Chapter 377: Within the Divine Temple

Chapter 377: Within the Divine Temple

"I've been too focused on advancing," the girl's voice broke the silence in the car.

Just as Lu Ran was about to say something, Jiang Ruyi spoke up, "I should have accompanied you."

Lu Ran whispered, "I can make mistakes, but you can't."

The girl in his embrace lifted her head, "Do you think I care?"

Lu Ran fell silent.

Jiang Ruyi stared directly into Lu Ran's eyes, "Lu Ran, tell me, what do I truly care about?"

Lu Ran sighed heavily in his heart.

He knew better than anyone that Jiang Ruyi's 'path' consisted of only two words - Lu Ran.

This was a powerful bond!

Setting aside the ridiculous human emotions, and only discussing the path to ascension and career prospects, once Lu Ran died, Jiang Ruyi's world would completely collapse.

"If I fail to advance this time, it's because of you," Jiang Ruyi said softly.

She, who was always gentle and generous, had never spoken so sharply before.

It was evident that Jiang Ruyi was truly anxious.

She was using a different approach to achieve her goal, against her own will.

Lu Ran said, "I promise to be more careful and ensure my safety from now on."

Jiang Ruyi commanded, "Look into my eyes when you say that."

Lu Ran removed their masks and leaned in to kiss her alluring lips.

Jiang Ruyi didn't dodge, stubbornly keeping her eyes open, staring at the hateful face close to her.

In the driver's seat, Wen Yang quickly averted his gaze from the rearview mirror.

He sat upright, gripping the steering wheel tightly, focusing on the road ahead.

Meanwhile, in another car.

Qiao Yuansi looked at Ci Xianxian beside her, worried, "Do you think Sister Ruyi will argue with Brother?"

Ci Xianxian scoffed, "Your Sister Ruyi can only put on a cold face towards outsiders.

But with your brother?

She softens up in just three minutes."

Qiao Yuansi blinked and whispered, "This Chinese New Year, when I saw Sister Ruyi again, I noticed she had changed a lot.

She used to be gentle and friendly towards everyone."

Ci Xianxian pouted, "After all, it's the River Realm. The higher you go, the less human you become.

It's already good enough that she still has us two in her eyes and is willing to indulge us."

Qiao Yuansi whispered, "I won't change after advancing to the River Realm."

Ci Xianxian's lips curved slightly, and she reached out to brush the girl's ponytail, "Sister, don't speak so confidently."

Qiao Yuansi suddenly hugged Ci Xianxian's arm, her pretty face leaning in, "After you reach the River Realm, you must still indulge me and play with me like you do now!"

Ci Xianxian turned to look out the window, embarrassed, "I'll try my best."

Qiao Yuansi pouted, "Pfft, you're such a jerk!"

Ci Xianxian: ???

What's with your attitude, young lady?

Do you think you can get away with talking to me like that just because you're Lu Ran's sister?

Fine, fine.

The vehicle gradually slowed down and came to a stop at the foot of Luoxian Mountain.

In the two cars ahead, everyone got off except for Wen Yang's car, which remained closed.

Wen Yang sat in the driver's seat, torn with indecision.

He wasn't sure if he should remind the Mountain Lord and his wife to get off or if he should get off himself to give them some privacy.

Then, from the back seat, Jiang Ruyi's voice rang out, "Take them up the mountain first and arrange their accommodations."

"Yes, Madam," Wen Yang replied, relieved, and quickly left.

Lu Ran looked at Jiang Ruyi leaning against him and marveled at her transformation.

People do change.

They change with their experiences, mindset, strength, and status.

Jiang Ruyi's tightly closed eyes and her close embrace with Lu Ran also signified one fact:

There was one thing that would never change.

The car fell silent, and Lu Ran inhaled the faint scent of jasmine, his heart gradually calming down.

Jiang Ruyi parted her thin lips, "You said that Xianyang agreed to Deng Yuxiang's challenge to the Divine Ruins."

"Mhm."

"Because she's about to become a Xianyang believer?"

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, then changed the topic, "The world after the Divine Ruins will undoubtedly be filled with challenges for me.

We know how powerful the Great Nightmare is, and with her by my side, my safety will be better guaranteed."

Jiang Ruyi asked, "If I were a Xianyang believer, could I accompany you to challenge the Divine Ruins of the Xianyang Sect?"

Lu Ran paused, then spoke softly, "You have no reason to leave the Yufu Sect."

Jiang Ruyi lifted her eyelids, staring directly into Lu Ran's eyes, "Is that so?

When it comes to you, I have a reason for everything I do."

There's always a reason behind an event.

It seemed that what happened in Northwind City truly scared her.

She used to be sharp-tongued, but now she was bold and direct.

Lu Ran didn't know what Jiang Ruyi's state was when she saw that photo.

Worry, panic.

She was almost suffocating!

"Ruyi," Lu Ran said gently.

Jiang Ruyi raised her captivating face, gazing stubbornly at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran gently squeezed her palm, "Northwind wants Deng Yuxiang's life and soul, which is why she left the Northwind Sect.

The Yufu Sect has given you a lot, and their divine art has brought you to where you are today.

You're not a cold-hearted person."

Lu Ran paused, then continued, "I know that after your daily afternoon nap, Sister Xian would accompany you to that small house a few kilometers away from the mountain.

You would pray and offer your faith to the Yufu Sect's minor divine statue.

Only before sunset would you return to the mountain to watch the evening glow.

Whether it's out of gratitude or not wanting to be indebted, this is who you are.

If you were to withdraw from the Yufu Sect, it might become an obstacle on your cultivation path in the future."

The higher one cultivates, the stricter the requirements for one's mental state become.

Jiang Ruyi remained silent for a long time, speaking softly, "I once believed that having a single-minded focus on cultivation was the right answer to accompany you on your journey."

Because of this, I even let you misunderstand.

On New Year's Eve, you begged me to let you be a human.

But today's events..."

Lu Ran suddenly interrupted, "You're not wrong, that's the right answer."

Jiang Ruyi lowered her eyelashes, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

Lu Ran felt a pang of heartache.

Sometimes, having heightened senses isn't always a good thing.

Lu Ran's voice softened, "You're struggling with what happened in Northwind City, so let me tell you another version.

The injuries on my body were intentional."

Jiang Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly, studying his face, trying to find traces of his lie.

Lu Ran nodded in confirmation, "I admit, some sword auras were unavoidable.

But I'm telling you the truth, some of the wounds, like the one on my face, were intentional."

Jiang Ruyi pursed her lips.

Lu Ran asked and answered himself, "Do I have any fatal injuries? No!

Admitting mistakes requires the right attitude, and when you're wrong, you should stand straight.

I was in the wrong first, and the more miserable I am, the more satisfied the Northwind Sect will be, and my situation will be easier to handle."

Jiang Ruyi raised her hand, and the tip of her finger gently brushed across Lu Ran's cheek.

There was once a deep cut on his cheek, visible to the bone, with blood oozing out.

Lu Ran sighed lightly, "I showed the right attitude for compensation, and the Northwind City Lord understood it as well. This matter was about to be resolved through negotiation.

But then White Lotus flipped the table, let's not talk about that.

What I mean is, this morning in the Martial Arena, I wasn't desperately struggling. I'm much stronger than you imagine!"

Lu Ran caught her hand resting on his cheek, his expression serious, "The Divine Ruins can't stop me.

No matter what's behind the Divine Ruins, even a Northwind disciple at the Fifth Stage of the River Realm can enter. So when I go in, I can kill a thousand times over."

"Be humble, have a sense of reverence," Jiang Ruyi said with dissatisfaction.

Jiang Xianzi's attitude made Lu Ran breathe a sigh of relief.

It seemed that explaining what happened in Northwind City was indeed necessary.

Lu Ran's expression turned solemn, "I will complete the task assigned by the Divine Sheep. I will definitely return from the Divine Ruins!

I hope that when I come back, I'll see you become incredibly powerful as well.

There are many more things waiting for us to accomplish together."

Lu Ran's heart was filled with determination.

Ruyi, you will remain pure and clean.

Once I understand the essence of this world, I'll take you away from the Yufu Sect.

Your Dao heart and your path will not have a single speck of impurity.

Only then can you go further and climb to higher summits.

"Ruyi, our future path is long, and you can't be impulsive for a moment..." Lu Ran's expression froze.

Streams of energy surged violently.

The fog outside the car thickened, seeping into the car and enveloping the girl's body.

Is she about to advance? The Second Stage of the Jiang Realm?

Lu Ran's expression turned to delight, but Jiang Ruyi seemed unaware.

Her beautiful eyes gazed calmly at Lu Ran.

As if she was seeing the distant stars in the night sky of the Galactic Bay;

As if she was seeing the evening glow on Falling Immortal Mountain, far away on the horizon;

As if she wanted to completely merge this person, destined to travel far away,

into the depths of her eyes.

"Quick, fly back up the mountain," Lu Ran immediately opened the door and got out of the car.

Don't underestimate this minor advancement; it's the Jiang Realm!

Advancing is extremely difficult!

Whether Jiang Ruyi can break free from her shackles still depends on fate.

The closer she gets to the Divine Statue of the Xianyang Ancestor, the denser the divine energy becomes, which is more conducive to Jiang Ruyi's improvement.

"I will strive to become stronger, just as you wish," Jiang Ruyi's eyes burned with determination, "and you must remember the promise you made to me."

"Hmm?"

"You said you would definitely return from the Divine Ruins."

"Definitely!" Lu Ran stood outside the car, his upper body leaning into the vehicle.

He held her in a princess carry and said, "Fly up, I'll be there soon."

But Jiang Ruyi said, "You carry me up the mountain, step by step."

Lu Ran was a bit dazed, "Huh?"

After spending so much time together, Ruyi had always been gentle and considerate, rarely acting willfully.

But when she did act willfully, it was on such a grand scale?

You're advancing right now.

Today, Jiang Ruyi showed Lu Ran many different sides of herself.

Lu Ran wanted to say something, but he saw Jiang Ruyi, nestled in his arms, with her eyes closed, seemingly focused on her advancement.

Sensing Lu Ran's gaze, she said softly, "Step by step."

Lu Ran was both helpless and amused. He had indeed considered summoning a divine weapon to fly up the mountain.

Alright, fine.

You're advancing, and you're at your peak now.

Compared to the difference in divine energy concentration between the mountain peak and the foot of the mountain, her state of mind and condition during advancement were naturally more important.

The surrounding fog thickened, and Lu Ran, holding his fiancee, headed towards the mountain staircase.

Suddenly, Jiang Ruyi spoke up, her voice soft and gentle, "With each step we climb, silently recite your promise to me in your heart."

Lu Ran paused, then stepped onto the first stone, "Okay."

True peace of mind.

The deity residing at the peak of the immortal mountain couldn't give it to her.

Deep within her Dao heart, at the end of her path, a divine temple was erected.

Inside the temple, a person was enshrined.

Jiang Ruyi rested her head on Lu Ran's shoulder, her cheek gently rubbing against his neck.

She must pray to him.

The new month is approaching, please support with your votes!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end