Not long after, a smear of cake cream was placed on Qiao Yuansi's little face by Lu Ran.

The atmosphere of the birthday party gradually improved.

The family of four chatted and laughed, talking about anything and everything.

When Lu Ran's birthday gift was mentioned, Qiao Yuansi couldn't contain his excitement: "Brother, let's give that Heavenly Star Saber a name!"

Lu Ran felt an instant headache!

Qiao Yuansi was full of anticipation: "Should I pick a name for you, brother?"

Lu Ran quickly begged for mercy: "Please don't! The names you pick for the saber are too grand; I can't handle them."

"Hmph," Qiao Yuansi pouted displeased, "And you call yourself a Heavenly Pride, but you have no confidence at all."

Lu Ran peeled a shrimp and placed it on his mother's plate, suddenly inspired:

"How about letting Mom name the saber for me?"

Qiao Wanjun looked at her son with a half-smile: "Sure."

Lu Ran instantly felt something was off!

Wait a minute!

If Mom names it, will I even be able to handle it?

It's over, something big is going to happen!

It's my fault for not wanting Qiao Yuansi to name it, after all, most of her names are inspired by fantasy novels.

Each name seemed like it wanted to pierce the sky!

Bear in mind, a saber's name is likely to be connected to its future Divine Weapon Domain.

It's almost like a training direction.

Mom's chosen name definitely won't be as flashy as those from fantasy novels.

But it will certainly be top-notch in the Human World!

Yet Lu Ran, in a moment of heat, blurted out his words.

He hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Actually, forget it. I'll think about it myself."

Qiao Wanjun picked up a piece of shrimp with her chopsticks: "Hmm?"

The slight nasal sound carried a hint of skepticism, along with a unique sense of parental authority.

Lu Ran promptly changed his words, astonishingly cowardly: "Please grant me a name!"

As she savored the boiled shrimp, Qiao Wanjun nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad."

It was unclear whether she was praising the food or her son for having the courage to face difficulties.

"Aunt Qiao, how have you been lately?" Jiang Ruyi asked at the right moment. "Has your cultivation been going smoothly?"

"It's okay," Qiao Wanjun responded gently to the girl's words, her eyebrows softening a bit.

The young girl was full of fairy-like elegance and gentle charm, and her mind was entirely on Lu Ran.

Qiao Wanjun was indeed increasingly satisfied every time she looked.

She turned to Lu Ran, her words sounding like a reminder: "Cherish her well."

Lu Ran nodded seriously: "Once this phase of my life settles down, Mom should have completed her seclusion.

Then, Ruyi and I will have our wedding!"

"Yes, yes! A wedding!" Qiao Yuansi ignored many things automatically, her eyes sparkling, already fantasizing.

Those two short words seemed particularly touching.

Jiang Ruyi picked up the red wine beside her, took a gentle sip, with elegance and grace.

Only the reddening cheeks and her glances secretly shot at Lu Ran betrayed her thoughts.

"This matter is settled," Qiao Wanjun made the decision, ratifying Lu Ran's words.

"Settled!" Lu Ran nodded heavily, picked up the wine glass beside him, and drank it in one go.

As the night wore on, everyone was fully enjoying themselves.

Qiao Wanjun stood up and left, while Lu Ran and the others cleared the table in the dining room.

Perhaps because she had a little wine, Jiang Ruyi's cheeks were flushed, like a tempting peach, incredibly beautiful.

Lu Ran was enamored, but a certain faithful Flower Lantern disciple was diligently hanging around like a bulb...

It was quite aggravating~

He had been seeking an opportunity to kiss that mischievous face, but before he got the chance, he heard a call.

"Ranran."

"Mom?" All of Lu Ran's mischievous thoughts disappeared.

Jiang Ruyi and Qiao Yuansi both seemed puzzled, looking at Lu Ran.

"Come to the study."

This time, Jiang and Qiao vaguely heard the woman's voice.

"The study?" Lu Ran was a bit shocked.

Is that where I'm supposed to go?

"Here." Just in time, Jiang Tea was freshly brewed, and Jiang Ruyi immediately poured a cup for Lu Ran.

Lu Ran took the Ginger Tea and hurried toward the study.

As always, the door was tightly closed.

"Knock, knock~"

Even though he was invited, Lu Ran still politely knocked on the door.

"Enter." A faint voice came from inside the room.

Lu Ran suddenly felt a bit dazed, remembering that night a few years ago.

He recalled himself holding hot milk, sensitive and cautious.

"Ranran?"

The person inside spoke again, voice much gentler.

Qiao Wanjun was like an omnipotent deity, guiding Lu Ran out of that dark night with her gentle words.

"Click."

Lu Ran opened the door, and the fragrance of jasmine enveloped him.

The woman was kneeling in front of the desk, putting down the brush in her hand.

She turned her head to admire the beautiful drooping thread-like Immortal jasmine in the corner of the desk: "Is this the gift you gave me?"

"Yes, doesn't the temperament of this flower resemble Ruyi?" Lu Ran said with a smile.

Qiao Wanjun looked up at Lu Ran, those eyes seemed capable of discerning everything.

They could see through his little thoughts at a glance.

"Heh," Lu Ran chuckled awkwardly.

"Come in."

"Oh." Lu Ran entered, closing the door, kneeling in front of the desk, directly facing his mother.

"I really like it." Qiao Wanjun's eyes softened, taking the tea cup from her son.

Far more gentle than when she was at the birthday banquet earlier.

Even the Immortal jasmine in the corner of the desk seemed to have grown more delicate.

Lu Ran's gaze fell on the desk, noticing a piece of calligraphy she had just completed: "What's this?"

Suddenly, a long sword flew by, the tip hooking the silk string from the hanging scroll, slowly floating toward the wall.

Moments later, next to the scroll bearing the word "Sword," a new ink work appeared.

On the vertically hanging scroll, four large characters were written from top to bottom - "Cloud Sea Dust Clear."

It didn't have the sharpness of the word "Sword," yet Lu Ran was silently impressed.

Graceful and flowing, skillfully executed.

Gradually, Lu Ran became entranced.

Qiao Wanjun sipped some tea quietly, not disturbing Lu Ran, letting him revel in his realization.

After a while, Lu Ran asked: "Mom, what does this phrase mean?"

Qiao Wanjun held the warm tea cup in both hands, her brows warm and gentle: "It's the name of your saber."

Lu Ran: "..."

What does this mean?

All his questions were written on his face.

Qiao Wanjun couldn't suppress her laughter, speaking softly: "What is the Cloud Sea?"

Lu Ran: "The Cloud Sea in the sky?"

Qiao Wanjun nodded gently, uttering eight words: "Unpredictable, enveloping the mountains and rivers."

Lu Ran quietly pondered, not thinking his mother was simply describing a natural phenomenon.

Qiao Wanjun took another sip of Ginger Tea, looking at the light-colored tea, she calmly said:

"The Cloud Sea is vast and lofty, always towering above all life."

Lu Ran finally realized the seriousness of the situation.

Qiao Wanjun looked at Lu Ran: "It never disperses, always existing."

Lu Ran suddenly spoke: "Is it?"

Qiao Wanjun sighed gently: "In this world, there has never been true equality.

To ordinary people, the powerful are like the Cloud Sea hanging overhead.

There are thousands of disciples on Jinghong Peak, to them, I am the Cloud Sea."

Lu Ran nodded silently, understanding his mother's point.

The "Cloud Sea" she referred to is an objective existence, and indeed cannot be dispelled.

Wherever there are people, there will be high and low, distinguished and humble.

There will always be a ruling class and a ruled class.

Qiao Wanjun smiled faintly: "Similarly, to the believers, and even the entire Human Clan, All Gods are the Cloud Sea that covers the Human World."

"Gulp," Lu Ran's Adam's apple moved.

Dear Mom!

What are you implying?

Qiao Wanjun shifted the topic: "Cloud Sea Dust Clear, but the key lies in Dust Clear."

Lu Ran suppressed the turbulent emotions in his heart, softly repeating: "Dust Clear."

Qiao Wanjun's brows were gentle, yet she spoke words that were shocking: "The Cloud Sea cannot be scattered, but you can use your saber to wash away the dust within it.

Let the clouds above become purer.

Until... spotless."

Lu Ran: !!!

As for what constitutes "Dust," he didn't need his mother to explain further.

Goodness~

This saber name...

Just now at the dinner table, I shouldn't have asked that question!

"Mom."

"Hmm?"

"It seems like you don't want me to cultivate a Divine Weapon."

"Hehe~" Qiao Wanjun chuckled softly, "I still remember your speech at the awards ceremony.

Were your ambitions not grand?"

Lu Ran paused for a moment, saying, "I wish to eradicate all demons in the world."

Implying he intended to eliminate demons, his focus was not aimed at the Gods' faction.

Yet Qiao Wanjun's "Cloud Sea" had nothing to do with the Evil Demons' faction!

Instead, it pointed directly at the Gods' faction!

Or rather, the "Cloud Sea of All Gods" and its dust particles.

This...

"Oh." Qiao Wanjun neither confirmed nor denied.

Her deep and profound eyes gazed directly at Lu Ran, holding multiple layers of meaning.

Lu Ran's body was tense, under such scrutiny from a Great Power, it was truly difficult to remain calm.

Even knowing she would not harm him, Lu Ran shifted his gaze, looking at the writing hanging on the wall: "Mom."

Qiao Wanjun did not respond, she merely watched Lu Ran silently.

Lu Ran continued: "Look at the ink dripping from that writing."

Due to Qiao Wanjun just finishing the piece, then using the Divine Weapon to hang it up, there were still traces of ink running down the paper from the imperfectly dried brush strokes.

Lu Ran spoke softly: "Doesn't it resemble the blood your son is about to shed?"

Qiao Wanjun chuckled silently, picking up the warm Ginger Tea: "Do you like this name?"

The room fell into a quiet silence, with only the faint sound of the woman sipping tea.

Lu Ran gazed at the ink dripping down the writing, wordless for a good while.

If I say I like it,

does that mean I'm taking a stance?

Or should it be interpreted that way, is this journey to the Divine Ruins going to reveal some secrets?

Is Mother prepping me in advance?

"Pick one," Qiao Wanjun finally suggested, seeing her son's reluctance to speak further.

Two Divine Weapons, swords from the study, flew over, floating in front of Lu Ran.

Lu Ran was unsure: "Pick one?"

Qiao Wanjun nodded slightly: "To ensure your safety during this journey."

Protect me?

Her Divine Weapons are spiritually connected to her.

And Lu Ran had many secrets, which mustn't be revealed for now.

He contemplated for a moment and refused: "Thanks, Mom, but no."

"Hmm?" Qiao Wanjun's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

She tried to remain kind and gentle towards Lu Ran.

But at this moment, she was slightly puzzled, even a bit dissatisfied.

A son on a distant journey, armed with a Divine Weapon, would be safer, and it would allow Qiao Wanjun and Lu Ran to maintain a thread of connection.

Even though such a connection would be incredibly weak, there would at least be a trace of it.

Lu Ran couldn't fail to understand this, hence Qiao Wanjun's dissatisfaction.

Lu Ran shook his head: "No, Mom, I still need to grow on my own.

Ultimately, I need to rely on myself; I can't always think about having a fallback or your protection."

Qiao Wanjun picked up the Ginger Tea, speaking quietly: "Is that so?"

Lu Ran fell silent for a long time, then he looked at the woman: "I have my own Divine Weapon, Dawn Silence Night, and my own combat system.

This journey, I also need to cultivate my Eight Desolate Annihilation.

And cultivate my Cloud Sea Dust Clear."

Qiao Wanjun paused momentarily with her hand holding the Ginger Tea.

He accepted the name.

She took a light sip of the tea, looking at Lu Ran: "Have you thought it through?"

Lu Ran nodded lightly: "I have."

In truth... I decided long ago!

Since joining the Immortal Goat Sect, all I see is a pile of stones, no longer any Gods in my eyes.

My goal has never been limited to the Evil Demon faction.

"Buzz!!"

Suddenly, a surge of energy erupted from within Lu Ran.

...

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