Chapter 535: Divine Weapon Emerges!

The Ba Huang Dao had finally entered its upgrade mode, and Lu Ran was naturally overjoyed!

The only problem was that this place was not safe.

Lu Ran could certainly activate the Teleportation Mirror, step into the Misty Rain Lake, and seek the protection of the Yun Qianzhou Alliance.

But doing so would harm the Ba Huang Dao.

The energy between heaven and earth was surging madly toward the river valley; if Lu Ran left with the blade, how could the Ba Huang Dao still gather its weapon spirit to take form?

Therefore, Lu Ran could only adjust his position within a small range and could not leave this area.

Fortunately, the time required for a weapon to upgrade was not long!

At the shortest it took several dozen minutes, at the longest a few hours, unlike human upgrades, which often took several days.

"Lu Ran, take the blade to the cave," Jiangjiang Ruyi said immediately.

Lu Ran needed to focus wholeheartedly on guiding the Ba Huang Dao to gather its weapon spirit, so Jiangjiang Ruyi naturally took command of the Ran Gate.

She quickly arranged everyone to establish a defensive formation around the river valley cave.

Lu Ran did not dare to teleport; instead, he held the Ba Huang Dao in both hands and walked step by step back to the riverside cave.

Listening to Jiangjiang Ruyi issue orders in an orderly manner, he felt quite reassured in his heart.

Jiangjiang Ruyi's arrival had undoubtedly made the Ran Gate more complete.

She possessed sufficient prestige and ability to lead this group of world-destroying generals.

Do not think that just because Jiangjiang Ruyi is the Gate Master's Lady, everyone obeying her commands is a matter of course.

Which of those fellows, Nightmare or Evil Shadow, was an easy character to deal with?

The loyalty of such people to Lu Ran personally was absolutely greater than their loyalty to the Ran Gate as an organization.

If Jiangjiang Ruyi's presence were even a fraction weaker, or her command ability slightly lacking, Deng Deng Yuxiang would inevitably seize power aggressively.

Protecting Lu Ran was the top priority; everything else was utterly unimportant.

"Occasionally, I will have General Yan activate 'Drifting Sand' to scout for possible enemies; just ignore it," Jiangjiang Ruyi said softly before the cave entrance, then walked out of the cave.

Lu Ran only heard the gist of it.

He had little energy to spare for distraction, and being mentally connected to the Ba Huang Dao, he was immersed within it.

In the sky, thick mist gathered, forming terrifying fog tornadoes one after another.

"Buzz!!"

Lu Ran gripped the hilt with both hands, holding the violently trembling Tang Dao upright before him.

"All Eight Desolations annihilated, annihilating all Eight Desolations."

Lu Ran murmured in his heart, carrying the weapon to steady his path forward, expressing the desires within his heart again and again.

This blade's name...

Little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi really knew how to ramp up the pressure on Lu Ran!

The little sister was happy; with just a move of her small mouth, she had chosen such a domineering name, her ambition nearly breaking through the heavens.

Lu Ran, however, had fought a hundred battles on the battlefield, carrying this Tian Chen steel blade, struggling and climbing all the way to this point before finally having his wish fulfilled.

No! It was not yet fulfilled.

Becoming a divine weapon was only the first step taken.

There was still the Divine Weapon Domain!

As for the other Tian Chen Dao in Lu Ran's hand, the 'Cloud Sea Dust Clears'...

Heh,

He might as well not even think about it.

Lu Ran had self-awareness; he knew very well that his current standing simply did not deserve the blade name bestowed by Mother.

If one were truly talking about "ramping up the pressure," Mother was far more ruthless than little Jiang Qiao Yuanxi.

"Hoo~"

Thick energy continuously poured into the blade body as time ticked by second after second.

Occasionally, sand and dust would rise up only to scatter rapidly; that was General Yan searching for any hidden petty villains.

Lu Ran's mind was free of distractions.

He clearly felt the weapon spirit of the Ba Huang Dao gradually taking form.

Lu Ran's desires grew increasingly intense, and he kept murmuring in his heart:

"The Holy Lingshan Realm never lacks enemies."

"On this path forward, there is even less lack of enemies!"

"Kill."

"Shatter all obstacles, slaughter all enemies blocking the way."

"I have already brought you onto the path of total annihilation; now you too should awaken and accompany me together... Hmm?"

Lu Ran suddenly opened his eyes, then narrowed them again.

"Whoosh!!"

A fierce ring of wind waves expanded outward.

Lu Ran's black hair fluttered, his wide white robes danced, rustling loudly.

The Ba Huang Bahuang Jumie Dao finally settled into silence.

That slender, elongated blade body emitted a piercing cold glow.

Waves of dense energy flowed over the sharp blade edge, just as if sharpening the blade, again and again.

"Ha!" Lu Ran could not contain his joy. "It's done!"

Suddenly, a surge of energy spread out.

A weapon spirit, appearing illusory, quietly manifested.

As expected, the image of the Ba Huang Dao's spirit was identical to Lu Ran's.

Yet those illusory eyes were far sharper than Lu Ran's gaze.

Brimming with killing intent!

Even Lu Ran, upon seeing it, could not help but feel a secret shock!

Though the Ba Huang spirit floated clearly before Lu Ran, he felt a chill strike from behind, sending shivers down his spine.

Man and weapon spirit stared intensely at one another.

Lu Ran remained silent; the spirit likewise spoke not, merely displaying everything before Lu Ran.

It was truly difficult to tell whether it was provoking and threatening you, or like a child showing off its achievements before its father.

After a long while, the Ba Huang spirit knelt on one knee, bowing its head slightly: "Master."

Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly.

Unique environments shape unique beings.

Lu Ran possessed two divine weapons, Xia Guang and Ji Ye; both were equally loyal to him, yet neither of those two spirits would perform such rites before their master.

In terms of communication, humans and weapon spirits leaned more toward equality.

Lu Ran would even express apology for disturbing the Ji Ye Dao.

But the Ba Huang spirit born within the Holy Lingshan Realm...

Was truly vastly different, wasn't it?

"Good." Lu Ran nodded heavily; the spirit's etiquette and address secretly relieved him.

Everyone understands the grand principles.

This was a divine weapon into which Lu Ran had poured his heart's blood and carefully nurtured; of course, it would loyally follow its master.

But the killing intent radiating from the Ba Huang spirit was simply too intense!

Indeed, it no longer remained confined to the concept of "killing."

It was the desire to destroy everything!

Lu Ran looked at the kneeling spirit before him, sensing its profound desires, and slowly lowered the Ba Huang Dao.

The blade tip pierced the illusory Lu Ran, merging together.

Lu Ran spoke in a deep voice: "Since you have awakened, our path of mutual destruction shall begin from Mount Jingting Mountain."

The Ba Huang spirit's eyes were cold, its killing intent boiling over.

A thought imprinted itself into Lu Ran's mind, exceptionally brief: "Good."

"Whoosh~"

With a shift of Lu Ran's will, the spirit flowed along the blade tip, merging into the Ba Huang Dao.

He released the hilt with his right hand, leaving the Ba Huang Dao hovering in midair.

As Lu Ran pulled open his wide white robe with his left hand, the Ba Huang Dao shot forward with a "swoosh," reversing its tip to stab straight into the scabbard hanging at his left waist, entering precisely.

"Hiss!"

The Little Chifeng-patterned gourd hanging at Lu Ran's right waist suddenly shifted slightly toward the right rear.

It seemed Little Little Chifeng did not much like the Ba Huang Dao?

"It's fine." Lu Ran gently patted the chubby precious gourd. "We are all family."

"Hum~" The Little Chifeng-patterned gourd trembled.

After soothing Little Little Chifeng, Lu Ran turned and walked toward the cave exit.

By now, the thick fog had dispersed, leaving the surroundings clear and bright.

Outside the cave, a woman in a flowing white skirt stood with her hands behind her back; sensing movement behind her, she turned to look.

The two exchanged a smile.

"Success." Jiangjiang Ruyi's eyes held a trace of approval.

"Finally!" Lu Ran felt full of emotion, then asked, "Was there any disturbance?"

"No." Jiangjiang Ruyi shook her head, also finding it somewhat unexpected.

The Yun Qianzhou Alliance's reach was vast; even though this place was sixty or seventy kilometers from Misty Rain Lake, no demonic clans were stationed here.

However, over the past half-hour or more, not a single human had come to investigate, which was truly quite surprising.

"Did no one from the Yun Qianzhou Alliance come to take a look either?" Lu Ran asked in confusion.

"During such times, they probably wouldn't dare," Jiangjiang Ruyi speculated.

"That's true." Lu Ran agreed readily; thinking of that group of Sword Lotus disciples just now, who had nearly been wiped out in one stroke, who would still dare to venture out and investigate?

He suddenly realized something:

Saving others truly meant saving oneself!

If the Ran Sect had not previously aided the Sword Lotus faction, and had not eliminated Wan Wan Fangling and her squad, then this advancement of the Ba Huang Dao would likely have triggered a great battle!

Jiangjiang Ruyi stepped forward, lifting Lu Ran's garments to examine the hilt of the Ba Huang Dao:

"Have you decided on the directional focus for the Ba Huang Dao's domain?"

"Not yet." Lu Ran lowered one hand, gripping the hilt. "You must think carefully!"

"Hum~" The Ba Huang Dao trembled lightly in response.

Lu Ran suddenly smiled: "Your path to godhood has been so arduous and rugged, with such a solid foundation laid; perhaps comprehending the divine weapon's domain will proceed more smoothly?"

The Ba Huang Dao trembled lightly once more, accepting Lu Ran's psychological suggestion.

Or perhaps, it regarded its master's words as an absolute rule, treating them as a command.

"We should depart early as well," Jiangjiang Ruyi reminded softly.

"Good, let's go!" Lu Ran, having successfully nurtured another divine weapon, was brimming with high spirits.

The hardships and tribulations endured during the nurturing process, at this moment, all transformed into a thick sense of accomplishment.

The group quickly cleared the battlefield, retrieving four strings of Divine Power Beads; after dealing with the corpses and temporarily burying the weapons underground, they swiftly resumed their journey.

Unfortunately, after Lu Ran slew Wan Wan Fangling, his attention was immediately captured by the Ba Huang Dao.

Wholeheartedly focused on advancing his weapon, he had not taken any prisoners; consequently, the departed souls of several Most Dongting disciples, including Wan Wan Fangling, were automatically confined within the Pupil of the Death Realm.

Lu Ran couldn't help but feel a hint of regret deep down.

Wan Wan Fangling, such a Sea Realm expert and also a He He Tangzhu, ought to have known more secrets about Mount Jingting Mountain, surely?

However, matters had already come to this; it was impossible for Lu Ran to dig Wan Wan Fangling's departed soul out from within the False God · Most Dongting Stone Sculpture.

Come to think of it, Lu Ran felt that encountering Wan Wan Fangling was his own good fortune!

What a wonderful person!

Risking her life to serve as a sparring partner for the Ran Sect, allowing the soldiers to practice and drastically increase their combat experience.

She even helped Lu Ran clarify his combat thinking and continuously optimize his tactics.

If Mount Jingting Mountain truly gets annihilated, the Fang Lingfeng Hall will undoubtedly deserve a share of the credit!

Just as Lu Ran was pondering these thoughts, a sudden mental message arrived:

【Master.】

【Uh, hello?】 Lu Ran hesitated slightly, not directly calling out the divine weapon's name.

After all, both Xia Guang Dao and Ji Ye were in other people's hands; one could never be sure who was contacting him.

Calling out the wrong name would be quite awkward~

Unexpectedly, the other party fell silent for a moment, then actually replied with two words: 【Hello.】

Lu Ran: "."

You're quite polite, aren't you?

With such a response, it was most likely Ji Ye; after all, the Xia Guang Dao was particularly sunny and wouldn't likely spit out just these two words sporadically.

Lu Ran: 【Ji Ye, what's wrong?】

【He Qi has obtained the Peak Master's permission and can come to provide support.】

【Great!】 Lu Ran's face lit up with joy, and he immediately transmitted a mental message: 【How many people can she bring with her?】

(End of Chapter)