Chapter 87: Autumn Rain and Parting

Chapter 87: Autumn Rain and Parting



"Why do you have to go out of town?" Lu Ran took a step forward, "Is your family moving? Are you transferring schools?"

Lu Ran's rapid-fire questions were filled with concern.

Hearing this, a hint of sweetness arose in Jiang Ruyi's heart.

"Say something!" Lu Ran plopped down next to the feeding machine, startling Little Li Hua.

"It's nothing, really." Jiang Ruyi gently stroked Little Li Hua's fur.

It wasn't until the little cat continued to bury its head in its food that Jiang Ruyi spoke, "It's not that we're moving. My family has lived here for generations."

As she spoke, she glanced at Lu Ran, "My parents are just like you.

They can't leave their hometown and can't bring themselves to leave this old, run-down town."

Lu Ran pursed his lips.

Rain Alley Town was indeed nothing special.

The sky was perpetually gray and hazy, with constant drizzles, coldness, and oppression.

However, everyone had their reasons for not wanting to leave their hometown.

Strictly speaking, the two words "hometown" were enough to explain everything.

And Lu Ran's reluctance to leave was largely due to the fact that someone dear to him had forever remained here.

Even though he had already opened the Netherworld Eye and knew that the person was no longer there, it didn't stop Lu Ran from frequently visiting the Wuli Riverbank.

Jiang Ruyi spoke softly, "I'm going to the Jade Gate."

"The Jade Gate?" Lu Ran furrowed his brows, "To the Western Regions?"

Lu Ran's heart stirred as he realized that the Divine Statue of the Heavenly Deity Jade Symbol stood tall in the Western Regions at the Jade Gate! He turned to Jiang Ruyi, "Are you going on a pilgrimage?"

"Yes." Jiang Ruyi nodded slightly, changing her posture to kneel and sit.

The living room was quiet, except for the cat between the two, which was nonchalantly munching away.

Lu Ran was a bit puzzled, "Why do you want to go on a pilgrimage?"

This kind of question shouldn't have come from a believer's mouth.

Lu Ran also realized his mistake and quickly rephrased, "When are you going on this pilgrimage?"

Jiang Ruyi replied, "The high-speed train at 3 pm, and the flight at 6 pm."

Lu Ran was very perplexed, "Why so soon?"

Jiang Ruyi lowered her gaze, twirling the cat's ear with her fingers, "Yes, I have to leave before the city is locked down."

"That's too rushed."

"Last night when I returned home, as usual, I prayed in front of the small divine statue." Jiang Ruyi whispered, "The Heavenly Deity Jade Symbol suddenly gave me a divine message."

No wonder!

Lu Ran understood; no wonder Jiang Ruyi's decision was so sudden. It turned out that the deity had issued a decree.

For Lu Ran, receiving a divine message from a deity was not a big deal.

The bossy Sheep Lord might surprise Lu Ran at any moment.

But for Jiang Ruyi, this was probably her first time receiving a divine message from a deity?

Jiang Ruyi continued, "The Heavenly Deity Jade Symbol instructed me to go beneath the divine statue and listen to its teachings."

Lu Ran nodded and sighed deeply, "This is indeed a great blessing."

This situation of a "deity personally summoning a believer" was not common, but it did happen occasionally.

Believers summoned by deities were usually exceptionally talented, deeply devout, and favored by the deity.

Ordinary believers would never get such an opportunity.

Even if you traveled far and wide on a pilgrimage, the deity might not pay any attention to you, let alone grant you an audience?

Dream on! The only question was:

These chosen believers were usually at the Stream Realm's fifth stage, River Realm's first stage, or Jiang Realm's fifth stage.

The deity favored them and was willing to give them a nudge, helping them soar like a dragon.

But Jiang Ruyi's current strength was only at the Stream Realm's second stage!

Even if she had more time and everything went well, she would only reach the third stage of the Stream Realm.

Why would she receive an audience with the deity?

"I'm sorry." Jiang Ruyi's face showed a hint of guilt, "I'll have to leave the team for a while and won't be able to fight alongside you."

"There's no need to apologize. You don't have the right to refuse." Lu Ran shook his head, "Besides, this is a great opportunity."

"It's indeed fortunate." Jiang Ruyi sighed, "With my lowly strength, I've still received the attention of the deity."

Lu Ran thought for a moment and speculated, "Perhaps it's because of your exceptional talent. The Heavenly Deity Jade Symbol holds you in high regard.

When you were at the shrine, you even refused the Second Rank Deity Tianluan!

You resolutely chose to follow the Third Rank Deity Jade Symbol, making the Second Rank Deity feel snubbed.

This act probably earned you a lot of points."

"Don't say that." Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran and softly stopped him.

Lu Ran also reached out and pinched the other ear of the cat, "How long will you be gone?"

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran and softly stopped him.

Lu Ran also reached out and pinched the other ear of the cat, "How long will you be gone?"

This question was destined to have no definite answer.

Emotionally, Lu Ran naturally hoped that Jiang Ruyi would leave and return quickly.

But considering her development, the longer Jiang Ruyi stayed beneath the divine statue, the greater the benefits she would receive!

The immense divine power that the deity's statue could bestow was incomparable to any other region.

Not to mention that the deity intended to nurture Jiang Ruyi.

"Meow~"

The cat, with its ears pinched by both of them, finally had enough and stopped eating.

It even turned and ran away.

"Baa~"

A sheep's bleat rang out, and the cat abruptly stopped.

In front of Lu Ran, this "big demon," neither the cat nor any ordinary person had any personal will to speak of.

When a believer of the Divine Sheep deviated from the sect's philosophy of existence and was not disciplined or punished by their deity, such a believer was undoubtedly a scourge to society.

It was an extremely dangerous existence!

"Meow~" Little Li Hua meowed and jumped back into Lu Ran's embrace.

Lu Ran, however, passed Little Li Hua over to Jiang Ruyi's embrace, "Your sister Ruyi will soon be leaving for her cultivation journey. Let her pet you a little longer."

Jiang Ruyi smiled and gave Lu Ran a look, her gentle demeanor soothing the cat. After a while, she released the cat and let it run off.

Lu Ran pouted.

You don't know how to appreciate a good person!

Jiang Ruyi watched as Little Li Hua quickly scampered away, "During the time I'm gone, you must lead the team well."

Lu Ran replied, "Oh."

Jiang Ruyi said, "Take good care of Tian Tian. She's always been so humble, and her thoughts are very sensitive."

Lu Ran said, "It's been over three months now. She's grown a lot and has become much stronger."

Jiang Ruyi turned her head, her beautiful eyes gazing at Lu Ran, "Encourage her more and try not to blame her."

"Okay, okay." Lu Ran raised his hands in surrender.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile, but then her smile faded, and she quietly stared at Lu Ran.

The room fell silent once again.

As expected, without Little Li Hua, the atmosphere was a little awkward.

Lu Ran extended his hand and waved it in front of her face.

Jiang Ruyi realized she had been lost in thought and felt a bit embarrassed. She immediately stood up, "I should go now."

Lu Ran asked, "You're leaving now?"

Jiang Ruyi quickly walked towards the door, "The car is at three."

Lu Ran also stood up, "To my teammates."

Jiang Ruyi put on her shoes and said, "I'll give them a call in a bit."

After she finished speaking, she put on her shoes, picked up her umbrella, and walked out the door.

She didn't look back, and her steps didn't slow down.

"Alright then." Lu Ran stood at the door, watching the tall and slender figure in the hallway, "I wish you success in your studies?"

Jiang Ruyi stood in front of the apartment building's door, her hand resting on the door, "Thank you."

Her expression seemed a bit dejected.

Lu Ran's voice came again, "Come back soon."

She still had her back to Lu Ran, but this time, a faint smile finally appeared on her face,

"En, okay."

"Click."

The girl pushed open the apartment door, and at the same time, a small figure darted out from under Lu Ran's feet.

"Meow~"

"Hey?" Lu Ran hurriedly chased after it.

Jiang Ruyi bent down and reached out, easily catching the fast-moving Little Li Hua.

Through the dark red knit scarf, her lips gently touched the cat's little head.

You little rascal,

You're more sensible than your owner.

Lu Ran immediately caught up and held Little Li Hua in his embrace.

Jiang Ruyi opened her umbrella and took a step forward, "Take care."

All along, she seemed to be deliberately walking faster, not wanting to prolong the farewell.

"You too." Lu Ran watched as the girl walked away.

The autumn rain was cold, and the autumn wind was bleak.

The figure walked on the fallen yellow leaves, gradually moving away.

Suddenly, he shouted, "Ruyi!"

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi turned her head and looked towards the figure standing at the apartment building's door.

"Wait for me!" Lu Ran said, and then he disappeared.

Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment but eventually opened her umbrella and stood in the rain, quietly waiting.

In a short while, Lu Ran came out holding a black ice longsword.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes widened slightly.

Of course, she recognized that sword—Cool Night Sword.

"Where did your usual gentleness and thoughtfulness go?" Lu Ran came under the umbrella in the rain, muttering, "You didn't even offer to carry my things."

Jiang Ruyi's mind was in disarray, and she seemed not to have heard his words.

"Here." Lu Ran handed over the Cool Night Sword.

Jiang Ruyi shook her head and didn't take the sword, "It's too precious. I can't accept it."

Lu Ran grumbled, "It's worth several hundred thousand!

I'm just lending it to you for a while. You have to return it to me when you're done."

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile, shaking her head.

Parting with such a guy, it seemed there was no need to deliberately speed up the process. The atmosphere wouldn't be gloomy anyway.

Lu Ran directly stuffed the Cool Night Sword into the girl's embrace, "Take it.

When you go to the deity, you'll inevitably undergo trials, and you might even have to enter the demon cave. These are all uncertain matters.

Having a powerful weapon with you will also help you better complete the tasks assigned by the deity."

Before the other party could speak, Lu Ran added, "Take it. I'll feel more at ease."

Jiang Ruyi held the golden sword hilt and silently looked at the golden sword tassels.

Her mind was filled with the conversation between the Lu siblings behind the van.

"That's it. I'm leaving." Lu Ran bid farewell.

"Help me with this." Jiang Ruyi suddenly spoke up.

"Ah." Lu Ran was puzzled but took the umbrella and sword.

Jiang Ruyi took off the dark red knit scarf from her neck and casually put it around Lu Ran's neck.

Lu Ran's expression was odd, "You're quite the businesswoman, huh?"

Jiang Ruyi: ???

Lu Ran chuckled, "I didn't see it coming!"

Jiang Ruyi suddenly tightened her grip on the scarf around Lu Ran's neck.

She took the umbrella and sword from Lu Ran's hands and turned to leave.

"Wow!" Lu Ran tugged at the scarf, finally feeling relieved. He watched the quickly departing graceful figure, "You're trying to strangle me!"

Jiang Ruyi slightly bowed her head, her face flushing, and she walked faster.

Even if it's strangling,

At least I won't have to miss you so much.

---

Thanks to Jiang Zhuyouqiao, Xuanyuan Shiluobo, and several bosses, including Book Friend 20200712190057778, for their rewards! Thanks for the support, bosses! (`) Heart

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end