Five days later, atop a barren cliff.

The members of the Ran Sect waited quietly.

Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi stood shoulder to shoulder, gazing into the northwestern sky. Beneath the roiling sea of clouds, two crows flew in from afar.

In the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, there were neither birds nor beasts.

These two pitch-black crows were clearly disciples under the Seven-class God·Witch Crow.

"They've arrived," Lu Ran said.

In their view, the two crows halted, circled for a moment, then turned and flew away again.

It was apparent they dared not approach the members of Ran Sect.

"They certainly retreated quickly," Lu Ran sighed again.

Over the past five days, Lu Ran had wielded the Evil Technique·Mirror Flower Moon sparingly. In terms of the entire journey, the Ran Sect hadn't even traversed halfway.

Meanwhile, the people of Big Wind Hall, guided by the Silent Night Blade, had been speeding southeast without pause.

Soon, Lu Ran understood why He Qifeng and her group were traveling so swiftly.

From the dense forests far away, two more crows flew out.

Clutched tightly in their tiny claws were flexible tree branches, the other ends of which were firmly held by Bi Wu disciples.

Two Bi Wu disciples were being carried by the crows while simultaneously releasing more branches to tie up and lift several teammates.

Hmm... Crow lovers strongly condemn this!

Two tiny crows carrying strings of people? And among those being flown, there was even a fat guy...

A fat guy?

Lu Ran couldn't help but blink.

Cultivators' physiques could be rugged, muscular, or wiry—at worst, perhaps balanced and proportionate.

How could there possibly be a fat guy?

Especially considering River Realm natives subsist by absorbing Divine Power, and there wasn't much to eat in the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm.

Wait, what...?

Lu Ran was stunned: "How on earth did he grow that meat?"

Jiang Ruyi was also a bit surprised, looking at the chubby monk clad in a bright yellow robe.

This man, well past fifty, sported a shiny bald head and quite the generous belly!

His kind and amiable demeanor was accompanied by an ever-present smile.

Lu Ran almost believed he'd stumbled across Maitreya Buddha...

Under such an aura, the Divine Power Bead Chain he wore around his neck almost resembled a strand of Buddhist prayer beads.

"Caw~ Caw~"

The crows' cries echoed across the sky.

Don't let their small size fool you—these were genuine River Realm Great Powers. Carrying strings of people, their flight was swift and stable, rapidly approaching the cliff.

"Oh?" He Qifeng murmured in curiosity, her gaze fixed on the Ran Sect members atop the cliff.

The next moment, she gripped the Silent Night Blade and cleanly severed the branch binding her.

The Silent Night Blade streaked forward like a bolt of lightning, with He Qifeng propelling herself fiercely along with it.

She landed steadily on the ground, and as her palm released its grip, the blade reversed its tip and pointed the hilt toward Lu Ran.

"Clang!"

Lu Ran caught the hilt in one swift motion, feeling an unusual emotion surging within.

It was the sensation of a weary bird returning to its nest.

Tranquility, warmth.

The Silent Night cherished quietude, always taciturn.

Even now, it merely hinted at a faint emotional trace, not fully conveying its sentience.

"Thank you," Lu Ran murmured apologetically.

As his fingers brushed the blade's surface, purplish patterns began to ripple across the blackened body of the Silent Night Blade, chasing after their master's fingertips.

Mysterious, beautiful.

While Lu Ran was apologizing to the Silent Night Blade, He Qifeng stood before him in shock, her gaze fixed on Jiang Ruyi.

"Lady Luo Xian?" He Qifeng was increasingly astonished.

On one hand, she admired the transformation and growth of the once-young maiden; on the other hand, she found it incomprehensible that, in the cold and ruthless Holy Spirit Mountain Realm...

Could lovers truly find companionship day after day?

"Heavenly Pride He, well met," Jiang Ruyi nodded with a soft smile.

"Congratulations! Congratulations!" He Qifeng exclaimed twice in quick succession, her face lighting up with a smile. "Where did you two meet?"

Lu Ran, holding the Silent Night Blade in one hand, used the other to wrap around his fiancée's shoulder, grinning broadly:

"Didn't you ask me before what there was in the northwest?"

"Haha!" He Qifeng laughed heartily. "It seems the heavens truly showed mercy... Oh?"

Unintentionally, He Qifeng spotted another familiar figure.

Due to the varying terrain elevation, she bent her knees slightly and tilted her head, peering under the brim of someone's hat.

"Ha! Isn't this Phoenix?" He Qifeng was pleasantly surprised once more.

Xue Fengchen had long heard of He Qifeng's exploits in the Mountain Realm, her field-threshing force akin to a blazing sun.

Lu Ran had mercilessly informed him beforehand that He Qifeng, the City Lord, was already a powerful Yangyang Sea!

Upon meeting in person, Lu Ran was proven truthful.

Even though He Qifeng was approachable and friendly, the terrifying pressure she exuded made Xue Fengchen's heart tremble.

"Heavenly Pride He," Xue Fengchen clasped his hands in greeting, deeply ashamed.

He Qifeng raised her brows: "Our West Wilderness Big Phoenix joined Ran Sect now?"

Xue Fengchen nodded emphatically.

Standing beside Lu Ran, He Qifeng fixed her eyes on Xue Fengchen, muttering quietly:

"Damn you, snatching him first!"

"Tsk~ Whoever picks it first claims it," Lu Ran chuckled.

Xue Fengchen: "..."

Listening to Lu Ran's smug remarks, He Qifeng couldn't help but let out a huff.

Her gaze wandered to Deng Yuxiang and Gao Yunyan, observing them intently for a moment before remarking, "Your northwest escapade yielded quite the bounty!

You even recruited a Sea Realm Great Power?"

"She was still River Realm when I recruited her," Lu Ran shrugged. "We just chatted, and then she ascended straight to Sea Realm.

You couldn't stop it!

Sigh, I don't even know how it happened~"

He Qifeng: ???

You sly fox!

Pulling this again on me?

"Haha!" Gao Yunyan burst into laughter, her voice carrying the boldness unique to the West Desolation Sect.

There wasn't a word of falsehood in Lu Ran's claim.

Gao Yunyan knew this well—had she not met Lu Ran and followed the right leader, she would never have progressed so dramatically in her Mental Realm!

The very notion of advancing to Sea Realm wouldn't exist.

In youth, arrogance was inherent; everyone assumed they stood apart.

Consider Tianhuang Mountain, though!

A mountain brimming with adept disciples of Second-class Gods, their talents unparalleled.

Yet among the middle-aged West Desolation believers, those stuck at Fifth Rank in the River Realm—aren't their numbers abundant?

"Hmph." He Qifeng, both unwilling to concede and irked by Lu Ran's ostentation, couldn't help liking him more and more.

She was utterly conflicted.

"What are you huffing about?" Lu Ran huffed back. "As I recall, someone else ascended to Sea Realm just by chatting with me?"

That shut He Qifeng up.

She pressed her lips tightly together and stopped huffing.

He Qifeng's breakthrough to the River Realm was undoubtedly her own achievement.

Yet there was no denying that showcasing herself to Lu Ran illuminated her Dao Heart to such an extent that she dramatically smashed through her cultivation bottleneck.

"Alright, alright," Lu Ran said, noticing He Qifeng's suppressed frustration, swiftly changing the subject. "These seniors are..."

This time, Big Wind Hall brought fourteen people.

Four were Witch Crow disciples, still hovering in the sky, maintaining vigilance.

It was apparent He Qifeng had trained the Witch Crow disciples well.

The remaining ten, Lu Ran recognized most of them.

The two elders named Gu and Jin, the dignified Yin Tianlong.

The two Bi Wu disciples, Zhu Huai and Zhu Hua, as well as the eighteenth-ranked Heavenly Pride·Hou Yun.

Of the remaining three, Lu Ran didn't recognize them—but those three were all Sea Realm!

Judging by their potency, the trio seemed to be high-rank Sea Realm, possibly even Peak!

Including He Qifeng, this mission brought four Sea Realm Great Powers from Big Wind Hall.

Lu Ran wasn't certain how many Sea Realm masters Wuji Peak possessed. If there were around twenty...

Sending out one-fifth of their Sea Realm force was reasonable.

"Phew..." He Qifeng exhaled deeply.

Having been angered by someone, City Lord He worked on calming herself down.

The Martial Monk lady's dictionary had always contained only "win," never "lose."

But since encountering Lu Ran, her dictionary now had an extra sheet of paper...

"Qifeng?" Lu Ran called out.

"Yes?" He Qifeng looked at the infuriating little River Realm rascal, holding back the urge to smack him flat.

She turned to formally introduce the group to Lu Ran:

"These two seniors are both surnamed Zhang; you may address them as Elder Zhang."

"This one is the Wine-and-Meat True Man."

"Erm..." Lu Ran was baffled, glancing at the smiling "fat monk."

What kind of title is that?

Seeing Lu Ran's confused expression, He Qifeng finally felt somewhat avenged. She nudged him with her elbow, saying, "Hurry up and show your respect!"

"Ah... ah!" Lu Ran immediately greeted them one by one.

"Good, good, Little Friend," the Wine-and-Meat True Man chuckled, raising his large pudgy hand. "Reputation pales in comparison to a meeting in person!

Little Friend is indeed as resplendent and extraordinary as the rumors proclaim!"

Lu Ran, who moments ago had been bewildered, now found his face flushing slightly.

This... This Wine-and-Meat monk greeted me with flattery the moment we met?

Hehe~

You've got a sharp eye!

"Oh?" He Qifeng observed him as though discovering some remarkable treasure, narrowing her eyes at Lu Ran. "Master Lu blushes?

Lu Ran scratched his head. "Let's get moving! No time to delay, we can chat on the way."

"Little Friend Lu."

"Hmm? Wine-and-Meat... Master?" Lu Ran hesitated briefly.

The Wine-and-Meat True Man asked, "I've heard there's Smoke Rain Tea and Flower Fruit Cake at the Thousand Boat Alliance?"

"Ah, right!" Lu Ran nodded immediately. "But don't hold too high an expectation for the flavor, Master."

Previously, Lu Ran did mention to He Qifeng that he'd been attending a banquet, enjoying tea and pastries.

"Good, good, good!" The Wine-and-Meat True Man's plump face was filled with joy; he nodded enthusiastically. "Let's hurry! Quickly now, let's set off!"

Lu Ran: "..."

This was the first time in his life he'd encountered this kind of disciple.

Was he truly one of the renowned, valor-focused Martial Monk disciples?

This chubby monk... felt bizarre.

Lu Ran skeptically glanced at He Qifeng. The Martial Monk lady, her expression lighting up with amusement, feigned confusion: "What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Lu Ran smirked, opting to shift the topic. "With four Sea Realm Martial Monks, the Thousand Boat Alliance is as good as saved.

Heck, we might even charge straight into Thunder Mountain and bring them down!"

Divine Martial Monks, being First-Class Gods, imbue their disciples with the ability to wield Sea Realm techniques.

A Sea Realm Martial Monk punching the ground could summon countless golden dragons from below!

Like a ceaseless torrent!

A staggering destructive force!

With such techniques on their side, wouldn't Thunder Mountain's disciples be left in tatters or blown sky-high?

What more needs to be said?

Lu Ran and company would simply storm in!

"Absolutely not!" He Qifeng rejected decisively.

"Huh?" Lu Ran was baffled, looking toward the Martial Monk lady. Her face bore an expression of sternness.

...

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