The sun had risen high.

In the tranquil interior of Cloud Sea Residence, within the expansive bedroom, a man and woman still lay fast asleep on the bed.

"Hmm..."

Lu Ran let out a faint nasal sound and slowly opened his drowsy eyes.

It took him a while to realize where he was.

It wasn't the barren Great Desert, nor the dry, sweltering caves of the desolate mountains.

It was Cloud Sea Cliff beneath the clear blue skies, the serene and comfortable Cloud Sea Residence.

The taut nerves in Lu Ran's body gradually relaxed.

The grueling years of battle on Spirit Mountain had really taken a toll on him, nearly driving him to insanity...

Lu Ran turned his head and saw an exquisitely beautiful face.

Her peaceful sleeping expression was extraordinarily lovely.

Lu Ran even thought he was dreaming.

Even though he had reunited with Jiang Ruyi almost ten days ago, every time he opened his eyes to see her, he still felt somewhat dazed.

Since entering the mountain, he had endured endless hardships inflicted by Spirit Mountain.

Now, with heaven suddenly treating him so well, Lu Ran found the situation eerily unreal.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran suddenly noticed that her long eyelashes were gently trembling.

The steady, rhythmic sound of her breathing had also ceased.

Was she... awake but pretending to sleep?

Lu Ran grinned, leaned closer, and kissed her on her luscious lips.

"Hmm..." Jiang Ruyi couldn't keep up the act, her cheeks flushed red, and it took her a moment to escape his clutches.

Propping herself up with one hand on the bed, her jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulder, flowing downwards.

"Your hair has grown so long, it reaches your waist now." Lu Ran ran his fingers through the silky strands, smoothing them from top to bottom.

"Your hair has grown long too." Jiang Ruyi glanced at Lu Ran, speaking softly, "Shall I help you cut it?"

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran blurted out, "This is the Spirit Mountain chapter—Ran Shen exclusive skin."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Lu Ran also sat up, leaning against the headboard, jokingly adding, "The bamboo hat and bamboo clothes are part of the costume too.

My wardrobe is packed with white robes and outfits, but I haven't touched them~"

Jiang Ruyi glanced at the corner of the bedroom, where a large wardrobe stood.

Spirit Mountain was remote and desolate.

But the Cloud Sea Residence's furnishings were surprisingly complete!

A collection of wooden furniture that, while not impeccably crafted, was nonetheless presentable.

All the tables, chairs, stools, beds, and wardrobes naturally were products of "Father Xun's handiwork."

Xun Yifei, unlike others struggling to survive within Spirit Mountain, had a complete family. Thus, Father Xun's "Skill Tree" had many more branches illuminated compared to others...

Jiang Ruyi, somewhat curious, draped a robe over herself and got out of bed.

Her fair toes lightly touched the ground.

The Water Flow Armor, like an exceedingly thin and faint veil of water, nearly invisible to the naked eye, ensured her jade-like feet remained untouched by dust.

Lu Ran stared, spellbound by her graceful and ethereal silhouette, momentarily captivated.

Jiang Ruyi opened the wardrobe and, as expected, found numerous white robes in various styles.

Lu Ran snapped out of his daze, quickly explaining, "These were all items I confiscated from Tiantu Mountain."

After a brief moment of thought, Jiang Ruyi understood Lu Ran's implication.

Her fingers lightly brushed across the garments, ultimately selecting two loose white robes before turning to face Lu Ran.

"Do you want to wear these?" Lu Ran asked, "Maybe I should take them to the seaside to wash?"

The robes were already clean, but Lu Ran wanted to thoroughly wash them before putting them on.

Jiang Ruyi asked, "Don't you have other matters to attend to today?"

Lu Ran considered for a moment, then replied, "Later, I plan to meet with the Divine Seeking General, pick a location, and bring along the Ghost General Team to build a Feixian Hall within the cliff."

"Then go ahead and take care of your tasks." Jiang Ruyi examined the loose robes, imagining how they would look on Lu Ran, "Meanwhile, I'll go take a look at the sea."

Lu Ran hesitated briefly before suddenly calling out, "Evil Shadow."

"Master." Yan Shuangzi appeared silently.

Jiang Ruyi's fingers clutched the robes tightly for a moment, her movements slightly stiff.

Yan Shuangzi had never left?

No, she wouldn't disobey Lu Ran's orders.

Surely, she had come again after the night had passed.

Jiang Ruyi pressed her lips together, trying to comfort herself.

Lu Ran said, "Could you help me wash those two robes?"

"Yes." Yan Shuangzi approached Jiang Ruyi, reaching out to take the two garments.

Still lost in thought, Jiang Ruyi didn't release them, prompting Yan Shuangzi to softly inquire, "Lady?"

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi looked at the woman with sunken eyes.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruyi's gaze became somewhat complex.

"Lady, please hand them over." Yan Shuangzi gently requested.

"Thank you." Jiang Ruyi softly replied, releasing the robes.

Yan Shuangzi bowed slightly and disappeared in a flash.

Turning to look at Lu Ran, Jiang Ruyi's expression became playful.

Lu Ran, meanwhile, displayed a face of innocent compliance, saying, "It's for the Feixian Hall being dedicated to you—we'll pick the site together."

Jiang Ruyi suddenly recalled something, her gaze turning wistful: "Master?"

Last night, the Evil Shadow Guardian had referred to him the same way.

At the time, Jiang Ruyi, overwhelmed with shyness, hadn't thought deeply about it.

"Don't even mention it." Lu Ran sighed, appearing helpless, "I corrected her countless times, but she's stubborn to the core.

When people are around, she occasionally calls me 'Sect Leader'. But even then, she doesn't always get it right.

Her protector codename—it was me who forcibly changed it; initially, she insisted on calling herself Evil Dog..."

Not able to change?

Taking a step back—even if she modifies her words superficially, it's all just surface compliance.

Jiang Ruyi shook her head. She only knew bits and pieces of Yan Shuangzi's story.

Her curiosity deepened regarding this woman, whose Dao Heart had supposedly been reshaped, prompting her to say, "You go choose the site yourself and summon Nightmare to me—I'll be waiting for her in the study."

Lu Ran: "..."

Seeing his wounded, pitiful expression, Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile faintly: "Go now, I'll chat with Nightmare one-on-one. Maybe I'll even give her the Seven Stars Saber."

As she spoke, Jiang Ruyi walked over to the bedside, rare initiative guiding her movements as she leaned down, cupped his cheeks in her hands, and kissed him lightly.

"Alright then." Lu Ran pouted, hastily throwing on some clothes before flashing away.

As his figure vanished, Jiang Ruyi chuckled helplessly.

Both Yan Shuangzi and Lu Ran were mysterious in their comings and goings, making it genuinely difficult for her to adjust.

Calming her mind, she settled at the writing desk in the study, kneeling down as she focused on the ornate Seven Stars Saber atop the desk, drifting into reverie.

"Knock knock knock~"

The door to Cloud Sea Residence suddenly came alive with the sound of knocking.

"Study." Jiang Ruyi spoke softly.

She knew that Deng Yuxiang, as the Night Charm Evil Sculpture, would surely hear her.

Indeed, Deng Yuxiang pushed the door open, entering the residence with her right turn bringing her to the study doorway. As she gazed at the serene woman seated behind the desk, she respectfully said, "Lady."

"Sister Yuxiang." Jiang Ruyi lifted her lashes, her smile warm as she looked at her visitor.

Deng Yuxiang raised her brow slightly, an almost imperceptible gesture.

That term—seldom heard from Jiang Ruyi's lips.

Even more astonishing was Jiang Ruyi's next sentence: "Privately, just call me Ruyi."

Deng Yuxiang paused momentarily before nodding gently.

It was a sign of reconciliation.

Though somewhat lofty in nature.

Having grasped Lu Ran's abilities and grand aspirations, Jiang Ruyi had clearly undergone a transformation.

Lu Ran needed loyal allies and, even more importantly, a united team.

Jiang Ruyi, generously letting go of past grudges with Deng Yuxiang, was resolved to bury their bygone disputes.

Deng Yuxiang intuitively understood: The newfound recognition and aspirations of the Lady of Luoxian Mountain were now elevated enough to step into the mantle of the Ran Sect Sect Leader's wife.

"Sit." Jiang Ruyi invited.

Deng Yuxiang stepped forward and knelt before the desk.

"You've safeguarded him well." Jiang Ruyi murmured.

Deng Yuxiang removed her bamboo hat, recalling Jiang Ruyi's instructions from their time in the Human World: "Protect him well."

And the unceremonious words that had haunted Deng Yuxiang's mind ever since—You owe him.

Deng Yuxiang shook her head slightly, her voice low: "He's been the one protecting me."

"As long as you're alive." Jiang Ruyi didn't delve further, instead picking up the short blade on the desk and handing it to the woman across from her.

"This is?"

"Your Night-cutting Blade has already ranked as a Divine Weapon. Consider nurturing another one now." Jiang Ruyi spoke softly.

"Understood." Deng Yuxiang accepted the Seven Stars Saber, her fingers brushing lightly along the blade's surface.

"Sister Yuxiang, tell me about your journey into the mountain." Jiang Ruyi asked gently.

Deng Yuxiang: "Little Lu Ran hasn't told you?"

Jiang Ruyi smiled: "You know how he is—always worried about making others anxious, narrating events as if they're insignificant.

I'd like to hear your account."

Deng Yuxiang chuckled, Lu Ran's image surfacing in her mind: "Alright."

Meanwhile, on the north side of the cliff...

Lu Ran, accompanied by the Divine Seeking General, the Feixian Hall trio, and Jing Hong's Ghost General Team, had finally chosen a site.

"Let's settle here." Lu Ran stood amidst tall, flourishing woods, surveying the surroundings, "Oh, Divine Seeking General, the scale of this Feixian Hall should be larger than the Council Hall."

"In the future, this hall will be used for displaying the Stone Sculpture."

Xun Yifei appeared thoughtful, nodding: "Understood."

Lu Ran turned to Song Yu and the others: "You guys, follow Divine Seeking General's instructions and collaborate to complete the hall."

The group voiced their agreement in unison.

"I won't get in your way." Lu Ran gave Xun Yifei's shoulder a friendly pat and vanished in a flicker.

Moments later, he was standing on the east side of the sea cliff, gazing out at the boundless ocean.

"Something good is going to happen?"

Lu Ran murmured softly, anticipation rising within him.

Earlier, while gathering the construction team in the Council Hall, Old Master Bai Yanhui had informed him of this.

This left Lu Ran somewhat surprised.

In a place like Spirit Mountain, could anything positive truly occur?

For the people here to just make it safely through a day—that would already count as a blessing, wouldn't it?

"Tch." Lu Ran clicked his tongue, habitually sitting at the edge of the cliff, legs dangling over the abyss.

Jiang Ruyi had explicitly declared that she wanted to converse privately with Deng Yuxiang, leaving Lu Ran currently "homeless"...

He swung his legs idly, closed his eyes, and entered cultivation mode.

Before long, Lu Ran faintly heard footsteps approaching from behind him.

"Hmm?"

Lu Ran turned his head to see the Two Birds of the West Desolation.

"Apologies for disturbing you, Sect Leader."

"Sect Leader!" The two promptly halted and addressed him respectfully, keeping their distance.

Lu Ran smiled and said, "Are you settling in alright?"

Noticing that Lu Ran wasn't reprimanding them, Gao Yunyan stepped forward: "It's been almost two years since I came to Spirit Mountain, and I've never slept so soundly."

Compared to the harsh conditions of the northwest desert, Cloud Sea Cliff felt like paradise.

For Gao Yunyan, however, much of that "comfort" was likely psychological.

"Glad to hear it." Lu Ran turned back to gaze at the sea, "After facing the desert winds and sands for so long, if you want to go swim or bathe, feel free to enjoy yourself.

This sea area has already been claimed by our Ran Sect."

Gao Yunyan and Xue Fengchen exchanged looks, reading a trace of astonishment in each other's eyes.

Truthfully, when the two first arrived at Cloud Sea Cliff yesterday and saw Lu Ran situating his base by the sea, they'd been utterly shocked!

Ten Thousand Blade Mountain was undoubtedly perilous.

But the ocean... it was no less menacing, was it?

Now, hearing Lu Sect Leader's words and observing his calm demeanor...

This sea area—is already under your control?!

"It seems you both have quite a lot to say to me?" Lu Ran suddenly spoke, still gazing at the ocean without turning around.

The two stepped forward, Gao Yunyan pinching Xue Fengchen's arm midway.

Xue Fengchen winced but continued, stopping a few meters behind Lu Ran, his bold, familiar image etched in their minds as he said in a deep voice:

"Sect Leader, we have many questions—would you be able to..."

To their surprise, Lu Ran was unusually approachable, casually replying: "We're brothers, right? Ask away~"

...

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