257: Remembering an old friend

Chapter 257: Recalling an Old Friend

Not long after.

Lu Ran arrived.

Cong Yu and Cong Shuang accompanied him.

Behind Lu Ran followed Song Chao, Nanasheng, Koi Spirit, and Si Luoluo.

Koi Spirit was fine; with her low level and quality, she just foolishly followed Lu Ran.

But Si Luoluo, with her innate queenly aura, the unique temperament of a Dark Elf, and the powerful oppressive feeling from a Level 100 BOSS, made Cong Jixian swallow nervously.

“Hello, Uncle,” Lu Ran greeted politely.

“Oh, oh, oh, good, good, good, Lu Ran, you’re here. Quick, quick, quick, sit, let’s talk sitting down.” This was the first time Cong Jixian had ever been so nervous in his life.

Actually, there was no particular reason for calling Lu Ran over.

Cong Jixian just wanted to draw Lu Ran and the Cong Family closer.

Or rather, to draw Cong Yu and Lu Ran closer.

After all.

Cong Yu was the first to meet Lu Ran and the first to interact with him.

“Lu Ran, this time I invited you to my home, I have no other intention, I just want to specially thank you,” Cong Jixian said with a smile.

“Thank you?” Lu Ran looked at Cong Jixian in confusion.

The table of dishes was quite lavish, though.

Perhaps the Cong Family’s New Year’s feast had never been this lavish.

It wasn’t even prepared by the Cong Family’s own life occupation chefs, but by hidden occupation chefs specially hired for the occasion.

And all of them had very high life skill levels.

“The first time Cong Yu met you, she was doing a quest. Because she overestimated herself, she took on a relatively high-level quest. If it weren’t for you, it wouldn’t matter whether Cong Yu completed the quest or not; she might not have made it back herself,” Cong Jixian said.

This was true.

And Cong Jixian’s gratitude to Lu Ran was heartfelt.

After all, Lu Ran had indeed saved Cong Yu’s life.

“Uh… it was nothing, really.” Lu Ran hadn’t expected it to be for this reason.

And it really was nothing.

To Lu Ran, it was just a trivial matter.

“Regardless, thanks must always be given.”

“You don’t know, this child Cong Yu is different from her elder sister Cong Shuang.”

“Cong Shuang is a hidden occupation, strong in ability, and her circle is different.”

“But this child Cong Yu, her occupation is Undead Mage. Of course, I’m not saying Undead Mage is bad, it’s just…”

“It’s just that it’s a conventional occupation. Although she doesn’t say it, I, as a father, know in my heart.”

“She’s not happy herself, and she’s had few friends since she was little.”

“You are one of Cong Yu’s few friends, and you even saved her life.”

“So I hope you two can maintain your friendship, and I also hope you can help me look after Cong Yu more.”

…

Cong Jixian rattled off a long string of words.

It left Lu Ran a bit bewildered.

He and Cong Yu were already friends.

Besides, to be a friend, did it need to be stated so formally and solemnly?

This was because Lu Ran didn’t yet understand the impact of his current status and position.

Lu Ran’s friendship, at this moment, was a symbol of status!

Anyone who could establish a connection with Lu Ran was practically granted a free pass!

“Don’t worry, Uncle, Cong Yu and I are already friends,” Lu Ran said with a smile.

However, because of Cong Jixian’s words.

A figure suddenly appeared in Lu Ran’s mind.

Qin Wuyao!

Although Cong Jixian didn’t dare to say it directly, Lu Ran himself knew it clearly.

A normal Undead Mage was no longer just a conventional occupation; while not entirely useless, it was indeed too ordinary.

Lu Ran also had few friends since he was little.

Did Wang Yujiao count?

Perhaps.

But there was no relationship anymore.

If he were to truly speak of it, in Black Fire City, Lu Ran only had one friend.

That was Qin Wuyao!

Moreover.

Lu Ran’s current status and rapid growth could all be attributed to Qin Wuyao.

If it weren’t for Qin Wuyao discovering Lu Ran, recommending him to Qin Lie, recommending him to the Tiandao Alliance, so many things wouldn’t have happened afterward.

The Four Great Guild Leaders wouldn’t have sought out Lu Ran to help him level up.

Although Lu Ran could level up quickly on his own, it definitely wouldn’t be to this extent.

“What are you thinking? Hurry and eat! I’m telling you, my sister and I don’t usually get to eat a meal like this,” Cong Yu urged, seeing Lu Ran lost in thought.

“Uh… I was thinking of a friend,” Lu Ran said casually, then added, “The food is indeed good.”

At the same time.

Lu Ran made up his mind.

Before going to search for materials, he would go to see Qin Wuyao and chat. No demands, just a conversation between old friends.

And that hint of emotion between him and Qin Wuyao that even Lu Ran couldn’t quite fathom.

During the meal.

Cong Jixian was incredibly attentive to Lu Ran, growing to like him more and more with each glance.

So powerful, with such a terrifying background, and now a Guoshi, the number one person in Dragon Xia!

Possessing a Holy Artifact, capable of summoning an army of Elves.

Such a person, yet not arrogant or humble, with a steady and quiet personality.

Cong Jixian liked him immensely!

If it weren't inappropriate, and it being their first formal meeting, Cong Jixian would have even wanted to set up Lu Ran and Cong Yu.

After dinner.

Lu Ran and the others left.

“So, shall we depart now?” Song Chao asked.

This was Song Chao’s duty.

Of course, he was eager to help Lu Ran find materials and demonstrate his usefulness.

Especially with Lu Ran’s current status.

Being able to help Lu Ran and become his capable partner was simply glorious!

This was much easier than those hidden occupation combat players!

“No rush, let’s teleport to Black Fire City first. I want to see a friend,” Lu Ran mused.

Anyway, with the teleportation array, returning to Black Fire City was very convenient, and seeing Qin Wuyao wouldn’t take too long.

“Okay, okay, then let’s go to Black Fire City first.” Song Chao chuckled.

Although it hadn’t been many days since he left Black Fire City.

After all.

How long had it been since Lu Ran awakened his occupation?

But this return trip gave Lu Ran a strange feeling of revisiting an old place where things had changed.

As if he had been wandering for a long time and had finally returned home.

“Is this Black Fire City?” Wang Yan looked around curiously.

Emerging from the teleportation array led directly to Black Fire City’s Central Square.

Lu Ran had previously cleared dungeons and climbed the Endless Tower in the nearby Dungeon Hall.

But before Lu Ran could reply.

Nanasheng, standing beside him, pointed ahead and said, “Look at that, you’ll know this must be Black Fire City.”

What?

The others were stunned and looked up ahead.

Outside the teleportation array, in the most prominent location, someone had specially set up several huge banners:

“The main city where Hundred Cities League Champion Lu Ran was born!”

“The main city where Guoshi Lu Ran was born!”

“The place where Undead Mage Lu Ran grew up!”

“The academy where Lu Ran grew up, now recruiting a large number of unawakened students!”

…

Various banners hung all around.

Lu Ran couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Oh, this…

“You’re quite famous now,” Nanasheng said.

“Let’s go to the Qin Family,” Lu Ran shook his head helplessly. He didn’t particularly like this feeling of being famous.