After a long time, the spiritual energy fluctuations around Qin Mubai gradually calmed, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing that met his gaze was Bai Ran's slender back. As he looked at her retreating figure, his heart felt a complex mix of emotions.
Mid-fight, he could no longer control the rampant surge of spiritual energy and had no choice but to sit down to advance his cultivation. He knew the risks of advancing on the arena, including death or qi deviation, but he never expected Bai Ran to actually stay and guard him during his breakthrough.
Bai Ran also sensed the gaze from behind her. She stood up, turned around, and pointed her sword tip forward, "Continue."
Bai Ran could turn her back to the enemy on the arena not because she trusted Qin Mubai, but because she was capable enough to deal with him before Qin Mubai could make a move.
This time, the fight didn't last even one round. Qin Mubai was miserably defeated, and Bai Ran stepped off the arena.
Qin Mubai, lying on the ground, finally understood that Bai Ran was far more powerful than he had imagined.
At this moment, Qin Mubai looked at the departing Bai Ran, his eyes filled with determination, and a promise was made in his heart.
The third match, without any suspense, was won by Bai Ran, securing her first place.
"What is Bai Ran's real strength?"
"She took on the Hua family disciples single-handedly. She must be at least Qi Refining Stage Five."
The crowd murmured, constantly guessing Bai Ran's true abilities.
Who could have imagined that a dark horse, who had forcefully carved a path on the road of cultivation, was the same Bai Ran who had recently been considered a useless, foolish individual!
At this moment, Bai Ran was finally being taken seriously!
The Emperor, standing on the high platform, stood up. "Young Lady Bai, the fourth daughter of the Bai family, has demonstrated formidable strength and has won first place in this family grand competition! As everyone knows, the winner of the grand competition can make one request to me. Bai girl, what do you desire?"
Bai Ran bowed to the Emperor and spoke, "This humble subject wishes to annul her engagement with the Second Prince, and allow my third sister to marry the Second Prince."
As soon as Bai Ran spoke, the crowd below erupted in excitement.
The Second Prince and the third daughter of the Bai family! What a huge piece of gossip!
Bai Luohan looked at Murong Jin, her heart pounding. However, Murong Jin, on the high platform, had a somber expression, staring intently at Bai Ran. What was it about her that displeased him?
The Emperor shot Murong Jin a glare. Useless! Can't even handle one Bai Ran!
"Bai girl, this engagement was decided between the Bai family patriarch and myself. Perhaps you should ask the Bai family patriarch for his opinion?"
"There's no need to ask. Ran Ran's wishes are my wishes." Bai Zhantian stepped down from his seat as patriarch and walked to Bai Ran's side.
Murong De looked at the old man and the young woman on the stage, pinching his brow. Since it had come to this, he could not say much more. "Then I shall hereby declare! The engagement between Bai Ran of the Bai family and the Second Prince is annulled. From now on, the man shall find a wife and the woman shall find a husband, and their marriages shall be unrelated!"
His solemn and resonant voice echoed, and Bai Ran regained her freedom.
Long Jinhan's eyes were constantly fixed on Bai Ran, and a handsome arc formed on his thin lips beneath the mask.
"Disciples who placed in the top ten of the family competition will enter the Royal Secret Realm in three days!"
The competition ended.
"Bai girl, are you interested in joining my Star Picking Academy?" Elder Hong stroked his beard, looking at Bai Ran with a smile.
"Bai girl, Qitian Academy also welcomes you."
"You old fellows, you have no shame, trying to snatch her first!"
"Bai girl should of course join my Plum Blossom Sect! Keep your stinking men away!"
...
These old men, with one foot in the grave, were arguing like children in front of Bai Ran. Bai Zhantian watched, amazed, but his heart was filled with pride.
"Elder Hong, this junior Bai Ran wishes to enter the Star Picking Academy." Bai Ran spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, looking directly at Elder Hong.
Elder Hong looked at the calm Bai Ran, stroked his beard, and nodded in satisfaction. This girl's temperament was neither arrogant nor impatient; her disposition was excellent.
Ignoring the envious glances of the surrounding people, Elder Hong took out a token from his spatial bag and handed it to Bai Ran. "If you wish to come, Bai girl, the doors of the Star Picking Academy will always be open for you."
Bai Ran put away the token, bowed to all the elders, and left with Bai Zhantian.
Before Bai Ran could step into her courtyard, Bai Zhantian scooped her up and took her to his own courtyard.
Bai Zhantian casually set up a soundproofing formation and looked at Bai Ran sternly.
"Ran Ran, tell Grandpa the truth, what is your actual strength?" Bai Zhantian looked at Bai Ran with some concern.
Yet, he could not see through this girl's strength and did not know what was happening. Her spiritual energy seemed to appear and disappear, making Bai Zhantian very worried.
"Grandpa, Ran Ran has a treasure that conceals her strength, so you don't need to worry. Ran Ran has recently advanced to Qi Refining Stage Nine." Bai Ran looked at the elder with streaks of silver in his hair.
"Qi Refining Stage Nine!" Bai Zhantian's face was filled with shock. How long had this girl been cultivating? She was advancing too quickly!
Bai Zhantian asked a few more questions, then let Bai Ran leave.
Watching Bai Ran's retreating figure, Bai Zhantian's eyes were full of affection. She was truly the daughter of that person, surpassing her predecessor!
Back in her courtyard, Bai Ran summoned Qingfeng and the other three, telling them to go to the gambling house to collect money. She instructed, "If they refuse to pay, tell them you will report it to Grandpa."
After seeing Qingfeng and the other three off, she lay on her bed and took out the fiery red sword, examining it carefully.
This sword gave her a peculiar feeling. Although it was the first time she had held it, the sensation felt strangely familiar. This vague feeling annoyed Bai Ran; it was as if everything was shrouded in a thick fog.
If only her strength were sufficient to enter the third level of the Treasure Pavilion, she would definitely go in and ransack it.
Bai Ran put away the sword and closed her eyes, intending to sleep for a while.
Suddenly, the air beside her fluctuated violently, and a spatial rift appeared.
Bai Ran abruptly stood up, her mind on alert as she looked at the rift.
A black figure slowly emerged from the rift.
It's him again!
Bai Ran stared at Long Jinhan, holding her breath and concentrating. "Young Master Long, what brings you here?"
Long Jinhan looked at the agitated little girl opposite him, finding it amusing. He casually sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "Girl, have you considered working for me?"
"Between Young Master Long and I, there should only be transactions, right?" The implication was clear: aside from treating illnesses, he should stay away.
"But your Vermilion Bird egg hasn't shown any signs of activity, has it?" Long Jinhan's gaze was sharp as he looked at her. "I can help you hatch it."
Indeed, ever since she had acquired the Vermilion Bird egg, Bai Ran had tried everything: contracts, spiritual energy nourishment, but the egg remained unresponsive. If she had a Vermilion Bird, her actions would undoubtedly be more convenient in the future.
Thinking of this, Bai Ran sat down, propped her chin on her hand, and looked at him. "I don't believe you're this kind. What is your objective?"
Long Jinhan toyed with the thumb ring on his hand. "Little girl, don't think too badly of people."
"I can choose not to think badly of others, but you are an exception."
Long Jinhan gave a frustrated glance at the little girl who had turned her head away and refused to look at him. The corners of his lips curved slightly. "You just need to return my body to its healthy state."
Bai Ran turned her head back, her star-like eyes wide, looking at Long Jinhan with a gaze full of confusion.
What nonsense was this dog of a man spouting now?
Long Jinhan chuckled softly, finding her current demeanor quite endearing. He spoke again, "You just need to return my body to its healthy state."
Why did this man speak in such a halting manner? Bai Ran rolled her eyes at him, utterly speechless.
With a wave of her hand, she produced the Vermilion Bird egg and glared at Long Jinhan. "Tell me, what do I need to do?"
He stood up, walked to Bai Ran's side, and sat down.
"Little girl, give me your hand."
Bai Ran hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand.
Long Jinhan clasped her hand. It was small and soft, feeling very comfortable. He squeezed it gently.
Sensing Bai Ran's murderous glare, he smiled and channeled his spiritual energy into her. A violent white light erupted from Bai Ran's body. The white light enveloped Bai Ran, and she gradually lost consciousness, falling asleep.
Bathed in the white light, Bai Ran slowly ascended into the air. Her false appearance peeled away, revealing her true face. A pure white lotus imprint appeared on her forehead, and for some reason, only half of it was present. The white light blazed, and in the air, she possessed an ethereal beauty, like a goddess descending upon the world, sacred and radiant.
Long Jinhan watched Bai Ran within the white light, his handsome eyebrows furrowing.
After a while, the white light was gradually absorbed into her body. Bai Ran slowly descended, and Long Jinhan reached out and caught her.
The person in his arms was sleeping soundly. He carefully placed Bai Ran on the bed, staring at the half-lotus imprint on her forehead for a long time. Long Jinhan sighed and reached out to brush over Bai Ran's forehead. The half-lotus imprint on her forehead then disappeared.
"Little girl, who exactly are you?" he murmured, looking at her sleeping face.
After a long while, Long Jinhan tore through space and departed.
The next morning.
Bai Ran on the bed suddenly opened her eyes.
How did she fall asleep? She only remembered him holding her hand, feeling warm all over her body, and then losing consciousness.
Bai Ran noticed a letter by the bedside and opened it.
"The spiritual energy in your body could not withstand my power, so you fell asleep. Now, directly contract the Vermilion Bird egg. The Vermilion Bird will hatch in a few days - Long Jinhan."
Was this his letter? "Long Jinhan..." Bai Ran uttered his name.
She looked at the Vermilion Bird egg beside her, bit her finger, and dripped a drop of blood onto it. The contract array appeared, and the contract was formed.
The once lifeless Vermilion Bird egg was now filled with vitality. The fiery red shell seemed to burn like a flame.
This was the soon-to-be-hatched Vermilion Bird egg, no longer the dead egg it once was.