Jiang Ruyi's gaze enveloped the pair as she descended slowly from the sky.

"Take action, Brave," Wan Fangling whispered, lightly nudging her husband with her elbow before taking the lead in kneeling.

Shi Yong hesitated for a moment before lowering his head and obediently falling to his knees.

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly.

Indeed, Shi Yong and Wan Fangling were captives, and it was fitting for them to lower their stature.

But kneeling?

Jiang Ruyi felt displeasure welling up inside her.

The pair were respected figures in the Vast River, revered and protectors of their own domains. Even as prisoners, shouldn't they retain their pride and integrity?

Such behavior—what a disgrace!

Being herself a person of the River Realm, Jiang Ruyi now felt ashamed to be associated with these two.

Silence blanketed the desolate land.

With the battle over, only the sound of wind stirring up sand echoed across the barren desert.

Jiang Ruyi didn't land. Instead, she hovered in midair, standing diagonally above the pair.

The disciples of the Shanwei Sect were akin to human bombs!

One must always be vigilant for such people to act out suddenly.

Jiang Ruyi remained deep in thought, saying nothing, merely lowering her head to fix her gaze upon the pair.

Wan Fangling grew increasingly anxious, her thoughts racing wildly as she spoke up proactively: "Thank you, my lady, for sparing our lives and for showing mercy."

Finally, Jiang Ruyi opened her mouth, speaking softly, "We bear no grudges and have even helped you. Why do you repay kindness with betrayal?"

Wan Fangling sighed inwardly, bowing her head respectfully as she replied, "Madam, you've only just arrived in this realm; you may not yet understand the rules of Holy Spirit Mountain."

"Explain them to me."

"Yes, Madam." Wan Fangling immediately began to speak.

Though the couple had been in Holy Spirit Mountain for only two months, they had experienced much.

Relying on the Shanwei Sect's powerful defense techniques, they had eked out a existence through constant displacement, joining small squads, affiliating with factions, and even serving as servants for two West Desolation believers.

As Wan Fangling spoke at length, the Jade Talisman disciples finished clearing the battlefield and gathered around.

The more they listened, the more astonished they became!

The more they listened, the darker Jiang Ruyi's expression grew.

To think that Holy Spirit Mountain was so brutal, so vile, and so corrupted!

No wonder when she had previously offered Shanwei disciples the notion of "human clan fellowship and mutual help," their faces had turned strange.

In this realm, all creatures followed the will of the gods, prioritizing the collection of Holy Spirit Energy above all else.

Thus, between individuals, there existed direct conflicts of interest—they were competitors in a deadly race!

Encounters turned hostile, knife to knife—enemies in a life-or-death struggle!

"So... this terrible?" An Xian couldn't help but speak out, her voice quivering with emotion.

In the Human World Da Xia, throughout her twenty-plus years of life, the human clan had always been a united community of shared interests and fate.

Faced with formidable enemies, people stood together, helping one another.

But here, Holy Spirit Mountain...

Wherever she looked, all sentient beings—be they human or demon—were enemies?

"Yes," Wan Fangling replied softly, her gaze lowered.

Jiang Ruyi pressed her lips together silently.

This series of revelations had challenged her deeply-held beliefs and ideals.

And after processing this shocking information, her mind instantly conjured up a figure—Lu Ran!

Are you... okay?

When you first arrived in this realm, were you also plotted against? Ambushed?

Are you... are you still alive?

Jiang Ruyi slowly lifted her head, gazing at the surging cloud sea above, her heart heavy with oppression.

No, you must still be alive.

If I can sense the abnormal conditions of this realm from faint clues, then you, upon arriving, must have sensed them too.

Jiang Ruyi tried to console herself, but her heart was gripped with growing worry.

Lu Ran was undoubtedly a warrior of the human clan.

A fighter who dedicated his life to the survival of his kind!

His hatred for the evil demons was matched only by his devotion to the human clan.

In that small Rain Alley City, every street and every housing district had witnessed his protection of the people.

At all costs, indifferent to life and death.

Yet, in entering a realm filled with deception and fratricide, how would someone like Lu Ran...

His steadfast Dao Heart—was it still intact?

Was he still forging ahead, unwavering?

After the collapse of the ideals he upheld, could he still continue to survive?

Despite her usual composure, Jiang Ruyi's mind grew increasingly chaotic with concern.

She closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh.

The people around her held their breaths.

For the first time in so long, Jiang Ruyi had displayed such intense emotion.

Even during their days of fleeing, amidst one near-death crisis after another, she had been the unshaken one.

But now...

Song Yu deliberated for a moment before signaling to An Xian with his eyes.

Under Song Yu's urging gaze, An Xian calmed her inner turmoil and cautiously approached Jiang Ruyi. Tentatively, she whispered, "Madam..."

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi broke from her reverie, glancing at the woman beside her.

In that brief moment, she seemed to see Xiao Tian Tian.

A petite figure, short-cropped hair, almond-shaped eyes—sweet yet timidly charming.

"Are you all right?" An Xian asked in a timid, concerned tone.

"I'm fine." Jiang Ruyi lowered her eyes to look back at the couple. "In this realm, have you ever seen or heard of Lu Ran? He's an Immortal Sheep Believer..."

"Is he the Da Xia's genius, the famous Lu Ran?" Shi Yong's thoughts raced as he gazed up at the stunning woman.

Though the couple had spent their days secluded from the world in the ancient city under the god's feet, the tales of "Heavenly Pride" had spread far and wide.

Shi Yong had heard of Lu Ran's reputation and even glimpsed some highlights that immortalized him.

Wan Fangling's eyes lit up further, her gaze intensifying as she observed Jiang Ruyi's veiled face, scrutinizing her features.

From the limited glimpses of Lu Ran she had seen, had she caught sight of this girl's appearance?

Could it be that their relationship...

"Have you seen Lu Ran?" An Xian asked urgently.

The couple shook their heads, and disappointment washed over the group.

Jiang Ruyi nodded softly before continuing, "Then do you know where the ocean lies?"

The couple shook their heads again.

In two months, they'd seen nothing but deserts and stone pillars. They hadn't ventured beyond the Ten Thousand Blade Mountain area—how could they have seen an ocean?

Jiang Ruyi had anticipated such a response, inwardly sighing: "Stand up."

"Thank you, Madam." Wan Fangling seized the opportunity, promptly changing her address. "From now on, my husband and I will serve you loyally, striving tirelessly like the most devoted servants!"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

In this realm, survival honed people into shrewd beings.

Even if lacking in talent, fate would prod and mold them into "growing" adept.

Song Yu abruptly asked, "How many members are in your Split Mountain Gang?"

Wan Fangling replied, "Including us, there are twenty-two people.

However, one week ago two squads totaling eight people disappeared and haven't returned."

Song Yu pressed further, "The remaining members—what kind of Believers are they? What are their strength and realms?"

Wan Fangling: "They are all Shanwei believers, primarily between River Realm Second Rank and Fourth Rank..."

After probing extensively, Song Yu looked to Jiang Ruyi. "Madam, how about we take over this gang?"

Jiang Ruyi deliberated silently, offering no response.

Song Yu added, "The road ahead is perilous. The more strength we have, the better our chances of survival. These two have already described the situation of this realm—it's power above all, devoid of moral laws.

People prey on one another; the strong enslave the weak."

Jiang Ruyi remained unresponsive, her brows furrowing slightly.

Song Yu hurriedly persisted, "The Shanwei Sect may lack offensive power, but their unique abilities make them prime targets. Sooner or later, surrounding factions like West Desolation will swallow them up.

They're destined for slavery!

Madam is merciful; if these Shanwei believers follow you, at least they won't suffer humiliation."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Am I merciful?

The battle had just ended, and the enemies' corpses had hardly grown cold... No, they were already freezing.

Completely frozen.

Still, it was undeniable the team needed to grow and amass strength.

Jiang Ruyi's lashes fluttered slightly; this path to finding Lu Ran—who knew how long it would take?

The road would undoubtedly be perilous.

The Jade Talisman Sect also had weaknesses; supplementing the team with believers from other factions would strengthen their survival capabilities.

"Madam!" Wan Fangling looked up at Jiang Ruyi, her tone respectful. "The Gu Zhang squad and the remaining two squads of the Split Mountain Gang are at odds.

Especially after the disappearance of those eight people, Gu Zhang's ambitions have swelled—he's likely vying for the gang leader position.

He brought us out this time intending to recruit the two of us newcomers."

Jiang Ruyi, being sharp and perceptive, naturally understood what the woman was implying.

Sure enough, Wan Fangling continued, "Gu Zhang's small circle of close contacts—all killed here.

The other members of the gang shouldn't bear hatred toward you over Gu Zhang's death. Madam can proceed boldly in taking over the Split Mountain Gang."

"Alright." Jiang Ruyi responded gently.

Song Yu's eyes brightened as he nodded silently in approval.

Zhang Zhenghu and Zhu Yuan exchanged a glance but said nothing.

Jiang Ruyi addressed the group. "Let's head to the Split Mountain Gang shortly.

Is the battlefield cleaned up yet?"

The group promptly presented weapons and Divine Power Pearls.

An Xian looked at the spoils, her expression complex. "This place feels like a slaughterhouse for our human clan..."

Wan Fangling's revelations about Holy Spirit Mountain still reverberated in An Xian's mind, unsettling her.

Upon hearing the Split Mountain Gang's remaining members' ranks—River Realm Second Rank through Fourth Rank—a particular thought in An Xian's head grew increasingly uncontainable.

The ten-member squad she belonged to—a group of Jade Talisman disciples—were also River Realm cultivators!

Why couldn't they stay in Da Xia to safeguard peace, protect cities, and defend civilians?

No wonder the count of human clan Great Powers in the human world always remained stagnant.

Turns out, they were transported here under the guise of collecting Holy Spirit Energy, forced into mutually destructive slaughter?!

An Xian's thoughts churned chaotically, until she realized the suffocating silence around her.

Some thoughts could tread dangerous lines!

No matter how evident the harsh reality was, one could only privately contemplate it—never speak it aloud!

Unless...

The crowd subtly looked toward Jiang Ruyi, while Shi Yong and Wan Fangling secretly observed the young leader's reaction.

In such a cruel and pragmatic world, Jiang Ruyi's stance dictated the team's collective attitude.

Gradually, An Xian became acutely aware!

She had openly questioned the gods before a congregation of devout Believers.

She had accused the benevolent, saving gods of treating the human clan like mere livestock, throwing them into a slaughterhouse...

An Xian was utterly terrified!

Her body trembled violently in fear, cautiously turning her gaze to Jiang Ruyi.

Under the scrutiny of all, the aloof and elegant woman in white appeared indifferent to everything around her.

She scanned the battle spoils and ordered, "Song Yu, distribute them among everyone."

Song Yu dutifully replied, "Understood!"

An Xian gazed at Jiang Ruyi in stunned disbelief, unsure whether to feel relieved or grateful...

She bowed her head silently. The atmosphere grew tense and eerie once more.

...

Apologies for the delay.

Yesterday, I spent the entire day at the computer, writing nonstop from morning until midnight—it's truly exhausting.

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.