Chapter 208: Ruyi

Chapter 208: Ruyi

At noon, in the Rain Alley Home Community.

Lu Ran carried his heavy backpack and entered his small bedroom.

"Thud!"

The backpack hit the ground, and the sound of clinking magic crystals filled the air once again.

Lu Ran stood before the shrine, his hands clasped together, "Divine Ram, I have returned. I've cultivated the Evil Dog Village's sculpture garden's evil dog statue to the River Realm, Fifth Stage."

Inside the shrine, the white ram jade statue remained silent, without a hint of reaction.

Lu Ran continued, "I feel like I'm about to advance soon."

After reporting his situation, the Divine Ram still did not manifest itself.

Lu Ran waited for a moment, then bowed and headed straight for the bathroom.

When Lu Ran returned to his small bedroom after a refreshing shower, he witnessed an amusing scene.

Little Fox Flower was pawing at the backpack, sticking her head inside.

This little creature had a high IQ and even knew how to unzip the bag herself?

"Meow~"

Sensing someone's presence, Little Fox Flower lifted her fluffy little head and looked at Lu Ran curiously.

"Come here," Lu Ran crouched down and waved at Little Fox Flower.

Little Fox Flower turned and ran, darting towards the door.

"Baa~"

"Meow?" The lynx flower paused, turning to look at Lu Ran.

"You really don't learn, do you?" Lu Ran watched as the lynx flower, whose will had been forcibly changed by him, quickly ran towards him.

What use was there in resisting?

"Just give in to me, hehe~"

Lu Ran extended his hands, which resembled demonic claws, and hugged Little Fox Flower close to his chest.

He didn't even bother to pet her; he just wanted to enjoy her company.

Under the control of the Divine Art of Compassionate Sound, Little Fox Flower's thoughts were focused entirely on Lu Ran, and she kept rubbing and nuzzling her owner.

Lu Ran quickly approached the shrine and sat down with a plop.

He unzipped the backpack, grabbed the bottom of it, and lifted it up, shaking it back and forth.

"Clatter~"

A pile of magic crystals spilled out, scattering across the floor.

Lu Ran looked around, feeling the surging energy in the air.

Whether he succeeded in advancing or not, before the 15th, these magic crystals must be absorbed completely.

Otherwise, Lu Ran's small home would become a target for the demon clan.

Although the Divine Ram was there to protect him, the petty demons might not dare to be too bold, but Lu Ran didn't want to cause any trouble for his deity.

"Be a good girl," Lu Ran said, sitting cross-legged in meditation with Little Fox Flower in his arms, gently stroking her, "Keep me company as I advance."

"Meow~"

Suddenly, Lu Ran thought of something and looked up at the shrine, "Oh yes, Divine Ram, during this training, I encountered a River Realm Evil Dog.

That thing was so fierce! Thank you, Divine Ram, for guiding me to activate the Evil Dog statue.

This combination of demon arts is simply amazing!"

Lu Ran spoke with a heart full of emotion.

Even a low-IQ evil dog, after acquiring the art of teleportation, could become this powerful.

Once I advance to the River Realm, Third Stage, and equip the Dark Art: Evil Shadow Flash, I'll be unstoppable!

"Once you master this art, you'll be qualified to venture into some places."

The Divine Ram's voice, as always, was low and hoarse, its words coming out of nowhere.

"Oh?" Lu Ran's heart stirred, "Where am I going?"

Lu Ran's face was filled with anticipation, but he didn't receive a response.

"Do you mean the depths of the demon cavern?"

"Yes, I've seen the Northern Wind Divine Ruin, and when a Northern Wind disciple ventured in, they disappeared without a trace, and no one knew where they were teleported to."

"Divine Ram, are you going to tell me?"

"Where exactly am I going?"

Lu Ran was exasperated!

This Divine Ram, always leaving him hanging!

After dropping a bombshell, it ran off, leaving Lu Ran at the shrine, scratching his head and rubbing his cheeks in curiosity.

"Divine Ram," Lu Ran sighed in exasperation.

If I had your ability to captivate people's hearts, wouldn't Little Ruyi be hooked and hanging on my every word?

Lu Ran sighed and tried to calm himself, gradually entering a state of cultivation.

Perhaps, the Divine Ram's words were intended to motivate him, to encourage him to work harder in his cultivation and advancement.

Two days later, at noon, a phone call interrupted Lu Ran.

Assuming it was the Divine Citizen Bureau, Lu Ran quickly went to his bed and picked up his phone.

But when he saw the caller ID, he was surprised and answered, "Chang Ying?"

"Ruan!"

Chang Ying's voice was filled with excitement.

Lu Ran immediately opened his phone and moved away from the receiver.

Chang Ying exclaimed, "I advanced! Ha! I advanced!"

Lu Ran was infected by her joy and smiled, "Congratulations?"

Chang Ying spoke rapidly, "I listened to your advice, and since returning home, I've been kneeling before the Spirit Oracle, praying."

Lu Ran nodded silently.

The Spirit Oracle, what a clever method?

After planting this seed in Chang Ying's heart, she would naturally pray to the deity with even more dedication.

Of course, these were just Lu Ran's speculations.

It could also be a coincidence that Chang Ying had a spiritual realization at this very moment.

"How about you?" Chang Ying asked, not forgetting to show concern for Lu Ran after sharing her good news.

"I..." Lu Ran hesitated, forcing out a few words, "Soon, soon."

"Huh?" Chang Ying put down her phone and looked at the screen, "I called Ruan, but why did Deng Yutang answer?"

Lu Ran hung up the phone in annoyance.

"Brrring... brrring..."

Lu Ran put down his phone and looked at the floor of his small bedroom, covered with scattered magic crystals.

At this moment, he had not yet absorbed any magic crystals.

Over the past two days, Lu Ran had been preparing.

He hadn't been cultivating day and night but instead had been eating and sleeping normally, restoring his energy.

By now, Lu Ran believed he had brought his body and mind to their peak condition.

He could absorb the magic crystals and make a final push to break through his bottleneck!

"Knock knock knock~"

Suddenly, a knocking sound startled Lu Ran.

He strode out of the small bedroom and went to open the door.

"Click."

As the security door opened, a tall and slender figure came into view.

"Wow!" Lu Ran let out a soft sigh, as if he had traveled back to last autumn.

The visitor was none other than Jiang Ruyi.

She wore the light-colored long coat from the day they parted, her pitch-black hair cascading over her shoulders.

She still maintained her pure and charming beauty.

The only difference was that she no longer had the dark red knitted scarf around her neck.

Compared to last year, Jiang Ruyi had grown taller, and her demeanor and aura were even more captivating.

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi looked at the dumbfounded Lu Ran with a smile, "Are you going to make me stand here all the time?"

Lu Ran indeed didn't invite the visitor inside but asked, "What do you mean? Are you leaving again?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruyi's heart skipped a beat.

Lu Ran's heart was as hard as stone, and he said directly, "We agreed that if you came to say goodbye to me, you wouldn't step into this house."

"Is that so?" Jiang Ruyi slightly raised her eyebrows, her playful side emerging, "Then I'll just leave?"

Lu Ran was surprised, "You really want to leave?"

Jiang Ruyi's beautiful eyes held a hint of mischief, "You really won't let me in?"

"Come in, come in." Lu Ran's face was filled with discomfort as he retreated a few steps.

Jiang Ruyi took a step forward and entered, and only then did Lu Ran notice that she was carrying a shopping bag, filled to the brim.

Lu Ran immediately took the bag from her, and inside were meat, vegetables, and other ingredients.

"What's this?" Lu Ran was curious.

However, Jiang Ruyi stood in place, looking at the slippers on the shoe rack, motionless.

Lu Ran: "..."

Women indeed have a thousand faces.

When she was with her teammates, she was a calm and collected commander, not at all like this "lively" and even playful side.

Lu Ran bent down to pick up the slippers and threw them at her feet, "You didn't come here to cook for me, did you?"

Sure enough, Jiang Ruyi was waiting for Lu Ran to get the slippers.

She took off her leather boots and put on the slippers, speaking softly, "I'm not leaving."

"Hmph." Lu Ran snorted, "Seeing you dressed like that makes me feel a little apprehensive.

It's like I'm reliving last autumn."

Listening to Lu Ran's muttering, Jiang Ruyi could sense his slight nervousness.

Unconsciously, a delighted smile appeared on the girl's face.

Regarding the phrase "a smile like a blooming flower," Lu Ran witnessed the perfect embodiment of it.

Hmm. Mainly, Jiang Ruyi carried a faint scent of jasmine, which inevitably reminded Lu Ran of that word.

"Meow?" A cat's meow came from behind Lu Ran.

Jiang Ruyi slightly tilted her head, "Long time no see, Little Fox Flower."

Her long hair flowed down, captivating Lu Ran's heart.

Little Fox Flower wasn't moved, as the automatic feeder suddenly went off! It meowed and reflexively darted towards a corner of the living room.

Jiang Ruyi took a step forward and walked past Lu Ran, "You said earlier that you were almost ready and planned to start your breakthrough tonight?"

"It's earlier than I expected. I'm all set." Lu Ran held the bag of ingredients and followed her.

"Good thing I came early." Jiang Ruyi spoke softly as she approached the small bedroom door and saw the scattered magic crystals on the floor.

She frowned slightly, "The Divine Ram is here, and you didn't even bother to clean up."

Lu Ran leaned against the doorframe, "You don't understand, this is called atmosphere."

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but shake her head and smile.

After all, this was a matter between Lu Ran and the Divine Ram. Since the Divine Ram didn't take issue with it, she didn't feel it was appropriate to say more.

The girl didn't intend to ruin this so-called "atmosphere" either.

She tiptoed and carefully made her way across the floor covered in magic crystals, step by step, until she reached the shrine.

This scene amused Lu Ran.

This silly girl actually believed it?

"Jiang Ruyi, paying respects to the Divine Ram." Jiang Ruyi clasped her hands together, her expression respectful as she bowed her head, "Forgive my intrusion."

The shrine remained silent.

Jiang Ruyi bowed once and then returned.

Seeing Lu Ran still holding the ingredients, she couldn't help but smile.

At this moment, their perceptions were very similar: both thought the other was a bit silly.

"Go and cultivate. I'll be very quiet." Jiang Ruyi reached out to take the ingredients.

"Are you going to cook me a big meal?" Lu Ran asked again, his heart fluttering.

Indeed, he had been eating canned food and drinking cold water since returning home.

Little Ruyi was so considerate!

Jiang Ruyi said, "When I was cultivating at the Jade Gate, I learned a dish."

Her words paused slightly, and she continued, "Beef and Goji Berry Soup, I'll let you try it."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Lu Ran was thrilled, and he was already hungry.

Jiang Ruyi gestured towards the small bedroom, "Go ahead, keep a calm mind."

"Okay!" Lu Ran walked into the small bedroom, kicking away the magic crystals along the way.

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Just now, you were watching me tiptoe back and forth?

Lu Ran sat down on the shrine, facing the tall figure at the door, "Don't just stand there, go and cook!"

Jiang Ruyi smiled and glared at Lu Ran.

She held the doorknob and gently closed the bedroom door.

"Click~"

Lu Ran crossed his legs and began meditating, immediately closing his eyes and entering the state.

A door separated them.

Jiang Ruyi stood silently, her eyes lowered, and her heart whispered.

May the Divine Ram bless,

May Lu Ran succeed and fulfill his wishes.

Please vote for this chapter.

Thanks to Boss Qi He for the reward!

Thanks to the cheerful Little Deer Bambi and Book Friend 20240802070556740 for rewarding the character cards of Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi! Thanks for the support, bosses!

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(End of Chapter)

Chapter end