The 18th of the first month, evening.

The vast Qiao residence was like an Immortal Realm, filled with a faint Immortal Fog.

The closer one got to the study, the denser the white fog became.

Inside, at the writing desk, Lu Ran, who had been striving for a breakthrough for two days, suddenly stood up.

"Crack."

Holding the Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd in one hand, he opened the door with the other and staggered outside.

"Lu Ran?"

"Brother?" Jiang Qiao rushed to him immediately.

They were quite surprised and couldn't hide their worry.

What was Lu Ran doing?

He was still in the process of advancing, why was he moving on his own?

"Whoo!!"

Just as Lu Ran reached back to close the door, a gale suddenly rose.

Jiang Realm·Second Rank!

"Eh?" Caught off guard, Qiao Yuansi shielded his face with one hand and stepped back.

Jiang Ruyi, however, felt relieved.

"Hmm~" Lu Ran was extremely comfortable.

The Divine Power inside him surged and flowed like great rivers.

Turbulent and powerful!

With such grandeur, supported by an almost explosive sense of strength, Lu Ran was deeply intoxicated.

"Buzz~"

The Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd gently vibrated, its golden phoenix pattern dazzling.

It felt comfortable too.

Originally, Lu Ran intended to use the gourd's abilities to break through his physical limitations and initiate the advancement process.

But unexpectedly, he didn't even need to use the treasured gourd.

Qiao Wanjun, with her skillful brush, directly helped Lu Ran break through his bottleneck by writing four big characters.

On the night of the 15th, when the Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd arrived in the study, all that was left was sheer enjoyment.

Yes, as a finished Magic Artifact, the gourd could fly on its own.

It nestled into its master's arms, enjoying the nurturing energy and eagerly seeking benefits.

Lu Ran, of course, wouldn't be stingy.

What's wrong with letting his precious treasure eat and drink a bit?

Over three full days, Lu Ran felt increasingly close to the Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd.

Not just emotionally, but there was also a slight mental connection.

Could this mean that the Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd was about to truly become his Magic Artifact?

Like Xiaguang and Jiye, ultimately reaching a spiritual connection?

"Brother?" Qiao Yuansi called softly.

"Shh!" Jiang Ruyi pressed a finger to her lips, unusually stern towards the young Yuansi.

Qiao Yuansi stuck out her tongue and dared not speak again, curiously watching her brother.

In a dazed yet satisfied demeanor, Lu Ran finally opened his eyes after a long while, still appearing slightly drunk.

"What happened?" Jiang Ruyi finally asked.

"What do you mean what happened?" Lu Ran looked puzzled.

"You're at a crucial stage of your advancement. Why did you move on your own?"

"Ah... there are mom's paintings and pendant Immortal Jasmine inside. I'm afraid the wind might damage them."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Qiao Yuansi remarked sarcastically, "And yet you are just fine!

Are you not afraid of ruining your breakthrough just as you're about to succeed?"

Lu Ran snorted, "Who do you think your brother is? I'm definitely..."

Before the boast was fully voiced, it halted abruptly.

Because Lu Ran noticed his fiancée's cold face nearby.

Feeling awkward, Lu Ran looked at Jiang Fairy: "Mainly, whenever I see that pendant Immortal Jasmine, I think of you.

I'm truly afraid of blowing those strings of Immortal Jasmine flowers away."

Qiao Yuansi rolled her eyes, "Oh, oh, oh, oh~"

She mimicked with her head bobbing, "I'm afraid of blowing away the Immortal Jasmine Flowers~"

With a darkened expression, Lu Ran looked at his sister.

Do I have no dignity?

After all, I've reached the Jiang Realm·Second Rank! And here you are, a mere River Realm lackey...

"Ah." Little Yuanxi was startled and turned to run away immediately.

Jiang Ruyi sternly said, "That's not me, and even if it was, your advancement is what's most important."

Lu Ran was serious too, "If I weren't completely confident, I wouldn't have done it."

But Jiang Ruyi said, "In cultivation, you can never have too much certainty with even a twelvefold assurance... mm."

Suddenly, Lu Ran kissed her tender lips, silencing her words.

Jiang Fairy pushed Lu Ran twice without success.

Her slightly annoyed look gradually turned to shy annoyance, her cheeks growing redder.

A little head peeked out from around the corner of the distant living room.

Qiao Yuansi's big eyes, like a camera, captured a beautiful picture with each blink.

The two of them were really a perfect match!

To stand next to Sister Ruyi without being overshadowed...

Tsk, tsk~

My brother indeed has something going for him.

"Mm... mm!" Jiang Ruyi finally managed to push Lu Ran away, giving him a light smack.

"I'm going to take a bath." Lu Ran hurried away, carrying the gourd.

Run away after a kiss.

Thrilling~

Jiang Ruyi looked angrily at Lu Ran's back and sharply sensed a gaze.

She turned, but the snooping head had already ducked back.

Jiang Ruyi frowned lightly and stepped forward.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Qiao Yuanxi turned pale.

Seeing no escape, she braced herself and rushed out, hugging Jiang Ruyi, sweetly calling,

"Sister Ruyi, where are you going?"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Looking down at the little Yuanxi in her arms, with those big watery eyes, Jiang Ruyi helplessly smiled.

Indeed, they truly were brother and sister.

One is coquettish, and the other a rascal.

At the same time, in the bathroom.

Standing under the shower, Lu Ran had placed a treasured gourd on the shelf holding the toiletries.

Since realizing that the Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd was awakening a mental connection with him, he'd intended to keep it close at all times.

Previously, with help from "Heavenly Pride," this Magic Artifact had verbally promised to follow Lu Ran.

Over the past twenty days, the person and the gourd became gradually more familiar.

The three days of advancement especially warmed their relationship.

Lu Ran naturally wanted to strike while the iron was hot!

Unexpectedly, while washing his hair, he suddenly felt something vaguely.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran raised his wet arm, wiped the foam from his eyes, and turned to look.

He saw a little Blazing Phoenix standing at the mouth of the gourd.

Its image was ethereal but vividly colored!

It appeared to be hollow, woven entirely from lines of golden flames.

Dreamlike, resplendently bright.

As Lu Ran looked over, the little Blazing Phoenix was also watching him.

"Hello!" Lu Ran carefully washed his foamy hands and reached forward gingerly.

The little Blazing Phoenix was the Artifact Spirit.

The golden flame lines making up its form were entirely ethereal, naturally posing no threat.

"Woo~"

Lu Ran felt a stir within, vaguely hearing a phoenix call.

The phoenix's call was like a flute, mellifluous and graceful.

"Come." Lu Ran extended his palm, trying to get the little Blazing Phoenix to jump onto it.

Yet the little Blazing Phoenix tilted its head, adorably watching Lu Ran.

Lu Ran wasn't in a rush, smiling, "I'll be really good to you; we'll gradually become spiritually connected."

"Woo~"

The noble little Blazing Phoenix slowly merged into the golden phoenix pattern on the gourd, disappearing.

Lu Ran continued his shower, happily humming a tune while scrubbing the foam from his head:

"The Little Mermaid paints sunbeam as eyeshadow, diving into a bubble's embrace~"

Several minutes later, feeling fresh, Lu Ran, wrapped in a bathrobe, played with the Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd in hand as he stepped out of the steamy bathroom.

The house, previously filled with Immortal Fog, had already returned to its original state.

"Brother! Come quick, watch TV with us," Qiao Yuansi called out.

Lu Ran went into the living room, saw the two women on the sofa, and sat beside Jiang Ruyi.

Earlier, on the morning of lunar sixteen, their mother had left for Jinghong Peak. Little Yuanxi knew that throwing tantrums wouldn't help, so she just felt silently dejected.

Thankfully, with Jiang Ruyi accompanying her, she wasn't too heartsore.

Instead, it was Jiang Ruyi who felt a bit down.

She had thought that during the three days of lockdown after the fifteenth, she could spend time with Lu Ran, but he stayed in the study until tonight.

"I've already booked a flight to Yeyu City for tomorrow morning, at five thirty."

Jiang Ruyi said, curling her long legs on the sofa and leaning against Lu Ran.

Her earlier annoyance had obviously passed. Or perhaps, she no longer had the time to be annoyed.

Lu Ran asked, "That early?"

"The day before yesterday morning, Grandpa Cheng Yi contacted you; I took the call."

Jiang Ruyi continued, "He said the Immortal Sheep left a message; tomorrow at ten thirty in the morning, the Divine Ruins will open within Luoxian Mountain."

On the side, though still watching TV, Qiao Yuansi's mind was adrift upon hearing this.

Jiang Ruyi snuggled in Lu Ran's embrace, her jade fingers lightly tracing the phoenix pattern on the Red Jade Gourd, opting to say no more.

"Yeah, I know." Lu Ran felt very guilty and lowered his head, placing a gentle kiss on her hair.

Suddenly, Lu Ran felt a tremor in his heart!

Jiang Ruyi, sensing something, lifted her stunning face to see Lu Ran's slightly dazed gaze.

"Wow!" Lu Ran suddenly exclaimed.

The Blazing Phoenix Patterned Gourd in his hands was glowing even more brightly.

Jiang Ruyi quickly withdrew her finger from the powerful Magic Artifact, fearing she might accidentally cause trouble for Lu Ran.

From the dazzling golden glow, the little Blazing Phoenix emerged once more!

It fluttered its wings, and its ethereal image penetrated into Lu Ran's chest, seemingly merging into his heart.

True spiritual connection!

Tens of seconds later, the glow dissipated, and the gourd stopped its gentle vibration.

With a complex expression, Lu Ran slowly spoke, "The Blazing Phoenix Pattern recognized me.

We've had a qualitative breakthrough in our spiritual connection, and we can now communicate smoothly."

The unexpected good news embraced and diluted the sad atmosphere of parting.

Instantly, Qiao Yuansi beamed, "Ha, my brother is the greatest!"

With gentle fingers, Jiang Ruyi traced the phoenix pattern but didn't ask why the Artifact Spirit had suddenly decided.

She merely said softly, "He truly is someone worthy of entrustment."

Qiao Yuansi's heart swelled!

If so, could the next stage begin?

She quickly leaned forward, resting on Jiang Ruyi's curled long legs, her eyes twinkling, "Blazing Phoenix, Blazing Phoenix!

Brother hopes that not only can you absorb the bones of slain Evil Demons but also the living ones too~"

Jiang Ruyi, aware of why Lu Ran had chosen this Magic Artifact, gently requested, "Could you assist him?"

"Woo~"

Lu Ran was stunned, then overjoyed.

Had the Artifact Spirit·Blazing Phoenix agreed?!

...

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.