By the sea cliff, Lu Ran conversed with Feng Yan for a long time.

Even though the two had prepared themselves mentally, they were still momentarily stunned upon learning of Lu Ran's abilities, unable to speak for a while.

"Whew~"

The sea breeze brushed past, lifting Lu Ran's hair, creating a horizontal flutter.

Lu Ran closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

Just now, Gao Yunyan mentioned how comfortable it was to sleep on Cloud Sea Cliff?

Ha.

No matter how comfortable you feel, could it compare to the ease of rummaging through a plastic bag?

"Sect Leader." Xue Fengchen's expression grew increasingly solemn, "Then what about your future…?"

"You've hit the key issue." Lu Ran lifted his head, slowly opened his eyes, and gazed at the surging clouds in the sky above. "The gods and demons have ruled us and enslaved us for far too long.

What do you think?"

Ah~

Lu Ran truly felt at ease.

Rummaging is the answer!

"Gulp." Xue Fengchen's Adam's apple visibly moved.

"Feng-er."

"Present!" Xue Fengchen looked at Lu Ran.

"Why do you think we came into this world at all?" Lu Ran asked.

Xue Fengchen pondered deeply, not responding immediately.

Lu Ran: "Were we humans born merely to suffer exploitation and oppression, to endure enslavement by the gods?"

This time, Xue Fengchen answered decisively, "Of course not!"

Gao Yunyan's voice rang out with firm conviction: "Nor should it be!"

Lu Ran nodded in agreement: "In the past, you had no alternatives. On this ruthless Holy Spirit Mountain, you could only rely on Tianhuang Mountain for temporary safety.

Now, the two of you have chosen to follow me, and your fates have changed.

We must not only survive on this Holy Spirit Mountain..."

Lu Ran tilted his head back, staring at the sea of clouds in the sky above. "You must also follow me and pierce the heavens!"

Xue Fengchen's bold eyes shone brightly, instinctively turning to look at the woman beside him.

He discovered that Gao Yunyan's gaze was equally fervent, fixated on Lu Ran's silhouette.

It seemed she was engrossed in some indescribable emotion.

She saw nothing but Lu Ran.

Lu Ran finally turned around, his gaze enveloping the two generals, Feng and Yan: "This path will undoubtedly be arduous, brimming with thorns and trials. We might very well end up shattered..."

"Buzz!!"

Lu Ran's words abruptly stopped as his eyes narrowed, focusing on Gao Yunyan.

Gao Yunyan's black hair flowed, her large hoop earrings at her earlobes swaying continuously. A terrifying energy fluctuation surged from within her.

From beginning to end, her inflamed gaze remained locked on Lu Ran.

In this world, there has never been a shortage of people brave enough to fight.

What these people lack is capital, opportunity, or an insightful guide.

Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi filled the void Gao Yunyan faced entirely.

In just a single month, Gao Yunyan had ascended two significant tiers within her mental realm!

Initially, stifled by her surroundings and circumstances, Gao Yunyan had to begrudgingly endure life at Tianhuang Mountain, mingling with villains.

Jiang Ruyi's arrival provided Gao Yunyan with a brand-new path to survival.

Seizing the chance, she broke free from the mire at last.

Regardless of how treacherous the road ahead might be, or whether she would perish along the way, she and Xue Fengchen resolutely decided to forsake the darkness for the light, pursuing their true selves under Lady Luo Xian's guidance.

This marked the first layer of transformation in her mental realm!

Now, she had joined the Ran Sect, stood behind Lu Ran, validated Lu Ran's earth-shaking power to destabilize the gods and demons, and heard the ambitions of their leader striving to overturn heaven and earth...

Transforming from cultivating merely to survive,

to cultivating to overthrow the tyranny of gods and demons, achieving eternal glory and a place in history.

This marked the second layer of transformation in her mental realm!

At just thirty years old, Gao Yunyan had reached the fifth rank of the River Realm. With two massive leaps forward, she slammed open the door to Sea Realm advancement!

"Huff!!"

Xue Fengchen's face revealed an astonishment as he stepped backward, raising a hand to shield his eyes while gazing at his companion's formidable aura.

"Haha!" Lu Ran, upon realizing what had occurred, burst into laughter, "Excellent!"

I remember Elder Bai mentioned today that something favorable awaited at Cloud Sea Cliff!

It turns out that my Ran Sect is gaining another presence in the Yangyang Sea!

Deng Yuxiang, Yu Changsheng, Xun Yifei, Luo Ying...

Counting Gao Yunyan, I now have five Sea Realm great powers under my wing!

Look across Holy Spirit Mountain—Ran Sect's collective strength can now be ranked among mid-tier forces, can't it?

How satisfying~!

Sea Realm disciples from West Desolation—how terrifying are they?

The divine figures from West Desolation, as second-class gods, possess Sea Realm techniques capable of causing mountains to quake and the earth to split!

They instigate genuine earthquakes, unparalleled in destruction!

At once, Lu Ran summoned the Ancient Bronze Mirror, only to switch to the Transmission Mirror instead: "Behind the mirror is a seclusion room.

Yan God General, you are invited!"

Without hesitation, Lu Ran granted her the title of Divine General.

"Thank you for your guidance, Sect Leader!" Gao Yunyan's voice rang with sharp clarity, her eyes gleaming as she strode boldly into the mirror.

As the figure of the woman vanished, Lu Ran dispersed the Transmission Mirror, turning swiftly toward Xue Fengchen.

Suddenly adopting a mournful expression, Lu Ran said:

"Poor Feng-er."

Xue Fengchen: "..."

Lu Ran continued, "But don't lose heart. Yan God General should be six or seven years older than you, right? It's normal for her to surpass you in strength and realm."

Xue Fengchen replied awkwardly, "Six years."

"Well, as they say—'a woman three years older is a golden brick.'" Lu Ran chuckled, "If you managed to snag her, maybe you'd get two!"

Xue Fengchen's mouth twitched awkwardly.

You—the rising new god—can't you act more solemn and sacred?

What kind of talk is this…

Lu Ran's grin widened, adopting a reminiscent tone: "Not only two big golden bricks, you even snagged a Sea Realm great power!

Tsk tsk, you truly are blessed…"

The imposing yet elegant Xue Fengchen was slightly embarrassed by his words, and after a moment, congratulated: "Congratulations to Sect Leader, on acquiring a Divine General."

That statement truly pleased Lu Ran.

"Alright then, Feng-er!" Lu Ran took on a magnanimous expression. "We were both Heavenly Prides of the same generation. I'll give you another month!

If you can enter the Sea Realm within thirty days, I'll give you the title of Divine General as well. How does that sound?"

Xue Fengchen cupped his fists and bowed: "Your subordinate will do his utmost!"

Lu Ran felt dissatisfied inwardly.

The young man, in the prime of his youth, should be charging ahead fearlessly—why doesn't he even dare to speak confidently?

Lu Ran paused, lost in thought, then suddenly said, "Do you still remember He Qifeng?"

Xue Fengchen, of course, knew Da Xia's second Heavenly Pride, though he didn't understand why Lu Ran suddenly brought her up.

Lu Ran: "She was one step behind you in advancing to the River Realm. Not too long ago, she already entered the Sea Realm."

Xue Fengchen asked in surprise, "Is He Qifeng also in this realm?"

Lu Ran nodded: "Not only is she in the Sea Realm now, but she's also established herself as a City Lord!"

Uh... The causal order seemed reversed.

He Qifeng had established a city, boldly taking the first significant step toward her grand ambition, and in doing so, illuminated her Dao Heart, allowing her smooth ascension to the Sea Realm.

"Those details aren't important!" Lu Ran quickly added, "The important thing is, she advanced to the River Realm later than you, yet she's already entered the Sea Realm!"

Xue Fengchen nodded emphatically, bowing deeply: "Your subordinate will spare no effort!"

Finally appeased, Lu Ran commented, "Very well! Go to the Council Hall and report to Nightmare Guardian. She will assign you tasks."

The next stage was to guard Cloud Sea Cliff and escort Yan God General through her breakthrough safely.

"Understood!" Xue Fengchen received his orders and left.

Meanwhile, in the study within Cloud Sea Residence...

Jiang and Deng both noticed that the energy within Cloud Sea Cliff was growing increasingly dense.

Deng Yuxiang suddenly tilted her head slightly, receiving a sound transmission from someone.

A moment later, she looked across the desk: "Ruyi, the West Desolation disciple Gao Yunyan has just broken through her bottleneck under Little Lu Ran's guidance and is advancing."

Under Lu Ran's guidance?

Jiang Ruyi marveled inwardly, shaking her head with a smile: "Gao Yunyan is at the River Realm Peak."

"Indeed." Deng Yuxiang's face also lit up with a smile. "I need to arrange the mountain's defenses."

"Go ahead." Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly. "Thank you, Sister Yuxiang."

"It's within my duties." Deng Yuxiang repeated Yu Changsheng's habitual words, picking up the Seven-Star Treasure Blade and rising to leave.

Jiang Ruyi, sitting on her knees behind the desk, turned her head slightly upon hearing a faint sound and gazed at the Divine Weapon - Rosy Clouds Blade hanging on the wall.

"Swsh~"

Lu Ran suddenly appeared at the door, stepping in as he caught the Rosy Clouds Blade flying toward him: "Cold Night, you come along too."

"Buzz!" On the wall, the Cold Night Sword also flew down.

"Over the next few days, the mist at Cloud Sea Cliff will be dense. I need you to help patrol..." Lu Ran explained briefly, letting go of the paired blades. "Go now; Rosy Clouds will guide you along the patrol route."

The Divine Weapon Sword hummed incessantly, following Rosy Clouds Blade as it flew out of the study.

Lu Ran turned his gaze to the aloof immortal behind the desk. Without hesitation, he leaned forward, stretched out his arms, and lifted her into the air.

"I'm about to have my fifth Sea Realm great power!" Lu Ran was elated.

Kisses, hugs, spinning circles~

Little Chi Feng also noticed the scene and came trotting over, circling around its masters with delight.

Joy filled the air~

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi was infected by the jubilance, letting out a soft laugh. "I think I might be nearing my own cultivation bottleneck."

"Ah?" Lu Ran's expression froze. "Really?"

Had Jiang Ruyi recovered so well?

Indeed... She had once received genuine blessings from the gods, possessing natural beauty and extraordinary constitution, excelling in physical prowess and innate talent—far surpassing other cultivators of the same realm.

Furthermore, she was now bound to the Pseudo-God Stone Sculpture, becoming an inheritor.

But more importantly, her unwavering mental realm stood as the most critical factor.

From a certain perspective, Lu Ran even felt that she might be more determined than he was...

"Why would I lie to you?" Jiang Ruyi gently rolled her eyes at him. "I told you that very morning after breaking the contract. It wouldn't take long for me to return to the fourth rank."

"Haha!" Lu Ran laughed heartily. "Elder Bai didn't let me down!"

What a marvelous River Realm Peak, this Great Curse Master!

Cloud Sea Cliff is positively overflowing with good fortune today!

Jiang Ruyi: ???

Why is it that, while holding me, your thoughts dwell on someone else?

And it's an old man at that?

"Come, Little Chi Feng." Lu Ran released the jade-like person in his arms, grabbed Little Chi Feng with one hand, and opened a Transmission Mirror with the other. "Behind the mirror is the first seclusion room, located at the mountain's core.

Take the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd and train within!"

"But what about guarding Cloud Sea Cliff..."

"That's not your concern!" Lu Ran cut her off. "Yan God General's Sea Realm breakthrough will cause dense energy to flow through heaven and earth for as little as five days up to ten days!

This is an immense blessing—you must catch this east wind!"

"Alright." Jiang Ruyi complied without hesitation, taking the Treasure Gourd.

Before stepping through the Transmission Mirror, she turned back, her beautiful eyes glancing toward Lu Ran, who seemed overjoyed by her actions.

Her typically aloof voice was tinged with warmth:

"Wait for my good news."

"Mm-hmm!" Lu Ran nodded repeatedly.

Watching the immortal silhouette fade away, Lu Ran felt as if the clouds had parted to reveal sunlight.

Being on this Holy Spirit Mountain,

it truly feels increasingly full of promise!

...

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