Chapter 359: At the Pinnacle of Celestial Pride!

Chapter 359: At the Pinnacle of Celestial Pride!

On the night of Winter Eve, in a courtyard within the Falling Immortal Village, a middle-aged man stood alone, a cigarette between his fingers.

"Hmm."

The man slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, closing his eyes in enjoyment.

The night sky was filled with countless stars, and a gentle breeze blew.

The village was peaceful and serene.

Everything was so beautiful, until a voice broke the silence: "Dad."

"Huh?" The middle-aged man turned his head instinctively.

A tall figure stood at the entrance of the courtyard.

The girl wore a white dress, looking like a celestial being.

Her beautiful eyes resembled the depths of the night sky, as if they could lead one into the vast and boundless universe filled with sparkling stars.

Seeing her father's dazed expression, Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "The ceremony is almost over. It's almost time for Lu Ran."

"Ah!" Jiang Zheng snapped out of his trance and quickly turned his back.

Although he was the father, he acted like a child who had done something wrong, using his broad body to shield the small cigarette butt.

Jiang Ruyi shook her head with a smile and turned to enter the house.

Jiang Zheng took another puff of his cigarette, the thick smoke calming his mind and helping him regain his composure.

Ever since his daughter's advancement to the River Realm, almost three months had passed.

Jiang Zheng still couldn't get used to his daughter's transformation.

When he first arrived at Falling Immortal Mountain, seeing Jiang Ruyi's further metamorphosis, he felt even more out of place.

During the first few days, Jiang Zheng hardly dared to look directly at this celestial beauty.

In truth, the couple was well aware that from the moment their daughter successfully honored the gods, their family of three had become people from two different worlds.

It was just that before Jiang Ruyi's advancement to the River Realm, the Jiang couple could still deceive themselves.

But the River Realm was like a watershed.

It completely separated the two groups.

Lu Ran further widened this gap, as he had sought divine blessings for Jiang Ruyi.

From that moment on,

Jiang Ruyi, like a flower blooming on a high peak, overlooking the mortal world, had completely detached herself from the mundane and ascended to the cloud-capped summit.

"Hmm."

Jiang Zheng exhaled another puff of smoke, lowering his head with a smile.

This was good too.

The journey of life was, after all, a process of gradual separation between parents and children.

The special era they lived in made it even more so, severing families with swift and decisive finality.

Ever since that year's June 1st, Jiang Zheng had lost the ability to protect his daughter.

He couldn't accompany her on the battlefield.

He couldn't shield her from the sharp fangs and claws of demons, nor could he protect her as she moved forward.

Having someone like Lu Ran, who had always been by his daughter's side, protecting her, was indeed a stroke of great fortune.

He only hoped that the young man would remain consistent.

At the very least, he hoped that he would always treat his daughter well.

"Dad," came a slightly reproachful voice again.

"Coming, coming!" Jiang Zheng took one last drag and quickly extinguished the cigarette.

Jiang Ruyi folded her arms in front of her, watching her father's flustered movements, a faint smile on her face.

This time, Jiang Ruyi didn't enter the house right away but waited for him.

Lu Ran was about to go on stage to receive his award, and her father definitely wanted to watch.

The girl remained gentle.

She lowered her eyelids to avoid her gaze from adding to her father's sense of pressure.

In the midst of the Falling Immortal Mountain,

She borrowed the last rays of the setting sun and the evening glow in the sky, finding peace and tranquility within.

Within the galaxy's bay, where stars shone brightly,

She also borrowed the night sky and stars, imitating Lu Ran's manner, and infused them into her eyes.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, this was the limit of what Jiang Ruyi could do.

She still couldn't coexist peacefully with the world.

"Ruyi?"

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi responded, frowning slightly at the smell of smoke.

Jiang Zheng's face turned awkward, and he hurried into the house.

Inside, Jiang's mother, Zhuang Jingyi, teased him, "You sure know how to make an entrance.

It took two visits from the Falling Immortal Lady for you to finally show up?"

Jiang Zheng smiled awkwardly.

"Mom~" Jiang Ruyi protested.

"Come, come!" Ci Xianxian waved from the sofa, "This song is almost over, and then it's Lu Ran's turn!"

Jiang Ruyi walked over and sat between her mother and her sister.

Ci Xianxian was fully equipped, not only watching TV with the family but also holding her phone to follow the danmaku.

In a Great Xia live streaming room, the atmosphere was heated:

"Why is this song taking so long? Can't they be more considerate? I'm about to lose it!"

"Yes! My Ran Bao can clear a street in three seconds and kill eight demons in five seconds. Are you trying to hold us up?"

"Indeed, it's a reunion soon, haha! We'll meet again, Ran Dog!!"

"So excited to hear what Ran God will say!"

"Screen recording is ready, and I'll be listening to Ran Bao's voice to fall asleep √"

Ci Xianxian smiled as she watched the danmaku, sneaking a glance at Jiang Ruyi beside her before quickly typing:

"I love Ran Bao the most~"

Jiang Ruyi elegantly crossed her legs, watching the TV.

The singer finally left the stage amidst the applause.

A bright and beautiful female host took the stage, beaming, "So far, nine Celestial Pride have taken the stage to share their growth experiences.

And now, the last one..."

As the host spoke, thunderous applause filled the grand auditorium, accompanied by cheers and whistles.

The female host's smile didn't fade, and her voice grew even more excited, "Please welcome the first place on the 2019 Annual Great Xia Celestial Pride Leaderboard, for the year of the Pig..."

The name Lu Ran was completely drowned out by the cheers.

In the golden and glorious auditorium, thousands of spectators seemed ready to lift the roof.

On the magnificent and grand stage, a young man, led by the staff, walked out from backstage.

"Wow!" Ci Xianxian's eyes lit up.

Zhuang Jingyi leaned against her husband's shoulder, feeling more delighted the longer she watched, her satisfaction growing.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes were filled with admiration.

Lu Ran had never dressed so formally before.

She was used to seeing him in his school uniform, combat gear, and casual wear.

But she had never seen him in a neatly tailored suit.

His posture was equally upright, his figure tall and slender, his gaze deep and serene, and a gentle smile graced his face.

A true gentleman, as pure as jade.

He perfectly embodied the essence of the Immortal Sheep Sect.

A stark contrast to the ruthless Lu Tianjiao on the battlefield.

The live stream was like an explosion, with layers of danmaku covering the screen as Lu Ran received the trophy.

"What the hell! Is this my Ran Dog?"

"It's not Big Brother, it's my husband! Husband~~~"

"Waaah, my Ran Treasure! My Ran Treasure!!!"

"@Jiang Ruyi, don't get too proud, there will be times when you're not around, right?"

"Hey, you bunch of country bumpkins! When I was young, I was around the same age as Lu Ran."

"What are you doing here?"

"Mee-hee-hee~!"

In the center of the stage, Lu Ran held the trophy symbolizing his first-place ranking, weighing it in his hand.

The trophy was quite exquisite.

On top of the base, there was a shining golden five-pointed star.

The applause continued, and Lu Ran looked down, seeing countless pairs of fervent eyes. He gently pressed his hand down.

After a while, the grand auditorium finally quieted down.

Lu Ran leaned towards the microphone and said, "The directors told me to say something inspirational and uplifting.

I think my attitude is evident in every episode of Pride Celestial.

In every battle, in every swing of the sword..."

"Swoosh~~~"

A whistle suddenly interrupted Lu Ran's words.

Lu Ran smiled and looked to his left, saying, "After the show, remember to go backstage to collect your money."

"Haha!"

"Hehehe," a burst of laughter filled the room, and Lu Ran's expression turned slightly more serious.

"Life is bitter, and all beings suffer.

Whether rich or poor, strong or weak, no matter where you are, there are no exceptions.

It's as if being born is a sin."

The atmosphere in the grand auditorium gradually became solemn.

"My hometown is a small, old city.

A place known as the Cursed Land.

It's always shrouded in dark clouds, battered by wind and rain.

Ghosts roam at night, and Demon Lords frequently appear.

I've often wondered why my hometown suffers such hardships.

But later I realized,

It's not just Rain Alley, it's like this everywhere."

"My father, Lu Xing, was a proud soldier.

He fought and died in Rain Alley.

I've also wondered why I, at such a young age, had to endure such separation and loss.

But later I realized,

It's not just me, it's like this for everyone."

Lu Ran's gaze swept across the solemn faces, and he said softly, "Will it always be like this?

I don't know.

Will things get better?"

The grand auditorium fell silent.

Lu Ran paused for a moment, then said, "Maybe."

"I believe in you!"

"It will! I believe! I believe in you!" Suddenly, voices echoed from below.

Emotions ran high, and the voices were hoarse with passion.

In this unique era, Lu Ran's influence and appeal were unimaginable.

Lu Ran smiled, "There will be more people going backstage to collect their money."

But this time, there was no laughter in the auditorium.

Most people remained silent and serious, while a few shouted enthusiastically.

Lu Ran spoke, silencing the shouts, "I'm trying my best, and fortunately, there are countless others who share my aspirations, and they're trying too.

I believe my performance on Pride Celestial is convincing enough.

Even if I'm bleeding and bruised, even if I'm shattered to pieces, I may ultimately fail, but I'm telling you now, I'll give it my all!"

"Whoosh!"

"Lu Ran!"

"Lu Ran!! Lu Ran!!!"

"Whoosh!" The applause began, growing louder.

Lu Ran pressed his hand down and continued, "I'd like to add something.

Life,

Is not about waiting for the storm to pass.

It's about learning to dance in the rain."

Lu Ran looked at the crowd once more, his gaze sweeping over faces filled with silence, contemplation, and eager anticipation.

Finally, Lu Ran turned towards the camera, and through the screen, his eyes met with countless others.

"There's a lot of rain in Rain Alley City, and I've learned to dance in it. Now it's your turn."

"Live longer."

"Dance in the rain with grace."

Lu Ran smiled and nodded, saying softly, "What if?"

His three words seemed disconnected and incoherent.

But people understood what Lu Ran was saying.

Perhaps they couldn't grasp the deeper meaning, but following Lu Ran's theme, they clearly understood one thing:

What if the world could become better?

Boom!!

The grand auditorium erupted in applause and cheers, like a thunderous roar!

The top ten Tianjiao all took the stage to receive their awards, and the first nine shared their growth experiences and insights.

The nine Tianjiao also offered words of comfort and encouraged people to live their lives to the fullest.

But no one could have imagined that the young man standing at the pinnacle of Tianjiao would say such words!

It was as if everyone suddenly understood something.

Compared to the scores and rankings that gave Lu Ran the title of "First Celestial Pride,"

Perhaps it was his dream,

His grand ambition, that truly propelled Lu Ran to the top of the Tianjiao rankings.

In the live stream, the danmaku piled up, overflowing:

"What if?"

"What if?"

"What if?"

Thank you to the sponsors, Nance Youhun and Wei Xiao, for their generous rewards! You are truly generous, stylish, and invincible!

Thank you for your continued support! May you live long and prosper!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end