The calamitous night was still unfolding, with deaths occurring in every corner of the city.

Lu Ran and his team members were fighting valiantly, bathed in blood.

Due to his body's innate ability to attract scorn, it inevitably drew the covetous gazes of the Yan Zhi.

Thus, he occasionally led several Yan Zhi into a commercial building on the southeast side of the square, using the cover of darkness to stealthily eliminate members of the Yan Zhi Clan.

Time and time again, his tactic proved extraordinarily effective.

When his brain buzzed once again, Lu Ran suddenly realized that he had slain a hundred Yan Zhi.

In the God Demon Sculpture Garden, the Evil Sculpture of the Yan Zhi from River Realm·Fourth Rank had been promoted to River Realm·Fifth Rank!

Only one step away from Jiang Realm, from Lu Ran creating Yan Zhi.

No, that's not right!

More than a hundred?

Not every descended Yan Zhi was from River Realm.

A shattered sound echoed through the pitch-black shopping mall.

The Yan Zhi that died in Lu Ran's arms disintegrated into mist.

Lu Ran raised the Divine Power Pearl around his neck, collecting the energy along with the soul of the Yan Zhi for his own use.

He then felt the shake of the Evil Sculpture in his mind and stepped toward the entrance of the mall.

As Lu Ran stood at the collapsed entrance and looked out over the square, he sensed something different.

There was only one Yan Zhi in sight.

And she was being besieged by a group of Moon Gazers, ultimately succumbing to death.

"Is it over?" Lu Ran murmured.

Had the Night of Ghosts finally ended?

Not just the Night of Ghosts, even the number of invading Evil Demons had significantly decreased.

Midnight had long passed.

This abnormally lengthy battle was about to be over as well.

"Lord Immortal Goat, are you there?"

Lu Ran called out softly.

The mall was silent inside and out, except for the faint sounds of fighting in the distance.

After a moment, Lu Ran began to pray to Lord Immortal Goat, trying to draw its attention.

"Lord Immortal Goat..."

"Mm." A deep voice finally entered Lu Ran's mind.

Lu Ran's prayers and calls had elicited a response.

Lu Ran: "Lord Immortal Goat, did I slay too many Yan Zhi tonight?"

"It's passable."

Lu Ran thought for a moment and then continued, "Now, the Evil Sculpture in the garden has reached River Realm Fifth Stage.

I can apply to patrol and continue collecting the souls of Yan Zhi along the way.

In this manner, we might be able to swiftly advance the Evil Sculpture to Jiang Realm."

A deep voice transmitted: "Do not rush for quick success, be cautious above all."

"Mm...mm." Lu Ran nodded.

Lu Ran's desire for power was undeniable.

The immense temptation he faced was indeed alluring.

Merely patrolling Rain Alley City a few times, the amount of souls he could collect would indeed be significant.

But Lu Ran wasn't impulsive, which was why he consulted an authority.

Since Lord Immortal Goat commanded moderation, it was time to stop.

"Lord Immortal Goat." Lu Ran hesitated and then asked, "Can I really do nothing for those dead human souls?"

Indeed, even when Lu Ran was very weak, he had asked this question before.

Then, Lord Immortal Goat had sarcastically responded with eight characters:

"A mere Stream Realm, aiming too high."

Upon closer consideration, Lu Ran believed that these were not words of denial.

So, if not at Stream Realm, perhaps at a higher realm it might be possible?

"Lord Immortal Goat?" Lu Ran's voice carried a hint of inquiry.

The transmission fell silent, returning with the same eight characters: "A mere River Realm, aiming too high."

Lu Ran: "..."

But this time, he keenly sensed that there was no sarcasm in Lord Immortal Goat's tone.

After over ten seconds of silence, Lu Ran slowly spoke: "So, it is possible!

So... could I, like creating an Evil Demon, use the souls of the human clan to reshape their flesh bodies for them?"

Lord Immortal Goat calmly stated: "To sculpt the soul of an Evil Demon, build an Energy Body with the original power, is the ability of an Evil Demon's own sculpture.

Divine Sculpting cannot summon minions.

God Sculpting can only assist you in summoning Divine Residue; you know this.

Would you really consider building an Evil Demon's body for the human's souls?"

Lu Ran pursed his lips: "At least, people remain alive."

Lord Immortal Goat countered: "They do?"

Just four words, thunderously resonant.

Do they?

Are they really alive?

Human beings are products of their eras.

Especially in this extremly contradictory context, everyone carries quite substantial colors of their time.

You ask a deeply devout human, who has worshiped God from childhood, to be reborn as an Evil Demon...

How would they cope?

And are they really alive?

Lord Immortal Goat softened its tone: "Stop thinking, you can't do it."

"Ah?"

"You can treat the creation of Evil Demon minions as an Evil Technique, which has strict casting conditions and accurate processes."

Lord Immortal Goat paused, then continued: "The souls inside Evil Demon minions can only be shaped by the original power of the Evil Demon itself.

Instead of considering this path, you'd better absorb the souls of the human clan into your Magic Artifact.

Using its unique effects, briefly shape bodies for them and control them in battle."

Lu Ran was silent for a long while, deeply sighing: "Alas…"

Indeed, the Magic Artifact·Rebirth Coin could achieve this, but only briefly. Humans were not truly alive.

After Lu Ran used it a few times, the souls would scatter.

Once a soul entered the Rebirth Coin, even if Lu Ran did not refine it, the soul would dissipate over time.

This method didn't even touch the "symptom," much less the "root cause."

Lord Immortal Goat indifferently stated: "The souls of deceased humans are mere playthings.

Either devoured by the essence of Evil Demons.

Or by the essence of God."

Lu Ran bowed his head silently.

He, of course, knew where people's souls went after death.

Aside from those intercepted by Evil Demons along the way, all other souls naturally carried a trace of "qi" from God's essence, returning to be nurtured by God.

Lu Ran's Magic Artifact·Rebirth Coin, refining the souls of Evil Demons, continuously nourished Lu Ran's own soul.

From this, it was not hard to deduce: Gods were also absorbing the human's souls, nourishing themselves.

Every person, upon successfully worshiping God, establishes a connection with God.

This connection is like a pathway.

While alive, they provide Gods with the Power of Faith through this pathway.

After death, their souls also travel this pathway towards God, nourishing God.

Poor human clan,

Truly devoured from birth until death.

Perhaps, this is why in the God Sect, there are rarely Divine Techniques that harm the soul.

Gods, obviously prefer the complete souls of humans.

"Lord Immortal Goat." Lu Ran collected his thoughts and spoke solemnly, "You just said, my power is meager, and yet I aim too high.

That means, if my power is sufficient...

When facing the souls of human companions again, I would be capable of doing something."

"Mm."

For the first time, Lu Ran received an affirmative response from Lord Immortal Goat.

Although it was a simple "mm," it was enough to make Lu Ran ecstatic.

Lord Immortal Goat calmly said: "Since it's a mighty technique, naturally it requires mighty power."

Lu Ran nodded firmly: "Disciple understands!"

The solution to all worries in the world,

Lies in two words: real power!

"Lu Ran!" A delicate silhouette slowly descended from the night sky.

Lu Ran came back to his senses, looked up, and saw a gentle face.

Ruyi...

She was still as graceful as ever, even after enduring a grueling battle, even after enduring life and death separations.

Was Jiang Ruyi stronger than Lu Ran?

Unclear.

But she must care deeply for Lu Ran, putting aside all sorts to do so.

"How are you?" Jiang Ruyi stood in front of Lu Ran, reaching out her hands to cradle his cheeks.

"Sorry." Lu Ran smiled apologetically, "I should have returned to the team earlier."

"It's okay, it's already early morning, the invading Evil Demons are almost gone," Jiang Ruyi spoke softly.

Watching Lu Ran's somber expression, her eyes filled with pity.

The small team members had all seen Hu Dingtian's death, although they were far away, they also saw it.

Only Lu Ran had actually touched Hu Dingtian's body, escorting him into Wu Lie Building.

Jiang Ruyi knew that Lu Ran, having been in close contact with his companion's death, must have suffered a greater impact.

She also knew that Lu Ran was a very responsible person.

During times of peril, he would volunteer, which was the best proof.

Thinking back to Barbaric Woman during the Night of Ghosts, Lu Ran was merely at Stream Realm but stubbornly defied Sun Zhengfang's orders, insisting on joining the team to fight the enemy.

And recalling the recent April 15th, even though the fearsome Demon Lord had descended, Lu Ran still fearlessly stood up.

Various behaviors were too numerous to mention.

Perhaps, for this reason, concerning the deaths of his comrades, Lu Ran was even more saddened.

Jiang Ruyi clearly saw that when Lu Ran rushed towards Wu Lie Building with the body, he was still wearing a hat and covering his face with a scarf.

But when he came out, his disguise was removed.

Lu Ran, revealing his true face, attracted more gunfire.

His action also allowed his other human comrades much more breathing room, greatly reducing the pressure.

"Lu Ran." Jiang Ruyi's voice was gentle, "None of this is your fault."

Little did she know, what Lu Ran saw was not just a body.

But a "living" soul, a pleading dead soul.

"Mm." Lu Ran nodded gently.

Lu Ran indeed had a heart dedicated to protecting his hometown, this much was true.

But he was not cheap.

He would not take all the blame upon himself, nor did he feel he owed anyone anything.

The wrong ones, the deeply sinful, were this ugly world.

It was just that Hu Dingtian's pleading dead soul, recounting how his father was waiting to throw him a schooling celebration...

Made Lu Ran feel very unpleasant inside.

Jiang Ruyi leaned in, her forehead meeting Lu Ran's, their eyebrows touching.

Her voice was so tender: "Shall we return to the team? This night is almost over.

It's almost past."

With those words, the girl's soft lips lightly kissed Lu Ran's dry lips.

"Mm." Lu Ran responded softly, raised his hand, and slowly drew the Silent Night Blade from the scabbard behind his shoulder.

The night,

Had not yet passed.

The fight must continue!

...

Seeking some monthly tickets.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.