Lu Ran kept his promise, ran an errand, and handed the Nine-ring Golden Zen Staff to He Qifeng before quickly returning to Cloud Sea Cliff.

Then, Lu Ran dove straight into the seclusion room to have a heart-to-heart conversation with Deng Yuxiang.

A few days later, on a certain night, Lu Ran's face betrayed a hint of disappointment as he was unceremoniously chased out of the room by Deng Yuxiang.

His ambitious spirit had been doused with a bucket of cold water.

From head to toe.

Deng Yuxiang's path was clear, and from certain perspectives, she was even more determined and resolute than Lu Ran!

However, ascending to the Sea Realm is not something that can be achieved casually.

Talent, effort, insight, and luck—all are indispensable.

To become a person of great power, hard work is naturally a given.

Deng Yuxiang was already deeply bonded with the Night Charm Evil Sculpture, achieving a high level of fusion, and her talent was undoubtedly top-tier.

In terms of insight, Deng Yuxiang had also reached a sufficient height and depth.

In her youth, she had taken root in the modest Rain Alley City, but now she had broadened her horizons and earned the right to expand the concept of "homeland" to encompass the entire mortal realm.

The determined path Deng Yuxiang ventured upon, her ambition, had even touched the realm of God Demons.

Lu Ran did not think her insights were lacking in depth.

All things considered, perhaps she simply lacked a touch of luck.

Who knows when that fleeting epiphany, coveted by all, might suddenly descend.

"Hah..."

In the pitch-black forest, Lu Ran stood at the cave entrance, surveying the silent night.

Big Nightmare... what a ruthless heart you have!

I spent days and nights discussing philosophy with you, and you just send me home to sleep?

After all, I am your Sect Leader—how could you just kick me out like that?

Seriously... Hmph, I'm not sleeping!

Lu Ran's figure flashed and arrived at the sea cliff.

The moon hung sparsely, the wind gentle over the vast seas.

He closed his eyes, letting the salty sea breeze brush against his face. Gradually, he felt less agitated.

After a while, Lu Ran shook his head and laughed softly.

His impulsive tendency—he still hadn't managed to change it!

No helping it.

The temptation of personally guiding someone to the Sea Realm was just too great.

Alas, epiphanies aren't something you can summon on demand; even if you've prepared everything, you still need to wait for the right opportunity.

"Splash—"

Lu Ran opened his eyes, listening to the sound of waves crashing against the rocks, looking out toward the distant night sky.

Then let's give the Nightmare Guardian and Mad Immortal Guardian enough time for them to ponder deeply at the cliff!

I'll take a team out to sea, seek out Immortal Islands, gather Spiritual Energy, and nurture the Divine Sculptures without delay.

If they suddenly enter the breakthrough mode, we have Evil Technique·Mirror Flower Moon on hand, and with a few teleportations, we'll be back in no time.

Lu Ran pondered silently, calling out in his mind: [Evil Shadow, go invite Mr. Cong Long over.]

[Yes.]

Lu Ran sat down and casually dangled his legs over the edge of the cliff, swinging them leisurely.

Moments later, a drowsy-looking Yu Changsheng approached Lu Ran from behind: "Sect Leader."

"I apologize for interrupting your rest, sir." Lu Ran didn't turn his head.

Yu Changsheng's gaze was deep, but the words coming from his mouth were entirely inconsistent with his expression: "Not at all.

Since the Sect Leader has summoned me late at night, surely there's something urgent to discuss!"

"Nothing major." Lu Ran lowered his head, watching the waves crash against the rocks below, "After days of discussing philosophy with the Nightmare Guardian, it's been a while since I've seen you, sir. I've missed you a bit."

Yu Changsheng: ???

Lu Ran suddenly turned his head, tilting his face upward to look at the man: "Don't you miss me, sir?"

Yu Changsheng twitched his lips awkwardly.

For a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

"Haha ~" Lu Ran grinned, "I'm planning to go out to sea tomorrow; what do you think, sir?"

Yu Changsheng finally took a sigh of relief, though his gaze carried a hint of resentment: "Sect Leader is finally heading out to sea."

"Indeed." Lu Ran nodded slightly, "I plan to locate the Evil Mirror Demon, gather Holy Spirit Energy, and by the way, search for the Sea Merfolk Clan in the Far Sea Region."

"Sea Merfolk." Yu Changsheng seemed thoughtful.

Lu Ran nodded slightly: "I'll blend into the clan's ranks to compensate for some of my weaknesses so that I won't fear Water Element Techniques anymore.

I can also summon the Sea Merfolk Clan to assist the Mo Li Clan, solidifying our side's control over this sea region."

"Good!" Yu Changsheng immediately nodded.

Lu Ran made a faint sound of agreement and continued, "Nightmare and Mad Immortal are both working hard to gain insights and breakthrough into the Great Realm. We need someone to guard them.

What does sir think—who should I take with me this time?"

Yu Changsheng deliberated for a moment before replying, "Most Ran Sect disciples aren't skilled in naval combat; Sect Leader could take me and Xun along."

Lu Ran silently nodded.

Yu Changsheng added, "The Evil Shadow Guardian, who's been following Sect Leader, must stay behind as well."

Evil Dog Evil Skill·Evil Recognition is Yan Shuangzi's essential tool for both daily life and combat.

The Sea Merfolk Clan, however, possesses a sound-based technique called the Sea Merfolk Song!

This technique is exceptionally grating—it can cause splitting headaches on a physical level, while on a mental level, it can throw targets into panic and confusion.

For someone like Yan Shuangzi, stepping into the Far Sea Region would undoubtedly be extraordinarily perilous.

"Hm?" Lu Ran frowned slightly, detecting a faint hint of hostility.

Clearly, Yan Shuangzi was deeply dissatisfied with Yu Changsheng's words.

Yu Changsheng appeared oblivious, standing motionless and unperturbed.

"Restrain your hostility." Lu Ran interjected.

The atmosphere around the sea cliff quickly returned to normal; the sea breeze resumed its peaceful dance, restoring tranquility.

Lu Ran was speechless!

Yan Shuangzi, Yan Shuangzi—do you dare?

You're only at the Initial Stage of the River Realm and still dare to show attitude to Yu Changsheng of the Sea Realm Fourth Rank...

Hm... that's rather bold—much like the spirit of your Sect Leader!

Just a few months ago, when I faced the Sea Realm disciples of Sword One and Jade Talisman, I too took them head-on~

"What say you, sir, perhaps you should also remain here at Cloud Sea Cliff?" Lu Ran suddenly proposed.

Yu Changsheng spoke softly, "Sect Leader, I understand your concern for the guardians' safety, but the defensive forces on our side are fairly strong, not to mention that the Luoshen General is stationed here.

If something does come up, Sect Leader could activate the copper mirror a few times, and we would be back in no time."

Lu Ran silently approved; great minds really do think alike.

Yu Changsheng emphasized with a more determined tone, "Sect Leader, your safety is the most important."

"Alright, sir, go get some rest; we'll set off tomorrow morning." Lu Ran readily agreed.

"Understood." Yu Changsheng took his leave, but after walking a few steps, he stopped again, "Sect Leader, you should catch some sleep too.

Once we head out, who knows when you'll be able to rest properly again?"

Lu Ran casually lay back, gazing at the stars in the night sky: "Tonight, I'm sleeping here."

Yu Changsheng saw Lu Ran's carefree posture and couldn't help but smile silently.

A few months ago, Lu Ran had been quietly melancholic and homesick here.

But now...

Whether or not Lu Ran still missed home, outwardly, he appeared utterly nonchalant.

Maybe this is what they call growth.

...

The night passed without further events, and the next morning.

Lu Ran managed everything at the cliff, instructed the Nightmare and Mad Immortal Guardians to focus on their insights, and then, surrounded by a group of send-off soldiers, he activated an Ancient Bronze Mirror.

The prisoners had revealed that there were plenty of islands in the sea, and as for the ones where the Evil Mirror Demon Clan frequented, they could be found by simply traveling east.

Lu Ran then fixed his gaze toward the direction of the rising sun and activated Evil Technique·Mirror Flower Moon.

After leaving the region controlled by nine giant fish, the trio prepared to plunge into the water.

This journey was not just about seeking islands but also about bringing havoc!

Mo Li, Fisherman, Sea Merfolk, and all the other water-dwelling Evil Demons—they were all targets!

"Xun!" Lu Ran stepped out of the Transmission Mirror and addressed Ran Sect's Divine General, "We're about to dive into the sea; do you have any advice?"

Xun Yifei, a seasoned naval combatant, was someone whose opinion was always worth considering.

Xun Yifei, holding a Divine Weapon, hovered above the surface: "Since the Sect Leader intends to hunt as many Evil Demons as possible, once we enter the water, we can advance in a triangular formation.

Let me lead the front, while you and Mr. Cong Long flank me on either side, using the appropriate techniques to maximize our perception range."

"Alright!" Lu Ran nodded immediately.

Xun Yifei pointed his Divine Weapon downward, diving straight into the water.

Now, Lu Ran knew the name of this three-pointed, double-edged blade—"Flying Waterfall Streams."

The name aligned perfectly with the effects of its Divine Weapon Domain!

"Splash!"

"Splash..." The trio plunged into the sea, swiftly forming their triangular formation.

Xun Yifei took the lead, clearing the path for the team.

Lu Ran immediately unleashed countless illusory Mo Lis.

Yu Changsheng called forth the Rain-summoning Carp, and for mobility purposes, he carried the small golden Dragon Carp in his arms.

Golden threads of rain fell vertically into the sea.

Though called rain, they were actually fine golden light beams that resemble rain; this perception technique was unaffected by the surrounding environment.

Lu Ran and Yu Changsheng were wrapped in soft veils, one black and one gold, flanking the rear as they followed Xun Yifei forward.

The trio advanced for a long while without encountering any Evil Demons.

In the vast expanse of the sea, finding an Evil Demon tribe wasn't an easy task.

"Gurgle~"

Feeling a little bored, Lu Ran blew out a tiny bubble.

Truth be told, Lu Ran hadn't experienced much of what it felt like to travel underwater.

The black veil coiled around him like a beautiful spiral, wrapping his body; it felt more like he was floating weightlessly in outer space rather than swimming.

Nor did he feel suffocated—the black veil provided all the conditions necessary for survival.

Just as Lu Ran was about to have the group surface to verify their direction, he suddenly noticed something—the illusory Dragon Carps seemed to have touched something?

Lu Ran turned sharply, looking down and to his right.

The area looked completely empty, with nothing there.

Nothing?

What nonsense!

My beloved Mo Lis touched you—show yourself already!

"Whoosh!"

Without hesitation, Lu Ran reached out with a move called "White Dragon Probing the Seas."

Okay, technically, it was Evil Technique·Immortal Sky Python!

An illusory white-scaled giant python shot out, roaring toward the lower right.

"Buzz!"

Energy surged, water ripples vibrated.

Lu Ran's eyes immediately narrowed!

The enemy he sensed had evidently evaded, but beyond the range of Evil Skill·Mo Li's perception field, Lu Ran saw another who was forced into revealing themselves by the giant python's attack!

The figure resembled a handsome young man with long silver-white hair.

He wore a mysterious silver mask shaped like tiny wings over his eyes.

He was shirtless, revealing a muscular torso, but his lower body was a long, silver-white fish tail!

The elongated fish tail resembled a silver-white, flowing gown, radiant and elegant, swishing lightly as he swam.

Not a disciple under the Luoshen General Yan Qing.

But indeed, hidden in water, invisible and formless—a member of the Evil Demon Sea Merfolk Clan!

"Oh, damn!" Lu Ran's heart tightened.

When had this group snuck up on them?

And there was no telling how many others were lurking nearby...

Lu Ran quickly deactivated Evil Technique·Evil Sense, plunging his vision into darkness.

Dark?

Darkness is fine—it has to be!

If they dared to start singing the Sea Merfolk Song, I'd probably be nailed dead to this very sea!

...

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