Chapter 602: Unexpected News

The fires of Wolf Flower Shanzhai quickly died down.

Yet inside the council hall, Lang Ziyi's heart could not settle for a moment.

In his hand he held a delicate lantern, casting a brilliant golden-red glow over all below.

Lantern God Art · Brilliant Miao Miao Huo Long!

The caster may, by will, selectively envelop targets within the light's range with a defensive shield.

"Enter." A cold voice came from the doorway.

Lang Ziyi turned to see a tall woman clad in a green cape and blue bamboo hat, glancing at him with indifference.

"Ah!"

"Yes," four more weak-god disciples stumbled in, unsteady on their feet.

When they saw their comrades already inside—and Lang Ziyi seated there—their frantic steps quickened further.

"Young Master!"

"Young Master!" Bathed in golden-red light, the four trembling weak-god disciples finally felt a sliver of relief.

The auxiliary techniques of the Lantern Sect are especially powerful!

Take the defensive technique · Brilliant Miao Miao Huo Long: if the caster is a Sea Realm adept, every ally gains Sea-tier defense!

What does that mean?

Lang Ziyi alone is a complete defensive system!

Bringing him along would give the Ran Gate squad a qualitative leap in strength.

For Jiang Jing cultivators like Si Si Xianxian and Yan Yan Shuangzi, their defense would be instantly raised to Sea Realm level.

For Sea Realm cultivators like Yu Fish Changsheng and Deng Deng Yuxiang, they gained an extra life—a full set of Sea-tier armor!

"Call him Master Shang!"

A female Lantern disciple scolded sharply, glaring at them, her heart both anxious and furious.

Are you fools?

Don't you see these people are destroying Wolf Flower Shanzhai? Still calling him "Wolf Flower Young Master"?

You're afraid the Cloak-wearers won't kill us, aren't you?

"Yes, yes!"

"Master Shang," the disciples stammered, quickly correcting themselves.

Lang Ziyi's thoughts were in chaos; he said nothing, only pressed his hand down, signaling silence.

This sudden, mysterious organization was terrifyingly strong.

And it left Lang Ziyi gasping for breath!

The Wolf Flower Shanzhai chief and Lady, merely two Sea Realm Greedy Wolf disciples, had been enough to control Lang Ziyi, forcing his noble head to bow and his allegiance to shift to the enemy.

Yet in this attacking force, Sea Realm adepts kept appearing one after another!

Crushing the filthy wolf den with irresistible force.

The normally elusive Greedy Wolf disciples were hunted down by golden rain and falling plum petals, dragged out by sound alone.

It was simply unbelievable!

These mysterious people came from different sects?!

The unwritten rule within Sacred Lingshan was more like an iron law.

Devotees serving their own gods clashed fundamentally with disciples of other sects; added to the darkness, cruelty, and utter moral decay of the mountain realm, there was no justice to be found.

What kind of person could assemble such a force?

The Emperor-robed youth?

Lang Ziyi's mind flashed again to the face of that heroic young man.

For the first time, Lang Ziyi truly understood the meaning of the four characters: "Dragon Pattern, Phoenix Splendor."

The strength of the Yufuyi Sect was unquestionable.

Among nearly a hundred divine sects of Great Xia, those few labeled "Late-Stage Contenders" were exceedingly rare!

The Sea Realm, of course, was what they meant by "Late-Stage"—Yufuyi disciples were indeed overwhelmingly dominant!

But the Emperor-robed youth didn't seem to be a Yufuyi devotee.

His aura, that overwhelming might—could any Yufuyi disciple truly possess such power?

Lang Ziyi even suspected the Emperor-robed youth might be a disciple of the First-Class Evil God, Evil Spear Emperor!

"Huh"

Lang Ziyi let out a deep sigh, forcing his emotions to calm.

As a lowly human, he had for the first time a blasphemous thought:

The God Master Yu Fu was unworthy of that Emperor-robed youth!

Lang Ziyi thought he had gone mad.

"Boom—!"

An explosion suddenly erupted; everyone in the hall shuddered.

The phase of heavy artillery fire had long passed; now the mysterious organization was mopping up Wolf Flower remnants and hunting weak-god disciples, with only occasional violent sounds.

True enough, after the boom, silence once again swallowed the surroundings.

A suffocating atmosphere hung over the council hall.

The weak-god disciples, some terrified, some grief-stricken, others quietly weeping.

Fear of the unknown eroded every heart.

But they had no way to change their fate—only to wait here for judgment.

I don't know how long passed

Two figures walked in through the doorway.

Lang Ziyi looked over immediately and saw the emperor-robed youth and the cold, beautiful Jiangjiang Xianzi.

So, all the Wolf Flower Clan have been executed?

Lang Ziyi thought silently and bowed respectfully: "My lord, you've come."

The youth looked at the golden-red glow flickering in the room and smiled: "How festive."

Lang Ziyi's heart tightened, and he immediately dispersed the Canhuo Cage.

Though he was a One Sea Realm, he had survived in the Wolf Flower Clan by constantly bowing to others' whims, and had honed a set of survival skills.

The Canhuo Cage was used to protect everyone from the ravages of battle.

Now that the Wolf Flower Clan has been destroyed and the battle has ended, why are you still activating a defensive technique before the emperor-robed youth? What are you trying to say?

"It is indeed a joyous day for you."

As he spoke, the youth sent forth the Chi Feng Pattern Gourd.

As each believer was spat out, Jiangjiang Ruyi counted carefully and whispered: "Perfect."

"Mm." Lu Ran immediately activated the Nie Jing Xie Fa.

Most in the room kept their heads down, but Lang Ziyi watched Lu Ran's casting with perfect clarity.

He widened his eyes, completely stunned.

Only when several strangers stepped out, calling out "Master" and "Lady," did Lang Ziyi snap back to himself.

Song Yu, familiar with the route, led the two deputy He He Tangzhu of Feixian Hall to bring the weak-shen disciples back to Yunhai Cliff.

Everyone turned to look at the Wolf Flower Heir, seeking even a sliver of protection, all wanting to stay by Lang Ziyi's side.

Yet the Heir said nothing.

Only when the 36 weak-shen disciples entered the mirror did the council chamber grow slightly emptier—but many still remained.

Behind Lang Ziyi stood 13 Master Hua Deng believers.

"You too, go," Lu Ran said. "Someone will explain everything."

His tone was not stern; in fact, it was almost gentle.

But the second-rank artifact—Mo Yu Hu Fu—raged with unchecked power, lending his words an undeniable aura of authority.

"Gul."

"I…" Most obeyed and moved forward; only two or three remained behind Lang Ziyi, their faces pale, heads bowed deeply.

Lu Ran looked at Lang Ziyi: "Mr. Shangguan, don't worry. Life behind the mirror is a hundred times better than the Wolf Flower Clan."

"Go," Lang Ziyi ordered directly.

With the situation as it was, who had the right to resist?

Some eyes held pleading looks as they walked, turning back to glance at Lang Ziyi.

It was a case of glancing back every step.

Lu Ran: "."

Next time we receive believers, we should summon Master Song ahead of time to explain things and ease their concerns.

Lu Ran thought silently, though he didn't believe a speech would have much effect.

In this land, hostility between people is innate.

No matter how dazzlingly you speak, it's better to let people experience it firsthand.

"Huh~"

Lu Ran dispersed the ancient bronze mirror and walked to a chair, plopping down: "Mr. Shangguan, what's your real name?"

"Shangguan Hongfu."

Lang Ziyi replied softly, uttering a name long buried.

"Huh?" Lu Ran blinked, smiling at the man. "That's a fine name—clearly blessed with fortune."

Shangguan Hongfu's eyes dimmed, his smile forced.

Lu Ran read his expression and added: "In a place like Shengling Mountain, protecting yourself and your fellow disciples isn't easy."

Honestly, anyone seeing Shangguan Hongfu for the first time would think he lived in luxury—completely out of place with the word "suffering!"

Shangguan Hongfu was of average build, with Bai Xi skin and a square, dignified face, exuding noble bearing.

He wore a luxurious brocade robe, pale purple with golden embroidery.

Altogether, he looked exactly like an ancient prince or nobleman—full of grandeur!

"Thank you, my lord, for your praise," Shangguan Hongfu replied humbly.

"From now on, call me Master."

"Yes," Shangguan Hongfu replied at once.

Lu Ran smiled: "Mr. Shangguan, don't be so formal. Our meeting today is fortune for both of us.

In the days ahead on Shengling Mountain, our circumstances will only improve."

Shangguan Hongfu remained humble, bowing his head: "I hope I do not disappoint Master's expectations."

Lu Ran and Jiangjiang Ruyi exchanged glances.

This One Sea Realm was truly well-trained into obedience by the Wolf Flower Clan's leader.

Lu Ran didn't waste words recruiting; Shangguan Hongfu didn't ask for any conditions—he didn't even bother learning about Rumen before submitting to Lu Ran.

He was a Sea Realm sovereign, yet he lowered himself so completely.

Hmm… then again, think about it.

Lu Ran is no longer the man who recruited Yu Fish Changsheng back then.

He and his Ran Sect had completely recovered.

Jiangjiang Ruyi stood behind Lu Ran's chair and said softly, "I heard that Mr. Shangguan is at the mid-stage of the Sea Realm?"

"Reporting to the Lady, this subordinate is at the third tier of the Sea Realm."

Jiangjiang Ruyi nodded in satisfaction. This man's past record showed his temperament was decent, and combined with his powerful cultivation realm, he could naturally be of use to Ran Sect.

"Please sit, Mr., and tell us your story." Lu Ran leaned forward, pulled a chair over for Jiangjiang Ruyi, and suddenly recalled something. "Right, while you were in this realm, did you ever see any Xiang Xianyang believers?"

Shangguan Hongfu shook his head.

Having been in the mountains for so long, he had almost forgotten about the Xianyangyi Sect.

How could disciples of that sort appear in a place like this.

Lu Ran asked a couple more questions, specifically describing Elder Cheng, but the answer was still negative.

Lu Ran wasn't discouraged either—after all, he hadn't held out much hope to begin with—and asked again, "What about Dust Shadow disciples?"

"Eighth-tier God · Dust Shadow Flower?" Shangguan Hongfu looked at Lu Ran.

"Right, a male disciple named Qin Lady Yanzhi, mid-twenties, about one meter eighty tall." Lu Ran still didn't hold out hope, asking routinely.

Shangguan Hongfu pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "This subordinate has indeed seen a Dust Shadow disciple before."

"Huh?" Lu Ran was stunned for a moment.

"Thinking carefully, that male Dust Shadow believer matches the description you, Sect Leader, just gave."

"Huh??"

(End of this chapter)