Chapter 386: Double Happiness

Chapter 386: Double Happiness

On the 18th day of the first month, in the evening.

The vast Qiao Family Manor resembled a fairyland, enveloped in a faint mist.

As one approached the study, the white mist grew denser.

Inside the room, at the writing desk, Lu Ran, who had been struggling to break through for two days, suddenly stood up.

"Crack."

Holding the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd in one hand, he opened the door and staggered out.

"Lu Ran?"

"Brother?" Jiang Qiao and the others rushed to greet him.

They were surprised but couldn't hide their concern.

What was Lu Ran up to? He was still in the midst of his advancement, how could he move on his own?

"Huff!"

Just as Lu Ran turned to close the door, a gust of wind suddenly picked up.

Jiang Realm, Second Stage!

"Eh?" Qiao Yuansi was caught off guard, covering her face and taking a step back.

Jiang Ruyi, on the other hand, felt relieved.

"Hmm~" Lu Ran felt incredibly comfortable.

The divine power within his body surged like a mighty river, flowing with immense force!

Advancing within the Jiang Realm stages was indeed remarkable, with an astonishing improvement in strength!

The sheer magnitude of divine power, coupled with a nearly explosive sense of strength, left Lu Ran deeply intoxicated.

"Buzz~"

The Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd trembled slightly, its golden phoenix patterns dazzling and eye-catching.

It was also feeling comfortable.

Initially, Lu Ran had planned to use the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd's abilities to break free from his physical constraints and initiate the advancement process.

But to his surprise, he didn't even need to use the precious gourd.

Qiao Wanjun's bold and free brushstrokes, like a dragon dancing across the paper, had directly led Lu Ran through the bottleneck with just four large characters.

On the night of the 15th, when the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd arrived at the study, it was only there to enjoy the benefits.

Yes, as a finished artifact, the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd could fly on its own.

It nestled into its owner's embrace, reveling in the energy nourishment and taking full advantage of the situation.

Lu Ran was not stingy at all.

His precious treasure could eat and drink to its heart's content! After three days, Lu Ran felt an even stronger bond with the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd.

It wasn't just an emotional connection but also a spiritual one, a subtle link between their minds.

Did this mean that the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd was truly becoming his artifact?

Like Radiant and Tranquil Night, would they eventually achieve a deep spiritual connection?

"Brother?" Qiao Yuansi whispered.

"Shh!" Jiang Ruyi raised a finger to her lips, a rare stern expression on her face as she glared at little Yuansi.

Qiao Yuansi stuck out her tongue, afraid to make another sound, and curiously watched her brother.

He looked utterly intoxicated, and it was a long while before he opened his eyes, which were still hazy with drunkenness.

"What's going on?" Jiang Ruyi finally asked.

"What do you mean, what's going on?" Lu Ran asked, puzzled.

"You're in the critical period of your advancement, why did you move on your own?"

"Ah, there's Mom's calligraphy and painting inside, and Dangling Immortal Jasmine. I was afraid the wind might damage them."

Jiang Ruyi: "."

Qiao Yuansi huffed, "And you're fine?

Aren't you worried about failing at the last moment due to your carelessness?"

Lu Ran scoffed, "Who do you think I am? I have a hundred percent—"

Before he could finish his boast, he suddenly stopped, sensing his fiancee's cold stare.

Lu Ran's face turned awkward as he turned to Jiang Xianzi, "Mainly, whenever I see the Dangling Immortal Jasmine, I think of you.

I was truly afraid of blowing away those strings of jasmine flowers."

Qiao Yuansi rolled her eyes, "Oh, really?

You were afraid of blowing away the jasmine flowers~"

Lu Ran's face darkened as he looked at his sister.

Was he not allowed to have some face?

He had reached the Second Stage of the Jiang Realm, after all! You're just a little follower of the River Realm.

"Ya!" Little Yuansi was startled and turned to run away.

Jiang Ruyi's expression turned serious, "That wasn't me, and even if it was, your advancement is still the most important thing."

Lu Ran nodded, "If I didn't have complete confidence, I wouldn't have done it."

However, Jiang Ruyi disagreed, "In cultivation, having 120% confidence is not excessive. Hmm."

Suddenly, Lu Ran kissed her luscious lips, silencing her words.

Jiang Xianzi pushed Lu Ran away, but he didn't succeed.

Her slightly annoyed expression gradually turned into embarrassment, and her face grew redder by the second.

In the distance, from the corner of the living room, a small head peeked out stealthily.

Qiao Yuansi's big eyes were like a camera, capturing a beautiful image with every blink.

The two of them looked so good together!

To stand by Ruyi's side and not pale in comparison...

Tsk tsk~

My brother does have some charm.

"Mmm!" Jiang Ruyi finally pushed Lu Ran away and lightly slapped him.

"I'm going to take a shower." Lu Ran hurriedly left with the gourd in hand.

He kissed and ran.

How exciting!

Jiang Ruyi glared at Lu Ran's departing figure, and her sharp senses detected a gaze from afar.

She turned to look, but the paparazzi had already retracted their heads a moment earlier.

Jiang Ruyi furrowed her brows and took a step forward.

As the footsteps drew closer, Qiao Yuansi's face turned pale.

With no escape in sight, Qiao Yuansi's heart pounded, and she rushed out, hugging Jiang Ruyi and sweetly asking, "Where are you going, Ruyi?"

Jiang Ruyi: "."

She looked down at little Yuansi in her arms and her big watery eyes, and Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile.

Indeed, the siblings were like two peas in a pod. One knew how to be coquettish, while the other was a master at being a scoundrel.

At the same time, in the bathroom.

Lu Ran stood under the showerhead, and on the shelf where bath products were placed, there was also a treasure gourd.

Ever since Lu Ran realized that the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd seemed to be developing a connection with his spirit, he had decided to keep it by his side at all times.

Previously, with the help of the Celestial Pride, this magical artifact had verbally agreed to follow Lu Ran.

Over the past twenty days, the relationship between Lu Ran and the gourd had gradually become more familiar.

The past three days of advancement had further warmed their relationship.

Lu Ran, of course, wanted to strike while the iron was hot!

What Lu Ran didn't expect was that while he was washing his hair, he suddenly felt something.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran raised his wet arm and wiped the foam from his eyes, turning to look.

He saw that at the mouth of the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd, a small Fiery Phoenix was standing.

Its figure was illusory, yet its colors were vivid!

It was hollow, and its entire body was woven from golden flame threads.

Dreamlike and dazzling.

When Lu Ran looked over, the little Fiery Phoenix was also looking at him.

"Hello!" Lu Ran washed his foam-covered hands and carefully reached out.

The little Fiery Phoenix was the spirit of the artifact.

The golden fire threads that made up its body were completely illusory, naturally devoid of any destructive power.

"Ooo~"

Lu Ran's heart stirred, and he faintly heard the sound of a phoenix's cry.

The cry of the phoenix was like a flute, round and beautiful.

"Come." Lu Ran opened his palm, trying to get the little Fiery Phoenix to jump onto it.

The little Fiery Phoenix still tilted its head, looking at Lu Ran with a coy expression.

Lu Ran wasn't in a hurry and smiled, "I'll treat you well, and we'll gradually develop a soul connection."

"Ooo~"

The proud little Fiery Phoenix gradually merged into the golden phoenix pattern on the gourd, and its figure disappeared.

Lu Ran continued his shower, rubbing the foam on his head, and happily hummed a little tune:

"The little mermaid smeared sunshine as eyeshadow and threw it into the foam's embrace~"

After more than ten minutes, a refreshed Lu Ran, draped in a large bathrobe and playing with the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd, walked out of the steamy bathroom.

In the house, the mystic mist had completely dissipated, returning to its original state.

"Brother! Come and watch TV with us," Qiao Yuansi called out.

Lu Ran entered the living room and sat next to Jiang Ruyi on the sofa.

Early on the morning of the sixteenth day of the lunar month, his mother had left for Jinghong Peak, and Xiao Yuansi knew that throwing a tantrum wouldn't help, so he could only feel secretly dejected.

Fortunately, Jiang Ruyi was there to keep him company, and Xiao Yuansi wasn't too sad.

Instead, it was Jiang Ruyi who felt a little down.

She had thought that during the three days of confinement after the fifteenth, she could spend time with Lu Ran, but he had only just emerged from his study room that night.

"I've booked a flight to Yeyu City for tomorrow morning at 5:30."

As Jiang Ruyi spoke, she curled up her long legs and leaned against the sofa, snuggling up to Lu Ran.

Her previous annoyance had clearly passed, or perhaps she didn't have the time to dwell on it.

Lu Ran asked, "So early?"

"The morning before yesterday, Grandpa Cheng Yi contacted you, and I answered the call."

Jiang Ruyi continued, "He said that the Divine Sheep Lord has left a mental message, and tomorrow morning at 10:30, he will open the Divine Ruins within Luoxian Mountain."

Qiao Yuansi, sitting beside them, heard these words, and although she was still watching TV, her thoughts seemed to have wandered off somewhere else.

Jiang Ruyi snuggled into Lu Ran's embrace, gently tracing the phoenix pattern on the crimson jade gourd with her jade-like fingers, and said no more.

"Hmm, I understand," Lu Ran said, feeling guilty. He lowered his head and gently kissed her hair.

Suddenly, Lu Ran's heart trembled! Jiang Ruyi felt it and raised her exquisite face, only to see Lu Ran's eyes looking a bit dazed.

"Wow!" Lu Ran suddenly exclaimed.

The Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd in his hand glowed with even more dazzling brilliance.

Jiang Ruyi quickly retracted her fingers, not daring to touch the powerful artifact, fearing it might cause trouble for Lu Ran.

Amid the dazzling golden light, the little Fiery Phoenix flew out again! It flapped its wings, and its illusory figure disappeared into Lu Ran's chest, as if flying into his heart.

True soul connection! After several dozen seconds, the light faded, and the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd stopped trembling.

Lu Ran's expression was complex as he slowly spoke, "The Fiery Phoenix Pattern has acknowledged me.

Our spiritual connection has undergone a qualitative change, and we can now communicate smoothly."

The sudden good news dispelled the sad atmosphere of departure.

Qiao Yuansi's joy was evident, "Haha, my brother is the best!"

Jiang Ruyi lightly traced the phoenix pattern with her fingertips, not asking why the artifact had suddenly made up its mind.

She softly said, "He truly is a trustworthy person."

Qiao Yuansi's heart stirred!

Since it was like this, could they move on to the next stage? She quickly moved closer, lying on Jiang Ruyi's curled-up long legs, her eyes shining, "Fiery Phoenix, Fiery Phoenix!

Brother hopes that you can absorb not only the bones of the demonic beings but also the living ones~"

Jiang Ruyi also understood why Lu Ran had chosen this artifact, so she gently requested, "Can you help him?"

"Ooo~"

Lu Ran's expression was one of surprise, followed by joy.

The artifact spirit, the Fiery Phoenix, had agreed?!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end