Five days later, Yan Zhi Village.

"Screech~"

In front of an imposing ghost mansion, Lu Ran stealthily pushed open the mansion gate and sneaked towards the courtyard.

Jiang Ruyi and Si Xianxian followed closely behind, both tiptoeing.

Both were strong warriors from the River Realm, one a hot-headed and fierce Sister Xian'er, the other a gentle and enchanting Jiang beauty.

As a result, being with Lu Ran, they all deviated from their path, behaving as if they were thieves...

"Truly such infatuation," Lu Ran inwardly sighed.

He stood in front of a window, looking through the punctured paper, at the figure dressed in red sitting in a Taishi Chair inside the house.

Over these days, Lu Ran had witnessed this scene many times.

Just as team leader soldier Li Ming said, when the Yan Zhi found a good house, they would very likely sit beside the Eight Immortals Table and don a veil.

Sadly, they could not wait for their true love.

Hmm...we can only say that the flowers have fallen willingly, but the flowing water is heartless.

In Lu Ran's hand, his Silent Night Blade had already severed many threads of love.

"I'm at my wits' end."

Lu Ran looked at the Yan Zhi people persistently waiting and sighed heavily.

This B-rank marriage,

do you really have to go through with it?

Frustrated at their reluctance to understand, Lu Ran swiftly sidestepped several paces to stand in front of the house door and gently pushed it open.

"Screech~" The sound of the wooden door opening was exceptionally grating in this quiet environment.

The Yan Zhi person seated in the Taishi Chair suddenly trembled delicately, clearly sensing something.

"Zing—"

Mist swirled under Lu Ran's feet as he dashed straight into the house with the Silent Night Blade shining in his hand.

To waste prime time on love and affection?

How shameful.

Come, follow me into the garden!

Let's embark on an endeavor!

"Zing!"

The blade pierced flesh, toppling tables and chairs.

Lu Ran pierced through the Yan Zhi person's throat, a lethal strike with practiced ease.

He gripped the handle tightly, lifting her remains high before cutting across fiercely.

The Evil Demon was decapitated, blood splattering everywhere.

"The Cruel Flower Cutter, getting more adept at it," Si Xianxian stepped into the house, eyeing the yet-to-disperse Evil Demon corpse.

Lu Ran replied right away, "What kind of statement is that!

This little Believer, I've got a few criticisms for you. How do you feel pity for the Evil Demon now?"

Si Xianxian rolled her eyes, "I even pity you, let alone the Evil Demon."

Lu Ran: ???

Si Xianxian continued irritably, "All day long with your meek protests, I might as well tear out my heart and hand it over to you.

I truly don't know who is the real Evil Demon."

Lu Ran: "..."

This was not a conversation he should engage in.

After all, Si Xianxian had already cracked the case; she just wasn't aware of it yet.

"Puff~"

The Yan Zhi's body disintegrated, along with her foolish infatuation, crumbling to dust.

Lu Ran raised the Divine Power Pearl and, while absorbing the mist, straightened the Taishi Chair and rearranged it.

During these days of practice, as soon as he encountered a Yan Zhi inhabiting a house, waiting for a true love, Lu Ran would launch a surprise attack.

Only when they directly encountered a Yan Zhi would the trio join forces.

"Let's go back to the village center," Lu Ran said after fixing the Eight Immortals Table and beckoned the two back out of the house.

In the courtyard, the Li brothers watched the trio emerge without much surprise.

Initially, the two brothers were anxious and impressed by the trio's top-notch performance.

But now, they've become numb, with this training mission feeling more like a paid vacation.

"I wonder how much longer we have to wait," muttered Lu Ran, glancing at the Li brothers in a pointed manner.

In Yan Zhi Village, the closest to the Human Clan headquarters, it took five days for Lu Ran and the others to slay just over a hundred Yan Zhi people.

Lu Ran longed to venture deeper.

But the Li brothers did not allow it, not even Chen Jingjing stood with the soldiers.

Ever since they realized that the Yan Zhi Clan had a unique affection for Lu Ran, their attitude completely shifted.

What, you still want to explore deep into the Demon Cave?

I should be begging you to leave already!

These days, the Li brothers were extremely worried, staying on high alert every day.

Fortunately, Lu Ran had not deceived them.

The Magic Artifact·Rebirth Coin was indeed powerful, able to incarcerate and purify souls, and as the training drew to a close, no anomalies arose in the Demon Cave.

"We have two days left," whispered Jiang Ruyi, "even if we explore deeper, we wouldn't get very far."

"Alright," Lu Ran thought it a pity but led the team back to the center of the village, standing beneath the crooked tree.

"Zing—"

Mist surged around Lu Ran's feet as he shot up the giant tree.

Divine Technique·Immortal Hoof was truly useful, allowing not just lateral movement on the ground.

Climbing trees to catch birds or diving into rivers to catch fish was no issue...

Jiang Ruyi, meanwhile, took Si Xianxian and soared high into the sky.

This spot was the trio's observation point, where they hid in the lush, leafy tree, waiting for the Yan Zhi to fall into their trap.

Should they be spotted, the trio would join forces to confront the enemy.

Otherwise, Lu Ran would wait a while, watching the Yan Zhi choose a residence and enter before he would strike.

"Rustle~"

The branches stirred, producing a pleasant rustling sound.

Lu Ran crouched on a thick branch, pushing aside the leaves, peering out.

In the night sky, the moon hung high, casting a cold, clear light down on the earth.

The world was silent, the sinister and fearsome atmosphere enveloping Little Desolate Village.

Beside him came Si Xianxian's whisper, with a coy undertone,

"Ruyi, after we return to Beijing, let's go stroll through the night market, shall we?"

"Sure," Jiang Ruyi's voice was soft, "But first we need to take care of business."

Si Xianxian murmured, "Actually, you guys go accompany Senior Qiao, I can shop on my own."

Jiang Ruyi firmly shook her head, her response seemed so cold and heartless in Si Xianxian's eyes.

Her words were even colder, "I will accompany you, after I'm done with my work.

If you dare to sneak out on your own, next time, we won't take you out with us."

Si Xianxian: "..."

Even though she was the elder sister and highest in strength and realm, yet she lived like the "precious baby", constantly under supervision.

Si Xianxian leaned against the trunk, turned her head away, and didn't make another sound.

Jiang Ruyi shook her head with a smile, looking toward Lu Ran.

She just saw him leaning forward, parting the thick foliage as if observing something.

Then, she heard Lu Ran's voice:

"East side of the village! River Realm Yan Zhi!"

Lu Ran's voice was very low and passed through invisible earpieces into everyone's ears.

Jiang Ruyi's heart tightened immediately.

Inside a rundown mud-brick house, the Li brothers exchanged heavy looks.

Li Ming spoke gravely, "Are you sure it's River Realm?"

Yan Zhi Clan wouldn't undergo any physical changes with higher power levels.

The most apparent way to judge was through Evil Technique.

And at this moment, Lu Ran was concluding through the Evil Technique.

"At least River Realm, I saw the Eight Ghosts Carriage!" Lu Ran suppressed his surging emotions.

What a revelation!

Normally, Yan Zhi flew in from the night sky to arrive at Yan Zhi Village.

This was the first time Lu Ran saw Yan Zhi being carried into the village by a large palanquin!

Beneath the moonlight, at the entrance to the desolate village,

Eight robust Ghost Bearers carried a huge red palanquin, advancing toward the village.

They were massively tall, likely four meters in height!

The low earth walls beside the road were only a bit taller than their knees.

The Ghost Bearers wore black clothes, with red ribbons around their heads and waists.

Even more eerie, their faces were blurred, only their eyes shone with a blood-red luster, and they exuded a thick Ghost Energy.

Wherever they passed, swirls of black mist followed.

Such a sight made Lu Ran's scalp tingle!

Evidently, this was the Jiang Grade Evil Technique suitable for the Yan Zhi at River Realm.

"It should be Jiang Grade Evil Technique, with only eight bearers," Lu Ran tried to calm his nerves and kept reporting back.

If it were a higher grade, instead of being empty before and after, there'd be an entire wedding procession!

It was said that this scene was even more terrifying.

A procession of seventy or eighty people, yet completely silent!

Utterly eerie and chilling!

"Keep your positions, stay hidden," Li Ming ordered softly, "Let the Yan Zhi choose the new house, we avoid if we can."

Chen Jingjing's voice also transmitted through the earpiece: "Stay calm, I'm here.

But, we don't need to confront River Realm Yan Zhi."

Chen Jingjing's brief words steadied Lu Ran and the others, also clarifying her stance.

She didn't want Lu Ran to intervene in this matter, if possible, leaving it to the soldiers to resolve.

"The carriage has stopped," Lu Ran whispered.

The enormous red palanquin halted in front of a large mansion near the village entrance.

Lu Ran's eyes narrowed!

The giant palanquin's covering seemed to be made from red silk, with colorful embroidery, strikingly exquisite.

A pale and slender hand gently lifted the curtain.

The woman inside was inspecting the large mansion.

After several seconds, the woman emerged.

More accurately, she floated out.

In comparison to the Ghost Bearers' stature, the Yan Zhi appeared somewhat petite.

But her presence was anything but small!

She wore a Red Veil over her head, her Big Red Robe fluttering majestically.

Two blurred-faced bearers hurried to the mansion door, opening it for the lady.

The Yan Zhi, however, hovered in mid-air.

"Huh~"

The Red Veil moved as if by its own volition, gently revealing a corner.

The Yan Zhi stood suspended in the air, paused, then floated backward, returning to the huge palanquin.

Apparently, she wasn't taken with this new house?

A moment later, the eight Ghost Bearers lifted the palanquin and proceeded forward.

The village under the moon, all was silent.

Lu Ran felt as if he was trapped in an unreal nightmare, witnessing this eerie scene unfold before his eyes.

Jiang Ruyi placed a hand on Lu Ran's shoulder, her fingers pressing lightly.

Lu Ran came to his senses, pressed a hand to his ear, and whispered, "The Ghost Bearers are heading our way."

Li Ming was taken aback, "Have they discovered you?"

Lu Ran: "No, the Yan Zhi must be choosing a house, she's heading towards the center of the village."

"Huh~"

Just as Lu Ran finished speaking, a snow-white figure in a nearby unimpressive mud-brick house stepped on a sword and flew into the air without hesitation.

Chen Jingjing, who had no intention of getting involved, appeared in an instant, without any delay.

There were many paths in Yan Zhi Village, but the other party had to choose this one, so there was no other option.

Chen Jingjing couldn't gamble, couldn't let the Eight Ghosts Carriage get close to the crooked tree.

"Wu! Wu!!"

"Ss...roar!!" In just a moment, the eight Ghost Bearers came to a halt.

They lifted their blurred faces, and the eyes shone with even more intense blood-red brightness!

...

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