A foolish general brings suffering to his troops.

Fang Lingfeng had her courage dashed almost instantly when the battle began, and she fled in panic.

The ten-person team she led crumbled like scattered sand!

Her teammates scrambled to save their own lives when danger loomed, failing to mount any effective resistance from start to finish.

Of course, blame has to be placed on the overwhelming power of the Lu Sect as well—they were absolutely devastating!

The fight erupted in an instant and ended just as swiftly.

By rough estimation, the entire encounter lasted no more than mere seconds.

"Sect Leader, there are no more enemies in the vicinity!" Gao Yunyan reported loudly.

"Cease the Floating Sand," Lu Ran ordered.

The swirling sands dispersed rapidly, leaving only the Flowing Sand River still trickling along.

Suddenly, several sand whips materialized.

Emerging sequentially from the riverbed and striking eastward, they seemed intent on flipping the entire area upside down!

High in the sky, Jiang Ruyi, surrounded by the Jade Talisman Formation, gracefully descended.

The Dongting Sect lacked flying techniques, and engaging these believers from the ground posed a significant disadvantage—they were safer remaining at an elevation.

"Snap! Snap! Snap!"

The sand whips churned through the river, unearthing corpses of fallen Dongting disciples as well as a cluster of lotus buds buried beneath.

These were carried ashore far to the east, away from the battlefield.

The Flowing Sand River swiftly vanished; the once-lush forest disappeared, leaving the undulating ground reshaped in waves.

The scene was majestic!

"Restrain these two. I'll absorb the rest directly into my pupils," Lu Ran said, his slit-pupiled eyes flashing as he grabbed Deng Yuxiang's wrist and reached towards the left-front direction.

"Lu Ran." A cold voice drifted down from above.

Lu Ran tilted his head to look up at Jiang Fairy. "What is it?"

Jiang Ruyi's gaze lingered momentarily on Lu Ran's palm before her lips parted slightly. "Sword Lotus believers."

"Oh." Lu Ran turned his head towards the source.

Through the tender lotus buds, Lu Ran thought he saw a group of ostriches.

The surroundings had grown silent—the confrontation was evidently over.

And yet, the lotus buds remained. Inside them, the occupants seemed too frightened to emerge, unwilling to face their fate.

Lu Ran swept his gaze across the area and collected the wandering dead souls into his possession.

Excluding Fang Lingfeng, ten Dongting disciples had left behind seven corpses, with only three managing to escape.

Once his task was complete, Lu Ran approached the cluster of lotus buds.

Since the blooms were tightly shut, he teleported directly into their midst with little concern. "You're all safe now."

The voice carried into the lotus buds, striking terror into the hiding group.

The people of Thunder Mountain... all dead?

So quickly?

Just who were these mysterious figures cloaked in bamboo hats and robes…?

The Sword Lotus disciples were pale-faced and trembling uncontrollably.

At the root of their unease was Deng Yuxiang's offhand remark: "These Sword Lotus believers are mine."

In the ruthless realm of the Holy Spirit Mountain, the weak naturally assumed they were destined to become captives.

Life or death? Torture or servitude? They couldn't know the answer.

But the disciples were unaware that Deng Yuxiang had said those words only to mislead the enemy.

The Big Nightmare wasn't foolish—it wouldn't openly declare that their side was part of the Thousand Boat Alliance!

What if any enemies managed to escape?

That would simply hand over valuable intelligence for free!

As it turned out, the Nightmare's caution was well-founded. Indeed, a few Dongting disciples had escaped.

"Come out. I am a guest of the Thousand Boat Alliance," Lu Ran said again.

A simple sentence, yet it pierced like sudden light into the infinite darkness of an abyss!

At least a few Sword Lotus disciples felt a faint glimmer of hope rekindling in their hearts.

"P-Pei... Pei Island Master?"

"Island Master, we..." a few murmured tentatively, their voices cautious.

Garbed in a striking scarlet robe, Pei Island Master gritted his teeth and reluctantly opened the lotus buds.

Stalling any longer would accomplish nothing.

Ultimately, they would have to face the judgment of fate.

"You... you've come to visit our Thousand Boat Alliance?" Pei Island Master asked hesitantly, looking at Lu Ran.

He had expected to confront a mysterious figure clad in green robes and a bamboo hat.

Instead!

Standing before him was a young man draped in an elegant white robe, exuding a commanding presence.

High above, a regal woman adorned in a white dress gazed down at them with a serene, frosty expression.

Their attire alone indicated their extraordinary status!

"I have connections with Bi He's Green Lotus Island and was invited as reinforcements," Lu Ran said warmly, nodding lightly.

"What?"

"Re-reinforcements?" Nearly twenty Sword Lotus disciples erupted in whispers of astonishment.

Grief turned to joy.

Just moments ago, they were grappling with whether they would meet a gruesome death or suffer through a wretched existence.

Now, their fate had changed entirely!

"Thank you, sir, for coming to our rescue!" Pei Island Master clasped his fists in deep gratitude. "I am Pei Hong. May I ask your esteemed name?"

The disciples around Pei Hong wore a mix of expressions.

Some appeared dazed, struggling to believe the situation.

Others were overwhelmed with relief, while a few even wept tears of joy...

Lu Ran introduced himself and then offered a word of advice: "Head back quickly."

"Master Lu's great kindness shall be remembered by Pei!" Pei Hong bowed deeply. "Should you not mind, please come to the island so I can properly..."

"No, I still have tasks to complete," Lu Ran said, raising a hand to stop him mid-sentence.

By now, he had grown accustomed to even Sea Realm Great Powers treating him with utmost respect.

This aura of authority was something cultivated through his many experiences.

"Then I..."

"Sect Leader." Deng Yuxiang approached.

In an instant, the Sword Lotus disciples' expressions shifted.

Their eyes revealed deep fear.

This terrifying Sea Realm Great Power was the very one who had brazenly declared ownership over them...

"The battlefield has been cleared. Let them deal with the corpses and take all the weapons back to Green Lotus Island," Deng Yuxiang suggested softly.

Lu Ran: [Any Divine Weapon Seeds?]

Deng Yuxiang: [None, just ordinary goods. But there are over fifty Divine Power Pearls.]

Lu Ran sneered: [Truly rich beyond measure.]

After exchanging thoughts with the Nightmare, Lu Ran turned to Pei Island Master.

Pei Hong responded promptly, "Master Lu, please proceed with your task. We'll deliver the spoils of war to Green Lotus Island."

"Appreciated."

"No trouble at all!" Pei Hong said quickly. "I hope Master Lu completes his mission safely and returns to the island soon. At that time, I will personally pay my respects!"

Lu Ran smiled and nodded before turning to leave.

His figure, with robes billowing gracefully, exuded an air of freedom.

What others thought, he didn't know, but Jiang Ruyi, watching from above, seemed quite mesmerized by the sight.

"Let's go, Ruyi," Lu Ran called.

"Alright." Jiang Ruyi replied softly and descended lightly.

Under Pei Island Master and the disciples' watchful gaze, the members of the Lu Sect gradually disappeared into the forested landscape.

"Green Lotus Island's master knows such a powerful organization..."

"The sect leader is so young!"

"Isn't Master Lu only at the River Realm? Why would two Sea Realm Great Powers serve him?"

"Stop talking nonsense. Clean the battlefield and let's leave quickly—this place isn't safe!"

The Sword Lotus disciples whispered amongst themselves, while the already distant Lu Ran remained unaware of their chatter.

At that moment, he was gazing ahead at a tall figure and called out: "Feng'er!"

"Sect Leader?" Xue Fengchen froze briefly before turning around.

Lu Ran grinned. "You've got to step up your game! Look at how Yan God General ravages his foes—such might!"

Xue Fengchen's face turned a little red.

He had contributed to the earlier battle, utilizing Floating Sand and Wilderness Desert Sea.

Yet, when it came to the scale of his Divine Techniques, their effectiveness, or overall results, he was near the bottom of the pack.

In fact, if they compiled a tactical scorecard, Xue Fengchen would undoubtedly rank last!

Even the lowest-ranked Evil Shadow Guardian on the team outperformed him...

Lu Ran added, "When will you advance to the Sea Realm?"

Xue Fengchen murmured, "I'll work hard on it."

Poor kid!

A West Desolate general at the River Realm's peak, yet he spoke with little confidence.

Lu Ran wasn't trying to mock his comrade—he wanted to motivate him.

Especially after witnessing Gao Yunyan's impressive combat capabilities, Lu Ran grew eager to add another West Desolate Divine General to their ranks!

"You'll get there," Gao Yunyan said, stepping forward to clasp Xue Fengchen's shoulder gently, shaking it slightly as both comfort and encouragement.

"Let me teach you a little something!" Lu Ran said, as if a thought suddenly struck him. "Back in the Human World, I had a brother. Whenever I asked when he'd advance, he only ever replied with one line."

Everyone turned their curious gazes toward Lu Ran.

Jiang Ruyi, already struggling to stifle her laughter, seemed to know what was coming.

Sure enough, Lu Ran blurted out, "Soon, soon!"

Xue Fengchen: "..."

"It's a psychological trick!" Lu Ran said, looking at him. "Feng'er, when will you become part of the vast Yangyang Sea?"

Xue Fengchen remained silent for a moment, then responded in a low, firm voice: "Soon!"

"Good." Lu Ran nodded approvingly, clearly satisfied.

Suddenly, a gaze settled upon him.

Lu Ran turned his head to see Deng Yuxiang giving him a small glare.

She obviously knew that the "brother from the Human World" Lu Ran had mentioned was none other than her unreliable younger brother.

How was Deng Yutang doing these days?

Had he reached the River Realm yet?

Or was he still stuck at a certain high rank within the River Realm, unable to advance?

"Nightmare."

"Hm?"

"Give me a dead soul. We'll interrogate it on the move."

"Understood." Deng Yuxiang lifted her hand and lightly shook her wrist.

Lu Ran caught a swirling ball of black mist. Within it, a man's terrified face gradually appeared, suspended within the Soul Prison.

Lu Ran had never shown mercy to his enemies.

"Ah! AHHHH!" The captive let out a gut-wrenching scream as Lu Ran unleashed his ghostly Soul Fire.

Amid the agonizing cries, Lu Ran remarked, "This time, our tactics were executed excellently.

Floating Sand to blind them, Flowing Sand to reshape the terrain... it was as though we crafted a graveyard specifically for the Dongting Sect!

But it's unfortunate..."

Deng Yuxiang glanced at the writhing, screaming soul and reassured Lu Ran, "We just lacked a bit of luck."

Lu Ran replied, "Let's think carefully about how we can further refine our strategies."

Jiang Ruyi suddenly chimed in, "Do you remember how, back at Ten Thousand Blade Mountain, you killed Elder Peng of Tianhuang Mountain?"

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow. "From the sky?"

"The Dongting Sect also cannot fly. Once we're in the air and they lack a foothold, their speed advantage disappears—leaving them wide open for slaughter."

As she spoke, Jiang Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly, seemingly annoyed by the captive's incessant wails.

Lu Ran extinguished the Soul Fire, and finally, silence returned to the world.

After pondering their techniques for a while, he turned back to the soul in the prison and coldly asked:

"How many Sea Realm individuals are there in Thunder Mountain?"

...

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