"Everyone, go back and rest! Recharge your spirits!" Lu Ran ordered, "Tomorrow morning, under the guise of collecting Holy Spirit Energy, we will set out to hunt down the Dong Ting squad!"
"Understood!"
"Understood," the crowd echoed as they rose and left.
He Yingcai: "..."
Shouldn’t these words be said behind my back?
Do they really consider one of their own?
As the soldiers departed, only Lu Ran, Jiang Ruyi, and He Yingcai remained in the hall.
"What does Island Master He think of this plan?" Lu Ran asked.
He Yingcai’s thoughts were complicated, and she didn’t respond imdiately.
From the Thousand Boat Alliance’s perspective on enemy strategy, they likely hoped that Ran Sect’s mbers would remain stationed on the island, avoiding proactive attacks.
Defense would prevail until the Heavenly Realm Power erged from seclusion, resolving all issues.
The problem is...
Would Thunder Mountain’s faction ever let you have your way?
He Yingcai was not one to deceive herself; deep inside, she agreed with Ran Sect’s decision.
"Senior sister disagrees?"
"How could I dare?" He Yingcai snapped back to her senses and cast a mysterious glance at Lu Ran.
In this lawless Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, all rules and codes were dictated by the personal will of the strong.
Take Wuji Peak for example.
With one word from Tufeng Master, a wholly decrepit mountain transford into a neutral faction.
Lu Ran, too, stood at the apex of the food chain.
He was a rule-maker!
From the sect’s philosophies and norms to the behavioral guidelines for its mbers—even down to strategic tactics—
Whatever he said, naturally beca reality.
"Don’t say such things." Lu Ran waved with a smile, "Senior sister, you are a Great Power Island Master of the Sea Realm! Just one glance from you would have trembling all over."
He Yingcai chuckled silently and took a sip of tea.
Lu Ran continued, "You know full well, facing life and death at Thunder Mountain, the Thousand Boat Alliance will inevitably confront the joint assault of 18 Great Powers from the Sea Realm.
What we’re doing now is to weaken the enemy’s strength and increase our chances of success."
He Yingcai neither agreed nor opposed the statent. Instead, she smiled at Lu Ran, stood up, and said, "I’ll head back first. Junior brother and junior sister should rest early."
"What do you think of Ran Sect?" Lu Ran suddenly asked without preamble.
He Yingcai’s heart gave a start.
Smart as she was, she already had an inkling—Lu Ran had taken a liking to her.
Earlier, Lu Ran had indirectly encouraged her to bravely take a step forward and find a partner.
During today’s Ran Sect eting, she’d been kept back, and Lu Ran dared to openly discuss strategy in her presence—naturally, he wasn’t afraid she’d disclose anything. From another perspective, this was also a subtle test.
And now, Lu Ran was asking for her thoughts on Ran Sect.
"Formidable combat strength, soldiers are remarkably loyal, highly disciplined, extrely united." He Yingcai deliberated for a mont and listed several advantages in succession.
Listening to this, Lu Ran felt utterly delighted.
He Yingcai had imagined Lu Ran might continue speaking.
To her surprise, Ran Sect Leader smiled and nodded, "Thank you."
He Yingcai: ?
No follow-up?
He Yingcai had already prepared herself to face Lu Ran’s overture, only to receive a single "thank you"...
"Island Master He, rest early," Lu Ran added.
He Yingcai stayed silent and didn’t move.
The rule-maker before her seed unusually cautious when it ca to this matter.
Was this a form of respect?
By not making things explicit and only probing slightly, was he trying to avoid putting her in a difficult position?
He Yingcai stood motionless for a while before asking, "Everyone knows He Qifeng’s ambitions, but Junior Brother Lu has yet to tell —what is your goal?"
Lu Ran slightly raised an eyebrow, fixing his gaze on the woman’s eyes.
He Yingcai ventured, "Just as you’ve been doing—traveling across the lands, alleviating suffering, reforming the ethos of Holy Spirit Mountain?"
"Heh." Lu Ran chuckled softly.
You’re thinking too small, Island Master He.
What I aim to reform is far beyond this Holy Spirit Mountain.
It’s Da Xia, the Human World.
Everyplace controlled by the joint forces of gods and demons.
It’s the gods and demons themselves.
He Yingcai asked, "Why the laughter?"
Lu Ran: "If we can safely survive this ordeal, I’ll tell you then, senior sister."
"Alright then... junior brother, you must keep your word." He Yingcai smiled and nodded before gracefully leaving.
The room grew quiet.
Lu Ran sipped tea quietly and, after a long mont, transmitted a ssage: [Evil Shadow.]
[Master.] Yan Shuangzi imdiately responded.
[Head to Sky Phoenix Sect’s Bright Moon Island and pay a visit to He Qifeng. Didn’t she bring four Witch Crow Believers? Ask her to lend two.]
[Understood!]
[Also, find a Bi He Believer on the island and have them take you there! Don’t cause misunderstandings while on soone else’s turf.]
[Understood.]
"Shall we rest too?" Jiang Ruyi softly suggested.
Outside, the wind and rain mingled; inside, the firelight flickered.
The dancing flas frad Jiang Fairy’s breathtaking face, usually bright and spirited, now showing hints of fatigue.
After over ten days of constant travel, the group indeed hadn’t had a chance to properly rest.
Lu Ran’s voice was gentle: "You should go to bed; I’m waiting for two people."
Jiang Ruyi looked slightly surprised but refrained from prying.
In the private atmosphere, she leaned closer, draping her arm over Lu Ran’s: "I’ll stay with you."
"You should go to sleep first," Lu Ran urged.
However, Lady Fairy didn’t move; she rested her head on Lu Ran’s shoulder, closing her captivating eyes.
Lu Ran silently watched her, slowly growing entranced.
Ti passed unknowingly, until a knock at the door broke the quiet. Jiang Ruyi awoke abruptly, sitting up straight at once.
Lu Ran: "Co in."
Two middle-aged n clad in black night attire stepped inside.
Seeing their neat clothing, Lu Ran imdiately knew they lived relatively well under He Qifeng’s leadership.
"Master Lu."
"Master Lu, what are your orders?"
After carefully shutting the door, the two quickly stepped into the center of the hall, half-kneeling and bowing their heads respectfully.
It appeared that even in the Forbidden City, hierarchy remained clear.
In this archaic world, it felt as if humanity had reverted to ancient tis.
"Did your Hall Master say anything?" Lu Ran asked.
One of the n replied, "City Lord He told us to follow your orders."
Lu Ran chuckled and shook his head—He Qifeng truly was straightforward!
She lent her people without hesitation or conditions.
Lu Ran didn’t hold back. "Please investigate the forests near Mist Rain Lake tonight. See if Thunder Mountain’s faction has any teams nearby.
At dawn, report back to here."
"Understood!" the man in black imdiately replied.
Lu Ran reminded them again, "Activate your cloaking enchantnts! If you truly find enemies, don’t get too close—just determine their approximate location.
Rember, prioritize your own safety above all else!"
"Understood."
"Understood!" The two turned and departed.
"Good thing Thunder Mountain’s slave groups don’t include Witch Crow Believers," Jiang Ruyi remarked while watching them leave. "Otherwise, they could silently spy on us."
"Witch Crow Believers are hard to forcibly enslave, right?" Lu Ran placed his hand on Jiang Fairy’s back while his other arm slid under her legs, lifting her effortlessly.
Flying alone made it nearly impossible for most ’Slave Masters’ to subdue them.
Not to ntion, Witch Crow Sect’s ultimate trump card—stealth!
Carrying the tender beauty, Lu Ran headed to their bedroom: "Believers like these must either be enticed with rewards or sincerely won over.
Otherwise, even if coercion succeeds, once they’re set free, they won’t return."
Jiang Ruyi nodded in agreent, then added, "It’s primarily because there are so few Witch Crow Believers."
She was absolutely right.
Lu Ran had traveled extensively yet had only encountered five Witch Crow Believers: one had tead up with the Shi family siblings to scout Cloud Sea Cliff.
The other four were the Witch Crow disciples brought by He Qifeng.
Was it because Divine·Witch Crow rarely sent their believers into Holy Spirit Mountain?
Or were Witch Crow disciples hiding sowhere within the mountain, clustered together?
Theoretically, the gods aid to send the highly talented and powerful mbers of the Human Clan into Holy Spirit Mountain to prevent them from disrupting the Human World’s equilibrium.
From this perspective, disciples of Seventh-class God·Witch Crow or lower lacked the qualifications to enter the mountain?
Take Lu Ran as an example, an Immortal Sheep Believer—aside from the mysteriously missing Old Master Cheng, there shouldn’t be a third Immortal Sheep Believer here...
In contrast, disciples of Fourth to Sixth-class gods beca Weak God Believers!
These believers were indeed the major targets of ’slavery.’
Such is the case for the slaves of Sword Mountain Peak’s Jing Hong, Tiantu Mountain’s Bai Yanhui, and even Tianhuang Mountain’s conquered Xiong Xiong—they are all disciples of Fourth to Sixth-class gods!
Thunder Mountain’s slave population and Forbidden City’s citizenry—almost all belong to this category!
Tsk~
Seems like I’ve discovered a pattern!
Lu Ran nodded to himself in silent thought.
Disciples of Seventh-class to Ninth-level gods were rare within Holy Spirit Mountain!
If I were worthless enough,
would even the gods lose interest in tornting ?
But then, if Weak God disciples don’t collect Holy Spirit Energy, wouldn’t the Weak Gods grow weaker?
A vicious cycle?!
Lu Ran furrowed his brow, lost in contemplation.
"What’s on your mind, so engrossed?" Jiang Ruyi asked curiously.
"Hmm?" Lu Ran’s gaze fell upon his fiancée, whose slightly fatigued deanor only served to amplify her allure.
Unable to resist, he lowered his head and kissed her luscious lips.
"Mm~" Jiang Ruyi feigned exasperation, cupping his face and gently breaking free, "We’re in soone else’s ho, with tasks to carry out at dawn."
Lu Ran pouted, "Just a kiss—why can’t I? I didn’t say I wanted to do anything else."
Jiang Ruyi’s cheeks instantly flushed red.
Scoundrel!
Don’t think I don’t know you!
Jiang Ruyi pressed her lips together, her crimson cheeks tinged with a hint of annoyance as she stubbornly stared at Lu Ran.
"I was wrong, I was wrong," Lu Ran imdiately apologized.
Jiang Ruyi leaned forward slightly, softly nuzzling her forehead against his, and murmured, "Go to bed early."
"Mm..."
And so, the night passed in silence.
The next day, the sky remained shrouded in clouds, rain drizzling down.
"Flap flap flap~"
Amid the light rain, the sound of wings beating grew louder as two invisible birds arrived at the secluded courtyard.
Minutes later, Lu Ran released two crows.
His eyes glinting with murderous intent, he led Ran Sect’s forces out of Green Lotus Island with fierce determination.
...
Happy Minor New Year to all~
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