Hundreds of kilometers away, at the bottom of the snow valley, in a hidden cavern.

Previously, the Ran Sect people had set off from here, and now upon their return, there was an additional person.

Lu Ran casually summoned a blazing Lie Tian Hammer.

The hammer burned with fierce flames, dispelling the chill within the cave.

Deep within the cavern, Deng Yuxiang sat leaning against the stone wall, holding a motionless Yan Shuangzi, gently brushing her disheveled hair.

Her eyes were full of heartache as her fingers lightly caressed her friend's deeply sunken eye sockets.

Golden fish continuously appeared from Yu Changsheng's hands.

Light illuminated everyone in the cave, restoring the life force of all.

Yan Shuangzi's deathly pale face gradually gained a trace of color, and the shocking wounds on her body, including hidden ailments within, were being healed.

However, the sunken eye sockets under Deng Yuxiang's fingers did not fill out.

Nor did Yan Shuangzi's severed arm grow back.

Lu Ran's expression was not very good.

His Jiang Grade Evil Technique · Resurrection Carp could not temporarily restore severed limbs.

And could Yu Changsheng's Sea Grade Divine Skill · Longevity Carp not achieve this either?

Yu Changsheng understood Lu Ran's expression and apologetically said, "Sect Leader, the Longevity Carp can replenish life force for the target, helping the wounded recover.

However, it cannot yet regenerate severed limbs."

Severed limbs cannot grow back.

Naturally, Yan Shuangzi could not regrow her eyes.

Lu Ran nodded silently.

Yu Changsheng continued, "Once I cultivate beyond the Sea Realm and elevate the Longevity Carp by another grade, perhaps it will be possible."

These words were not merely for comfort.

Yu Changsheng was well aware of his healing Divine Skills. The Sea Grade · Longevity Carp was already at its peak in terms of filling life force and healing injuries!

If it were increased by another grade, it would likely achieve a qualitative change and explore higher domains.

After speaking, the cavern fell silent.

Yan Shuangzi's skin gradually turned smooth and fair, but this was only a superficial effect.

The true horror of a Sea Realm Grand Healer was that the Longevity Carp he released could rejuvenate Yan Shuangzi's nearly lifeless body from the inside out with an absolute magnitude of life force.

Reviving it anew!

Lu Ran quietly waited, noticing Luo Ying sitting alone nearby, he said, "Thank you for your efforts, Divine General Luo."

Luo Ying looked over, nodded slightly in acknowledgment to Lu Ran.

She had no prior association with Yan Shuangzi and was long accustomed to tragic stories, but she liked Lu Ran's demeanor.

In treating his people, Lu Ran was so relentless, risking everything to rescue them...

This was good!

One day, Lu Ran would treat her the same way.

Luo Ying became more certain that her loyalty and efforts would be rewarded as they should.

Lu Ran glanced towards the cave entrance, where Jing Hong was diligently on guard.

He spoke up, "Well done."

Jing Hong's Thunderclap Horn had indeed signaled the start for the Ran Sect.

Just as Lu Ran was encouraging his soldiers, he heard a faint nasal sound.

He turned his head and saw Yan Shuangzi's fingers twitch slightly as she emerged from her coma.

"Shuangzi?" Deng Yuxiang also became aware.

Yan Shuangzi's body trembled slightly.

Deng Yuxiang's voice was softer than ever, "Shuangzi?"

Yan Shuangzi was stunned for a full twenty seconds before incredulously asking, "Deng... Deng Yuxiang?"

Her voice was unusually hoarse, and her lips trembled slightly.

Deng Yuxiang's nose stung as she pulled Yan Shuangzi into her arms, "It's me, it's me."

Yan Shuangzi struggled to raise an arm, her dirty hand fumbling across Deng Yuxiang's face.

"Deng Yuxiang... Deng Yuxiang..."

Yan Shuangzi murmured, her fingers tracing over Deng Yuxiang's brow, across her nose bridge, and lips.

Having lost her eyes, she constantly touched her friend's face, recalling her appearance in her mind.

But those memories seemed long past.

So long that she almost forgot her former close friend.

Or perhaps it should be said that the long period of captivity and suffering had made Yan Shuangzi forget many things, and her memories were blurred beyond recognition.

"How... how are you here?!" Yan Shuangzi suddenly raised her voice.

Only in the second sentence did her emotions completely lose control.

Yan Shuangzi frantically groped Deng Yuxiang's face, "How can you be here? You shouldn't be here! Go, you... quickly... were you also captured by them?"

Suddenly, Yan Shuangzi's movements ceased.

She seemed to lose all strength, her lonely arm drooping down.

She shook her head continuously, mumbling, "No, you shouldn't have come here, no, no..."

As she spoke, two lines of tears flowed from her hollow eye sockets.

Deng Yuxiang felt heartbroken and immediately explained, "This isn't Sword Ridge Peak; we rescued you!"

Yan Shuangzi couldn't hear any words, immersed in her own world, muttering, "You shouldn't have come to Holy Spirit Mountain; it was all a trap!

No, you shouldn't... they can't do this to you..."

"Yan Shuangzi!" Deng Yuxiang raised her voice, trying to awaken the delirious woman, "This isn't Sword Ridge Peak, Lu Ran rescued you!"

Yan Shuangzi fell silent.

Deng Yuxiang soothed her back repeatedly, "No one will harm you anymore, never again."

After a long time, Yan Shuangzi trembled and said, "Did I... did I leave Sword Ridge Peak?"

"Yes, Lu Ran rescued you. Do you remember Lu Ran?"

"Lu... who is that..."

"Teacher Yan." Lu Ran spoke softly, "Last New Year, we met in Beifeng City, and you taught me."

Because of her connection with Deng Yuxiang, Yan Shuangzi had shown Lu Ran considerable care in Beifeng City back then.

She also taught Lu Ran about the three realms of the Swordman:

Body and Blade Unity, Heart and Sword Unity, Human and Sword Unity.

With clearer theoretical guidance, Lu Ran then began to see other powerful martial artists as weapons.

"Lu Ran..." Yan Shuangzi frowned deeply, trying to remember.

The endless days of darkness had caused her mind to be in turmoil, and she seemed unable to recall.

"Don't think about it, Shuangzi, let's not think about it for now." Deng Yuxiang quickly advised upon seeing her friend's pained expression.

"Mm... mm." Yan Shuangzi's head drooped.

Her dirty face buried in Deng Yuxiang's shoulder.

Within mere seconds, she began sobbing again, "Fake, Yuxiang, it's all fake, fake..."

It was clear that Yan Shuangzi's mental state was quite concerning.

"I'm real, I'm right here, everything is real." Deng Yuxiang displayed an unprecedented gentleness.

As if calming a child.

Yet, Yan Shuangzi once again failed to hear the words spoken.

She kept mumbling, "The gods are not saviors, it's all a lie! The whole world has been deceived, everyone has been deceived!

There's no way out, no hope; the Human Clan will never see the day of victory!

It's at the gods' behest, the Evil Demons will always slaughter us, it's all orchestrated by the gods..."

Yan Shuangzi appeared mad, her words slurred and blasphemous.

If she dared say such things in the Human World, she might also be imprisoned by Beifeng City, forcibly "treated."

"Mm, I know, I know."

Deng Yuxiang was extremely patient, holding the emaciated woman, constantly soothing her.

Yan Shuangzi shook her head vigorously, filled with despair, "No, you don't know! The North Wind you worship isn't what you think it is..."

"I know, Shuangzi!" Deng Yuxiang cupped Yan Shuangzi's face, instinctively wanting to look into her eyes.

Deng Yuxiang suddenly realized the other party's eyes were already gouged out.

Those few Beifeng captives had said it was Elder Xing's orders.

Elder Xing had announced to everyone that Yan Shuangzi was blind in sight and heart, unworthy of eyes, and then, under everyone's gaze, Yan Shuangzi's eyes were gouged out.

Elder Xing did not gouge out Yan Shuangzi's heart.

After all, he needed her alive to use her tragic fate as a warning to all North Wind Disciples not to disrespect the gods.

"You don't know, you..." Yan Shuangzi continued to struggle, frantically.

Deng Yuxiang said sternly, "I have already cut off the contract with the North Wind!"

Yan Shuangzi's body suddenly stiffened.

Deng Yuxiang held Yan Shuangzi's face, wiping her continuously streaming tears with her thumb, "Months ago, I stopped believing in the gods."

"You... you broke the contract?"

"Yes! This Holy Spirit Mountain is a burial ground the gods created for our Human Clan, aren't the gods expecting us to be slaves for generations? Why should I believe in these so-called gods?"

Listening to Deng Yuxiang's words, Yan Shuangzi's mouth hung slightly open.

A few seconds later, Yan Shuangzi suddenly laughed.

Really like a lunatic, crying, laughing, shouting, and making a scene.

Had she finally found a kindred spirit, was she overwhelmed with joy?

Was she weeping with happiness, finally being understood?

Or was she lamenting the ugliness of the world, crying out in despair?

Perhaps... all of these.

The Ran Sect members watched in silence at the hysterical, crying, and laughing woman.

Just how much bitterness did a person's heart have, what kind of inhuman torment had they endured to become like this?

And this time, no matter how much Deng Yuxiang tried to console, it was of no use.

Lu Ran commanded, "Soul Soothing Horn."

At the cave entrance, Jing Hong immediately summoned a primitive horn and placed it to his lips.

"Woooo~~~"

The horn sound was not loud, very low and echoed within the small cavern.

Divine Technique · Soul Soothing Horn: It eliminates mental influences while calming people's emotions and helping stabilize their mental state.

In the low horn sound, the exhausted Yan Shuangzi, nestled in Deng Yuxiang's arms, fell into a deep sleep.

After a long while, Lu Ran lowered his hand.

The Soul Soothing Horn ceased, and the tormented soul finally had some peaceful rest.

Deng Yuxiang's cloak was wide enough, and her embrace was warm enough.

Yet, Lu Ran did not find this scene comforting; instead, it felt sad and bleak. He lowered his head, turned, and walked towards the cave's entrance.

"Whoosh~"

The cold wind of the valley blew as Lu Ran looked up at the night sky, taking a deep breath.

In the midst of the blowing wind, he faintly felt someone calling him.

Lu Ran immediately connected mentally with the Night Charm Evil Sculpture, imprinting the woman's words in his mind.

[Little Lu Ran.]

[Hmm?]

[I don't have many friends; apart from Jiaojiao, there's only her.] Deng Yuxiang paused, then requested, [Help me, take her in as a believer, like you did to save me, nurture her back to health, can you?]

[Sure, which sculpture do you want her to worship?] Lu Ran didn't hesitate.

He gazed at the starry sky, his eyes bright.

Of course, it's good!

If it meant helping Yan Shuangzi exact revenge, allowing her to personally gouge out Elder Xing's eyes...

That would be even better.

...

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.