Outside the seventh Bamboo Village in the Bamboo Sea of the Demon Cave.

A group of people were walking on a bamboo forest path.

The young Yuanxi was in a great mood, walking briskly, holding a spicy duck wing in her hand.

She ate while inhaling sharply, her little face turning red from the spiciness.

"Almost there," Lu Ran indicated toward the distant fork in the road.

There was a sign there that read: Private Estate, No Trespassing.

"Wow!" exclaimed Qiao Yuansi, "Rouyin sister... is really rich, hissing..."

The Bamboo Sea of the Demon Cave is a famous retreat in Da Xia.

Renting a standalone courtyard here is expensive enough, and yet Li Rouyin has a private residence?

Lu Ran patted the head of young Yuanxi: "Mind your address, Miss Li Rouyin is older than me."

"Oh." Qiao Yuansi sucked her fingertips, "Brother, get me another duck wing."

Lu Ran looked towards the bamboo basket in Hao Tian's hands.

Hao Tian: "..."

Sister Qiao has a gluttonous little mouth, Brother Lu has a mischievous little hand.

Hao Tian had a heart full of unexpressed anger.

The delicious food was indeed bought by Lu Ran on the way, and he bought quite a lot.

But little Yuanxi just couldn't stop eating!

Along the way, her little mouth just never stopped...

It was only when Jiang Ruyi softly spoke that little Yuanxi reluctantly gave up.

A few minutes later, when they saw Youhuangdu, Qiao Yuansi was stunned!

Is this a noble residence?

"Youhuangdu."

Jiang Ruyi looked at the plaque on the gate of the mansion.

Thinking of Lu Ran's mention of Lord Wang Quan's abilities, and the artifact fragment gifted to Lu Ran by the deity, Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but be moved.

The word 'Du' is truly expressive.

A mysterious and specially capable deity, who has under him only one believer.

This unique Li Rouyin, would she be on Lu Ran's recruitment list?

As for Deng Yuxiang's matter, Jiang Ruyi had long since figured it out.

Lu Ran has an incredibly grand vision, and on such a long journey, of course, he needs many strong allies who share his ideals.

"Knock knock knock~"

Hao Tian knocked on the mansion gate, then quietly waited.

The estate was silent, with only the rustling of the wind through the bamboo forest.

Lu Ran said, "Is it possible she can't hear us?"

Hao Tian shook his head: "Perhaps she can't hear, but she definitely knows."

Lu Ran was a bit puzzled: "Does the Forget Spring Sect have a technique to enhance hearing?"

Hao Tian truthfully said: "I don't know about that, but as long as she is in the range of Youhuangdu, she knows everything."

Lu Ran looked at the big gate: "Was this gate closed last time we came?"

Hao Tian looked a bit embarrassed: "Maybe I came too often, and she's annoyed."

Lu Ran came to the gate, placing a hand on it: "We're here to visit, walking right in isn't very polite... eh?"

The gate suddenly opened.

Qiao Yuansi giggled, covering her little mouth quickly.

Lu Ran looked at the others: "The wind blew it open."

Hao Tian: "..."

Qiao Yuansi curiously peeked into the estate.

In the center of the courtyard stood a cluster of gigantic evil bamboo, and on either side could be seen intricately constructed East and West wings.

"This?" Hao Tian stood at the entrance, hesitating.

"Brother Hao!" Lu Ran put his arm around Hao Tian's shoulder, "There's an old saying in Da Xia: Since we're here..."

Qiao Yuansi giggled: "And there's another one! It's the grand holiday~"

Hao Tian smiled helplessly.

Acting rashly and impolitely was true, but so was the longing for his sister. So taking advantage of Brother Lu's visit, he'll be bold just this once!

Hao Tian stepped in, the others followed suit.

Going around the central evil bamboo cluster of the courtyard, Hao Tian paused. In front of them, on the second floor window of the main house, stood a graceful silhouette.

Her skin was snow-white, her appearance exceedingly beautiful.

She wore a long black dress with an antiquated flair, her long hair tied simply with a wooden hairpin.

She stood silently by the window, her temperament was unique, like an ancient beauty that walked out of a painting.

The only unhandsome thing was her lackluster eyes.

Empty, listless.

Completely devoid of human emotions!

She was naturally fit to be a Sword Cultivator!

Unfortunately, Lord Jian Yi had failed to recruit this cold and emotionless girl of the Human Clan.

"Rouyin."

Hao Tian spoke up, forcing himself to break the silence.

Qiao Yuansi couldn't remember how many times she had been astonished.

Ever since she saw the woman in the black dress, she had been enraptured by her unique charm and aura.

Is there really someone in this world who can compare with sister Ruyi?

Must be joking...

Seeing his little sister remain silent, Hao Tian forced himself to continue: "It's the new year, we haven't seen each other in a long time."

Li Rouyin finally spoke but ignored Hao Tian, uttering only two words:

"Lu Ran."

"Uh?" Lu Ran immediately waved his hand, "Happy New Year."

Li Rouyin's cold words were like a freezing spring, chilling to the bone:

"You intruded into Youhuangdu, do you know your guilt?"

"Oof." Qiao Yuansi shivered from the cold, hiding behind Jiang Ruyi.

"I said the gate was blown open by the wind, believe it... uh, never mind." Lu Ran said awkwardly, "It's been over a year, I came to offer incense to Lord Wang Quan, to give you New Year's greetings."

Li Rouyin looked down with hollow eyes over Lu Ran: "Offering incense? New Year's greetings?

Do you really think I don't know why you came?"

Lu Ran's expression was serious: "I'm not sure what you think of me, I must clear up!

Your thoughts are probably correct."

Li Rouyin: ???

"Pfft... cough." Qiao Yuansi hurriedly covered her little mouth.

The sudden twist almost made Hao Tian twist his waist.

Lu Ran requested: "Allow me in to offer incense to Lord Wang Quan?"

"Ha." Li Rouyin was directly angered to laughter.

That damn guy!

Relying on the favor of the deity, he's simply reckless!

Last time, Lord Wang Quan wanted to give Lu Ran a sweet candy, and Li Rouyin thought Lu Ran would be a bit more sensible.

But not at all!

Lu Ran deliberately picked the precious one, choosing the copper coin string of the Night Charm Clan!

Li Rouyin's heart bled.

Every illusionary copper coin on that red line contained a soul she painstakingly captured.

And this time when Lu Ran came again, it seemed he wanted to enjoy freebies again...

She bit her lower lip, wanting to directly issue an expulsion order.

But Li Rouyin hesitated.

After all, Lord Wang Quan had expressed hope for her to be on good terms with Lu Ran.

Hao Tian stared blankly at the window.

When had he ever seen his ice-cold sister with such a rich expression?

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, looking suspiciously at Lu Ran.

What had he done to make this believer of Wang Quan so upset, yet so conflicted?

Lu Ran cupped his hands: "Be kind, let me offer incense to Lord Wang Quan."

Li Rouyin's cool hand pressed on the window frame: "You..."

She uttered a single lonely word, then fell silent.

Within a few seconds, Li Rouyin laughed again.

A helpless laugh.

Lu Ran: "What's wrong?"

Li Rouyin was silent for a long time, her voice returning to its previous coldness: "Get up here."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Qiao Yuansi: "..."

Lu Ran was overjoyed, but didn't become complacent!

He quickly went to Jiang Ruyi's side, picking up his fiancée's delicate hand, and kissed the back: "Shall I go up and see?"

Jiang Ruyi glared at Lu Ran with a smile: "Go ahead."

"I'll be right back!" Lu Ran turned and left.

On the way, Hao Tian handed over the bamboo basket familiarly.

Lu Ran took it readily, striding toward the main house.

Once again, he climbed to the second floor and saw the woman seated by the bamboo table at the window.

"Changed quite a bit." Lu Ran said.

"Is that so?" Li Rouyin deftly held a bamboo cup, gently playing with it, adjusting her mood.

When the message from the deity was transmitted, she knew she would bleed again.

Since there was no power to resist, she might as well face it with a smile.

"Your condition has improved a lot." Lu Ran placed the bamboo basket with spicy duck neck on the table.

Li Rouyin had already advanced to the River Realm, needing only to absorb the energy between heaven and earth to maintain life.

Thus, though she didn't like eating, she had gained weight.

However, compared to normal women, she was still on the slim side, with thin arms and legs...

"Oh." Li Rouyin turned her head towards Lu Ran.

Though clearly a blind person, her beautiful eyes squinted slightly.

The more she looked at Lu Ran, the more startled she became: "This year, you certainly haven't wasted your time."

Lu Ran modestly said: "It's alright! You're not bad either, quite imposing."

Just now, a single sentence from Li Rouyin could make Qiao Yuansi shiver.

Others might not know, but Lu Ran knew well: That wasn't because Li Rouyin's aura was cold, her words icy, but from another dimension's chill!

"Eat something?" Lu Ran took out the dish and placed it before Li Rouyin.

"Why did you suddenly think to visit me?" Li Rouyin didn't pay attention to the spicy duck wing.

Lu Ran sighed in his heart, advancing to the River Realm really made a difference, huh?

Originally, beneath Li Rouyin's elegant and aloof exterior, was a mischievous heart.

Quite enjoyable.

But now, it seemed hard to find.

Lu Ran lamented the erosion of humanity, saying: "In a few days, Lord Immortal Sheep will open up a Divine Ruin for me.

I want to adjust myself to the peak state before the challenge."

"Divine Ruin?"

"Yes, Divine Ruin."

Li Rouyin was contemplative, and it was unclear if she was communicating with the deity.

Lu Ran waited for a while, then tentatively said:

"So I thought I'd try my luck, see if I could get something good to eat..."

Li Rouyin suddenly smiled slightly, her tone playful: "Didn't you just say you were here to offer incense and New Year's greetings?"

"Hm?" Lu Ran was momentarily stunned.

This girl still had some humanity?

Li Rouyin looked displeased: "What kind of reaction is that?"

Lu Ran shrugged: "I thought since you became so strong and always spent time with dead souls, you might have lost the joys and sorrows of the human world."

Li Rouyin pouted: "Alright, tell me, what good stuff do you want to eat."

This little expression finally brought Lu Ran back to her lively and playful demeanor from a year ago in the Rebirth Hall.

He tentatively asked: "Got any Barbaric She-Demon?"

Li Rouyin's expression stiffened a bit.

The Barbaric She-Demon, the rival of the Second-class God·West Desolate Axe.

As precious as the souls from the Night Charm!

Recently, with the intensifying strength of evil demon invasions and frequent special events, Li Rouyin indeed obtained a copper coin string of the Barbaric She-Demon.

"Little Rouyin?" Lו Ran attempted to invoke their limited friendship using the nickname from a year ago.

"I do, dear brother." Li Rouyin countered with the address Lu Ran disliked from a year ago.

Lu Ran was overjoyed!

As a beggar, he dared not harbor a bit of dissatisfaction?

He pushed the duck wing forward: "Have some, spicy, your favorite."

Li Rouyin finally did not refuse, reaching for a duck wing.

As she brought the tip to her mouth, Lu Ran thick-skinnedly, softly said: "Um... besides the Barbaric She-Demon, do you have Tangled Silk Shadow?"

"Thud!"

The unexpected sound of her slamming the table startled those downstairs.

Following that, they heard upstairs, a woman's voice seething:

"Lu! Ran!!!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.