Three days later, a group of men and women dressed in bamboo hats and green cloaks hurried through the dense forest.

Lu Ran had not heeded Deng Yuxiang's advice and chose not to rest.

After two more days of cultivation in the seclusion room to consolidate his strength and realm, he once again led his team and embarked on the expedition.

The destination this time was the desolate Northwest.

Conveniently, Lu Ran could also make a stop at Wuji Peak to take a look at the city He Qifeng was building.

For this journey, Lu Ran brought along four people:

Mengyan Protector Conglong, Divine General Luo Ying, and Hall Master Jing Hong.

As a veteran member of the Ran Sect, Jing Hong had spent the past few months leading the Evil Demon forces to guard Cloud Sea Cliff, earning considerable merit through arduous labor.

Lu Ran, together with Yu Changsheng, devised a plan to establish an internal branch of the Ran Sect—the Demon Control Hall.

The character "Control" symbolizes both command and defense, indicating that Jing Hong would lead the Evil Demon forces while protecting Cloud Sea Cliff as the hall's primary mission.

The definition of the term made it clear that Jing Hong's responsibilities had not changed.

But with the official designation from Lu Ran, Jing Hong was now a legitimate official!

Ecstatic, Jing Hong immediately accepted the position.

One must understand, the Ran Sect was an exceptionally unique organization! The Evil Demons summoned by Lu Ran would only grow stronger in power and realm, so naturally, Jing Hong's status would rise as well.

Jing Hong was well-aware that the Ran Sect was bound to grow even larger and stronger.

As a once insignificant Weak God Believer, now armed with both this title and real power, as long as she held tightly to the Sect Leader's favor, no matter how the Ran Sect evolved in the future, she would at least not sink to the very bottom.

However, to her surprise, after just a day as Hall Master, the Sect Leader had already dragged her out to execute a task.

After all, Lu Ran's target was the Evil Dog Clan, and Jing Hong possessed the Divine Technique of the War Horn—Thunderclap Horn!

Practically the perfect nemesis for the Evil Dog Clan!

"Sect Leader, I see it—it's just across the river at the base of the mountain."

Standing atop a small hill, Jing Hong turned back and loudly reported.

"Oh," Lu Ran responded with a word, though inwardly he felt a bit helpless, "I really need to ascend to the Sea Realm as soon as possible."

At its current River Grade, Mirror Flower Moon Transmission can teleport a distance of up to 100 kilometers at most.

Once it reaches Sea Grade, there would be a qualitative transformation, allowing a single opening of the Transmission Mirror to cover a staggering 3,000 kilometers!

What kind of concept is this?

With Lu Ran's Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture now at Sea Realm·First Rank,

once Lu Ran himself achieves Yangyang Sea—a vast, endless horizon—where could he not go?

Even Seven Star Island, far across the ocean, would only take a single step...

"Sect Leader, don't be too hard on yourself," Yu Changsheng said, walking beside Lu Ran with a smile. "You've only just ascended to Fourth Rank; you're already doing incredibly well."

Over the past half year, Yu Changsheng had witnessed every step of Lu Ran's journey.

Lu Ran hadn't stopped moving for missions!

And even while undertaking missions, he never stopped cultivating—in moments of rest, he'd absorb the energy between heaven and earth, replacing it with Divine Power in his body, and in the process, continuously broadened his meridians.

Sometimes, Yu Changsheng couldn't help but silently murmur to himself:

Was Lu Ran pouring all his energy into cultivation and missions because his fiancée wasn't by his side?

Maybe as a way to release his excess energy?

It's not impossible~

After all, he's just 19 years old, brimming with youthful energy. He's bound to find a way to spend his days...

The more he thought about it, the more Yu Changsheng found it plausible.

"Sigh..."

Lu Ran may have boundless energy, but it was starting to wear out Yu Changsheng, a "middle-aged" man in his 30s, day after day of keeping up with this restless young man.

"Mr. Conglong, why the sigh?" Lu Ran asked visibly puzzled.

Yu Changsheng snapped out of his thoughts, realizing he had let out a sigh inadvertently.

"Swoosh~"

With a flourish, Yu Changsheng opened a paper fan, gently waving it as he spoke, "I sigh for the passing beauty of spring blossoms and autumn moons, for the fleeting nature of all that is bright and prosperous."

Lu Ran: ???

Oh? A cultured man, indeed!

Nearby, Deng Yuxiang unexpectedly teased, "Conglong's been spending too much time with Elder Bai—acting all old and melancholic."

Lu Ran clapped his trusted lieutenant on the shoulder and said, "Cheer up; you're only 34, the ideal age for adventuring!

Look at Elder Bai—he's 76 and still roaming the land!"

Yu Changsheng: "..."

Yeah, right!

Adventure on, why don't we.

Yu Changsheng, oh Yu Changsheng, isn't this exactly the 'feeling alive' you sought after?

Amidst their laughter and banter, they climbed up to higher ground.

Lu Ran slightly widened his eyes: "Whoa?"

At the foot of the hill flowed a grand, surging river.

Beyond the river, nestled in a valley flanked by mountains on three sides, stood a freshly constructed stone city.

While not particularly large in scale, it looked solid and respectable.

There was plenty of open land available—once developed further, He Qifeng could expand the city's size at any time.

"Come, let's go take a look." Lu Ran refrained from using his Evil Technique and led the group down the mountain.

At the moment, a few figures stood at the gates of Stone City.

He Qifeng exuded an imposing aura, arms folded, standing as if surrounded by starlight.

Behind her stood several members of Big Wind Hall.

Suddenly, a voice came from the 7-meter-high city wall above: "Hall Master, someone's coming down from the mountain opposite."

He Qifeng's face showed a faint smile: "Do we recognize them?"

Atop the wall, a young woman with braided hair, holding a Hunting Bow, shook her head and said, "They're too far, and they're all wearing bamboo hats and cloaks. I can't make out their faces."

"Heh~" He Qifeng seemed to be in an excellent mood. "You'll recognize him soon enough."

The young woman found this curious and focused her gaze again.

As the Ran Sect group crossed the river and approached step by step, the young woman on the wall felt a jolt of unease in her heart.

Such an overwhelming aura!

Within this mysterious group of individuals, there must surely be a Sea Realm Great Power among them!

"Brother Lu, how have you been?" He Qifeng shouted confidently, her voice ringing out.

Lu Ran, however, stared at the large characters above the city gate and felt utterly bewildered!

Forbidden City?!

No!

What are you playing at?

Lu Ran approached He Qifeng in confusion, skipping pleasantries as he blurted out:

"This city's name... Are you planning to become an emperor?"

"Haha!" He Qifeng laughed heartily, turned, and looked up at the three grandly written characters. "What do you think? Does it command respect?"

Lu Ran: "..."

The name indeed evokes a sense of awe, conjuring associations with solemnity, majesty, and grandiosity.

But a name like this—can you truly live up to it?

At the same time, the young woman on the wall clutched her chest as her heart skipped a beat!

She recognized this cloaked youth!

That familiar voice, that familiar face...

Da Xia's First Genius—Lu Ran?!

No wonder there had been no news of him for the past half year; he was also in the Spirit Mountain Realm!

The young woman's gaze burned with intensity, which Lu Ran naturally noticed. He immediately looked toward the wall's edge.

One glance, and Lu Ran also froze: "Huh? Aren't you... you... you're that—what's-your-name-again!"

He Qifeng smiled jubilantly at Lu Ran, clearly pleased to see him flustered.

This brought her considerable enjoyment.

"Wenhou!" Lu Ran finally uttered.

The young woman holding the bow fought the urge to roll her eyes.

I'm Lv Bu, am I?

"Heh~" He Qifeng teased, "The First Genius truly lives up to his reputation. Us mere defeated are not even worthy of being remembered by Da Xia's pride."

Lu Ran shot her an irritated look and whispered, "What's her name again?"

He Qifeng snorted, "Hou Yun."

Lu Ran immediately nodded—this person was an Ash Believer. If he remembered correctly, she ranked 18th on Da Xia's list of geniuses!

Lu Ran looked upward and waved his hand with a tinge of sadness: "You've come to suffer here too?"

Hou Yun: "..."

Lu Ran turned to He Qifeng: "Congratulations, I guess? You've recruited a fine general!"

It doesn't matter whether someone ranks 18th or 98th on that list.

If someone can make it into the Hundred Geniuses of Da Xia, they're undoubtedly an unparalleled, peerless figure!

"Mutual congratulations," He Qifeng replied while her gaze locked onto Deng Yuxiang, unable to help but comment, "Your Protector has progressed so quickly... She's already in the Sea Realm?"

Lu Ran chuckled, "Her talent speaks for itself. If she wants to advance, I can't stop her!"

He Qifeng: ???

Is that even something a person should say?

Even Deng Yuxiang's composure broke as she laughed and gave Lu Ran a playful glare.

"Enough, enough, stop staring," Lu Ran said, stepping sideways to block He Qifeng's gaze. "The way you're looking at her, it's like you want to eat my Protector alive."

Lu Ran's intention was to shield Deng Yuxiang from He Qifeng's fiery gaze. Yet he overlooked one thing: He Qifeng also desired nothing more than to recruit him under her wing.

This Hall Master's eyes burned hotter, fueled further by the fact that every time they met, Lu Ran brought her more astonishing surprises.

"Ahem." Seeing the situation turn precarious, Lu Ran quickly changed the subject, "I noticed a lot of people in the city?"

"Yes," He Qifeng said, resolutely suppressing the impulse in her heart, lest she scare Lu Ran off again as she had last time.

Turning away, she looked through the wide-open city gates and explained, "The people rushing to build the city used to be slaves of Wuji Peak."

Lu Ran: "Huh?"

He Qifeng nodded, "Ever since Tufeng Master took over, the rules of Wuji Peak have undergone changes. These slaves have effectively been freed.

However, only a small fraction chose to leave, while the vast majority remained within the peak."

Lu Ran nodded to himself—if these slaves had left, their fate would likely have been one of two outcomes:

Death, or enslavement by other powerful sects.

He Qifeng continued, "I proposed to Tufeng Master to have these individuals transferred here. They retain their status as Wuji Peak's Sect Members, but they also form the first citizens of my Forbidden City."

Citizens?

"Goodness!" Lu Ran smirked, "You really are aiming to be an emperor!"

Laughing heartily, He Qifeng gazed up at the three characters spelling "Forbidden City," her eyes alight with thoughts unknown.

Lu Ran pondered and finally said, "You'd better get more people from Tufeng Master! With your city management philosophy, once you're past the initial stages, your rapid growth will be unimaginable!

The other factions within the Spirit Mountain Realm won't allow such unchecked expansion."

He Qifeng said confidently, "Currently, the city is defended by three Sea Realm Great Powers, with a fourth on the way!"

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow, "On the way?"

He Qifeng turned her gaze to Lu Ran, tilting her chin slightly, brimming with pride: "Me!"

Lu Ran instinctively took a step back, sizing up the exuberant Martial Monk in front of him: "You've reached Fifth Rank in the River Realm already?"

"Of course."

"Look at you, so smug." Despite his words, Lu Ran felt genuinely happy for her. "Have you solidified your insight for advancement?"

"Naturally!" He Qifeng gestured to the Forbidden City, "Brother Lu, don't you see this Dao Heart of mine?"

Looking at the stone city, Lu Ran suddenly smiled.

Indeed.

This city showcased He Qifeng's profound understanding of the world, her resolute determination, and her boundless ambition and grand dreams!

"It seems Brother Lu has seen it." He Qifeng's lips curled upward. "This city represents my He Qifeng's stance towards this world..."

Her words cut off abruptly, her body trembling slightly.

"Buzz!!"

In an instant, the members of Big Wind Hall were both startled and overjoyed!

Their Hall Master was... advancing?

"Ha!" He Qifeng herself beamed with delight and, overcome with excitement, gave Lu Ran a hearty slap on the shoulder, her words uncharacteristically scattered. "You're my lucky charm!

Brother Lu, come into the city! Let me finish advancing to Sea Realm first, and then we'll talk!"

Lu Ran: "..."

Well then, you cheeky nun!

You called me all the way here just to level up to the Sea Realm in front of me?

Am I... a stepping stone for young ladies to flaunt their ultimate moves?

...

A new year has arrived—wishing everyone a fresh start and all the best!

Also, as promised earlier, I'll deliver the three extra chapters for the new year. Let me work hard and write a bit more for you all as soon as I can!

In this new year, I humbly ask for your support with monthly tickets!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.