After a month, Lu Ran finally returned to Cloud Sea Cliff.

He had no time to rest and immediately gathered everyone in the Council Hall.

The ascension of Xun Yifei from Sea Realm was of utmost importance to the Ran Sect and required full attention!

As everyone took their seats, Lu Ran briefly inquired about the recent situation at Cloud Sea Cliff, then lent the Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd to Xun Yifei.

Lu Ran specifically instructed that Xun Yifei simply place the Magic Artifact on the ground and not to move it.

If necessary, the Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd would automatically release Divine Power.

Of course, Lu Ran's Magic Artifact could only be directly used by him~

What? Deng Yuxiang directly drank from it once?

Well... it won't happen again!

Lu Ran lent out the Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd, firstly to increase the success rate of Xun Yifei's breakthrough, and secondly for the sake of his own Magic Artifact.

Once the Divine General starts the ascension mode, attracting dense energies from between heaven and earth, the little Blazing Phoenix would naturally feast on them!

This would be greatly beneficial to the Magic Artifact!

As for Xun Yifei's suggestion to ascend at the seabed, Lu Ran rejected it.

This was the conclusion after discussions with Yu Changsheng.

The two knew that the Divine General didn't want to trouble Cloud Sea Cliff, but Xun Yifei was a major general of the Ran Sect, and the issue of ascending couldn't afford any mistakes!

Compared to the ocean, it was safer on land.

"Whatever happens outside is none of your concern. Your only task is to ascend!" Lu Ran said with a serious expression to Xun Yifei, "Go prepare, and in three days, I'll await good news from you."

"Yes!" Xun Yifei respectfully replied, standing up to leave.

The Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd floated behind the Divine General, following along, seemingly quite happy with its left and right movements.

The little Blazing Phoenix naturally knew it would feast again!

"The ascension in the Sea Realm won't be short, and we've got a tough battle ahead!" Lu Ran swept his gaze over the people in the Council Hall, "Everyone should take the time to rest well."

The small rank ascension in the River Realm takes about 2 to 3 days.

The small rank ascension in the Sea Realm takes anywhere from 5 to 10 days, relatively longer.

"Alright, let's disperse." Lu Ran gestured for everyone to leave, then added, "Luo, stay for a moment."

Luo Ying had just stood up from her seat, looking puzzled, standing there.

As Lu Ran waited for everyone to leave the Council Hall, he suddenly remembered something: "Oh yes, sister... Nightmare."

Deng Yuxiang paused, turned around, and looked with slightly smiling eyes.

Lu Ran: "Bring in the Night Charm guard unit."

"Yes!" Deng Yuxiang turned swiftly and left quickly.

Once everyone departed, Lu Ran finally looked at the young mother: "The Divine General's ascension will take at least five days and at most ten days. Here, I can't do without you for a moment.

Are your two children at home going to be alright?"

Seeing Lu Ran's earnest expression, warmth filled Luo Ying's heart.

This young Sect Leader was genuinely concerned about her two children.

Moreover, he was very respectful, not stepping into their residence after the initial encounter and subsequent stalking.

Even until now, Lu Ran had not formally met the two children.

Yet he always kept them in mind.

"They are very well-behaved and strong and can take care of themselves," Luo Ying replied softly.

Lu Ran pondered and said, "Luo, if you need, I can assign Jing Hong to help look after the children."

"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader, but that's unnecessary," Luo Ying instinctively refused.

Lu Ran then said, "We've all worked together for a long time, and you've developed some understanding of Jing Hong. Additionally, she is also a mother of two, experienced in this regard.

Don't rush to refuse; consider it in detail. Give me an answer within two days."

Luo Ying, filled with gratitude, bowed her head slightly: "Yes."

"Go ahead." Lu Ran nodded in acknowledgment, watching the young mother turn to leave, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She takes care of both her husband and her children.

Luo God,

it's truly a great feat.

Lu Ran turned his head, glancing at the date on the wooden board—2020, May 19.

This month had passed so quickly.

That said, the gains were also rewarding.

Firstly, he had established a link with the future Ran Sect Divine General, He Qifeng.

He Qifeng currently relied on Wuji Peak and could certainly provide significant assistance to the Ran Sect when necessary.

Secondly, the Night Charm Evil Sculpture ascended to the Sea Realm, allowing Lu Ran to upgrade the evil demon guard unit at Cloud Sea Cliff.

Moreover, the Tree Face Demon Evil Sculpture was also in a state awaiting activation. However, for this particular ascension by Xun Yifei, it probably wouldn't be of use.

During a Human Clan's ascension, dense fog is invariably attracted, and by then, the Tree Face Demon clan would turn blind.

How could they protect Cloud Sea Cliff, and they'd be lucky if the dried-out trees didn't cause trouble!

Truly...

Why does a perfectly good "Defense Tower" have to grow a face?

Having a face might be acceptable, but why a pair of eyes too!

If only the Tree Face Demon clan had no eyes, wouldn't they observe the world like the Black Light clan, or like the Divine Weapon and Magic Artifact, in a way beyond ordinary comprehension?

In that situation, regardless of how dark the night or how thick the fog, could the Tree Face Demon still operate normally, serving well as a Defense Tower?

"Sect Leader."

"Hmm?" Lu Ran came back to his senses, turned to look.

He saw Deng Yuxiang enter with eighteen Night Charms.

Each had a graceful posture with stunning curves.

What a pity...

Lu Ran rued inwardly, looking at Deng Yuxiang: "I want to summon the Jiang Realm Night Charm."

Deng Yuxiang understood tacitly, raised her hand, gripping the knife handle on her shoulder, and with a probing eyebrow raise.

Lu Ran gently nodded.

"Slish!" Deng Yuxiang instantly drew the broken blade, lifting the mysterious black veil of the Night Charm beside her, slicing the blade across its neck.

The bloodline spurted!

In an instant, the bodies of the remaining seventeen Night Charms tensed, the room filled with murderous intent.

"Don't move!" Lu Ran commanded timely.

The Night Charms all stood in place, motionless.

Deng Yuxiang acted without hesitation, lifting the mysterious black veil again, and the blood-stained broken blade plunged into another Night Charm's neck.

"Slish!"

"Slish..."

Before long, corpses lay in all directions in the Council Hall, and the flowing blood dyed Deng Yuxiang's straw shoes red.

Since Ran Sect stopped wandering and settled at Cloud Sea Cliff, Deng Yuxiang had acquired her own residence, storing some tattered black battle outfits and black leather boots at home.

In Holy Spirit Mountain, clothing and shoes were consumables!

Deng Yuxiang was reluctant to wear them.

She always believed that one day, Ran Sect would return to the Human World.

By then, Deng Yuxiang wanted to dress respectably.

Nowadays, all Ran Sect's members, including Lu Ran, wore uniform attire—green raincoat, blue cap, straw clothes, and straw shoes.

"Phew~"

Each Night Charm's Dead Soul flew toward Lu Ran, embracing the Evil Demon Lord.

"Poof~ poof~"

Each tragically dead body transformed into energy, and the blood on the ground turned into mist, gradually vanishing from the world.

Lu Ran had already extended his hand to begin creating brand new evil demon minions.

Currently, the Night Charm Evil Sculpture in the Sculpture Garden is Sea Realm·First Rank, guaranteed to enable Lu Ran to create 10 Jiang Realm·Fifth Rank Night Charms.

In the future, every time the Night Charm Evil Sculpture ascends a small rank, Lu Ran can create 2 more Jiang Realm Peak Night Charm minions.

"Divine Power shapes its body, Source Energy molds its soul..."

Lu Ran recited the incantation, a Night Charm gradually forming in front of his hands.

Deng Yuxiang approached the long table, leaning on the table's edge, quietly watching Lu Ran cast the spell.

Suddenly, she reached forward with one hand, using the broken blade to lift the Night Charm's black veil.

A ghastly pale yet beautiful visage met her eyes, the demonic purple pupils captivating.

Deng Yuxiang observed carefully, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Long ago, she had proposed a theory, wondering if the Night Charm minions would gradually resemble her.

At this moment, the Night Charm hadn't changed.

Apparently, only when she and the Evil Sculpture fully merged, with Deng Yuxiang herself completely replacing the position of the Night Charm Evil Sculpture, would the minion thoroughly transform.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran asked casually while preparing the next Night Charm.

Deng Yuxiang didn't answer and instead said, "I feel I'm also close to hitting a cultivation bottleneck."

"Oh?" Lu Ran was quite delighted.

The last time Deng Yuxiang ascended was shortly after entering Holy Spirit Mountain, around the end of January.

Today is May 19, counting the time, it's been nearly four months.

"It'll still take some time," Deng Yuxiang said softly with a slight smile in her eyes.

Having not seen him for a month, she missed him a bit, and now seeing him return safely eased her worries.

As for the previous anger, Deng Yuxiang had long since discarded it.

She enjoyed seeing Lu Ran surprised.

Deng Yuxiang also understood that it was due to her bonding with the Night Charm Evil Sculpture and further merging with Lu Ran's help that her cultivation journey had been so smooth.

Previously, such growth speed was unimaginable.

"That's great news!" Lu Ran's eyes shone brightly, "Take advantage of Xun's ascension to gain even more benefits."

"Hmm." Deng Yuxiang nodded gently.

"Also, if you do hit a bottleneck, don't rush to break through," Lu Ran advised, "Our Ran Sect's current strength isn't enough.

Wait until Xun Yifei successfully ascends, then proceed with your breakthrough."

With no one else in the hall, Deng Yuxiang had no need to be overly cautious.

Looking at Lu Ran's excited appearance, she playfully glared at him: "I already said it'll take a while!

Just letting you know that merging with the sculpture has significantly helped me."

"Of course," Lu Ran continued casting the spell, another Night Charm forming under his hand.

You are my future Evil God, after all...

Deng Yuxiang then said, "Maybe we can find the Evil Dog Clan's lair."

It was only then Lu Ran understood; the Big Nightmare was considering it for her best friend.

Along the journey, Ran Sect had captured many villains, but these individuals couldn't provide the Evil Dog Clan's location.

Regarding the Evil Dog Clan, Lu Ran had his suspicions: do these low-intelligence dogs that randomly teleport really have a base?

Additionally, there had been no intelligence on the Evil Mirror Demon Clan, which Lu Ran had long been searching for.

Dealing with demons capable of teleporting and transporting, they seemed always elusive, with no gathering place found.

"Sure, let's look," Lu Ran answered casually.

Seeing this, Deng Yuxiang shifted the conversation: "You found He Qifeng; what did she say?"

"It's quite a long story," Lu Ran sighed, recounting the events to Deng Yuxiang.

Deng Yuxiang was quite amazed, nodding secretly as she listened, and finally praised softly: "The woman is ambitious, capable, and well-connected; she might become someone significant in the future."

Lu Ran whispered, "She will eventually belong to my Ran Sect."

As he spoke, another Jiang Realm·Fifth Rank Night Charm quietly formed, then knelt on one knee, bowing in subservience to the Evil Demon Lord.

Deng Yuxiang witnessed this scene, a slight curve curling at her lips.

Unnoticed, both of them had been at Holy Spirit Mountain for four months already.

Lu Ran's growth was not insignificant.

Power nurtures people, and status nurtures even more.

A person's character is hard to change, but the inadvertent aura Lu Ran exuded, along with his rapidly growing leadership quality, was what Deng Yuxiang was willing to see.

Ambition, who doesn't have it?

Deng Yuxiang quietly gazed at Lu Ran.

Witnessing firsthand his rise and continuous ascent...

This feeling is wonderful.

...

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