Chapter 378: The Alluring Purple

Chapter 378: The Alluring Purple

On the fourth day of the first lunar month, the sun rose in the morning sky.

In Luoxian Pavilion, a tall and graceful figure stood with her hands behind her back, welcoming the mist that enveloped the heavens and earth.

Inside the pavilion, Lu Ran sat quietly on a long chair, having kept her company for the entire night.

Advancing to the Great Mastery of the River Realm was not as easy as it had been in the Stream Realm.

Even a minor breakthrough in the lower stages required 1-2 days.

Lu Ran didn't have time to be bored.

He kept his gaze fixed on the ethereal figure in the mist, sometimes visible and sometimes hidden, and couldn't help but stare in awe.

Lu Ran felt that he had aged.

Like an old man sitting in his courtyard, he could sit motionless for an entire afternoon, lost in his thoughts.

Because everywhere he looked, he saw memories.

Hmm.

Lu Ran's expression suddenly turned peculiar.

He had lived a life of battles and adventures, and when he returned to the peak of Great Xia, he was still only 19 years old?

No, that's not right!

Today was the fourth day of the first lunar month, and he wouldn't turn 19 until the seventh day.

Lu Ran smirked.

Since his successful worship of the deity, his life had become incredibly exciting!

The experiences he had in one year could rival a lifetime.

"Ruyi," Lu Ran stood up and called out softly.

"Hmm?"

"Your uncle and aunt booked a high-speed train ticket to return home today. I'll go and see them off, and you can continue your breakthrough here."

"Mhm," Jiang Ruyi responded softly, her eyes closed.

Lu Ran wanted to say something more, but seeing Jiang Xianzi's cold expression, he couldn't bring himself to be bold.

He turned and left.

Jiang Ruyi listened to Lu Ran's footsteps gradually fading into the distance, and she couldn't help but purse her lips, feeling a hint of disappointment.

But for some reason, the footsteps returned.

A soft kiss landed on her fair cheek.

Lu Shan Zhu couldn't hold back!

He had come back to tease his wife! Jiang Ruyi slightly lowered her head, knowing it was a coincidence, but she felt a tinge of embarrassment as if her secret thoughts had been seen through.

Damn that guy.

Hurry up and leave!

Lu Ran was pleasantly surprised, expecting a scolding, but instead, he saw the girl's blushing face.

She had been standing all night, maintaining a cold and frosty demeanor, and her aura was incredibly powerful.

Yet, his sneak attack seemed to have a strange effect?

Had she returned to her gentle and shy self?

Tsk,

Women.

Lu Ran felt his mood lift, and he left Luoxian Pavilion, heading downhill.

"A brief visit to the mortal realm, amidst the storms and waves, in the depths of hell and paradise, your radiant face shines through~"

Lu Ran hummed a little tune, savoring the fragrance of flowers and grass on Luoxian Mountain.

The sky seemed bluer than ever.

The courtyard where the Jiang couple temporarily resided was located on the easternmost side of Luoxian Village.

When Lu Ran arrived, he saw Deng Yuxiang lounging in the sun in the neighboring courtyard, which had a separate entrance.

"You're here."

Deng Yuxiang wore a white ladies' shirt and fitted pants, standing by the fence covered in flowers and leaves.

The morning sun's rays added a beautiful glow to her silhouette.

She wore a ruby earring on her earlobe, sparkling with radiance.

Her proud face looked even more alluring and seductive.

Lu Ran smiled.

He was generally easygoing in his interactions with others, but he also had his own sense of pride.

After all, he was the top genius of Great Xia, and there were rarely times when he felt inferior.

But at this moment, seeing Deng Yuxiang in such a posture, admiration welled up within him!

She was indeed a powerful martial artist.

She had an unyielding and resilient soul, and a strong heart!

"What?" Deng Yuxiang twirled a flower leaf between her fingers and turned to look at the figure outside the fence.

"You're up so early?" Lu Ran snapped out of his thoughts.

"Are you getting used to living here?" Deng Yuxiang plucked a flower leaf and changed the subject, "Last night, when I went up the mountain to offer incense at Luoxian Temple, the Divine Sheep took me in."

"Congratulations?"

"Congratulations to you too," Deng Yuxiang said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes as she looked at Lu Ran.

"When are you planning to take me in?"

Lu Ran gestured to the separate entrance courtyard in front of him, "Ruyi's parents are returning home, and I'm going to see them off at the airport. I'll come back and find you later."

Deng Yuxiang nodded slightly and suddenly remembered something, "Do I need to offer incense for you?"

Lu Ran almost laughed out loud. Was she offering incense for him?

That would shorten his lifespan!

Lu Ran hummed, "I fought tooth and nail to save you, and now you want to send me away?"

Deng Yuxiang's lips curved up slightly, "Do I need to kneel as well?"

Lu Ran looked at Deng Yuxiang helplessly.

Deng Yuxiang acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "I just want to follow the rules.

I saw with my own eyes how you made someone kneel before you."

The 'someone' she referred to was naturally Ye Mei.

"That's true. I should have some authority of my own," Lu Ran nodded seriously as if considering it.

But Deng Yuxiang still wore a faint smile.

Her words held a hint of teasing, but she was genuinely willing to bow down in submission.

The night before, when she offered incense at Luoxian Temple, the Divine Sheep had shown her special favor and left her a few words of guidance.

Deng Yuxiang understood that she would be the first human follower under Lu Ran's command.

She was willing to set a good example and lead by it.

In the future, every follower of Lu Ran would naturally look up to her.

They would show absolute loyalty and eternal respect to Lu Ran.

"You..." Lu Ran was taken aback.

He had meant it as a joke, and Deng Yuxiang was indeed smiling, but her eyes seemed serious?

"Wait for me at Revering Immortal Hall later," Lu Ran decided to skip this topic and walked into the Jiang residence.

"Okay," Deng Yuxiang watched Lu Ran leave and then raised her eyes to the rising sun.

In just one day, her identity had completely transformed.

From the high ridge, she had fallen into the abyss, and now she was climbing from the depths to the cloud summit.

At this moment, Deng Yuxiang still felt like this world was somewhat surreal.

Lu Ran, it felt surreal.

As Lu Ran entered the house, he happened to see a group of people packing their luggage.

"Little Ran, you're here?" Jiang Mu's mother, Zhuang Jingyi, hurried over and supported Lu Ran's arm, examining him closely.

Her face was filled with worry, and her eyes reddened.

"I'm fine, Aunt Zhuang," Lu Ran said with a smile, "Ruyi is in a critical period of her advancement, so she can't come. I'll send you to the airport later."

"No need," Zhuang Jingyi swallowed her words, "Xianxian has arranged a car for us. You should go back and rest."

Jiang Fu also came over and looked at Lu Ran, who was unharmed. He felt a mix of emotions.

It was hard to imagine that the Lu Ran in the photo from yesterday was in such a state.

It was even harder to imagine that after enduring such torment, Lu Ran still stood before them with a gentle smile.

"Uncle Jiang," Lu Ran said.

Jiang Zheng also spoke up, "Go back and rest, or go keep Ruyi company."

Of course, Lu Ran refused. After some pulling and tugging, he eventually sent his future in-laws to the airport.

Since Lu Ran had returned, Qiao Yuansi didn't leave with the couple.

When they returned to the mountain, it was only 9:30 in the morning.

Lu Ran asked Si Yaya to accompany Little Yuansi to play, while he headed straight for Revering Immortal Hall.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Yi Grandpa was standing at the entrance of the hall. Inside, kneeling deep within, was the newly initiated disciple, Deng Yuxiang.

"Grandpa Cheng, Happy New Year," Lu Ran greeted with a fist salute.

"Mountain Lord, Happy New Year," Cheng Yi responded with a smile, filled with gratitude.

Ever since Cheng Yi was blessed by the deity alongside Lu Ran, he had entered seclusion.

A few days before the New Year, Cheng Yi finally advanced to the Ocean Realm!

After a lifetime of pursuit, Cheng Yi had finally achieved his dream. How could he not be grateful to Lu Ran?

"Mountain Lord, please go inside," Cheng Yi gestured towards the hall, "She's been waiting for you for a long time."

Originally, Cheng Yi Grandpa called Lu Ran "Little Friend."

This time, upon Lu Ran's return, Cheng Yi addressed him as "Mountain Lord."

"Thank you, Grandpa Cheng. I have some private matters to discuss with Deng Yuxiang."

"Yes!" Cheng Yi responded respectfully.

It was hard to imagine that this was a mighty Ocean Realm cultivator.

Lu Ran stepped into the hall, and Cheng Yi, who remained outside, closed the massive hall doors.

"Sister?" Lu Ran inhaled the scent of incense as he walked deeper into the hall.

On both sides of the hall were thousands of white sheep sculptures in various poses.

Each minor divine statue seemed to be staring at Lu Ran.

Deng Yuxiang knelt on a prayer mat, slightly turning her head to watch Lu Ran approach.

Suddenly, for a brief moment, she felt a bit dazed.

This scene made her realize something, something she had always overlooked.

They had known each other for so long.

It seemed like he had always been the one approaching her.

At Martial Valor Bridge, he took the initiative to help her gather the spirit of the Night Slash Saber and shape it.

Before he arrived, she had been troubled for a long time.

On the abandoned sky terrace, he came to her side, proactively teaching and guiding her, helping her advance to the River Realm.

Before his arrival, she had been stuck at the Fifth Stage of the Stream Realm, unable to make progress for a long time.

He also took the initiative to go to Northwind City to cheer and support her, saying he would bring their homeland, the night sky crescent moon, and the Martial Valor River water.

He also took the initiative to enter the arena, saving her life not once, but twice.

From the hands of her opponents and from the deity.

After that, he pulled her out of the mud pit and gave her a new life.

In all of this, she had never asked for anything, and there were even some things she was completely unaware of.

He had privately arranged everything for her.

"What are you spacing out for?" Lu Ran reached Deng Yuxiang's side and knelt down as well.

Properly and respectfully.

"Heh." Suddenly, a cold laugh echoed in Lu Ran's mind, carrying a hint of ridicule, "You're truly grateful, huh.

Looks like I saved her life, and it was the right choice."

Lu Ran: '.'

Wait, wait, wait.

I'm always grateful to you too!

You're my domineering sheep boss!

"Buzz!"

Lu Ran's head shook, and his vision went dark.

When he regained consciousness, he had entered the spiritual world and arrived at the Divine Demon Sculpture Garden.

Before him stood a massive stone sculpture—the Night Demon Idol!

"This statue belongs to you," Lu Ran immediately turned around and saw the faintly burning black fire sheep head.

"Yes, Divine Sheep," Lu Ran clasped his hands together and bowed his head in acknowledgment.

"You can command the idol to do anything."

"Yes, Divine Sheep."

"Now, closely connect with the Night Demon Idol, command it, control it, and act as its proxy."

"Yes."

Inside Revering Immortal Hall, Deng Yuxiang quietly watched Lu Ran.

Although it was something that had already happened, she felt like she was only just realizing it.

What was this about mutual care and support?

Mutual?

Such nonsense had even fooled her.

"Heh."

Deng Yuxiang silently laughed and lowered her eyes.

His Night Demon,

The first elite under his command, should indeed be led by her.

"Huff~" Lu Ran's body surged with energy.

Within his human body, a demonic shadow suddenly expanded!

Demonic Night Demon!

Lu Ran slowly stood up, reaching out with one hand.

Above and behind him, the Night Demon's shadow also extended a pale hand.

One human hand and one demonic hand, one large and one small, one real and one illusory, overlapped and pressed down on Deng Yuxiang's head.

Deng Yuxiang's body trembled slightly.

A hint of purple, filled with allure, flashed in her eyes.

The new month begins, seeking brothers' support with monthly votes!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end