Eight days later, joyful news came from Fuyao Island.

Xue Fengchen has emerged from seclusion!

With the majestic aura unique to a Great Power of the Sea Realm, he stepped out of the seclusion room.

After communicating and expressing thanks to the elite guards on the island, cheers resounded.

The members of the Thousand Boat Alliance, especially the believers of the Bi He Sect, naturally held a favorable view of the Ran Sect, not to mention this was a Great Power of the Sea Realm; the guards were naturally willing to offer their congratulations.

The Evil Shadow Guardian quickly noticed the situation and went to investigate.

At that moment, it happened to be midnight. Under the guidance of the Evil Shadow, Xue Fengchen arrived at the northern island and found Lu Ran, who was on duty there.

Lu Ran was extremely happy!

"Good, good, good!" Lu Ran strode forward and gave Xue Fengchen a big hug.

This action took Xue Fengchen by surprise.

Lu Ran was indeed of a carefree nature and valued the Blazing Phoenix of the West Desolation highly, but the Sect Master had never been so intimately behaved before.

Little did Xue Fengchen know that during these days, Lu Ran had been mentally tense.

Although the Ran Sect had severely damaged Thunder Mountain, considering the typical temperament of Dong Ting's disciples, it was not unlikely for someone to hold a grudge and attempt a secret attack.

As the saying goes, 'There's no guarding against thieves every day.'

No matter how cautious everyone is, mistakes can happen.

Now it's all good!

The great success of Feng'er lifted a burden off Lu Ran's heart.

He could take a break from his shift and return to his room for intense cultivation.

"Master..." Feeling Lu Ran's genuine joy, Xue Fengchen was also slightly moved.

"I've got a task for you!" Lu Ran handed over the Mad Dragon Spear, "This is the Divine Weapon of the Sect Master of Thunder Mountain, and it's been imbued with some of Lv Xiao's dispositions.

Proud and unyielding.

I refuse to let it have its way! From this day forward, you hold it firmly for me."

Isn't it just taming an eagle?

Tame it, then~

Moreover, the process of taming is also beneficial for Xue Fengchen to consolidate his Mental Realm, so why not do it?

"Yes!" Xue Fengchen reached out his big hand, groping in the dark for a moment, clutching the Divine Weapon Halberd tightly.

[Evil Shadow, inform Mr. Cong Long and Island Master He they can withdraw.]

With the message sent, Lu Ran patted Xue Fengchen's shoulder, "Let's go, let's head back."

That night, Lu Ran immersed himself in the joy of having gained a Divine General and cultivated diligently all night long.

Speaking of which, the divine power drawn by the promotion of the Alliance Leader Yun was terrifyingly dense!

In such an environment, Lu Ran was very sure that the time for his promotion would be significantly ahead of schedule!

The following morning, all major island masters of the Thousand Boat Alliance either visited personally or sent someone to congratulate him. Naturally, Lu Ran treated them politely, and after sending off a batch of people, quickly returned to focused cultivation.

No one knew when Alliance Leader Yun Qianzhou would successfully advance.

Everyone within Mist Rain Lake was frantically taking advantage of the benefits and cultivating diligently.

Days passed by quickly, and it was soon the 12th day of the winter month.

This marked the twenty-second day of Alliance Leader Yun Qianzhou's promotion!

It was also the first day of Lu Ran's advancement!

At the Fourth Rank of the River Realm, he finally broke through the cultivation bottleneck under the terrifying blessings of the Alliance Leader Yun, and grandly began advancing!

Instead of going to the seclusion room under Fuyao Island, Lu Ran broke through directly inside the cabin.

Although he was ascending to the peak of the River Realm, essentially, it was a small rank breakthrough within the Great Realm.

In other words, Lu Ran couldn't even attract a Fog Dragon Roll.

Quite unimpressive~

And the mist attracted by Lu Ran...

What?

Did Lu Ran attract mist? Where?

Oh, it turned out it was completely overshadowed by the mist summoned by the Alliance Leader Yun...

In just three days, Lu Ran accomplished a great feat!

At that time, Alliance Leader Yun was still in the process of advancing.

Poor little follower of the River Realm.

No fuss when entering seclusion, no grand display when emerging either...

Of course, for the Ran Sect's warriors, the commotion from the Sect Master's advancement was enormous!

"Phew!!"

In the empty room inside the cabin, a fierce gust of wind swept across.

Lu Ran sat cross-legged, tightly holding the little Blazing Phoenix, fearing it might be blown away.

"Buzz~"

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd trembled lightly, its golden phoenix pattern flickering, looking dazzlingly beautiful.

"Ha!" Lu Ran held the little Blazing Phoenix with both hands, throwing flowers, "Peak!!"

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd was tossed into the air and stopped stably right before hitting the ceiling.

"Buzz~" The little Blazing Phoenix seemed to love this game, rapidly plummeting down.

The chubby Treasure Gourd stuck back to Lu Ran's palm, continually wriggling and rubbing against his hand.

It seemed to want to play more?

"Always playing, haven't you learned how to devour living beings properly yet?" Lu Ran patted the chubby gourd.

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd instantly went still.

Even the golden phoenix pattern stopped flickering, slowly sliding out of Lu Ran's palm.

"Alright, one more time." Lu Ran chuckled helplessly.

Gotta pamper it, right~

What else can I do with my big darling?

Lu Ran held the Treasure Gourd again with both hands, throwing more flowers.

✿✿ヽ(°▽°)ノ✿✿

"Phew~"

The little Blazing Phoenix wobbled joyfully, until it bumped into the cabin ceiling, and then fell down contentedly.

Lu Ran stood up, steadily caught the Treasure Gourd, and stepped out of the cabin.

His senses were exceptionally acute, knowing there were quite a few people in the hall.

Sure enough, as soon as Lu Ran pushed open the door, a series of congratulatory voices came flooding in.

"Congratulations to the Sect Master on ascending to the peak!"

"Congratulations to the Sect Master!"

"Thanks, thanks." Lu Ran replied with a smile, "Everyone, go back to cultivate; the opportunity is rare, don't waste a minute or a second."

This statement felt a bit disingenuous.

Although the warriors were waiting in the hall, no one was neglecting their cultivation.

However, everyone was sensible and quickly said their goodbyes, leaving space for the Sect Master and Lady.

As the crowd dispersed, Lu Ran immediately stepped forward and embraced Fairy Jiang in his arms.

"Hmm." Jiang Ruyi leaned slightly backward.

Her lips curled into a slight smile, her face carrying a charming expression as she gently ran a hand through the thick mist, lightly tidying his hair:

"Charge forward, aiming to ascend to the Sea Realm?"

"Uh-huh, I'm working hard on it." Lu Ran found Jiang Fairy's thin lips, giving them a gentle kiss, speaking indistinctly, "Lady Girlfriend, give me some inspiration, won't you?"

"You…", Jiang Ruyi's cheeks reddened, her words equally muddled with shyness.

Lu Ran had just leveled up, basking in the proud and thriving spring breeze.

His familiar aura uniquely stirred Jiang Ruyi's usually serene emotions.

Jiang Fairy's body gradually softened, her beautiful eyes becoming increasingly dreamy...

But for some reason, Lu Ran suddenly lifted his head, as if perceiving something.

Jiang Ruyi gathered her thoughts and asked quietly, concerned: "What's wrong?"

Lu Ran frowned slightly: "The mist… seems to be thinning?"

"Hm?" Jiang Ruyi faced Lu Ran.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds...

Gradually, she could see the youth in the haze.

As time passed, his heroic face became clearer, the brilliance in his eyes lingered, carrying a sacred aura.

Lu Ran was stirred: "Did Alliance Leader Yun successfully advance?"

Jiang Ruyi replied softly: "Probably."

"Let's go and see." Lu Ran led her outside.

"Swoosh~" In the secluded courtyard, Jiang Ruyi casually waved her hand, the Golden Jade Eight Talismans spread outward.

With a thought, a palm-sized golden jade talisman expanded to a meter in size, carrying the two of them upward.

They looked over the lush branches, standing atop the treetop.

At this moment, within the world of Mist Rain Lake, the white mist was dissipating at a visibly rapid pace.

Other islands noticed this change, and excited cheers echoed all around.

As the mist cleared, the canopy of heavenly nets, lotus petals, and green lotus leaves scattered, revealing a sky overcast with dark clouds.

"Splatter~"

A fine rain fell down in streams.

The gloomy sky should have felt oppressive.

But here in the Qianzhou Islands, this picturesque scenery of misty rain in Jiangnan captivated Lu Ran.

Amidst the layers of rain, many figures exhibited different Divine Techniques, wearing various attires, swiftly flying towards the central island of Mist Rain Lake.

This scene was truly spectacular!

In Lu Ran's mind, the somewhat inappropriate term flashed—The gathering of myriad nations!

"Master Lu!" A venerable voice echoed from afar.

Lu Ran looked towards it.

He saw the Grey Lotus Island Master, leading a group of Bi He Island Masters, flying over.

The old face of the Grey Lotus Island Master had a hint of joy: "Master Lu, let's go together... Did you just advance?"

Lu Ran nodded with a smile.

The Grey Lotus Island Master, half-crying and half-laughing: "Why didn't Master Lu notify us in advance?"

"I'm just stirring up a bit of a fuss." Lu Ran smiled and waved it off, "Let's go check it out."

"Congratulations to Master Lu for your advancement!"

"Congratulations, congratulations," each Island Master began to speak, an obligatory congratulatory refrain.

While Lu Ran was merely at the River Realm rank, in terms of real combat prowess…

Even these Sea Realm Island Masters dared not guarantee they'd endure more than a few rounds before the Master of Ran Sect.

Lu Ran had indeed forged a formidable reputation for himself!

Especially when Thunder Mountain's army came to intrude, and Lu Ran, along with the Ran Sect warriors, confronted them—his shocking words still reverberated in the hearts of the Thousand Boat Alliance members.

I killed them, and then?

Lingfeng Hall, Hu Xu Hall, Tiantu Mountain—I wiped them out as well!

And then what?

Then... it actually happened!

The Sect Master from Thunder Mountain, along with his First Lady and Third Lady, were also slain by the team led by Lu Ran!

Though the Thousand Boat Alliance warriors never witnessed it firsthand, even the Hall Master of Big Wind Hall of Wuji Peak reported it—who would doubt it?

"What is that?" Mid-flight, Jiang Ruyi suddenly felt her heart tremble.

"Alliance Leader Yun!"

"It's Alliance Leader Yun Qianzhou!"

"Gasp..." The Golden Lotus Island Master, a powerful Sea Realm practitioner, gasped, "Such an astonishing presence!"

"Gulp." Lu Ran stared in awe at Tianya Island, at the man slowly ascending into the sky.

He had a tall physique, an extraordinarily refined face, a high nose bridge, and pale lips.

His eyes continued to flicker with a faint brilliance, showing no trace of joy or sorrow, seemingly devoid of any Human Clan emotions.

One word: imposing without anger.

And Yun Qianzhou's emotionless gaze, even from a distance, made one's heart quiver.

He halted calmly in mid-air, his unbound black hair and wide white robe fluttering gently in the light wind and rain.

The entire world seemed to quiet at this moment.

Countless Thousand Boat Alliance members, bold enough to congratulate, simultaneously lost their voices; many dared not approach Tianya Island.

Between heaven and earth, only the light rain continued to fall.

Still ticking and pattering.

At this moment, buried deep within Lu Ran's mind, memories silently surfaced.

This sensation… this feeling, Lu Ran seemed to have experienced before!

It was at his father's funeral.

His mother brought little Yuanxi, arriving at the small Rain Alley City.

Lu Ran followed beside his mother, who he hadn't seen for a long time, bidding farewell to his deceased father, and for some period, he seemed to lose sight of clarity.

Delayed realization!

To this day, Lu Ran finally realized, that his youthful self back then, wasn't disoriented due to overwhelming sadness.

He must have been mentally shaken.

That feeble 13-year-old boy couldn't handle that level of emotional outburst from his mother, his mind going blank in that instant, memory fading with it...

So, was Mother also a Heavenly Realm practitioner?

Or perhaps his young self was too fragile and mistook the Sea for the Heaven?

Who knows.

"Hah..." Lu Ran exhaled deeply.

He's been at Holy Spirit Mountain for nearly a year.

Wondering how Mother has been faring.

Has she become the Jinghong Peak Master?

Does she... occasionally think of me?

...

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