Lu Ran's train was at one o'clock in the afternoon.

Chen Jingjing said she wanted to join him for a meal, and Lu Ran couldn't really refuse.

However, he hadn't expected the meal to be so lavish.

In Beijing, where land was worth its weight in gold, this restaurant occupied a substantially large area.

The restaurant's decor was elegant, built around a large courtyard complete with artificial mountain rocks, small bridges, and flowing water, quite tasteful indeed.

Expensive.

That was Lu Ran's first thought.

When he saw the guests inside the restaurant, Lu Ran realized that having money alone was probably not enough to dine here.

Hmm... it did match Chen Jingjing's style.

"Autumn Waters Homestead."

Lu Ran remembered the restaurant's signboard and thought to himself, "What a good name."

"Miss Chen, this way," a well-dressed waiter, smiling broadly, gestured and immediately led the way.

Chen Jingjing looked indifferent and nodded slightly.

"Sister, a simple meal would have been okay," Lu Ran said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "This is too extravagant."

When Chen Jingjing looked at Lu Ran, her expression thawed like ice melting, revealing a mysterious smile.

Which puzzled Lu Ran quite a bit.

The two followed the waiter to a private room on the second floor and pushed the door open.

Lu Ran only felt a figure rushing towards him:

"Brother!!!"

Lu Ran got startled and quickly reached out his hand.

"Slap!"

He pressed down on the newcomer's head.

What was this jumping thing?

Hugging someone as soon as they meet?

Shameless... oh, isn't this my sister?

"You!" Qiao Yuansi pushed Lu Ran's hand away furiously, her large eyes glaring at him.

"Yuansi ah."

"Hmph!" Qiao Yuansi, still stomping her feet in anger, rubbed her forehead.

Thanks to her dear brother, her forehead had turned red.

"Does it hurt?" Lu Ran hurriedly asked, feeling relieved.

Lucky he had used his hand!

Just now, Lu Ran almost lifted his leg and kicked the person out...

"Cold-blooded, heartless, stinky brother."

Qiao Yuansi mumbled and turned her head away.

"Sorry, my mistake," Lu Ran quickly moved forward, hugged his sister, and gently patted her back.

Don't say it~

Little Yuansi's face looked puffed up in anger, which was quite amusing.

Like a little pufferfish?

Lu Ran turned his head and looked at Chen Jingjing.

Chen Jingjing smiled apologetically, "Yuansi heard you were stopping over in Beijing, so..."

In his arms, Qiao Yuansi cut her off: "Don't blame Jingjing sister. I asked her to keep it from you.

Sister Ruyi told me about your schedule!

Darn it, I wanted to surprise you."

"Surprise, indeed a surprise," Lu Ran stroked the girl's back, "You've grown taller too."

"Not at all! Liar!"

Qiao Yuansi still hugged Lu Ran, her face buried in his chest: "I measure every day, still 168, haven't grown at all."

Lu Ran felt a bit awkward.

Qiao Yuansi looked up, her big watery eyes looking woefully:

"It's probably because I grew too much in the past two years."

Lu Ran: "..."

Suddenly, Qiao Yuansi exclaimed: "Brother seems taller though."

Lu Ran smiled and nodded, gently rubbing her red forehead.

He had indeed grown a bit taller, not sure if it was because of the Divine Blessing, or due to the change of environment.

Since his journey to Luoxian Mountain a few months ago, Lu Ran had grown 2-3 centimeters.

Now he should be about 182cm barefoot.

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi's face lit up with a smile, "Being taller is good.

That way, Sister Ruyi can wear high heels!"

Lu Ran's lips twitched.

Finally getting to see each other, and she has to poke at my heart?

Qiao Yuansi's expression changed again, pouting: "You're passing through Beijing, why didn't you look for me?"

Lu Ran explained, "Today is already the thirteenth of the lunar month; the city watch is about to begin."

Since Qiao Yuansi entered Beijing University, she's had a strenuous timetable!

Being one of Da Xia's top institutions, Beijing University offered the best cultivation resources and busy schedules for students like Little Yuansi.

They had kept in touch rather frequently.

After the fifteenth of the month, they would message each other to check in, which had become a routine.

Including the two months Lu Ran was in seclusion on Luoxian Mountain, he had informed Little Yuansi ahead of time to let her know his whereabouts, as he wouldn't be able to send messages while inside Demon Cave.

Additionally, Lu Ran had joined "Heavenly Pride."

As Little Yuansi also had to guard the city on the night of the fifteenth, she would watch the recorded broadcast of Lu Ran's performance in "Heavenly Pride" the next day.

Little Yuansi's calls usually came in the afternoon on the sixteenth day of the lunar month.

She would chatter away with her brother, commenting on his performance in "Heavenly Pride."

Once the results were out on the eighteenth, she would either text or call Lu Ran.

Though their living environments and paths of growth were different, in the face of their father's death and their mother's busy life, the siblings always looked out for each other.

In fact, during his recent trip to receive blessings, Lu Ran had considered bringing Little Yuansi along.

Unfortunately, she was on a mission in Demon Cave at that time.

Moreover, Yuansi was currently at River Realm·Fourth Rank, while Lu Ran, with his River Realm body, went to receive the Divine Blessing.

Lu Ran knew Lord Immortal Goat indulged him quite a bit.

But to ask the Lord to take care of this Lantern Believer and also adjust the intensity of the blessing...

It was indeed difficult to ask.

After all, Lu Ran had already taken advantage of bringing a Jiang Realm Jade Talisman Believer to share in the blessings.

Hmm... after Little Yuansi advances to the River Realm, and after he returns from the Divine Ruins and gains the favor of the gods, he might have the face to ask.

"Bro! Brother?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran came back to his senses and smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I spaced out. What were you saying?"

"Wow!" Qiao Yuansi tilted her head back, looking into Lu Ran's eyes.

Tiny stars nearly sparkled in her eyes.

Being together, Lu Ran was naturally more sincere and tender.

Thus, his eyes, tinged with the stars of the night sky, appeared even softer.

Qiao Yuansi couldn't help but reach out to touch Lu Ran's eyes.

Lu Ran: ??

He instinctively closed his eyes and leaned his head back.

Qiao Yuansi's slender fingers poked at Lu Ran's eyelids...

Her puffed-up pufferfish face blew up again: "What are you dodging?"

Lu Ran almost laughed out of irritation: "You poke my eyes, and I shouldn't dodge?"

Qiao Yuansi pursed her lips, muttering, "Just wanted to touch, you stingy."

Lu Ran felt numb!

You poke someone's eyeballs, and you still think you're right?

"Hehe~"

"Haha!" Laughter echoed in the private room.

Lu Ran had long noticed there were others in the room, but naturally, Little Yuansi was more important to him.

He followed the sound, turned his gaze, and saw three young men and women standing.

The most eye-catching was the towering, burly man—Niu Zhengzheng!

"Ran bro!!"

Niu Zhengzheng grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth.

Lu Ran also smiled, "You've bulked up again? This time you could really fit two of me."

"Hehe." Niu Zhengzheng seemed not to hear what Lu Ran said, just kept staring at him.

Back when they first met, this reckless man wanted to compare himself with Lu Ran.

But now...

Adoration filled his eyes.

Qiao Yuansi giggled, "Big guy, turned into a little fanboy, huh~"

Lu Ran looked at Niu Zhengzheng's side and saw a cold beauty.

Interestingly, when Lu Ran and Guan Yiren's eyes met, she slightly averted her gaze.

Lu Ran's vision was too good.

Good enough to notice a blush spreading across the aloof beauty's face.

Lu Ran chuckled again.

He had inherited his parents' good genes and was naturally handsome. It was just his age that made him seem a bit green.

Now, Lu Ran had grown another year, killed for a year, ascended to River Realm, undergone a transformation.

He also received the Divine Blessing, graced with a celestial physique.

Hmm... he indeed had the looks to charm the world.

"It's been a while, Yiren," Lu Ran spoke softly, "Thanks for looking after Yuansi."

Guan Yiren still looked at Lu Ran, but her eyes focused on his mask as she softly said,

"It's part of the job."

Being comrades in arms, it indeed was part of the job.

"And who is this?" Lu Ran glanced at a young man standing aside and studied him.

Rare to see someone even slimmer than himself...

The young man was like a pole, and at first glance, one might worry he'd be blown away by the wind.

But upon closer inspection, he was quite something!

The young man had a dignified air, with short, neat hair, steadfast and confident eyes, probably just over six feet tall, and carried himself erectly.

"Lu Tianjiao!" The young man stepped forward, reaching out his hand to Lu Ran, "I am Wang Ling.

Today is a fortunate day to meet you!"

Lu Ran, not one to put on airs, shook hands with him.

In his arms, Little Yuansi said, "This restaurant is owned by the Skull family."

"Skull?" Lu Ran didn't understand.

Yuansi nestled in Lu Ran's arms, having not seen him for a long time, and was particularly clingy.

She gestured at Wang Ling with her lips: "Ghost, you know, the Skull~"

Wang Ling: "..."

"Stop giving people nicknames," Lu Ran chided softly, patting Qiao Yuansi's head.

Qiao Yuansi playfully stuck out her tongue, then buried her face again in Lu Ran's chest.

Lu Ran looked puzzled.

While the siblings indeed had a great relationship, they didn't need to hug this long, did they?

A hint of worry crossed Lu Ran's mind as he softly asked, "Feeling wronged?"

"How could that be!" Qiao Yuansi's muffled voice emerged from Lu Ran's chest, "Sister Yiren, Bullhead Skull, they all protect me.

The sisters who worship Sword One at the school, they all treat me so well, who dares trouble me?"

Lu Ran: "Uh."

Right!

Qiao Wanjun is Jinghong Peak Master, and Qiao Yuansi naturally is cherished like gold.

Whether Qiao Wanjun proactively charged, the school's leadership and teachers, etc., would generally be aware of the mother-daughter relationship, and the word would spread.

Who would dare bother Qiao Yuansi?

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi smiled broadly, "Besides, I have a Heavenly Pride brother too!

At Wu Lie River University, we had a big fight, who dares bully me?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Well, as long as she wasn't bullied, it was fine.

Lu Ran spoke up, "Okay, a lot of people are watching, let go now."

Qiao Yuansi resisted: "Let's hug a little longer!"

Lu Ran helplessly said, "How come the older you get, the clingier you are?"

Qiao Yuansi whispered, "Brother is the First Heavenly Pride, likely the Child of Destiny of Da Xia!

I stick close to you to catch some good fortune.

Maybe, I can advance all at once!"

Lu Ran was dumbfounded: "Ah?"

Qiao Yuansi murmured softly, "That's how they write it in fantasy novels.

I'm telling you, I've been listening to a novel before bed recently..."

"Stop stop!" Lu Ran, half laughing and crying, called out to everyone, "Let's all sit down."

This little pufferfish, really whimsical, hasn't changed at all.

While speaking, Lu Ran realized that Wang Ling was still standing there, having been ignored for quite some time.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Lu Ran looked Wang Ling over and said:

"Friend, impressive skills."

Wang Ling's eyes brightened: "My modest skills aren't worthy of such praise from Lu Tianjiao."

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and asked, "A Gun Corpse Believer?"

Wang Ling nodded, "Lu Tianjiao has sharp eyes. I am a disciple of Qiang Xiu."

First-class God· Spear Saint, real name Qiang Xiu.

Since Qiao Yuansi mentioned "even the Skull is looking out for her," it meant Wang Ling was likely part of this trio.

Geez, truly a gathering of mighty believers?

He thought, if he weren't a top player, how could he join the team?

"Yuansi?"

"Hmm, Sister Yiren?"

"Stop clinging to your brother, come sit down, we have things to discuss."

"Oh, right away," Qiao Yuansi replied softly.

Her little face still buried in Lu Ran's chest, she took in another deep breath, as if trying to absorb more good fortune...

...

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