The dense Cloud Sea envelops the heavens and earth.

Between the peaks, two shadowy figures, one in front and one behind, silently move forward.

Yin Yan gazes at the slender figure ahead, her eyes obscure and unclear.

Indeed, there is nothing left for me to lose. If I can do something, perhaps when we meet again beneath the Nine Springs, it will provide you with some solace.

Qingshan...

Yin Yan raises her head, gazing at the sky's Cloud Sea.

I have encountered the child of your old master, this youth... seems to be doing something extraordinary.

If you were still here, surely you would follow him.

After all, you revered Sect Master Qiao so much, willing to lay down your life. Now that you are not here, let me walk this path for you!

"Bingmu Divine Mountain..." Lu Ran halts his steps, gazing southeast, vaguely seeing the outline of the mountain.

He dares not get too close, for observation is mutual.

Lu Ran possesses a pair of dog eyes, while the Mountain Lord - Yinli Tiger possesses a pair of tiger eyes!

Not inferior to Lu Ran.

Speaking of which, the last Divine Mountain he saw was covered with flowers all over.

Lotus and roses, with ice butterflies fluttering.

And the distant Divine Mountain has blooming thorn roses and ice roses too, but what's more striking is the towering dead trees covering the mountain.

Every dead branch seems capable of extending infinitely, intricately entwined, revealing a strong sense of decay.

From Yin Yan, Lu Ran has already learned the specific information of this Divine Mountain.

The mountain's guardian General is under a Second-class God Demon, and a lackey of the Mountain Lord - Yinli Tiger.

Additional underlings include a Fifth-class God Demon, Cold Plum - Ice Plum Demon Queen; a Sixth-class God Demon, Bi Wu - Tree Face Demon; a Seventh-class God Demon, Thorn Rose - Ice Rose.

Thinking of this, Lu Ran cannot help but compare the strength of this Bingmu Divine Mountain with the previously seen Flower Sea Divine Mountain.

Perhaps it's somewhat evenly matched?

Lu Ran opened his pair of Pupil of the Dead World, observing closely, speaking: "Heavenly General Yin."

"Sect Leader." Yin Yan immediately spoke.

Their terms of address both changed; Lu Ran as wished, gained a powerful war general.

He had confidence from the start, relying on his means to subdue Yin Yan, as he was the only person in the world able to grant her revenge.

Unexpectedly, Yin Yan was also connected with his mother's Cloud Sea Sect, and had a deep love with an old subordinate within it.

The Domain of Divine Weapon, proven through their life-and-death commitment.

This further secured Lu Ran's subjugation of the Heavenly General.

"You shouldn't get near the Divine Mountain anymore." Lu Ran turned to look at the pale-faced woman, "I'll perform some tasks here, then we'll continue southeast."

Yin Yan hesitated, saying: "Sect Leader, the Yinli Tiger lineage has only a few Human Clan disciples. If I remain away from the mountain for long, it might raise the Evil God's suspicion."

"Hmm..." Lu Ran pondered briefly.

For now, he cannot allow Yin Yan to break the contract, which would signify her "death."

On the way to the next Divine Mountain, Lu Ran still needs Yin Yan to enter the mountain, establishing ties with Huangfu.

So, should he allow this tigress to return to the mountain?

No matter from which aspect, Yin Yan would never sell Lu Ran out.

The only issue is whether Yin Yan can come out again after returning...

"Do you usually, as disciples of Yinli Tiger, get sent out by the Evil God to collect Holy Spirit Energy?" Lu Ran asked.

"Yes, I can apply for it." Yin Yan immediately replied.

To be qualified for roaming the Heavenly Realm, one must possess a "Vajra Drill."

For instance, those who can teleport instantly or move rapidly, and indeed the skills of the Yinli Tiger lineage grant Yin Yan this qualification.

The disciples of this clan fly incredibly fast, crucially able to transform into demonic winds, making the Faceless Jade Venerable helpless.

"Alright!" Lu Ran boldly changed his mind, "You return to guard the mountain first, and await my order before accompanying me to the next Divine Mountain."

As he spoke, his hand reached into his collar, picked up the ink-colored Tiger Talisman, gently squeezed it with his fingers.

The complete Tiger Talisman immediately split into two halves.

Lu Ran handed over one half of the talisman and advised: "On this mission from the mountain, engage fiercely with that Master of Divine Weapon, ultimately defeated, returning in distress.

However, also gain a little advantage, in the fight, steal the Magic Artifact from that Master of Divine Weapon."

Yin Yan lightly nodded, listening to the script Lu Ran arranged.

"You need to be cautious... Well, better to speak less, act as if you're lost and spiritless, for having been defeated, it also lays a foundation for your next departure, to give the Evil God collected Holy Spirit Energy."

"At your command." Yin Yan responded in a deep voice.

Lu Ran's gaze fell on her waist, where there was a scabbard, with the yearning sword inserted.

The broken yearning sword no longer has a Sword Spirit.

Lu Ran knows fully that given another chance, he would still issue a challenge. But having cut off Yin Yan's Divine Weapon, his mind inevitably feels complex.

"Sect Leader."

"Hmm?"

"This outcome was willingly chosen by the yearning sword itself." Yin Yan's eyes of ink, stared straight into Lu Ran's eyes, "It was too pained, eternal slumber is its release."

Lu Ran was silent for a moment, softly saying: "I will contact you using the Tiger Talisman in several days."

"Yes."

"Go then." With Lu Ran's words falling, the woman turned into a gust of demonic wind, speeding southeast.

Lu Ran stood behind the Stone Peak, silently watching for a moment, then descended into the thick foggy sea.

Under the cover of the mist, Lu Ran initiated the Invisibility Technique, then with a flash, approached the Bingmu Divine Mountain, embarking on the journey of resource looting.

This mountain clearly isn't suitable for long-term hiding.

Lu Ran was just thinking about cautiously gathering a wave of resources and then leaving this place.

In the Sculpture Garden, the Xian Mo Stone Sculpture continued to expand its specifications, rushing toward the Heavenly Realm · Second Tier.

The Cong Long Stone Sculpture and the Tu Feng Stone Sculpture were anxiously waiting to be fed...

To Lu Ran's surprise, the process of cultivating these two stone sculptures was exceptionally smooth!

It seems both had really worked hard for their growth in the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm! Whether it was the Dragon Guardian rooted in the deep sea or Tu Feng in the Soul-locking Mountain areas, they had accumulated a lot of Holy Spirit Energy.

On a day in mid-December, with the Tu Feng Stone Sculpture buzzing, Lu Ran decisively returned to the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm.

To cultivate these three Pseudo God Stones, Lu Ran spent only a month!

Clearly, he had become increasingly adept, with terrifying efficiency.

"Whew!!"

On Heaven's Edge, a violent wave of Divine Power pulsated, tearing open the space as a Landing Mirror gradually took shape.

A staggering figure emerged from it.

"Ugh~" Lu Ran staggered a bit, realizing he had walked into dense fog.

Is someone advancing in the Ran Sect again?

It's truly... wonderful.

Lu Ran smiled; the days where everything improved and good news kept coming were truly satisfying.

Every increase in Ran Sect's strength brought him a step closer to challenging the Divine Demon...

"Sect Leader!"

"Sect Leader, you've returned." A few respectful voices came from the sky.

Without looking, Lu Ran knew it was the diligent patrolling disciples of Huang Que.

"Who is advancing?" Lu Ran inquired.

"Wind Emperor in the Forbidden City," a disciple reported.

He Qifeng?

Has she finally broken through the peak, stepping into the Heavenly Realm?!

Lu Ran immediately asked, "When did this happen?"

"Late winter month, it's been over twenty days."

"Good." Lu Ran nodded repeatedly, sensing carefully before saying, "It seems there's more than just her?"

"This..." The Huang Que disciples were perplexed.

"Alright, you all continue patrolling." Lu Ran waved his hand, figuring the subsequent person to advance likely hitched a ride with He Qifeng's progress; as for who exactly it was, the patrol team members didn't know.

Lu Ran came to the edge of the cliff and sat down.

Within him, two shadows of Divine Demon emerged—Jiang Ruyi and Yu Changsheng.

"Thanks for your support, Sect Leader!" Yu Changsheng came to Lu Ran's side, grateful.

"No need to be polite." Lu Ran smiled, "By the way, regarding the search for Cloud Sea's former members, I found a breakthrough."

"Oh?" Yu Changsheng was curious.

Being in the Sculpture Garden, he wasn't aware of what had happened outside, so Lu Ran immediately told them about Yin Yan.

Yu Changsheng nodded repeatedly, filled with admiration: "The Sect Leader is indeed charming... ahem, wise and powerful!"

Jiang Ruyi's mouth slightly curved upward.

Lu Ran: "..."

Yu Changsheng continued to exclaim: "This Heavenly General Yin, with such a unique identity and experience, must be wholeheartedly devoted to the Sect Leader!

She, being a disciple of the Yinli Tiger, is qualified to roam the Heavenly Realm Battlefield; there's no one more suitable than her!

Tsk tsk, marvelous~"

Lu Ran felt a bit embarrassed by the praise, muttering: "Why did Mr. Conglong have to learn to meow like a cat?"

Yu Changsheng: ???

"Hehe~" This time, Jiang Ruyi couldn't hold back, chuckling softly.

Yu Changsheng shook his head helplessly before continuing the serious matter: "From the existing information, your mother's former Cloud Sea member, Mr. Huangfu, is an exceptionally important figure.

Heavenly General Yan has seen this person, and so has Heavenly General Yin!

In my view, Mr. Huangfu is likely visiting the Divine Mountain in the Heavenly Realm! Once we find him...

Lu Ran licked his lips and continued, "Finding him means finding all of Cloud Sea's former members!"

"Exactly!" Yu Changsheng nodded emphatically, contemplating, "If all goes well, Ran Sect's comprehensive strength will undergo a phase of explosive growth.

Even the second and third teams could be put on the agenda."

Those former Cloud Sea members who followed Qiao Wanjun to fight for the world just lacked a stone sculpture as a stepping stone.

In overall strength, comprehensive qualities, and all other aspects, they must surpass the disciples of Ran Sect by a good margin!

Jiang Ruyi rarely spoke, adding, "This Mr. Huangfu is likely to possess a lot of information. We can also inquire from him which Divine Mountain is suitable for you to live in seclusion."

"Right!" Lu Ran's mood improved increasingly.

With a clear direction, he no longer had to wander aimlessly like a headless fly.

The expansion of Ran Sect's first, second, and third teams is inevitable; it's just a matter of time.

Once they found a "wait and see" location, Lu Ran could enter semi-automatic mode, dedicating more effort to cultivation, making strides toward the Heavenly Realm's second tier!

Lu Ran clenched his fists quietly.

Mother could complete the heavenly realm rapidly in just a few short years...

I, Lu Ran,

can also do the same!

...

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