Chapter 253: Three Questions Under the Moon

The duration of the Golden Armored Guard is eight minutes.

Yet before half the time had passed, the Ghost Moon Fox Clan was already in complete disarray.

The Spirit Talisman believer nicknamed "Gambler Dog" has gone super godlike today!

"Crush them!"

On the battlefield, Chang Ying displayed none of her usual giggling from daily life, only heroic brilliance.

Wielding a mountain-splitting axe, she stood alone before Tian Tian, while her other large hand clenched tightly out of thin air.

In the distance, the Golden Armored Guard, clutching a beautiful fox head in its hand, followed its master's will and likewise clenched its great hand fiercely.

"Snap! Snap! Snap!"

Instantly, countless fox tails swept over, lashing against his body.

The golden-armored giant looked majestic and imposing, seeming to possess an indestructible golden body, retreating not even an inch!

Since the battle began, he had already absorbed an unknown amount of damage.

"Ha!"

Deng Yutang truly lived up to the name of the Red Scarf, growing braver with every fight!

Speartip radiance dotted with red light shattered all things; a great banner fluttered loudly, leaving evil spirits nowhere to flee.

Furthermore, a massive phantom of the Red Scarf hovered beside him, amplifying all his attributes and satisfying the soaring battle lust in his heart.

No wonder Lu Ran's Temple of Divine and Demonic Sculptures had collected the most souls of Red Scarf believers.

With the Red Scarf faction being this ferociously brave, wasn't their mortality rate naturally the highest?

"Ya~!" Tian Tian let out a delicate shout, kneeling halfway on the ground.

That petite body hid securely behind the tall Chang Ying, completely shielded.

Moreover, two or three lotus petals guarded her left and right, providing Tian Tian with a stable environment for spellcasting.

Seeing Tian Tian press one small hand against the ground, a surge of energy churned within her palm.

In the distant forest, a giant lotus bloomed open!

As the petals unfurled, an illusory sword shadow could be seen hanging upside down upon the lotus heart.

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~"

A series of flying swords shot out from within the illusory sword shadow.

One flying sword after another followed in the footsteps of the Cool Night Sword and the Rosy Light Blade, weaving recklessly through the forest and slaughtering enemies wantonly.

Sword Lotus Divine Art: Lotus Flying Swords!

Jiangjiang Ruyi stood to Tian Tian's right rear, her eyes holding a trace of doting affection, but mostly pride.

In days past, that timid little girl hadn't even dared to speak loudly.

Jiangjiang Ruyi still remembered how Tian Tian had stood before her with head bowed, nervously twisting her fingers, too afraid to meet her gaze directly.

Now, Tian Tian had already become a qualified Sword Lotus disciple.

The Sword Lotus faction was soft on the outside but rigid within.

Her lotus petals could protect everyone, while the sword within the lotus could slay demons and eradicate evil!

The next step was to draw out that sword from within the lotus.

Jiangjiang Ruyi believed Tian Tian could do it!

Continuing to grow like this, Tian Tian would surely gain the appreciation of her own deity and bloom into a true and proper Sword Lotus flower.

While Jiangjiang Ruyi was admiring the scene, her output and control never ceased.

Sheet after sheet of Lightning Bind Talismans released myriad lightning snakes running wild.

Strike after strike of Quicksand Talismans forced the invisible fox demons to reveal themselves.

The Ghost Moon Fox Xie Fa, Moon-Hiding Fox, possessed one characteristic:

While in a hidden state, you may move freely, but if you employ any other technique, the concealment breaks automatically.

"So amazing."

In the mountain forest behind, He Wenjing watched the battle while muttering to herself.

"Mm." Fang Lin rarely refrained from scolding her team members, but now she nodded, "Indeed an elite squad."

"However, they are also truly lucky."

That Golden Armored Guard attracted most of the evil spirits' attention and absorbed most of the damage."

He Wenjing opened her mouth, then said softly, "I was talking about Lu Lu Tianjiao."

Fang Lin: "."

You little girl, is there simply no one else in your eyes?

This squad performed so well, unleashing divine arts frequently; with just a handful of people, they slaughtered the Ghost Moon Fox clan until rivers of blood flowed.

Were all these things not enough to earn even a single glance from you?

"Hiss—"

Fang Lin's ears twitched; following the sound of surging immortal mist, she searched for Lu Ran.

As Fang Lin shifted her attention, the speed of her eyeball rotation suddenly increased!

Fast,

simply too fast!

Ever since Lu Ran participated in "Lu Tianjiao," he had acquired a nickname—Ran Mei.

Indeed, under a great reputation there are no false talents.

Seeing him now, he truly was charming enough!

"Captain Fang, did you notice?" He Wenjing asked, her face full of admiration, "Lu Lu Tianjiao has his eyes closed."

"Look! He hardly ever opens his eyes. Did you see that?"

Fang Lin: "."

I can only see his silhouette; how am I supposed to see his eyes?

Do you think I have night vision too?

While silently grumbling, Fang Lin actually managed to get a clear view of Lu Ran's front.

It just so happened that Lu Ran swept past the fox tail, and the moonlight rippling off the tail illuminated his face.

Indeed, his eyes were closed!

Presumably, Lu Ran was afraid of meeting the dual pupils of the Ghost Moon Fox.

"Sigh."

Fang Lin let out a soft sigh.

The deity Sister Xian Xiang Xianyang is quite capable of hoarding secrets, isn't he?

This skill of Lu Ran's, locating positions by sound, is no worse than the North Wind Divine Art's Whispering Wind Chant.

Ever since Lu Ran became famous, his entire past has been thoroughly dug up.

This includes his special usage of the Divine Art of Compassionate Sound (the Sound of Dread and Panic), as well as his special application of the Divine Art of Immortal Hoof (the Xie Fa technique Lie Hun Mo Hoof).

Yet from start to finish, no one has ever revealed what kind of Deng Ji Fa this skill of locating positions by sound actually is.

On the contrary, many reports claim this skill is Lu Ran's own innate talent.

That he continuously developed and honed it himself.

Moreover, this claim has been corroborated by multiple Demon Pit military factions.

It is said that while Lu Ran was training and growing within the Demon Pit, he always blindfolded his eyes with a red scarf.

Fang Lin believed her military colleagues would not lie; Lu Ran must have trained while blindfolded.

But she still believed this ought to be a Zhi Shen Fa of the Xianyangyi Sect!

It was just that Lord Sister Xian was hiding it away, unwilling to teach it to the sect's disciples.

Then again, teaching this method to that group of cowardly Xianyangyi believers would indeed be of little use, wouldn't it?

Among all the Xianyangyi believers in the world, counting every single one, isn't Lu Ran the only little lamb daring enough to step onto the battlefield?

"Report the number of enemies killed!"

"Seven!"

"Eight..." Voices came one after another from the forest.

The battle had completely ended, yet Jiangjiang Ruyi frowned slightly: "Even counting those killed by the divine weapons, the numbers don't add up."

"It seems we haven't seen the pack leader at all?"

"No." Lu Ran spoke in a deep voice, "The Ghost Moon Fox clan possesses the Xie Fa technique Bright Moon Fox Heart."

Since they can foresee danger, they should logically be aware that their death is imminent.

Yet instead of fleeing desperately, they charged directly at us; presumably, this was to buy time for their leader.

Jiangjiang Ruyi spoke up: "There's no need to worry too much; just now, a soldier mentioned that this forest is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one exit."

"Let's go; we'll search the entire forest!" Lu Ran declared immediately.

"Let's go!" Deng Yutang was the first to respond.

Just as his words fell, the Golden Armored Guard quietly shattered and dispersed with the wind.

"Thank you." Chang Ying looked at the swirling golden light particles, her heart full of gratitude.

Immediately, while running alongside the squad, she pulled out a lot tube.

"Rustle~"

Divine Art of Spiritual Lots: Eight Treasures Lots!

With a "Whoosh," one lot flew out.

The problem was, the five golden lots were still in the tube, whereas of the three rotten lots originally inside, one was missing...

"Hoo~"

The wooden lot, tattered and worn, flew straight toward Chang Ying.

It wasn't simply following her; it darted left and swayed right before her eyes, doing its utmost to disrupt her vision.

Chang Ying: "."

I just won a million in a gamble and reached the peak of my life!

In the blink of an eye, have I lost even my underwear?

"It's alright, Ying Ying." Tian Tian hurriedly comforted her, "You're already very impressive!"

Chang Ying distressedly scratched her short hair and made no sound.

"You all fly up," Lu Ran suddenly said.

"Huh?" Deng Yutang looked toward the figure ahead.

Lu Ran: "Your footsteps are too chaotic; it's affecting my ability to hear sounds."

Everyone: "."

Under normal training conditions, everyone would advance slowly through the forest, constantly vigilant of their surroundings.

But at this moment, under Lu Ran's lead, the group was practically jogging the whole way.

The mountain forest was already difficult to traverse, and with several people running and jumping, they were indeed disturbing Lu Ran.

"Tian Tian."

"Master?" Tian Tian responded urgently.

"Activate your Nine-Petaled Lotus, carry the squad, and fly into the sky; proceed through the air!"

As Lu Ran issued his command, he raised his left hand, sending the Xia Guang Dao soaring high: "Follow it."

"Yes," Tian Tian replied obediently.

One by one, they leaped onto the lotus petals and soared high into the air.

Even Jiangjiang Ruyi took flight, fearing she might interfere with Lu Ran's search for the evil spirit.

In terms of detection alone, the combined abilities of the four-person squad could not compare to Lu Ran by himself.

Sniff~

Lu Ran twitched the tip of his nose as immortal mist churned beneath his feet.

This sight completely dumbfounded the military squad trailing behind.

"He Wenjing."

"Present!"

"Take charge of the squad." With those words, wind coiled beneath Fang Lin's feet as she flew straight forward.

Ahead, Lu Ran moved in fits and starts, sensing the scent growing ever stronger.

When he neared the foot of the mountain, Lu Ran finally realized the truth.

Oh no!

What he had found was not the fox clan leader, but the fox clan's former gathering place.

No wonder the scent here was so strong!

"Lu Ran!" Jiangjiang Ruyi's voice suddenly came through the invisible earpiece.

"Here," Lu Ran responded immediately.

"I see the Ghost Moon Fox."

"Huh?" Lu Ran was slightly bewildered.

"It has climbed up the mountain; it's very conspicuous under the moonlight."

"Received!" Lu Ran reached the base of a tree, where mist churned beneath his feet, and shot straight upward.

After several leaps, Lu Ran landed on the treetop, and immortal hooves manifested beneath his feet once more.

A Xia Guang Dao flew over at just the right moment, seized firmly in Lu Ran's grip.

Straining his eyes to their limit, he clearly saw a white fox struggling to climb high up on the cliff face.

"Good heavens~" Lu Ran was truly witnessing something unprecedented.

The fox clan was not skilled at rock climbing.

Yet this Ghost Moon Fox used its seven long tails, glowing with moonlight, to repeatedly pierce the mountain wall, climbing upward in a peculiar manner.

Fortunately, its posture was awkward and its movements unskilled; otherwise, it might have truly escaped with its life!

"Baa~~~" Lu Ran let out a bleat like a sheep.

Just as one of the Ghost Moon Fox's tails hooked onto the cliff edge, hearing the sound, its body instantly stiffened.

"Baa!!"

The Xia Guang Dao darted rapidly back and forth; Lu Ran gripped the hilt tightly, his body nearly flying horizontally through the air.

"Wu~~~"

The Ghost Moon Fox immediately let out a loud fox cry, meeting attack with counterattack.

As Lu Ran neared the cliff, he wielded the blade and fiercely flung it diagonally downward; the Xia Guang Dao immediately shot downward like a spear.

"Ying!" The Ghost Moon Fox heard the terrifying sound of something tearing through the air.

Having just climbed to the cliff's edge, it swiftly leaped sideways.

"Boom-rumble-rumble!"

The Xia Guang Dao sliced into the mountain wall as if cutting through tofu, causing the rocks to shatter with a thunderous crash.

Lu Ran landed steadily, sliding sideways across the bare cliff face.

The Ghost Moon Fox dug its four paws into the ground, sliding sideways as well, its pupils bursting with brilliant luster.

Gui Lin Yue Xie Fa · Eye of Chasing the Moon!

The next moment, the Ghost Moon Fox's expression changed.

Because the human sliding opposite it had actually closed his eyes?!

The Ghost Moon Fox slowly came to a halt, while immortal mist spread beneath Lu Ran's feet as he abruptly stopped.

Shortly after, the squad members flew up riding the lotus petals, only to hear Lu Ran speak:

"I'll handle it!"

"Be careful; Captain Fang said this clan leader is close to breaking through to Jiang Jing," Jiangjiang Ruyi called out in reminder.

"Mm." Lu Ran twirled the blade in his hand, creating a flourish of light.

Even if it truly is at the Jiang Jing realm, it must be slain by me!

I need closure!

"Let's go." Jiangjiang Ruyi signaled Tian Tian, and they flew toward the forest edge.

Tian Tian immediately manipulated the lotus petals, carrying everyone to follow, encircling the bare cliff.

"Ying~"

The moonlight in the Ghost Moon Fox's eyes gradually faded, leaving it looking pitifully fragile, its voice soft and weak.

Yet the humans before it were simply made of iron and stone!

Although he had not yet acted, the Ghost Moon Fox could sense the constant trembling beneath its feet and the sound of stones crumbling.

"Ying!" The Ghost Moon Fox let out a cry and fiercely leaped backward.

The Xia Guang Dao pierced up from underground, sending shards of stone flying in all directions.

"Woo~~~"

The Ghost Moon Fox lifted its beautiful fox head and let out another fox cry.

It seemed to use this sound to calm the human race, erasing the killing intent in Lu Ran's heart.

As if Lu Ran cared about that?

Mist churned beneath his feet, and his figure suddenly darted forward.

"Hiss—"

Blade light followed the figure, flashing past in an instant.

One second, the Ghost Moon Fox was still lifting its head to cry; the next, it leaped violently to the side.

Lu Ran nodded inwardly.

What a powerful fiend, what speed, what reaction!

No wonder this fellow was about to advance to the Jiang Jing realm; it was indeed far stronger than other River Realm·Stage Five Ghost Moon Foxes!

"Ying~" The Ghost Moon Fox coquettishly whimpered, looking at Lu Ran with discontent.

But that unromantic person still kept his eyes tightly shut, his hand still gripping the blade firmly.

The Ghost Moon Fox quickly scanned the encirclement behind it, moonlight flaring once more in its fox eyes.

However, Tian Tian, holding a precious lotus flower in her hand, completely shattered the Ghost Moon Fox's sweet dream.

"Ying!!"

After several failed attempts, the Ghost Moon Fox suddenly let out an angry roar.

Finally, the demon fox revealed its true colors!

Its gaze was exceedingly sinister and ruthless; it turned its head to look at Lu Ran, who was closest, as if having completely abandoned all illusions and preparing for a desperate last stand.

"Do we share fate?"

Lu Ran slowly began to walk around the Ghost Moon Fox.

The sudden words made the Ghost Moon Fox's heart skip a beat.

It could not understand human speech, and the few people in the distance could not hear clearly what Lu Ran was saying.

They could only see Lu Ran walking slowly, his mouth seemingly muttering something.

"We do."

Lu Ran murmured softly, asking and answering himself.

"Ying~" Sensing a change in the situation, the Ghost Moon Fox immediately changed its demeanor, whimpering in a delicate voice.

"Do we share affection?"

Lu Ran changed direction, walking slowly, while endless memories churned in his mind.

"... We do."

Lu Ran twirled his blade into a flower pattern and stopped his steps.

Then the final question:

Are you her?

No.

"Hiss—"

Lu Ran suddenly surged up, fiercely revealing the blade in his hand, and thrust straight at the Ghost Moon Fox!

A sinful fate,

False affection,

A fake person!

Four thousand words; begging for some votes.

(End of Chapter)