Chapter 527: Fishing Boats Singing at Dusk

"Lu Xuedi Brother Lu, the day is growing late; why don't we move to Qinghedao to chat?" He He Yingcai said softly, adding, "And let this senior sister fulfill her duties as host."

While everyone was conversing, the setting sun had already sunk behind the distant mountain peaks.

The sky was dimming; indeed, it was time to find lodging.

Yet faced with this sudden invitation, Lu Ran did not agree immediately.

He was actually quite eager to gather more intelligence.

The Thousand Boat Archipelago hosts numerous sects and surely many people; perhaps someone might know news of Elder Cheng or Qin Lady Yanzhi?

Then again, rashly entering the heartland of a powerful organization could easily lead to being surrounded and killed!

Our side is carrying quite a few weapons!

Within the territory of Spirit Saint Mountain, divine weapons and magical treasures are priceless assets, enough to make anyone green with envy.

Ultimately, it was simply that Lu Ran and He He Yingcai were not close, although, well, she was truly very friendly.

And very sincere.

He He Yingcai noticed Lu Ran's hesitation and gave a light laugh: "It seems Lu Xuedi Brother Lu has suffered quite a bit during his travels north and south over these past six months."

Lu Ran neither confirmed nor denied this.

He He Yingcai turned to gaze at the island: "Then I shall have my subordinates bring tea and snacks; I will entertain my junior brother right here."

This time, it was Lu Ran's turn to chuckle.

It seemed he was the one lacking in boldness.

He He Yingcai, all alone, dared to attend a dangerous meeting single-handedly!

How could he, leading the soldiers of the Ran Sect, fail to set foot on Qinghedao?

Moreover, they were already within the territory of the Yun Qianzhou Alliance; chatting here versus chatting on the island made little difference.

Lu Ran turned to look at Jiangjiang Ruyi and suggested, "Shall we go onto the island and take a look?"

Jiangjiang Ruyi nodded gently: "Very well."

She had her own judgments regarding everything He He Yingcai had recounted.

From start to finish, He He Yingcai had been completely open and aboveboard, which made Jiangjiang Ruyi quite appreciative of this senior sister.

"Please!" He He Yingcai waved her fair hand, and the lotus leaf beneath her feet rapidly expanded.

This technique was the Bi He Shen Fa: Sky-Reaching Leaf!

At its peak, the lotus leaf could expand to a hundred meters in size, a truly magnificent sight!

However, at this moment, He He Yingcai had only expanded the lotus leaf beneath her feet to a ten-meter scale, sufficient for several people to board.

The uniquely curved lotus leaf, resembling a jadeite platter, glistened with scattered dewdrops as it carried the group forward through the clear lake water.

Lu Ran, filled with novelty, half-knelt and secretly stroked it.

Quite tender~

Come to think of it, the dew on the lotus leaf appeared along with the leaf itself.

Although essentially cobbled together from divine power and unable to replenish water for humans, it did not hinder one from tasting it.

He truly wondered if this "Jade Platter Pearl" was as sweet as the Misty Rain Lake?

Lu Ran restrained himself again and again, but ultimately did not taste it.

Hmm... that would be beneath the dignity of an expert!

After passing several small islands of strange shapes, Lu Ran and the others arrived at Qinghedao, which belonged to He He Yingcai.

"Qinghedao," Lu Ran murmured, surveying the surroundings.

The island was shaded by lush green trees, and the air was filled with a fragrant scent that refreshed the heart and lungs.

"Island Master!"

"Master He!" several voices called out, full of reverence.

He He Yingcai asked, "Has the news been notified to all the islands?"

A middle-aged woman reported: "Most of the major Island Masters are currently in secluded cultivation."

The Master of Withered Lotus Island sent someone to deliver some Misty Rain Tea.

The Master of Golden Lotus Island sent two boxes of flower-fruit cakes.

The Master of Wind Lotus Island has invited a Mr. from an Immortal Music Ensemble for you.

The Master of Gray Lotus Island personally came to the island to visit and is currently waiting for you in the Council Hall."

"Mm." He He Yingcai acknowledged with a sound and instructed, "Honored guests have arrived at our door; hurry and make preparations."

"Yes!" Several people accepted the order and departed.

He He Yingcai turned and gestured to the group: "Please."

However, at this moment, Lu Ran was completely dumbfounded!

What the hell kind of place has this brought me to?

Drinks? Food? And even a band?

No way!

Am I really in Spirit Saint Mountain?

"Lu Xuedi Brother Lu, please!" He He Yingcai gestured forward with one hand.

Lu Ran looked at the Master of Qinghedao and asked, "Do you all live such a comfortable life?"

He He Yingcai shook her head with a smile: "Just finding joy amidst bitterness, that's all."

Walking along, Lu Ran asked, "You even have a band?"

He He Yingcai explained: "The Yun Qianzhou Alliance consists mainly of the four sects: Sky Phoenix, Green Lotus, Propping Flower, and Sword Lotus, but there are also some external believers seeking refuge within the Yun Qianzhou Alliance."

Alliance Master Yun Yun Qianzhou is kind-hearted and has taken in a portion of disciples from external sects.

Lu Ran's heart stirred slightly.

So, was someone already doing what He Qi intended to do?

The three words "a portion" were indeed quite deliberate.

Could it be understood that the Yun Qianzhou Alliance had only taken in a small number of dispatched disciples to ensure the dominant position, factional balance, and resource distribution ratios of the four major sects?

If so, the very nature of the Yun Qianzhou Alliance's existence still differed fundamentally from that of the Forbidden City.

Pondering this, Lu Ran asked curiously, "How many people are in the Biheyi Sect?"

He He Yingcai explained, "The Seven Lotus Islands of Bihe each host between fifteen and twenty people.

Our Qinghedao has a total of eighteen Bihe disciples."

"That's quite a number," Lu Ran remarked casually.

"The Spirit Saint Mountain Realm is vast; surely there are Bihe disciples in other regions as well, perhaps even a main headquarters for the Biheyi Sect," He He Yingcai sighed softly. "Pity we may never meet them in this lifetime."

Before she finished speaking, He He Yingcai looked at Lu Ran. "Lu Xuedi Brother Lu, your footsteps have covered the Spirit Saint Mountain Realm; have you ever seen our Biheyi Sect's base?"

Lu Ran answered truthfully, "I haven't."

The Spirit Saint Mountain was simply too vast; although Lu Ran could claim to have traveled north to the Snow Forest, west to the Desert, and east across the Great Sea,

if one truly spread out the map of the Spirit Saint Mountain, the paths Lu Ran had explored could only be called "lines."

Definitely not regions.

Take this recent journey south; Lu Ran had traveled over a thousand kilometers, which was merely walking a single line—how many regions had he missed along the way?

Among them, there might well be certain sects existing.

As the group walked and chatted, deep within the lush jungle, they came upon a wooden building of considerable scale.

This was the Council Hall of Qinghedao.

Under the dim sky, someone had already lit a bonfire before the Council Hall; the hall doors stood wide open, and inside sat an old man.

He appeared to be over sixty years old, wearing gray robes, with short graying hair, and leaning on a walking stick in his hand.

"Island Lord of Green Lotus," the old man said with a gentle smile, rising to his feet while leaning on his stick.

"The honorable presence of the Island Lord of Gray Lotus! We failed to welcome you from afar!" He He Yingcai immediately pressed her palms together in greeting.

"I heard the Island Lord of Green Lotus had a distinguished guest; this old fellow came to join the fun," the Island Lord of Gray Lotus said, sizing up the several people beside He He Yingcai.

He He Yingcai introduced them: "These two are my university alumni; currently, he is the Gate Lord of the Ran Gate, and she is the Gate Lord's Lady."

Leaning on his walking stick, the Island Lord of Gray Lotus examined Lu and Jiang closely, feeling quite astonished in his heart:

"What handsome young folks."

"Greetings, Island Lord of Gray Lotus," Lu Ran replied, while secretly alarmed by the immense pressure.

Was this old man not at the high stage of the Sea Realm?

Or even at the peak of the Sea Realm?

The Island Lord of Gray Lotus swept his gaze past the crowd of straw-raincoat wearers behind them, having seen Cong Long, Meng Yan, and General Yan, his surprise growing even deeper:

"Gate Lord Lu is truly young and promising; remarkable indeed..."

"Senior, you overpraise me," Lu Ran replied, intending to be even more polite, but he noticed the old man suddenly lifting his head.

In a place unseen by anyone, the jade pendant hidden beneath the Island Lord of Gray Lotus's robes vibrated gently.

The Island Lord of Gray Lotus turned slowly, finally looking toward the empty rear of the Council Hall.

Those eyes seemed capable of piercing through the building to see outside as he whispered, "There's another one hiding."

"Hmm?" He He Yingcai turned her gaze to Lu Ran.

"Oh, right!" Lu Ran feigned sudden realization. "Indeed, there is one more."

He He Yingcai's expression showed a hint of playful reproach; perhaps because they had conversed long enough, a trace of closeness entered her tone:

"Lu Xuedi Brother Lu, you're not being honest, are you?"

"I truly forgot!" Lu Ran smiled apologetically. "She appears and disappears like a ghost every day; I can't even catch sight of her."

When He He Yingcai realized that Lu Ran still had a guard hidden in the shadows who had remained undetected,

she became even more curious about the strength of the Ran Gate.

And she became even more interested in Lu Ran.

She did not ask the guard to come out, showing Lu Ran great tolerance, and invited them, "Come, let us begin the banquet."

Lu Ran was also quite curious about this evening banquet.

Outside the Council Hall, a bonfire was built high, its flames dancing as sparks crackled and popped.

Beside the bonfire were placed several square wooden tables and chairs; on the tables sat tea and pastries.

The evening wind blew through the jungle, bringing the "rustle-rustle" sound of leaves.

Such a cozy atmosphere made Lu Ran feel it was utterly surreal!

At He He Yingcai's invitation, Lu Ran and Jiangjiang Ruyi took their seats together with the Island Lord of Gray Lotus.

He He Yingcai personally poured tea for the several guests, then picked up her own teacup, drained the tea in one gulp, and teased Lu Ran:

"Rest assured, there's no poison."

Lu Ran: "..."

Smelling the rushing fragrance of the Mist-Rain Tea, he had truly been tricked!

As the clear tea soup entered his mouth, Lu Ran tasted nothing but overwhelming bitterness.

Good heavens~

So bitter like this?

Truly a product of the Spirit Saint Mountain!

Is this helping this Seat recall life within the mountains?

"Here, have a bite to settle your stomach."

He He Yingcai picked up a piece of fruit-and-flower cake with her jade-like fingers, broke it into several pieces, and handed them to Lu Ran and Jiangjiang Ruyi.

She smiled at Lu Ran, casually ate a small piece herself, making Lu Ran feel somewhat embarrassed, so he immediately stuffed a piece into his mouth.

This peculiar cake seemed to be made from a mixture of some kind of grass leaves and flower petals.

It still smelled fragrant, but tasting it in the mouth... huh?

So delicious?

Lu Ran blinked his eyes, immediately realizing the truth.

It wasn't that the fruit-and-flower cake was sweet and fragrant,

but rather that the Misty Rain Tea was too bitter.

"Lu Xuedi Brother Lu, tell me in detail about your adventures in the Holy Lingshan?" He He Yingcai asked with great interest, her beautiful eyes fixed on Lu Ran.

The Gray Lotus Island Master sat quietly beside them, equally curious about the background of this excessively young junior.

Who would have expected Lu Ran to blurt out: "This is like a child without a mother—a long story to tell."

Everyone: "..."

Lu Ran was, of course, willing to share his story.

Having observed carefully, he had naturally noticed that He He Yingcai was very interested in the Ran Sect!

Sharing his experiences this time was undoubtedly a great opportunity to add bargaining chips and make this One Sea Realm great island master yearn for it!

The Green Lotus Believers were the sworn enemies of Qiansi Ying; who wouldn't want them?

Lu Ran silently organized his words.

"Whoosh~"

A gentle evening breeze carried a pleasant sound of flute music.

He turned his head in surprise, looking past the dancing bonfire to see a man in white robes holding a jade flute, playing with his eyes closed.

The flute melody was melodious and extremely pleasant to the ear.

Yet it left Lu Ran and all the soldiers of the Ran Sect utterly stunned!

"Fishing Boat Singing in the Evening"?!

This tune... it was simply cheating!

In a trance, Lu Ran felt he had returned to the human world of Great Xia, returned to that dilapidated residential building.

He had even returned to his childhood.

To those childhood times when, after accompanying his father to watch the "News Broadcast," he would then watch the "Weather Forecast."

"He Xuejie."

"Hmm?"

"Isn't this tune a bit like cheating?"

"Alliance Leader Yun Yun Qianzhou said that the Holy Lingshan is a place that swallows human hearts and extinguishes humanity." He He Yingcai picked up the teapot and poured another cup of tea for Lu Ran.

She said softly: "The Alliance Leader advised us to drink tea and eat some snacks in our daily lives, to remind ourselves that we are human.

This piece of music is also used to remind the members of the Yun Qianzhou Alliance Alliance that we come from the same civilization, that we are flesh-and-blood siblings who grew up in Great Xia."

Hearing this, Lu Ran and Jiangjiang Ruyi exchanged a glance.

This Alliance Leader Yun Yun Qianzhou...

We must find an opportunity to meet him someday, shouldn't we?

With such perseverance, coupled with this kind of thinking and consideration, and being a powerful Second-Rank God believer of the Sky Luan...

Isn't he also excellent material to join the Ran Sect and help us overthrow the gods and demons together?

Lu Ran licked his lips, fantasizing about an entire alliance leader, indulging in a pipe dream.

Of course, one must eat the rice one mouthful at a time!

He shifted his gaze slightly and looked at He He Yingcai again.

So, you must also maintain your sense of identity as a member of the human race and preserve your humanity, right?

I really want them.

Can't they all come into my bowl?

(End of Chapter)