September 9th, Cloud Sea Cliff, Seclusion Room No. 1.

In a pitch-black stone room, a woman in a white dress knelt on the floor, her long dark hair moving lightly with the hem of her skirt.

"Hoo!!"

Suddenly, a fierce wind burst from within Jiang Ruyi's body.

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd was startled!

It hid in its owner's embrace; if not held securely by her, it feared it would be thrown out and crash into the stone wall.

"Mm..."

Jiang Ruyi let out a low hum, thoroughly enjoying herself.

The divine power surging within her was like a mighty river, washing through her wide meridians.

River Realm·Fourth Rank!

Jiang Ruyi slowly opened her beautiful eyes, with a glimmer of brilliance flowing within them.

"Buzz~" The Little Chi Feng struggled gently.

Jiang Ruyi loosened her grip, and the Treasure Gourd floated up, hovering in front of her face.

The exquisite phoenix pattern shimmered, reflecting its owner's finely sculpted, fair complexion.

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but chuckle lightly.

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd swayed left and right, appearing cheerful and lively.

She bent her finger and tapped the Treasure Gourd lightly: "Have you eaten your fill?"

"Buzz~" The Little Chi Feng nodded in acknowledgment.

As if nodding.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but break into a tender smile: "Have you been obedient in following your master's orders and researched how to eat humans?"

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd froze midair.

Jiang Ruyi's smile faded.

Having just advanced, her divinity lingered, bestowing her with a solemn and sacred aura.

She opened her palm, her slender jade hand holding up the chubby Treasure Gourd: "Your master loves you very much and probably hasn't scolded you once in all this time, right?

He's not forcing you to do anything, but you must put in some effort yourself, okay, Chi Feng?"

"Buzz~" The Little Chi Feng swayed back and forth as if granted a great pardon.

Jiang Ruyi said no more, using the golden phoenix pattern's light to glance around.

The exit of Cloud Sea Cliff Seclusion Room No. 1 was located in the northern mountains of Cloud Sea Residence.

At this moment, many people had gathered in front of the hidden exit.

Out of respect for the Sect Leader's wife, nearly everyone had arrived.

When Jiang Ruyi emerged, seeing so many people, she was slightly surprised but responded with a smile to the Ran Sect members' congratulations.

After a few polite exchanges, the crowd dispersed.

Only Si Xianxian clung on, unwilling to leave.

With no one else around, Sister Xian'er revealed her true nature, holding a crazy hammer in one hand and tightly embracing Jiang Fairy: "Ruyi, Ruyi, I missed you so much..."

Si Xianxian murmured, her face buried in Jiang Ruyi's neck, rubbing back and forth.

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

In total, they hadn't seen each other for just ten days.

Who would have thought, the once-temperamental, combative madwoman had turned into such a clingy person?

Even more so than when they were at Human World Da Xia's Luoxian Mountain.

"Hey!" A young man's voice came from behind, "What are you doing?"

Si Xianxian ignored Lu Ran, inhaling deeply, her head buried in Jiang Fairy's neck as if savoring.

Lu Ran: ???

No!

What am I then?

Besides, are you Mad Immortal, or Little Yuanxi...

Lu Ran was dumbfounded.

Being in Holy Spirit Mountain, Lu Ran didn't want to "overthink" many things, not solely due to Jiang Ruyi.

But also his sister and his mother.

Now, Lu Ran had more to consider.

His mother, although, was immensely powerful and didn't warrant much worry.

But his sister, Little Yuanxi...

Don't come!

Lu Ran had only one thought in his mind:

Absolutely! Absolutely do not come to Holy Spirit Mountain!

"Sister Xian'er?" Jiang Ruyi saw Lu Ran's unusual expression, thinking he was upset, so she gently pushed Si Xianxian.

Si Xianxian turned to Lu Ran, irritated: "You're so stingy! I'm on the verge of a breakthrough and need to go into seclusion.

Who knows how many days we'll be apart now, can't I at least have a hug?"

Lu Ran suppressed his swirling emotions and pretended to be fine: "Then hurry up; among the four Great Protectors, you're the weakest!

Take Little Chi Feng with you... Oh, and during your breakthrough, don't drink directly from the mouth!"

Si Xianxian was already angry, and seeing Lu Ran's disdainful look, she immediately raised her eyebrows: "You think I'm dirty, don't you?

I will drink directly, just will, just will!"

Lu Ran: "..."

"I will... uh." Si Xianxian suddenly shivered.

She turned to see Jiang Ruyi's half-smile expression.

Si Xianxian quickly forced a smile: "I won't, I won't, I was just teasing him."

Jiang Ruyi gave Si Xianxian a reproachful look, then picked up the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd: "Don't forget what I told you just now."

"Buzz~"

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd trembled slightly.

"Here." Jiang Ruyi handed the Treasure Gourd to Si Xianxian, instructing, "Focus on your breakthrough, and once you succeed, come find me."

"Mm!" Si Xianxian nodded emphatically, holding the crazy hammer in one hand and grasping Little Chi Feng with the other, then turned and walked away.

Jiang Ruyi asked, puzzled: "Where are you going?"

The entrance was right there, wasn't it?

Unexpectedly, Si Xianxian said: "Esteemed Madam! This is the entrance to Seclusion Room No. 1, and except for the young master, only you can enter it."

Jiang Ruyi looked at Si Xianxian in exasperation and amusement, giving her a glare: "Go ahead."

Si Xianxian giggled, looking at Lu Ran with a playful look: "Master! Does a little maid like me have the privilege to enter?"

Lu Ran nearly rolled his eyes to the sky.

"Hahahahaha~" Si Xianxian couldn't help but laugh heartily and then turned and walked into the tunnel entrance.

Lu Ran snorted, watching Mad Immortal leave, then turned to Jiang Ruyi: "Do you want to retreat for a few days to consolidate your realm?"

Jiang Ruyi shook her head lightly: "Staying in the stone room is suffocating; let's return to Cloud Sea Residence."

"That works." Lu Ran gazed at Jiang Fairy, growing happier the longer he watched her, suddenly remembering something, "What were you discussing with the Fiery Phoenix Pattern just now?"

Jiang Ruyi did not reply, instead smiling brightly at Lu Ran: "I've returned to River Realm Fourth Rank; you must work hard."

Lu Ran: "..."

He had advanced to River Realm·Fourth Rank on the third day of the eighth lunar month.

Today was only September 9th!

Reaching River Realm Peak would take a while.

Lu Ran quickly changed the subject: "By the way, during your retreat, I developed a method to control believers."

"Control?" Jiang Ruyi raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Life and death." Lu Ran nodded.

Two simple words enough to send chills down one's spine!

"Let's go test it out." Lu Ran stepped forward, holding her soft jade hand, habitually squeezing her palm.

Jiang Ruyi let herself be led forward by him.

In a daze, she felt like she was back in the high school classroom.

On that day, he first secretly held her finger, and seeing she did not object, he boldly took her entire hand.

That scene, Jiang Ruyi would never forget in her lifetime.

Nor would she forget the hallway he led her through.

"Ruyi?"

"Mm?" Jiang Ruyi snapped out of her reverie, feeling as if ages had passed.

As if...

He had led her from the school hallway into Holy Spirit Mountain.

The once weak young boy and girl had now become revered powers of the world.

They had become the Sect Master and Sect Master's Lady, occupying high and powerful positions.

"What are you thinking about, this deep in thought?"

Lu Ran arrived at a house on the western edge of the cliff, looking curiously at the woman beside him.

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran, smiling without a word.

"So mysterious." Lu Ran murmured.

Before they could enter the house, several people emerged from inside.

"Sect Master!"

"Madam." The three from Feixian Hall respectfully saluted and greeted.

When Gao Yunyan and Jiang Ruyi advanced, everyone on the cliff had been assigned tasks.

Only the three from Feixian Hall did not participate in the cliff-guarding operation.

It was Deng Yuxiang's intention for Feixian Hall to focus solely on revering God and praying daily.

"Now that the mist has dispersed, Feixian Hall can resume work." Lu Ran said.

"Yes!" Song Yu immediately replied, "Shall I then...?"

This address was quite precise; Song Yu had evidently already considered himself a believer.

"No rush, I have a hypothesis to verify, and the subject of this experiment may suffer some harm. Who will volunteer?" Lu Ran looked at the three of them.

"I'll do it!" Song Yu volunteered without hesitation.

"Hmm." Lu Ran nodded, connecting his mind to the Jade Talisman Stone Sculpture.

How does one, in the role of a god, control the life and death of believers through the contract?

After careful consideration, Lu Ran devised a plan.

Under his control, the Fake God·Jade Talisman Stone Sculpture released a terrifying energy which surged into Song Yu's body through the invisible contractual threads!

Lu Ran's method was not without precedence.

When he first became an Immortal Sheep Believer, President Yang had once dismissed him for being noisy and directly used energy to knock Lu Ran unconscious.

Now, Lu Ran was mimicking the Immortal Sheep Lord's techniques, step by step becoming a new god!

On how to become a god...

The Immortal Sheep Lord

seems to have already instructed Lu Ran.

"Uh." Song Yu let out a muffled groan, his entire body trembling.

The overwhelming energy pouring into his body far exceeded the safety limits, far from nourishing his flesh.

Instead, it was wantonly destroying!

Song Yu's face flushed, his blood and energy surged chaotically as if he might cough blood at any moment.

His body trembled uncontrollably, the violent divine power tearing through his meridians, as if to thoroughly pulverize this mortal form...

Lu Ran abruptly stopped!

"Hah... hah..." Song Yu panted heavily, cold sweat dripping down his face as he trembled and collapsed to the ground.

Zhang Zhenghu's face stiffened, and An Xian couldn't help but shiver.

The two didn't fully understand what had happened.

But the fact that Song Yu, this Vast River powerhouse, stood no chance against Lu Ran?!

"Pop~"

Lu Ran summoned a Resurrection Carp, which swam toward the fallen Song Yu.

It truly worked!

Lu Ran secretly nodded.

However, it consumed quite a bit of divine power.

As the Stone Sculpture's realm heightens, shouldn't it be easier to destroy believers' mortal bodies?

Furthermore, Song Yu, being River Realm·Second Rank, could contain much more divine power than someone from the River Realm.

If An Xian, from River Realm, had been the test subject, Lu Ran surmised it would have been easier to end her life?

An Xian, her voice trembling, couldn't help but say: "S-Sect Master! I-I have earnestly prayed day and night and never slacked off..."

"Silence." Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly.

An Xian immediately fell silent, not daring to speak.

However, Lu Ran, lost in thought, was still disturbed.

He came back to his senses, his tone gentle: "I said it was just to verify a hypothesis, not to punish you all."

Lu Ran stepped forward, helping Song Yu up, presenting him with another Resurrection Carp: "You suffered."

Song Yu was filled with fear, wanting to speak, but the words were stuck in his throat, feeling like he had just returned from the Ghost Gate!

Even though Lu Ran had retracted his divine powers, Song Yu's body was still in turmoil.

His meridians felt like they were about to burst!

Recovering might take several days!

"Pop~"

Lu Ran offered another Resurrection Carp, while also channeling Cage Fire to Song Yu.

With such a method of controlling believers' life and death, Lu Ran indeed could widely accept believers and receive large-scale devotions!

Additionally, this served as a reminder to Lu Ran.

If he could operate this way, then so could any of the gods!

If one day they truly returned to the human world, it would be imperative to find the Immortal Sheep Lord immediately and have it sever the master-servant contract for the Ran Sect members!

Perhaps, that would be a more secure approach.

Lu Ran needed to return to the human world first!

After properly communicating with the Immortal Sheep Lord, he would then send all his warriors back to the human world, directly to the Immortal Sheep God Sculpture!

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