Chapter 159: Flame Master

Chapter 159: Flame Master

Deng Yuxiang's advancement caused quite a stir.

Soon, several Divine Enforcers appeared on the banks of the Wu Lie River.

When they saw that it was their "superior," Deng Yuxiang, advancing, everyone was overjoyed and amazed! After all, Deng Yuxiang was only twenty years old!

Had she just broken through the Fifth Stage, a stage that had buried countless heroes?

Some praised, some envied, and some were driven mad with jealousy.

Regardless of their emotions, they could only transform into one—reverence!

The vast river surged with overwhelming might!

A Human Grandmaster was not someone that ants could dare to envy or speak ill of.

Besides respect and reverence, you shouldn't have any other emotions.

Thus, the crowd that had come to investigate the situation quickly dispersed, providing protection and escort for Deng Yuxiang.

Lu Ran shouldn't have been here.

A man immediately approached Lu Ran and spoke in a low voice, "Apologies, Ms. Deng is advancing here, and she needs a quiet environment. I'll take you away from here first."

From a distance, Deng Yuxiang's faint voice carried over, "My people."

Man: "..."

Lu Ran: "..."

The Divine Enforcer paused for a moment before nodding at Lu Ran and quickly leaving.

On the terrace, only a pair of young men and women remained.

Lu Ran thought for a moment before speaking, "Focus on your advancement. I'll be here for you."

This sitting session lasted for two days and two nights!

It was clear that advancing to the River Realm was not an easy feat.

Finally, on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, at dawn, Deng Yuxiang showed signs of breaking through!

By then, Lu Ran was both tired and hungry, barely able to hold on.

As he desperately tried to stay awake, devouring the divine energy between heaven and earth, he suddenly felt someone competing with him for it!

Well, Lu Ran was the one who had been stealing the energy.

It was just that Deng Yuxiang had been ignoring him, allowing him to benefit from her advancement.

Now, as Deng Yuxiang reached her final breakthrough, she could no longer pay attention to Lu Ran.

"Huff!"

The wind howled, and frost and snow filled the air.

Lu Ran became fully alert.

He widened his eyes, gazing at the goddess statue amidst the wind and snow, eagerly awaiting the moment she would open her eyes.

What brilliance would those already bright eyes reveal?

"Hmm?"

Deng Yuxiang emitted a soft nasal sound, her figure completely shrouded by the snow and mist.

Even with Lu Ran's Dark Art: Evil Perception activated, he could only vaguely make out her silhouette.

Lu Ran silently watched, offering his blessings.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, an unprecedented surge of intense energy erupted.

The raging wind pushed Lu Ran back, pinning him against the terrace railing.

In front of a River Realm Powerhouse, everything else seemed insignificant.

"Huh!"

Lu Ran shielded his face with one hand, peering through the gaps between his fingers at the towering figure.

The gale gradually subsided, and the frosty snowflakes fell gently.

Fortunately, the sky was clear, and a warm sun began to rise.

The sunlight pierced through the snow and mist, casting a golden glow on the woman's body, and the celestial mist gradually dissipated, revealing Lu Ran's vision.

He saw what he had longed for—her slowly opening eyes and the dazzling brilliance in her gaze.

"Thank you," Deng Yuxiang said to Lu Ran.

"Huh?" Lu Ran stared at the goddess statue, its divinity still lingering, filled with admiration.

When would he be able to advance to the River Realm?

"No one knows when or where the moment of enlightenment will strike," Deng Yuxiang said, her feet seemingly wrapped in wind as she slowly floated towards Lu Ran.

Lu Ran couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.

So, she had become a River Realm Powerhouse?

She didn't even need to walk anymore.

"Your guidance has saved me from years of wandering," Deng Yuxiang said, landing in front of Lu Ran.

She lowered her head, looking at Lu Ran leaning against the railing, and a faint smile appeared on her face.

The smile was subtle but beautiful, especially in the warm sunlight, making her even more enchanting.

"So," Lu Ran pretended to think for a moment, "from now on, we'll go our separate ways? You call me Sister, and I'll call you Teacher?"

Deng Yuxiang's smile gradually faded as she bowed her head and silently stared at Lu Ran.

"No, Sister!" Lu Ran was startled by her expression, "If you don't want to call me that, you don't have to, but you can't hit me!

I'm just a small fry; I can't handle your teasing."

Deng Yuxiang had just advanced, and her divinity was palpable.

Having reached the River Realm, her temperament and aura had significantly improved.

With all these factors combined, if she didn't smile, it would undoubtedly make Lu Ran feel an intense sense of oppression!

"You indeed have the qualifications," Deng Yuxiang said softly.

She wasn't angry; she was just deep in thought.

If Lu Ran hadn't taken her to see the Wu Lie River and shared his insights, Deng Yuxiang couldn't imagine how long she would have been stuck at the Fifth Stage of the River Realm—three or four years, or even ten or eight years.

"No need, no need, I was just saying," Lu Ran waved his hands, "That thing, you should move back a bit, don't stand so close to me."

Deng Yuxiang furrowed her brows slightly, "What's wrong?"

Lu Ran put on an innocent look, "Your aura is overwhelming me."

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

She obediently took two steps back, then turned south and walked to the stone railing, gazing at the flowing Wu Lie River.

"I like what you said," Deng Yuxiang murmured, "What Northwind City can offer, my hometown can too."

Lu Ran stood up, "I knew it, my hometown would be worried that we would abandon it.

It will take good care of us."

Deng Yuxiang gazed at the river, continuing, "Since you and I have chosen this path, the deeper we delve into our cultivation, the further back we must trace."

Lu Ran: "Hmm?"

Deng Yuxiang sighed, "My moment of enlightenment wasn't just a glance at the Wuli River. It was through your insights that I recalled the countless times I've seen this river throughout my life, every spring, summer, autumn, and winter."

Lu Ran nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, their feelings for their hometown were shared.

"Is this concept correct, Teacher Lu?" Deng Yuxiang suddenly turned her head and smiled at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and decided to take the compliment: "Change it to 'Flame Master' instead."

"Oh?" Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran with interest, "Why?"

Lu Ran shrugged but didn't speak.

However, in his heart, he added, "In the future, when you call me 'Flame God,' it will sound more natural."

"Little Deng?" A man's soft voice called out from the hallway.

Deng Yuxiang turned her head and smiled, nodding slightly.

"Haha!" After receiving permission, Sun Zhengfang burst into laughter and strode onto the terrace.

He was beaming with joy, unable to close his mouth, "Congratulations, Little Deng! You've advanced to the River Basin Realm!"

A large group of people followed behind Sun Zhengfang, including the Wei brothers, who congratulated Deng Yuxiang.

Deng Yuxiang politely nodded in response, then suddenly gestured to Lu Ran beside her, saying, "He's the one who guided me and led me into the River Basin Realm."

The terrace fell silent for a moment.

Everyone turned to look at Lu Ran, their expressions filled with curiosity. Deng Yuxiang was clearly not one to lie.

Moreover, she was now a powerhouse in the River Basin Realm, and her words could be considered 'golden words.'

But what she said...

Lu Ran's gaze was fixed on Deng Yuxiang.

Deng Yuxiang's smile deepened, her eyes unwavering as she teased Lu Ran.

"Haha, it has to be Little Lu!" Sun Zhengfang broke the silence, "I knew you were an unusual and powerful one!

Little Lu, I've been stuck at the Fifth Stage of the River Realm for over twenty years!

Can you give me some guidance?"

Lu Ran: "..."

I don't think that's necessary.

You've been stuck for over twenty years; shouldn't you be used to it by now?

"Little Lu?" Sun Zhengfang quickly stepped forward.

"Don't listen to my sister's nonsense," Lu Ran waved his hands, "I'm just a rookie in the River Realm.

How could I possibly guide the peak master of the River Realm?"

"You're being humble, aren't you?" Sun Zhengfang patted Lu Ran's shoulder, "Although you're in the River Realm, you..."

He paused, "You advanced to the River Realm?"

Lu Ran quietly took out a plastic bag, "Yes, I was sparring with my sister, and I wanted to turn her into a little lamb.

But she advanced again! Now I can't hear her bleating."

"Hmph," Deng Yuxiang suddenly floated forward.

It's unclear if Sun Zhengfang had sharp eyes or if he was forced to back down by an overwhelming aura.

In any case, Captain Sun retreated decisively.

Lu Ran also retreated but couldn't escape.

"You just said you wanted to turn me into something?" Deng Yuxiang adjusted Lu Ran's collar, seemingly nonchalantly, "Do you want to hear me call out?"

Lu Ran's face stiffened, "No, no, I... Hey? Hey?"

With a whoosh, Deng Yuxiang suddenly lifted Lu Ran's collar and threw him off the seventh-level terrace.

The crowd's expressions changed, surprised by this sudden turn of events.

Deng Yuxiang calmly picked up Lu Ran's fallen twin blades, "His stomach has been growling for two days. I'm taking him to breakfast.

Later, I'll send him to school for the final exam."

As she spoke, Lu Ran had already reached the highest point and began to fall in a parabolic trajectory.

Sun Zhengfang grew anxious, not caring whether Deng Yuxiang had advanced to the River Basin Realm, "Go! Hurry!"

"Whoosh!"

Deng Yuxiang's feet were wrapped in wind as she flew out of the terrace, heading towards the distant Lu Ran.

"How am I supposed to manage this in the future?" Sun Zhengfang sighed.

Wei Long: "Captain Sun, Little Deng has reached the River Basin Realm and will likely take up residence in the city center.

From now on, she won't be part of our team."

"That's true," Sun Zhengfang gazed into the distance, watching as Deng Yuxiang caught Lu Ran.

As the young man and woman flew further away, a smile gradually appeared on Sun Zhengfang's face.

In every generation, there are a few who stand out and turn the tide.

And in this small Rain Alley City, two such individuals emerged, both growing up under Sun Zhengfang's watchful eye.

Just like now, they flew further and further away under his gaze.

Fact proved: distance creates beauty.

Sun Zhengfang didn't know that the two towering figures in his eyes were arguing.

"You've indeed grown," Deng Yuxiang looked down at someone, "I threw you so high and far, and you're not afraid anymore."

Lu Ran wasn't afraid, partly due to his absolute trust in Deng Yuxiang.

But fundamentally, it was because of Lu Ran's formidable strength!

He couldn't be killed by a fall.

He had already mastered the Dark Art: Night Dance of the City!

Of course, if Lu Ran dared to use it in broad daylight, his death wouldn't be far off.

Lu Ran hummed, "I don't believe you'll let me fall to the ground. Hey?"

Before he could finish, Deng Yuxiang suddenly released her embrace.

Lu Ran was startled and quickly hugged her arm.

"Hahaha!" Deng Yuxiang couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Lu Ran was stunned.

As a renowned master of the River Realm, was he not concerned about his reputation?

As a master of the River Basin Realm, could you not be more composed?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end