Lu Ran felt he had fallen out of favor.

His fiancée was focused on her studies and didn't plan to accompany him to Ice City.

Although, after Lu Ran had gently dried her hair, Fairy Jiang softened for a moment and agreed to his request.

But once Lu Ran knew about her cultivation progress, he naturally couldn't disturb her breakthrough.

Lu Ran turned to ask Yuanxi.

Unexpectedly, Little Yuanxi had been captivated by Jiang's mother.

No matter how stern and impartial this female judge was at work, she doted heavily on the lovely and cute Little Yuanxi.

Qiao Yuansi was comfortable.

Adhering to the principle "my brother's mom is my mom," Qiao Yuansi soaked in the honey pot.

He indulged in filling the void of his childhood.

The Jiang couple had already booked their tickets back home for the fourth day, so Qiao Yuansi decided to stay one more day and fly to Beijing with his new mom.

The siblings had agreed to meet in Beijing.

Lu Ran casually asked Si Xianxian.

Who would have thought, Sister Xian'er, who usually loved to play, was also not going!

Lu Ran felt that he might have really misunderstood Si Xianxian.

She didn't truly enjoy wandering around.

She seemed more like a lonely bird, forced to leave the flock, always searching for a place to perch.

Now, she had settled on Luoxian Mountain.

A warm world surrounded by goodwill.

The wandering bird didn't want to leave anymore.

She didn't want to return to the cold, disdainful gazes of the people, didn't want to return to a world filled with malice.

Not even for a moment.

Thus, Lu Ran had fallen out of favor.

Under the guidance of Grandpa Cheng, he led all the followers of the Immortal Sheep at Luoxian Temple in a grand ceremony of worshiping the gods.

Then, on the afternoon of the second day, Lu Ran flew to North Country Ice City alone.

Deng Yuxiang's challenge was set for eight in the morning on the third day of the first lunar month.

It was naturally too late by the time the day arrived.

Unexpectedly, before boarding the plane, Lu Ran received a call from Deng Yutang.

When he landed in Ice City and walked out of the airport lobby, he also found that familiar figure.

Deng Yutang was as handsome as ever, with a taller and more upright stature, holding a sign in his hand.

The sign read "Brother Lu."

Beside him stood a tall, elegant girl.

She had unique pale white skin and a beautifully delicate face.

Wasn't this Consultant Bai?

"Brother Lu!" Deng Yutang shouted loudly, shaking the sign in his hand.

Bai Manni, with her arm around Deng Yutang's arm, after confirming, also waved at Lu Ran with a joyful expression on her face.

Lu Ran, dragging his suitcase, walked over.

In this large suitcase were all his treasures.

Three sabers, a gourd, and clothes for changing seasons.

Before coming out, Lu Ran had already put on his winter clothes; winters in North Country were not to be taken lightly.

Colder than a woman's heart.

The Vast River ensured he wouldn't freeze to death in the ice and snow, but who would want to suffer unnecessarily?

"Haha!" Deng Yutang stepped forward and gave Lu Ran a hug.

His large hand made Lu Ran's back resound with loud pats.

"Let's go out to talk, we might get recognized easily." Lu Ran's voice came from the thick white knitted scarf around his neck.

"Let's go," Deng Yutang said as he walked outside with his arm over Lu Ran's shoulders.

Girlfriend or not.

Bai Manni, ever the lady, followed behind the two, smiling as she watched their backs.

Lu Ran puzzled, "I'm wearing a hat and a scarf, and even sunglasses. How did you recognize me?"

Lu Ran really didn't understand.

This was his first time using sunglasses, but they seemed useless.

Deng Yutang chuckled proudly, "Your gait."

"Gait?"

"Yes, how could I not recognize the way you walk?"

"Goodness~" Lu Ran nodded, deciding to pay more attention to this aspect in the future.

Lu Ran did possess Evil Technique·Evil Recognition, so his observations were certainly more profound than others.

"You've bulked up quite a bit, haven't you?" Lu Ran turned his head and looked at Deng Yutang's imposing side profile.

Deng Yutang laughed, "You've grown taller too!"

Lu Ran: "..."

Both of them must have grown.

Otherwise, the angle at which Lu Ran looked at Deng Yutang wouldn't be the same as before.

Lu Ran pursed his lips and turned to the girl behind him, "Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year." Bai Manni smiled and nodded.

She seemed like a gentle lady, but her heart wasn't as calm as it appeared.

The three were classmates.

But even in their senior year, Lu Ran had already distanced himself from his peers with his absolute dominance.

Bai Manni of course knew Lu Ran was strong.

But after each issue of "Heavenly Pride," Bai Manni's understanding of Lu Ran was refreshed.

Until the end of the year.

In her familiar hometown, on her familiar streets, Lu Ran had slain the leader of the Evil Demons and topped the summit of Heavenly Pride.

Bai Manni was amazed once again.

It was a curious feeling.

Half a year ago, they were still classmates, and in the blink of an eye, someone had become the most distinguished in Da Xia.

On TV, Lu Ran was everywhere.

His inspiring award speech still echoed in her ears.

Mainly because Deng Yutang loved to watch!

Watching it over and over, as if obsessed.

Bai Manni could only accompany her boyfriend and watch another man every day; she had almost memorized Lu Ran's speech...

"Congratulations to you both," Lu Ran continued with a smile.

Anyone could tell, the two were together now.

"Come here, Manni," Deng Yutang beckoned.

Bai Manni laughed and gave Deng Yutang a playful glare, then quickly stepped forward two steps.

Deng Yutang's right arm was around Lu Ran's shoulder, his left around Bai Manni's waist.

"Ho?" Lu Ran nearly laughed out loud, "Now you're embracing one on each side?"

What am I in this group, exactly?

"Hehe." Deng Yutang didn't speak, just laughed.

He seemed foolishly entranced by love.

Lu Ran suddenly understood how outsiders felt when he was with Jiang Ruyi before.

Bai Manni leaned forward slightly, looking towards her boyfriend's other side, "How are things with Jiang?"

Lu Ran shrugged off Deng Yutang's arm, "Pretty good, both parents have agreed; we're just short of getting married."

Bai Manni was all smiles, "Congratulations!"

Deng Yutang looked at Lu Ran, "When are you planning the wedding? You have to tell me in advance!"

Lu Ran fell silent.

After he returned from the Divine Ruins. If possible.

Bai Manni seemed to sense something and gently pinched Deng Yutang's waist.

Deng Yutang immediately changed the subject, laughing, "Brother Lu, are you still attending university? Don't you need the credits?"

Bai Manni chuckled, "The first place in 'Heavenly Pride' gets three thousand believer points credited!

If Lu Ran wanted, he could receive his university diploma right now."

Deng Yutang pulled Lu Ran back in, "But Jiang doesn't have the points!

She's been led astray by you for half a semester now, not attending classes, not participating in assignments, not coming to exams..."

Lu Ran grinned, "Still attending classes?

She's busy cultivating, striving hard towards the River Realm·Second Rank."

"Ah??" Deng Yutang's mouth fell open.

Bai Manni was also secretly astonished.

Lu Ran looked at Deng Yutang, "What realm are you at now?"

Deng Yutang suddenly sped up, "We've arrived, get in the car!"

Lu Ran laughed out loud but didn't continue to ask.

The car lights flashed, and Lu Ran couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at the blocky "piece of tofu."

Hummer H2!

Seeing the Wu Lie River province license plate, Lu Ran looked puzzled, "Did you drive here from Rain Alley?"

Deng Yutang picked up Lu Ran's suitcase, "Ah, it's not far."

A thousand kilometers, not far?

Hmm... okay.

Couples' business, a dog doesn't meddle.

The dog voluntarily climbed into the backseat.

Deng Yutang drove towards North Wind City, and Lu Ran looked at the passenger seat's Caster, "How do you feel?"

The question seemed out of the blue.

But being Lu Ran's consultant for a long time made her aware of what he was asking.

Bai Manni shook her head, "My Heart Sense Curse is only suitable for myself."

What would happen to her, what her city would encounter, and what impact it would have on her—this was what the Heart Sense Curse was designed for.

This time, Deng Yuxiang's challenge to the elder of the Human Clan, whether it was a victory or a defeat, had minuscule impact on the current Bai Manni.

Bai Manni turned to look at the back seat, "Lu Ran."

"Hmm?"

"Yutang just met Sister Yuxiang, and he feels she's under a lot of pressure. Can you help talk to her?"

In the driver's seat, Deng Yutang's smile also faded as he sighed deeply.

Seeing Lu Ran briefly alleviated Deng Yutang's sorrow, but after the joy of reunion, his heart was heavy again.

Lu Ran furrowed his brows, "She's going into battle tomorrow, isn't she in seclusion? You still saw her?"

Bai Manni glanced at Deng Yutang, hesitated for a moment, then said,

"Sister Yuxiang's friend took us there; her friend is also a bit worried, thinking Yutang could help..."

Deng Yutang suddenly spoke up, "Brother Lu, please go see my sister, you're more persuasive than I am."

Lu Ran felt a heaviness in his heart and nodded immediately, "Alright."

The vehicle soon reached the parking lot outside North Wind City.

On this third day of the lunar new year, North Wind City was as bustling as always, swarming with people.

This time entering the city, the North Wind Disciples guarding the city didn't make things difficult for Lu Ran.

Even though he stood out among the kneeling crowd of tourists admiring the gods, it wasn't considered a sin.

Under the night sky, the ancient city streets were bright and festive.

The Red Scarf Young Master cleared a path through the bustling crowd, protecting his girlfriend and Lu Ran, heading straight for the inn.

Meanwhile.

In the northeastern part of North Wind City, within the Martial Arts Arena.

The dense pine forest became natural barriers for the divided combat zones.

In the snow forest, a figure in thin clothing leaned against a pine tree.

She seemed to have been sitting in this icy snow for a long time, her hair and shirt dusted with a layer of frost.

On her lap lay a long Night-slaying Great Saber.

The woman was silent and frightening, mechanically moving.

Like a beast trapped in a cage, repeating meaningless actions.

Her fingers inch by inch brushed across the cold blade.

Again and again.

The weather was cold, so was the saber.

Both colder than her expression.

Not far away, another woman with short hair leaned against a big tree, her eyes hiding a trace of worry, quietly accompanying the saber-wiping woman.

Slowly, the short-haired woman sighed internally.

She could feel how heavy her friend's heart was, and the immense pressure she was under.

This was a fight she was almost certain to lose.

Senior Liao was a merciless and harsh person.

The consequences of defeat were almost foreseeable.

She would accompany her friend through the night.

To take a few more glances at her.

After tomorrow...

Sigh...

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