"Hoo~"
A gentle breeze passed by, lightly fluttering Huangfu's purple robe.
It seemed to also carry away someone who lived deep within his heart, to a far, far off place.
Huangfu slowly raised his head, gazing at the sky filled with thunderclouds, the sorrow deep within his eyes ultimately turning into a faint redness around his eyes.
Huangfu had thought he had grown numb.
Yet, as this seemingly ordinary wind blew by, it stirred the waves in his heart, and echoes of the song his former comrades once sang returned to his ears:
"My birthplace, in the village the wind passes through. The distant place I see, is where the wind disappears."
"My mother went to the distance in the wind. Where does her child drift amidst the wind..."
The battlefield of the Heavenly Realm, where war is always the main theme.
Precisely because of this, those special moments outside of war, they are unforgettable and immensely precious.
The Cloud Sea Sect, a sect formed by people from all over the world, who shared the same ideals, in the unending fires of war, people supported each other and consoled one another.
Huangfu remembered clearly, it was after a great victory, on an inconspicuous stone peak.
A group of Cloud Sea disciples silently rested.
Clearly a great victory, yet not a trace of joy among everyone, for casualties were inevitable, and some disciples had tragically died on the battlefield.
Silence.
No one spoke.
Only the gentle breeze kept passing, later bringing this song.
Zheng Qingshan once bid farewell to his comrades in this way.
But when he died, they did not bid farewell to him.
"My mother went to the distance in the wind. Where does her child drift amidst the wind..." Huangfu's voice was faint and soft.
Sadly, he only remembered a few lines of the lyrics, unable to sing it all, unable to sing it for Zheng Qingshan.
Huangfu's muttering was nearly inaudible, though it could not escape Yin Yan's ears.
Yin Yan turned away directly, her nose tingled as she looked elsewhere.
Regarding her lover's death, she had always mourned alone, silently digesting it. And now, on this Divine Mountain of Thunder, she once again saw someone mourning Zheng Qingshan's departure.
No.
The new master she follows was also once angry, once saddened.
Thinking back, during these days, the kindness and care the new master showed her, perhaps Qingshan was also part of the reason.
She has another identity, the widow of an old member of the Cloud Sea.
"I have a mission, to collect resources for Lord Yinli Tiger." Yin Yan spoke softly.
Huangfu looked at Yin Yan's back.
Clearly hearing she was saying farewell.
Huangfu wanted Yin Yan to rest her feet, as a person from Da Xia, his nature remained, and he wished to entertain the guests from afar.
However, the Divine Mountain of Thunder is truly not a good place and should not be lingered at for long.
Words of retention were swallowed back into Huangfu's stomach.
Yin Yan wiped her eyes with one hand, suddenly turning to look at Huangfu.
Huangfu sensed something unusual!
Yin Yan had always been expressionless, her gaze unfocused, her entire person exuding a faint aura of death.
Yet at this moment, Yin Yan's eyes suddenly changed, becoming intensely bright?
The sudden change in her gaze sharply contrasted her usual demeanor, creating two extremes.
Basically two different people!
What was she...?
While Huangfu remained composed, the widow of his comrade suddenly extended her hand, offering half a Tiger Talisman: "This Magic Artifact was once captured by you and Qingshan together, now that he's gone, return it to you."
Huangfu and Yin Yan's gazes intertwined.
When had he and Zheng Qingshan ever captured a Magic Artifact·Tiger Talisman?
Huangfu slowly extended his hand, took the Tiger Talisman, and said solemnly: "I will take good care of it, swear by my life."
Yin Yan looked deeply at Huangfu, unfolded a pair of black tiger wings: "Take care."
Huangfu nodded: "My condolences."
Yin Yan turned and left, gradually disappearing into the distant sky.
Huangfu clenched the half Tiger Talisman, the energy of the Artifact Spirit flowed on the surface, seeped into his palm, guiding him in a direction.
More accurately, a person—Yin Yan!
Presumably, the Tiger Talisman forms a pair? The other half would be in her possession.
Did she want... him to find her?
Huangfu still maintained his composure, turned around, appearing lost and broken, stumbling into the mountain.
Meanwhile, within the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm.
In the master bedroom of Tianya Residence, a young man was sleeping soundly on the bed.
Lu Ran had contracted an illness known as "Affluence."
During this period, he had consumed too much, and too well, his mind was on the verge of exploding...
As soon as the feast ended, Lu Ran met with Yin Yan, delegated some matters, then returned alone to the Holy Spirit Mountain.
After all, given his poor condition, staying in the Heavenly Realm would be too dangerous.
Fortunately, as the Heavenly Realm Stone Sculpture upgraded, in just a few days, this allowed Lu Ran to evade the periods when the Stone Sculpture would tremble, continually feasting at the table.
If it were the Heavenly Realm·Human Believer upgrading, lasting up to a month, Lu Ran feared he would die there!
The pain during the feasting process naturally represents remarkable outcomes.
The Wind Emperor arrived early at the second rank of the Heavenly Realm, the Dust Shadow Flower and Evil Mirror Demon Stone Sculptures within the Sculpture Garden also reached the second rank.
What does it mean to be proactive?
Lu Yuan and his disciples hadn't even fused with the Stone Sculptures, yet Lu Ran had already set everything up.
Facing the grand feast served by the Divine Mountain of Thunder and the Faceless Jade Venerable, Lu Ran naturally wouldn't only cultivate three Stone Sculptures.
Otherwise, Divine·Dongting wouldn't have been so furious.
In Lu Ran's conception, the realm of the Evil Sculpture·Yinli Tiger should be quite high, though Lu Ran hadn't activated this Evil Sculpture, so the exact situation was unclear.
Also temporarily free from the tremor agony of the Yinli Tiger's sculpture.
Yet the Evil Dog Evil Sculpture and Dongting Divine Sculpture, in Lu Ran's successive campaigns, both arrived at the second rank of the Heavenly Realm.
These two Stone Sculptures were long activated by Lu Ran, therefore unavoidable of the buzzing in his brain.
Lu Ran... indeed bore the hardship.
Also overjoyed.
Looting!
Divine Dongting, Faceless Jade Venerable...
Looting you!
And as Lu Ran lay asleep, the thick fog enveloping between heaven and earth gradually faded away.
The ends of the earth are rare to find such clear skies.
A figure appeared like a specter before Tianya Residence. She looked around, her gaze landing beside a large tree, and beckoned.
"Swoosh~"
Shadow Four appeared instantly, respectfully saluting, "Congratulations, Lord Protector, on advancing to the Sea Realm Peak."
Yan Shuangzi did not respond, instead asking, "During my seclusion, did anything noteworthy happen?"
"No, the seven islands of Ran Sect have been calm." Shadow Four knew what Yan Shuangzi truly cared about and added, "The sect leader returned yesterday morning."
"Leader... The sect leader is back." Yan Shuangzi turned to look at the entrance of Tianya Residence.
"Yes, the sect leader has been sleeping for a whole day and night now and still rests in the bedroom."
"Hmm." Yan Shuangzi acknowledged, her figure flashed.
She did not enter the residence but came to the dense forest above the bedroom.
Yan Shuangzi stood beside an Immortal Jasmine Tree, looking down at the ground, as if her gaze could penetrate it to see the slumbering person beneath.
After a long time, she slowly knelt under the Jasmine Tree, gently exhaled.
He's back to the sect.
Right now, resting just beneath her feet, close enough to touch.
Hmm... Perhaps it's a good opportunity to break through the shackles.
Yan Shuangzi leaned her body, shoulders resting against the Jasmine Tree.
Advancing to the Heavenly Realm is not an easy task.
Now it's January 2023, and at this point many strong warriors of Ran Sect are stuck at the Sea Realm·Peak stage.
Xun Yifei, the deputy island master of Jingxian Island, Wang Longxiang, Valley Master of Longxiang Valley, He Yingcai, Hierarch of Thousand Boat Alliance, including the two generals Feng Yan...
Since the warriors signed the Inheritance Contract with the Stone Sculpture, upgrading at minor ranks is not difficult.
One only needs to be extremely diligent, and that suffices.
However, a breakthrough at a great realm requires a brilliant Dao Heart.
This is precisely what has hindered countless talents, even if you think your understanding is deep enough and belief firm enough...
Without the spark of inspiration, there's nothing you can do.
Yet Yan Shuangzi never believed she would be stuck.
All she might need is a simple command from him.
"Hmm?" Yan Shuangzi turned to look aside.
A void-like figure appeared from the ground, such a unique sight made Yan Shuangzi feel somewhat unfamiliar.
"Lady." Yan Shuangzi whispered in greeting.
Jiang Ruyi emerged from underground, standing under the Immortal Jasmine Tree, gazing at the naturally drooping branches with clusters of blooming beautiful flowers.
She raised her hand, fingers gently feeling the fragrant petals, "Just out of seclusion, not taking a rest?"
Yan Shuangzi hesitated for a moment, whispered, "Subordinate wants to push through in one go."
Jiang Ruyi nodded, "Hmm, go then."
"What?" Yan Shuangzi looked up at the young woman.
Jiang Ruyi softly said, "Move lightly, stay far, don't disturb his sleep. If you truly manage to advance, go to the seclusion room beneath the bedroom."
"Lady, I..."
"Go then, chances of him returning are few, getting here at the right time, it's destiny favored." Jiang Ruyi, fingers playing with the flowers, spoke lightly.
Who could have thought that the once jealous one would make such a decision.
Yan Shuangzi hesitated for a while, voiced thanks, then her figure flashed, appearing at the corner of the bedroom.
Beside her was the entrance leading to the basement.
Yan Shuangzi gazed toward the bed's direction, yet a screen blocked her view; she could only vaguely see the person behind it through the carved design.
Compared to the incomplete figure, his long breaths felt more real.
He existed truly, resting there.
Yan Shuangzi leaned back slightly, her back against the wall, silently staring at the screen.
As she watched, memories surged in her mind.
Meeting for the first time in Beifeng City, meeting again atop Sword Ridge Peak.
He took her away from the Demon Cave, piecing her together bit by bit, then led her to fight back to Sword Ridge Peak.
Extremely ruthless means, doubling the revenge.
Her codename was initially Evil Dog, meant to tear apart North Wind Sect, viciously tear into the God.
Yet he forcefully changed her name to Evil Shadow, not allowing her to demean herself.
Evil Shadow, can be borne.
But Yan Shuangzi knew, deep inside, she was always that Evil Dog.
From the moment he dragged her out of the abyss, she was.
"Sis?"
"Hmm?" Yan Shuangzi snapped back to reality, only to find the young man sleepily coming over.
"You... were punished by Ruyi to stand?" Lu Ran was a bit dazed.
What was such a grown-up doing standing in the corner?
The Shadow Guard Team usually remains unseen, Lord Protector should not appear here.
Moreover, Yan Shuangzi's emotions were so complex; Lu Ran couldn't quite tell if she were happy or sad or perhaps reminiscing...
"Guess I did wake you."
"It's no bother, I've slept enough. What's this?" Lu Ran rubbed his messy hair.
"Command me to advance."
"Ah?"
Yan Shuangzi nodded gently to confirm he didn't hear wrong.
Reversed Celestial Spirit!
Lu Ran opened his mouth, but obeyed her order, commanding, "You... then advance."
"Yes." Yan Shuangzi turned around and entered the underground seclusion room.
Lu Ran didn't know whether he was awake or dreaming, his mind couldn't quite wrap around it.
Yet, just a few seconds later, a fierce wave of Divine Power rippled out from the basement.
Holy crap?!
Lu Ran was shocked, this... this this is?
Words turn into reality?
I haven't even become a God yet, and you're giving me a trial card?
No way!
All Gods and demons don't have such an ability...
...
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