After dinner, everybody got into a large G SUV.

It was clear that Wang Ling put a lot of thought into it; there were two nanny cars waiting outside the restaurant.

He had prepared two cars, probably for Lu Ran.

It's quite normal for a Jiang Realm Great Power to enjoy solitude and peace.

Son of Wang probably didn't expect Lu Ran to be so amiable!

In order to interact more with Lu Ran, Wang Ling didn't use his family's driver and chose to drive himself.

Lu Ran was courteously offered the front passenger seat by everyone.

Without a word, Lu Ran had the tall and burly Niu Zhengzheng take the front passenger seat.

Did you think you could sit in the back and squeeze next to my sister?

Dream on!

It wasn't until they had left Beijing and gotten onto the highway that Lu Ran suddenly realized something.

If Brother Soul is driving,

Doesn't that turn our car into a hearse?

Hmm...

In the beginning, when Lu Ran rode in Sister Yuxiang's Panamera, he was amazed at how wealthy the rich heiress was.

Back then, he hadn't fully disconnected from ordinary society.

Now, as he rode in an even more expensive top-tier G SUV, he felt nothing.

He had already embarked on a path that reached to the heavens; how could he focus on trivial matters like mansions and luxury cars?

Besides,

No matter how expensive a mansion is, could it compare to the price of Luoxian Mountain?

No matter how expensive a luxury car is, could it be more costly than a Divine Weapon?

Even, Lu Ran could own a Demon Cave·Galaxy Bay...

Unfortunately, the trip to Luoxian Mountain this time didn't go as planned.

Lu Ran only got to watch the flowers and sunset with his fiancée instead of accompanying her to see the starry sky that stretched across the night.

"Sister Ruyi has also advanced to the Jiang Realm, that's impressive."

Qiao Yuansi was sitting in the middle of the back seat, leaning against Guan Yiren as usual.

She turned her head to look at Lu Ran on the other side and whispered, "I miss her."

Lu Ran looked at the receding landscape outside the window, "We'll see how it goes. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, I'll try to bring her back to celebrate your birthday."

"Really?" Qiao Yuansi's eyes lit up.

"Yep," Lu Ran nodded.

Of course, it's true. After spending your birthday with you, I should be leaving.

No fixed return date.

Qiao Yuansi then asked, "By the way, bro, how far have you guys gotten?"

Lu Ran thought for a moment, "Discussing marriage."

"Wowwowwow~~~" Qiao Yuansi was full of excitement, letting out a cheerful shriek.

Lu Ran: "..."

Did she just get electrified?

Suddenly, Qiao Yuansi turned into a parrot, bobbing her little head, "Discussing marriage~"

Lu Ran was speechless.

A dark strain flashed across his face with a hint of red.

He thought he had thick skin, but since meeting Little Yuanxi, his face had turned red twice.

Lu Ran also fancied himself good with words.

But this sister...

Her little mouth was equally talented!

Guan Yiren looked at the mischievous Little Yuanxi with a touch of indulgence in her eyes.

She glanced covertly at Lu Ran.

Their first meeting was in the Soul-splitting Demon Cave, where her attitude shifted from doubt to affirmation.

The second meeting occurred in the Night Charm Demon Cave.

Her attitude evolved from acceptance to admiration and praise.

Now, upon this reunion, her heart held nothing but respect.

Lu Ran's level of excellence had far exceeded her expectations.

Too bad the good man is taken, and he's with his childhood sweetheart.

The noble and aloof disciple of Sword One had his own dignity and pride, naturally not indulging in any melodramatic acts.

Driven by emotion, stopped by propriety.

Everything as Wang Ling said, being able to meet him was already a fortune of three lifetimes.

Just admiring him from a distance, watching him ascend step by step in his career, was also a fortunate part of her life.

Unfortunately, Lu Ran also turned his head at that moment.

As their gazes met, Guan Yiren's eyes flashed with panic, and she immediately averted her gaze.

Lu Ran: "..."

Oh come on, sister cool.

Don't make a scene!

Being comrades is fine, but anything beyond that is out of the question!

However, in the future, he might try to convert her into a Ran Sect Believer?

The few teammates of Little Yuanxi didn't just represent themselves but huge underlying connections.

Lu Ran didn't think having a River Realm Great Power like Cheng Li under his command meant he could afford to look down on the human world.

On the contrary!

Those people might lead to some ancient monsters!

Anyone who's read a fantasy novel knows:

Old creatures are the most terrifying!

Little Yuanxi sharing life and death with her teammates was indeed a solid connection.

Wang Ling spoke softly, "Lu Tianjiao..."

"That's too polite a title," Lu Ran casually said, "If we're the same age, I'm actually older than you by birthday."

Wang Ling chuckled, "Oh? I'm born in the first lunar month."

Lu Ran looked out the window, "I too am born in the first lunar month, on the seventh day."

Wang Ling followed up eagerly, laughing, "Then you indeed are older... so, Brother Ran?"

"Smack!"

Niu Zhengzheng slapped Wang Ling on the back of his head, shouting in a hoarse voice, "Are you really comparing?

You should call him Brother Ran no matter what! I do!"

Wang Ling: "..."

Guan Yiren frowned lightly, "He's driving."

Qiao Yuansi whispered, "My brother is so strong, we probably wouldn't die even if the car flipped."

Lu Ran: ????

Wang Ling spoke, "Being born on the seventh is great, it's 'Human Day.'"

A bit embarrassed, Niu Zhengzheng engaged in the conversation to ease the awkwardness, "What's Human Day?"

Qiao Yuansi giggled, "The seventh day of the first lunar month is Human Day, also known as Victory of Humanity Festival. According to legend, it's the birthday of the human race."

"Wow?" Niu Zhengzheng rubbed his head, "That's a great birthday, the birth of the human race."

Lu Ran was truly impressed.

Was that really my choice?

It was a collaborative decision made by mom and dad!

Amidst laughter and chit-chat, after several hours, the vehicle arrived at Rain Alley City.

The Lu siblings were dropped off at the base of their apartment building, and after arranging the next day's plans, Wang Ling drove away.

Lu Ran didn't need to worry about their accommodation; it had all been arranged in advance before the team decided to station in Rain Alley City.

"It's been so long since I've been back!"

Qiao Yuansi hugged Lu Ran's arm, looking at the apartment building in front of her.

Lu Ran was carrying Little Yuanxi's suitcase in one hand and said with a smile, "You were just a few years old when you left, do you still remember this place?"

"How could I forget?" Qiao Yuansi said, though she indeed had few memories.

When their parents divorced, Lu Ran was 5 and Lu Yuanxi was 4.

Though it's only an hour's high-speed train ride from Beijing to Rain Alley City,

It took more than ten years for Lu Yuanxi to make that short journey.

Of course, her return to this place wasn't just for the old house but for a person.

If not for Lu Ran's persistence with this place, she, the heiress from Beijing and the Qiao family, possibly never would have come back here.

Now, Lu Yuanxi stood in front of this building once again.

However, she was now the nearly 18-year-old Qiao Yuansi, a pampered young lady.

"Dad is so cold, not even inviting me over to play," Qiao Yuansi muttered quietly.

Lu Ran paused mid-step.

Qiao Yuansi, feeling panicked, clung tighter to Lu Ran's arm, "Bro~"

She wanted to say something but didn't know how to express it.

Lu Ran remained silent for a moment, then chuckled, "You're having such a good time in Beijing, he probably feels ashamed to bring you back to this small place."

Or perhaps, was it because mom stopped him?

Lu Ran suddenly remembered, this wasn't Qiao Yuansi's first time coming back to Rain Alley after over ten years.

Back then, she and her mom came for their father's memorial service.

However, that time, Qiao Yuansi didn't return to this family home.

"Let's not talk about this anymore." Qiao Yuansi felt guilty for her lack of filter.

Without thinking, she hugged Lu Ran's arm even tighter.

The moods of ordinary people need to be interpreted through observation.

But a Jiang Realm Great Power is different!

If Lu Ran's personal emotional fluctuations were too intense, they could directly affect the surrounding atmosphere.

This also objectively illustrates that the higher the strength realm of the human race, the closer their connection with the universe.

"Why are you hugging so tightly, I need to get the keys," Lu Ran said helplessly.

"Mm." Qiao Yuansi didn't alter her actions, seemingly afraid to let go.

Nevertheless, Lu Ran managed to open the door with one person hanging off his side.

As the security door opened, so seemed to open Qiao Yuansi's door of memories.

In the living room, there appeared to be two young children's ethereal forms, chasing and playing.

"Change shoes."

Lu Ran said softly, and Qiao Yuansi finally let go of his arm.

"Wear your Sister Ruyi's shoes," Lu Ran picked up a pair of women's slippers and instinctively squatted down to change her shoes.

He had already replaced one shoe before he realized!

The shoes indeed belonged to Ruyi.

But she wasn't here!

He looked up, met Qiao Yuansi's mischievously smiling face.

Her long eyelashes fluttered, smile beaming, "Having a girlfriend makes you different, huh? You're so caring now?"

Lu Ran rolled his eyes, resignedly continuing as he untied her Martin boots' laces,

"Your Sister Ruyi met our mom only once and took over this glorious tradition."

Qiao Yuansi's cheeks radiated joy, reveling in her brother's tender actions, "So if I refuse to change, I'd just stand there?"

Lu Ran huffed.

Qiao Yuansi playfully said, "I want that too~"

"You wish!" Lu Ran stood up and walked away, leaving the suitcase by the door.

"Hmph!" Qiao Yuansi wrinkled her little nose, stepping inside the house, looking around.

The furniture was new but arranged in the same positions.

Memories were easier to conjure.

"Bro!!"

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran appeared at the bedroom door, looking at the young girl.

Qiao Yuansi pointed with her slender jade finger towards a window in the living room, "I remember now, you stole my candy there!"

Lu Ran remembered briefly, his face reddened, but he retorted,

"You were just a four-year-old kid, wouldn't eating too many sweets hurt your teeth?"

Qiao Yuansi was shocked, "How old were you then? Weren't you just five?"

Lu Ran ducked into the bedroom, too embarrassed to say more.

It was somewhat shameful.

Qiao Yuansi pouted but eventually made her way to the master bedroom.

Back then, she had special privileges; she could sleep with her parents, unlike Lu Ran, who was relegated to the smaller bedroom.

Sleeping on a small bed, under a small blanket.

Vulnerable, pitiable, helpless... stealing candy to eat.

"It looks different, where's mom and dad's wedding photo?" Qiao Yuansi stepped into the master bedroom.

"I'll sleep in this room with your Sister Ruyi," Lu Ran pondered for a moment, then said, "For the next few days, you sleep here."

Qiao Yuansi plopped onto the large bed, "Is that alright?"

Lu Ran answered, "The smaller bedroom has the Immortal Sheep God Sculpture; it's not suitable for you to stay there."

"Oh, right!" Qiao Yuansi leapt up.

Lu Ran immediately stepped aside to clear the way, watching as Qiao Yuansi hurried to the smaller bedroom.

When he reached the smaller bedroom's door, he saw Qiao Yuansi kneeling before the shrine:

"Sorry to disturb you, Lord Immortal Sheep.

Thank you for always looking after my brother, for loving and protecting him..."

Lu Ran leaned against the door frame,

Watching her as she pressed her hands together in sincere prayer,

Listening as Little Yuanxi expressed gratitude on his behalf, asking the divine powers to continue their protection.

It seemed...

She was even more heartfelt than when worshiping the Divine·Lantern.

Gradually, a gentle smile appeared on Lu Ran's face.

Little Yuanxi,

In the future, there should also be a place for you among the myriad gods and demons.

I hope, as your brother, I am capable,

Rather than meeting a shattered fate.

...

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