Since He Qifeng was advancing to a higher realm, Lu Ran naturally couldn't leave.

Under the arrangement of Big Wind Hall's Hall Master, Yin Tianlong, the Ran Sect members moved into a newly built wooden house.

There's no denying that Wuji Peak deserves its reputation as the central faction of the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm!

The Forbidden City, being only 30 kilometers away, could also be considered situated at the center of the world.

During He Qifeng's advancement, quite a few people showed up!

It turned out Lu Ran and his group didn't need to make a move—the mere identity of Wuji Peak members was enough to deter other teams from recklessly challenging them.

Thus, the Ran Sect members started feasting and indulging themselves.

He Qifeng's breakthrough into the Great Realm triggered a highest-level fog phenomenon, the kind known as the "Fog Dragon Roll."

Moreover, her advancement was lengthy, taking 5–10 days.

Whether others profited or not, Lu Ran had no idea—for all he knew, Little Blazing Phoenix was feeling blissfully satisfied.

Lu Ran, however, looked like a lunatic, holding the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd while muttering incessantly:

"We need living creatures, need to absorb living Evil Demons, need living humans to feast on..."

Little Blazing Phoenix, amused, didn't seem annoyed.

No matter how much Lu Ran nagged, Little Blazing Phoenix continued to respond, letting out cheerful cries in his mind.

It even seemed to enjoy interacting with its master in this way?

Lu Ran was almost exasperatedly amused!

Every response was delightful but ultimately pointless, wasn't it?

With such behavior, why are you an Artifact Spirit? You're better suited for a government payroll...

The seventh night finally arrived, and the energy in heaven and earth gradually dissipated. Lu Ran was the first to step out of the wooden house.

Seeing how late it was and thinking He Qifeng might continue in seclusion to consolidate her realm, Lu Ran returned indoors.

Unexpectedly, the next morning at dawn, Lu Ran heard someone calling outside:

"Lu Ran! Brother Lu, are you awake?"

"Ah, awake!" Lu Ran instinctively wanted to use Instant Teleportation but stopped himself in time to avoid revealing his Evil Technique.

He quickly walked outside, only to see a woman with a commanding presence before him.

"Wow..." Lu Ran couldn't help but grin.

No wonder they call it the Yangyang Sea!

Such overwhelming power—it's truly intimidating.

Well done!

Advancing is great!

Although He Qifeng wasn't yet a Divine General of Ran Sect, they were allies and friends—Lu Ran had gained another strong supporter.

Just like Deng Yuxiang before, the freshly advanced He Qifeng radiated a formidable aura.

As she approached, waves of terrifying pressure accompanied her, surging like a tidal wave threatening to crush Lu Ran's bones...

"Haha!" He Qifeng laughed heartily, placing a hand on Lu Ran's shoulder. "This Hall Master's advancement, I owe so much to you!"

Lu Ran: "Ah?"

He Qifeng's bright and beautiful eyes left no room for pretense: "If it weren't for wanting to surpass you and show off in front of Brother Lu, my Dao Heart wouldn't have been so clear!"

Lu Ran: "..."

Not only do you want to flaunt, but you'll also chase me down to do it?

"Haha~" He Qifeng saw Lu Ran's indignant expression and laughed even harder. "You need to buckle down, Little River Realm!

Don't let Sister Qifeng leave you too far behind!"

Honestly, Lu Ran was on the verge of stomping and cursing.

He Qifeng clearly had the Martial Monk Faction's traits: loving challenges and growing stronger with every fight!

If Lu Ran fell behind or lacked strength, he'd cease to be worthy of being her rival.

And that would be no fun at all.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" He Qifeng's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Feeling defeated?"

Lu Ran disdainfully brushed off her hand with a cold snort:

"I'll let you gloat for a few days."

"Great, that's the spirit!" He Qifeng was immensely satisfied as her hand returned to firmly pat Lu Ran's shoulder.

The force made him grimace, and his Water Flow Armor trembled incessantly.

Lu Ran hastily stepped back: "Okay, okay, I need to leave now."

"Leave?" He Qifeng pressed forward, hand still on his shoulder.

The two moved in sync, making it seem like neither had moved at all.

Yin Tianlong, standing to the side, gave them a gloomy look, eyeing He Qifeng's hand on Lu Ran's shoulder again.

Lu Ran felt numb.

Are we dancing here or what?

Before he could fully process the situation, He Qifeng suddenly pushed him forward, pinning him against the wooden house's door frame.

Lu Ran: ???

A Sea Realm powerhouse is bullying me!

Can someone step in… huh?

Someone actually did!

A terrifying aura surged from Lu Ran's left side. Although the target wasn't him, it made his heart race.

He Qifeng turned to see Deng Yuxiang standing not far away.

Two imposing women, both Heaven's Chosen and Sea Realm First Rank, now faced off—eyes unwavering.

One gaze was fiery and majestic.

The other was sharp and ice-cold.

The small River Realm Lu Ran was clearly caught in the middle...

[Nightmare.] Lu Ran hurriedly summoned in his mind.

After two full seconds, Deng Yuxiang finally shifted her gaze toward him.

[It's fine, we're just chatting.] Lu Ran nodded gently.

Deng Yuxiang remained silent for a moment, then turned her head away.

He Qifeng looked back at Lu Ran with admiration: "Not bad, Lu Ran! You really know how to command people!

Just one look, and you can make a Sea Realm powerhouse listen!"

Lu Ran rolled his eyes irritably: "Let go of me already. Don't let a real fight break out here."

He Qifeng finally remembered her purpose and asked, "I was hoping to discuss plans for building the city. Where are you rushing off to?"

Lu Ran replied helplessly: "Our Ran Sect came out on a mission—we need to head to the northwest."

He Qifeng asked, puzzled, "Why the northwest?"

Lu Ran pondered, "To check what sects are stationed there and what Evil Demon clans exist. We've already stayed here for a week; we're falling behind schedule."

He Qifeng remained confused: "Why?"

Lu Ran was at a loss for words.

Because I need Evil Dog and Evil Sculpture to advance to the Sea Realm. Once I'm in the Sea Realm, I can use Sea Grade Evil Techniques!

But I can't exactly say that...

After organizing his thoughts, Lu Ran replied, "I need a comprehensive understanding of this world.

I need to truly understand Holy Spirit Mountain!"

Upon hearing this, He Qifeng fell silent.

She wasn't pleased.

Her accompanying pressure grew more intense.

Lu Ran quietly said, "Qifeng, your aura is too overwhelming; I can barely breathe. Could you perhaps ease up..."

Before he finished speaking, He Qifeng reached for her neck and removed a bead.

Lu Ran looked puzzled as she opened her hand, offering the Magical Artifact·Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl.

"Here."

"What are you doing?"

"I promised you before. Your Silent Night Blade is with me. Now that I've obtained a Divine Weapon, I'll leave one with you as well."

"The Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl recognizes you?" Lu Ran raised his brows slightly.

"Yes." He Qifeng nodded. "My faction doesn't know much about the northwest—it's said to be quite desolate.

You're exploring an unknown world and may encounter danger. Take this with you."

Lu Ran hesitated: "The Silent Night with you is enough. We can communicate."

"Take it!" He Qifeng insisted, unintentionally revealing a leader's authoritative tone.

Lu Ran: "..."

So now you're treating me like your subordinate?

Yet He Qifeng was genuinely kind, even gifting a precious Magical Artifact. Lu Ran couldn't say much.

He Qifeng suddenly smiled, her eyes bright: "If you face a life-and-death crisis, contact me immediately.

No matter where you are, Sister Qifeng will come save you!"

Lu Ran: "..."

Looking at her sincere gaze, Lu Ran sighed inwardly.

In a world like this, finding such friends was indeed rare.

"Take it." He Qifeng placed the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl firmly in Lu Ran's hand. "Bring back news about the northwest when you return safely."

"Alright, sure!" Lu Ran accepted the kindness, nodding with a smile.

What's in the northwest?

Hopefully the legendary Ten Thousand Blade Mountain, and what I'm searching for there.

...

"The wilderness! The wilderness!"

"We're out! I can see the mountains!"

Under a cloudy sky churning above the Cloud Sea, small, rapidly flying figures darted among sharp stone pillars reaching into the heavens.

The group's expressions were filled with excitement, their jubilant calls echoing, as the oppressive clouds overhead seemed to slightly dissipate.

Jiang Ruyi flew silently, breathing a sigh of relief inwardly.

No one expected the "Stone Pillar Forest" terrain to be so vast and densely concentrated. Passing one section led only to another...

This venture had astonishingly taken over twenty days!

Most of the time hadn't been spent traveling but frantically fleeing, hiding, and evading!

The Stone Pillar Forest was swarming with countless Evil Demons...

The Jade Talisman Believers team had originally numbered ten; now only six remained.

A full four River Realm Great Powers had fallen—just like that.

The Jade Talisman Lord had warned them about the dangers of this realm.

At the time, the group hadn't grasped the gravity of the situation.

After all, in the human world, they were revered Great Powers, capable of safeguarding entire regions!

But here...

Vast River?

What is there to be proud of?

That's exactly what's targeted for slaughter!

Jiang Ruyi pressed her dry lips together, hearing a woman's murmurs beside her.

"We're finally out, no more pillars..." An Xian murmured repeatedly, almost crying with joy.

If they hadn't been able to fly, they would've been wiped out entirely!

Even the typically timid Evil Demon·Golden Winged Bats appeared here in swarms like locusts, overwhelming everything and draining people dry in an instant.

Then there were the elusive Sand River Dolls, stirring up terrifying sand seas as if trying to engulf this world entirely.

On the journey, they'd even encountered the formidable Barbaric Female Demon Clan...

Strictly speaking, it wasn't the group that saw them.

It was the Cold Night Sword acting as a scout, venturing alone to detect them.

The group didn't have a shred of resistance in mind.

Had it not been for Jiang Ruyi's swift decision-making, constantly adjusting their escape routes and leading them in flight, they'd all have perished here!

"Captain Jiang." A middle-aged man flew beside Jiang Ruyi. "We can't relax yet; let's continue flying a bit further...

How about we land on that distant mountain?"

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly.

The man added, "Shall I discuss it with Meng Zhixuan?"

Jiang Ruyi turned to glance at Meng Zhixuan flying nearby.

Just then, Meng Zhixuan turned his head, his expression joyful as he nodded.

Jiang Ruyi remained expressionless, looking away without holding his gaze.

Meng Zhixuan's smile froze, a faint shadow flickering in his eyes.

At this point, the six Jade Talisman disciples had split into two teams.

Initially, the ten individuals had formed two groups, in line with the sect's team-building philosophy.

After some reshuffling, the two final teams reflected the clear reality of "taking sides."

Where there are people, there are disputes.

Jiang Ruyi was no longer the gentle, world-embracing girl she had been in high school.

She had become aloof and quiet, no longer interested in petty quarrels.

But conflict sought her out.

And Jiang Ruyi... was no weakling!

If you argue that a Divine Weapon's role is pivotal, and its wielders should explore dangerous unknowns and safeguard everyone...

Then the leadership should be mine, shouldn't it?

If you claim that strong individuals should bear more responsibility for the team's success, taking on extra burdens to achieve the Jade Talisman Lord's objectives...

Then I should be the captain, right?

If you think you can wield seniority and pedigree to suppress me because I'm just a young woman...

You are very mistaken.

If you show your true, manipulative colors, even invoking the Jade Talisman Lord's name to corner me...

You are even more wrong.

I will not let myself be controlled, nor will I allow myself to be coerced.

What I will do is see through the facade of your so-called kind smile.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes glittered with icy sharpness.

Now that we've emerged from the Stone Pillar Forest...

You and I should have a proper chat!

...

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