Lu Ran gently held the Smoke and Mist Silk in one hand, savoring its extraordinary texture.

It was as light as morning fog and as delicate and smooth as silk, with a golden-red gloss reminiscent of a magnificent sunset.

Lu Ran was inwardly delighted~

The Smoke and Mist Silk seemed to perceive Lu Ran's admiration, slowly rising and swaying to create a graceful melody on its own.

Lu Ran admired it for quite a while before he realized there were still three distinguished people waiting in the cave.

Looking around, Leng Tianxing remained stern-faced, Leng Tianyue also had an icy demeanor, but with a softer gaze.

Huangfu Zhao, on the other hand, smiled warmly at Lu Ran without any reservations.

He even gave off a feeling of paternal affection...

The three present were indeed from the generation of Lu Ran's parents; the Leng siblings looked similar in age to his mother, while Huangfu Zhao was simply an "uncle".

"Ahem." Lu Ran cleared his throat and looked at the Leng siblings, "Now, let's discuss what Divine Sculpture and Evil Sculpture you both will inherit."

The siblings glanced at each other.

"I hear one of you is a Star Official Disciple, and the other a Believer of the Flashing Star Demon?" Lu Ran continued.

"Yes, Young Master," they replied.

"Both of us have revered the Star Official. Since ascending to the Heavenly Realm, I was claimed by the Evil God·Flashing Star Demon," Leng Tianyue explained in more detail.

"Claimed?" Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly.

Leng Tianyue nodded and said, "Unlike other believers who fell into the Demon Path, I had no choice. Switching allegiance to the Flashing Star Demon clan was decided by the God Demon."

"Oh," Lu Ran acknowledged.

It seems that as Human Clan believers entered the Heavenly Realm, the God Demon no longer pretended.

Well... There's no need to pretend anyway, given the battlefield full of God Demon minions joining forces to resist enemies.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and said, "You siblings will continue to serve as Star Official and Flashing Star Demon, but the difference is, you are no longer believers controlled by the God Demon, but inheritors of the Stone Sculpture."

Fake God!

The siblings had already been briefed by Huangfu Zhao and knew the extent to which they would be radically transformed.

"Young Master." Leng Tianyue made a gesture to perform a grand salute.

Lu Ran, quick as a flash, released red silk threads from his fingertips, directly tethering the woman, "Among our own, there's no need for such courtesy. Aunt Leng... just speak frankly about your thoughts."

Leng Tianxing's gaze flickered slightly at the red silk threads from the Tangled Silk Shadow clan.

As the threads withdrew, Leng Tianyue pleaded, "Young Master, can I depart from the Star Official-Flashing Star Demon faction?"

"You can. Aunt Leng, do you have any favored God Demon you wish for?"

"Moon Spirit, perhaps?" Leng Tianyue felt a bit anxious inside and looked up at the gallant young man.

She desired a Divine Sculpture!

Moreover, she might receive an Evil Sculpture as a bonus! It's the qualification for Becoming a God and the leverage to challenge God Demons.

By comparison, a mere Third Rank Magic Artifact·Smoke and Mist Silk fundamentally pales in value.

Her ability to stand here and speak was entirely thanks to Sect Master Qiao's protection.

Upon hearing "Moon Spirit," Lu Ran naturally glanced at Huangfu Zhao.

Clearly, Mr. Huangfu had shared a lot with the siblings. Last time when selecting Stone Sculpture at Wuya, coincidentally clashed multiple times with Ran Sect warriors.

Now, the Stone Sculpture chosen by Leng Tianyue happened to have no inheritor.

Even the normally composed Huangfu Zhao seemed a bit flustered, bowing his head, "Young Master, I was with the Leng siblings..."

"No worries." Lu Ran waved his hand with a smile, "Considering the Cloud Sea old members is considering the Ran Sect."

Huangfu Zhao felt somewhat relieved.

"Then let it be Moon Spirit." Lu Ran muttered.

The brother is a Star Official, the sister is Moon Spirit, isn't it quite fitting?

Third-class God·Moon Spirit!

The Moon Spirit faction excels in both offense and defense, most techniques are associated with the Moon Element.

The Moon Spirit herself is depicted as a lady, with a cool elegance, her face veiled, making people wish to glimpse her beauty.

Her counterpart Evil Demon is a beast-like Evil God.

Such pairings are quite common in the Da Xia God Demon system.

Martial Monk corresponds to Jade-faced Snake, Dong Ting corresponds to Purple Thunder Demon Roc, Lie Tian corresponds to Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragon.

Moon Spirit's duality is a toad...

It's quite fantastical.

And fitting.

Lu Ran looked at Leng Tianxing, "Uncle Leng still chooses Star Official-Flashing Star Demon?"

Leng Tianxing cupped his fists and bowed, "Yes! The Young Master can call us Tianxing and Tianyue, that's what your mother called us."

"Alright." Lu Ran then turned to Huangfu Zhao, "When do you plan to join my Ran Sect, sir?"

Huangfu Zhao naturally wished to detach himself from the control of Divine·Dongting as soon as possible and attempt to break through to the Heavenly Realm·Third Level.

Yet he harbored some reservations.

Once he threw his lot in with Lu Ran, from Dong Ting's perspective, Huangfu Zhao would be considered dead, his soul swallowed by Faceless Jade Venerable.

Henceforth, Huangfu Zhao could no longer approach the Divine Mountain nor gather intelligence.

"Mr. Huangfu?"

"Young Master, Xiang Wang he..." Huangfu Zhao hesitated.

Lu Ran sighed inwardly.

Spiritual Image Disciple·Xiang Wang, one of the six remaining Cloud Sea old members who hadn't returned.

He was stamped under the foot of the God, imprisoned in the Divine Mountain.

From the perspective of blocking the Human Clan's advancement, the God should easily be able to wreak havoc on a believer's body, causing meridian damage and severe internal injury.

Thus, Xiang Wang's prolonged imprisonment is definitely not due to physical strength.

But rather, his refusal to concede!

If he were as adaptable as Wuya, Xiang Wang might have been released by now.

Obviously, he is a person of considerable persistence.

He is also a person who does not bend.

How does one rescue a prisoner personally imprisoned by a God?

Hide oneself and simply steal the person away?

Bee Elephant Divine Mountain is full of poisonous flowers, with pollen floating in the air; hiding would get you discovered.

Just snatch him?

Not to mention entering the den of gods and demons to steal someone away, Xiang Wang's sensitive status makes this imprudent.

To this day, Lu Ran and the two small teams of the Ran Sect have been extremely cautious, aiming to improve their Realm and combat power as much as possible before the gods and demons notice.

Acting rashly would inevitably cause many entanglements.

The ever-unfailing solution to all difficulties and obstacles ultimately points to a single answer—strength.

"Sir, please go to Bee Elephant Divine Mountain once more." Lu Ran sighed softly, "If Senior Xiang Wang is still imprisoned, then sir, please join my sect.

Integrate with a Stone Sculpture soon and enhance your strength as quickly as possible."

"Yes." Huangfu Zhao nodded.

He also understood that becoming stronger was the right path.

Lu Ran pondered silently, and the figure of Grandpa Cheng Li of the Cheng Family appeared in his mind.

The first generation battle sheep is one of the few in Lu Ran's camp who can openly enter the Divine Mountain.

If Cheng Li could be dispatched to the Heavenly Realm under the guise of seeking asylum to enter Bee Elephant Divine Mountain, gather intelligence, and report in real-time, it seems like a good solution?

Unfortunately, Grandpa Cheng Li is of the Sea Realm, Fourth Rank, ineligible for ascension, and has no reason to appear in the Heavenly Realm.

Last time returning to the Human World, Lu Ran deliberately gave two Stone Sculptures, Bi Wu and Tree Face Demon, to Cheng Yi and Cheng Li.

The two elders have been battle sheep all their lives; having them change their style is naturally extremely difficult.

Their core combat system is, of course, the Immortal Sheep Divine Technique. Allowing the two elders to inherit Bi Wu and Tree Face Demon holds greater significance in increasing the cultivation limit and speed.

Another point: This pair of gods and demons both possess the Rejuvenation Technique!

They can use the Healing Technique to often heal and maintain their aging bodies, rejuvenating them and helping them ascend to the Heavenly Realm more smoothly.

"Young Master, this subordinate has something to report."

"Please speak, sir." Lu Ran returned to his senses and looked curiously at Huangfu Zhao.

"This subordinate's situation is somewhat special." Huangfu Zhao said seriously, "After breaking free from the control of Lord Dong Ting, this subordinate thought about temporarily not integrating with a Stone Sculpture.

I can attempt to challenge the Third Level of the Heavenly Realm with a human body!"

"Oh?" Lu Ran's eyes lit up, "Sir's potential is not yet exhausted and can still reach higher levels?"

Huangfu Zhao nodded emphatically: "This subordinate believes that my talent has not been fully realized! The years of cultivation have always been stagnant, very possibly due to Lord Dong Ting's interference."

Lu Ran nodded, suddenly blurting out, "Still calling him Lord, huh?"

Huangfu Zhao was slightly stunned, then smiled self-deprecatingly: "This subordinate has been controlled for too many years, trained to the point of not being human."

"Sir, please don't say such things. After meeting me, your resolute decision to walk with me shows you've never given up the fight."

Huangfu Zhao remained silent, saying nothing.

He didn't want to contradict the Young Master, nor did he want to flatter himself.

At this stage of development, his fate has reached here only because of Lu Ran's timely appearance.

A few days later, who knows what would have become of that numb body.

Lu Ran faintly sensed Huangfu Zhao's feelings and changed the subject: "Coincidentally, I'm also working hard towards the Second Level of the Heavenly Realm. Maybe I can ride on sir's success."

The matter of advancement, those concrete plans aren't set yet, but Huangfu Zhao, being cautious, immediately said:

"Young Master, breaking through on the Heavenly Realm battlefield, I'm afraid it will be fraught with difficulties!"

Lu Ran agreed very much.

A few days ago, the Divine Weapon's advancement during the Big Nightmare truly taught Lu Ran a lesson.

It was so damn hard!

Fortunately, the Divine Weapon only needed half an hour to advance; if it were a human's advancement, it would take a month... what do humans have to advance with?

Without being in the Divine Mountain and under the protection of gods and demons, human Believers have no path but death!

"So we will cultivate on the Heavenly Realm battlefield, and once everything is ready, return to Holy Spirit Mountain to break through." Lu Ran offered the solution.

That sounds great!

Huangfu Zhao nodded repeatedly, then spoke to excuse himself: "Then I'll head to Bee Elephant Divine Mountain."

"Take care, sir." Lu Ran looked at the resolute-faced man.

Huangfu Zhao nodded to the Leng Family siblings, electric current spreading at his feet, a purple glow darting away.

This trip is a chance for Xiang Wang.

It's also a chance for himself.

Lu Ran watched the rapidly disappearing silhouette, feelings growing heavier.

There was something he never said.

Do gods and demons really indulge those who defy them?

Do they indulge those unyielding souls?

Xiang Wang is said to be imprisoned, but Huangfu Zhao has never seen him!

Is Senior Xiang... already...

"Whew~"

Smoke and Mist Silk danced gracefully, drawing a beautiful arc, and gently took off half a mask.

It tenderly brushed against Lu Ran's cheek.

Lu Ran lowered his head, rubbing his cheeks from side to side, and softly said, "Thank you."

...

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