Chapter 622: Step by Step to Heaven

April's fragrance blooms; the spring mountains are like dark green eyebrows.

Amidst day-after-day cultivation, Lu Ran waited for Gao Gao Yunyan's breakthrough.

When a great power of the Sea Realm breaks through, the process takes 5 to 10 days, and all beings within the cliff can enjoy the blessings of the heavens.

Such a heaven-sent opportunity naturally comes with immense risk!

However, the Ran Gate has already gained ample experience in defense.

Under the coordination of Chief Great Protector Deng Deng Yuxiang, the Ran Gate's soldiers and all major halls operated in an orderly fashion.

To this day, the Cloud Sea Cliff can be called "impregnable."

Three days before the Cloud Sea Cliff was shrouded in mist, the Evil Shadow Protector and Cold Xuan Shuang successively entered their seclusion chambers to begin their breakthrough preparations.

Afterwards, Lu Ran also bid farewell to Jiangjiang Ruyi.

Carrying the only non-divine weapon, the Cloud Sea Dust-Clearing Blade, he went to Seclusion Chamber No. 1 and recalled the Little Chifeng-Engraved Gourd from Gao Gao Yunyan.

Poor little Little Chifeng~

It had just helped Gao Gao Yunyan break through her cultivation bottleneck and enjoyed a few days of leisure before being dragged back to serve as a laborer.

Hmm. It's fine.

Anyway, thick mist swirls around the Cloud Sea Cliff; the little Little Chifeng can feast to its heart's content wherever it is.

It only needs to pour a few heavy gulps into its master when Lu Ran seeks help.

Actually, in such an environment dense with divine power, Lu Ran and others do not greatly need the aid of magical artifacts.

But who would ever complain about having a higher probability of breakthrough?

Thus, Lu Ran sat cross-legged inside the pitch-black seclusion chamber, the Cloud Sea Dust-Clearing Blade resting across his knees, the precious gourd cradled in his arms, cultivating with undivided attention.

Absorbing the divine power between heaven and earth, condensing it into streams, merging it into rivers, and surging into the vast ocean.

Every inch of his skin, every piece of his flesh, blood, and bone, was soaked in divine power, receiving abundant nourishment.

The orderly circulating divine power washed through his body's meridians time and again, expanding his body's container.

Lu Ran immersed himself in it, gradually expanding his body's limits.

Until the twelfth day of April, Lu Ran, trembling, lifted the Little Chifeng-Engraved Gourd.

"Vroom~"

The little Little Chifeng happily swayed left and right, its golden phoenix engravings flashing continuously.

Lu Ran had been silent for a long time; suddenly lifting the gourd now meant he was fully prepared and ready to sprint!

"Gulp, gulp"

Lu Ran tilted his head back and drank heartily.

Inside the Little Chifeng-Engraved Gourd, there was no mist-like divine power at all; it was all surging, turbulent "rivers," and extremely pure!

As the rivers flow into the sea, Lu Ran felt his physical body swelling as if it were about to explode.

Boom—

Lu Ran's body trembled violently!

In the unseen realm, old shackles were shattered, and his body's container expanded fiercely.

The mist in the sky churned, surging madly toward the Cloud Sea Cliff.

"Heh"

Lu Ran's face was filled with enjoyment; even the sound of his sigh carried a slight tremor.

The little Little Chifeng was still buzzing, cheering and rejoicing for its master.

"Shh." Lu Ran patted the precious gourd, slowly lowered his head, and sat motionless like an old monk in deep meditation.

At the same time, inside the study of the Cloud Sea Residence.

Jiangjiang Ruyi knelt before the desk, a faint smile appearing on her face.

The mist attracted by the Yan Divine General had not yet dispersed; from the outside, the environment of the Cloud Sea Cliff appeared no different from before.

But being inside, Jiangjiang Ruyi clearly sensed that the concentration of divine power within the cliff had undergone a qualitative improvement.

Without a doubt, Lu Ran had also broken through the bottleneck and entered the breakthrough mode in a grand manner!

"Lady." Suddenly, a female voice came from across the desk.

"Mm."

"Your subordinate has completed the breakthrough." Yan Yan Shuangzi, not daring to disturb Lu Ran, came to Jiangjiang Ruyi immediately upon exiting seclusion.

"Peak of Jiang Jing," Jiangjiang Ruyi murmured.

When people reach the fifth stage within a certain major realm, they no longer need cultivation at the physical body level.

What remains is to clarify and deepen inner realization.

Seeking a sudden flash of inspiration.

"Yes," Yan Yan Shuangzi replied softly. "If you have no other orders, I will go guard the entrance to the seclusion chamber."

Jiangjiang Ruyi smiled instead: "I actually wanted to let you go home to prepare for breaking through to the Sea Realm.

However, being closer to him is more suitable for you to temper your Dao heart, isn't it?"

Yan Yan Shuangzi pressed her lips together and softly "Mm"-ed.

Ever since that time by the sea cliff, when Lu Ran clearly told her that she was an extremely charming woman and hoped she would not say words that could be misunderstood...

Whenever Yan Yan Shuangzi faced Jiangjiang Ruyi, she would always feel a trace of worry.

Worrying that her presence, or some action of hers, might displease Jiangjiang Ruyi.

Strictly speaking, Yan Yan Shuangzi did not care about Jiangjiang Ruyi.

The problem is, Lu Ran cares.

"Go then. For the next ten days or half a month, organize your state of mind," Jiangjiang Ruyi said with a smile, looking at the thick mist before her. "That Blade Ridge Peak is the gift Lu Ran has prepared to congratulate you on your promotion to the Sea Realm."

"Yes." Yan Yan Shuangzi breathed a sigh of relief in her heart and vanished silently in a flash.

Yan Yan Shuangzi had guarded Lu Ran for so long; of course she had noticed that Lady occasionally displayed some jealous behavior.

But upon closer thought, whenever matters concerning herself were involved, did Jiangjiang Ruyi not always seem very magnanimous?

Yan Yan Shuangzi thought silently as she arrived at the tunnel entrance of Cave No. 1.

Why?

Pitying me? How could that be.

Or perhaps it was because of her own existence identity?

Yan Yan Shuangzi, expressionless, walked silently into the tunnel, stopping only when the light faded into complete darkness.

She stood quietly for a long time, then leaned her back against the stone wall and slowly slid down to sit on the ground.

"Voom~"

The Evil Moon Curved Blade trembled lightly, sensing its master's low spirits.

Yan Yan Shuangzi paid no heed to the Evil Moon Curved Blade; instead, she drew the Evil Moon Short Blade from the side of her calf, her fingertips gently stroking the blade.

"Are there enemies in that mountain?" The Evil Moon Short Blade initiated communication, a rare occurrence, as strands of energy belonging to the blade spirit flowed from the hilt.

As a divine weapon of Lady Wolf Flower, countless souls had fallen beneath the edge of this short blade.

Bloodthirstiness,

was the nature of this black ice short blade.

Since its former master was beheaded and it was gifted to Yan Yan Shuangzi by Lu Ran, it had not seen blood for a long time.

"Yes, many," Yan Yan Shuangzi said casually.

"I sense the hatred in your heart." The voice of the Evil Moon Short Blade even carried a hint of amusement. "Tsk tsk~ What deep hatred."

Yan Yan Shuangzi suddenly said, "You do not wish to live."

Her true nature was that of a North Wind believer.

That cold and cruel heart could only be somewhat gentle before a very few people.

The Evil Moon Short Blade, however, adopted an attitude of boldness: "I was given to you by your master; dare you harm me?"

"Heh." Yan Yan Shuangzi let out a cold sneer. "You may try, if you speak one more word."

Evil Moon Short Blade: "."

Yan Yan Shuangzi pinched the cold, thin blade between two fingers and gently wiped it.

The Evil Moon Short Blade communicated again, its tone much more solemn: "My former master was extremely vicious, an outstanding figure of the Greedy Wolf faction, with cruel methods of torturing enemies.

Having followed my former master for so long, I also know very well how to make enemies suffer beyond death.

After ascending that mountain, if you have need, this blade spirit is willing to serve."

Yan Yan Shuangzi listened silently.

The words of the Evil Moon Short Blade seemed excessive.

This was not normal.

Since it was abnormal, it mostly implied some desire or request.

Yan Yan Shuangzi held the hilt, a cold sneer rising at the corner of her lips: "You enjoy it, don't you?"

Evil Moon Short Blade: "."

Yan Yan Shuangzi's voice was icy: "Submit to me, and I will give you a chance to run wild."

Even now, the Evil Moon Short Blade had not yet submitted.

Therefore, it could not transmit thoughts directly; only by manifesting the blade spirit and making contact with Yan Yan Shuangzi's palm could it communicate with her.

Yan Yan Shuangzi continued: "Every method you can think of, I can take you and use them on Elder Xing a hundred or a thousand times over."

The Evil Moon Short Blade remained silent for a long time, then suddenly asked with a laugh: "What exactly did that mountain do to you?"

Yan Yan Shuangzi ceased speaking; instead, she took the short blade and sheathed it back into the scabbard tied to the side of her calf.

"Huff~"

A surge of energy churned forth, spreading from Yan Yan Shuangzi's slender calf to her entire body.

Yan Yan Shuangzi rested the back of her head against the stone wall and slowly closed her eyes.

Not long after, a clear voice imprinted itself into her mind: 【Do not forget our agreement.】

【Mm.】

【The name Evil Moon does not suit me; I am called the Xiangling Blade. Xiang as in beheading, Ling as in slow slicing.】

【Is this the direction of your divine weapon realm?】

【Perhaps.】

【When he gave you to me, he told me there was already an Evil Moon Curved Blade, so let's pair it with a short blade.】 Yan Yan Shuangzi replied softly.

Xiangling Blade: "."

Indeed!

I was the one who was given; I was there too!

He never told you to call me "Evil Moon Short Blade"!

April 21st, noon.

Everyone inside Cloud Sea Cliff clearly noticed that the thick fog in the world was gradually beginning to dissipate.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, meditating in the study, quietly opened her eyes.

After a full ten days, had Lu Ran finally succeeded in advancing?

Jiangjiang Ruyi slowly rose, and through the exquisitely carved wooden window, she vaguely saw the figure of Xuan Shuang Liu Fire at the stone table in the courtyard.

The two guards also noticed the abnormal situation; just as they were about to enter the room to report, they saw a figure emerge through the swirling mist.

"Lady."

"Lady, the mist is about to clear." Compared to the taciturn Leng Xuan Shuang, Liu Huo spoke more.

These two were not only cold and hot in name and temperament.

Even their true identities were the Ice Plum Demon Queen and the Black Fire Steed.

Truly, from the inside out, one ice and one fire.

"Mm, I'll go fetch him." Jiangjiang Ruyi, wrapped in Master Yu Fu's great formation, flew toward the forest behind the house.

The Xuan Shuang guards immediately scattered like plum blossoms, rising lightly into the air.

The Liu Huo guards stepped upon flowers of flame, treading the sky.

At the same time, inside Seclusion Chamber One.

"Ugh~" Lu Ran lay on his back on the ground, looking utterly limp.

Finally!

Kui Shi Hai Jing, Second Stage!

This feeling of power filling his body made Lu Ran dare not move rashly, fearing he might smash the ground with a single slap.

Truly worthy of Kui Shi Hai Jing!

Even with a minor stage advancement, his physical strength had increased considerably.

"Hah~" The Little Little Chifeng hovered before Lu Ran's face, flying left, then right.

The chubby Magic Gourd celebrated continuously, swaying left and right.

So adorable~

Lu Ran suddenly reached out, intending to intercept the annoying Magic Gourd.

But unexpectedly, the Little Little Chifeng stopped abruptly, then actively pressed close, affectionately nuzzling his palm.

"Hehe." Lu Ran smiled gently, carefully drawing the Little Chifeng-patterned Gourd into his embrace, then let out a soft sigh.

Distance to the Heavenly Realm,

another step closer.

Mm, closer to Dao Ridge Peak too, right at the entrance.

Begging for some monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)