Chapter 623: Revenge!

Lu Ran lingered inside the meditation chamber for a long time, until the mist had fully dispersed, before rising to his feet.

He took a single step forward, gently.

His cautious demeanor made it seem as if solid ground were a thin sheet of ice.

After confirming the "ice" had not shattered beneath his step, Lu Ran took another gentle step forward.

One step, then another.

Lu Ran continually adapted to his brute physique, suppressing the wild surge of power, silently grumbling:

"How can this mindset not unravel?"

Lu Ran kept readjusting himself, like a child learning to walk, until he reached the tunnel's mouth—by then, he had adapted considerably.

The bright light was slightly blinding.

He squinted and saw many figures.

At the forefront stood a white-robed woman, elegant and ethereal.

Hss~

Lu Ran tried to imagine the faint fragrance of jasmine, yet he smelled the true, lingering scent of plum blossoms.

Miss Bai Yan was stealing the scene.

Hmm. Indeed fragrant~

"Did you succeed?" Jiangjiang Ruyi stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes smiling warmly.

If she tilted her head just a little more, it would be perfect.

Like that lively little Jiang Ruyi from middle school.

Too bad—those youthful years are gone forever~

It's been, uh, less than two years since I graduated high school?

Damn!

Less than two years? How does it feel like two centuries have passed?

Right! This year is 2021—I'm only twenty years old.

"Congratulations, Sect Master!"

"Congratulations, Sect Master, on your successful emergence from seclusion!" A chorus of congratulations jolted Lu Ran from his thoughts.

Lu Ran tore his gaze away from Jiang the classmate and became once more the Lord of the Burning Sect.

He smiled and bowed to the crowd: "Same to you, same to you."

The stronger the Sect Master becomes, the higher the survival odds for his soldiers, and the brighter their future.

That "same to you" was precisely apt.

After briefly exchanging pleasantries, Lu Ran announced a meeting in one hour and dismissed the crowd.

Soon, only Lu Ran and Jiang remained at the tunnel entrance, along with the two personal guards of the Burning Sect's Lady.

The guards had excellent intuition—at least far better than Sister Sister Xian.

They walked away, standing with their backs turned to guard the pair.

Lu Ran gently wrapped his arm around Jiangjiang Xianzi's slender waist, handling her as if she were a fragile work of art.

Jiangjiang Ruyi immediately sensed his unusual behavior and lifted her eyelids.

Her beautiful eyes studied Lu Ran's pupils, whispering some playful remark.

Lu Ran's hearing was exceptional, yet he heard nothing.

He merely watched her soft, parted lips, then leaned down and kissed them.

"Mm," Jiangjiang Ruyi instinctively closed her eyes, feeling the deep joy within him.

If she could, she wished time would freeze forever in this moment.

If possible, she wished time would freeze forever at this very moment.

When she opened her eyes again, she was still on Sacred Spirit Mountain.

Next, the Burning Sect would march to Blade Ridge Peak.

The sect's headquarters, founded by a Second-Rank Divine Disciple, knew not what awaited them there.

Would there be a Heaven Realm expert there?

It was said that, even when Lu Ran last led a force northward to rescue Yan Yan Shuangzi, the Peak Lord of Blade Ridge Peak had already entered seclusion.

It was said that long ago, when Lu Ran led his team north to rescue Yan Yan Shuangzi, the Daoist Master of Blade Ridge Peak had already entered seclusion.

Has the Peak Lord of Blade Ridge Peak advanced further?

Had the Daoist Master of Blade Ridge Peak advanced a step further?

"Hmm?" Lu Ran finally released her.

"This time, let's take more people," Jiangjiang Ruyi whispered, her forehead pressed against his.

"This time, let us bring more people," Jiangjiang Ruyi whispered, her forehead pressed against Lu Ran's.

"Before we depart, let's ask Elder Bai—if he feels uneasy, we'll postpone our journey."

Bai Yan is now a Burning Sect Elder.

Though honored as an Elder, he specializes in his field—Bai Lao primarily oversees the ideological education of Burning Sect disciples and does not engage in other administrative duties.

"Heh." Lu Ran chuckled. "How could the scholar lord make such a mistake?"

All of Bai Yanhui's predictions stem from his own perspective.

He can form a strong bond with the Burning Sect, but since Bai Lao resides at Cloud Sea Cliff, every omen he foresees pertains only to what Cloud Sea Cliff will encounter.

When Lu Ran leads his force away from Cloud Sea Cliff to wage war on Blade Ridge Peak, Bai Lao can hardly predict anything.

With Lu Ran leading the team away from Cloud Sea Cliff and marching north to wage war on Blade Ridge Peak, Bai Lao found it difficult to predict anything.

"What mistake?" Jiangjiang Ruyi asked, her expression puzzled.

"Bai Lao's predictions are always based on himself, then radiating out to the entire Cloud Sea Cliff." Lu Ran was speaking when he was suddenly interrupted.

Jiangjiang Ruyi leaned her thin lips close to Lu Ran's ear and whispered, "Did I say to let him stay inside the cliff?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Is the Lady of the Ran Gate about to take Bai Laoyezi to the battlefield?

Undeniably, this is indeed a method.

"What, can you bear to part with him?" Jiangjiang Ruyi asked with a smile.

Lu Ran paused for a moment in thought.

Bai Laoyezi is not some flower from a greenhouse.

It was only after joining the Ran Gate and following a wise lord that Bai Yanhui spent his days in peace within the cliff, serving as a teacher.

Before that, he was the leader and strategist of the Guiltless Valley!

He had lived in the mountains for decades, experiencing countless battles, great and small.

In the most recent war, Old Bai personally led the army, holding his ground despite being at an absolute disadvantage, constantly maneuvering against the Tian Tu Mountain, making Luo Luo Tiantu lose all face!

"Then take him along," Lu Ran replied softly.

"Mm." Jiangjiang Ruyi, unusually proactive, pressed her thin lips lightly against Lu Ran's cheek.

Was it a reward?

One hour later, inside the Hall of Deliberation.

The Ran Gate soldiers were gathered in full assembly, yet the atmosphere was not as grim as one might imagine.

On the contrary, many soldiers were eager to try their luck!

The Feng and Yan generals from the Xihuangyi Sect were, at their core, warmongers.

The Mad Immortal Guardian, once a follower of Divine Lie Tian, was also a violent maniac.

Not to mention Deng Deng Yuxiang, whose face was gloomy.

Having witnessed such inhuman torture inflicted upon her best friend, she naturally hated the Blade Spine Peak to the bone!

And the attitude of the Ran Gate's First Guardian naturally set the tone for this mission.

Behind the desk, Lu Ran sat steadily, his gaze sweeping over the elite soldiers and strong generals below the hall.

The hall was filled with solemnity, its momentum astonishing!

Even someone of the Jiang Realm like Xuan Shuang Liu Fire found breathing somewhat difficult.

"Blade Spine Peak, the main base of the North Wind Sect," Lu Ran finally spoke, breaking the silence. "A colossal entity."

Deng Deng Yuxiang let out a cold snort in her heart.

Lu Ran continued, "The only one comparable to it is the Mount Jingting Mountain."

His gaze swept over the crowd once more as he said in a deep voice, "In the Battle of Misty Rain Lake, our side indeed played a crucial role, but after all, we relied on the Yun Qianzhou Alliance and had the assistance of the Forbidden City."

Mentioning the Forbidden City, before proceeding with the promotion, Lu Ran had specifically contacted He He Qi Feng, but the Lord Mayor, busy with official duties, did not come.

Lu Ran also learned that He He Qi Feng had already advanced to the second stage of the Sea Realm.

Whether as an individual or regarding the city under his command, both had developed quite well.

"I say this to tell you not to be arrogant."

Silence fell in the hall so deep a pin could be heard; all listened to the lecture from the Sect Master, my lord.

However, the young Sect Master did not remain serious for long, and a sentence popped out of his mouth: "If anyone truly deserves to be arrogant and complacent, it should be me.

Every single one of you needs to step back."

"Pfft~"

"Hahaha" The atmosphere was instantly broken, and a burst of laughter came from below the hall.

Jiangjiang Ruyi, seated beside the desk, also smiled helplessly.

Until the hall fell silent again, Lu Ran spoke seriously: "We have lived together day and night for so long, as close as brothers and sisters. I do not wish to collect any corpses after this battle.

Do you all understand?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!" The crowd responded one after another.

Lu Ran nodded in satisfaction: "Before the meeting, I discussed with Mr. Cong Long and Bai Laoyezi. For this expedition, the Ran Gate will be divided into three teams... Nightmare Guardian."

"Present." Deng Deng Yuxiang immediately stood up.

"You will lead Luo Shen Jiang and Wu Xiao, serving as the vanguard."

"Yes!" Deng Deng Yuxiang's eyes shone brightly.

Wu Xiao, a Great Wu Sheng at the peak of the Sea Realm, was so strong he didn't even care about his face!

Within the entire Ran Gate, aside from the Sect Master, my lord, who could control Wu Xiao?

He is the absolute king of high-level matches!

Luo Ying is even a god of slaughter!

Every time she draws her bow and nocks an arrow, is what she holds between her fingertips the fletching of the arrow?

No,

It is the lives of hundreds and thousands of enemies.

"Guardian Cong Long," Lu Ran said again.

"Sect Master." Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng also stood up, awaiting orders.

"You will lead the Feng and Yan generals. Additionally, I will assign the Evil Shadow Guardian to you to facilitate our real-time communication."

"As you command." Yu Seeing Yu Changsheng nodded immediately.

"The remaining team will be led personally by Lady and me." Lu Ran called out each name one by one, "Mad Protector Feng Sister Xian, Elder Bai, He Tangzhu Jing, He Tangzhu Shangguan."

Hearing this, the entire group rose to accept the orders.

Jing Hong had not expected that she would have a role in this expedition!

Recalling the last attack on Blade Ridge Peak, her Divine Art: Thunderbolt Horn had indeed left the Northern Wind disciples in great suffering.

Lu Ran looked at Xun Xun Yifei and said, "Divine General Xun will hold Cloud Sea Cliff; during our campaign, you must ensure the rear base is well managed."

Xun Xun Yifei rose, clasped his fist, and responded in a deep voice.

Jiangjiang Ruyi spoke up at the right moment: "Divine General Xun has long guarded the interior of the cliff and is experienced. I will leave the Profound Frost Pomegranate Fire here to assist you in managing affairs within the cliff."

"Mr. Xun, teach them on my behalf and nurture them well."

"Yes, Lady."

Below the hall, He He Yingcai stepped forward and said softly, "Sect Master."

"Hmm?"

"I wish to join the expedition as well." He He Yingcai volunteered, "During the last battle against Mount Jingting Mountain, this subordinate always stayed by Lady's side."

Lu Ran nodded, yet said, "You have been at Cloud Sea Cliff for nearly a month now."

He He Yingcai smiled and said, "Let me follow the Sect Master to destroy Blade Ridge Peak before I return."

"Very well." Lu Ran smiled too, "With you accompanying Jiang Ruyi, I will feel more at ease."

After the roster was finalized, Lu Ran was full of confidence!

Counting himself, this expedition of the Burning Gate totals ten Great Ocean cultivators!

Plus several highly functional Jiang Jing individuals, together forming a force capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Even if Blade Ridge Peak's strength matches that of Mount Jingting Mountain, what then?

Flatten it!

We must flatten it!

To gouge out the eyes of my Great Evil Shadow? To chop off her arm?

To force her to tear up the contract, then imprison her in a cold cave and torture her day after day?

Damn it!!

"Everyone, go back and prepare; keep your spirits high!" Lu Ran's expression grew increasingly gloomy, "In as little as one day, or at most a week, we will march on Blade Ridge Peak!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!" Inside the Council Hall, the voices rang out loud and in unison.

Their morale soared to the heavens!

(End of this chapter)