[Sister Xian'er.]

[Young Master?] Si Xianxian was somewhat surprised, her voice sweet as honey, [What's the matter?]

[Are you in the seclusion room?]

[I am! I've been diligently cultivating, no slacking!] Si Xianxian misunderstood, thinking Lu Ran was checking up on her, and pursed her lips.

[That's good! You know, you've already bound with the Divine Sculpture; every day you're deepening the fusion with it.]

[Yes.] Si Xianxian nodded repeatedly.

Lu Ran had told her before: the more deeply she fused with the sculpture, the higher her talent and potential would grow, increasing her cultivation speed and growth limits!

When she first heard the news, Si Xianxian felt like she was living in a dream!

Even now, she still finds it hard to believe.

Enhancing talent and potential, raising cultivation limits—isn't that supposed to be a benefit granted only by divine blessings?

In the forty years since the gods descended, how many people have truly received such blessings?

A scarce few!

But here with Lu Ran, it's as if she receives divine blessings every single day?!

Lu Ran continued transmitting his voice: [Every time the Divine Sculpture upgrades, it's the perfect opportunity to deepen your fusion with it.

The backlash your body suffered from tearing the contract before should also heal over time.]

Si Xianxian's beautiful eyes widened with excitement: [You're saying all this—is the sculpture about to upgrade? What do I need to do?]

[You don't need to do anything, just stay in the seclusion room.]

[I don't need to...] Si Xianxian's voice was cut off as her delicate body suddenly trembled lightly.

Si Xianxian: ???

She shakily raised her left hand, thought for a moment, then stretched out her right hand to grasp her left wrist, trying to steady it.

However, her left hand's trembling only grew worse.

Because her right hand was shaking too!

Si Xianxian: "..."

Not just her hands—her entire body was trembling!

Si Xianxian finally understood why Lu Ran had gone out of his way to send a voice transmission, asking if she was in the seclusion room.

Turns out it was to prevent her from embarrassing herself in front of others!

"How thoughtful," Si Xianxian stammered softly.

Sitting cross-legged, she uncrossed her long legs, then leaned back and sprawled across the icy ground.

"Phew..."

Si Xianxian took a deep breath, savoring this special version of divine blessings.

This was Lu Ran's blessing!

Embarrassment? Shame? Nonexistent!

Among the Ran Sect's ranks, there were cultivators at the River Realm and the Sea Realm, yet here she was—a mere beginner at the River Realm. Now that's truly embarrassing!

Come on, Young Master!

Quick, enhance my talent and potential!

I want to break into the River Realm, I want to step into the Sea Realm!

I want to wield a giant hammer, charging headfirst into the God-Demon formations, leaving none standing...

"Ah~" Si Xianxian sprawled on the ground, her arms and legs spread out wide as she slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

Over here, the Mad Immortal Guardian lay comfortably, dreaming wildly.

Meanwhile, the Ran Sect's Sect Leader was toiling arduously, skimming across the ground.

No choice—the Holy Spirit Energy scattered all over the place.

Any part of Lu Ran's body that touched the energy would absorb it directly into his soul.

So he had to activate the Pupil of the Dead World, bringing his eyes close to the Holy Spirit Energy to manipulate the sculptures in the field, guiding the energy into the pupil.

"Being Sect Leader—," Lu Ran murmured as he worked diligently.

Like being a vacuum cleaner.

Behind Lu Ran, Yu Changsheng and Xun Yifei followed cautiously, afraid they might accidentally touch the Holy Spirit Energy and compete for resources with the Sect Leader.

The two of them could only watch helplessly as Lu Ran "vacuumed" the entire forested island.

"Hmm." After a long while, Lu Ran finally completed his task, collapsing on the ground.

His mind was foggy, and a silly grin spread across his face, looking none too bright.

By his rough estimation, there must've been over 300 wisps of Holy Spirit Energy.

With this harvest, the Lie Tian Divine Sculpture, already at River Realm·Second Rank, could surely ascend to the Sea Realm.

Faintly, the two heard Lu Ran muttering, "So happy, so happy~"

Yu Changsheng: "..."

Xun Yifei: "..."

"You two," Lu Ran flipped himself over onto his back, lying spread-eagled.

"Sect Leader!" The two immediately responded.

"Today, I'm completely spent," Lu Ran waved his hand, indicating the three sculptures that had upgraded simultaneously had drained him completely, "The rest is up to you two."

With those words, Lu Ran stopped trying to stay awake, his thoughts drifting away, and his gaze growing increasingly empty.

Like a fool.

Yu Changsheng and Xun Yifei exchanged glances.

Though they were happy for the Sect Leader, the concern in their eyes was even more pronounced.

Yu Changsheng said softly, "Xun, go dig a cave—keep it quiet. We can take further action after the Sect Leader recovers."

Xun Yifei immediately nodded, glanced around briefly, and hurried off into the dense forest.

Yu Changsheng approached slowly, bent down, and gently picked up the vacant-eyed Lu Ran.

My Sect Leader...

You'd better not end up truly brain-dead.

How am I going to face Nightmare, Evil Shadow, and Mad Immortal?

Those female guardians—each one more fiercely loyal than the other—would hunt me to the ends of the earth...

And the Luoshen General? She's counting on you to give her people a way to survive. If something happens to you, she'll probably skewer me with arrows!

Even Xun Yifei might commit self-sacrifice to atone...

Looking at it this way, tearing apart the Ran Sect's strong ranks might actually be quite simple.

All it takes is a mishap with Lu Ran.

...

Time flows, the sun rises and sets.

Yu Changsheng sat silently in the cave, cultivating, while listening to the sound of rain falling outside.

In the depths of the cave, Lu Ran lay motionless on the ground. Suddenly, his fingers twitched, and his gaze began to regain a hint of focus.

"Mm..." Lu Ran rubbed his head, sat up, and took in his surroundings.

"Sect Leader, you're awake." Yu Changsheng's gaze was somber as he looked toward Lu Ran.

"Sir, what time is it?"

"It's already the next night." As he spoke, Yu Changsheng's gaze grew even more melancholic.

You're finally breathing again!

Thank goodness—this guardian doesn't have to die for you after all.

"Huh? The next night?" Lu Ran was shocked.

He thought it'd only take a day, but instead, he'd been zonked out for this long?

Quickly closing his eyes, Lu Ran probed his mental world, checking the cultivation levels of the sculptures.

Lie Tian Divine Sculpture, Sea Realm... huh?

Why was it only at River Realm·Fifth Rank?

Lu Ran frowned slightly. Clearly, his dazed self from before had miscounted.

In that case, this sculpture should've settled down yesterday.

Lu Ran immediately checked the other two sculptures. Sure enough, Mo Li Evil Sculpture had advanced to Sea Realm·Second Rank.

Meanwhile, the Sea Merfolk Evil Sculpture had reached Sea Realm·First Rank.

"Hiss..." Lu Ran sucked in a cold breath, both shocked and delighted!

So that's why!

During the previous battles with various Sea Merfolk clans on the move, he had indeed harvested a large bounty!

I must say, the souls of sea-dwelling demons carry far more Holy Spirit Energy than those of land-dwelling demons!

Lu Ran's face lit up with joy, nearly laughing aloud.

Going forward, he could manufacture River Realm Peak Sea Merfolk.

With this, the Ran Sect's control over Moy Bay and the defensive strength of Cloud Sea Cliff could be significantly elevated!

Tsk~

If only I could grow as quickly as the Divine and Evil Sculptures...

But then again, once an Evil Sculpture reaches the Sea Realm, further advancement becomes exceedingly difficult.

After all, for every small rank upgrade of a Sea Realm Evil Sculpture, a full thousand wisps of Holy Spirit Energy are required!

When will this madness ever end?

[Sect Leader.]

[Mr. Cong Long?] Lu Ran opened his eyes and turned his head.

Yu Changsheng spoke gently, urging, [Next time you absorb energy, you must do so in moderation. Don't wolf it down like this again.]

[Heh heh~] Lu Ran grinned.

Upgrading three sculptures simultaneously did leave Lu Ran feeling like his brain had short-circuited.

Even after they stopped trembling one after another, gradually reducing the strain on his mind, he still utterly let go, lying there blankly.

This journey opened Lu Ran's mind to an entirely new concept!

Previously, whenever a sculpture upgraded, Lu Ran did his best to endure, striving to stay calm and rational.

But this time?

Lu Ran outright gave up—if he couldn't stay conscious, so be it. Just lie down and let it happen!

Lose awareness, become a puppet.

Give up resistance—I'm dumb now.

[Come on, Mr. Cong Long!] Lu Ran leapt to his feet, brimming with energy.

[Come?] Yu Changsheng gazed at the eager Lu Ran, concern evident in his expression, [Sect Leader should rest a little longer to recover your spirit.]

The past two days of Lu Ran's state had truly worried Yu Changsheng.

[With the cover of night, it's the perfect time for mischief!] Lu Ran flourished his hand.

Yu Changsheng: "..."

Seeing Yu Changsheng's exasperated expression, Lu Ran chuckled: [The main issue is that there are still two guardians at home who may breakthrough to the Great Realm at any moment.

If we spend too long outside, I won't feel at ease.]

Yu Changsheng didn't entirely approve of Lu Ran's approach but still asked: [What kind of outcome does the Sect Leader aim for?]

[We've now confirmed the presence of the Evil Mirror Clan on the island!] Lu Ran said gravely, [I plan to extract the energy of the Evil Mirror Clan to craft River Realm Peak Evil Mirror Demons.

Once an Evil Mirror Demon reaches the River Realm, it can use the Evil Technique·Mirror Flower Moon!

I intend to station them on various islands so that they can collect Holy Spirit Energy within their range.

Later, I'll return periodically to harvest the accumulated resources—what do you think, sir?]

Yu Changsheng nodded thoughtfully. It was indeed a promising idea.

Take this island, for instance: desolate surroundings, virtually no signs of life. Leaving an Evil Mirror Demon here would certainly yield abundant Holy Spirit Energy!

Lu Ran quickly stepped to Yu Changsheng's side, tugging him to his feet: [Come on, come on, Mr. Cong Long, there's no time to waste!]

Yu Changsheng smiled wryly.

That tone... Are you trying to wheedle me?

Pulling and tugging—what kind of decorum is this?! Seriously...

Though Yu Changsheng muttered complaints inwardly, he couldn't help but savor the lively interaction, allowing Lu Ran to drag him up and out toward the cave entrance.

Outside, darkness reigned, accompanied by torrential rain.

[Divine Seeking General?]

[Present!]

[Let's go—we'll complete the task quickly, so you can get back home to see your children.]

[Understood!]

Lu Ran soared through the skies, his ambitions fiery.

The Sea Merfolk Evil Sculpture had reached the Sea Realm! Once the Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture and Lie Tian Divine Sculpture both achieved the Sea Realm, this mission would be deemed a resounding success!

If he could claim a few strategically positioned islands, station little demons there to seize resources...

That would be a mission completed beyond expectations!

...

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