Lu Ran was ecstatic!

Jiang Ruyi has commenced her advancement mode? Heading straight for the Heavenly Realm!

He didn't dare to delay, immediately carrying Jiang Ruyi to the seclusion room, then hurriedly withdrew, fearing to disturb her advancement.

After returning to his chamber, Lu Ran indulged in secret joy for a while before entering the Spiritual World.

"Big Nightmare!"

"Hm?" Deng Yuxiang looked at the diminutive human clan nearby, slightly raising an eyebrow, "What's made you so happy?"

She was in the sculpture garden, akin to being confined in a small dark room, unaware of all that occurred outside.

"Ruyi is advancing to the Heavenly Realm." Lu Ran said happily.

"Oh." Deng Yuxiang smiled a bit, not surprised.

Jiang Ruyi was the least of her worries, even perceiving that among the Ran Sect members, Jiang Ruyi's Dao Heart was the purest.

Without any impurities.

Jiang Ruyi need not consider anything else, her path was incredibly clear, and singular.

Lu Ran needed to rise higher, because Jiang Ruyi would eventually be guided to reach the heights he touched.

"Come on, shall I help you craft a body?" Lu Ran proposed.

Deng Yuxiang tilted her head slightly, indicating behind her, "Mr. Conglong wishes to speak with you."

"Mr. Conglong?" Lu Ran flew to the third row.

"Sect Leader!" Yu Changsheng was succinct, "While the Sect Leader returns to the mountain this time, I'll attempt to have the stone sculpture stand amidst the sea, to observe its energy consumption?"

"Hm, also good." Lu Ran contemplated, then exited the sculpture garden.

In the next instant, he was already appearing outside Heaven's Edge, descending towards the sea, as a luxurious silvery-white fish tail sprouted from his waist, enveloping his legs.

With a splash, waves erupted!

Lu Ran dove two to three hundred meters, suspending himself in the pitch-black sea域, slowly raising his right hand.

"Hoo!!"

Amidst a terrifying energy fluctuation, a massive stone sculpture rapidly assembled and formed.

Lu Ran shielded his face with one hand, letting the turbulence push him backward.

[Mr. Conglong?] Lu Ran attempted to communicate telepathically.

[Sect Leader, please wait.] A message from Yu Changsheng imprinted in his mind.

The Conglong Stone Sculpture indeed left the sculpture garden, but both sides could still communicate telepathically.

Lu Ran nodded silently, consistent with his past experiences, every time he summoned the stone sculpture from the garden and fused with the Ran Sect warriors, Lu Ran could clearly issue commands to the stone sculpture.

He pondered for a moment, a surge of energy manifesting in his right hand.

"Pop~" A small Mo Li quietly emerged, its fish mouth opening and closing, releasing a string of bubbles.

Utterly adorable.

Lu Ran felt assured!

Not only could he communicate telepathically, but he could also continue to employ the techniques related to the Conglong Stone Sculpture.

But a problem arose, wasn't Conglong already out of the sculpture garden?

Every time Lu Ran exercised the Divine Technique and Evil Technique, he had to closely connect with the pseudo god stone sculpture within the garden to perform the technique.

From this perspective…

The Conglong Stone Sculpture indeed left, but Lu Ran keenly sensed that through that mysterious sculpture garden, they were still tightly connected!

Thus, the sculpture garden was the medium for everything!

It was the origin of the Conglong Stone Sculpture, deeply rooted in Lu Ran's mind.

"Indeed." Lu Ran nodded silently, a sudden thought striking him.

If he were to return to the Human World at this moment, could he still telepathically communicate and smoothly perform techniques with the Conglong Stone Sculpture?

He must give it a try.

As Lu Ran contemplated, he received another telepathic message from Yu Changsheng: [Sect Leader, the situation looks favorable.]

[Oh?]

[As my entity assembles and stabilizes, it hardly consumes any Origin Energy anymore.] Yu Changsheng expressed delightedly.

This provided a potential for his next plan!

[Good.] Lu Ran exhaled a sigh of relief.

If the stone sculpture continuously consumed massive amounts of Origin Energy while in existence, it would be dreadful…

Who could afford it?

[Sect Leader, can you still employ my techniques?]

[I can, I just tested it.] Lu Ran then explained his understanding of the relationship between the sculpture garden and stone sculpture.

Yu Changsheng pondered, slowly stating: [I dare to discuss a matter with Sect Leader.]

[Mr. Conglong, no need to hesitate, just say it.] Lu Ran was a bit puzzled.

[I think the Sect Leader should have a contingency plan.] Yu Changsheng said seriously.

A contingency plan?

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

[The Sect Leader treats people sincerely, cares for subordinates, recognizes followers, generously bestows the stone sculpture.] Yu Changsheng's words were slow, as if formulating his thoughts, [but the future is uncertain; no one knows what may happen.]

Lu Ran remained silent, awaiting further elaboration.

[I actually knew you just employed my technique without interference from me; you could do it at will, but if…]

[If what?]

[Sect Leader, why not try again to see if the technique is still executable?]

Lu Ran immediately summoned the small Mo Li.

The situation that unfolded next made him deeply furrow his brows.

He encountered an unprecedented obstruction, with no small Mo Li appearing in his palm.

Yu Changsheng spoke solemnly: [I am not a stone sculpture born within the sculpture garden; previously, when you prohibited me from performing techniques, essentially you commanded the stone sculpture, thereby forcibly limiting me.

Now that the stone sculpture is gone, I have entirely replaced it.

I possess intellect, have my own opinions, and can make decisions for myself.]

Lu Ran silently stared at his palm, the small Mo Li never appearing.

[I know the Ran Sect warriors are loyal, and I do not believe anyone dares to defy you, but…]

[I understand.] Lu Ran said softly.

Yu Changsheng decisively skipped over this point and continued: [Furthermore, perhaps the Stone Sculpture and the Sect Leader are too far apart, you may not be able to cast spells.]

[Maybe a Pseudo God Stone Sculpture is heavily injured, dies in battle, etc., then you won't be able to use its skills.]

Yu Changsheng spared his colleagues some face and didn't mention them being persuaded otherwise.

After all, this not only concerns the personality of colleagues but also Lu Ran's judgement in selecting people and his ability to manage them.

[Mm.] Lu Ran nodded lightly. Whether subjective or objective factors, he ought to find alternatives for his core technique.

So, what exactly is his core technique?

Instant Teleportation?

Yan Shuangzi would sooner or later merge with the Greedy Wolf-Evil Dog Stone Sculpture and then leave the Sculpture Garden.

It's not that Lu Ran wished for her to die in battle, but as Yu Changsheng suggested, one must have a backup plan!

Therefore, the Evil Sculpture possessing the Instant Teleportation Technique — Blood Skull must not be given to others.

But... is Instant Teleportation really that important?

In the past month of Heavenly Realm battles, he's rarely used this skill.

Not even using it. How can that be considered a core technique?

Lu Ran pressed his lips together, deeply analyzing himself, and finally realized what is most crucial in his battle system.

Evil Sense!

The ability to enhance the five senses and gather and process a large amount of information in a short time.

Evil Sensitivity!

Elevating control over the body to an unlimited degree, quick actions, nimble reactions.

And Power Amplification!

Indeed, these techniques, hidden in the dark and unnoticed, are the foundation of everything.

Blood Skull Evil Technique·Burning Blood Body can, indeed, fully amplify body attributes.

The terrifying techniques from the Evil Demon Leader amplify speed, agility, and strength to top levels in the world.

But on the aspect of perception, it falls short.

Considering this, the Second-class God Demon Mountain Lord - Yinli Tiger, must be kept.

At least one must be kept.

[Thank you, Mr. Conglong, for your guidance. I'll carefully consider it upon returning.] Lu Ran solemnly responded.

Conglong Stone Sculpture held a giant Stone Fan, slightly bowed, and cupped his hands toward Lu Ran.

Then, he changed the topic: [Sect Leader! Why not let me stay in this sea area, root at the sea bottom, and guard the ends of the earth?]

Lu Ran frowned slightly: [Slaying 10 Great Sea Realm Demons in the Mountain Realm is just barely comparable to slaying one Heavenly Realm minion in the Heavenly Realm.]

Yu Changsheng added: [The urgent matter for the Sect Leader is still to cultivate Luoshen Divine General and Martial Emperor.]

Lu Ran: "..."

Yu Changsheng advised: [An auxiliary like me is not the highest priority for assembling the Ran Sect team.

Our summoned physical bodies are essentially proxies. Even if injured or dead, it's just a resource loss, without harming the Pseudo God Stone Sculpture itself.]

Lu Ran remained silent, with a sense of guilt rising in his heart.

Clearly, Yu Changsheng was the first to advance to the Heavenly Realm, yet now he willingly gives way.

From start to finish, the strategist's every action stems from dedication to Ran Sect.

For Lu Ran, the person.

[Sect Leader, at the ends of the earth, soldiers often advance, for instance, at present, my Stone Sculpture stands here, capable of purifying a significant amount of pure Holy Spirit Energy.]

That was the truth.

The mist caused by Jiang Ruyi advancing to the Heavenly Realm extended to a radius of eight hundred meters; though there was no mist in the sea, energy indeed existed there.

Yu Changsheng laughed: [The Sect Leader mustn't forget that Great Sea Realm Demons are the kings of Holy Spirit Mountain, accidents are rare. In the vast sea, there's likely Evil Demon minions lingering for decades in this realm.]

They contain an astonishing total amount of resources in their bodies...]

[Mr. Conglong.]

[Sect Leader, you speak.]

Lu Ran solemnly said: [I will quickly find Divine Mountain, plunder Dead Souls, and cultivate Luoshen Divine General and Martial Emperor as soon as possible, then come to retrieve you.]

Yu Changsheng spoke quietly: [Sect Leader, I indeed believe that catching one Great Sea Realm Demon can directly satiate hunger.]

Lu Ran laughed silently.

Yu Changsheng also laughed: [Nowadays, many soldiers of Ran Sect have reached the Fourth and Fifth Ranks of Sea Realm.

The coming period will see an unprecedented explosive growth in our comprehensive strength!]

Lu Ran deeply agreed with this.

Yu Changsheng's expression grew serious: [More and more Stone Sculptures will need the Sect Leader's cultivation! I believe the Sect Leader should aim to establish teams and choose Stone Sculptures for cultivation in sequence.

Once the team is formed, soldiers can help one another, fast-tracking growth, not relying solely on the Sect Leader alone.]

Lu Ran nodded lightly, once again saying: [Thank you for your guidance, sir.]

Yu Changsheng: [Before some Stone Sculptures are placed as main cultivation targets, the Sect Leader can first hide them in the mountains, let them venture into Evil Demon bases, and grow independently.]

This comment inevitably made Lu Ran think of Tufeng.

Perhaps, Tufeng could be sent to Soul-locking Mountain?

There, shrouded in gray mist, with three or four Evil Nests hidden in the mountain, the Evil Demons generally have low intelligence, not lacking means to devour Dead Souls.

Let Tufeng grow there first, nothing could be more fitting.

[Sect Leader, I will stay here and focus on cultivation.] Yu Changsheng communicated while holding the Stone Fan and sending it forward.

"Whoosh!!" Waves of energy surged.

The enormous Stone Fan continually transformed, stone pieces peeling away, eventually revealing its true form.

Divine Weapon·River of Mist and Rain Fan!

There was also a black Command Flag, similarly returning from a large stone product to its original appearance.

Magic Artifact·Black Armor Command Flag!

Lu Ran glanced over and saw that Yu Changsheng's Sea Realm physical body, wrapped in a gold and black soft veil, swiftly swam over and picked up the fan and the flag respectively.

"Sect Leader, I'll send you off." Yu Changsheng swam beside Lu Ran, speaking directly under the veil's protection.

[Then I will not disturb Mr. Conglong's cultivation.] Lu Ran looked deeply at Yu Changsheng, [No need to send me.]

With those words, Lu Ran's figure vanished.

In the tranquil sea region, remained one large and one small, one sculpture and one person.

...

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