Chapter 430: Kneel, or Die?

At dusk, the setting sun was like blood.

At the peak of a snow-capped mountain, a floor-standing mirror suddenly opened, and several mysterious figures wearing conical hats and cloaked in raincoats stepped out.

"Ice River!" Jing Hong reported immediately.

The weather today was extremely fine, with no howling gales.

Under the glow of the setting sun, the entire snow-covered world appeared serene and beautiful.

Lu Ran stepped forward, gazing north into the distance.

All that could be seen was a wide, ice-frozen river stretching across the midst of the clustered mountains.

Xiang Xiang Luoying, with her back to the setting sun, looked eastward along the Ice River, then her eyes narrowed: "Sect Master, it is that mountain peak! The tallest one!"

"Oh?" Lu Ran gazed into the distance, his line of sight gradually rising.

That was a magnificent and spectacular snow mountain, its peak towering with an momentum seemingly capable of piercing the nine heavens!

The headquarters of the North Wind Sect truly possessed an imposing air.

It could rival Sword Shanfeng!

"Sect Master!" Yu Fish Changsheng spoke at the opportune moment, "We should not rashly break into it."

Lu Ran: "."

No way!

What kind of person do you take me for in your heart?

How arrogant would I have to be to dare drive the ancient bronze mirror straight into their lair?

Seeing Lu Ran's resentful gaze, Yu Fish Changsheng smiled: "We are here to gather intelligence; it is best to avoid conflict. Both the Sect Master and the Nightmare Protector possess the Ye Mei Xie Fa; we can work something out with that."

Deng Deng Yuxiang gazed at the mountain peak of the North Wind Sect: "Does Long mean for us to impersonate North Wind disciples?"

The North Wind Sect and the Night Charm Clan indeed shared many similarities in their techniques.

For instance, the Flying Wind Token and the Night Charm Blade.

Both took the form of a wind blade.

Yu Fish Changsheng nodded: "The North Wind Sect is filled with domineering and cold-hearted individuals; facing us as disciples from an external sect, they will likely find it difficult to communicate amicably."

Lu Ran blinked at Deng Deng Yuxiang.

Such accurate judgment of character~

Domineering and cold-hearted, oh?

Deng Deng Yuxiang's face darkened, and she suppressed the urge to kick Lu Ran.

No, I must hold back!

The sect members are watching from behind; I cannot tarnish the reputation of my lord, the Sect Master.

Yu Fish Changsheng was also aware that Deng Deng Yuxiang had once been a North Wind disciple.

Although she had become a "North Wind castoff," Yu Fish Changsheng's assessment of North Wind disciples still applied to Deng Deng Yuxiang.

Yu Fish Changsheng paused briefly before continuing: "This place is the main camp of the North Wind; the opposition is numerous and powerful, so their conduct and style will inevitably be even more forceful.

It will likely be even harder for them to communicate amicably with our side."

Deng Deng Yuxiang cast a covert sideways glance at Lu Ran, then respectfully requested:

"Sect Master, shall the two of us go forward to gather intelligence, while the others hide in the snowy forest, ready to provide support at any moment?"

Lu Ran: "."

You are so fierce!

How would I dare say no?

The group quickly formulated a strategy; Lu Ran activated the teleportation mirror, and everyone took a single step, entering the mountain forest.

"Absolutely do not move recklessly, and do not unleash any Shi Zhan Shen Fa, lest there be fluctuations of divine power," Deng Deng Yuxiang instructed carefully.

Due to fear of the North Wind Divine Art·Wind Listening Chant, the several members of the Ran Sect hid at a considerable distance.

The snow mountain of the North Wind Sect stood on the northern side of the Ice River.

Lu Ran, accompanied by Deng Deng Yuxiang, crossed the forest and headed north; since they planned to bluff and deceive, they prepared to cross the Ice River openly and boldly.

However, before the two had even set foot on the Ice River, Lu Ran detected an ambush by the riverside woods!

"Whoosh~"

Lu Ran casually flicked his wrist, shooting forth a Night Charm Blade at high speed.

The blade edge pierced the wood; although it lodged deeply, it did not completely penetrate the tree.

This was clearly not an attack, but a declaration of identity.

"North Wind disciples?" From behind the tree stepped out a middle-aged man who was tall and thin.

His features were rugged, his demeanor cold and stern, and he wore a set of simple white tight-fitting garments.

This is f*cking too North Wind, isn't it?

"Yes." Deng Deng Yuxiang sized up the man standing beside the distant tree, "We were teleported by Lord North Wind to the southern part of the continent; after crossing mountains and rivers, we finally arrived here."

The man in white remained outwardly expressionless, but internally he was amazed.

He hadn't expected the woman to be so young?

Both Lu Ran and Deng Deng Yuxiang wore conical hats that obscured most of their faces.

The man in white observed them closely for a moment, then beckoned: "Since you are fellow junior brothers and sisters from the same sect, follow me; let us enter the camp to discuss the details."

Lu Ran grew alert.

Wasn't this a bit too smooth?

Did they accept the identity of the two based solely on a single wind blade?

Without even understanding the situation of the two or asking how they found their way here, hmmm, the other party was requesting to enter the camp for a detailed discussion.

This so-called "camp" is likely easy to enter but hard to leave.

Deng Deng Yuxiang and Lu Ran thought alike, transmitting their voice: "Something feels off."

Lu Ran: "Just ask Yan Yan Shuangzi directly."

"Senior Brother!" Deng Deng Yuxiang called out loudly, "May I ask, have you heard of a disciple from our sect named Yan Yan Shuangzi?"

The white-robed man's expression shifted slightly.

The change was imperceptible, yet it still fell within Lu Ran's sight.

This man had maintained a stern face the whole time; even upon seeing Lu Ran and the other, he had shown little reaction.

Why did his countenance change the moment he heard the name "Yan Yan Shuangzi"?

The white-robed man asked: "Who is this person?"

"Yan Yan Shuangzi." Deng Deng Yuxiang began describing, "She is similar to me in height and age.

Her weapon is very distinctive: a great saber with an extremely long blade, about 2 meters in length."

The white-robed man pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "There is no such person within Blade Ridge Shanfeng."

Lu Ran's heart sank.

This man was clearly lying!

The white-robed man spoke again: "What is your relationship with this person? Why are you looking for her?"

Lu Ran cut in: "Deng Deng Shijie Yan challenged the Divine Ruins in the same batch as us two. Among our group of over ten people, only she succeeded.

Now, we two have also been sent to Spirit Saint Mountain by Lord Lord Bei Feng, hoping to find her."

The white-robed man remained impassive, listening quietly.

Lu Ran ramped up his acting, adopting an air of helpless lament: "This realm is too perilous; it has completely overturned our understanding."

The white-robed man finally revealed a hint of emotion, exposing a faint sneer.

It carried the superiority of someone who had been through it all.

He watched coldly, mocking the young ones for suffering a painful lesson.

Lu Ran continued sighing: "Deng Deng Shijie Yan arrived in this realm long ago; if she hasn't died, her strength must be formidable!

We are old acquaintances with some friendship, so we thought to seek refuge with her and survive together.

To collect Spirit Saint Qi together for Lord Lord Bei Feng!"

Especially with that last sentence, Lu Ran spoke with such righteous indignation.

The setting sun's afterglow fell upon him, as if it were holy light.

Deng Deng Yuxiang remained silent, feeling something was strange.

Lu Ran kept saying "Lord Lord Bei Feng" and "Lord God," frantically professing loyalty, his tone and manner extremely respectful!

Yet back then, right under the nose of the true form of God·Lord Bei Feng, when Lu Ran raised havoc in Lord Bei Feng City...

... he was wildly unrestrained!

"It seems you two have suffered much," the white-robed man said. "The Spirit Saint Mountain Realm is indeed perilous, but now that you have passed through and reached Blade Ridge Shanfeng, you need no longer live in fear.

Blade Ridge Shanfeng will protect you; come with me."

Saying this, the white-robed man turned and began to walk away.

"We cannot go," Lu Ran commanded in his mind. "Also, this man is lying; he should have heard of Yan Yan Shuangzi."

Deng Deng Yuxiang frowned slightly, standing motionless: "Capture him for interrogation?"

"What's wrong?" The white-robed man turned around, seeing the two of them unmoving.

Feeling mockery arise in his heart, he let out a scoff: "Have you been taught such a harsh lesson by Spirit Saint Mountain that you can't even trust your own sect now?"

Lu Ran feigned inner struggle, but finally said: "Since Deng Deng Shijie Yan is not here, we will go elsewhere to search for her."

The white-robed man replied: "Now that you have returned home, how could there be any reason to leave again?

You can first settle at Blade Ridge Shanfeng, undertake missions alongside your fellow sect brothers, and jointly search for our sect's disciples."

"Bu Ming, you are truly soft; you can't even keep two young juniors in line." Suddenly, a woman's voice drifted over.

Her tone carried a hint of ridicule, utterly undisguised: "How did you even manage to join our Lord Bei Feng Sect?"

The white-robed man named Bu Ming immediately turned his head to look, saying indifferently: "Jiang Jiang Shimei Kong seems quite at leisure."

Lu Ran also looked over, seeing a short-haired woman float over, followed by two men with cold demeanors.

Judging purely by their aura, these Lord Bei Feng disciples seemed carved from the same mold.

"I hear four; how many do you hear?" Deng Deng Yuxiang asked, straining his ears to listen.

"Only four; they are probably specifically guarding this area," Lu Ran responded in his mind, slowly turning to watch the woman land a few meters before them.

The four Lord Bei Feng disciples had formed an encirclement around Lu Ran and the other.

The short-haired woman was not old either, thirty at most.

Her eyes were exceptionally cold and overbearing; a terrifying pressure surged toward Lu Ran and the other.

She should be at the high stage of the Jiang Jing realm.

Lu Ran felt the suppression of rank.

Deng Deng Yuxiang thought: "These people are all at Jiang Jing; this Kong, and Bu behind us, should logically be at the peak of Jiang Jing."

"Kneel." Kong Kong Jingqi stood with hands behind her back, lifting her chin slightly as she looked coldly at the two.

Deng Deng Yuxiang's expression turned cold.

Lu Ran remained motionless.

"Did you not hear my command?" Kong Kong Jingqi's voice grew even more icy. "I ordered you to kneel!"

Lu Ran spoke: "Since the person we seek is not here, we will depart immediately. As we are all fellow sect disciples serving Lord Lord Bei Feng, please do not make things difficult for us."

Behind Lu Ran and the other, Bu Ming maintained an expressionless face, quietly watching the scene.

However, Bu Ming's quiet demeanor as he watched the spectacle still made Kong Kong Jingqi's face lose some of its composure.

Earlier, she had mocked and sneered, claiming Bu Ming couldn't even suppress a young junior, yet now...

Did it seem she herself couldn't suppress them either?

Kong Kong Jingqi forcibly interrupted Lu Ran's words, her gaze turning fierce and ruthless as she spat out three characters:

"Kneel, or die."

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Lu Ran and Deng Deng Yuxiang remained utterly motionless.

"It seems the Spirit Saint Mountain Realm hasn't yet taught you people how to behave!" Kong Kong Jingqi let out a cold laugh, casually summoning a wind blade. "Remember, you brought this upon yourselves!"

Deng Deng Yuxiang's eyes turned icy cold, and she suddenly spoke: "Has it taught you?"

Kong Kong Jingqi was momentarily stunned, looking at Deng Deng Yuxiang in disbelief.

What audacity! How dare you speak to me like that?!

Can't you read the situation?

Admittedly, the young woman before her possessed a cultivation realm that was not low; she should be at the high stage of the Jiang Jing.

But do you truly think you are that strong?

You seek death!!

【Push me.】 Lu Ran transmitted the message into her mind, then hastily stepped forward, shouting loudly, "No, no, no, don't!"

He positioned himself in front of Deng Deng Yuxiang, turned his head to look at the short-haired woman several meters behind him, his expression anxious as he continuously begged:

"Deng Deng Shijie! Deng Deng Shijie, please do not anger yourself, we will obey the command, we will kneel right now..."

"If you want to kneel, then you kneel! Get lost!" Deng Deng Yuxiang shoved Lu Ran away with one hand.

"You!" Lu Ran's figure became unstable; his feet stumbled awkwardly, yet he used the momentum to suddenly dart forward!

Kong Kong Jingqi's expression changed drastically!

Instinctively wielding her blade to block, her figure rapidly flew backward.

Where was even a trace of the panicked, begging demeanor in the youth clad in a green straw raincoat and bamboo hat?

As the straw raincoat fluttered, a faint glow of rosy clouds subtly burst forth!

Unintentionally, the gazes of a man and a woman intertwined.

The short-haired woman was both shocked and furious.

The youth in the straw raincoat had pupils cold as frost, while a streak of bewitching deep red swept across the bottom of his eyes.

Spirit Saint Mountain,

indeed, has taught me much.

But...

it seems it hasn't taught you well?

(End of Chapter)