"You damn thing..."

Lu Ran gripped the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade tightly, muttering under his breath. Even though he had already shut down the Evil Technique·Evil Recognition, he was still startled by the jarring sounds.

Even more troublesome was that the Black Fire Colts had been frightened by the noise.

Their hooves stomped chaotically, walls of fire rose high, and rings of flames spread outward.

Chaos reigned supreme!

"Swish~"

Lu Ran's figure flickered, retreating to a small hill several hundred meters away.

Here, four figures stood tall.

Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran's indignant expression, the corner of her lips curling slightly: [Ran General, failed again?]

Whenever others were present, she was perpetually respectful and submissive to Lu Ran and always helped Sect Master make a show of authority.

But that didn't stop her from teasing someone privately via transmitted voice...

"Heh." Lu Ran snorted with displeasure.

With a casual wave, the Azure Dragon Crescent Blade (Ghost General's Blade) quietly shattered, dispersing into specks of energy.

It was said that Black Fire Colts are loyal to the Ghost General Clan, cooperating unconditionally for their work or battles.

Yet, as the master of the Evil Demon·Ghost General, Lu Ran couldn't tame these Black Fire Colts.

It was infuriating~

Infuriating enough that Lu Ran wanted to make a Ghost General on the spot just to toss him into the herd...

And ride them one by one!

Unfortunately, the quota for creating Ghost Generals was already full; the Ghost Generals were busy guarding Cloud Sea Cliff.

If he transmitted a request to the Mad Immortal Xian'er to butcher a Ghost General for him, then summon one anew... well, it didn't seem worth it.

You need to rely on your own strength to forge ahead.

Lu Ran still wanted to become a Ghost General himself — majestic and awe-inspiring atop a grand warhorse.

"Sigh..." He let out a long sigh, his disguise plan had utterly collapsed!

This group of high-spirited horses had truly fiery temperaments.

Forget riding them, they wouldn't even let him touch them.

Uh-huh, just as fierce as that Big Nightmare~

Yu Changsheng's eyes held a hint of mischief as he chuckled, "If Sect Master brought along the Magical Artifact·Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl, it would've been perfect.

No matter how ferocious the flames among the herd grew, Sect Master could remain unscathed and continue taming them."

Lu Ran: "..."

He turned his head, casting a plaintive glance at Yu Changsheng.

"Heh~" Yu Changsheng caught sight of Lu Ran's look and couldn't stifle his laughter.

Lu Ran was utterly exasperated!

Cong Long! And Deng the big tease... This lord has truly spoiled you too much!

The matter of rejecting the Magical Artifact·Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl was undeniably a major blunder for Lu Ran.

Because of this, Yu Changsheng had already mocked him twice along this journey.

How could he explain it clearly...

It was all because He Qifeng, Miss Martial Monk, had been so earnest, with such caring and sincere eyes, that Lu Ran had been incredibly moved.

He'd carelessly accepted the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl and even promised the young Miss Monk that, upon returning from the Northwest, he'd share the details of what lay in that vast realm.

However, the moment Lu Ran took hold of the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl, Deng Yuxiang's transmitted request had arrived.

The Big Nightmare had spoken one sentence: [Evil Demon Lord, not planning on hiding anymore?]

Embarrassment overwhelmed Lu Ran!

If he carried the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl, all of his secrets would be exposed to the artifact's owner—none other than He Qifeng.

So, mere miles outside the Forbidden City after bidding farewell to He Qifeng, Lu Ran had Yu Changsheng return the Magical Artifact·Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl.

As for why he hadn't returned it in person...

Lu Ran chickened out.

The young Martial Monk had just ascended to the Sea Realm, far too intimidating. Lu Ran feared he'd be crushed to death by He Qifeng's bare hand.

He could already envision He Qifeng's furious expression!

To betray the trust of a fair maiden, a crime truly deserving of death.

Luckily, the Silent Night Blade was a cold and aloof god-tier weapon!

Otherwise, He Qifeng might've used its messaging ability to demand an explanation from Lu Ran.

"Reverse the Heavenly Gang Star!" Lu Ran commanded the protectors Nightmare and Cong Long, "You two! Go slaughter these Black Fire Colts for me!"

Yu Changsheng laughed and asked, "You're giving up on riding them?"

"Since I can't ride, what else can I do?" Lu Ran waved dismissively. "Go on, hurry up and kill, they're making me jealous."

"Yes!"

"Yes!" The two protectors immediately charged forward.

Lu Ran sighed inwardly, a gaze fixed on the battlefield in the distance.

These fiery warhorses attracted far too much envy.

Alas, no matter how much he wielded the Ghost General's Blade or carried the Ghost General Flag, it was futile.

"Neigh~~~"

"Whoa!" Lu Ran gasped in amazement.

A Black Fire Colt raised its head and neighed, its flaming body exploded, its four hooves trod the air, climbing skyward step by step!

With every strike of its hooves, it left behind a blazing flame in the air!

Like a gorgeous fiery flower blooming.

Evil Technique·Fire Treading Arts!

And those rings of flames that spread out rapidly, trying to drive away everything nearby.

In his vision, one of the flaming warhorses turned into dense fire mist, swiftly wafting away into the distance.

Even its escape was so flamboyant...

Can you even handle this?

Unfortunately for the Black Fire Colt, it ran into Deng Yuxiang.

She casually raised her hand, and a gale blew over, directly dispersing the fire mist.

If a Black Fire Colt died normally, it would leave behind a corpse, and a Demon Crystal would remain in its brain.

But in its fire mist state, a Black Fire Colt would vanish into thin air, completely obliterated.

Well... at least it left something behind.

Dead Souls!

"Sect Master."

"Hmm?" Lu Ran responded absentmindedly.

Jing Hong inquired, "Since you like the Black Fire Colt Clan so much, why not steal their powers?"

As the Hall Master of the Demon Control Hall, Jing Hong also wished to equip her Ghost Generals with fiery warhorses.

Nearby, Luo Ying perked up her ears to listen.

Lu Ran didn't elaborate but simply said, "I'm currently only at the River Realm, my body's endurance is limited."

With just one remaining active slot, there was no way he'd waste it on vanity.

"Swish~" Lu Ran activated the Pupil of the Dead World, targeting a series of Dead Souls, and his figure flickered away.

A total of over thirty Dead Souls rushed into his pupil, leaving Lu Ran immensely satisfied.

Lu Ran summoned wind and waves beneath his feet, gazing westward, catching faint glimpses of Black Fire Colts in the distance: "Let's go, continue!"

Someday, when this Evil Sculpture is activated, I hope to advance straight to the Sea Realm!

By then, I'll be riding the River Realm Demon Lord·Black Fire Colt, drinking leisurely from the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd.

Ah~ That's the life!

"Forward!" Lu Ran commanded, leading the group towards the west.

The upcoming battle saw the group leaving the grasslands behind entirely, entering a desolate wasteland.

Lu Ran and his companions lacked the awareness to tread cautiously in a dangerous environment.

With the confidence of Two Rivers and Three Seas, they boldly pushed into the unknown territory.

Protector Divine Generals slaughtered relentlessly, while Sect Master devoured joyfully.

Occasionally, when Lu Ran couldn't locate Evil Demons, he'd activate a Transmission Mirror.

The Ran Sect advanced westward, leaving barren devastation in their wake.

Day and night alternated, the cycles continuing.

Until, one afternoon, an antiquated copper mirror silently appeared atop a sand dune.

A slender leg stepped out from within the standing mirror.

The woman emerged clad in green cloak and broad-brimmed hat, her tall figure tense, vigilantly surveying her surroundings.

Suddenly, she froze!

"Huh?" Lu Ran stepped forward, bumping into Deng Yuxiang's back. "What is it?"

"North." Deng Yuxiang casually snagged Lu Ran, pulling him forward.

Lu Ran turned his head to look and instantly widened his eyes, "Ten Thousand Blade Mountain?"

Could it be Ten Thousand Blade Mountain?

How could it be so simple to have found it?

Lu Ran felt as though he were dreaming or witnessing a mirage...

In his field of vision lay an endless desert, undulating sand dunes of various sizes reminiscent of fixed sea waves, tracing the passage of the wind.

And within this magnificent desert scenery, those towering stone pillars stood out prominently!

Stone pillars they seemed, though they were thicker at the base, tapering upward to sharp points near the clouds!

"Ten Thousand Blade Mountain..." Yu Changsheng also emerged, gazing northward.

That day, the sky churned with billowing cloud seas, and those stone pillars stabbed skyward, each seemingly capable of puncturing holes in the heavens!

"Let's go, let's take a look!"

Lu Ran was ecstatic, having journeyed through monotonous desert landscapes for far too long.

As awe-inspiring as "The River Sets Beneath the Round Sun" might be, he'd grown tired of it.

"Whew~"

The ancient bronze mirror silently transformed into a standing mirror, and the group of five filed inside.

"Wow!" Lu Ran's eyes gleamed with admiration.

From afar, it seemed unimpressive.

Up close, these sky-piercing peaks were shockingly enormous!

Lu Ran's eyes narrowed as he noticed some peaks piercing into the cloud sea.

He felt a thrill in his heart: "Mr. Conglong!"

"Sect Master?"

Lu Ran licked his lips excitedly: "We use the cloud sea to delineate the Heavenly Realm from the Mountain Realm, right?"

The Heavenly Realm, of course, is the unknown place strong individuals go upon "ascension."

The Mountain Realm is the world they're all imprisoned in—Holy Spirit Mountain.

Yu Changsheng faintly deduced Lu Ran's thoughts but responded cautiously nonetheless: "Yes, so long as we avoid nearing the cloud sea, we're safe."

"Sir!" Lu Ran pointed upward eagerly, "Look closely—it's poking in!"

Yu Changsheng: "..."

What kind of phrasing is this!

Your 'sir' here is a respectable man!

"Look at the peak tips piercing into the clouds; it doesn't seem like they're shattered?" Lu Ran's eyes shone brightly. "If we carefully climb up along the peaks..."

Yu Changsheng pondered aloud, "Given this opportunity, why not have Sect Master create an Evil Demon to test it out?"

"Great!" Lu Ran agreed instantly, then fell into thought.

Such a task was perfectly suited for the Night Charm Clan.

Yet, the Night Charm slots were all filled, deployed at Cloud Sea Cliff.

Deliberating this and that, Lu Ran finally selected an elegant and regal Evil Sculpture from the Sculpture Garden—the Evil Spear Emperor!

Unfortunately, the Evil Spear Emperor's sculpture was only River Realm·First Rank, meaning Lu Ran could only craft demons at the River Realm rank.

No matter, as long as they could fly and had high intelligence!

"Whew~"

Lu Ran extended his hand.

Gradually, a figure brimming with majesty and elegance took form—the Evil Spear Emperor!

Jing Hong's almond-shaped eyes shone brighter and brighter!

If this caliber of existence could be recruited into the Demon Control Hall...

"Your Majesty, come, I'll personally teach you!"

Lu Ran instructed the Evil Spear Emperor meticulously on a slew of directives.

Twenty minutes later, the Spear Emperor stepped onto a billowing black cloud, ascending skyward.

The group raised their heads, watching intently.

"Go slower! Take it slow!" Lu Ran kept cautioning, watching the Spear Emperor maneuver closely against the stone pillar until...

With a single movement, the Spear Emperor drifted into the swirling cloud sea and vanished from sight.

Lu Ran's pupils shrank slightly!

A deathly silence enveloped the heavens and earth.

No sound of explosions, just the quiet whistle of the wind sweeping through.

"Gulp." Lu Ran swallowed hard.

Just like that... did he just ascend?

Did the Evil Spear Emperor silently, effortlessly ascend into the Heavenly Realm?!

"Smack!"

Suddenly, a hand clamped down on Lu Ran's shoulder.

"Sis?" Lu Ran blinked dazedly, turning to look.

Perhaps the shock had overwhelmed him; Lu Ran forgot there were others around, slipping into informal speech.

Deng Yuxiang's tone was stern, her eyes sharp and severe: "You're nothing more than a fledgling River Realm cultivator, absolutely not!"

"Smack!"

Another hand pressed onto Lu Ran's opposite shoulder.

Yu Changsheng spoke with equal seriousness, his voice steady: "Even if Sect Master were at the Sea Realm, you mustn't act recklessly.

We can explore cautiously; this intelligence we've gathered is already the best outcome.

Sect Master, heed their words—absolutely no way!"

Lu Ran: "..."

...

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