-free Bead.'" Lu Ran strung the jade bead properly and refastened the red bean bracelet for her.

"A bead for 'affairs'?"

"Right, a 'Worry-free Bead'," Lu Ran held her wrist, his palm covering the bracelet, "if something happens, just crush it.

Even if there's trouble, it will turn into nothing."

Jiang Ruyi's brows furrowed slightly, intuitively realizing something.

What kind of bead was it that gave Lu Ran such confidence to declare it could solve all crises?

A magical artifact?

Impossible!

No matter how powerful a magical artifact was, it had specific effects and couldn't solve every problem.

Then, the only remaining answer, the only one — Lord Immortal Goat!

Once the jade bead shattered, the Divine would save her!

Other than that, Jiang Ruyi couldn't think of any existence that deserved the phrase "turn troubles into nothing."

Jiang Ruyi's heart clenched: "You're going to..."

"Don't overthink it; I just want some peace of mind," Lu Ran instantly soothed her, his expression sincere, "I bet you'll wear it for a lifetime."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruyi felt a bit more at ease.

"Join me for breakfast before I leave?" Lu Ran smiled, "I have a morning flight."

"Oh," Jiang Ruyi responded softly.

...

Lu Ran left, not taking a single cloud with him.

By midday, when he landed in Beijing, it was Chen Jingjing who came to pick him up.

Lu Ran usually traveled alone, not bothering others.

However, a few days ago, he spoke with Chen Jingjing on the phone about wanting to train in the Jade-faced Snake Demon Cave, inadvertently revealing his schedule.

"Jingjing." Lu Ran stepped out of the terminal, and immediately saw that ethereal figure.

Now by comparison to little Ruyi, even Chen Jingjing's elegance seemed to dim a bit.

Perhaps because Chen Jingjing hadn't received a Divine Blessing?

"Little Lu." Chen Jingjing revealed a charming smile.

Naturally, the cold and aloof disciple of Sword One could not act coldly toward Lu Ran.

"It's such a hassle; I could have just taken a taxi to the high-speed train station," Lu Ran approached her, chuckling.

His hat and mask covered most of his face.

But those eyes were nevertheless mesmerizing.

Chen Jingjing's face paused slightly, then she nodded and smiled: "Not a hassle, let me join you for lunch.

Also, congratulations on ascending to River Realm."

The young man from River Realm had grown to be so remarkable.

The Divine Weapon Domain of the Dawn Blade was astonishing.

Chen Jingjing sighed in her heart over and over.

Thinking about it, how could the son be mediocre when his mother had such unrivaled charm?

As for Qiao Yuansi, that kid, he never settled down, and it was uncertain when he would genuinely grow up.

"Hehe." Lu Ran chuckled, walking towards the parking lot with her.

Along the way, Lu Ran asked: "Has my mother mentioned when she will come out of seclusion?"

Chen Jingjing shook her head: "That side of the back mountain has been off-limits for a long time."

"Oh." Lu Ran seemed helpless.

He had called his mother, but it was always Chen Jingjing who answered. His mother had completely secluded herself.

His own wedding, when would it be possible to hold it?

Now it was already the middle of the lunar October.

Three months later, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Little Yuanxi's birthday, would his mother be able to participate?

Hopefully, he could see her before leaving.

If not, should he go up the mountain to find her?

"The Demon Cave matters have been arranged," Chen Jingjing said, "It's relatively easy this time.

Hearing that Da Xia's genius was going, they are very welcoming with open arms."

Lu Ran: "..."

What originally required calling favors to secure seven days for training, seemed not to require so much hassle anymore.

In the future, for such matters, he should directly contact the local demon cave military, instead of troubling Chen Jingjing.

Chen Jingjing suggested: "Do you want to spend the fifteenth in Beijing? After defending the city, I can accompany you to train."

Lu Ran refused: "Jingjing, I can manage on my own; you tend to your matters."

Not only did he want to activate the Jade-faced Snake Evil Sculpture and learn the Purification Skill.

He also wanted to practice various Jiang Grade Evil Skills, and naturally, he couldn't have anyone at his side.

Chen Jingjing pondered for a moment: "That's true; you're now in River Realm.

However, the intensity of the Evil Demon invasion here in Beijing is more significant, which could help you achieve better results."

Lu Ran still shook his head: "Beijing is full of talent; one more or one less of me wouldn't make a difference.

Sister, you know about Rain Alley City."

After a moment, Chen Jingjing nodded, not saying anything more.

...

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