After Ya Fei left, Xu Ran detected two familiar scents rushing towards him.
Smelling a scent to recognize someone, looking at legs to recognize someone, these had become the norm.
"Xue'er, Dong'er?" Xu Ran deeply inhaled that familiar fragrance. It was indeed the Angel God Qian Renxue, and Asura God Bi Bidong. Although they couldn't use their divine powers here, their aura was still so pure and lofty.
Qian Renxue hadn't changed much since becoming a god, except that her bright, holy aura had become even more evident.
Dressed in a white short skirt with a gold-trimmed hem, her pretty legs wore a pair of just-right white knee-high socks that accentuated her full, smooth curves. The glimpse of her plump, food-grade skin exposed was enough to make one unable to look away after just a glance. Her golden hair cascaded down to her hips, with a youthful nobility that carried a kind of desire that moved the heart.
After inheriting the Asura God's position, Bi Bidong's whole demeanor grew more dignified and noble, but there was an added sharpness of killing intent. She became much more reserved and serious. However, Xu Ran knew what a peculiar trait lay hidden under that very serious appearance. Watching the ever-diligent and by-the-book Bi Bidong made Xu Ran often unable to restrain himself. Even in the Council of the Divine Realm, Xu Ran was... also seen many times by Gu Yuena, the Life Goddess, and others. Of course, Bi Bidong didn't know that she and Xu Ran had been caught, otherwise, there would be no next time.
One in black, one in white, black silk, and white silk stood intertwined before Xu Ran, their leg lines perfect to the extreme.
At this moment, if you had to make a choice, what would you pick?
Black or white?
Despite being the same material, it seemed that black stockings gave a more special indication. Black seemed more mature, and the color black is slimming, making the legs look better in one's eyes.
But that pure white also seemed very promising, especially if it got dirty...
Ahem...
As for Xu Ran, of course, he chose them all.
"You scoundrel, you're always the same," Qian Renxue and Bi Bidong said, feeling a shiver down their spines from Xu Ran's gaze.
"Hehe, aren't you two the same? Sneaking up on me, don't tell me it's..." Xu Ran flashed an evil look.
"They've all gone to sleep, so..." Bi Bidong's face turned red, somewhat embarrassed.
However, these days, with so many around Xu Ran, because they shared his attention, each person didn't get much time alone with Xu Ran. Let alone being alone, even opportunities to be with Xu Ran in groups of two or three were rare.
In the times they did spend with Xu Ran, a lot of it was spent working or busy with serious matters. Other times were even more squeezed.
"Take it or leave it." Qian Renxue and Bi Bidong rolled their eyes in unison at Xu Ran, then walked towards the room ahead.
"With two great beauties inviting me, how could I refuse? It's not my style to pass up opportunities that come knocking. Just do not call for backup, okay?" Xu Ran quickly followed them.
It was another sleepless night.
...
Canaan Academy.
"I didn't expect the person the family sent would be you," Xun Er said in astonishment, looking at the man before her, seemingly struggling to believe it. After all, he was the super prodigy of the Gu Clan, with a talent only second to hers. But she hadn't been with the Gu Clan for so many years; her strength was definitely far from matching the clan's geniuses. Gu Qingyang, this was a genius whom even she could not ignore. Among the younger generation of the Gu Clan, Gu Qingyang held high prestige and was the most outstanding figure.
Of course, this was because Xun Er had not yet returned to the Gu Clan. Otherwise, the title of the number one person of the younger generation would have to change hands.
"I didn't expect you to be able to break through so quickly in this place either. But as long as you return to the clan, you can improve your strength very quickly," Gu Qingyan said nonchalantly.
In his mind, most places outside Zhongzhou were barren. He had thought that Canaan Academy might be somewhat better, but it turned out to be much weaker than he had imagined.
At the very least, he looked down upon those geniuses from Canaan Academy; those people couldn't even compare to the unfavored ones within the Gu Clan.
"I won't return," Xun Er rejected the idea outright. Go back to the clan to enhance her strength? She didn't think being in the clan would be better than being by Xu Ran's side. Her strength had increased too rapidly over the past year, a rate of breakthroughs that wouldn't even be possible within the clan.
"Have you fallen for that guy?" Gu Qingyang and an Ancient Clan Elder behind him were both somewhat surprised. From Xun Er's attitude, they could discern a lot. Although they had already received this news, they were still somewhat shocked considering Xun Er's identity.
"Even though his strength is formidable, that doesn't guarantee it's not just bluster. I won't believe those rumors unless he demonstrates his power for me to see with my own eyes," Gu Qingyang huffed.
Even the information collected by the Gu Clan might not all be accurate.
It was true that a Heavenly Venerate of the Soul Hall had died, but that didn't ensure it wasn't someone else by Xu Ran's side who had made the move. And the elixirs Xu Ran had produced could also have been the work of someone assisting him from behind the scenes.
Rumors said Xu Ran was very young; how could a young man possibly have the capability to kill the Great Celestial Venerable of the Soul Hall? Even he, Gu Qingyang, who prided himself as the most outstanding person of the younger generation of the Gu Clan, would absolutely be unable to do it.
In terms of strength, even if one received some legacy, alchemy skills would still need time to develop, wouldn't they? Aren't most high-tier alchemists well advanced in years?
Moreover, because most alchemists concentrate on alchemy, they tend to neglect their cultivation. Thus, when it comes to combat, alchemists fall far behind.
To be able to refine high-quality elixirs, possess strength comparable to a Dou Sheng, and still be very young. To Gu Qingyang, these combinations seemed utterly far-fetched.
Even though Ancient Clan Leader Gu Yuan had advised him before Gu Qingyang left, Gu Qingyang still couldn't believe it. Perhaps Gu Yuan permitted him to come here to give Gu Qingyang a reality check, to temper his arrogant nature.
But Gu Qingyang was actually one of the better ones. If it were the other geniuses of the Gu Clan, they might have immediately gone out to challenge Xu Ran.
"Is that so? Then you better be ready for a crushing defeat."
Xun Er lifted her gaze and looked at Gu Qingyang. Some people only understand after being beaten. However, if she hadn't been by Xu Ran's side all the time, even with all the rumors about Xu Ran, she would barely believe them. Perhaps, she too would have thought there were other forces at play behind Xu Ran.
But the fact was, Xu Ran was just that formidable.
"You have that much confidence in him?" Gu Qingyang frowned. He was from the Gu Clan and had access to the best resources. He didn't think he would be inferior to an outsider. The Imperial Clan had never encountered such a situation before.