Chapter 316: Divine Grace

Chapter 316: Divine Grace

Cangshan Mountain stood tall like a screen, and Erhai Lake shimmered like a mirror.

Within the Falling Immortal Pavilion, Jiang Ruyi stood by the pavilion pillar, gazing at the picturesque scene beneath the blue sky and white clouds.

Lu Ran sat on a nearby bench, his mind elsewhere despite the beautiful scenery.

He tilted his head, quietly admiring the graceful figure of his fiancee from behind.

Fiancee.

Lu Ran liked this title.

He had already discussed the wedding with Jiang's parents and received their approval and blessings, so it was only natural to address her as such.

However, as Lu Ran continued to look at her, a hint of worry crept into his heart.

Three months later, the Divine Ruins would open.

He had tried asking the Immortal Ram about when he could return, but the divine lord had firmly shut him down.

The return date, it seems, is uncertain."

He wondered if telling her would make her sad.

Lu Ran quietly turned his head and looked west.

The sun had not yet set, and the evening glow would take a while to appear.

"Immortal Ram," Lu Ran whispered, "I have a bold idea that I'd like to share with you."

The mountain was enveloped in silence.

Lu Ran organized his thoughts and slowly spoke, "I noticed that the pillar of divine blessing you bestowed is quite thick and sturdy."

A scoff echoed in his mind, "Hmph, you want to return a favor?"

Lu Ran's expression turned solemn, and he nodded immediately, "The Cheng family's elders have followed you and fought alongside you.

Their unwavering loyalty to you makes them formidable, and they will undoubtedly become my allies in the future.

I was thinking that when I receive your blessing, perhaps the two old gentlemen could also benefit from it."

"Swoosh~"

The wind rustled through the forest, carrying the pleasant sound of leaves brushing against each other.

A deep voice resonated in his mind,

"You must walk your own path."

"Thank you for your grace, Immortal Ram," Lu Ran said, filled with gratitude.

As soon as he finished speaking, he faintly heard something.

Lu Ran turned his head and saw Jiang Ruyi looking back at him, her long hair gently swaying in the breeze, captivating.

"Did I interrupt you?" Jiang Ruyi asked apologetically.

"No," Lu Ran smiled, feeling quite content.

"Were you communicating with the divine lord?"

"Mhm," Lu Ran nodded slightly and extended his hand towards his fiancee.

Jiang Ruyi hesitated, unsure if she should engage in an intimate gesture with Lu Ran.

After all, the divine statue of the Immortal Ram stood not far away.

Towering and grounded, its presence was awe-inspiring.

The entire Falling Immortal Mountain seemed like a heavenly realm, sacred and divine.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran asked, his expression curious.

Jiang Ruyi glanced at the distant statue, seemingly unsure.

Lu Ran smiled and waved, "Come here."

After a moment, Jiang Ruyi walked over and sat beside Lu Ran.

Lu Ran's smile grew brighter.

Regardless of her considerations,

Jiang Ruyi, the beauty, chose to lean towards Lu Ran's request over showing respect to the divine lord.

"The scenery here is beautiful, isn't it?"

Lu Ran didn't want to put her in a difficult position, so he sat properly, gazing towards the west.

The sun seemed to set so slowly.

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi whispered in response, feeling relieved that Lu Ran was being so proper.

However, she also felt a tinge of disappointment.

After a brief exchange, silence enveloped the pavilion.

After a while, Jiang Ruyi seemed to realize something and turned to look at Lu Ran.

The setting sun reflected in his dark eyes, casting a strange glow.

Jiang Ruyi's heart sank.

She realized that Lu Ran seemed to have something difficult to say, hence his silence.

"I have something to tell you," Lu Ran said after a long pause.

Jiang Ruyi elegantly crossed her legs and folded her hands in front of her.

Her body language subtly conveyed a hint of resistance.

"The Immortal Ram told me that three months from now, he will open a Divine Ruins for me," Lu Ran leaned back, resting against the pavilion pillar.

Jiang Ruyi's face paled slightly.

As a top student, she was naturally familiar with the Divine Ruins.

While they were rare, various sects and clans had encountered them over the past four decades.

Each time the Divine Ruins appeared, the ultimate winner would leave this world.

To this day, no one knew where they had gone.

Very few winners returned to Daxia.

The few who did return remained tight-lipped, unwilling to reveal any information to the outside world.

The only certainty was that they underwent a profound transformation and returned with an incredibly formidable power.

It is commonly believed that the divine lord opens the Divine Ruins to test and reward their followers.

A test that comes with both danger and reward."

Lu Ran tilted his head, watching the setting sun, "You once told me to inform you of any significant decisions in advance."

Jiang Ruyi slightly lowered her head, remaining silent.

During this time, she was overjoyed with her advancement to the River Realm.

She had thought she had caught up with Lu Ran and could face the world's challenges together.

But now, he was leaving again.

"If I pass the test, I might have to leave for a while," Lu Ran said softly.

Jiang Ruyi put down her arms and played with her slender fingers, her head bowed.

Resistance was futile.

The divine lord's will was something Lu Ran had no power or qualification to refuse.

Everyone could only accept and silently process it.

Lu Ran reached out and took her soft hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "I will come back."

He wanted to say, "I'll be back soon," but that would be a lie.

After all, even he didn't know when he would return.

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly, suppressing her surging emotions.

After a few seconds, a gentle smile appeared on her face, and her voice was soft yet determined,

"I'll wait for you."

Lu Ran felt a heavy heart.

Jiang Ruyi was clearly not one to cry and throw a tantrum, but at this moment, Lu Ran would rather she vented her emotions.

Yet, she managed a smile, her voice still gentle.

Jiang Ruyi held Lu Ran's hand, playing with it lightly, "You will definitely pass the trial, I believe in you."

Lu Ran turned to look at the setting sun, letting out a soft sigh of relief.

After a long while, he too, donned a smile, and said,

"There's still three months, and you're already sending me off?"

This time, Jiang Ruyi fell silent.

As the sun set,

The sky was bathed in the golden glow of dusk.

The faint evening glow arrived as expected, like a soft silk dancing in the sky.

For this world filled with life's partings and deaths, it briefly offered a dance of consolation.

Lu and Jiang gazed silently at the wish.

Silence.

The silence of the falling immortal pavilion at dusk.

"Do you remember the first time we participated in Heavenly Pride?" Jiang Ruyi suddenly spoke, breaking the stillness.

Lu Ran nodded, "I remember, that night we encountered the Qianxianying Clan's Night Parade of Ghosts."

Jiang Ruyi continued, "Every time we passed by the bridge outside Hexi Park, you seemed different. I asked you what was wrong.

You said that every time your former teammate passed by the bridge, his great sword would ring out.

Now, without that sound, you're not used to it.

Uncle Sun said that when people become River Realm Powerhouses, they go to guard the Wuli Tower.

After that, you looked towards the top floor of the Wuli Tower."

The memories resurfaced in their minds.

Lu Ran was perplexed and turned to look at Jiang Ruyi.

Jiang Ruyi's smile was relaxed, "When you looked at that tallest building, I always watched you."

Lu Ran: "."

Jiang Ruyi turned to gaze at the evening glow in the sky, "After that episode of Heavenly Pride aired, I went home, and my mother told me a lot."

Lu Ran: "Oh?"

Jiang Ruyi murmured, "I remember one of her sentences.

Mom told me: Love is not just gazing at each other, but gazing together in the same direction."

Lu Ran opened his mouth, watching Jiang Ruyi's smiling expression.

Was this a smile of relief? Her state of mind seemed to have adjusted incredibly well.

Lu Ran's heart found some solace.

Jiang Ruyi continued to stare at the sky, her eyes distant, "So, go with peace of mind.

Strive to achieve your goals and don't let anything hold you back.

I will also work hard on my cultivation here.

You said you wanted to change this world, and I'm a part of it too."

"Mhm!" Lu Ran nodded firmly, turning to look at the evening glow in the sky once more.

After a long contemplation, he shook his head and chuckled softly, sighing, "Auntie's words make so much sense."

Jiang Ruyi smiled and nodded, agreeing with Lu Ran's words.

The dusk was fleeting, and the stars began to appear as the sun set.

The two of them, who had been admiring the view in the pavilion, finally stood up and left. However, the mountain path was narrow, allowing only one person to pass at a time.

Lu Ran walked ahead, holding Jiang Ruyi's hand, heading towards the Falling Immortal Residence.

In the dim night, Jiang Ruyi silently lowered her head, hiding her dejected mood in her eyes.

Did it make sense?

But I don't think so.

The night passed without further words, and the next morning at dawn...

Lu and Jiang had finished their morning routine early and were sitting in the courtyard of the mountain residence, waiting for Senior Sister Cheng Rou.

Lu Ran, who had advanced to the River Realm, no longer needed to eat.

But the mushroom and meat stir-fry was incredibly delicious!

Lu Ran, using the dish as an excuse, ate two flower-filled steamed buns.

They were rose-filled, so it's like eating flowers~

"Eat slowly, Little Junior Brother." Cheng Rou was all smiles, glancing at Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi alternately.

Most of her attention was on Jiang Ruyi.

Compared to Lu Ran's ravenous eating, Jiang Ruyi was truly elegant.

Her ethereal aura and the grace of the Falling Immortal Mountain complemented each other.

Perhaps, the true master of the Falling Immortal Residence should be her?

"Senior Sister Cheng." Jiang Ruyi looked at her mother-in-law, her eyes slightly reproachful.

"Hehe~" Cheng Rou smiled apologetically, aware that it was impolite to keep staring at someone.

But she just couldn't help it.

Cheng Rou averted her gaze, "By the way, last night, Grandpa and Great-Grandfather Three talked about it.

Great-Grandfather Three also wants to meet Little Junior Brother, and he'll be waiting in the Jingxian Hall today.

If Little Junior Brother has time, he can go see him anytime."

Lu Ran immediately said, "I'll go right after we finish eating, and it's perfect timing because I also have something to discuss with the two Cheng grandfathers."

"Oh?" Cheng Rou was quite curious, "What is it?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Rou realized her impoliteness and quickly said, "Let's eat first, and I'll take you there later."

"It's fine to tell you." Lu Ran smiled, looking at his senior sister, "I asked for a Divine Blessing from the Deity."

"A Divine Blessing?" Cheng Rou was stunned.

Could such a thing be requested?

Of course, if the followers weren't afraid of angering the Deity, they could shamelessly beg for it.

But the issue was,

Little Junior Brother asked for it, and then the Deity agreed? No way!

We Immortal Sheep followers never get to hear a word from the Deity.

But you, Lu Ran, "The two grandfathers have worked tirelessly and made great contributions to our sect.

The Immortal Sheep Lord bestows his grace, and may their blessings be doubled."

Cheng Rou stared at Lu Ran, completely dumbfounded.

Indeed, the two grandfathers had dedicated their lives to the Immortal Sheep Sect.

If the Deity was willing to grant a blessing, they would have received it long ago. Why wait until now?

So,

Was this the Deity's grace for the two grandfathers? No, this was entirely given by Little Junior Brother!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end