Chapter 385: The Ultimate Name

Chapter 385: The Ultimate Name

Soon after, Lu Ran's little face was smeared with cake cream by Lu Ran.

The birthday party's atmosphere gradually improved.

The family of four chatted and laughed, discussing various topics.

When Lu Ran's birthday gift was mentioned, Qiao Yuansi couldn't hold back any longer, "Brother, let's give that Celestial Blade a name!"

Lu Ran instantly felt a headache!

Qiao Yuansi looked expectantly, "Should I give it a name for you, brother?"

Lu Ran quickly declined, "No way! The names you come up with are too grand, I can't handle them."

"Tsk!" Qiao Yuansi pouted in dissatisfaction, "You're Celestial Pride, yet you have no confidence at all."

Lu Ran peeled a shrimp and placed it on his mother's plate, but suddenly had a thought:

"How about... Mom, can you help me name this blade?"

Qiao Wanjun smiled enigmatically at her son, "Sure."

Lu Ran immediately felt a sense of foreboding!

Wait a minute!

Would he be able to handle the name his mother chose?

Oh no, this is big trouble!

He blamed himself for being momentarily clouded, not wanting Qiao Yuansi to name it, as she usually picked names from fantasy novels.

Those names were so extravagant they seemed to reach for the heavens!

It was common knowledge that a blade's name was often linked to its future Divine Weapon domain.

It was like setting a cultivation direction.

The name chosen by his mother would definitely not be as flashy as those in fantasy novels.

But it would undoubtedly be the ultimate choice in the mortal realm!

Unfortunately, Lu Ran's head was clouded with heat, and the words had already left his mouth.

He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Never mind, I'll think about it carefully."

Qiao Wanjun held her chopsticks and picked up a piece of shrimp, "Hmm?"

Her slightly raised nasal tone carried a hint of skepticism and the unique oppressiveness of a parent.

Lu Ran quickly changed his mind, sounding incredibly intimidated, "Please, grant me a name!"

Qiao Wanjun took a sip of the boiled shrimp, nodding in satisfaction, "Not bad."

It was unclear if she was praising the food or commending her son for his willingness to face challenges.

"Aunt Qiao, how have you been lately?" Jiang Ruyi spoke up at the right moment, "Is your cultivation going well?"

"It's going well," Qiao Wanjun replied, her expression softening slightly as she responded to the girl's words.

The girl's celestial beauty and gentle demeanor, coupled with her adoration for Lu Ran, pleased Qiao Wanjun immensely.

She looked at Lu Ran and spoke with a mix of instruction and reminder, "You should cherish her."

Lu Ran nodded firmly, "After I finish this phase, Mom should be out of seclusion.

Then, I'll hold the wedding with Ruyi!"

"Great! Wedding!" Qiao Yuansi, oblivious to much, had already started fantasizing, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The brief two words seemed to tug at everyone's heartstrings.

Jiang Ruyi picked up the nearby red wine and took a small sip, her movements graceful and natural.

But her slightly flushed cheeks and the way she stole glances at Lu Ran gave away her inner thoughts.

"It's settled, then," Qiao Wanjun made the decision, sealing Lu Ran's words with her approval.

"It's settled!" Lu Ran nodded vigorously, picking up the nearby wine glass and downing its contents.

After a few rounds of drinks, the host and guests were thoroughly entertained.

Qiao Wanjun stood up and left, while Lu Ran and the others began clearing the dishes in the dining room.

Perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol, but Jiang Ruyi's face was flushed, like a tempting water plum, exceptionally beautiful.

Lu Ran was smitten, but a Lantern Flower disciple diligently stood by, acting as a chaperone, making him feel frustrated.

He kept looking for an opportunity to kiss her lovely face, but before he could succeed, he heard a voice calling out.

"Flaming God."

"Mom?" Lu Ran's mischievous thoughts vanished.

Jiang Ruyi and Qiao Yuansi were both puzzled, looking at Lu Ran.

"Come to the study."

This time, Jiang and Qiao also faintly heard the woman's voice.

"The study?" Lu Ran was a bit taken aback.

Was that where he was supposed to go?

"Yes." Coincidentally, Jiang Ruyi had just finished brewing some tea and promptly poured a cup for Lu Ran.

Lu Ran took the tea and hurried towards the study.

As always, the door was tightly shut.

"Knock knock knock~"

Even though he was invited, Lu Ran still knocked politely.

"Come in," a faint voice called from inside.

Lu Ran suddenly felt a sense of dizziness, remembering a night from a few years ago.

He recalled holding a cup of hot milk, feeling both sensitive and cautious.

"Flaming God?"

The person inside spoke again, their voice much gentler.

Qiao Wanjun was like an all-knowing deity, guiding Lu Ran out of that hazy night with a gentle voice.

"Click."

Lu Ran opened the door, and the scent of jasmine filled the air.

The woman knelt in front of the writing desk, setting down her brush.

She turned to look at a corner of the desk, admiring the exquisite Dangling Immortal Jasmine, "Is this the gift you gave me?"

"Yes, doesn't this flower's demeanor resemble Ruyi?" Lu Ran smiled.

Qiao Wanjun lifted her head to look at Lu Ran, her eyes seeming to see through everything.

They could also see right through his thoughts.

"Hehe." Lu Ran laughed sheepishly.

"Come in."

"Oh." Lu Ran entered, closed the door, and knelt across from his mother at the desk.

"I really like it," Qiao Wanjun's eyes softened with a smile as she took the teacup from her son.

She was even gentler than she had been at the birthday party.

The Immortal Jasmine in the corner of the desk seemed to become even more graceful.

Lu Ran's gaze fell on the desk, where he saw a calligraphy piece she had just finished, "What's this?"

Suddenly, a longsword flew over, its tip lifting the silk rope of the hanging scroll, and it slowly flew towards the wall.

After a moment, next to the hanging scroll with the character 'Sword', another calligraphy masterpiece appeared.

The vertical hanging scroll had four large characters written from top to bottom - Cloud Sea Dustless.

Unlike the character 'Sword', which exuded sharpness, this one still left Lu Ran in awe.

The brushstrokes were bold and free-flowing.

Gradually, Lu Ran became completely engrossed in the calligraphy.

Qiao Wanjun took a gentle sip of tea, not disturbing Lu Ran, and allowed him to comprehend on his own.

After a long while, Lu Ran finally asked, "Mom, what does this phrase mean?"

Qiao Wanjun held the warm teacup with both hands, her eyes and brows softening as she replied, "It's the name of your sword."

Lu Ran: "."

What does that mean? His confusion was written all over his face.

Qiao Wanjun couldn't help but smile, and she gently asked, "What is the meaning of 'Yunhai'?"

Lu Ran: "The clouds and seas in the sky?"

Qiao Wanjun nodded slightly and spoke eight words: "Ever-changing and unpredictable, shrouding the mountains and rivers."

Lu Ran pondered silently, not believing that his mother was merely describing a natural scene.

Qiao Wanjun took another sip of ginger tea and looked at the light-colored tea, saying softly, "The clouds and seas are magnificent and lofty, forever towering above all living beings."

Lu Ran finally realized the seriousness of the issue.

Qiao Wanjun raised her eyes to look at Lu Ran: "It can't be dispersed, it will always exist."

Lu Ran suddenly spoke up: "Is that so?"

Qiao Wanjun sighed lightly: "In this world, there has never been a concept of equality.

For ordinary people, the powerful and wealthy are like the clouds and seas that shroud over their heads."

Jinghong Peak has thousands of disciples, and to them, I am the clouds and seas."

Lu Ran nodded silently, understanding his mother's intention.

The so-called "Yunhai" she spoke of was an objective existence, and it couldn't be eliminated.

Where there are people, there will be distinctions of high and low, and differences between the noble and the common.

There will be ruling classes and the ruled.

Qiao Wanjun smiled: "Similarly, for the believers and even for the entire human race, the gods are like the clouds and seas that shroud the human world."

"Gulp," Lu Ran's throat moved.

Oh, my dear mother!

What are you up to?

Qiao Wanjun changed the topic: "Yunhai Chenqing, the important part is 'Chenqing'."

Lu Ran struggled to contain the raging waves in his heart, whispering, "Chenqing."

Qiao Wanjun's eyes and brows were gentle, but her words were shocking: "The clouds and seas can't be dispersed, but you can use your sword to wash away the dust within.

Let the clouds in the high heavens become purer.

Until not a speck of dust remains."

Lu Ran: !!!

He didn't need his mother to explain what "dust" meant.

Wow!

This sword name...

I shouldn't have asked about it at the dinner table!

"Mom."

"Hmm?"

"I think you don't want me to cultivate a divine weapon."

"Hehe~" Qiao Wanjun chuckled, "I still remember your speech at the award ceremony.

Isn't your ambition huge?"

Lu Ran remained silent for a moment, then said, "I'm thinking of eradicating all evil in the world."

His words implied that he was thinking of slaying demons, and his gaze didn't fall on the divine factions.

But the "Yunhai" Qiao Wanjun spoke of had nothing to do with the demonic factions!

It directly pointed to the divine factions!

Or rather, it was the dust within the "Yunhai of the Gods."

"Oh." Qiao Wanjun neither confirmed nor denied.

Those were the eyes of deep, dark pools, staring directly into Lu Ran's eyes, with hidden meaning.

Lu Ran's body tensed, and it was difficult to remain calm under the intense gaze of such a powerful human expert.

Even though Lu Ran knew she wouldn't harm him.

Lu Ran averted his gaze and looked up at the calligraphy hanging on the wall: "Mom."

Qiao Wanjun didn't respond; she just silently watched Lu Ran.

Lu Ran continued, "Look at the ink flowing down from the calligraphy."

Since Qiao Wanjun had just finished writing and used a divine weapon to hang it up, the ink on the paper was still not completely dry, and a thin stream of ink was flowing downward.

Lu Ran spoke softly, "Doesn't it look like the blood your son is about to shed?"

Qiao Wanjun couldn't help but laugh, picking up the warm ginger tea: "Do you like this name?"

The room fell silent, except for the faint sound of the woman sipping tea.

Lu Ran stared at the flowing ink on the calligraphy, silent for a long time.

If I say I like it,

Am I expressing my stance?

Or perhaps, on this trip to the Divine Ruins, some secrets will eventually be revealed.

Is my dear mother giving me a heads-up?

"Choose one," Qiao Wanjun said, seeing that her son was unwilling to speak, and finally changing the topic.

Two divine swords flew into the study, hanging upside down in mid-air, appearing before Lu Ran.

Lu Ran was puzzled: "Choose one?"

Qiao Wanjun nodded slightly: "To protect and guide you."

Protect and guide?

Her divine weapon was connected to her spiritually.

But Lu Ran had many secrets that couldn't be revealed for the time being.

He pondered for a moment and declined: "Thank you, Mom, but no."

"Hmm?" Qiao Wanjun's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

In front of Lu Ran, she tried to maintain a pleasant expression.

But at this moment, she was a little puzzled and a little dissatisfied.

When a child ventures far away, having a divine weapon by their side not only makes them safer but also allows Qiao Wanjun and Lu Ran to maintain a faint connection.

Although this connection would be very weak, there would at least be a thread of it.

Lu Ran couldn't possibly not understand this, and this was the reason for Qiao Wanjun's displeasure.

Lu Ran shook his head: "No, Mom, I still want to grow on my own.

In the end, I have to rely on myself and can't always think about having a backup plan or your protection."

Qiao Wanjun picked up the ginger tea and said lightly, "Is that so?"

Lu Ran remained silent for a long time, then looked at the woman: "I have my own divine weapon, Radiant Tranquil Night, and my own combat system.

On this trip, I also want to cultivate my Eight Directions Annihilation.

I want to cultivate Yunhai Chenqing."

Qiao Wanjun's hand holding the ginger tea paused slightly.

He accepted this name.

She took a small sip of tea and looked up at Lu Ran: "Have you made up your mind?"

Lu Ran nodded lightly: "I have."

Actually, I've made up my mind long ago!

Ever since I became a disciple of the Divine Sheep Sect, all I've seen are stones, and I no longer see the divine.

My goal has never been limited to the demonic factions.

So... Yunhai Chenqing!

"Roar!!"

Suddenly, a powerful surge of energy erupted from Lu Ran's body.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end