Beijing's winter, the dawn breaks very late.

When Lu Ran and his companions got up early to catch the plane, it was cold and dark, the wind was howling, and the streets were desolate and empty.

This bleak scene exactly matched the melancholy emotions of parting.

These emotions accompanied them all the way to Yeyu City in Cainan Province.

In the airport arrival hall, the three encountered Deng Yuxiang and others who had come to pick them up.

"Brother Lu!"

"Class monitor Jiang." Deng Yutang and Bai Manni greeted one after another.

But it could be seen that everyone's emotions were a bit off, all pretending and concealing.

"What's wrong, Deng? Your eyes are red?" Lu Ran smiled at Deng Yutang.

"No, no." Deng Yutang hurriedly shook his head and stepped forward to take Lu Ran's suitcase.

"Mr. Deng, let me." Wen Yang, an Immortal Sheep Believer nearby, hurriedly said, taking the lead.

Lu Ran suddenly felt someone was calling him in the depths of his mind.

At the same time, he also noticed a woman on the left-front side, her beautiful eyes were upon him.

[Is the sword repaired?] Lu Ran communicated closely with the Night Charm Evil Sculpture, transmitting his message.

[Yes, it's repaired.] Deng Yuxiang nodded slightly, her action almost imperceptible.

[You've restored yourself quite well too.] Lu Ran looked at her beautiful face, bright and imposing.

"Let's go." Jiang Ruyi took Lu Ran's arm.

[Really?] Deng Yuxiang smiled slightly, turned and led the others outside.

Lu Ran nodded secretly.

Yes, that was the aura of proud confidence.

The image of the Big Nightmare as he remembered it!

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, noticing the subtle change in Lu Ran's expression.

Was he communicating with Deng Yuxiang?

And in such a tacit understanding.

They didn't need any words, just through eye contact, they understood each other?

Was she overthinking it?

Jiang Ruyi wasn't sure, her jade hand slowly fell, gently holding Lu Ran's hand.

Fortunately, Lu Ran responded fully, interlocking his fingers with hers.

[When we return, I'll pull Young Master Deng into our group too?]

Hearing the voice in her head, Deng Yuxiang's steps slowed, turning to look at Lu Ran.

Unexpectedly, as she turned her head, she was met with a pair of burning eyes.

Jiang Ruyi, still holding Lu Ran's hand, gazed at Deng Yuxiang from under her hat's brim, her eyes devoid of much emotion, just calmly staring at Deng Yuxiang.

Deng Yuxiang's gaze shifted, didn't respond, and turned to continue forward.

"Sister Yuxiang." Jiang Ruyi suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" Deng Yuxiang stopped and looked at Lady Luoxian.

Jiang Ruyi said, "Ride with me in the same car later."

The words were plain, yet carried a commanding tone.

Lu Ran was puzzled and looked at his fiancée: "Ruyi?"

"You and Yuanxi take the same car." Jiang Ruyi's voice softened a bit.

Nevertheless, the noble and powerful aura indeed manifested the dignity of Lady Luoxian.

Lu Ran: "..."

For this reception, Wen Yang and others brought three cars. Jiang Ruyi let go of Lu Ran's hand and walked towards the last car.

Deng Yuxiang followed with interest.

Lu Ran was then overwhelmed by Qiao Yuanxi, dragged to the second car.

Soon, the vehicles set off.

Lu Ran held back for a while and then asked in his head: [What did she say to you?]

[For now, she hasn't spoken.]

In the last car, Deng Yuxiang sat in the back seat, glancing at Jiang Ruyi beside her.

Since getting in the car, Jiang Ruyi hadn't spoken a word.

This silence, however, made the driving Wen Yang on edge.

Deng Yuxiang had learned in detail about Jiang Ruyi's past from her brother, knowing she once was a gentle and quiet girl.

But time changes things, Deng Yutang's information was long outdated.

The once gentle, lovable girl was now the unapproachable Lady of the Sect Master.

She paired great strength and immense influence!

Since Jiang Ruyi moved to Luoxian Mountain, the recent full moons had seen Lady Luoxian's prestige soar!

The abundant divine power permeating the Immortal Mountain attracted a lot of evil demons' invasions.

Jiang Ruyi, as the Sect Master's lady, would fight on behalf of Lu Ran.

From the mountain's military defenders to the city-keepers to the Immortal Sheep Believers in the mountain...

People's respect wasn't just for the title "Sect Master's Wife", but for her deeds and actions.

Lu Ran gave her everything, and Jiang Ruyi was striving to maintain and solidify it all.

Her dazzling radiance shone upon the long night, protecting this realm's people, and she was being upheld and pushed to a divine altar by the people.

A high and lofty divine altar.

As for her gentle side, maybe, just maybe, it was reserved for Lu Ran alone...

"You two are very in sync." Halfway through the journey, in the silent car, Jiang Ruyi's voice suddenly sounded.

"We've faced life and death together for a long time." Deng Yuxiang replied casually, looking out the car window.

Jiang Ruyi turned to look at Deng Yuxiang.

Instantly, Deng Yuxiang felt a surge of pressure, causing her to frown slightly.

However, when Deng Yuxiang turned to look back, her expression was already back to normal.

The two pairs of beautiful eyes once again locked fiercely.

Jiang Ruyi's lips moved slightly: "Use that connection to take good care of him."

Deng Yuxiang suddenly smiled: "Of course."

Jiang Ruyi, though expressionless, said blandly: "You owe him."

Deng Yuxiang's smile gradually faded and she nodded silently.

Jiang Ruyi turned to gaze out of the window, speaking no more.

In the River Realm, there's a high requirement for the mental realm; that single reminder was enough.

In the latter half of the journey, the car plunged back into silence.

Until the convoy arrived at the mountain's foot, and the vehicles just came to a halt, someone opened the car door for Jiang Ruyi.

Seeing who stood outside, Jiang Ruyi's eyes softened, no longer cold as before.

"What were you talking about?" Lu Ran helped her out of the car, unable to suppress his curiosity.

Jiang Ruyi lifted her gaze, looking at Lu Ran with a slight smile.

To be fair, this was the first time Lu Ran had seen such an expression on Jiang Ruyi's face.

Little Ruyi... something's different about her today.

Was it because of the impending separation?

Perhaps.

Jiang Ruyi took the initiative to grasp Lu Ran's hand: "Don't tell me you're worried I'm bullying her."

Lu Ran: "..."

Previously, if Lu Ran heard this, he would have snorted.

But now...

"Lady Luoxian instructed me to take good care of you." A female voice came from the side.

On the other side of the car, Deng Yuxiang leaned on the door, watching the divine couple.

Lu Ran looked towards Wen Yang, who was getting out of the driver's seat.

Wen Yang seemed very anxious, head hanging low, quickly making his way to the trunk to fetch the luggage.

"Let's go, up the mountain, don't waste time." Jiang Ruyi gently tugged Lu Ran's hand.

"Mm... Let's go."

Today, Luoxian Mountain wasn't open to any pilgrims.

On the way up, there were only a few of them, and everyone remained silent.

When they reached the top, they arrived at Luoxian Temple, and saw many Immortal Sheep disciples in white training uniforms.

The two Cheng grandfathers led the group, assisted by many Immortal Sheep disciples, respectfully saluting Lu Jiang.

The title "Mountain Master" and "Lady" rang out loud and clear like never before.

Lu Ran immediately returned the gesture.

Jiang Ruyi followed half a step behind Lu Ran, standing quietly behind him.

"Mountain Master." Cheng Yi stepped forward, holding a long and thick incense stick, handing it to Lu Ran.

"Thank you, Grandpa Cheng." Lu Ran accepted it, moving to the side to light the incense at the furnace.

Within the vast Luoxian Temple, the space was packed with people, yet a deep silence prevailed.

The crowd watched as Mountain Master Luoxian lit the incense, approached the incense burner, closed his eyes, and offered his respect.

"Immortal Sheep, disciple has returned, here to keep the appointment."

"Disciple considers himself ready to challenge another realm."

"Please, Immortal Sheep, open our sect's Divine Ruins."

Lu Ran murmured in his heart, bowing toward the Immortal Temple's main hall, then inserted the incense into the burner.

"Buzz~"

The peaceful Luoxian Mountain suddenly quivered gently.

Simultaneously, a low voice echoed in Lu Ran's mind: "Here to die?"

Lu Ran: "..."

The divine voice carried a hint of teasing: "Have you sorted your affairs?"

Lu Ran remained silent for a while, then murmured: "Those two Peace Beads are all that I have to settle.

Disciple, grateful for Immortal Sheep's protection."

"Hmm, wait at the back mountain." The voice faded away.

...

At 10:20 AM, at the eastern edge of Luoxian Village, inside the Jiang household.

Lu Ran dressed in full black combat gear, wearing black combat boots, carried four slender Tang Blades across his back.

This time, the blades were arranged in an "X" shape.

The left one and two, respectively, were Xiaguang and Eight Desolate Annihilation.

The right one and two, respectively, were Silent Night and Cloud Sea Dust Cleanse.

At his waist hung a finely crafted Phoenix Pattern gourd.

Truly, fully armed!

Jiang Ruyi and Qiao Yuanxi stood beside Lu Ran, little Yuanxi still had red eyes, repeatedly giving warnings.

Next to them, Deng Yuxiang was also clad in black combat attire and boots.

On her back was a broken blade.

The "repair" Deng Yuxiang referred to did not restore the Night-slaying Great Saber to its former 2.8-meter length.

She only repaired the cracks on the broken blade.

At this time, the Night-cutting Blade's hilt was over 20 centimeters long, and the blade was about 1.1 meters long.

Both the handle and blade were slanted with preserved fractured appearance.

Deng Yutang and Bai Manni silently accompanied their sister, saying nothing.

"Buzz!!"

Heaven and earth suddenly erupted with intense energy waves.

Several people simultaneously looked eastward.

In the dense mountains and forests, a grand palace emerged majestically from the ground!

It was composed entirely of energy, resembling ancient palaces, with each brick and tile exuding a solemn vibe.

Intense pressure swept across the land, nearly suffocating all life on the mountain!

"Gulp." Deng Yutang swallowed hard, gazing up at the imposing palace.

The palace's tightly closed doors were grand enough to warrant the word "magnificent."

So... Brother Lu and his sister are about to break down the door and storm in?

How is this any different from an ant trying to shake a tree?

Last year in Beifeng City, Lord Beifeng once descended with a Divine Ruin.

In attempts to break the Divine Ruin door, one North Wind Disciple after another perished, vomiting blood, severely wounded, unconscious...

"Let's go!" Lu Ran strode out of the courtyard.

At the village entrance, dozens of meters away, the two Cheng grandfathers clasped their hands in respect, gazing at the arriving group:

"Those not from the Immortal Sheep sect, stop here."

Cheng Yi specifically clasped his hands and bowed respectfully to Jiang Ruyi, bent slightly: "Mountain Master's Lady, please stop here."

"See you." Lu Ran's gaze swept over them, smiling and nodding, indicating goodbye.

His carefree demeanor was exceptionally dashing.

Deng Yuxiang's pace didn't stop as she brushed past Cheng Li, never turning her head from start to finish.

Deng Yutang watched his sister's departing silhouette, always so beautifully vibrant.

Yet his heart felt unbearably heavy.

"Cheer up, brother! Make sure you come back safe!" Qiao Yuanxi's eyes were red and swollen as he clenched his little fists.

Jiang Ruyi embraced little Yuanxi, holding that crying face against her chest.

She gazed into Lu Ran's eyes and gently said:

"Come back soon, I'll be waiting."

"Mm, okay."

"Hiss—"

Immortal fog billowed, and Lu Ran flew backward.

...

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