"Take it." Lu Ran handed over the pearl.

He Qifeng looked complicated, still not making any move, just staring into Lu Ran's eyes, "You're giving it to me?"

"What do you mean by giving it to you? Isn't it just returning it to its rightful owner?"

"Haha." He Qifeng suddenly laughed.

"What's the matter?" Lu Ran looked puzzled.

He Qifeng finally picked up the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl, examining the magic artifact returned to her, and sighed softly, "I didn't expect to hear such words here."

Returning to its rightful owner?

In the Human World, perhaps it's possible.

But on Holy Spirit Mountain?

Nothing is meant to belong to you!

Or rather, nothing belongs to you at all.

From divine weapons to clothing and shoes, even your life, your whole self, don't belong to you.

In this cruel world, the strong have dominion over everything.

"You should hurry up and build a good relationship with the Artifact Spirit." Lu Ran said smoothly, "I thought you had already connected spiritually with the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl, planning to use it to find your whereabouts.

But it turns out, the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl hasn't acknowledged you yet?"

"Has your Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd acknowledged you?" The competitive He Qifeng couldn't bring herself to speak softly.

Even though Lu Ran just returned the magic artifact to her.

Lu Ran directly raised his hand.

The large straw raincoat wiggled, and soon after, the exquisite Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd landed in his palm.

The golden phoenix pattern shimmered, bright and dazzling.

Lu Ran looked at the martial monk sister and showed a slight, pursed smile.

He Qifeng: "..."

She pouted, annoyed, looked at the obedient Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd for a while, and finding no flaw, she simply glared at Lu Ran.

Despite being a majestic martial monk sister, she showed such a defeated expression...

Lu Ran found it quite amusing.

He Qifeng bowed her head, toying with the crystalline pearl, remaining silent for a long time before softly saying,

"Thank you."

Seeing her awkward expression, Lu Ran couldn't help but feel playful.

"Ah? What did you say?" He leaned in, pretending not to have heard.

He Qifeng chuckled, playfully tapped her finger on the brim of Lu Ran's bamboo hat, "You brat, do you really need a beating?"

Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

Since they met, this girl couldn't go three sentences without mentioning "need a beating."

As if you could even beat me!

He Qifeng collected her emotions, her face turning serious, and looked at Lu Ran earnestly, "You certainly deserve to be the first pride, I acknowledge you."

"Oh?" Lu Ran expressed surprise.

A female martial monk admitting defeat? That's novel.

He Qifeng seemed to have overcome a hurdle in her heart and slowly smiled.

Her smile became more and more radiant and infectious, "It's great that Holy Spirit Mountain hasn't corrupted you."

The Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl is a valuable magic artifact, not spiritually connected to anyone, effectively ownerless.

It's Lu Ran's spoils, he could easily claim it.

Why go through the trouble of returning it to its owner?

"And what about you?" Lu Ran suddenly said.

"Me?"

"Have you collaborated with the people or forces here?" Lu Ran asked jokingly.

He Qifeng pretended to think, shrugged her shoulders like Lu Ran, "Not really~"

The young martial monk believer in the distance, seeing the two talking and laughing, was nearly fuming with rage...

Lu Ran frowned slightly, turning his head to look over.

Being keen, he had already noticed something was off.

The two older martial monk believers looked somewhat curious, with observant gazes, which was normal.

The Zhu brothers were visibly excited, eyes full of admiration, which was also normal.

Only the young martial monk believer's gaze was odd...

"Who is he?" Lu Ran inquired.

"Yin Tianlong." The smile on He Qifeng's face disappeared, her voice cold.

"Hall Master!" The young martial monk believer immediately stood up straight, even more upright.

He Qifeng didn't spare any kindness, commanding, "Go stand guard somewhere else."

"Yes." Yin Tianlong lowered his head and slunk off into the woods.

Lu Ran watched this scene, murmuring softly, "Hall Master He is very strict."

He Qifeng wore a look of both disappointment and frustration, "The name sounds grand, Yin Tianlong, but his head is filled with thoughts of romance, always thinking about useless things!"

Lu Ran: "..."

He Qifeng snorted coldly, "Doesn't he even see where he is, what situation he's in, and yet still has a mind for romance, how foolish."

Lu Ran understood what was going on and laughed, "Young people, seeking love is normal."

"Haha~" He Qifeng turned to look at Lu Ran, her face breaking into a smile again, "Almost forgot, you're also a romantic."

Lu Ran: ???

What kind of talk is this!

He Qifeng's grin grew wider, "What, did I say something wrong?"

Lu Ran's face darkened, "I'm just deeply affectionate, okay!"

"Yeah, yeah, deeply affectionate." He Qifeng nodded with a smile, "The whole world knows you're deeply affectionate! On the first day of school, you went to war for a beauty!

Beat our martial monk believers till they were crawling all over the place."

Lu Ran's darkened face flushed red, "That guy insisted on sending my fiancée home. With his strong skills, he kept pestering her, how could I let him be?"

"Right, right! Brother Lu did the right thing!" He Qifeng played along, nodding like coaxing a child.

Lu Ran gritted his teeth in anger, feeling like pulling out his blade and stabbing her hard in the ribs!

"Hahahahaha~" He Qifeng watched Lu Ran's expression and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Bold and bright, full of spirit.

Someone loving this kind of spirited woman, like that Tianlong fellow, wasn't wrong at all!

"Let's go!" He Qifeng energetically threw her arm around Lu Ran's shoulder, "Meeting an old acquaintance in a foreign land, come back with me to Wuji Peak, let's have a good chat!"

Lu Ran stayed put, "I've seen many sects; they're not always friendly."

He Qifeng immediately assured, "Don't worry! As long as I'm around, no one dares to touch you."

Lu Ran still didn't move, thinking about how to extend the invitation.

Seeing this, He Qifeng pondered for a moment, then said, "Some things I intended to tell you after we got back, but it's fine to say it now.

You heard earlier, I'm a Hall Master."

"Mm." Lu Ran nodded.

"My experience at Wuji Peak is limited, and I'm so young, only at the Fourth Rank of the River Realm," He Qifeng looked at Lu Ran, "By rights, the Hall Master position shouldn't be mine.

Do you know why I'm able to be a Hall Master here?"

"Why?"

"Because of the title of Heavenly Pride." He Qifeng stated bluntly.

"Oh?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

He Qifeng turned and looked at the Zhu brothers in the distance, "Their presence reminded me."

Lu Ran's mind stirred, guessing what she was about to say.

He Qifeng explained on her own, "In the Holy Spirit Mountain, people are naturally hostile and lack any trust.

But as a pride of Da Xia, I have a significant advantage.

Later human clan believers entering the Holy Spirit Mountain might have heard of my name to some extent."

Lu Ran silently thought that was indeed the case.

He Qifeng placed both hands on Lu Ran's shoulders, turning his body to face her directly, looking straight into his eyes, "You and I are the heroes established by Da Xia, we are a golden brand!

This immeasurable influence can build a foundational relationship to some extent.

It's the most scarce thing inside the Holy Spirit Mountain!"

Lu Ran softly said, "Trust."

"Exactly!" He Qifeng nodded emphatically, her eyes grew fiercer, "Brother Lu, we can use our influence to make a great endeavor!

Perhaps, we can change the landscape inside this realm that has persisted for decades.

At the very least, we can reduce the slaughter among our people!"

Before Lu Ran could speak, He Qifeng continued, "Brother Lu, you came here earlier than I did, you must have witnessed this realm's harshness!

You are Da Xia's first pride, your influence far exceeds mine!

Come with me, let's make something of this together, how about it?"

When He Qifeng said this, she was practically glowing!

Her words were powerful and resonant.

Her gaze was burning with ambition and heroism.

Lu Ran was deeply moved!

But also felt numb.

He Qifeng, oh, He Qifeng...

You're saying all the lines I planned!

I traveled thousands of miles to recruit you, and now you want to rope me in?

I guess that's why you dismiss a romantic, eh!

Turned out, you're a career-oriented woman...

Seeing Lu Ran not speaking, He Qifeng pondered for a moment, then turned to the others, commanding, "Spread out and keep guard, stay far away."

"Yes!"

"Yes." The two martial monk believers and two Biwu believers responded promptly, scattering in all directions.

Only Yu Changsheng stayed put.

He Qifeng glanced at him but said nothing.

She looked back at Lu Ran, "What I'm about to say might be a bit rebellious, but you should also have seen the true nature of the relationship between the gods and demons and our human clan."

Lu Ran abruptly changed the subject, "Wuji Peak supports your venture, so they gave you a Hall Master position?"

He Qifeng nodded gently.

Lu Ran felt a touch surprised, "I thought Wuji Peak would be like other sects."

He Qifeng candidly explained, "Originally, it was the same.

I heard that two years ago, the previous Peak Master of Wuji Peak ascended to the heavens, and after the new Peak Master took over, there were some changes to the sect's principles.

Nowadays, our Wuji Peak faction tries not to engage in conflicts or harm others actively."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran recalled his visit to Wuji Peak earlier, remembering the two guards he encountered.

Throughout, they indeed didn't obstruct or trouble him in any way.

He Qifeng's expression grew serious, "Since I divulged the 'Heavenly Pride' matter, Peak Master Tu has valued me highly.

Later, I privately shared some thoughts with Peak Master Tu, leading to my current position as a Hall Master."

Lu Ran hesitated, "I..."

"Clap!"

He Qifeng clapped her hands heavily on Lu Ran's shoulders, grasping tightly as if afraid he'd slip away.

She said gravely, "Originally, after this Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl was snatched, I was furious.

It seems now, it's fate!"

Lu Ran: "..."

He Qifeng's eyes, dark and filled with intense hope, "Even the heavens can't stand the gods' and demons' atrocities, using this one pearl to send you to me.

Come with me, Lu Ran!"

...

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