On the seventeenth day of the lunar calendar, at dawn, Lu Ran returned home.

His first act was to worship at the shrine with due reverence,

"Lord Immortal Goat, your disciple has returned."

The sonorous voice echoed in his mind, "With the Divine Weapon by your side, good."

The tone of the deity carried unmistakable approval.

"I hope Lord Immortal Goat will forgive me," Lu Ran grasped the Divine Weapon floating beside him, "the Dawn Blade has quite the divine nature and is not particularly talkative."

"It matters not," the White Sheep Jade Carving spoke gravely, "as long as it is loyal to you, there is no need for it to greet me."

Lu Ran nodded earnestly, "My spirit is linked with the Dawn Blade, our thoughts are one.

I have also specifically instructed it not to reveal our little secrets."

"Hmm," the White Sheep Jade Carving responded in a low voice, holding no great concern in its heart.

An Artifact Spirit must merge with the will of its master to take shape.

In such a case, their objectives, philosophy of existence, and so on, would naturally stem from the same source.

The sense of belonging to the Divine Weapon would of course be infinitely magnified.

Unless Lu Ran underwent a drastic change in character, a complete transformation, it was impossible for the Divine Weapon to abandon its master.

"Go," Lu Ran held the hilt and gave it a gentle push forward.

The Dawn Blade drifted slowly, following Lu Ran's thoughts, to the master bedroom, returning to hang in its familiar place.

"Meow?"

The little tabby cat looked up curiously at the floating blade.

It even stood on its hind legs, its paws playfully reaching up in a symbolic attempt to catch it.

The conflicting desire to touch yet fear of doing so was quite amusing.

"Oh right, Lord Immortal Goat," continued Lu Ran, "can the Straw Demon's Evil Sculpture be activated now?"

"It can, but the Straw Demon Clan is of little help to you."

"Hmm, I was just wondering," Lu Ran mused, gently nodding.

Indeed, the Straw Demon Clan could not offer much to him.

The fearsome Evil Technique·Straw Needle that cast straw, the Evil Technique·Straw Shield that wove shields.

The terrifying Evil Technique·Rice Spike Eyes, the retreating Evil Technique·Straw Substitute,

The aiding flight of Evil Technique·Withered Grass Clothing, and the disappearing act of Evil Technique·Straw Dance...

Of the entire six Evil Techniques, only Rice Spike Eyes were somewhat usable, compatible with Lu Ran's Divine Technique·Immortal Pupil, allowing for a smoothly executed small combo.

First using Rice Spike Eyes to instill fear, then the Immortal Pupil to magnify it.

Beyond that, the rest of the Evil Techniques were useless.

It's worth mentioning that "Straw Substitute" seemed powerful, but that was relative to Evil Demons,

The Straw Demon Clan was made of pure energy!

After being stabbed, it could leave behind a shell and retreat, as if it gained a brand new body.

Essentially, it was exchanging energy for wounds.

Lu Ran, however, had a body of flesh and blood!

If Lu Ran were stabbed, he too could leave behind a shell,

But the wounds on his retreating body would not heal.

In other words, the greatest effect of Evil Technique·Straw Substitute could not be realized by the Human Clan.

Lu Ran could only use this technique as a deception.

The White Sheep Jade Carving spoke, "Currently, you have activated four Evil Sculptures, with a sufficiency of Evil Techniques.

Now, activating another Evil Sculpture requires careful selection, rather than an obsession with quantity."

"Yes!" Lu Ran nodded decisively.

Since ascending to the River Realm, he could activate five more Evil Demon Sculptures.

But for now, Lu Ran only opened one Night Charm Sculpture, leaving four slots remaining.

Among these four, Yan Zhi is certainly meant to take one!

Lu Ran was indeed craving the Evil Techniques of the Yan Zhi Clan!

Just speaking of Evil Technique·Paper Mache, when combined with the Forget Spring Sect's Divine Technique·Body of Sin (scapegoat), Lu Ran could really work wonders.

This combination could even become the core technique in Lu Ran's future battles!

Not only saving lives but also wreaking havoc on others...

The problem was, the Demon Cave where the Yan Zhi Clan resided was not open to the public.

"Annoying," Lu Ran felt rather helpless.

Li Rouyin from the Forget Spring Believers didn't have a copper coin string of Yan Zhi either.

Considering this, aside from encountering the special event, Night of Ghosts, it seemed Lu Ran had no other channels for acquisition?

Fortunately, paper mache and scapegoat were both techniques suitable at the River Realm·Third Rank.

Currently, Lu Ran still had some time to prepare.

Some Evil Sculptures lacked Dead Souls, while others were already fully prepared—the Barbaric Woman Clan!

Undoubtedly, the Barbaric Woman was extremely strong, and her Evil Techniques were utterly terrifying.

Wherever the great axe passed, the land split apart, sandstorm roiled, its might formidable!

Lord Immortal Goat did agree for Lu Ran to activate the sculpture of this clan,

But it also made clear, hoping Lu Ran would treat the Barbaric Woman as a servant, not to indulge in Barbaric Evil Techniques.

The Barbaric Clan was too reckless!

Their domineering Evil Techniques gave them the capital to be so.

The core philosophy behind Lord Immortal Goat's training of Lu Ran was for him to survive better, not to become a brute.

"Lord Immortal Goat, your disciple encountered the Prison Sky Clan last night,"

Lu Ran's thoughts grew keener as he continued, "Isn't their Evil Technique well-suited to my battle style?"

Lord Immortal Sheep agreed, "A few more arms would indeed offer you additional protection."

Upon hearing this encouraging response, Lu Ran began to sell the idea vigorously, "That's right, I can have these arms hold the great axes of the Barbaric Woman in the future.

Moreover, the Prison Sky Clan can use chains to burn and extract energy from living enemies.

Even better than the Divine Power Pearl!"

The White Sheep Jade Carving commented dispassionately, "In half a year, you have only managed to capture the soul of one Prison Sky Demon."

Lu Ran gave a muted response,

Da Xia Country had sealed off many Demon Caves of powerful Evil Demons to avoid unnecessary casualties.

The Prison Sky Demon's Demon Cave was, of course, among them.

"Lord Immortal Sheep," Lu Ran pondered for a moment before asking cautiously, "You and Lord Wang Quan are old acquaintances.

Do you think, if I were to ask Lord Wang Quan for it, she would give it to us?"

White Sheep Jade Carving fell silent,

Now it was the deity's turn to become wordless.

Lu Ran's question was essentially asking Lord Immortal Goat: If I exploit your face, would Lord Wang Quan honor it...

"Lord Immortal Sheep?"

"His deity, not mine," suddenly, the voice transmission fell.

"What?" Lu Ran didn't fully understand.

The White Sheep Jade Carving conveyed, "The favors you've received from Wang Quan, one day, you must repay."

Lu Ran silently rolled up his sleeve, looking at the Magic Artifact·Rebirth Coin on his wrist.

She's given me quite a lot, hasn't she?

Including the Night Charm Evil Sculpture in the garden, reaching River Realm·Fourth Rank was also due to the strong support of Lord Wang Quan.

Although Wang Quan didn't know Lu Ran was cultivating Evil Sculpture, thinking he just liked eating Dead Souls,

Objectively, Lu Ran had received immense help from the Wang Quan Sect.

So... does being heavily in debt mean one feels no burden?

White Sheep Jade Carving spoke, "As for how to proceed, consider it yourself."

Lu Ran stated gravely, "I will repay what should be repaid, without delaying my growth."

The divine voice transmission descended, with just a brief word, yet it carried a hint of approval:

"Good!"

Only then did Lu Ran realize, was Lord Immortal Goat testing him?

At heart, Lord Immortal Goat actually agreed with this decision.

"Your disciple understands," Lu Ran placed his palms together, bowed to the small shrine, and headed for the bathroom.

He took a thorough bath with the little tabby cat, changed into fresh clothes, and began a major cleaning of the house.

While cleaning, Lu Ran couldn't help but think of the Evil Demon·Barbaric Woman.

If he could summon one...

Lu Ran could leisurely sit on the couch, watching the Barbaric Woman sweep the floor, wipe the tables, and change the cat litter.

Unfortunately, only in the River Realm could he create and control minion Evil Demons.

Currently, the Barbaric Woman sculpture should be in the early stages of the River Realm.

According to Lord Immortal Sheep, Lu Ran had only five activation slots in the River Realm, having already opened a Night Charm sculpture.

The road of the River Realm was naturally long.

Throughout his growth, Lu Ran might encounter new issues.

The most correct action would be to preserve the sculpture slots, continuously adjusting based on his development.

Or wait until there were enough dead souls in the Barbaric Clan to ascend to the River Realm, then activate it in one fell swoop.

The Barbaric Clan's Evil Techniques were indeed powerful, but for Lu Ran, they were not essential.

And once a sculpture was activated, to close it again would require a great deal of effort from Lord Immortal Goat, which was something Lu Ran did not want to see.

Since his deity had spoken thus, there was not much Lu Ran could say.

After the thorough cleaning, Lu Ran returned to his small bedroom, collapsing onto his little bed.

Just as he was drifting off to sleep, his phone suddenly buzzed.

Curious, Lu Ran picked up the phone and saw it was his sister's call.

"Little Yuanxi?"

"Bro!" This time, Little Yuanxi's voice was full of energy, "When are you coming over?"

Lu Ran helplessly said, "The city won't lift the lockdown until the nineteenth of the lunar calendar, I can't even if I want to."

"Oh..." Qiao Yuansi dragged out the word, then asked, "Then what time will you arrive in Beijing on the nineteenth?"

But Lu Ran just laughed, "So eager for hamburgers?"

"I do want it, but that's not it." Qiao Yuansi explained, "My teammates heard you were coming to Beijing and want to invite you out."

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment before declining, "Let's not. I'm coming home to spend time with you and Mom for the New Year, no need to go out."

Qiao Yuansi quickly said, "It's not 'going out to play', but heading to a Demon Cave."

"Oh? With the New Year almost upon us, your school is still assigning tasks?"

Qiao Yuansi answered, "No tasks, it's Sister Yiren who wants to go to a special Demon Cave to strengthen herself."

"A special Demon Cave?" Lu Ran's interest piqued, "How special are we talking?"

Qiao Yuansi's voice lowered, laced with mystery, "You know, the ones that aren't open to the public on regular days~"

Lu Ran: ???

Not open to the public?

How can you go in?

Just because you're from Beijing... well, fine, forget I said anything.

In this world, where is fairness to be found!

Lu Ran pursed his lips but in just a few seconds, his skepticism turned into excitement!

Is there a chance, are you heading to the Prison Sky Demon Cave?

Lu Ran immediately asked, "Which Demon Cave do you plan to go to for strengthening? Also, with the New Year close at hand, will there be enough time?"

Qiao Yuansi responded, "You think it's an ordinary Demon Cave, to stay for ten or twenty days?

If Sister Yiren can take us in, and we stay for a week, that'd be great already."

Lu Ran spoke, "I get it... but which Demon Cave is it?"

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi teased with a flirtatious laugh, "Why don't you guess, big brother?"

"What's there to guess, just tell me!" Lu Ran feigned a threatening tone, "If it's too dangerous, I might not go."

Qiao Yuansi replied, "You've already slain your way through an army of Barbaric Women, is there anywhere you'd fear to tread?"

Lu Ran's eyes lit up, "The Barbaric Woman's Demon Cave?"

Qiao Yuansi retorted, "That's not it~"

"Cough, cough." Lu Ran was genuinely choked up, nearly out of breath.

Qiao Yuansi giggled, "There, there, my impatient brother~

I'll tell you, it's the Night Charm Demon Cave!"

Lu Ran "thump" sat straight up.

He hadn't expected his heart to flutter twice within just a few sentences!

Night Charm,

My Night Charm...

You are already at River Realm·Fourth Rank.

If you reach the River Realm, won't I be able to summon you?

Then, I can finally unveil your black shroud, to gaze upon your mysterious visage...

"Do you want to come, big brother?" Qiao Yuansi waited a moment, seeing no response from Lu Ran, she added, "Sister Yiren rarely makes requests, I don't want to refuse her.

Don't worry, we'll hire many soldiers as bodyguards."

Lu Ran thought it over and said, "It's still too dangerous, how about I accompany your Sister Yiren instead, and you stay put?"

Qiao Yuansi: ???

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