"Rumble... Rumble..."

From the distant west came another thunderous sound.

Lu Ran reluctantly let go of Jiang Ruyi's lips, sparing her.

"Mmm."

Jiang Ruyi lowered her eyelids, breathing softly. Her face grew increasingly red, and even her delicate earlobes were tinged with a faint pink.

"Wait for me. The battle's not over." Lu Ran took off his broad bamboo hat and placed it on her head.

"Mm." Jiang Ruyi gently nodded.

Such a gentle and obedient demeanor was in stark contrast to her usual cold and dignified self.

Lu Ran hesitated no longer, turning around and leaving.

The scattered members of the Luoxian Pavilion stood frozen, staring blankly at their Pavilion Master.

At this moment, the realization seemed to dawn on them—Jiang Ruyi was just a 19-year-old girl.

In front of a particular person, she could be a tender young woman instead of the aloof and untouchable celestial maiden.

"Song Yu," Jiang Ruyi, now donning her veil again, called softly.

"Pavilion Master!" Song Yu snapped out of his reverie, looking at the veiled woman in a flowing white dress, now crowned with the bamboo hat.

Her appearance under the hat seemed somewhat mysterious.

And even more graceful.

"Gather the team and count the numbers," Jiang Ruyi instructed.

"Yes!" Song Yu responded solemnly.

Suddenly, a dragon's roar echoed, sending chills through everyone present.

Song Yu quickly turned and gazed toward the distant west.

He saw another figure, wearing a bamboo hat and draped in wide bamboo clothes, floating in the western skies, maintaining a posture of holding a bow.

A massive Canglong dragon, terrifying in scale, descended from the heavens, smashing the rising yellow sand to pieces.

The giant Canglong also shattered, transforming into countless smaller Canglong dragons that burrowed into the ground below.

The sight left everyone dumbfounded!

This group of bamboo hat and bamboo clothes wearers… Such power?

Just moments ago, a Dragon Carp Heavenly Boat had appeared, crashing down with a thunderous boom, even breaking a towering stone pillar in half.

The collapsed pillar still lay across the Ten Thousand Blade Mountain ridge.

Everyone was well aware that the bamboo hat-wearing figure was a Dragon Carp believer.

And unquestionably a Sea Realm Great Power!

As the Ten Thousand Dragons Subduing the Sea Arrow revealed itself, people realized that the bow-wielding bamboo-clad figure was an Ash believer.

Also a formidable presence of the Yangyang Sea!

"Hiss..." Xiong Xiong gasped and smacked his bald head fiercely.

"What the hell kind of organization is this?"

Xiong Xiong had every reason to believe that this group of bamboo-clad figures included more than just two Sea Realm practitioners!

Because earlier, a bamboo hat and bamboo clothes figure wielding a broken blade had dashed across the high skies, leading the charge at the front of the group.

That person must also be a Sea Realm practitioner!

Otherwise, how could he dare to charge headfirst and pursue the Sea Realm Great Power, You Tianyao?

In Xiong Xiong's understanding, whenever people formed factions or forces, they were usually fellow disciples of the same sect.

In the disciple community of the West Desolation, if you spotted someone from an external sect, chances were that individual was a servant.

There might be exceptions like Luoxian Pavilion, where the Pavilion Master shone with humanity, adhering to moral boundaries.

However, Xiong Xiong had only ever seen one person like that.

And that was Jiang Ruyi.

But this mysterious group, with sky-shaking, earth-shattering power, had members from entirely different sects?

How?

What kind of existence could unify such terrifying Sea Realm Great Powers, making them abandon suspicion and come together?

"Is that Lu Ran?"

Under Song Yu's escort, Gao Yunyan landed steadily, standing beside Xue Fengchen.

"Yes! Yes, it is!" Xue Fengchen, visibly excited, nodded repeatedly.

Gao Yunyan gazed skyward, her eyes filled with astonishment. "Didn't you say Lu Ran was the Human World Sect Master of the Immortal Sheep Sect, an Immortal Sheep believer?"

Xue Fengchen immediately replied, "Yes, Sister Yan, I wouldn't lie to you. Lu Ran really is an Immortal Sheep beli..."

His words trailed off.

At this moment, did Lu Ran look like an Immortal Sheep believer?

Xue Fengchen was at a loss, not knowing what to say.

In the Human World,

Ran Shen was never like this!

The recently rescued group felt both exhilaration and fear witnessing the formidable Sea Realm figures from the mysterious organization.

But the numerous Sea Realm practitioners weren't the most shocking aspect.

The bamboo-clad youth who had first appeared and single-handedly stopped Elder Peng of Tianhuang Mountain was the truly astonishing figure.

The Immortal Sky Python of the Jade-faced Snake Clan.

The Fiery Fire Heavenly Leader of the Fierce Heavenly Sect, shattering the fiery sky.

And the Evil Shadow Flash of the Evil Dog Clan...

What sect did this young man belong to?

Or rather, was he truly even a "believer"?

Gao Yunyan gripped her divine weapon tightly.

The Yellow Sand Axe, which had previously been struggling and trembling, now lay still.

As if resigning to its fate.

Since Jiang Ruyi had launched a Bursting Flame Talisman, blasting both Gao Yunyan and her axe backward, the Yellow Sand Axe hadn't found another opportunity to escape.

The axe might have calmed, but Gao Yunyan's heart was pounding wildly.

A few days ago, her repeated questioning of Xue Fengchen still lingered in her ears: "That Heavenly Pride surnamed Lu—is he really worth you risking so much?"

Now Gao Yunyan had her answer firsthand.

More than worth it!!

Among the Human World, Mountain Realm, even the Cloud Sea above the Heavenly Realm's sky…

Someone like Lu Ran might truly be one of a kind!

To effortlessly wield all techniques, assimilating the forces of both gods and demons?

Gao Yunyan's mind was in turmoil.

Simultaneously elated and filled with longing!

At this moment, Lu Ran soared across the battlefield, encircled by hovering White Jade Stones that enabled his flight.

The Divine Technique of the Jade Talisman Sect!

"Holy crap, did we just encounter a True God..." Zhang Zhenghu muttered under his breath.

An Xian stared dumbly at the scene, her expression frozen.

Meanwhile, Song Yu diligently carried out the tasks assigned by his Pavilion Master, organizing the Shanwei believers like Xiong Xiong while keeping a close eye on Lu Ran.

Song Yu felt immensely grateful for making the wisest decision—remaining a loyal follower of Lady Luo Xian!

He was Luoxian Pavilion's first elder!

The guardian of Jiang Ruyi's rise and ascension.

The bond between Jiang Ruyi and Lu Ran was evident to anyone with eyes!

Without a doubt, he would catch Lu Ran's attention, ensuring a bright and promising future for himself. How could his destiny and career path possibly falter?

A multitude of thoughts surged in everyone's minds as they observed the cloaked figures invade the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Lu Ran had already flown over the battlefield and approached the heart of the skirmish.

He refrained from flashing forward because he intended to use Soul Binding.

Several evil dogs, long dead, had wandering souls high in the air. Lu Ran couldn't let them escape.

On the battlefield below, some human souls lingered, numbering about ten by his rough count.

Likely killed in the crossfire of the two Sea Realm Great Powers, their souls hovered briefly.

Since the battle was still raging, Lu Ran didn't retrieve them just yet.

No doubt, the Evil Dog statues in his Sculpture Garden had begun their upgrade mode, constantly expanding their form.

Lu Ran suppressed a groan of frustration.

The Barbaric Female Demon's Evil Sculpture was already vibrating, and now the Evil Dog joined in.

One resonating sculpture he could handle, but the simultaneous vibrations of two stone sculptures were taxing even for him.

"Hah!!"

Lu Ran sharply lifted his head, spotting a thousand-meter-long Wind Blade forming rapidly beneath the roiling clouds!

The Ultimate Move of the Night Charm Clan: Night Charm Evil Blade!

Lu Ran found satisfaction in the sight.

He was no longer the vulnerable newcomer he once was upon arrival.

Lu Ran now had many powerful comrades, not to mention the radiant mountain camellia he had personally nurtured.

In his current state of weariness, he could rely on his allies to unleash their might.

"Boom!"

The thousand-meter blade shattered the already fractured ground, slicing deeper into the earth below.

Nightmare's two protectors of Cong Long followed the Night Charm Evil Blade headfirst into the underground.

Countless smaller Canglong dragons were still pounding the ground, forging a path in pursuit of their concealed underground foe.

It seemed this Sea Realm practitioner of the Sea Drought faith had shifted tactics, abandoning hopes of escaping afar and instead drilling deeper underground with unwavering resolve.

"Ran Dog! It's you—the Ran Dog..."

A voice called out faintly from afar.

It had been a long time since Lu Ran had heard that peculiar nickname.

The buzzing in his head made him wonder if he were hallucinating.

"Ran Dog!!"

"Huh?" Lu Ran turned his gaze downward and spotted a soul.

The figure looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six, tall and lean, with curly hair. His face was filled with shock as he stared in Lu Ran's direction.

Wang Xuyang's voice trembled, "Ran... Ran Shen, you can see me?"

Lu Ran sighed inwardly.

He had experienced this scene many times before.

Each time, it tugged at his heartstrings.

Wang Xuyang's eyes glistened as he pleaded, "Help me, Ran Shen! Please... can't you help me? I don't want to die! I know you can do something, Ran Shen..."

Lu Ran's face held an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry."

As Wang Xuyang's soul floated closer, he felt the pull of an unrelenting force.

"So... you can't..." Wang Xuyang looked as though he had been struck by lightning, crestfallen and shattered.

Lu Ran remained silent, his head turning back toward the battlefield below.

It wasn't indifference but a reluctance to face the other's despair and sorrow.

While Lu Ran didn't know this youth personally, he could tell that this was someone who had likely joined his ranks later—perhaps even a fan of *Heavenly Pride*, or an admirer of himself.

But in truth, there was nothing Lu Ran could do.

Wang Xuyang, unable to control his trajectory, was drawn closer to Lu Ran, his expression dim.

He looked up at Lu Ran's seemingly cold and detached figure and slowly let out a bitter smile. "Then... then you must live well."

Lu Ran's body stiffened.

The sudden care from a stranger.

A person who had already passed on.

Lu Ran's heart grew heavy, burdened with waves of helplessness he could not alleviate.

Wang Xuyang gazed at Lu Ran's silent figure, a sourness rising in his chest.

Of course, Lu Ran was Da Xia's Heavenly Pride, the Human World Sect Master—someone with a lofty stature.

Why would someone like that bother to notice him?

Why would he ever help him?

Wang Xuyang hung his head, his voice growing softer as he murmured, "Ran Dog... take care of the Pavilion Master and live well together..."

As he spoke, Wang Xuyang suddenly raised his head, mustering courage to address the seemingly indifferent silhouette. "If you two return to Da Xia, will you hold a wedding? Can you stream the wedding for us to see?

My mom really likes you two. She's been hoping for your wedding for so long. I don't even know if she can wait..."

Lu Ran closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

Back when the Immortal Sheep Lord imparted the Pupil of the Dead World to him, the words spoken still lingered in his ears:

"With it, you will see the souls of the dead."

"You will witness their distorted visages and hear their anguished cries."

"You will see lingering souls clinging to the mortal realm, sobbing in sorrow until they dissipate entirely."

"Knowing this, do you still wish to learn?"

Suddenly, Lu Ran reached out to his side, summoning an antique, elegant copper mirror.

With a thought, he altered the properties of the Basic Technique·Mirror of Sin; though its outward appearance remained unchanged, it transformed into the Soul-hooking Mirror.

As energy surged through the mirror, it intercepted the Pupil of the Dead World, absorbing Wang Xuyang's soul.

"W-what is this?" Wang Xuyang's startled face appeared in the mirror.

Lu Ran clutched the edge of the copper mirror, turning it toward the surface, where the Drought Sea believer had been blasted out of the ground.

He spoke in a low voice:

"This is the one who caused your death, isn't it?"

...

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