At the foot of the desolate mountain, beside the tunnel entrance.

A towering, burly bald man stood guard with two others.

This was Xiong Xiong, the former leader of the Splitting Mountain Gang, now reduced to having only two underlings.

One of them, who appeared particularly dejected, was Shi Yong—a man who had joined the gang not long ago with his wife.

His wife, Wan Fangling, had perished in the previous turmoil.

This devastating loss had shattered Shi Yong, leaving him listless and disheartened. At this rate, this River Realm believer might lose his rank!

Xiong Xiong had attempted to console him.

But having suffered such a significant blow, how could Shi Yong move on in such a short time?

"Sigh..." Another Shanwei disciple couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

This man, also surnamed Shi and named Shi Biao, was already in his forties.

It was clear that the preferences of the God Shanwei were blatant.

Xiong Xiong, Shi Biao, and Shi Yong were strikingly similar—towering figures with vicious looks.

Compared to Xiong Xiong, Shi Biao and Shi Yong at least had hair and slightly more decent appearances.

But not by much.

"What are you sighing for!" Xiong Xiong shot a glare at Shi Biao, lowering his voice to scold him.

The emotions of a River Realm Great Power could influence the surrounding environment!

With Shi Yong feeling so despondent and now standing post with him, Xiong Xiong's mood was already foul. And now Shi Biao was sighing as well?

"Boss..." Shi Biao grinned awkwardly, unable to fully express himself.

"What is it?" Xiong Xiong asked irritably.

Shi Biao hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Pavilion Master Jiang is like a fairy—her demeanor is icy cold and aloof. She wouldn't even bother tormenting us.

She thinks hitting me is beneath her.

But the Lu Sect Master..."

"Shut up!" Xiong Xiong hissed fiercely, as if itching to smack the back of Shi Biao's head!

You fool!

You've been on Holy Spirit Mountain for years and still haven't learned to be cautious, relying solely on "dumb luck" to stay alive?

If you want to die, fine—but stop dragging me down with you!

The Lu Sect Master wields countless Divine Techniques and Evil Techniques; who could foresee his moves?

Do you think no one can hear you just because it seems like no one is around?

"Whew~"

Two elongated silhouettes slowly descended from above.

Xiong Xiong: !!!

Shi Biao shuddered violently, terror filling his brutish face, and quickly knelt down.

"Sect Master, Lady!" Xiong Xiong also dropped to his knees, bowing his head, and tried to maintain a calm tone.

Lu Ran's gaze swept over both of them before landing on Shi Yong, who was sitting near the cavern entrance.

Shi Yong hung his head, motionless, a deep aura of sorrow emanating around him.

Lu Ran sighed as he observed this scene.

But Xiong Xiong and Shi Biao misunderstood the sigh, trembling in fear and breaking into cold sweat.

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly, finding these Shanwei believers utterly terrorized.

She was aware, though, that earlier this morning, Lu Ran had burned Dead Souls with Soul Prison and Soul Fire—a horrifying display that had etched an indelible shadow in their minds.

Perhaps, in the hearts of these people, Lu Ran was seen as nothing short of a tyrant.

At least, his methods were unmistakably cruel!

Jiang Ruyi gently held Lu Ran's hand, giving his palm an assuring squeeze.

Lu Ran snapped out of his reverie and looked at the two trembling figures, somewhat resigned. He said, "From now on, kneel on one knee instead."

Xiong Xiong and Shi Biao froze for a moment.

Expecting punishment, they were caught off-guard by this instruction...

This subtle change in posture meant something entirely different.

"Yes, Sect Master!" Xiong Xiong thought deeply but did not dare dawdle, instantly making the adjustment.

"Comfort your companions more," Lu Ran said, holding Jiang Ruyi's hand and heading toward the tunnel entrance. "We're brothers in the same trench; look out for one another."

"Understood."

"Understood!" they replied in unison.

Lu and Jiang stepped into the narrow tunnel, walking deeper into the mountain.

Behind them, Shi Biao remained stricken with fear, while Xiong Xiong glared at him in annoyance.

Moments later, Xiong Xiong stepped forward and smacked the back of Shi Biao's head, lowering his voice. "Watch your words from now on!"

Shi Biao: "Ah."

Xiong Xiong grew angrier, landing another slap to the back of Shi Biao's head!

"Dumb luck" was certainly an apt description of Shi Biao's survival.

Earlier in the day, a Sea Realm believer of the Drought Sea had swept up three Shanwei disciples using thorny sand vines and flung them toward Elder Peng.

Peng chopped two of them apart with a single axe swing!

Clean and brutal!

The only survivor was Shi Biao, who was thrown a few meters away from Elder Peng and thus narrowly escaped death.

Inside the tunnel, Lu Ran walked forward steadily while quietly shaking his head.

He had, of course, heard every word.

The seemingly uncouth leader Xiong Xiong was, in truth, extremely shrewd.

It didn't matter whether Lu Ran was lenient or hadn't overheard; Xiong Xiong ensured his actions covered every base.

After all, if the Lu Sect Master had heard the conversation just now, he must also be hearing each slap that followed.

On this devouring Holy Spirit Mountain,

those with weaker abilities found survival unbearably difficult.

Walking through the winding tunnel, Jiang Ruyi noticed a faint light ahead.

The duo quickly stepped into the cavern and saw a small goldfish shimmering with pale golden light gracefully swimming through the air.

Its radiant golden rain illuminated the cavern.

Currently, Yu Changsheng was seated with three Jade Talisman disciples and two West Desolation believers, deeply engrossed in discussion.

Deng Yuxiang and Jing Hong were not inside the cavern; they were outside keeping watch.

Luo Ying was also absent, likely resting.

Even though this cavern was temporarily excavated, several individual rooms had been created.

"Sect Master!"

"Lady!" Upon seeing Lu and Jiang enter, everyone rose to their feet.

"Sit." Lu Ran gestured for them to sit while scanning the unfamiliar faces.

Xue Fengchen, however, wasn't entirely new; Lu Ran had some impression of him.

Feng, huh!

Lu Ran recalled how netizens often mocked Xue Fengchen.

Our great phoenix of the West Desolation, the first to ascend to River Realm Great Power and exceed the talents of his peers!

Yet somehow, he scored poorly, ranking at the bottom every time...

A testament to the idea: The stronger the power, the weaker the results!

The woman inseparable from Xue Fengchen, Gao Yunyan, Lu Ran also recognized.

A phoenix and a swallow.

This pair of birds had escaped Tianhuang Mountain's prison and now soared side by side.

The remaining three Jade Talisman disciples weren't unfamiliar to Lu Ran. Among them, the reserved and imposing man named Song Yu was particularly favored by the Jiang Fairy.

"Mr. Conglong." Lu Ran sat cross-legged, addressing Yu Changsheng. "I plan to return to Cloud Sea Cliff as soon as possible, to settle things down early."

Yu Changsheng pondered briefly before responding, "Sect Master, think carefully. Traveling to the northwest is no simple task."

His tone was understated but significant.

Lu Ran nodded. "This afternoon, we extracted valuable information from Elder Peng and You Tianyao regarding the distribution of various Evil Demon races.

I intend to meet the Evil Dog clan tomorrow.

Three days to complete the task, seven days to return to Cloud Sea Cliff."

Yu Changsheng listened to Lu Ran's clear plan and immediately nodded in agreement.

Lu Ran then turned to the others. "The disciples from Luoxian Pavilion will follow Pavilion Master Jiang and accompany me back to Cloud Sea Cliff."

Everyone nodded without objection.

Among them, An Xian's expression seemed unusual.

Luoxian Pavilion, Ran Sect...

You two still keep things separate?

Aren't we all yours to command?

Lu Ran stood up, his hand firmly holding Jiang Ruyi's slender one, as if worried she'd wander off. "Mr. Conglong, come with me."

Yu Changsheng rose with a smile, amiably clasping hands to greet the crowd.

The River Realm individuals felt honored and hurriedly returned the gesture to the Great Power of the Sea Realm.

[Big Nightmare, have Jing Hong come find me.]

[Understood.]

Holding hands with Jiang Ruyi, Lu Ran led Yu Changsheng into a private room.

"Pop~"

Yu Changsheng summoned a small Dragon Carp, gazing at the pair of young lovers with curiosity.

What could they want from me in a moment of reunion and heartfelt conversation?

"Ruyi plans to sever her divine contract," Lu Ran said to Yu Changsheng. "Since she's made up her mind, the sooner the better!"

The earlier the contract was severed, the sooner Jiang Ruyi could recover and integrate with the Pseudo-God Stone Sculpture.

Yu Changsheng hesitated but eventually remarked, "I've heard Lady Sect Master is already ready to advance and breakthrough to River Realm Peak. If she severs the contract now..."

Jiang Ruyi replied coolly, "My Dao Heart insists—it must be done."

Yu Changsheng raised his eyebrows slightly.

With that single statement, Jiang Ruyi had preemptively dismissed all his follow-up arguments.

Yu Changsheng suddenly had a thought.

What if she advanced first, breaking through to River Realm Peak, and then severed the contract?

She would lose rank anyway!

That way, perhaps Lady Sect Master would only drop to River Realm Fourth Rank, rather than falling further down...

No, wait.

Yu Changsheng reconsidered—maybe that calculation wasn't accurate.

The higher one climbed, the harder the fall.

So, does Lady Sect Master need to sever the contract now?

After much deliberation, Yu Changsheng finally resorted to pleading, "Lady Sect Master, please reconsider!"

Jiang Ruyi replied calmly, "My mind is made up, Mr. Conglong. Do not try to persuade me further."

With that, she turned her face toward Lu Ran.

Reflecting on her entire cultivation journey, Jiang Ruyi's belief in her Dao had never been as resolute as it was today!

As for her faith in Lu Ran...

Jiang Ruyi was unwavering.

Severing the contract would undoubtedly result in physical repercussions, but on the level of Mental Realm, Jiang Ruyi believed she would remain unaffected.

On the contrary, embracing Lu Ran would only stabilize her Mental Realm further!

Yu Changsheng: "..."

The look in Lady Sect Master's eyes was so hauntingly clear... brimming with devotion to Lu Ran.

The Sect Master sure is fortunate... *hiccup*

Too much sweetness—overloaded...

"Sect Master, you called for me?" Jing Hong rushed in hurriedly.

"Yes." Lu Ran nodded gently.

A few minutes later, Jiang Ruyi sat cross-legged on the floor as waves of energy surged around her. The hem of her snow-white dress spread out like undulating waves.

Amid the pale golden drizzle, her long hair swayed in the air, a beauty so breathtaking it tugged at the heart.

But this exquisite sight did not last long.

A torrential flow of energy converged toward her head and exploded with a thunderous roar!

Humans of the Human Clan bore humiliation in self-destructive acts, tearing apart contracts they had made with Gods.

"Argh." Jiang Ruyi's complexion turned ghastly, her eyes filled with anguish.

"Ugh~~~"

The low drone of the Calming Horn echoed throughout the stone chamber.

"Pop~Pop~"

The Longevity Carp and Resurrection Carp floated toward the woman's forehead.

Lu Ran knelt beside Jiang Ruyi, his heart aching non-stop, gripping her tightly clenched hand and channeling his own Black Fire into her.

Suddenly, Jiang Ruyi turned to stare at Lu Ran.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran asked, alarmed by her sudden gaze.

Within his field of vision, the agony in her eyes began to dissipate, leaving only...

Resolve.

...

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