Chapter 427: Twin Seas! The Burning Gate!

When it came to rummaging through plastic bags, Lu Ran was a master of the highest order.

Xun Xun Yifei and Xiang Xiang Luoying were truly stunned, struggling to digest this shocking news.

After a long while, Xun Xun Yifei finally spoke: "My lord, may I also take refuge under your gate and serve you thereafter?"

Unintentionally, the other party had even changed their form of address.

"Of course you may," Lu Ran said, knowing Xun Xun Yifei's intention, then adding, "However, for now, I do not wish for you to sever your contract with the deity Yan Qing."

Xun Xun Yifei hesitated for a moment before saying, "Does my lord desire loyal believers? But this lady..."

His meaning was obvious: since Deng Deng Yuxiang was a disciple of Xiang Xiang Xianyang and also a believer of Night Charm,

her current state of existence amounted to serving two masters.

Lu Ran shook his head and said, "The contract you signed on the God-Worshipping Platform is unequal; you are a slave to the deity.

How does a lowly slave have the qualification to part ways amicably with their master?

If you forcibly tear up the contract, you will inevitably suffer an extremely severe backlash."

Lu Ran looked straight at Xun Xun Yifei: "I heard you are at Sea Realm, Stage Two; if you were to fall back to River Realm because of this, or even become unable to cultivate and improve in the future, it would be too great a loss."

Xun Xun Yifei: "But I..."

Lu Ran waved his hand, interrupting him: "Once we return to the mortal world, I will have a method to properly sever the contract between you and the deity."

Xun Xun Yifei's heart stirred greatly: "Does my lord have a method to lead us home?"

Under the expectant gaze of the couple, Lu Ran slowly shook his head: "Not yet."

Jing Hong, who had been secretly excited in the distance, felt her eyes dim upon hearing these words.

Lu Ran continued: "Paths are made by people walking them."

Yet such comforting words failed to lift the spirits of the few present.

With a casual gesture, Lu Ran summoned an ancient bronze mirror and transformed it into a full-length mirror.

Sinful Mirror Xie Fa: Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection!

Looking at the couple, he said, "Tell me, if I steal enough power from the Sinful Mirror clan and continuously raise the grade of Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection..."

Xiang Xiang Luoying's eyes lit up!

Xun Xun Yifei, equally quick to understand, asked: "Can Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection lead us back to the mortal world?"

Lu Ran dispersed Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection: "I cannot give you a definite answer, but personally, I hold onto this hope."

Xun Xun Yifei immediately asked: "How does my lord steal the power of the Sinful Mirror demons?"

Lu Ran: "By slaughtering this clan."

Xiang Xiang Luoying nodded; indeed, it was simple and crude.

Lu Ran added: "The road home is not limited to just this one path; in the mortal world, there are those who have returned from the Holy Lingshan Realm.

They must have found the correct way.

Therefore, there is no need for disappointment."

Saying this, Lu Ran glanced at Jing Hong in the distance and repeated his earlier words: "Paths are made by people walking them."

Jing Hong's heart trembled violently!

She had nearly forgotten just how sharp her own Sect Master truly was.

Jing Hong immediately dropped to one knee, filled with fear and reverence, bowing her head before Lu Ran.

Lu Ran felt quite helpless.

He had no intention of blaming her.

Disappointment, doubt, and the like were all perfectly normal; Lu Ran had been trying to encourage Jing Hong.

Alas, Jing Hong carried a past unimaginable to ordinary people, causing her to live far too cautiously.

Xun Xun Yifei, however, had no energy to spare for other matters; he pleaded: "My lord, I still wish to follow..."

Lu Ran looked at the man in the straw raincoat: "You wish to pave the way for your child, laying down the very last brick?"

Xun Xun Yifei fell silent.

Lu Ran sighed inwardly: "What a good father."

Deng Deng Yuxiang spoke up at the right moment: "My existence has already proven to you that this path is viable; there is no need for you to cut off your own arm."

Xun Xun Yifei continued to look at Lu Ran, a hint of pleading in his eyes.

He was extremely persistent.

Yu Fish Changsheng, who had been very quiet until now, suddenly spoke: "If Brother Xun is truly doing this for his children, he should maintain his current strength, so that he may better protect them.

Our side has already provided sufficient evidence; there is no need for Brother Xun to stubbornly insist on his own view.

Perhaps the hurdle Brother Xun most needs to overcome is within himself."

Xun Xun Yifei turned his gaze toward Yu Fish Changsheng.

Yu Fish Changsheng wore a smile: "Your insistence on tearing up the contract seems less like love for your children and more like deep guilt and owing too much.

Do you wish to use this method of self-mutilation and self-punishment to alleviate your sense of sin?"

Xun Xun Yifei's expression changed instantly!

Lu Ran couldn't help but be secretly astonished!

Good heavens~

Is there really such an angle to consider?

Furthermore, Mr. Dragon truly dares to speak his mind.

Yu Fish Changsheng still wore a smile.

With some people, unless you speak plainly and sting them deeply, they will never wake up to the truth.

As for whether such words would offend people...

It doesn't matter.

Xun Xun Yifei and Xiang Xiang Luoying, as husband and wife, need only pledge their loyalty to the Sect Master.

Moreover, if the other party is reasonable and magnanimous, once Xun Xun Yifei truly reflects on this, he will be grateful for the guidance.

Tearing up the contract means you lose more than just a segment; your future progress may also come to a halt!

"Xun Yifei," Xiang Xiang Luoying said, gently patting Xun Xun Yifei's shoulder.

Xun Xun Yifei's self-control was quite good; he merely grew increasingly silent.

Lu Ran's voice drifted over: "We will remain in this Holy Lingshan Realm for a very, very long time, with ample opportunity to understand one another."

You do not need to verify things through such extreme methods.

Join the Ran Sect; from this moment on, we shall evaluate each other."

Xiang Xiang Luoying pressed down on Xun Xun Yifei's shoulders with slight force, and immediately, the two of them knelt on one knee together.

The Heavens showed mercy, bestowing a sliver of hope.

Xiang Xiang Luoying chose to grasp it tightly!

And the way she expressed her stance was equally extreme, completely discarding her identity as a great expert of the Shen Hai Jing.

Xiang Xiang Luoying brought Xun Xun Yifei along and, mimicking Jing Hong's earlier demeanor, performed the formal rites.

Lu Ran immediately stepped forward, unable to suppress his immense joy!

A bloody profit!

A bloody profit indeed!!

Now, when we go to Heaven's Disciple Mountain or Sword Peak Mountain again, we'll have confidence in our hearts!

He hurriedly helped the couple to their feet, speaking with great friendliness: "We will evaluate each other."

Deng Deng Yuxiang watched this scene silently, feeling quite satisfied with the couple's attitude.

She had always believed that Lu Ran, as the master of a sect, ought to hold an absolutely supreme status.

Only then could he properly lead a team.

In the mortal world, you could gather companions through kindness and friendship.

But this is the lawless Holy Lingshan!

Relying solely on gratitude to win people's hearts is clearly not secure enough.

One must use both profit and authority.

"Whoosh-rattle-rattle."

The fierce wind gradually subsided, yet the rain fell harder and harder.

Lu Ran patted Xun Xun Yifei's shoulder and smiled: "Earlier I called you 'Uncle,' but it turns out you're only in your early thirties."

Xun Xun Yifei: "."

Although he was only in his early thirties, calling him 'Uncle' given his appearance wasn't wrong, was it?

Lu Ran continued with a smile: "You do look quite young, but your aura is so weathered that you fooled me back then."

Presumably, after years of inner torment, Xun Xun Yifei had developed such a unique aura.

Xiang Xiang Luoying suggested: "Sect Master, shall we find a place to shelter from the rain and discuss the details?"

That single address of "Sect Master" truly delighted Lu Ran~

"Alright!" He immediately raised his hand to cast a spell.

As the floor-standing mirror formed, he led everyone back to a hidden cave at the sea cliffs, dozens of kilometers away.

"Boom-rumble-rumble!"

Suddenly, a clap of thunder echoed from the sky.

Lu Ran's expression shifted slightly, looking rather unpleasant.

He moved to the narrow cave entrance, gazing up at the rolling black clouds: "One of you go back and check on the child."

The couple was quite surprised; they hadn't expected Lu Ran to consider this.

They exchanged glances, communicating with their eyes, before Xun Xun Yifei cupped his fists and took his leave: "Sect Master, I will go back and check."

Lu Ran casually activated a mirror for Xun Xun Yifei, leading directly to the hidden valley floor.

He did not suggest visiting, nor did he ask whether the children were at home.

Given the cautious nature of the couple, they had likely already hidden their children away before setting out.

"Valley floor." Lu Ran spoke only these two words and said nothing more.

Xun Xun Yifei hesitated for a moment, then plunged his head down and walked inside.

"Your children are too young to sign a contract at present." Lu Ran dispersed the floor-standing mirror.

Children cannot sign contracts because their fragile bodies cannot withstand this mysterious power from the outside world.

Once divine power enters the body, at best it affects growth and development; at worst, it causes disability.

"Sect Master, I know," Xiang Xiang Luoying replied softly as she removed her conical hat.

As she took off the hat, her long braided hair cascaded down.

The last time Lu Ran saw her, her long hair was flowing freely; seeing her hairstyle now, she bore a slight resemblance to Divine Divine Asha.

However, Xiang Xiang Luoying possessed bright eyes, white teeth, and natural beauty, which made her very unlike that figure.

After all, Divine Divine Asha's appearance... well, one could only describe it as average.

Lu Ran turned and leaned against the cave entrance, gazing out at the heavy rain over the sea: "Since you couple have chosen to join us, we will do our best to help you and protect their healthy growth."

Xiang Xiang Luoying looked at Lu Ran's back and said gratefully: "Thank you, Sect Master."

Lu Ran added: "Perhaps we will return to the mortal world before that day even arrives."

Xiang Xiang Luoying did not respond again.

The hopes and fantasies of the past had been completely worn away day after day.

Lu Ran was still young and had only arrived in this realm not long ago; Xiang Xiang Luoying could understand that he still held onto hope.

Regardless, Lu Ran possessed astonishingly tremendous ability; his existence could solve immense difficulties for her family!

Xiang Xiang Luoying lowered her eyelids and tightened her grip on the brim of her conical hat.

"Are there truly immortal islands out at sea? Do those islands hold vast quantities of Saint Spirit Qi?" Lu Ran changed the subject.

Xiang Xiang Luoying organized her words before responding, "Several disciples of Yanqing once ventured out to sea in search, then fled back, bringing this news with them."

"Subsequently, two nearby forces merged into one and emptied their nests to venture out to sea."

"Judging by the outcome, this news is very likely true."

Gazing at the endless sea, Lu Ran sighed with emotion, "Those few Yanqing disciples were truly bold, daring to venture out to sea?"

Xiang Xiang Luoying said in a low voice, "Perhaps they simply wanted to return home. With no path to the heavens and no gate into the earth, they chose the sea."

"Mr. Cong Long."

"Gate Master?"

"Shall we go and take a look?" Lu Ran asked.

Nowadays, the Ran Gate had two great experts of the Zun Hai Jing joining them!

Even if one had to stay behind to watch the children, the other alone was sufficient to cause the Ran Gate's combat power to skyrocket!

Naturally, they could venture out into this sea!

Yu Fish Changsheng responded, "Among the Saint Spirit Qi that fell within the mountains, a large number of humans and evil spirits have been gathering it."

"Although there are also evil spirits in the sea, their numbers are comparatively fewer."

Lu Ran nodded with considerable agreement.

Yu Fish Changsheng continued, "The evil spirits in the sea are not lacking in those capable of flight or landing on shore, yet their habits mean they still prefer to remain in the sea."

"With Saint Spirit Qi falling onto certain sea islands and remaining there to accumulate over time, it is quite possible."

Lu Ran's gaze pierced through layers of rain curtains as he looked at the surging sea surface, murmuring:

"Mr., you have made my heart stir."

(End of Chapter)