Over the next two days, Lu Ran and his companions carried out their cultivation experiences methodically.

Jiang and Si absorbed the experience of battling the Vermilion Paper Evil Sculptures, while Lu Ran secretly consumed the Dead Souls of the Vermilion Paper people.

It must be said, this cultivation journey truly broadened Lu Ran's horizons.

Especially after encountering the River Realm Vermilion Paper person, Lu Ran's thoughts became even more active.

The Vermilion Paper sect's Evil Technique was simply too explosive.

Whether it was the carriage with its amazing defensive power or the competent Ghost Bearer, both greatly stirred Lu Ran's interest.

Once he mastered this technique, his presence would be impressive whenever he went out...

Moreover, the Vermilion Paper people who had advanced to the River Realm were transformed!

She remained the infatuated bride, but also became an empress with an imposing aura!

The thought of one day having such a Vermilion Paper person made Lu Ran secretly jubilant.

And his delighted expression scared Si Xianxian quite a bit, who thought Lu Ran was possessed by something...

Lu Ran dearly wished to double his efforts and collect more Dead Souls of the Vermilion Paper people.

However, the number of Vermilion Paper people drawn to this Little Desolate Village was indeed limited.

Even more regrettable was that the military had only given Lu Ran seven days for his experience.

As soon as the allotted time arrived, the Li brothers teleported the group directly back to Stone City, personally escorting them out of the Demon Cave.

They didn't give Lu Ran a second to spare!

Lu Ran was distressed.

After all, he was Da Xia's genius, to be so shunned...

On the afternoon they were driven out, Lu Ran and his company followed Chen Jingjing, catching a flight back to Beijing.

The moment they landed, Lu Ran immediately dialed Mother Dearest's phone number.

Perhaps Lu Ran's prayers were effective, for the call actually connected.

"Ranran?" came the gentle voice.

Qiao Wanjun's state was as usual—no sign of melancholy at all.

"Mom, I'm back in Beijing, just got off the plane," Lu Ran reported.

"Did you get what you wanted?" Qiao Wanjun asked softly.

Lu Ran was momentarily stunned.

That question...

After a moment, he replied, "Yeah, I gained a lot of experience. Now, I have more confidence when facing Vermilion Paper people.

We even encountered a River Realm Vermilion Paper person.

Sister Jingjing is so amazing, she took down the Evil Demon in one strike!"

"Hehe," Qiao Wanjun chuckled, choosing not to respond further.

Lu Ran: "By the way, Mom, are you at home? Or at work?"

"Mom is quite busy and won't be able to accompany you these days," Qiao Wanjun's voice held a hint of apology.

Lu Ran immediately said, "Are you at Jinghong Peak, Mom? Can I come to visit?"

"No need," came the unexpected and clear-cut response from Qiao Wanjun.

As Lu Ran registered surprise, Qiao Wanjun's tone softened, soothingly saying, "Ranran, Mom is quite busy right now. You and your teammates should relax a bit.

Or if you want to visit another Demon Cave, you can talk directly to Chen Jingjing, she'll arrange it for you."

Lu Ran: "Mom, I want to..."

"Hehe," Qiao Wanjun chuckled dryly, teasingly saying, "Why, after visiting Yan Zhi Village, have you changed your tune?

Becoming clingy?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Qiao Wanjun's smile faded as she inquired, "Something happened?"

"Nothing, everything's good," Lu Ran immediately assured her, explaining, "I just wanted to see you."

"That's good. Another time, Ranran."

"Beep...beep...beep..." Lu Ran wished to say more, but the phone was already giving off a busy tone.

"What did the auntie say?" Jiang Ruyi asked.

Lu Ran shook his head, resigned: "She's too busy to let me visit."

Witnessing this, Chen Jingjing sighed internally.

After thinking it over, Lu Ran looked to Jiang Ruyi: "Would she be angry if I went to Jinghong Peak directly?"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

You're asking me?

"It's best to get permission first," Chen Jingjing suddenly intervened, advising, "Don't act against Peak Master Qiao's wishes."

The use of the term "act against" was quite evocative.

It also reflected the status Qiao Wanjun held in Chen Jingjing's eyes.

Lu Ran nodded and sighed, "Let's go home... wait a minute."

Lu Ran's face turned awkward, suddenly remembering something: "I don't have the house key."

Everyone: "..."

He wasn't having an easy time being a son.

Chen Jingjing timely offered, "Shall I arrange a hotel for you?"

"Yes, please!" Si Xianxian finally uttered eagerly, "Staying at a hotel is good, Lu Ran's house has deities, let's not disturb them."

"Mhm, that's true," Lu Ran agreed.

The group of four headed to the parking lot, retrieved the car they had left there, and quickly drove away from the airport.

Without accompanying their mother, Jiang and Lu benefited Si Xianxian the most.

Jiang Ruyi fulfilled her promise, accompanying Si Xianxian around Beijing for three days, also visiting the night market that Sister Xian'er longed for.

Lu Ran was cooperative, trying not to let his troubles dampen Si Xianxian's spirits.

On the twenty-ninth day of the lunar calendar, Lu Ran tried to call his mother again.

Qiao Wanjun once again refused her son's visit, only reminding him to balance work with rest.

Lu Ran could only seek comfort in second best, offering solace to his mother over the phone, attempting some comfort.

To his mother's slight surprise, yet with a note of contentment, Lu Ran could sense her voice becoming even gentler.

Even so, she did not chat with Lu Ran for long, quickly ending the call.

It was clear she was truly busy.

Perhaps she was occupied with prayers and offerings, not daring to delay?

Who knew.

Holding his phone, Lu Ran silently bowed his head, a rebellious thought rising in his mind.

If only he possessed enough strength to confront Divine·Sword One face-to-face.

At least to understand the specific reason.

To spare his mother such distress and spared from public criticism.

Sigh...

Strength, oh strength...

While musing, Lu Ran found humor in his own thoughts.

The strength of Sword One's disciple Chen Jingjing, Lu Ran had seen for himself.

If even the disciple was so formidable, how powerful would Divine·Sword One be?

When would he himself be qualified to stand before the divine?

It was but a grand delusion.

The stronger Lu Ran's power became, and the more he encountered, the more insignificant he felt.

With a complex heart, Lu Ran led his two teammates onto the return train on the first day of the third lunar month.

After a short hour's journey, Jiang and Lu arrived home.

They lingered at the train station, seeing off the reluctant Si Xianxian, and only then left the station.

And so, the streets of Rain Alley City gained a mysterious couple.

Wearing hats and masks, concealed and snug as if shunning people, yet paradoxically strolling the streets.

"Did you call Aunt Si?" Jiang Ruyi asked quietly.

"Yeah, I called. Auntie's going to the station to pick up Sister Xian'er," Lu Ran said offhandedly, gazing at the horizon.

Today, Rain Alley City was blessed with rare sunshine.

Blue skies and white clouds, a warm spring breeze.

It was just a pity that Lu Ran was not in the mood to appreciate it.

Jiang Ruyi followed Lu Ran silently, eyes cast downward.

Lu Ran didn't know how to comfort his own mother, and Jiang Ruyi didn't know how to comfort him.

Until they arrived at the gate of Rain Alley Home Community, Jiang Ruyi halted her steps: "Go back, get some good rest."

"Come on, I'll walk you home and then come back," Lu Ran had no intention of going inside.

Jiang Ruyi, however, shook her head: "Go back.

Maybe meditating in front of the shrine will calm and steady your heart."

Lu Ran fell silent.

He said he didn't want his troubles to disturb others.

But how could Jiang Ruyi not notice Lu Ran's unusual demeanor these past few days?

Including the reluctant Si Xianxian, she probably didn't dare to throw a fit and refuse to leave, all because of Lu Ran's mood.

Jiang Ruyi levitated, surrounded by four White Jade Stones:

"Tomorrow, I'll come and cook you soup, how about that?"

"Sure!" Lu Ran agreed immediately.

Jiang Ruyi wore a mask, covering her face, but not the shining laughter in her eyes:

"Keep dreaming."

Lu Ran: ?

He watched the girl drift away, shaking his head with laughter, and turned to enter the complex.

"Meow?"

When Lu Ran opened the front door, a confused calico cat tilted its head atop the living room coffee table.

Lu Ran's departures usually lasted over twenty days, and this return was indeed quite early.

"Did you miss me?" Lu Ran gestured to the calico cat as he headed towards the small bedroom.

As he'd spent a few days in Beijing, naturally, there was no aggression emanating from Lu Ran.

The calico cat uncommonly approached, magnanimously deigning to allow someone to stroke it.

Yet, Lu Ran betrayed the calico cat's trust, scooping it up and beelining for the restroom.

The poor little creature was washed until it shook its head disorientedly.

It wasn't until Lu Ran wrapped it in a large towel and emerged from the bathroom that the calico cat still had curses mumbling from its mouth...

"Lord Immortal Goat."

Lu Ran rolled the big towel and, wrapping the cat in it, threw it on the small bed.

As he talked, he approached the shrine, hands pressed together, "Disciple can now activate the Vermilion Paper person sculpture.

But I wonder, to what realm can this Evil Sculpture be cultivated?"

"Buzz!"

Lu Ran's brain numbed, and he staggered.

All he felt was darkness before his eyes, and he found himself in the spirit world, standing before a colossal sculpture.

Evil Sculpture·Vermilion Paper person!

Even as a sculpture, the Vermilion Paper person lost none of its elegance—it was, in fact, even more stunning without the deathly pale paper complexion.

"Buzz~"

The Evil Sculpture was activated immediately, trembling with a hum.

Lu Ran looked up, watching the Vermilion Paper person statue grow larger, evidently advancing in realm.

Mist Realm... Stream Realm... River Realm!

Lu Ran felt much better, could this Evil Sculpture really reach the River Realm?

Could it continue? Could it reach Second Rank River Realm?... Well, alright, I'm overthinking.

"Still not enough," a deep, hoarse voice came from behind Lu Ran.

He turned around to see the flickering Black Fire Goat Head and those dead, horizontal pupils.

He understood what the divine being meant.

Vermilion Paper Evil Technique·Paper Mache was a technique equipped at the Third Rank of the River Realm.

With the current strength of the Evil Sculpture, naturally, Lu Ran couldn't learn it.

"The military only gave me seven day's cultivation time and wouldn't allow me to visit another village," Lu Ran justified himself.

"More effort is needed, nurture this lineage's Evil Sculpture to form as soon as possible," the Black Fire Goat Head left these words as its figure gradually faded.

Lu Ran pouted: "What if, on the fifteenth of this month, we have an all-ghosts' night..."

His words cut off abruptly as he slapped his own mouth.

Ptui, ptui, ptui, what a jinx!

Lu Ran turned back, looking up at the Vermilion Paper person Evil Sculpture.

Focus on learning all the Evil Techniques that should be learned.

For now, this will do. Next month, let Sister Jingjing contact the three Vermilion Paper people Demon Caves directly.

Kill off this side in seven days, move on to the next one, and on to the next!

I refuse to believe...

This bride, I must summon her!

...

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