Chapter 248: The Wooden Tower Under the Moon

Chapter 248: The Wooden Tower Under the Moon

One week later, in the village.

Standing on the second-floor balcony of a stilt house, Lu Ran leaned against the wooden railing, gazing up at the full moon in the night sky.

Unlike other demon caves, the inns within Ghost Moon Mountain were not stone lodges but exquisite wooden towers.

Lu Ran's eyes held a distant look, as if he were immersed in his own world.

For seven whole days, he still couldn't shake off the special feeling that had taken hold of him.

The ice-blue eyes of the Moonlit Fox, especially those crescent-shaped pupils...

The aftereffects were a bit too strong.

In a sense, the Moon Chasing Eye Technique could be considered a dream co-created by the caster and the victim, a shared illusion.

The caster provides the foundation and the initial trigger for the illusion.

However, the way the illusion unfolds is largely dependent on the inner world and desires of the affected person.

Whether it's a graceful young man, a captivating beauty, a charming talent, or a seductive companion...

The White Fox has every fantasy you could desire.

Of course, it doesn't have to be just one.

With three thousand choices, you can take three thousand scoops and gulp them all down.

Lu Ran never imagined that in the world of eye techniques, the Moonlit Fox would appear in the form of Jiang Ruyi.

Now, as he thought about it, he didn't even know when her eyes had transformed into a pair of beautiful and peculiar fox eyes.

It was a subtle infiltration, stealing the sky and replacing it without him even noticing.

"Sigh," Lu Ran heaved a deep sigh, a bitter smile crossing his face.

After being affected by the Moon Chasing Eye Technique once, he discovered a problem.

Every time he ventured into the mountains for training, every white fox he saw, every crescent pupil he encountered, reminded him of her eyes.

"I'm going crazy," Lu Ran muttered, covering his eyes and rubbing them vigorously.

"Brother Lu?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran turned his head and saw Deng Yutang stepping out of the hall and onto the balcony.

Deng Yutang approached the wooden railing and looked up at a window on the third floor, "Sister Jiang is about to succeed in her promotion, right?"

Dense white mist swirled around the window, and the energy fluctuations were intense.

Obviously, Jiang Ruyi was at a critical moment in her promotion.

Over the past seven days, everyone had gathered enough demon crystals, and Jiang Ruyi had made thorough preparations. Today was the day to reap the rewards.

"It's almost time," Lu Ran said casually.

Deng Yutang withdrew his gaze and looked at Lu Ran, smiling, "You're still worried?"

Lu Ran gazed at the bright moon in the night sky, and his tone carried a hint of melancholy, "The Red Flag Young Master has such strong willpower, how could he possibly understand the love poison cast by the White Fox?"

Deng Yutang: "..."

He didn't know how to comfort Lu Ran or how to help him out of this predicament.

After a long silence, Deng Yutang suddenly spoke up, "How about I give it a try?"

The Red Flag Divine Technique · Red Flag Spirit required the active initiation of Red Flag followers, which meant Deng Yutang could also be affected by it.

Lu Ran's expression turned hesitant. As someone who had experienced it, he wanted to advise Deng Yutang against it.

But Deng Yutang was a warrior, and if he wanted to understand his opponent, Lu Ran couldn't stop him.

After some thought, Lu Ran said, "Be careful.

You have precision defense divine arts, so it's not easy for you to be affected. There's no need to force yourself to endure unnecessary suffering."

Precision defense techniques often have a unique characteristic—cross-tier defense!

For example, Deng Yutang is a River Realm follower, and his divine art is also of the River Grade.

Even if a River Realm · Moonlit Fox were to appear and use the eye technique on him, it would be difficult for Deng Yutang to be affected.

Only when crossing another major realm and encountering a Sea Realm · Moonlit Fox would he be able to feed Deng Yutang a taste of the love poison.

"I just want to experience it and see what it is that has made you so despondent," Deng Yutang said, then suddenly looked up.

In a room on the third floor, gusts of wind surged, and the sound of furniture moving could be heard.

Had Miss Jiang succeeded in her promotion?

Lu Ran's mood finally improved a bit, and he looked up quietly.

After a while, she still didn't appear at the window.

Hmm... Perhaps she was practicing her new divine art.

Jade Talisman followers, when they reach the third stage of the River Realm, are compatible with a technique called "Golden Jade Eight Symbols."

This is a proper defensive technique. Once activated, eight white jade talismans will surround the user.

Moreover, each white jade talisman will be enveloped in a faint golden light.

The Golden Jade Talismans possess considerable defensive capabilities.

Each time they are struck, they emit a unique sound, like the ringing of a bell or the striking of a chime.

Hence, this technique is also known as "Golden Jade Striking."

It's worth mentioning that the River Grade · Golden Jade Eight Symbols are not controlled by the user's will but defend autonomously.

Only when this technique is promoted to the Jiang Rank can the caster cancel the automation and control the Golden Jade Talismans themselves.

At that point, the palm-sized Golden Jade Talismans can also expand in size according to the user's intentions, providing a broader defense and the ability to destroy buildings, crush enemies, and more.

Jade Talisman followers are indeed worthy of their reputation as "late-stage experts."

The more they advance in their cultivation, the more astonishing the effects and power of their divine arts become.

"There's nothing to experience," Lu Ran said, having waited for Jiang Ruyi for a while. "You also know the uniqueness of the Moon Chasing Eye Technique.

The illusions that the White Fox plants in people's minds are all custom-made.

You won't understand what I've been through."

"Hmm." Deng Yutang sighed inwardly, leaning against the railing, "You never told us what you've been through."

Lu Ran remained silent, as usual, not responding.

He could feel Deng Yutang's concern.

Over the past few days, Deng Yutang had shown various signs of concern, all of which Lu Ran had noticed.

This included his current companionship and Deng Yutang's clear indication that he wanted to try the Eye Technique.

What a good brother!

Lu Ran lifted his head and murmured, "What have I been through..."

Deng Yutang suddenly became alert; he hadn't expected Lu Ran to open up.

Everyone was concerned about Lu Ran, and they had all asked him about it, but even Jiang Ruyi couldn't get a straight answer.

Lu Ran: "Her."

Deng Yutang: "What?"

Lu Ran slightly raised his head, indicating a window on the third floor: "Her."

Deng Yutang looked up and just happened to see Jiang Ruyi's figure appearing at the window, smiling at the two of them on the corridor.

Deng Yutang's expression was a bit odd.

So, you experienced her?

Such an answer was truly unexpected, and Deng Yutang couldn't help but smile when he realized it.

In the blink of an eye, the figure at the window disappeared.

Deng Yutang pushed against the railing, using the rebound to straighten himself up, and took a step back into the hall: "I'm going back to sleep."

Lu Ran watched Deng Yutang's retreating figure and said softly, "Thank you."

Deng Yutang turned around, and although he didn't speak, his expression said it all: Was it necessary to say such words?

Lu Ran was indeed grateful for Deng Yutang's concern, but he couldn't bring himself to say cheesy words.

He shrugged: "Thanks for giving me some space."

Deng Yutang: "..."

The next second, Deng Yutang turned and left.

Just then, Jiang Ruyi approached him: "Why are you going back?"

Deng Yutang brushed past Miss Jiang, not even turning his head: "I'm tired."

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

She took a step onto the corridor outside the second floor and looked at Lu Ran: "Did you make him tired?"

"Young Master Deng is sensible and tired himself." Lu Ran reached out and pulled the girl into his embrace.

"Oh." Jiang Ruyi's body stiffened, not expecting Lu Ran to make such a move.

Perhaps it was the quiet moonlit night, or perhaps it was the absence of others around.

In any case, Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment but eventually leaned into someone's embrace, not leaving.

"Congratulations on your promotion." Lu Ran held the soft and fragrant beauty in his arms, gently stroking her long hair as he spoke softly.

"I used a lot of demon crystals." Jiang Ruyi's voice was small and light.

"Then kill some more." Lu Ran said nonchalantly, "There are white foxes everywhere here."

Jiang Ruyi slightly raised her eyelashes, and her beautiful eyes held a hint of mischief: "Are you willing to?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Indeed.

On a rational level, Lu Ran was well aware that the Ghost Moon Fox clan were demons, cruel and bloodthirsty fox demons that ate humans alive.

But on an emotional level, with every slash Lu Ran delivered, he felt a mix of indescribable and inexplicable emotions in his heart.

This was the so-called "aftereffect."

"Dong~"

Suddenly, a peculiar and deep sound rang out.

Although it wasn't loud, it rang right next to Lu Ran's ear, causing his heart to tremble! Lu Ran then noticed several palm-sized white jade talismans forming a "Symbol Stone Ring," slowly rotating around the two of them.

Divine Art - Golden Jade Eight Symbols!

"You learned it so quickly?" Lu Ran examined the Golden Jade Talisman.

"I learned the method a long time ago and practiced it countless times. I was just waiting for my promotion." Jiang Ruyi picked up a Golden Jade Talisman and reached out to the side.

The Golden Jade Talisman returned to the Symbol Stone Ring and continued to follow the main group, slowly floating around its owner.

Jiang Ruyi smiled and said, "In the future, when facing the Ghost Moon Fox clan, if you feel conflicted or soft-hearted, I'll give you a little nudge."

"Okay." Lu Ran also smiled, "By the way, there's something I need to tell you."

"What?"

Lu Ran: "When you came back, you rushed to get promoted and didn't receive the notification.

The front desk at the inn informed me that the military has selected a suitable task for us, and we can upgrade our training assignment."

Jiang Ruyi: "What task?"

Lu Ran: "The military wants us to clear out a mountain.

Apparently, there's a Ghost Moon Fox tribe there, and among them are quite a few high-ranked River Realm Ghost Moon Foxes."

Jiang Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly: "Are you sure there aren't any River Realm foxes?"

Lu Ran explained: "Don't worry, the military has been chasing and blocking this tribe for a long time, and they have a thorough understanding of the enemy's situation.

Besides, there will be military personnel accompanying us on this mission."

Jiang Ruyi's heart was slightly relieved, but she still spoke up: "River Realm Ghost Moon Foxes above the third level can already use invisibility techniques."

Lu Ran smiled and said, "I'm here, aren't I!

The military also values my abilities and knows that my ears are particularly sharp, so they're giving us this opportunity to participate in the operation."

As he spoke, Lu Ran gently stroked the girl's long hair.

Feeling Lu Ran's gentle touch, Jiang Ruyi softly responded with an "Mm."

Lu Ran: "Let's go for a walk; it's a good twenty minutes, and we can send our teammates off."

"Okay, good." Jiang Ruyi rested her head on his shoulder and slowly closed her eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end