Chapter 529: Flesh Carved Away

Previously, when Lu Ran recounted his personal experiences, he had mentioned He Qi, but without elaboration.

Now, after Lu Ran provided a detailed introduction, the two island lords were truly startled!

He He Yingcai sighed with emotion: "What ambition, what courage! Truly a prodigy of Great Xia, worthy of that title!"

She naturally recognized He Qi.

How could this person be merely a prodigy?

She was an unparalleled genius seen only once in forty years!

Why say this?

Because, counting strictly, it had only been forty years since the Descent of Gods and Demons.

The First-Rank God, Lord Wu Seng, who always recruited only male disciples, had broken precedent exactly once to accept a female disciple.

This alone showed just how explosively talented He Qi was!

If not for the emergence of a monster like Lu Ran, He Qi would have been the number one prodigy of Great Xia!

Of course, for the other participating students, was He Qi not also a "monster"?

"The roots of Mount Jingting Mountain have already rotted through; then let us clear them away." Lu Ran lifted his teacup, gazing at the clear tea soup within.

His tone was light and casual, yet he spoke words that shocked the world!

The Gray Lotus Island Lord felt a slight palpitation in his heart as he watched Lu Ran drain the tea in one gulp.

This youth...

... was truly domineering to the extreme!

So young, yet possessing such courage and resolve.

The sky over Holy Lingshan would likely truly change.

He He Yingcai picked up the teapot and thoughtfully poured tea for Lu Ran: "Since Lu Xuedi Brother Lu has formed a deep alliance with City Lord He Qi, does this mean you share the same vision?"

Lu Ran remained silent.

At the neighboring table, Deng Deng Yuxiang's lips curled slightly upward, while Generals Feng and Yan brightened with sharp eyes.

The vision harbored by their own Sect Master was far grander than that of the Forbidden City Lord!

"Lu Xuedi Brother Lu?" He He Yingcai called softly.

Lu Ran did not answer; instead, he looked at the tea and pastries on the table, listening to the beautiful sound of the flute.

Within these elements of daily life lay Yun Yun Qianzhou's philosophy for governing his alliance.

The former served to remind everyone that they were human, while the latter warned the alliance members that they were all born of the same milk and blood.

Surely, He Qi would be very willing to befriend Yun Yun Qianzhou!

If she could gain the support of the Yun Qianzhou Alliance, He Qi's endeavors would surely soar straight up.

In this battle, He Qi would most likely come.

Lu Ran was also clear that his own face carried great weight; as long as he made a request, He Qi should extend a helping hand.

But Lu Ran had no desire to owe favors.

On the contrary, he intended to help He Qi unfold her grand ambitions!

"What you owe me, repay with your status as 'Ran Gate Divine General'."

"In the future, the common people within General He's city can all become my believers."

"I left a divine weapon with her specifically for timely contact." Lu Ran looked at the two island lords. "I can contact her right now."

The two island lords exchanged glances, feeling a hint of excitement stirring within them.

Was the Yun Qianzhou Alliance saved?

They had originally intended to request aid from the Ran Gate, hoping for more skilled hands and a greater chance of victory.

They never expected...

... that this Ran Gate Master possessed such sweeping influence, capable of inviting a disciple of a First-Rank God from the Wuji Peak faction?

He He Yingcai said softly: "We trouble you, Lu Xuedi Brother."

The Gray Lotus Island Lord leaned on his cane, stood up, and clasped his fists: "If Lu Menzhu can help our Yun Qianzhou Alliance survive this calamity, even a drop of kindness will be repaid with a gushing spring!"

Lu Ran asked: "Can you represent the Yun Qianzhou Alliance?"

He He Yingcai immediately replied: "Senior Pang Yuan is the leader of our Seven Lotus Islands and can fully represent our Biheyi Sect."

Only now did Lu Ran learn the Gray Lotus Island Lord's true name.

Pang Yuan said in a deep voice: "Lu Menzhu, I will immediately notify the leaders of each faction to convene a meeting."

Lu Ran immediately stopped him: "Wait a moment first; let me contact Qi."

"Please proceed." Pang Yuan nodded.

Lu Ran closed his eyes, mentally contacting the divine weapon, Zhan Ye Dao.

【Hmm?】 Zhan Ye was quite surprised.

Lu Ran apologized: 【Sorry to disturb you, Zhan Ye. Please ask He Qi if she wants me to send her an opportunity.】

A moment later, Zhan Ye transmitted a thought: 【She asks: Have you returned from the Northwest?】

Lu Ran: 【Yes. Ask her if she wants this opportunity.】

Zhan Ye: 【She asks: Why don't you come to the Forbidden City to report the situation to her?】

Lu Ran: "..."

I am not her subordinate; why the hell should I report!

Zhan Ye Dao relayed messages back and forth, and City Lord He began communicating with Lu Menzhu.

When He Qi heard that Lu Ran was already located in the southeast of the Holy Lingshan continent, her nose nearly twisted from anger!

"Didn't you go to explore Daxibei?"

"Why did you run off to the southeast again?"

"Having great power really makes a difference!"

"The world is vast, and you're free to roam wherever you please, is that it?"

"No wonder a certain someone didn't care for my Dharma Treasure, the Wind Barrier Pearl!"

After He Qi spoke these words, Lu Ran was completely stunned.

How could City Lord He Qi, a man of great vision and strategy, act just like a little girl?

Lu Ran was also very puzzled as to how He Qi had managed to persuade Zhan Ye Dao to relay these messages to her word for word.

It was simply outrageous!

After much persuasion and explanation, Lu Ran finally finished discussing the main business.

As expected, He Qi was very interested in the Yun Qianzhou Alliance, a faction that was "neutral but leaning towards order"!

Upon hearing that Mount Jingting Mountain intended to make a move against the Yun Qianzhou Alliance, He Qi pondered briefly before agreeing.

After chatting for a long while longer, Lu Ran slowly opened his eyes.

Under the gaze of everyone present, Lu Ran nodded and said, "He Qi wants to come over and inspect the situation herself."

"Good!" Pang Yuan immediately nodded in agreement.

Lu Ran then looked at Jiangjiang Ruyi and said softly, "She asked me to go and fetch her."

Jiangjiang Ruyi pondered for a moment before gently nodding her head.

She had half a mind to say that since Zhan Ye Dao was in the other party's hands, He Qi could simply follow the guidance of the divine weapon to find Lu Ran.

But upon second thought, this invitation had ultimately been issued by Lu Ran.

Going forward to welcome her would also serve as an expression of their attitude.

Gray Lotus Island Lord Pang Yuan expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Sect Master Lu, for your help! I will dispatch more personnel to escort you on your journey to welcome City Lord He."

Spirit Saint Mountain was fraught with countless dangers!

For ordinary people, individuals must rely firmly on their organizations; how could one wander aimlessly throughout the mountains?

Yet Lu Ran, without a second word, was about to go fetch someone; this journey would inevitably be fraught with peril, and he might even lose his life!

What kind of leader was this, exactly?

Was this truly the genius selected through layer upon layer of screening in Great Xia?

Lu Ran, He Qi—

That night, Gray Lotus Island Lord, who had only just heard their names, found his understanding completely overturned.

"There's no need; I have my own team," Lu Ran said, shaking his head in refusal before standing up. "I will borrow a place to stay for the night here and depart tomorrow morning."

"Understood," He He Yingcai said immediately upon seeing Lu Ran rise. "Shall I show you to your rooms?"

"Mm," Lu Ran nodded.

He certainly knew that delay was not an option, but the time available for travel was limited!

If Lu Ran wished, he could even reach the Forbidden City in a single night.

The problem was, what about the return journey?

Lu Ran ultimately had to lead the Great Wind Hall back to Misty Rain Lake on foot!

If he reached He Qi's presence in the span of one night, only for the return trip to take a full seven or eight days, would that make sense?

Would that be right?

Under the personal escort of the two Island Lords, Lu Ran and Jiangjiang Ruyi ventured deep into the jungle and settled into a secluded, quiet courtyard with a single entrance.

There were also two wooden houses on either side, sufficient to house all the soldiers of the Ran Sect.

The two Island Lords were sensible enough; after arranging everything, they took their leave with their followers.

As the disciples of the Biheyi Sect departed, the members of the Ran Sect took their seats in the main hall of the house, and Lu Ran convened a small meeting.

"Mr. Conglong, you will not accompany us on this mission to fetch someone," Lu Ran said, looking at Yu Fish Changsheng.

"Does the Sect Master have other arrangements for me?" Yu Fish Changsheng asked.

"Mr. is brilliant in calculation," Lu Ran said with a smile. "During the time I am away at Wuji Peak, I trouble Mr. to thoroughly investigate the background of the Yun Qianzhou Alliance."

"Mr. should meet with the various Island Lords to understand the specific situation here."

"I will leave Xia Guang Dao with you so we can communicate at any time."

Yu Fish Changsheng immediately accepted the order.

He did not believe the two Island Lords would deceive the Ran Sect, but gaining a deeper understanding was certainly necessary.

In fact, Yu Fish Changsheng was very pleased to see Lu Ran wade into these muddy waters!

Earlier at the bonfire banquet, the reason he had risen from the adjacent table to analyze the situation for everyone was precisely because he had made up his mind to get Lu Ran involved!

If Lu Ran had chosen to preserve himself by staying aloof, Yu Fish Changsheng would have privately persuaded him otherwise.

The battle between the Yun Qianzhou Alliance and Mount Jingting Mountain could be considered a war!

A war concerning life and death!

Once the fighting began, both sides would inevitably suffer heavy casualties.

Tianluan, Chenghua, Bihe, Jianlian, Most Dongting...

How many souls would the various sects contribute?

And how much divine energy could their own Sect Master draw from it?

Yu Fish Changsheng knew well that Lu Ran lacked the bearing of a ambitious warlord, so some things could not be said aloud.

Therefore, during the banquet, he had been preparing his arguments, thinking about how to persuade him tactfully.

However, Lu Ran had agreed on the spot, saving him the trouble of wasting his breath.

"Mr. Conglong only needs to rely on these three divine weapons: Xia Guang Dao, Cold Moon Sword, and One River Misty Rain Fan," Lu Ran said, smiling at Yu Fish Changsheng. "Leaving people to protect Mr. would only be a burden."

"The Dragon Carp faction is best at running away."

Yu Fish Changsheng: "."

The words were flawless.

But they sounded so awful!

The Dragon Carp faction indeed possessed a life-saving divine technique: the Survival Carp.

The Hai Pin Shen Fa · Survival Carp was sufficient for Yu Fish Changsheng to leave behind a small life-saving Dragon Carp over a thousand kilometers away.

A Dragon Carp believer could shift their position at any time, bursting the Survival Carp from within and taking its place.

To a certain extent, this was also a form of teleportation.

However, since its essence was a life-saving technique, compared to true teleportation, the total consumption of divine power was shockingly huge!

Back then, when Yu Fish Changsheng helped Lu Ran fight against Liangye Jian Yi's believers, it was by using Yong Ci Fa that he escaped back to the Gaoshan lake.

"Everyone, go rest; accompany me on a trip tomorrow," Lu Ran said, looking at the others.

"Yes!"

"Yes." The crowd rose and departed, leaving the exclusive courtyard to the Sect Master and the Lady.

The two entered the bedroom, where Jiangjiang Ruyi promptly proposed, "The situation here is urgent; Mount Jingting Mountain could invade at any moment."

"Let us go out to meet them; you also have He Qi steer according to the Silent Night Blade's guidance toward our direction."

"Mm, that works too." Lu Ran licked his lips.

Seeing Lu Ran's appearance, Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly, "You seem very expectant?"

"When I previously eradicated Luo Tiantu Mountain, I captured two disciples from Most Dongting; they said that Mount Jingting Mountain has enslaved many believers of weak gods."

Speaking thus, Lu Ran reached out to wrap his arm around Jiangjiang Xianzi's graceful waist: "If we take this opportunity to uproot Mount Jingting Mountain completely, we will not only rescue a group of people but also bring benefit to those who enter the mountain later."

Jiangjiang Ruyi nodded inwardly.

Lu Ran buried his face in her neck, inhaling gently, trying to recall the fresh scent of jasmine.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's Bai Xi, small earlobes were dyed a layer of pale pink.

Exquisite, tempting.

"We are outside," Jiangjiang Ruyi reminded in a small voice.

Lu Ran, however, gently kissed those cute earlobes, his heart surging with excitement!

He was indeed very expectant, very eager to make a big move!

Only when a festering wound is completely excised can fresh flesh and blood grow.

This time, if the Ran Sect and its allies could annihilate Mount Jingting Mountain, then next time...

The Ran Sect would be able to slash their way through Daoji Peak!

Lu Ran naturally remembered his promise: to lead the Evil Shadow Protector and settle accounts properly with those bastards from the North Wind faction!

"Lu, Lu Ran..."

"Mm?"

"We are outside... this is not Cloud Sea Cliff," Jiangjiang Ruyi's voice was tiny and light.

"Mm." Lu Ran cupped his fiancée's pretty face and pressed his lips heavily against those thin lips.

There will be another chapter at 24:00.

It's too late; everyone can read it tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)