Chapter 288: The Young Master's Land of Dominance

Chapter 288: The Young Master's Land of Dominance

The sky was clear and blue, with fluffy white clouds doting the heavens. A gentle breeze blew through the forest, rustling the leaves and creating a pleasant sound. The same breeze brushed against the woman's hair, caressing her gentle smile.

"Little Junior Brother, are you hungry?" Cheng Rou held a bamboo basket and lifted it slightly.

"Thank you, Senior Sister Cheng," Lu Ran replied without hesitation, truly feeling famished.

"Wait a moment," Cheng Rou said, turning towards a corner of the courtyard where a wooden table and two chairs were placed.

She set the basket on the table, lifted the cloth cover, and began to take out various dishes.

Lu Ran's gaze lingered for a moment before he looked up at the sky, feeling a bit impolite for staring at the woman.

As Lu Ran tilted his head back, he noticed the clouds in the sky, which resembled cotton candy more and more.

The sky above Yujuye City was truly beautiful, especially to Lu Ran, who was from Rain Alley City, a place where the sky was perpetually shrouded in gray haze.

The stark contrast made Lu Ran feel even more surreal.

"Little Junior Brother?" A woman's voice called from behind him. "Come and eat."

"Yeah," Lu Ran quickly walked over and sat down in the chair.

Steamed buns and white porridge were served, along with a plate of braised beef and a plate of stir-fried mushrooms.

Lu Ran didn't recognize the mushrooms, and he couldn't believe how delicious they were.

"Hehe~"

Cheng Rou propped her chin with one hand, her eyes sparkling as she watched Lu Ran devour the food.

The young man before her seemed so different from the heroic youth depicted in Heavenly Pride.

Lu Ran felt a bit embarrassed and slowed down his eating, asking, "Senior Sister, who lives in this residence?"

Lu Ran thought that the owner of this residence must be a highly respected and influential Immortal Sheep follower.

However, upon further reflection, it didn't seem quite right.

Even if an Immortal Sheep follower held a high position, they wouldn't be able to bear the weight of the name "Falling Immortal Residence."

Cheng Rou shook her head and said softly, "Since its construction, no one has ever lived here.

We regularly come to clean and maintain it, but other than that, we are not allowed to approach this place."

Lu Ran was perplexed. "No one lives here? Then why was it built?"

Cheng Rou whispered, "After all this time, we've been wondering who the owner of this residence is.

Until yesterday, when you arrived."

Lu Ran: "..."

Cheng Rou's lips curved upwards slightly. "Thanks to you, Little Junior Brother, I received a message from the Immortal Sheep yesterday.

It was the first time I've ever heard the voice of a deity."

Lu Ran silently continued eating the mushrooms, not daring to interrupt.

He could communicate with the Immortal Sheep at any time, but for other Immortal Sheep followers, communicating with a deity was undoubtedly a tremendous blessing.

Cheng Rou continued, "Yesterday, I brought you to the Immortal Sheep Temple in the rear mountain, intending to take you to our living quarters.

On the way, I received instructions from the Immortal Sheep and brought you here instead."

As she spoke, Cheng Rou's smile grew brighter. "You didn't see the expressions on everyone's faces at that moment.

It turns out that the Falling Immortal Residence was prepared for you."

Lu Ran silently finished the entire plate of mushrooms, not daring to say a word.

"Does it suit your taste?" Cheng Rou asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Yes, yes," Lu Ran nodded immediately.

Cheng Rou was delighted. "Next time, I'll bring more."

"Thank you, Senior Sister," Lu Ran said, looking up at the woman with a smile.

"Swoosh~"

A gentle breeze blew, accompanied by the pleasant sound of rustling leaves, caressing Lu Ran's short hair.

Cheng Rou gazed at the young man before her, his smile radiant and his eyes clear, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.

To the outside world, he was the proud Young Master of Da Xia.

Within the residence, he was the master of the Falling Immortal Residence.

Cheng Rou wasn't sure if Lu Ran realized what this residence truly meant.

Perhaps he had already understood, but he didn't show it much.

"What cultivation realm is Senior Sister at?" Lu Ran suddenly asked.

"Me?" Cheng Rou was interrupted in her thoughts and quickly replied, "I'm at the Fourth Stage of the River Realm."

"Fourth Stage of the River Realm?" Lu Ran was surprised. "You're so powerful, and you look so young?"

However, the woman's response left Lu Ran utterly bewildered.

Cheng Rou shook her head with a smile. "I'm already twenty-seven years old. My eldest son is seven, and my youngest is four."

Lu Ran fell silent.

Two children? The mountains must be a great place to raise a family! Cheng Rou's youthful appearance made it hard to believe that she was a mother of two.

Well, these days, being a college student and a mother didn't seem to conflict.

Cheng Rou spoke softly, "Little Junior Brother, let me introduce you to the situation inside the temple."

"Sure," Lu Ran took another bite of the steamed bun.

Cheng Rou explained, "There are 556 permanent followers in the temple, most of whom are at the Mist Realm stage.

Over 200 have reached the Stream Realm, and 14 have reached the River Realm."

Lu Ran listened quietly, and a sigh escaped his heart.

Just over five hundred followers sounded pitiful, especially considering this was the residence of the Immortal Sheep deity!

And among these five hundred followers, only fourteen had reached the River Realm? Well, that was acceptable.

This level of talent indeed matched the title of "Ninth-Rank Deity's Followers."

Cheng Rou continued, "There's also a follower at the Riverbank Realm's Fifth Stage."

"Oh?" Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly. "There's someone at the Riverbank Realm, too?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lu Ran felt he had overstepped and quickly added, "I mean, I..."

"It's fine," Cheng Rou said without a hint of annoyance, her voice still gentle. "My grandfather is at the Fifth Stage of the Riverbank Realm."

Lu Ran: "???"

The Fifth Stage of the Riverbank Realm?! He thought that having a follower at the initial stage of the Riverbank Realm was already impressive, but now there was a Fifth Stage master?

Could this be possible?

Since they were followers of the Ninth-Rank Deity, the Immortal Sheep, it implied that their talent and potential were quite limited.

Cheng Family Grandfather, how dare he challenge the peak of Jiang Jing?

Cheng Rou smiled at Lu Ran's astonished expression and explained, "It's said that Grandfather also received a blessing from the Divine Deity."

Lu Ran: "It's said?"

Cheng Rou nodded, "That was a long, long time ago, before I was even born.

Grandfather has never openly confirmed it, but once Little Junior Brother has rested, you can go and chat with him."

Lu Ran said, "Since I'm awake, I'll go visit Grandfather Cheng now. Can you take me there, Senior Sister?"

Lu Ran would never be arrogant, especially since Grandfather Cheng was also a believer in the Immortal Sheep. In the future, he would naturally be one of Lu Ran's allies.

"Okay." Cheng Rou smiled gently, genuinely admiring this polite and modest junior brother.

After watching Heavenly Pride and witnessing Lu Ran's extraordinary emergence, Cheng Rou realized one thing:

Lu Ran was extremely special and not an ordinary believer in the Immortal Sheep! Like his grandfather, he had a strong character and was neither weak nor timid in his interactions with others.

On the contrary, they were terrifyingly fierce, like a divine weapon, incredibly sharp!

"Senior Sister, shall we go now?" Lu Ran quickly finished his steamed bun and looked up at the woman.

Cheng Rou immediately cleared the table and joked, "Let's go. It's only right for Little Junior Brother to visit.

After all, this is a forbidden area.

Except for me, who delivers meals, no one else is allowed to disturb you here, not even Grandfather."

Lu Ran: "..."

"Hehe~" Cheng Rou laughed and patted her forehead, "Sorry, you look so well-behaved, and you're different from how you are in Heavenly Pride. I always want to tease you."

Lu Ran rolled his eyes and followed Senior Sister out of the courtyard.

The mountain path was relatively easy to navigate.

One after the other, they walked for only a few minutes before reaching a fork in the road.

"Little Junior Brother." Cheng Rou pointed to the fork, "This road leads to the cliff, where we've built a pavilion for you.

You can meditate there without any disturbances."

Lu Ran didn't know what to say: "I..."

Cheng Rou looked up and smiled at Lu Ran, "The scenery over there is amazing, and you can see Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake!"

Lu Ran pursed his lips, and his thousand words turned into two: "Thank you."

Divine Immortal Sheep,

When you scolded me, you were so fierce, and now you're giving me a room and land.

What's the difference between this and a domineering CEO? Lu Ran couldn't help but recall how, when he first brought the Divine Statue home, the White Sheep Statue suddenly frowned and then smiled charmingly.

Alright, the domineering Sheep CEO is confirmed.

Speaking of which, since this place is forbidden, can I hide Night Charm in the Falling Immortal Residence once I learn the Evil Art of Mirror Flower and Moon? Lu Ran thought to himself as he followed Cheng Rou forward.

After walking for a long time, he saw a series of buildings! The Immortal Sheep Temple was not as dilapidated as it seemed, and the rear mountain indeed had its own unique charm.

Lu Ran was amazed as he admired the ancient architectural style, feeling as if he had entered a Daoist temple.

"Oh, Lu Tianjiao!"

"Lu Tianjiao is here!" Excited voices rang out, and a group of middle-aged women gathered around.

More believers in the Immortal Sheep watched from a distance, not daring to approach.

One of the curly-haired middle-aged women was visibly emotional. She held Lu Ran's hand and examined him, repeatedly saying:

"Good, so good! Our Immortal Sheep Sect has a successor! Tall, fair-skinned, and handsome!"

Lu Ran felt strange.

Why are they looking at me like they're choosing a son-in-law?

"Auntie Liu, I'll take Little Junior Brother to see Grandfather first." Cheng Rou quickly intervened to defuse the situation.

Auntie Liu reluctantly let go, "Are the mushrooms tasty? I'll pick more for you tomorrow."

"Delicious, delicious!" Lu Ran imitated the mannerisms of the Divine Immortal Sheep, bowing and cupping his fists in gratitude.

But his action seemed to trigger something! All the believers around him followed suit, immediately returning the gesture.

Lu Ran was startled!

Wow, I must be careful not to bow casually in the future.

In the Immortal Sheep Mountain, this gesture seemed to be a very formal one.

"Let's go," Cheng Rou said softly, quickening her pace.

Lu Ran walked on the stone path, passing by several buildings before finally stepping into a grand entrance.

Before him, the ground was paved with stone bricks.

"Every morning after paying respects to the deity, we practice here," Cheng Rou explained as she led Lu Ran to the edge of the arena and in front of a grand hall.

Lu Ran looked up and saw three large characters on a plaque - Shrine of Reverence to the Divine.

Inside the hall, a stone statue of the Immortal Sheep sat solemnly.

On the prayer mat in front of the statue, an elder knelt with his head bowed.

Cheng Rou quickly stepped forward and said softly, "Grandfather, Lu Ran has come to see you."

"Oh?" The elder turned his head.

Outside the hall, Lu Ran's eyes narrowed.

The elder wore a white robe over a white inner garment, his hair tied in a bun with a simple wooden hairpin.

Although his hair was white, his spirit was vigorous.

His eyes were not cloudy but shone with a sharp light.

"Since Lu Ran is here, let's first pay respects to the deity," the elder said, standing up and gesturing towards the prayer mat.

However, Lu Ran was staring at the elder, examining him closely.

Beneath this appearance of a Taoist immortal, Lu Ran saw a powerful weapon! A long spear? No, not a spear! What is that? The elder stood quietly, not urging Lu Ran to enter the hall.

Cheng Rou was puzzled and was about to say something, but the elder raised his hand to stop her.

Lu Ran spoke up, "Is Grandfather Cheng a spear practitioner?"

"Hahahaha!" The elder's laughter was hearty as he stroked his white beard, "No wonder you're the Master of Divine Armament, young friend! You have a keen eye!"

Lu Ran was completely taken aback.

This... this?!

You're telling me he's a believer in the Immortal Sheep? Isn't he a believer in Dongting?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end