Chapter 440: A Single Dao Heart

Lu Ran finally enjoyed a rare stretch of leisure.

Ever since entering the Holy Lingshan Realm, he had been spinning nonstop, leading everyone north and south to carry out missions everywhere.

Now, taking advantage of the opportunity to establish a base, he could finally rest.

Though called resting, in truth Lu Ran was immersing himself in cultivation.

He planned to venture out to sea for exploration only after Cloud Sea Cliff had taken initial shape.

Cloud Sea Cliff.

This was the name Lu Ran had chosen for the base.

The Holy Lingshan Realm was often shrouded in a sea of clouds, especially in the coastal regions where the sun, moon, and stars were rarely seen, making this name quite fitting.

However, the two characters "Cloud Sea" did not originate from natural phenomena.

They came from Lu Ran's own blade—Cloud Sea Dust Cleared.

Lu Ran also wished to use these two characters to constantly remind himself of what his life's pursuit was.

And what the meaning of the Ran Sect's existence was.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed; thanks to Xun Xun Yifei's efforts, several new buildings had been added to the base.

The general layout of Cloud Sea Cliff was high in the east and low in the west.

In the central area, a Hall of Deliberation had been erected.

Further west, the barracks for the Ghost General clan and the Night Charm clan were cleverly hidden within the mountains and forests.

Lu Ran's residence was located at a high point, yet situated within a small mountain hollow, surrounded on three sides by rocky cliffs, with lush trees in the forest and a small courtyard in front of the house.

Quiet and concealed.

Walking a short distance from the door, one could see the seaside cliff.

Since the cliff was named Cloud Sea, this residence naturally came to be called Cloud Sea Dwelling.

The dwellings of the two Dharma Protectors, Dragon and Da Da Mengyan, were situated in the forest near Cloud Sea Dwelling.

According to Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng, Dharma Protectors could hold many powers and responsibilities, but most importantly, they must act as bodyguards.

And on this day, the commotion caused by the bodyguards disturbed Lu Ran, who was cultivating with a focused mind.

"What?"

Lu Ran stepped out of the house and gazed up at the cloud sea in the sky.

At this moment, large patches of mist were descending from the heavens, surging toward Cloud Sea Cliff.

Breaking through to advance?

Lu Ran first felt a surge of joy, then some confusion.

Judging by the specific location where the mist was gathering, it seemed to be Great Da Da Mengyan's residence?

Deng Deng Yuxiang had advanced again?

Impossible, it couldn't be that fast... Oh, right! Yan Yan Shuangzi!

Lu Ran was overjoyed, silently cursing his own dullness; how could such a massive disturbance be caused by a minor rank advancement?

【Great Da Da Mengyan?】

【Yan Shuangzi has entered a breakthrough state.】 Deng Deng Yuxiang's tone carried a hint of excitement as she immediately reported the situation.

Hearing this, Lu Ran was equally delighted.

Was this powerful blade cultivator, who had fallen to River Realm·Fifth Segment, about to return to the River Realm?

【I'll send you to the seclusion chamber.】 While transmitting the message in his mind, Lu Ran flashed directly into the courtyard of Deng Deng Yuxiang's residence.

He happened to arrive just as Deng Deng Yuxiang was supporting Yan Yan Shuangzi, hurrying out of the room door.

"Come!" Lu Ran hastily summoned the ancient bronze mirror, transforming it into a full-length mirror.

The three entered the mirror one after another, and behind the mirror lay the interior of the mountain.

Within the mountain body of Cloud Sea Cliff, several seclusion chambers were hidden!

This was also something Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng had advocated building.

Within the Holy Lingshan Realm, whenever people broke through their realms, they might attract a tremendous disaster!

Previously, Deng Deng Yuxiang's experience during her breakthrough was the best example.

Disciples of the Liangye Jian Yi faction were merely passing by, but upon detecting abnormalities in the energy between heaven and earth, they immediately came knocking and searched the mountains relentlessly, determined to ruin someone's future!

Unfortunately, the commotion triggered when humans advanced could not be concealed.

This turned breakthroughs, which should be great joys, into matters of worry for everyone.

No small number of people had perished due to breakthrough advancements.

All the Ran Sect could do was hide Yan Yan Shuangzi away and protect her as best as possible.

【You stay here and accompany her.】 Lu Ran commanded, 【Just like last time, no matter what happens outside, do not come out; protect her.】

【Yes!】 Deng Deng Yuxiang responded immediately.

Lu Ran directly activated the teleportation mirror to go find the Luo Divine General.

By the time Lu Ran returned to Cloud Sea Cliff with Xiang Xiang Luoying, the celestial phenomenon in the sky had already taken considerable shape!

Streaks of mist, resembling "mist tornadoes," rotated slowly, connecting the sky with the sea cliff.

"Sect Master!"

"Sect Master!" In front of the Hall of Deliberation, the members of the Ran Sect had finally awaited Lu Ran's arrival.

Lu Ran issued orders directly: "Luo Divine General, go over there; that is the highest tree on the cliff, where a perch has been specially built for you."

For any living being attempting to approach this area, ask no questions, kill without mercy!

Xun, you go guard the sea to the east!"

Lu Ran successively activated two teleportation mirrors, sending the couple Xun and Luo to their respective guarding locations.

Immediately, he led his people westward to deploy the demonic troops.

Jing Hong, acting as captain, led ten Ghost Generals and eighteen Night Phantoms to various alert positions.

"A celestial phenomenon of this scale is far too conspicuous," Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng sighed deeply.

Even a minor rank advancement within the River Realm or Sea Realm would, at most, attract a massive amount of mist.

Yet a Break Through Great Realm advancement had even "wrung" the mist into a mist tornado, with an exceptionally clear focal point.

"Who asked this to be the first step toward godhood?" Lu Ran thought helplessly; he could only accept it.

Advancing from the fifth stage of the River Realm to the first stage of the Jiang Jing was indeed a phase where a human metamorphosed into a god.

Yan Yan Shuangzi was even more special; she was someone who had fallen from the Divine Altar and then climbed back onto it.

Even now, Lu Ran found it unbelievable!

On what grounds?

Back then, when Yan Yan Shuangzi was forced to tear up the contract, her body suffered quite severe backlash!

This...?

Was it because, over this past half-month, Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng, this great Sea Realm physician, had been healing Yan Yan Shuangzi's body and mind every single day?

No matter how skilled Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng was at bringing the dying back to life, he had no way to help Yan Yan Shuangzi reshape her Dao Heart!

In just a short half-month, Yan Yan Shuangzi had already stabilized her state of mind?

"Simply inconceivable," Lu Ran murmured.

"What?" Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng asked, puzzled.

"Yan Yan Shuangzi's quality is too terrifying, too resilient! After suffering so many crushing blows, she has risen again so quickly..."

"Has the Sect Master considered that it might be because of you?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran looked at Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng.

Gazing up at the celestial phenomenon, Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng sighed: "Without you, I fear Ms. Yan would never have been able to rise again in her entire life."

"Mm."

"I have also heard that previously, while in the mortal world, the Sect Master and Ms. Yan did not interact much, nor was their friendship deep; but now, the Sect Master must realize one thing."

"What thing?"

"Ms. Yan has already signed a contract with the Sect Master, pledging to follow and worship him. Her degree of faith in the Sect Master may be even deeper and more devout than that of the Da Da Mengyan Protector."

Lu Ran: "..."

Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng said softly: "How difficult it is to regain confidence? To reassemble a Dao Heart is even harder still.

Yet Ms. Yan accomplished it.

This naturally requires extreme emotions and an extreme psychological state."

Lu Ran opened his mouth, yet did not know what to say.

Analyzing the situation, Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng continued: "Such a situation could indeed occur with Ms. Yan; after all, she has undergone a very unique experience that we cannot empathize with, nor can we understand it."

There was no doubt that Yan Yan Shuangzi was a person who had been completely torn apart.

Both body and mind.

And Lu Ran's appearance had pieced her shattered self back together.

The so-called extreme psychological state must have arisen from this.

Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng looked at Lu Ran, half admonishing, half advising: "Extreme people will naturally do extreme things!

Since she obeys your every command, the Sect Master must still guide and restrain her well."

"I understand." With complex emotions, Lu Ran gazed toward the western sky.

Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng then changed the subject, saying: "Cloud Sea Cliff is located at the border of Lingshan; the vast majority of living creatures operate inland, and few are willing to approach the sea.

Moreover, there are no powerful factions or organizations around our side; perhaps, Ms. Yan will be able to advance smoothly."

"I borrow Mr.'s auspicious words," Lu Ran said, nodding.

Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng's words were indeed very effective.

Lu Ran's complex emotions vanished, leaving only worry!

He silently absorbed the dense energy between heaven and earth, awaiting any enemies who might attack.

And this wait lasted until nightfall...

(End of Chapter)