211: Chapter 211 Rewards, Customization

Chen Ran turned his head to look and saw a woman standing under the bright sunshine.

A light purple dress swayed gently in the breeze, outlining her graceful figure.

Her dark hair, like a waterfall, was swept up into a cloud bun with a white jade hairpin, with a few strands falling beside her ears, making her exquisite face look even more moving.

Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, and her eyes were like cold stars.

The faint rouge at the corners of her lips added a touch of gentleness to her usually cold demeanor.

Chen Ran stared at her for several seconds before he reacted.

"Lin Wan?"

Lin Wan felt her cheeks burning slightly under his gaze.

She forced herself to remain calm and gave a light cough.

"What, can't you recognize me?"

Chen Ran finally snapped out of it, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"I recognize you, I just didn't expect you to look so good in a dress."

As soon as these words left his mouth.

Lin Wan's earlobes turned red instantly.

"You... what nonsense are you spouting!"

She subconsciously raised her hand to tidy the hair at her temples, her gaze drifting, not daring to look directly at Chen Ran.

Chen Ran smiled and shook his head.

"It's nothing, I just feel like you're a bit different today."

"How are you different?" Lin Wan asked in a low voice.

Chen Ran looked her over carefully and spoke slowly.

"You're usually stone-faced, looking like no one should approach you, but today you actually look a bit... like a young maiden."

"A young maiden..."

Lin Wan bit her lip, feeling inexplicably sweet inside.

But on the surface, she still pretended not to care and changed the subject.

"What were you doing here just now? Sneaking around."

"I was left behind by your Second Brother, and I can't find the way out."

Chen Ran shrugged, feeling somewhat helpless.

"The Lin Family estate is just too big. I've been walking for ages and still can't find my way out."

Lin Wan chuckled.

"Even you get lost sometimes?"

"What's wrong with getting lost? It's not like I live here."

Chen Ran spread his hands.

"Alright, since you're here, take me out."

Lin Wan nodded and walked in front to lead the way.

The two walked one after the other through the corridors of the Lin Family estate.

Sunlight filtered through the hollow carvings on the corridor roof, casting dappled light and shadows on the blue stone slabs.

Lin Wan walked in front, her pace not fast.

Chen Ran followed behind, watching her light purple dress sway gently with her steps, the hem sweeping across the ground and stirring up a few fallen leaves.

After walking for a while.

Chen Ran suddenly spoke.

"Did you dress up specially today?"

Lin Wan's steps faltered slightly.

"No... no, I didn't."

Her voice sounded unnatural.

"I just changed into normal clothes."

Chen Ran raised an eyebrow, not exposing her.

"Oh, so you normally wear clothes like this?"

"Mm... yes."

Lin Wan replied, biting the bullet.

Inside, she was frantically complaining about Xiao Qian.

You promised it would look natural!

He saw through it at a glance!

The two walked for a while longer.

The atmosphere was a bit quiet.

Lin Wan secretly looked back at Chen Ran and found him with his head down, wondering what he was thinking about.

Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly noticed something unusual.

At this moment, the aura on Chen Ran was far higher than it had been a few days ago. That force of blood and Qi far exceeded that of a 7th Grade Martial Artist; it had actually reached the Peak of the 6th Grade Inner Breath Realm.

"Chen Ran, how did you have a Breakthrough? No... a Breakthrough can't be that fast."

Lin Wan narrowed her eyes and walked quickly to Chen Ran's side.

"You hid your Realm?"

"Ahem, that's a long story."

Chen Ran looked embarrassed, coughed lightly, and had to tell Lin Wan the previous explanation again.

It took Lin Wan a long time to accept this news.

Lin Wan suddenly thought of when she first met Chen Ran; he was just an ordinary Jailer, but he had seemed quite steady at the time.

Thinking about it, he must have been hiding his Realm during that time. If it hadn't been discovered this time, who knows how much longer he would have kept it hidden.

Lin Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Ran's talent was even better than she had imagined; this was an unexpected joy.

If his talent were combined with the Family's resources, he would soon be able to break through to the Meridian Opening Realm.

By then, looking at the entire capital, Chen Ran's strength would be considered among the top tier of the younger generation.

She had previously worried that Chen Ran's strength wouldn't keep up with hers and that he would lose confidence under the influence of the various chaotic news in the capital.

Lin Wan thought for a moment, then suddenly spoke:

"Last time... I said that when you broke through to the 6th Grade Inner Breath Realm, I would give you a reward."

"Do you remember?"

Chen Ran raised his head and looked at her back.

Of course he remembered.

But at that time, he wasn't 6th Grade at all; he was already in the Third Grade Return to Truth Realm.

He was just hiding his strength for the sake of stability.

"I remember."

Chen Ran nodded.

"That reward..."

Lin Wan stopped and turned to look at Chen Ran.

"I'll give it to you now."

Chen Ran was somewhat surprised.

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

Lin Wan reached out and grabbed Chen Ran's sleeve.

"Come with me."

She led Chen Ran, taking various turns, passing through several corridors, going around a rockery, and finally stopped in front of a quiet courtyard.

The courtyard was not big, but it was arranged very exquisitely.

The ground was paved with blue stone, surrounded by flowers and plants, and there was a begonia tree standing in the center of the courtyard, with lush branches and leaves.

Lin Wan pushed open the courtyard gate and pulled Chen Ran inside.

Chen Ran took a look at the surrounding environment and raised an eyebrow.

"Where is this?"

"My... residence."

Lin Wan's voice grew quieter and quieter.

"You wait in the courtyard for a moment; I'll go in and get the item."

After saying this, she walked quickly into the room and closed the door.

Chen Ran stood in the courtyard, looking at the closed door, and smiled helplessly.

...

Third floor of the Cangwu Pavilion.

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu stood in front of the window, holding a teacup, looking down at the courtyard below through the window.

He watched the man and woman walk into the courtyard, a smile curling the corners of his mouth.

"This girl, she's quite proactive."

He shook his head gently and sighed.

"I don't know whose personality she inherited."

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu turned around, his back to the window, his gaze looking toward the distant sky.

"However, the person who can make Wan'er's heart flutter is indeed not simple."

"Chen Ran..."

He whispered the name, a hint of deep meaning flashing in his eyes.

"His Family has been Jailers for three generations, but he is the only one to have broken through to the 6th Grade Inner Breath Realm. He must have had quite an Opportunity..."

He didn't continue.

To be able to Cultivate to this Realm at such a young age definitely cannot be explained by just having good Comprehension Ability; he must have some hidden Opportunity.

However, for the Lin Family, the Opportunity Chen Ran has is not worth mentioning at all.

On the contrary, in this turbulent situation, being able to break through quickly and have self-protection skills is what matters.

Eldest Brother Lin Xiu picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.

...

In the courtyard.

Chen Ran leaned against the begonia tree, waiting listlessly.

He waited for about a quarter of an hour.

The door finally opened.

Lin Wan walked out cautiously, holding an exquisite brocade bag.

"This is..."

Chen Ran looked at the brocade bag in her hand, feeling somewhat curious.

Lin Wan handed him the brocade bag.

"Open it and see."

Chen Ran took the brocade bag and opened it to look.

Inside was a set of black robes, finely crafted with exquisite materials.

The fabric felt soft and smooth to the touch, and it was embroidered with dark patterns, faintly showing intertwined Cloud and Dragon patterns.

It looked expensive at a glance.

"This is?"

"The clothes you usually wear are too worn out. I look at them... and I don't feel comfortable, so I had a new set custom-made for you."

Chen Ran was stunned.

He looked down at the clothes in his hands, then looked up at Lin Wan's bright red earlobes.

"This clothing wasn't cheap, right?"

"If you don't like it, then... forget it."

"Who said I don't like it? A gift personally customized for me by the Young Miss, how could I not like it?"

Chen Ran held the clothes up against his body. He didn't know what material the clothes were sewn from, but the texture felt somewhat similar to ice silk.

"The size is just right; the craftsmanship is excellent."

"If you like it, I'll have someone make another set," Lin Wan added. "There is a protective lining inside, and the outer material is made of Yao Beast leather. Even with sword slashes or fire, it's very difficult to leave a mark..."

This kind of custom-made clothing was almost comparable to top-tier weapons in terms of craftsmanship, and its effects went without saying.

Chen Ran accepted the clothes and said with a smile:

"Young Miss Lin, with such a generous gift, I have no way to repay you, so I can only offer myself in marriage."

He originally thought this was just a joke.

But he saw the stunning woman in front of him lower her head and give a soft "Mm."