Chapter 341: Lingyun Mountain

Stars and moon revolved, a brief moment of greedy joy.

Lu Ran arrived draped in evening clouds and departed greeting the morning glow.

"Genius" was pressing urgently; attending such an official event, one naturally could not break the appointment.

Jiangjiang Xianzi buried her emotions well, seemingly unwilling to disturb Lu Ran because of herself.

Only at parting did she take the initiative to kiss Lu Ran's cheek.

This time, Sister Sister Xian did not avert her gaze.

It was just a kiss on the cheek; what was there that couldn't be watched?

Si Si Xianxian showed no expression either, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Lu Ran believed that regarding his departure, she should be very happy.

After all, Si Si Xianxian had spent this entire night on the long bench of Lady Luo Sister Xian Pavilion.

That was after dinner.

While Jiangjiang Shaonainai and the maid Si were chatting happily, Lu Ran picked someone up.

He spouted words like, "The sky is my curtain, the earth my rug; green mountains and Erhai Lake accompany my sleep."

Then, Lu Ran sent Sister Sister Xian outside the long pavilion, by the ancient road's edge.

It made Sister Sister Xian so angry she stomped her feet right outside the pavilion!

No one knew whether she managed to sleep that night.

There was no help for it; although Lady Luo Sister Xian Residence covered a considerable area with large rooms, it had no guest quarters.

Even placing ten extra beds in the master bedroom would work; there was plenty of space.

But for a third wheel, there was truly nowhere to put them.

Now it was fine; with the obstructive Lu Ran gone, the two great beauties could stick together every day.

Lu Ran's destination for this trip was right next door—the capital of Qian Gui Province.

The flight took just over an hour; by late morning, Lu Ran had linked up with the "Genius" production crew.

During this event, Lu Ran also saw two other Geniuses.

One ranked in the sixties, the other in the eighties; clearly, they were here to serve as foil.

Lu Ran felt ashamed; he had never paid much attention to the two of them.

Toward Lu Ran, the number one Genius of Great Xia, the two senior brothers were extremely friendly.

Lu Ran held no arrogance; gentle and polite, the three conversed with great delight and even exchanged contact information.

Over the two-day event, Lu Ran joined the team in promoting, distributing supplies, and even delivering a speech at a high school.

It was very fulfilling.

On the twenty-second day of the tenth lunar month, the event concluded.

Lu Ran politely declined the two senior brothers' invitations and, without stopping, flew to Gusu City.

Chen Chen Jingjing had long since arranged a Devil Cave for him.

The noble and holy Jade-Faced Snake clan was awaiting the arrival and guidance of the Demon Lord.

How could Lu Ran bear to let the fairy sisters wait in bitterness?

The three blades on his back were already itching with impatience.

Outside Gusu City, inside a taxi.

Lu Ran sat in the back row, wearing a gray bucket hat and a white mask, staring blankly at the scenery outside the car window.

Here in early winter, the temperature was not yet low enough.

It was unlike his hometown, where snowflakes drifted down.

Yet, as Lu Ran gazed at the drizzling cold rain outside the window, he felt even colder.

Slowly, he raised his eyelids, looking at the towering, majestic divine statue standing high amidst the curtain of rain.

Second-Rank God · Most Dongting!

The God · Most Dongting's headquarters was in Shanghai City.

But a Second-Rank God's strength and influence were unparalleled; this side of Gusu City had also been occupied by Most Dongting.

The moment Lu Ran saw the statue of Most Dongting, a thought popped into his mind:

Lü Fengxian?

The image of the divine statue was that of a majestic ancient general.

In terms of attire, Most Dongting still carried a hint of an "emperor's" feel.

He wore a gold crown binding his hair and donned magnificent garments, part robe, part armor, exuding an overbearing aura.

He held a Square-Tian Painted Halberd, upon which coiled strands of purple electric current.

Within those pupils, purple electric sparks flickered even more intensely.

Majestic and heroic, with a powerful and grand momentum!

Of course, the purple currents on the halberd and in the eyes were all Lu Ran's imagination.

The magnificent stone statue before his eyes had no electric currents coiling around it.

It was only because Lu Ran had seen the phantom of God · Most Dongting online and knew how stunning the true form was.

"Mr., we can only go this far," the driver said, slowing the vehicle.

Directly ahead was a checkpoint; at this moment, several soldiers were blocking the road, making gestures to stop.

Devil Cave · Lingyun Mountain (Jade-Faced Snake Devil Cave) was not open to the public.

And unlike Rouge Village, which was superficially closed but where ordinary nobles could find connections to enter for training,

here at Lingyun Mountain, it was truly difficult for trainees to set foot.

As the archenemy of the First-Rank Deity Wu Seng, the Demonic Fiend Jade-Faced Serpent possessed immense strength and an extraordinarily high level of danger.

Sending people here for training would result in casualties that were simply too great.

Presumably, it was only by relying on the title of "Great Xia's Number One Prodigy" and his absolute strength that Lu Ran enabled Chen Chen Jingjing to operate smoothly.

"This is as far as we go." Just as Lu Ran scanned his code to pay, a soldier had already arrived at the driver's side window and knocked on the glass.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

"Over here." Lu Ran pressed the button to lower his window.

The young soldier wore a serious expression; without speaking, he first sized up the driver before approaching Lu Ran's window.

"Hello." Lu Ran directly handed over his identity card and university student ID.

The young soldier frowned slightly, but upon seeing the identity card, his expression immediately changed.

What had been an unfavorable demeanor now transformed into eyes burning with intensity!

"Lu..."

"Before the fifteenth, I asked someone to contact you," Lu Ran interjected.

"Yes, our side has received notification from superiors; please disembark," the young soldier nodded immediately and signaled to the checkpoint.

A soldier immediately approached holding an umbrella.

Lu Ran opened the door and got out; unable to refuse, he felt deeply moved in his heart.

"Prodigy" had given him so much, constructing a stage that drew the attention of the entire world.

From here on, it would naturally depend on each person's own abilities.

And on this stage, Lu Ran had forged a formidable reputation.

He had also gained the respect of the world.

Lu Ran retrieved his blade from the trunk, then boarded a military vehicle with the soldier, driving past layer upon layer of checkpoints as they headed toward the military camp.

The person receiving Lu Ran was the second-in-command of this Demon Lair.

The other party was extremely enthusiastic, saying some particular things, though nothing constituted a violation of regulations.

Great Xia's level of protection for the hundred prodigies was excessively strong, prohibiting any official department from making private contact.

Thinking about it now, it was actually the small Rain Alley City where Auntie Liu and Captain Ge had somewhat violated discipline.

Presumably, Auntie Liu, that "local emperor," had accurately gauged Lu Ran's nature, counting on his attachment to his hometown to leverage her unique advantages, thus acting somewhat rashly.

In fact, Lu Ran could also deduce this.

Once "Prodigy" concluded, the Great Xia authorities would naturally make arrangements for these hundred trainees.

After a year of fierce struggle, each of the hundred prodigies wielded extraordinary influence and naturally ought to be employed by Great Xia.

Lu Ran was willing to serve this land.

It was Rain Alley that gave him birth and raised him, and likewise, it was Great Xia.

However, challenging the Divine Ruins was also something Lu Ran absolutely had to do.

With Lord Xiang Xiang Xianyang providing a safety net, all problems would naturally resolve themselves.

Fundamentally speaking, Lu Ran's goal of "sweeping away the calamities plaguing the human world" should be perfectly unified with the goals of his nation and the people of Great Xia.

"Prodigy Lu, are you truly sure you don't need accompanying personnel?" the second-in-command asked, smiling at Lu Ran.

"No need, no need; I am accustomed to cultivating alone. Before the tenth, I will emerge on my own."

While speaking, Lu Ran stood beside Shi Zhu, looking down to locate the teleportation gate below.

Unexpectedly, it was not a starry curtain, but a clear water curtain.

It resembled a clear lake, with immortal mist swirling above it.

Lu Ran had seen this type of teleportation gate before!

That was in Qiantang River Province, at the Bamboo Sea Demon Lair beneath the lanterns.

The moment he thought of the Bamboo Sea, Lu Ran also recalled Li Li Rouyin, the believer of Lady Lady Wangquan.

Since their last parting, he did not know whether she had been diligently collecting departed souls.

He would have to find an opportunity to visit the young lady of Lady Wangquan and seek some gain.

"Leader, there is no time to lose; I shall go cultivate now," Lu Ran said as he drew the Silent Night Blade from his back and leaped straight down.

Wild winds howled beside his ears as Lu Ran plunged into the clear lake.

Instantly, the sky brightened immensely!

This was not night, but daytime, identical to the Bamboo Sea Demon Lair.

Lu Ran gripped the hilt tightly, suspended in midair, observing his surroundings in all directions.

He felt somewhat bewildered.

Was Lingyun Mountain really this beautiful?

As far as the eye could see, mountain ranges rose and fell, and the mountain forests were dense.

The trees of this otherworld were of many varieties, mostly of extraordinary stature, their leaves displaying colors of green, yellow, red, and more.

It resembled autumn in the north, with layers of forest fully dyed.

A vast sea of clouds shrouded the distant mountain peaks, brimming with artistic conception.

This was simply a sacred land for recuperation!

What a pity,

the Demonic Fiend occupying this Demon Lair was the Jade-Faced Serpent clan.

They were not that group of foolish bamboo and wood demons!

Who would dare come here to rest and recuperate?

Lu Ran lowered his gaze and saw a wooden city of exquisite construction.

Many soldiers were looking up, gazing at Lu Ran hovering in the air.

They clearly knew Lu Ran's identity, and many wore excited expressions.

"Whoosh~"

Lu Ran first descended to the ground, politely negotiated with the soldier captain to confirm relevant matters, and then directly flew away from Mutou City.

Jade-Faced Snake, here I come!

Hmm... before going, I need to find a helper.

This time, I won't summon Night Wraiths or Ghost Generals first.

I'll craft Sister Lady Lady Yanzhi first~

Ever since the Yemo Yemo Xiesu of Lady Lady Yanzhi advanced to the River Realm, Lu Ran had never had the chance to summon a Lady Lady Yanzhi Person or command her in battle.

He wondered if the Lady Lady Yanzhi Person he crafted would also harbor desires of covetousness.

The more he thought about it, the stranger Lu Ran's expression became.

What if the Lady Lady Yanzhi Person stayed by his side, her heart full of possessiveness and her mind entirely occupied with wedding ceremonies and entering the bridal chamber with Senior Senior Dongfang?

"Uh." Lu Ran shook his head vigorously.

That shouldn't happen...

right?

After flying for a long time, Lu Ran plunged straight down into the depths of the forest.

He stood still for a long while, listening carefully; only after confirming no one was nearby did he extend one hand forward.

"Whoosh~"

Accompanied by a ripple of energy, an exquisite ancient bronze mirror quietly took shape.

Evil Mirror Demon's Xie Fa: Fate-Binding Mirror!

The Jiang Pin Fate-Binding Mirror can detect living beings within a five-hundred-meter radius.

Double insurance, better safe than sorry!

In a few days, I can also craft the little sister Evil Mirror Demon and test her quality.

What a pity,

the Yemo Yemo Xiesu of the Evil Spear Emperor failed to advance to the River Realm, making it impossible to craft an evil spirit.

After the fifteenth day this time, Lu Ran activated the Evil Spear Emperor's Yemo Yemo Xiesu and witnessed it advance to the River Realm, Fourth Stage.

To craft the Evil Spear Emperor, I still lack a bit of refinement.

"People, people, people..."

Lu Ran kept swiping up on the mirror's surface, as if browsing short videos, searching for living beings within a five-hundred-meter radius.

The result of his swiping was nothing but himself.

Aside from Lu Ran himself, the Fate-Binding Mirror naturally also locked onto his Shen Bing He Fa.

Refusing to believe it, Lu Ran continued swiping...

"Jasmine flowers?"

He raised an eyebrow slightly and stopped his finger.

For a person or object to qualify to appear in the Fate-Binding Mirror, it must inherently possess a certain degree of energy fluctuation.

In the various demonic caves, there are numerous special plant species and no small number of mineral materials.

Some flowers and herbs have medicinal effects, and some mineral materials can be used to forge weapons.

However, those possessing inherent energy fluctuations are not common!

Taking Starfall Steel as an example, no matter how precious and rare it is, it does not produce energy itself.

But these few jasmine flowers...

Lu Ran's eyes grew brighter and brighter!

Did I just stumble upon a treasure?

He very much wanted to give Jiangjiang Ruyi a phone call,

to ask the my lord scholar what exactly this thing was.

(End of Chapter)