At dusk, the setting sun was like blood.

At the peak of a snow-capped mountain, an earthly mirror suddenly opened, and several mysterious figures wearing bamboo hats and clad in raincoats emerged.

"Ice River!" Jing Hong reported immediately.

The weather today was exceptionally good, with no gale howling.

Under the sunset's glow, the entire snow-covered world appeared tranquil and beautiful.

Lu Ran stepped forward, gazing into the northern distance.

A wide, frozen river stretched across the mountain range.

Luo Ying, with her back to the sunset, looked east along the Ice River, her eyes narrowing: "Sect Leader, it's that peak! The tallest one!"

"Oh?" Lu Ran gazed afar, his line of sight gradually rising.

It was a majestic and magnificent snow mountain, its peak towering with an imposing aura of breaking through the nine heavens!

The base of the North Wind Sect was truly impressive.

It could rival the Sword Ridge Peak!

"Sect Leader!" Yu Changsheng timely spoke, "We'd better not rush in recklessly."

Lu Ran: "..."

No!

What kind of person do you think I am in your heart?

How foolish would I be to dare to drive the Ancient Bronze Mirror directly into their lair?

Yu Changsheng noticed Lu Ran's resentful look and smiled: "We are here to gather intelligence, so it's best to avoid conflict. Both the Sect Leader and Nightmare Guardian have the Night Charm Evil Technique, which we can leverage."

Deng Yuxiang gazed at the North Wind Sect's mountain peak: "Cong Long means we should impersonate North Wind Disciples?"

The North Wind Sect and the Night Charm Clan indeed had many similarities in their skills.

Such as the Flying Wind Order and the Night Charm Blade.

Both were in the form of Wind Blades.

Yu Changsheng nodded: "The North Wind Sect is full of strong and cold individuals; they might find it hard to communicate kindly with us as outsiders."

Lu Ran winked at Deng Yuxiang.

Spot on~

Strong and cold, eh?

Deng Yuxiang's face darkened, resisting the urge to kick Lu Ran.

No, I must hold back!

The Sect Members are watching from behind, and I can't let the Sect Master's reputation falter.

Yu Changsheng was well aware that Deng Yuxiang was a former North Wind Disciple.

Though she had become a "North Wind Outcast", Yu Changsheng's assessment of North Wind Disciples still applied to Deng Yuxiang.

Yu Changsheng paused, then added: "This is the North Wind's stronghold, with numerous and formidable adversaries, their conduct is bound to be tougher.

It may be even harder for them to engage us amiably."

Deng Yuxiang shot a covert glance at Lu Ran, then respectfully asked:

"Sect Leader, shall the two of us go to gather information while the others hide in the Snow Forest, ready to assist at any moment?"

Lu Ran: "..."

So fierce!

How would I dare say no?

The group quickly devised a plan, and Lu Ran activated the Transmission Realm, allowing everyone to step into the mountain forest.

"Don't move recklessly or use any Divine Technique to avoid any Divine Power fluctuations," Deng Yuxiang cautioned.

Out of caution for the North Wind Divine Skill·Wind Listening, the Ran Sect members hid far away.

The North Wind Sect's snow mountain stood on the northern side of the Ice River.

Lu Ran took Deng Yuxiang through the woods, heading northward, intending to boldly cross the Ice River since they planned to engage in identity deception.

However, before they set foot on the Ice River, Lu Ran sensed an ambush by the forest edge at the riverside!

"Whoosh~"

Lu Ran casually flicked his hand, and a Night Charm Blade shot out swiftly.

The blade lodged deep into the wood but did not pierce through the tree entirely.

Evidently, this wasn't an attack but a gesture of identifying oneself.

"North Wind Disciple?" From behind a tree emerged a tall and slender middle-aged man.

His face was rugged, his demeanor stern, dressed in a simple white martial outfit.

This was just too North Wind, wasn't it?

"Yes." Deng Yuxiang scrutinized the man beside the tree in the distance, "We were teleported by Lord Beifeng to the southern continent, and after overcoming numerous hardships, we finally arrived here."

The white-clad man remained expressionless outwardly but was inwardly surprised.

Unexpectedly, the woman was so young?

Both Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang had their faces partially obscured by bamboo hats.

The white-clad man observed closely for a moment before gesturing with his hand: "Since you are fellow junior disciples, follow me; let's discuss further within the camp."

Lu Ran grew wary.

Isn't this a bit too easy?

Did merely a Wind Blade suffice to confirm their identities?

Without even learning more about why and how they sought this place... hmm, the counterpart wanted a detailed conversation upon entering the camp.

This so-called "camp" might be easy to enter but difficult to leave.

Deng Yuxiang and Lu Ran exchanged thoughts silently: [This feels off.]

Lu Ran: [Just ask Yan Shuangzi about it.]

"This senior brother!" Deng Yuxiang called out loudly, "Have you heard of our sect's disciple, Yan Shuangzi?"

The expression of the white-clad man slightly changed.

The subtle change was caught by Lu Ran's keen eyes.

This man had maintained a constant expressionless face, even upon seeing Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang.

Why did his expression change upon hearing "Yan Shuangzi"?

White-clad man: "Who?"

"Yan Shuangzi." Deng Yuxiang began to describe, "She's about my height, the same age as me.

She wields a distinctive weapon, a long blade, about 2 meters in length."

The white-clad man pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "There is no such person in Sword Ridge Peak."

Lu Ran's heart sank.

This person is obviously lying!

Then the white-clad man asked: "What is your relation to her? Why are you looking for her?"

Lu Ran interceded, saying: "Senior Sister Yan and both of us were part of the same group challenging the Divine Ruins. Among over ten of us, only she succeeded.

Now, the two of us have also been sent to Holy Spirit Mountain by Lord Beifeng, hoping to find her."

The white-clad man remained unfazed, listening quietly.

Lu Ran played the role to the hilt, displaying a look of helplessness and lament: "This world is too perilous, completely overturning our preconceived notions."

Finally, the white-clad man showed a slight emotion, a faint sneer.

A superior attitude like one who has experienced it before.

Coldly sneering at seeing young people suffer painful lessons.

Lu Ran continued with a sigh: "Senior Sister Yan has long arrived in this realm; if she hasn't perished, she must be extremely powerful!

We are old acquaintances with some rapport, hoping to join her, striving for survival together.

Together we gather Holy Spirit Energy for Lord Beifeng!"

Especially the last sentence, Lu Ran spoke with a sense of righteousness.

The afterglow of the sunset fell on him, seemingly casting Holy Light...

Deng Yuxiang remained silent, feeling somewhat peculiar.

Lu Ran kept calling out "Lord Beifeng", "Divine Lord" repeatedly, fervently pledging loyalty, maintaining a tone of utmost reverence!

Yet back when Lu Ran made a scene in Beifeng City under the very eyes of Divine·Beifeng...

He was wild beyond measure!

"It seems you two have endured much hardship," the white-clad man stated, "Indeed, Holy Spirit Mountain is fraught with dangers, but upon reaching Sword Ridge Peak, you needn't live in constant fear any longer.

Sword Ridge Peak will protect you, follow me."

Saying so, the white-clad man turned to continue on his way.

[We can't go.] Lu Ran commanded mentally, [Also, this guy is lying; he probably has heard of Yan Shuangzi.]

Deng Yuxiang frowned slightly but remained still: [Should we capture him for interrogation?]

"What?" The white-clad man turned back, seeing the both of them unmoving.

He sneered contemptuously: "Were you both educated harshly by Holy Spirit Mountain and now can't even trust your sect?"

Lu Ran, appearing tormented, ultimately said: "Since Senior Sister Yan is not here, we'll seek elsewhere."

White-clad man: "Having reached home, what reason is there to leave again?

You can settle at Sword Ridge Peak initially, perform tasks with fellow disciples, and together seek our sect's disciples."

"Bu Ming, you truly are weak, unable to even control two young juniors." Suddenly, a woman's voice chimed in.

Her tone carried a trace of mockery, undisguised: "How did you infiltrate our North Wind Sect?"

The man named Bu Ming immediately turned toward the voice, replying softly: "Junior Sister Kong seems idle."

Lu Ran also looked in that direction, seeing a short-haired woman float over, followed by two stern-looking men.

These North Wind disciples, judging by aura alone, seemed cut from the same mold.

[I sense four, what about you?] Deng Yuxiang listened closely.

[Just four, perhaps assigned to guard this area?] Lu Ran responded mentally, slowly turning to face the woman who had landed a few meters in front.

The four North Wind disciples formed a surrounding formation around Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang.

The short-haired woman wasn't very old, at most thirty.

Her eyes were particularly icy and full of arrogance, her terrifying aura pressing towards Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang.

She should be at a high level of the River Realm.

Lu Ran felt the oppressive force of higher levels.

Deng Yuxiang: [These ones are all in the River Realm, and this Kong and the Bu behind us are probably at the River Realm Peak.]

"Kneel." Kong Jingqi stood with hands behind her back, slightly raising her chin, coldly gazing at them.

Deng Yuxiang's face turned cold.

Lu Ran remained motionless.

"Can't you hear my command?" Kong Jingqi's voice became even colder, "I told you to kneel!"

Lu Ran spoke, "Since the person we're looking for isn't here, we will depart. As fellow disciples, serving Lord Beifeng, we ask you not to trouble us..."

Behind Lu Ran, Bu Ming remained expressionless, silently watching the scene unfold.

However, Bu Ming's quiet observation still made it challenging for Kong Jingqi to maintain her façade.

Previously mocking that Bu Ming couldn't control young juniors, now...

She couldn't seem to control them herself either?

Kong Jingqi forcefully interrupted Lu Ran's words, her eyes turning fierce, her mouth uttering three words:

"Kneel, or die."

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds...

Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang remained unmoved.

"Seems Holy Spirit Mountain hasn't taught you how to behave yet!" Kong Jingqi sneered, casually summoning a Wind Blade, "Remember, you brought this upon yourselves!"

Deng Yuxiang's eyes grew cold, suddenly she spoke: "Did it teach you?"

Kong Jingqi paused, incredulous at Deng Yuxiang.

Such audacity! How dare she speak to me like that?!

Can't she read the situation?

Indeed, the young woman standing before her had considerable strength, likely at a high level in the River Realm.

But... does she truly think she's so strong?

She must want to die!!

[Push me.] Lu Ran telepathically signaled, stepping forward, loudly exclaiming, "No, don't don't don't!"

He blocked in front of Deng Yuxiang, turning to look at the short-haired woman a few meters behind them, his expression anxious, continuously pleading:

"Senior Sister! Senior Sister, please restrain your anger. We'll follow orders; we'll kneel right away..."

"If you want to kneel, you kneel, scram!" Deng Yuxiang shoved Lu Ran aside.

"You!" Lu Ran staggered, seemed to lose balance, but suddenly lunged forward!

Kong Jingqi's expression drastically changed!

Instinctively, she raised her weapon to block, her figure retreating rapidly.

The young man clad in green raincoat and bamboo hat no longer showed any signs of panic or pleading.

As his raincoat fluttered, a glimmer of red magically appeared!

Their eyes met briefly, causing the short-haired woman to grow both furious and aghast.

The raincoated man's eyes were icy cold, his gaze flickered with a demonic dark red.

Holy Spirit Mountain,

did indeed teach me a lot.

But...

Perhaps it didn't teach you well?

...

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