"Are you also from Rain Alley High School?" Lu Ran asked in confusion.

Did he just encounter a fellow local?

"Lu, you and I are university alumni," Island Master He explained with a smile.

Lu Ran grinned awkwardly. "Who are you trying to fool? When did I ever attend university... Oh, wait! I'm a university student."

Midway through speaking, Lu Ran suddenly remembered that he was the overqualified national top scorer from the college entrance exam who later "settled for" Wulie River University.

The Eight Desolates Annihilation Blade was something he acquired from Wulie River University.

Awkward!

Lu Ran scratched his head, inadvertently revealing the demeanor of a 19-year-old boy.

In truth, Lu Ran couldn't really be blamed for this.

Though he did get admitted to Wulie River University, he never actually attended a single class, so any sense of belonging was out of the question.

From his entrance test to this day, he'd only stepped foot inside the university gate once.

He fought one fight, then gave himself an indefinite vacation...

"Haha~" Island Master He watched the slightly awkward Lu Ran with amusement. This "refreshingly pure university student" demeanor made him seem somewhat endearing.

At the very least, it was more reassuring than his usual somber expression.

Island Master He glanced at the younger students, her smile warm and placid. "Last year's school opening ceremony, I happened to witness Lu venting his rage over a girl."

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Ruyi also remembered what happened in the past, but she seemed far from embarrassed. Instead, her smile was calm and gentle. "May I know the senior sister's surname?"

"No need for formalities. My surname is He—He Yingcai." Island Master He put her hands together and bowed slightly.

He Yingcai was undoubtedly a Great Power of the Sea Realm!

Yet when interacting with Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi, her demeanor remained humble and gracious, leaving a highly favorable impression.

Jiang Ruyi also put her hands together in return. "For Senior Sister He to have reached the Sea Realm at such a young age, it's truly admirable."

He Yingcai modestly smiled and shook her head gently.

In Thousand Boat Archipelago, He Yingcai indeed held a lofty status.

But when compared to Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi?

The talents He Yingcai prided herself on really paled in comparison.

Lu Ran asked, "So, is this Lake District the headquarters of the Bi He Sect?"

He Yingcai turned slightly, gazing out at the distant archipelago. "It's not just my Bi He Sect—it also includes the Sky Phoenix Sect, Chenghua Sect, and Sword Lotus Sect."

"Oh?" Lu Ran was visibly surprised.

Second-class God·Sky Phoenix!

Third-class God·Bi He!

Third-class God·Chenghua!

Fourth-class God·Sword Lotus!

So many Divine Sect factions gathered together—do they really not fight each other?

The Sky Phoenix Sect is an auxiliary faction, excelling in defense, control, and healing.

Both the Chenghua Sect and the Bi He Sect are versatile, adept in offense and defense.

Believers of such sects are extremely rare in the small Rain Alley City.

During Lu Ran's years guarding Rain Alley City, he'd only ever encountered a Chenghua believer once.

It was on the fifteenth night of the month, coincidentally during an invasion by the Evil Spear Emperor Clan, so the memory stuck with him.

He even recalled seizing a beautiful oil-paper umbrella from a Chenghua disciple and using it as a makeshift boat to glide through the rain-soaked night sky.

Borrowing its aid, he defeated a king.

As for the Fourth-class God·Sword Lotus, Lu Ran was quite familiar—his teammate Tian Tian was a Sword Lotus believer.

To think these four sects would all gather in one place?

Hmm... Makes sense, he guessed.

The lake was vast enough to feel like a sea, dotted with countless islands. A single sect's disciples alone would struggle to dominate the area.

"This lake is called Mist Rain Lake," He Yingcai elaborated. "Its many islands are collectively referred to as the Thousand Boat Archipelago.

According to legend, over a decade ago, under the leadership of the Sky Phoenix Sect, disciples from the four sects joined forces here to establish the Thousand Boat Alliance."

He Yingcai paused for a moment before continuing. "To this day, the Bi He Sect steadfastly guards the northern region, holding seven islands collectively called the Bi He Seven Isles.

Presently, I am the master of one of these islands."

"Goodness~" Lu Ran couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment. "So within your Bi He Sect alone, there are six other island masters in the Sea Realm like you?"

He Yingcai smiled and nodded.

Regardless of Lu Ran's intentions in the Holy Spirit Mountain, revealing some cards up front could avoid unnecessary trouble.

She truly wished to avoid crossing swords with someone like Lu Ran.

Lu Ran continued, "And the other three sects? Do they also each hold seven islands, with over seven Sea Realm members in their ranks?"

He Yingcai seemed eager to share all she knew. "The Chenghua Sect guards the southwestern seven islands, the Sword Lotus Sect guards the southeastern ones, and the Sky Phoenix Sect occupies the three central islands.

All island masters are Sea Realm Great Powers.

Because of the four sects' united front, the Thousand Boat Alliance has remained a powerhouse here."

"Seven multiplied by three... twenty-one... twenty-four." Lu Ran muttered to himself, inwardly overwhelmed.

On this Thousand Boat Archipelago, there were at least twenty-four Sea Realm Great Powers!

At least!

To put it in perspective, even a mighty Divine Sect like West Desolation or North Wind had only about twenty Sea Realm Great Powers in their strongholds.

But this Thousand Boat Alliance...

The four sects combining forces was unquestionably a wise strategy. Together, they formed a top-tier alliance capable of dominating the Immortal Realm.

If they were to split apart and compete individually, all four sects would inevitably be reduced to mid-tier organizations.

Jiang Ruyi sighed. "To unite four factions as one, the Alliance Leader of Thousand Boat Alliance must be extraordinary."

He Yingcai nodded approvingly. "Alliance Leader Yun Qianzhou is a disciple of the Sky Phoenix Sect. As a junior sister yourself, you understand that the Sky Phoenix Sect is renowned for their benevolence.

Alliance Leader Yun possesses not only immense power but also a kind and virtuous heart, earning immense respect within the alliance."

Jiang Ruyi nodded to herself quietly.

Indeed, only someone from the Sky Phoenix Sect could unite the Bi He, Chenghua, and Sword Lotus Sects.

Lu Ran was filled with mixed emotions. "It seems, Senior Sister He, with such a mighty tree to lean on, you can rest easy."

He Yingcai, however, shook her head with a wry smile.

"Why's that?" Lu Ran noticed her reaction and asked, puzzled, "Isn't the Thousand Boat Alliance united internally?"

He Yingcai responded, "The Thousand Boat Alliance is relatively stable. It's just... fierce enemies surround us."

"Huh?" Lu Ran was even more taken aback. "Even a behemoth like the Thousand Boat Alliance has someone daring to provoke it?"

He Yingcai let out a soft sigh. "Not long ago, a group from Thunder Mountain came here to 'borrow' people."

Her lips curled into a cold smile as she added, "They claimed it was borrowing, but if we really lent them our people, they'd likely never return—reduced to slaves for life."

"Thunder Mountain..." Lu Ran furrowed his brows, recalling the two Eastern Thunder believers serving as bodyguards during the previous Tiantu Mountain conquest.

"From the mountain's name alone, you can guess it's the base of the Dongting Sect," He Yingcai remarked.

"But your Thousand Boat Alliance has enough Sea Realm powers—twenty or thirty, at least! How could they bully you like this?"

He Yingcai spoke softly, "Thunder Mountain is no trifling opponent. The fact I became an island master is because during the last battle, the former island master was killed."

Lu Ran: ???

A Sea Realm Great Power, slain in battle?

And with the top-tier healers of the Sky Phoenix Sect present? How was that possible?!

He Yingcai nodded lightly. "Thunder Mountain is extremely domineering, and the Eastern Thunder Divine Technique is overwhelmingly potent—very difficult to counter."

Lu Ran reviewed the list of divine techniques employed by the Dongting Sect, reluctantly admitting that this group of "Flash-imitation combatants" was indeed formidable!

Their disciples weren't just fast and explosively powerful—they were also well-rounded, with defense and crowd control capabilities!

"Enough about this," He Yingcai said, turning her attention back to Lu Ran, her usual gentle smile returning. "Junior Brother, when did you enter the mountain? From the looks of it, you're doing quite well?"

As she spoke, He Yingcai's eyes scanned the group of straw-cloaked figures nearby.

Since the Sect Leader and Island Master had started conversing, the Ran Sect members had maintained vigilance over their surroundings, showing only their backs or profiles to He Yingcai.

Deng Yuxiang, Yu Changsheng, Gao Yunyan...

The auras faintly emanating from the trio clearly marked them as Sea Realm Great Powers!

Meanwhile, both Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi appeared to still be in the River Realm.

Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, after all, was purely survival of the fittest, with strength reigning supreme.

That Lu Ran could inspire such high-level individuals to loyally follow him and willingly serve as subordinates greatly impressed He Yingcai.

Lu Ran smiled casually, gesturing toward his group. "I entered the mountain in late January. I also established a small group, called the Ran Sect.

These are my like-minded companions."

As Lu Ran made introductions, Yu Changsheng turned his head, offering a polite smile and nod.

He Yingcai's gaze lingered for a moment.

This man... was unreasonably handsome.

Of course, as a Sea Realm Great Power herself, He Yingcai maintained her composure.

She allowed her gaze to rest on Yu Changsheng for a couple more seconds before moving on to observe others. She suddenly chuckled. "Seems there's hiding going on here."

Hiding what?

Heavens' chosen ones, naturally!

Xue Fengchen turned slightly, holding his Mountain Opening Axe, and bowed toward the Sea Realm Island Master.

He Yingcai marveled, "Junior Brother Lu indeed has impressive capabilities. In just over half a year, you've assembled such a team.

I imagine what I see today is merely the tip of the Ran Sect's strength, no?"

"No, no, not really." Lu Ran waved it off with a sheepish grin.

On Cloud Sea Cliff, after all, he still had two more Sea Realm aces—both mid- to high-level, too!

He Yingcai hesitated slightly before voicing another question. "And what brings Junior Brother Lu and your group to this region?"

Lu Ran replied, "Senior Sister, you've misunderstood. I'm not here on purpose—just wandering and happened upon this area."

He Yingcai tilted her head slightly: ?

Wandering?

Wandered in?

Can we stop speaking nonsense?

"Huff~"

Lu Ran nodded in confirmation. "My aim is just to head south for some sightseeing, to explore the Holy Spirit Mountain map and broaden my horizons."

He Yingcai stared at Lu Ran in silence.

If not for these words coming directly from him, she'd want to command this lowly River Realm boy to kneel, compose himself, and rephrase properly.

"Senior Sister doesn't believe me, huh?" Lu Ran laughed, pointing toward Yu Changsheng. "Mr. Conglong over there, I found him fishing up in a high mountain lake on the northern edge of Snow Forest."

Yu Changsheng: ???

Lu Ran then pointed to two towering disciples from West Desolation. "The Phoenix and Swallow Generals were people I tracked down in the Northwest Desert, amidst Ten Thousand Blade Mountain."

Finally, he gestured toward Deng Yuxiang. "As for the Nightmare Guardian..."

Deng Yuxiang finally turned her head, glancing sidelong at Lu Ran with a raised brow.

Lu Ran hesitated before awkwardly blurting, "Er, she came pre-installed."

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

Jiang Ruyi couldn't contain her laughter, watching Lu Ran's smug demeanor.

Still such a pretender, huh?

Just like in high school—never one to give up on his old tricks.

He Yingcai, for her part, was utterly dumbfounded!

Most people within Holy Spirit Mountain lived in constant struggle, desperately seeking refuge under a powerful faction—and, if lucky, staying there for life.

Those unable to find protection spent their days in perpetual flight, fearing for their lives.

Meanwhile, Lu Ran...

He seemed to be on a leisurely stroll?

First the northern Snow Forest, then the western desert plains—now, here in the south?

Are we even in the same Holy Spirit Mountain?

He Yingcai gazed at Lu Ran, utterly speechless for a long while.

Lu Ran then remarked, "This southern trip isn't just about mapping the area. The Ran Sect is also on the lookout for fellow kindred spirits.

Meeting Senior Sister He here is truly a delightful surprise.

However, given your status as an island master, I doubt you'd be interested in my humble little sect."

Lu Ran couldn't hide his envy for this esteemed Sea Realm Island Master.

That said, any potential collaboration would need thorough vetting first—even if He Yingcai showed interest.

After all, someone entrenched in high rank with connections to the Thousand Boat Alliance wouldn't easily walk away from it all.

"Heh."

He Yingcai steadied her scattered thoughts, offering a faint smile.

She gazed at Lu Ran with an insistent yet playful glint in her eyes.

After all,

nothing in life was ever truly absolute.

...

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