Gao Wu: Oh no! Young Master Zhen is a cultivator!

"Xiao Ran, Zhi Xia, dinner's ready." Song Yishu's voice came from the direction of the restaurant.

Lin Ran casually replied, "Hey, I'm here!"

At the same time, Lin Zhixia stopped what she was doing, turned around and walked back.

At the dining table, Song Yishu glanced at Lin Ran, her tone tinged with worry: "Your eldest sister and third sister haven't come down yet. Will something happen to them?"

Lin Ran took a bite of the steamed bun, her expression calm: "It's okay, no one will starve in a day or two. If they still haven't grasped it after three days, they'll probably give up on their own."

"How can you talk like that, child?" Song Yishu feigned annoyance. "What do you mean by 'death'? That's so unlucky!"

"Hahaha... Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue." Lin Ran admitted his mistake with a laugh.

Song Yishu glanced towards the stairwell, sighed, and said with a hint of helplessness, "Sigh... is there nothing we can do but wait?"

"This is all their own destiny, and no one else can help them." Lin Ran shrugged. "Disturbing them now will only backfire."

"Alright then." Song Yishu shook her head and said no more.

After finishing breakfast, Lin Ran got up and left home.

Although Ao Zheng was guarding the entrance to the secret realm, he couldn't completely leave it unattended.

I still need to personally inspect it every day to feel at ease.

His figure rose into the air, transforming into a streak of light, heading straight for the mountain forest where the spatial rift was located.

As you pass through the crack, the concentration of spiritual energy immediately increases.

Ao Zheng was perched on the open ground beside the crevice, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

The aura of an eighth-tier beast quietly spread, enough to intimidate the lower-tier beasts around it.

Lin Ran remembered a stone platform stored in the Nine Heavens Pendant and casually took it out.

"Practicing on this thing can increase your cultivation speed."

He placed the stone platform in front of Ao Zheng and earnestly instructed him, "From now on, you will lie on this platform and strive to break through to the ninth rank as soon as possible."

Upon seeing this, Ao Zheng became excited: "Master, you are my true master! With this stone platform, my cultivation speed will at least double!"

"Then you can't do it!" Lin Ran pouted. "This thing can only increase my cultivation speed by one percent."

This stone platform can continuously provide spiritual energy. Sitting on the stone platform to cultivate for a day is roughly equivalent to absorbing thousands of first-order crystal cores.

However, Lin Ran can now absorb dozens of fifth-order crystal cores or several sixth-order crystal cores every day.

In other words, this is equivalent to absorbing hundreds of thousands of first-order crystal cores every day, a difference of nearly a hundred times.

"Why don't you be the master?" Ao Zheng retorted undeterred. "If I had your cultivation speed, I wouldn't be your pet."

Lin Ran couldn't help but chuckle: "You're quite insightful."

He shook his head: "I'll go up the mountain to take a look. You should focus on your cultivation."

Having said that, he leaped up and headed towards the mountaintop.

On either side of the stone house atop the mountain, Chong Lie and Xiao Cangshan stood upright, their figures tall and straight.

The two demons remained solemn and steadfast in their posts throughout the entire process, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

Inside the stone house, Zhu Wanwan remained in seclusion.

The spiritual energy fluctuations inside the room were calm, suggesting that the final stage had not yet been reached.

Lin Ran scanned the entire area, confirmed that there were no hidden dangers, and then turned and left the Cangxuan Realm.

After passing through the spatial barrier, he pondered for a moment and flew towards New Sea Academy.

Sunlight streamed into the campus, the tree-lined paths were lush with foliage, and martial arts students moved about, full of youthful vigor.

Lin Ran unlocked his bracelet and sent Chu Xining a message: "I'm back. Let's have lunch together."

The message was sent successfully, and Chu Xining replied instantly: "Okay, come pick me up at the school gate."

"No problem!" Lin Ran replied casually, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Then, he opened Zhao Yanran's chat window: "Let's have dinner together tonight."

Shortly after, Zhao Yanran's reply popped up: "You're back?"

"Yes, I came back yesterday."

Why didn't you come to see me yesterday?

Seeing the resentment in his words, Lin Ran's smile grew even wider.

"I went home to report for duty yesterday."

"Hmph! You're not allowed to go home tonight!"

"Looks like you've gotten bolder these past few days," Lin Ran said casually, tapping the screen lightly.

You'll find out tonight!

A few simple words, yet they are incredibly captivating.

Lin Ran shook his head and slowly walked to the sycamore tree at the school gate to wait.

The dappled shadows of the trees and the gentle breeze create a particularly pleasant atmosphere.

Ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye, and the school bell rang precisely at noon.

People poured out of the teaching building and training hall, heading towards the cafeteria.

Chu Xining strode through the crowd, her eyes immediately locking onto Lin Ran under the tree, and a smile instantly lit up her face.

"Brother Lin Ran!" She quickened her pace and rushed straight into Lin Ran's arms.

A soft body nestled in my arms, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.

Lin Ran raised his hand and gently patted Chu Xining's back.

Just then, a voice rang out: "Little brother Lin Ran is back?"

Chu Xining paused slightly, looked up from her embrace, and turned to look.

Zhao Yanran, dressed in simple casual wear, stood quietly not far away, her figure slender.

A hint of doubt flashed in Chu Xining's eyes as she asked, "What are you doing here?"

Zhao Yanran walked slowly closer, smiling brightly: "I'm your senior, of course I'm here."

"What I want to ask is why you were at the school gate. Don't you have extra practice at noon?" Chu Xining continued to press.

"Hehe." Zhao Yanran didn't answer but instead asked, "Didn't you also not practice extra?"

Chu Xining raised her hand and took Lin Ran's arm, as if to assert her ownership: "I have an appointment with Brother Lin Ran at noon."

"What a coincidence," Zhao Yanran's smile deepened. "I also have an appointment tonight, so I need to go and get ready."

Chu Xining frowned slightly: "I have a date tonight. Shall we go prepare now?"

"We'll welcome you with open arms!" Zhao Yanran said playfully, glancing deliberately at Lin Ran. "That's how we show our respect, isn't it?"

Chu Xining pouted: "Oh, then you go ahead. Lin Ran and I are going to eat too."

"Speaking of which, I haven't had dinner either," Zhao Yanran said, her gaze sweeping over the two of them. "Want to grab a bite to eat together?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Xining's expression turned displeased: "Do you think this is appropriate?"

After saying that, she waved her hand and turned to walk towards Platinum Mansion.

Her slender figure receded into the distance, her steps light and quick.

Chu Xining stared at the departing figure, her eyes filled with doubt: "Why did she go to Platinum Mansion?"

Lin Ran felt a pang of guilt, but his expression remained impassive: "The person I'm supposed to see is probably over there."

"Is that so?" Chu Xining didn't delve too deeply into it, quickly putting aside her thoughts and looking up at Lin Ran: "Never mind her, what are we going to eat?"

Lin Ran looked down at the girl in his arms, a gentle smile playing on his lips: "You're in charge. I'll listen to you the whole time."

Chu Xining's face lit up with a bright smile, and she said excitedly, "Then I want to go eat at that newly opened private kitchen in the west of the city, it has an amazing reputation!"

"No problem," Lin Ran replied, taking her hand in the process.

The two walked side by side, their steps leisurely, chatting and laughing all the way.

A gentle breeze was blowing along the street, and the sun was shining brightly.

Chu Xining chattered on and on, telling everyone about the interesting things that had happened at school recently.

Lin Ran listened quietly, occasionally responding with a word, creating a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

Before long, the two arrived at the private restaurant.

The store is elegantly and quietly decorated, the dishes are exquisite, and the customer flow is moderate, so there is no need to wait in line.

The waiter warmly led the two to a quiet spot by the window.

After sitting down to order, Chu Xining skillfully recited several signature dishes.

While waiting for the food to be served, Chu Xining rested her chin on her hand, quietly watching Lin Ran across from her, a faint smile hidden in her eyes.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Lin Ran asked with a playful smile.

Chu Xining leaned a little closer: "Brother Lin Ran is handsome, I like looking at him."

"You're getting bolder and bolder, girl."

"That courage was given to me by Brother Lin Ran!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Ran smiled and shook his head: "Then it's still my fault."