In mid-June, Lu Ran led her team and hastily returned to Cloud Sea Cliff.

Because Big Nightmare had sent a voice transmission reminding her, she finally experienced that flash of "sudden inspiration" and activated the ascension mode.

Goal: Sea Realm!

Rather than calling it sudden inspiration, it was more accurate to say she had long been prepared with profound insights and consistently maintained a sufficiently elevated state of mind.

She was merely waiting patiently for an opportunity.

And that very opportunity emerged on that morning, the instant her fingers gently brushed against the broken blade.

The memories of all that she had encountered in Beifeng City began to resurface in her mind one by one.

Especially the recollection of Lu Ran's vivid narration, saying that Divine·Beifeng had casually waved his hand to harvest her life and claim her soul...

Deng Yuxiang tightly gripped the fractured blade handle, her beautiful eyes gleaming with sharpness, as Divine Power surged within her!

At this moment, she broke through the bottleneck!

The once humble and insignificant member of the Human Clan was now ascending step by step, roaring triumphantly as she climbed higher...

When Lu Ran and the others arrived tens of kilometers away from Cloud Sea Cliff, they found the base shrouded in mist.

Add to that the swirling fog dragon rolls connecting the cliff to the heavens.

The sight was unimaginably magnificent!

"Mr. Cong Long," Lu Ran flew mid-air, summoning the Ancient Bronze Mirror, "After returning to Cloud Sea Cliff, circle the interior and organize the vigilance for all units to check for any overlooked areas."

"Yes!" Yu Changsheng promptly accepted the order.

"I'll head to Moy Bay first and craft River Realm Peak Sea Merfolk." As she spoke, Lu Ran's skill was already forming.

Above the sea cliff, a full-length mirror emerged, and three men dressed in green raincoats and bamboo hats walked out one after another.

"Sect Leader," Yan Shuangzi had been waiting at this spot for quite a while.

"Hmm." The surrounding mist was too dense, so Lu Ran stepped closer to finally make out Yan Shuangzi's face. "Has anyone ignorant wandered over?"

"It's been relatively peaceful for now."

"Good." Lu Ran patted her shoulder, his expression solemn. "Stay vigilant, and notify me immediately if anything arises."

"Understood!"

In an instant, Lu Ran's figure flickered and descended to the rocks beneath the cliff.

First, he drew out the Dawn Blade, letting it patrol around the sea cliff, then extended a hand forward, focusing on crafting Sea Merfolk.

This trip to sea had brought remarkable gains to Lu Ran!

So much work that it felt like his feet were scrambling to meet the back of his head!

Unfortunately, during this journey, Lu Ran managed to locate only one Immortal Island, unable to push Divine Sculpture·Lie Tian into the Sea Realm.

But what he did find was the trail of the Evil Mirror Clan and led his team to slay numerous little demons, successfully advancing Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture to Sea Realm·First Rank!

Later, with Yu Changsheng's assistance, Lu Ran selected and occupied seven isolated islands.

He named them using the Big Dipper constellation.

Each of the islands was remote, cut off from the outside world.

Lu Ran assigned to each island one River Realm Peak·Evil Mirror Demon, one River Realm Peak·Sea Merfolk, and one River Realm Peak·Black Lantern.

The Evil Mirror Demon's task, naturally, was to collect Holy Spirit Energy.

The Sea Merfolk's was to guard the islands, ensuring unusual threats like Fisherman-type Evil Demons wouldn't accidentally land on the islands.

As for sea-dwelling Evil Demons, Lu Ran explicitly directed: if the enemy was weak, ambush them!

If the enemy was strong or from a large faction, the Sea Merfolk were to remain invisible, hiding away quietly.

The Evil Demon·Black Lantern functioned as a doctor; if any minor incidents truly occurred, the Black Lantern could patch up the other two companions.

Teaching these Evil Demons alone consumed enormous effort from Lu Ran!

Especially the Black Lantern Clan!

These item-type Evil Demons were practically imbeciles.

Thankfully, humanoid Evil Demons like Evil Mirror Demons and Sea Merfolk showed promising intellect.

The Evil Mirror Demon, being a tool-user (with the copper mirror), ironically made an excellent teacher; the harmonious coexistence of one demon and one lantern created a surprisingly serene picture...

And claiming islands wasn't simply a matter of landing on them to declare ownership.

Lu Ran and the others had to investigate the seas surrounding the islands.

Fortunately, two Sea Realm Great Powers from the Fish-seeking faction contributed immensely in completing this extraordinarily challenging task.

Just how difficult was it?

During the process of selecting and occupying isolated islands, Lu Ran's Sea Merfolk Evil Sculpture even advanced to Sea Realm·Second Rank!

Which speaks volumes of the series of fierce battles the Ran Sect trio endured!

Prior to taking to sea, Lu Ran was just a landlubber who, despite possessing the Mo Li Clan's Evil Technique, was largely untrained—a flashy amateur devoid of substantive water-combat prowess.

Now upon returning, Lu Ran had undergone a complete metamorphosis!

He had transformed into a full-fledged elite of maritime warfare...

Regarding the painstakingly seized seven islands, Lu Ran held ambitious hopes!

He wished that after some time, when he revisited the islands to harvest Evil Mirror Demons, he'd collect a soul along with an abundance of Holy Spirit Energy!

"Hah..." Lu Ran let out a deep exhale as energy swirled in his palm.

"Divine Power molds their bodies, Source Energy shapes their souls."

One after another, the elegantly crafted Sea Merfolk materialized under his hands.

In the Sculpture Garden, the Sea Merfolk Evil Sculptures had already advanced to Sea Realm·Second Rank, enabling Lu Ran to craft two additional River Realm Fifth Rank·Sea Merfolk atop the existing ten.

Excluding the seven Sea Merfolk stationed at the "Big Dipper Islands," Lu Ran reached the quota, crafting a total of five River Realm·Fifth Rank Sea Merfolk.

"Follow me!" Lu Ran beckoned with a flick of his hand and leapt forward, where a graceful silver-white fishtail grew swiftly from his waist.

As he entered the water, Lu Ran transformed into a merperson, leading his team as they swam toward the distance.

After extensive refinement at Seven Star Island, Lu Ran now had some tricks up his sleeve when coaching the Sea Merfolk Clan.

He patiently instructed for a while, then led the Sea Merfolk squad to meet up with the Mo Li team, adding two River Realm Peak·Mo Li to the roster.

After more than an hour, Lu Ran finally returned to Cloud Sea Cliff.

"Oh my mother..."

Lu Ran's figure flickered as he plopped onto the edge of the cliff before collapsing there directly.

Exhausted.

Too exhausted!

It wasn't just about rushing home and laboring tirelessly—it was the past half-month of continuous high-intensity missions, always on high alert.

He was drained, both physically and mentally!

"Ha... ha..."

Lu Ran's chest heaved as he gasped heavily.

It wouldn't do!

Resting wasn't an option yet.

With seven River Realm Peak Evil Mirror Demons stationed at Seven Star Island, Lu Ran still had three summoning slots!

He needed to first retrieve the River Realm Evil Mirror Demon troops within Cloud Sea Cliff and summon three higher-ranked Evil Mirror Demons to position them north, south, and west of the cliff.

Jiang Grade·Connection Mirror had a detection range of five hundred meters!

The Evil Mirror Demons could refresh the Connection Mirror at any moment. The moment they detected approaching lifeforms, they could immediately report!

Currently, the eastern sea off Cloud Sea Cliff could be described as sufficiently defended.

The other three directions required a defense upgrade!

"Tired, huh." Supporting himself with one hand, Lu Ran muttered to himself, "If you die of exhaustion, just count it as falling asleep."

He pulled out the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd from his chest and tilted his head back to guzzle its contents.

"Glug-glug-glug... hic~"

"Swish!" As Lu Ran let out a satisfied burp, his figure flickered and disappeared.

Time passed.

Just as Lu Ran was working within an underground cavern five hundred meters west of Cloud Sea Cliff, he suddenly sensed someone calling him.

Lu Ran immediately connected spiritually with several sculptures.

[Young Master? Can... can you hear me?] A familiar voice echoed in his mind.

To Lu Ran's surprise, the fearless Sister Xian'er sounded unusually timid.

[Sister Xian'er, what's the matter?] Lu Ran asked with concern.

[Did you just come back? Mr. Cong Long arrived at the seclusion room earlier and gave me a Longevity Carp.] Si Xianxian seemed hesitant but still showed concern. [How did everything go? Was it smooth?]

[More or less.] Lu Ran's heart warmed. [And you, have you regained your health?]

He realized this transmission wasn't mission-related—it was merely out of concern.

[I should've recovered long ago, right? I feel I've been merging quite well with Divine Sculpture.] Si Xianxian's voice grew softer and more guilty. [Thank you, Young Master.]

Lu Ran had not only freed her from the torment of Divine·Lie Tian but also provided her with such dreamlike resources!

Yet, more than half a month later, she was still at River Realm Fifth Rank.

What made Si Xianxian feel even more ashamed was that Deng Yuxiang had reached Jiang Realm Fifth Rank!

Today, the Ran Sect's foremost Great Protector was already charging toward the Sea Realm!

While she'd made no progress, not even touching the Jiang Realm...

Lu Ran's voice was warm: [You need to work hard to comprehend. Just look at Sister Yuxiang...]

Si Xianxian's face flushed red; she scratched her head, embarrassed and angry.

She already felt guilty enough!

But Lu Ran's comment was like lighting a fuse!

Si Xianxian erupted angrily, raising her brows: [You're so good to me! You think I don't want to repay you?]

Lu Ran opened his mouth: [No, I...]

Si Xianxian: [You think I don't want to ascend? Do you know how miserable I feel every day, and you dare call me out!]

Lu Ran: "..."

Oh, boy~

That speed, that intensity, that feisty temper!

After being ruthlessly tormented by destiny, the fiery vigor of Sister Xian'er had finally returned...

Si Xianxian exploded completely, muttering incessantly: [This damned body just refuses to ascend! Don't I want to smash Lie Tian's damn head? Don't I want to charge into battle for you... for you?]

In the seclusion room, as Si Xianxian unleashed frenzied power, her voice transmission suddenly paused.

She slightly widened her eyes, sensing something faint.

"Buzz!!"

A violent surge of energy erupted from within her.

"Huh?" Si Xianxian looked completely dumbfounded.

What's going on?

So... so this is a moment of inspiration?

This cursed body—turns out it just needed a good scolding?

If only you'd said so earlier! I'd have scolded sooner... wait, no, that's not the point.

It must've been the anger, the blossoming ambition under heightened emotion, the desire to smash Lie Tian's head, the determination to fight for Lu Ran...

Si Xianxian quickly composed herself, solidifying her resolve again and again.

[Sorry, Sister Xian'er, it's my fault for imposing too much pressure on you. Don't...]

[Shh! Don't talk, I'm ascending!]

Lu Ran: ???

No way!

Lu Ran sat there stunned for a long time, nearly laughing in disbelief.

What's this about? You vent your frustration at me, and then you ascend?

You... well, Sister Xian'er, feel free to vent more in the future.

I enjoy hearing it; I love listening to it~

...

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