The rain poured all night.

In the pitter-patter of rain, Lu Ran fought through the entire night.

The dangers he faced were not worth mentioning.

For tonight in Rain Alley City, there were no Night of Ghosts prowling, no descent of the Demon Lord.

This cursed city finally allowed its people a moment to breathe.

Even though each battle Lu Ran encountered, each rescue mission he took part in, was fraught with peril...

This night still gave Lu Ran an illusion of "calm seas and mild winds."

He stayed with the little Rain Alley City until after midnight, battled until dawn.

Looking back suddenly, it was the initial battle with the Jade-faced Snake and the small team that had been most perilous.

"The last round."

Lu Ran whispered softly as he came to the dilapidated overpass outside Hexi Park once more.

The sky was already brightening, the small town quiet and peaceful.

Lu Ran raised his head, looking through the misty rain at the towering Wu Lie Building.

Jiang Ruyi's heart stirred, probing, "After the last encounter with Heavenly Pride, has Sister Deng Yuxiang contacted you?"

"I've seen her once," Lu Ran replied truthfully.

"Seen her once?" Jiang Ruyi was surprised, turning to look at Lu Ran's profile, her gaze deep and distant.

Last night, Jiang Ruyi told Lu Ran not to think anymore about the Evil Demon·Jade-faced Snake, which of course was said in jest.

But now, the girl seemed genuinely jealous.

"Quite a coincidence." Lu Ran scratched his head, his hand falling upon the raincoat's hood, "That night after I walked you home, I thought to visit my father.

Then, there she was on the rooftop."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruyi's expression became even more peculiar.

Even if Lu Ran was slow to react, he still sensed something was off.

He hurriedly explained, "Due to a fortunate coincidence, it was there on that rooftop that she had an epiphany and made a breakthrough.

So, she often goes there to solidify her state of mind."

"Oh," Jiang Ruyi's voice was very low.

Lu Ran lifted his left hand, releasing the Dawn Blade.

The Dawn Blade flew up on its own, spinning in the air, and returned precisely to the scabbard on Lu Ran's right shoulder.

Meanwhile, Lu Ran's freed hand took hold of the girl's icy delicate hand.

Behind them, Sun Zhengfang first froze, then shook his head with a smile, pretending to see nothing.

"We're on a mission," Jiang Ruyi said softly, trying to pull away from Lu Ran's grasp but unable to break free.

Lu Ran said, "Sister Yuxiang left; she went to North Wind City."

"Oh? She's not in the Wu Lie Building?"

Lu Ran organized his words and explained the situation.

Hearing about Deng Yuxiang's "do or die" cultivation journey, Jiang Ruyi frowned with concern.

As Lu Ran finished his story, Jiang Ruyi sighed deeply, "Ah..."

Divine Weapons were the stuff of dreams for everyone.

The Divine Weapon Domain was one of the world's top resources.

Alas, resources were finite; some ascend to the throne, while others are pulled down from their horses.

And as a challenger, Deng Yuxiang had an innate disadvantage, for her Divine Weapon temporarily lacked a Domain.

The possible outcome for Deng Yuxiang...

Thinking of this, Jiang Ruyi felt an increasing weight on her heart.

Last month, when she visited Beijing, Qiao Wanjun had personally instructed her about the potential Domain of the Cold Night Sword.

Would the Domains overlap?

When the time came, would she also have to compete with her seniors?

Even more terrifying was that even if you didn't vie for it, the other party probably wouldn't let it go without a fight.

There's no such thing as enduring a thief for a thousand days.

Once the Cold Night Sword realized who was blocking its path to divinity, the other party would also learn who was lurking in the shadows, coveting.

A battle would naturally be inevitable.

Let's hope that the Domain of the Cold Night Sword does not overlap with any other Divine Weapon.

Honestly, that's a bit idealistic.

Without relying on luck, the best-case scenario would be that the rival Divine Weapon is in the hands of the Human Clan.

If that Divine Weapon belonged to a deity or an Evil Demon...

Whether the deity would shatter your blade, and how they would deal with you, would depend on which deity it was and their temperament.

As for an Evil Demon, that's the worst draw of the lot.

Your Divine Weapon provides a precise coordinate for the Evil Demon.

From that moment, you become a harbinger of disaster.

The city you're in could suffer the ravages of the Evil Demon at any moment.

"Sister Yuxiang asked me to protect this city before she left," said Lu Ran, gazing at the peaceful streets of the town.

Suddenly, he felt his hand being tightly squeezed.

He was usually the one leading her; it was rare for the girl to take the initiative.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran asked with concern.

Jiang Ruyi lowered her head in silence; she felt that nurturing a Domain for her Divine Weapon was still a far-off matter.

But that didn't seem to be the case.

From the moment Deng Yuxiang acquired her Divine Weapon to when the Night-slaying Great Saber comprehended its Domain, it had been no more than half a year.

Jiang Ruyi didn't think Lu Ran was much inferior to Deng Yuxiang.

The Dawn Blade was already a Divine Weapon, with a clear growth trajectory.

The Silent Night Blade too was advancing fiercely!

Just last night, after Lu Ran had slain his enemies, he had excitedly held up the Silent Night Blade, watching it tremble continuously.

Everyone understands the principle of 'holding a precious stone makes you a target of envy.'

Who knows what awaits the two of them.

That question, is unanswerable.

No matter what it is, they're sure to face it together.

At least Jiang Ruyi knew she would always stand by Lu Ran's side.

Thinking thus, the girl squeezed his hand even tighter.

Strength, strength...

"Ruyi?" Lu Ran stopped in his tracks, facing the girl as he inquired, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Jiang Ruyi quickly adjusted her state, changing the subject, "I feel like I've touched the bottleneck of a minor rank."

"Oh?" Lu Ran's face brightened with joy, "River Realm Third Rank?"

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly.

Lu Ran hurriedly said, "Why are you only telling me this now?"

Jiang Ruyi smiled, "I only felt it near midnight last night."

"That's great!" Lu Ran, somewhat excited, embraced the girl's slender waist, "Come to my house in a bit."

The sudden movement made Jiang Ruyi look somewhat uneasy.

She leaned back slightly, whispering, "What for?"

Lu Ran, with a mysterious air, said, "I've got a big treasure to show you~"

"Cough cough!" From behind came a cough from Sun Zhengfang.

Jiang Ruyi's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, quickly pushing Lu Ran away.

Lu Ran looked rather uncomfortable as he turned to Sun Zhengfang.

Sun Zhengfang couldn't help but laugh, "What are you looking at me for? Continue patrolling!"

Holding hands is fine, since it's been light for a while, and there are no Evil Demons around.

Uncle Sun could turn a blind eye.

But stopping here, blocking the bridge, and picking her up?

Uncle Sun may be experienced, but thinking about Brother Long, how his heart must ache!

Ahead, Lu Ran resumed patrolling, while in the middle of the squad, Sun Zhengfang chuckled as he glanced back.

Wei Long: "..."

The group of four continued onward, and when they arrived at the neighborhood of Rain Alley Home, Lu Ran turned to the team leader, "Uncle Sun."

Sun Zhengfang gestured with his hand, "Go back and rest well."

Lu Ran took Jiang Ruyi's hand, "No, Uncle Sun, why don't you and Brother Long wait for us?

I'm going to take Jiang Ruyi home quickly, and we'll be right back."

Sun Zhengfang: ? ? ?

Wei Long: "..."

Jiang Ruyi was curious about the treasure Lu Ran mentioned.

The next second, she was being pulled by Lu Ran, running into the neighborhood.

Sun Zhengfang and Wei Long looked at each other, neither speaking.

Lu Jiang rushed straight home, quickly opening the door.

"Don't move from there."

Lu Ran took off his shoes and headed straight for the small bedroom.

He bowed his head in front of the small shrine, then crouched down and found a Demon Crystal from the cabinet underneath the shrine, half the size of a palm.

Jiang Grade·Evil Dog Demon Crystal!

Lu Ran weighed the large Demon Crystal in his hand and quickly returned to the doorway, presenting the treasure, "Here!"

"What is this?" Jiang Ruyi felt the Demon Crystal looked somewhat familiar.

Lu Ran said, "When I advanced last time, I absorbed the Demon Crystals in my backpack, and it was a success.

I kept this one especially to help you advance!"

Saying so, Lu Ran stuffed the Jiang Grade·Magic Crystal into the girl's embrace.

Jiang Ruyi felt warm inside and did not refuse Lu Ran's good intentions.

For both of them, successfully breaking through and enhancing their power was the best answer to each other.

Lu Ran quickly put on his shoes, "Let's go, I'll take you home."

"No need to bother," Jiang Ruyi declined, "Just stay here. If you take me, you'll have to patrol a whole big round again."

"No problem," Lu Ran finished putting on his shoes and stood up, "I...um."

Lu Ran's eyes widened slightly.

In his field of view, Jiang Ruyi's delicate white face suddenly leaned forward.

Her thin lips lightly pressed against his own.

Of course, Lu Ran reacted!

With the responsiveness of Evil Dog Evil Skill·Evil Sensitivity, he was as swift as a small dog.

But...

Who would dodge such good fortune~

In his memory, this was the first time Jiang Ruyi had taken the initiative.

"Behave," Jiang Ruyi said somewhat flustered, lowering her head softly, "Rest at home, my teammates will take me back."

Lu Ran pursed his lips, chuckling, "A sneak attack?"

Jiang Ruyi immediately shot Lu Ran a glare and turned to leave, closing the door behind her.

Then, she leaned against the security door, recalling her bold move.

The more she reminisced, the redder her cheeks became.

Of course, Lu Ran knew she hadn't left.

Not only was his reaction as quick as a small dog's, his nose and ears were just as sharp.

In his nose, the mingling scent of blood and faint jasmine.

In his ears, very light and somewhat short breaths.

After a full ten seconds or more, the girl outside the door finally stepped away.

Only then did Lu Ran start humming a tune, heading toward the bathroom:

"The rain fell all night, like the beautiful chapters fluttering in a book...eh?"

He seemed to have sung the wrong lyrics.

Hmm... It doesn't matter!

"...and your cheeks are like ripe tomatoes in the field~"

Lu Ran's song wasn't over, but Jiang Ruyi had already reached the entrance of the neighborhood.

"I told Lu Ran that I hit the bottleneck for advancement, and he got me a Demon Crystal."

Jiang Ruyi proactively explained, opening her palm to show the Demon Crystal to the two men.

"Wow," Sun Zhengfang exclaimed, "Not a low-grade Demon Crystal, is it?"

Without Lu Ran by her side, Jiang Ruyi returned to her usual composed self.

She nodded with a smile, "Before, our squad went to the buffer zone of Evil Dog Village.

An Evil Dog from the River Realm slipped in, and Lu Ran led us, taking it down."

Sun Zhengfang's expression became startled, "A Demon Crystal from a River Realm Evil Dog..."

He stumbled over his words for quite a while before confirming, "Since it could slip into the buffer zone, that Evil Dog must have had Evil Shadow Flash, right?"

Under their watchful eyes, Jiang Ruyi nodded once more.

"Good lad!" Sun Zhengfang slapped his forehead, his expression extremely animated.

He thought he understood Lu Ran well, having carried out missions together every month.

But with this news, Sun Zhengfang was still taken aback!

A River Realm Evil Dog with Instant Teleportation Technique?

For a patrol team like theirs, to not be wiped out was already a stroke of great luck.

But that Evil Dog was slain by Lu Ran?

Lu Ran was just a River Realm Believer, the Divine Technique·Sheep at best only Of River Grade, unable to take effect on a River Realm Evil Demon, right!?

This...

Sun Zhengfang turned to Wei Long, "So, Lu Ran can not only take on the Night of Ghosts but also battle the descent of the Demon Lord?"

Wei Long: "..."

What does the old team leader mean by that?

Please don't be rash.

Lu Ran might be able to manage, but it seems we can't...

...

Seeking some monthly tickets.

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