Chapter 153: Northern Tea House

Chapter 153: Northern Tea House

In the southern part of Boreas City, there was a tea house named Northern Tea House.

On the second floor, in a private room filled with ancient charm, three individuals, two men and a woman, sat at a table.

On the table was a pot of Pu'er tea, its rich aroma filling the air, accompanied by several small plates of dried fruits, pastries, and sweets.

"Crunch, crunch," came the sound of someone eating sunflower seeds.

Si Xianxian sat by the window, holding a handful of sunflower seeds, cracking and munching on them while gazing out the window.

The view from this spot was truly excellent, offering a glimpse of the bustling market streets below.

"Where is Lu Ran from?" Yan Suangzi asked as she picked up the teapot and poured tea for the two of them.

"He's from the Wu Lie River region," Lu Ran replied, his hand resting beside the teacup as he spoke softly, "Just call me Lu Ran."

Yan Suangzi slightly raised her eyes to look at Lu Ran.

Previously, on the martial arena, Lu Ran had displayed a valiant and ferocious side, even to the point of being overbearing.

His face had been grim as he relentlessly approached Bu Qingfeng, who was on the verge of begging for mercy and retreating. Yan Suangzi vividly recalled that scene.

But now, seeing Lu Ran's gentle and soft-spoken demeanor, he seemed like a completely different person.

"The Wu Lie River," Yan Suangzi set down the teapot and said softly, "It is indeed a place that produces exceptional talents."

Lu Ran lifted the teacup and said, "In this world of constant warfare, talents emerge from all corners.

It's not so much about the region, but rather the times that shape them."

Yan Suangzi smiled and sighed, "I have a close friend who is also from the Wu Lie River. Like you, she is exceptionally talented and a formidable warrior.

Unfortunately, she had her heart set on returning to her hometown and didn't stay here in Boreas City with me."

Lu Ran nodded in agreement and said, "I believe your friend and I are of the same kind."

Yan Suangzi raised her eyebrows slightly and asked, "Will you also choose to return to your hometown in the future, Lu Ran?"

Lu Ran picked up a date from the plate and said softly, "Definitely."

His tone and choice of words conveyed absolute certainty.

Yan Suangzi had just witnessed Lu Ran's terrifying strength and extraordinary talent.

Such an exceptional individual, instead of staying in the vicinity of the deity they revered to further their cultivation and rise step by step, or seeking development in the prosperous city under the deity's feet, had chosen to guard their hometown.

"Heh," Yan Suangzi took a sip of tea, and a hint of reminiscence flashed in her eyes, "Indeed, we are of the same kind.

I remember her saying that her hometown had no value, it was old and small.

So small that there wouldn't even be a second-rank deity's follower to protect it.

That's why she decided to return."

Lu Ran paused as he was picking up a date.

Yan Suangzi noticed this and asked, "What is it?"

Lu Ran's heart stirred slightly, "What's the name of your friend's hometown?"

Yan Suangzi: "Rain Alley City."

Si Xianxian, who was sitting beside them, suddenly turned her head to look at Lu Ran.

Yan Suangzi had a vague sense of what was going on and asked, "Where is your hometown, Lu Ran?"

Lu Ran replied directly, "Is your friend's name Deng Yuxiang?"

Yan Suangzi's eyes widened slightly, and after a moment, she couldn't help but laugh in surprise, "What a small world, do you know her?"

Lu Ran: "..."

I don't know her!

Even if she turned to ashes, I might not be able to recognize her.

After all, cremated ashes don't have the fragrance of camellia flowers.

Yan Suangzi continued, "You're right, Rain Alley City is so small, it's no wonder you two would know each other."

"It's more than just knowing each other," Lu Ran sighed, "I've been in her team, fighting together through several Night of the Fifteenth Moon."

Yan Suangzi studied Lu Ran, "Since you're comrades in arms, you must be close?"

Lu Ran nodded, "I call her 'sister,' not the kind of 'sister' you call a colleague."

"Oh?" Yan Suangzi thought for a moment, then stood up and walked to the coat rack. She reached into the pocket of her long robe and took out a phone.

The call connected quickly, and a woman's voice came through, "Yan Suangzi?"

Yan Suangzi: "Are you busy?"

"The team doesn't have any missions at the moment, I'm practicing at home, not busy."

"Mhm," Yan Suangzi looked up at Lu Ran, "Guess who I met here in Boreas City?"

Deng Yuxiang laughed lightly, "How should I know?"

"Your brother."

"My brother?" Deng Yuxiang sounded puzzled, "My brother said he was going to Misty Spirit Mountain this month, how did he end up in Boreas City?"

"Not your biological brother," Yan Suangzi smiled.

The temperature in the room seemed to rise slightly.

Deng Yuxiang immediately asked, "Lu Ran?"

"Lu Ran?" Yan Suangzi looked at the young man across the table with great interest, "This brother of yours, he's quite something, isn't he?"

"Haha~" Deng Yuxiang burst into laughter, "How did he end up in Boreas City?

From your tone, it sounds like he's caused some trouble."

Yan Suangzi picked up a raisin and said casually, "As soon as he arrived, he defeated the guards of Boreas City, leaving them in disarray and retreating in defeat."

On the other end of the call, Deng Yuxiang was surprised, "What? Give him the phone!"

Yan Suangzi's smile grew wider, and she handed the phone to Lu Ran.

"Sister?" Lu Ran reluctantly took the phone.

"Are you injured?" Deng Yuxiang asked.

Lu Ran's heart warmed at these words.

"No, don't listen to your friend's nonsense," Lu Ran explained, "I was sparring with that person in the martial arena, I didn't cause any trouble."

Upon hearing this, Deng Yuxiang felt relieved, but then she frowned, "Did he provoke you?"

Lu Ran pouted, "I just shouted at the city gate!

And he's been keeping an eye on me ever since, lecturing me about disrespecting the deity. How could I let him get away with that?"

"Mhm," Deng Yuxiang murmured in agreement.

"What's your situation now? Are you detained?"

"No, I told you, we were sparring in the martial arena, I didn't cause any trouble.

Lu Ran sighed helplessly, "After it ended, Miss Yan Suangzi invited me for tea."

Deng Yuxiang speculated, "I guess you performed too astonishingly, and they want to interrogate you. Give the phone to Suangzi."

Lu Ran passed his phone over.

"Speakerphone is fine," Yan Suangzi gestured for Lu Ran to place the phone on the table.

Deng Yuxiang asked, "Who's the one picking a fight?"

Yan Suangzi was indeed very impressed!

She had accurately gauged the closeness of their relationship, and after hearing Lu Ran's side of the story, Deng Yuxiang had already made up her mind about the situation.

Yan Suangzi explained, "It's a new junior brother you don't know. I have him kneeling in the Martial Arena."

"But it's just a friendly sparring match, why is there a punishment?"

Yan Suangzi coldly humphed, "A River Realm believer was utterly defeated by a Stream Realm believer."

"Hmm." Deng Yuxiang spoke softly, "Let him kneel for a few more days."

"Okay," Yan Suangzi agreed casually, playing with her teacup, "When will you come back to visit?"

However, Deng Yuxiang said, "Suangzi, take care of Lu Ran, don't let him be bullied again. After this incident, many Northwind disciples will likely harbor resentment towards him."

Yan Suangzi was already displeased, "Are you asking for help or giving orders?"

Deng Yuxiang suddenly smiled, "Little girl, do you need a lesson?"

Yan Suangzi quickly reached out, picked up the phone from the table, and turned off the speakerphone.

Si Xianxian even stopped eating sunflower seeds, looking at Yan Suangzi in surprise.

Yan Suangzi was undoubtedly very dominant and haughty.

However, at this moment, her face was slightly red, and she was speaking to the person on the other side] with a slightly reproachful tone.

Huh?

Across the table, Lu Ran silently held his teacup without saying a word.

Wow, truly a Nightmare!

No matter how strong the other party was, Nightmare was still the more formidable one.

After a while, Yan Suangzi finally hung up the phone and looked up at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran pretended not to notice and continued eating his happy fruit.

Believe it or not, they were quite delicious~

Yan Suangzi put down her phone and said, "Your sister asked me to take care of you."

"No need to trouble yourself, Miss Yan. You focus on your own matters." Lu Ran quickly replied, "My teammates and I will be heading into the Demon Dungeon soon."

Yan Suangzi thought for a moment, "You're at the Fifth Stage of the Stream Realm."

"Yes."

"At this stage, entering the Demon Dungeon for training won't benefit you much."

"Hmm," Lu Ran paused slightly.

Strictly speaking, at this unique stage, no matter what Lu Ran did, it wouldn't be of much help to him.

After all, no one knew where the 'flash of inspiration' came from or when it would strike.

Yan Suangzi spoke softly, "Since you've come all this way, why not stay in the city for a few days? We can exchange saber techniques, which will definitely benefit your martial arts."

"Huh?" Lu Ran looked at Yan Suangzi, "You want to teach me? But I'm not a Northwind believer, wouldn't that be against the rules?"

Yan Suangzi was undoubtedly a high-ranking 'Inner Sect Disciple', and receiving her personal guidance was indeed a stroke of good luck! Such individuals lived in the shadow of deities and often received their guidance!

Lu Ran, of course, wouldn't arrogantly think that his saber skills surpassed Yan Suangzi's.

Even Deng Yuxiang probably wouldn't dare to make such a claim!

"Lord Northwind is magnanimous, and all saber practitioners in the world can come to Northwind City to cultivate." Yan Suangzi explained, "However, we prioritize our own disciples."

It was undeniable that Lu Ran was very tempted.

Yan Suangzi smiled, "Moreover, you're also very strong. Exchanging techniques with you would be beneficial for me as well."

"Miss Yan, you're too humble," Lu Ran said.

Yan Suangzi continued, "It's a pity that you're not a Northwind believer. If you could devote yourself to the saber, you might be able to comprehend the path to advancement while understanding the saber."

Her tone, in Lu Ran's ears, didn't sound like regret.

Instead, it seemed like a form of guidance? Just as Lu Ran was pondering this, Si Xianxian suddenly spoke up, "We're not going to the Demon Dungeon?"

Only then did Lu Ran realize that there was another living person sitting next to him!

"That's great!" Si Xianxian's face lit up with excitement, "Can I stay and play in the city?"

After a moment of silence, Lu Ran replied, "You can, but you can't go shopping or sightseeing alone. I must accompany you."

"Great!" Si Xianxian happily accepted, turning her head to look out the window and continuing to eat sunflower seeds, "It's comfortable to have someone pay for shopping~"

Lu Ran: '.'

Yan Suangzi was quite surprised, her gaze shifting back and forth between the couple.

She was well aware that the girl was a Blazing Heaven Follower.

She had also witnessed how Lu Ran repeatedly calmed the girl's fiery temper on the Martial Arena.

Yan Suangzi couldn't understand why such an irritable Blazing Heaven Follower would be so well-behaved in Lu Ran's presence.

Lu Ran noticed her gaze and reached out to pick up the teapot, pouring tea for Yan Suangzi:

"Thank you for your guidance during these upcoming days."

"Hmm," Yan Suangzi rested her chin on her hand, smiling warmly at the polite Lu Ran.

From their first encounter until now, Lu Ran had given her the impression of being a collection of contradictions.

He was an extremely unique and mysterious individual, sparking intense curiosity.

Yan Suangzi picked up her teacup and accepted Lu Ran's tea offering:

"Since Lu Ran is so strong, why did he become a Celestial Ram Follower?"

"That's a long story."

"It's still early, and we can refill the tea."

Suddenly, Si Xianxian blurted out, "Can I have some sunflower seeds too?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end