One person, one blade, piercing through the remaining ten-meter-long dragon body, killing their way out from the dragon's head.

This time, the Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragon didn't even have the chance for a wailing.

The blazing dragon head plunged into the sea, staining large swathes of seawater red with blood. Flames burned the water, creating thick steam.

Lu Ran stood in mid-air, gripping the hilt of the blade with both hands, the Eight Desolate Blade poised before him.

Scalding dragon blood dripped continuously from the blade.

"Awaken, Eight Desolates..."

Lu Ran murmured, his blood-stained eyes fixed intensely on the Eight Desolates Annihilation Blade.

The hilt in his hands buzzed, its vibrations growing increasingly strong.

Lu Ran was overjoyed, filled with anticipation.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds...

"Pop!" In the sea, the enormous corpse of the Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragon shattered into spots of energy.

Even the blood-stained seawater transformed into threads of mist, dispersing rapidly.

This world was magical enough—such a massive blood-red dragon disappeared into smoke as if it had never existed in this world.

Lu Ran was indifferent to everything happening beneath his feet.

His gaze burned solely upon the Eight Desolates Annihilation Blade.

Excitement, anticipation... confusion, disappointment.

In mere tens of seconds, Lu Ran's emotions were like riding a roller coaster.

Almost like experiencing unrequited love.

His joy and anticipation vanished before he could muster the courage to confess, only to see the goddess happily leaning into someone else's embrace.

It was truly unbearable~

"Don't stop now." Lu Ran watched as the Eight Desolate Blade fell silent.

Just keep vibrating! Why did you go quiet again?

Did you run out of energy?

Lu Ran gripped the blade hilt with both hands, swaying it back and forth as if holding a pillar of incense.

"Eight Desolates, let's discuss this, could you wake up?"

Not far away, Xun Yifei had been silently watching all this, suddenly laughing soundlessly.

When people are utterly speechless, they indeed let out inexplicable laughter.

Earlier, how magnificent was the presence of Lu Ran?

How imposing was his radiance?

He trampled the face of the Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragon, slaughtering wildly, ultimately cleaving through its burning dragon head!

Exuding the aura of a king reigning over the world!

And now? Look at this!

Lu Ran held the blade, wobbling it pitifully like a farmer shaking incense, pleading in desperation...

"Still not enough?" Lu Ran dropped his gaze.

"Land battle, sea battle, aerial battle—covered them all."

"In these six months, we've traversed Holy Spirit Mountain, evading pursuers, eliminating villains, saving comrades."

"Wuji Peak, Withered Woods, Night Charm Lake, Sword Mountain Peak, Sword Ridge Peak...the Tiantu bandits, Hidden Wolf Forest guild followers, Sea Clan allies..."

"And the boundless ocean, our Seven Star Island..."

Lu Ran pressed his forehead to the blade, speaking softly.

Is this still not enough?

"Buzz~" Eight Desolate Blade quivered lightly.

As if it was responding, or perhaps comforting its master.

Since early June, when Lu Ran slew the Sea Merfolk Clan in distant waters, the Eight Desolate Blade began to react.

A faint trace of consciousness emerged.

Through the subsequent tide of battles, the blade grew little by little, occasionally giving Lu Ran feedback.

Until today's battle, the Eight Desolate Blade trembled with unprecedented intensity!

Lu Ran thought all was about to succeed, but unexpectedly, the blade still failed to form a complete Artifact Spirit.

"So very difficult." Lu Ran sighed deeply.

He had defined a clear trajectory for cultivating his weapon, yet the trials of the past six months were experiences ordinary warriors could not fathom over a lifetime.

The Eight Desolate Blade, following such a master and nurtured with such care, still couldn't progress quickly enough...

Xun Yifei stood nearby, quietly keeping watch.

From time to time, his eyes would sweep over Lu Ran, clearly seeing his despondent expression.

But only a dozen seconds later, Lu Ran's countenance shifted.

With a single stroke across the blood-stained blade, his disappointment vanished, replaced entirely by determination.

Xun Yifei couldn't help but silently nod.

Neither arrogant nor discouraged—truly befitting of the General's Style!

"Xun."

"Here!" Xun Yifei surged across the turbulent sea, propelled by the water flowing around his feet.

"Let's head back," Lu Ran said softly.

"Yes!" Xun Yifei obeyed, but as he skimmed across the waves for a few meters, he suddenly halted. "Sect Leader."

"Hmm?"

"You will succeed; you just need a little more time."

Xun Yifei was not one for idle chatter. His proactive reassurances now left Lu Ran somewhat surprised.

"Of course!" Lu Ran nodded strongly.

I've managed to mend shattered lives—what's a complete blade to me?

Nightmares, Evil Shadows, Mad Immortals—each sunk into abyssal depths, violently broken. Yet in my hands, each emerged whole and radiant.

"Splash!"

Lu Ran plunged into the sea, carefully washing the blade.

Though the Eight Desolate Blade failed to form its Artifact Spirit this time, Lu Ran was certain it had made significant strides toward becoming a Divine Weapon!

It might even be just one final step away.

Lu Ran had previously nurtured both Dawn Blade and Quiet Night, and understood precisely what this level of feedback signified for the Eight Desolate Blade.

Perhaps the blade only required a triggering moment.

To Lu Ran, within Holy Spirit Mountain... opportunities lay all around!

Lu Ran contemplated silently and left to return to Cloud Sea Cliff after cleaning.

As for the soul of the Flame Flood Dragon, it had long been automatically drawn into Lu Ran's Pupil of the Dead World.

Regrettably, the mist formed from the dragon's shattered remains was lost, as Lu Ran's focus was entirely on the blade, preventing him from channeling the Divine Power Bead Chain to absorb the energy.

No matter.

Within Cloud Sea Cliff, both Nightmare and Evil Shadow Guardians were advancing—energy was plentiful.

Lu Ran returned to his usual spot and resumed cultivation at the cliff's edge.

It must be said, the recent breakthroughs among Ran Sect members had been extraordinarily smooth.

Aside from the one unwelcomed Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragon, the next few days were devoid of unusual creatures.

By noon two days later, Lu Ran received Yan Shuangzi's transmission.

[Sect Leader, your subordinate has successfully advanced.]

[Excellent!] Though prepared, Lu Ran could not hold back his joy. [Congratulations on reclaiming River Realm Second Rank!]

Inside a pitch-black seclusion room, Yan Shuangzi silently lowered her head.

If not for those mishaps, she might be equal to Deng Yuxiang.

Even if Deng Yuxiang had earlier joined Lu Ran and bonded with Evil Sculpture, at the very least, Yan Shuangzi wouldn't have lagged far behind her former confidant.

But now...

Deng Yuxiang was poised to become a Sea Realm Great Power, capable of shattering mountains and splitting seas with a mere wave of her hand.

While Yan Shuangzi still struggled at the Initial Stage of River Realm.

[Evil Shadow?]

[Here.] Yan Shuangzi recollected herself. [What orders does the Sect Leader have?]

Lu Ran furrowed his brows slightly. [You don't seem very happy?]

Yan Shuangzi: "..."

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, realizing the problem likely lay in the words "reclaiming River Realm Second Rank."

Did the phrase dredge up bitter memories?

Organizing his thoughts, Lu Ran spoke softly: [Your past experiences shape the you of today and will forge the you of tomorrow.]

Raising people is like raising flowers.

Even if those people are seen as omnipotent entities in the eyes of the world—a Vast River.

In Lu Ran's view, even River Realm Great Powers are still human—they, too, can feel fragility and sorrow, and deserve to be delicately nurtured.

He continued: [Don't misjudge my intentions; I am neither glorifying suffering nor indulging it.

I am acknowledging, I am venerating you—the one who endured such suffering and still rose again.]

Yan Shuangzi pressed her lips together, replying softly: [Yes, Sect Leader.]

Lu Ran felt helpless, correcting her: [Sect Leader.]

[Yes, Sect Leader.]

[You should also acknowledge yourself; you should admire yourself.] Lu Ran said firmly, [Focus on solidifying your Mental Realm and stabilizing your Realm in the seclusion room.

Evil Shadow, we have a long journey ahead.]

[Yes, Sect Leader.]

Lu Ran: "..."

He rose from his seat, standing at the edge of the high cliff, sighing inwardly.

Take your time.

I'll nurture you well.

"Whoosh~" The patrolling Dawn Blade flew past the edge, circling Lu Ran before disappearing into the mist.

Lu Ran stood still in the thick fog, unable to see far, but the sound of waves crashing was clear.

Calculating the timing, Big Nightmare ought to be nearing the end of its seclusion by now.

After all, this breakthrough to a Great Realm within River Realm had taken nearly ten days.

And naturally, the longer Deng Yuxiang took, the better!

After all, every second of her advancement strengthened her body through saturation with Divine Power.

As Lu Ran speculated silently, the towering Fog Dragon Rolls connecting heaven and earth abruptly dissipated.

Gradually, the mist over Cloud Sea Cliff grew thin.

Lu Ran sensed the change and was instantly elated.

Deng Yuxiang had succeeded!

Had she ascended to become a revered Yangyang Sea figure?!

Lu Ran restrained himself from immediately sending a transmission, patiently waiting for a while longer before realizing something. In a flash, he appeared beside Nightmare Residence.

Sure enough, Ran Sect members had already gathered.

And the one being congratulated was none other than the long-absent Deng Yuxiang!

Lu Ran was naturally moved.

Two martial artists, Deng Yan and Deng Yuxiang, with nearly identical styles, both clawing their way out of the abyss, yet treading different paths.

Deng Yuxiang's brilliance reemerged, just as dazzlingly radiant as ever.

Now she stood surrounded by celebration, with a vibrant and festive mood inside and outside Nightmare Residence.

Yan Shuangzi, by contrast, had fallen into complete silence.

For all her taciturn, reclusive nature, Yan Shuangzi's recent advancements were known only to Lu Ran.

Ran Sect members seemed unaware that the Evil Shadow Guardian had also successfully advanced.

Lu Ran debated internally—should he summon her to share in the joy with everyone?

"Hmm?" Suddenly, Lu Ran's heart tightened, his gaze shifting boldly.

Not far away, Deng Yuxiang was watching him.

"Sect Leader."

"Sect Leader..." One by one, everyone greeted.

Lu Ran gave no immediate response, his gaze fixed on the familiar yet unfamiliar woman.

Although Deng Yuxiang bore no trace of hostility, Lu Ran could feel an immense pressure.

It was the terror-inducing aura of a Yangyang Sea.

Even as a Jiang Realm·Third Rank, Lu Ran found himself struggling to breathe.

Perhaps due to Deng Yuxiang's recent ascension, her sharp edge overwhelmingly eclipsed the other Sea Realm figures nearby.

"We can exact our revenge now." She suddenly said.

"Huh?" Lu Ran hadn't anticipated that Deng Yuxiang's first words after emerging from seclusion would be this.

Deng Yuxiang strode forward.

Yet in Lu Ran's perception, it felt like a frightening existence was advancing toward him with a crushing aura.

Far more terrifying than the Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragon days ago...

Deng Yuxiang stopped before him, her eyes brimming with a startling intensity of killing intent. Her lips whispered three words:

"Tiantu Mountain."

"Tiantu Mountain." Lu Ran repeated softly, stabilizing his thoughts.

The place where the dream began?

...

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