Chapter 787: The Dragon Carp in the Lake

Although Deng Yuxiang has bound and is continuously fusing with Ye Mei Xiesu, their respective cultivation realms are still distinct at present.

Deng Yuxiang cultivates divine power and is currently at River Realm·Stage Three.

Ye Mei Xiesu cultivates sacred spirit energy and is currently at River Realm·Stage Two.

The question arises: how can Deng Yuxiang truly replace Ye Mei Xiesu?

According to Xiang Xianyang's words, there is one prerequisite—a hard indicator of perfect compatibility: both parties' cultivation realms must reach a certain height!

How high?

About three or four stories tall~

Of course, that's not Xiang Xianyang's exact wording.

But his actual words were even more frustrating: "Very, very high."

It's extremely annoying.

In Lu Ran's judgment, their cultivation realms must at least reach Sea Realm?

Or perhaps Sea Realm peak?

Regardless, Lu Ran must diligently nurture Ye Mei Xiesu—he absolutely cannot let the Great Nightmare fall behind.

Night deepened; the forest grew still.

The Lu Men duo had rested for a long while and cultivated for a long while.

The energy within the Sacred Spirit Mountains was dense—unmatchable by the mortal world; human cultivators here advanced three times faster than kneeling before a small shrine.

In the darkness, Lu Ran's voice came: "Rested enough? Let's go to the lake?"

"I've hit a cultivation bottleneck."

"Oh?" Lu Ran's heart leapt with joy.

This was good news!

Deng Yuxiang closed her eyes, carefully sensing the surging rivers and great currents within her.

Previously, she had remained in Beifeng City, cultivating in seclusion beneath the divine original's feet.

The divine power density in Beifeng City was naturally top-tier in the mortal world.

Extraordinary talent combined with extreme diligence forged a 22-year-old River Realm·Stage Three powerhouse.

Of course, compared to Lu Ran—a mere 19-year-old already at River Realm·Stage Two—Deng Yuxiang still fell short.

"Don't rush, prepare thoroughly," Lu Ran immediately advised.

Now, the two possessed over a dozen divine power beads, all at least River-grade; filling them all would yield considerable energy.

Lu Ran even possessed the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd!

More than enough to assist Deng Yuxiang in breaking through.

But most importantly, she must adjust her physical and mental state—this is crucial!

"Yes," Deng Yuxiang replied softly.

She would be exceedingly cautious!

The higher one's cultivation realm, the greater the consequences of a failed breakthrough.

Before River Realm, you're climbing a slope—you can still struggle back up if you fall.

After River Realm, you're ascending a mountain—and the path grows steeper with every step!

At such a time, one misstep could lead to catastrophic consequences.

"Let's go," Lu Ran summoned a cloud of black mist beneath his feet.

Deng Yuxiang stepped upon a layer of wind and waves, listening intently, each step taken midair as she followed Lu Ran toward the lake below.

Lu Ran had fully activated the Evil Law·Evil Awareness, meticulously scanning the surroundings.

The closer they drew to the lake, the more uneasy he became.

This place was too silent!

Silent to the point of chilling the bones.

In an endless expanse of mountain forest, how could such a high-altitude lake fail to draw attention from humans or demons?

Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang themselves were proof enough!

He furrowed his brow, hovering slowly above the lakeshore, one hand reaching to his side.

As the ancient bronze mirror surfaced, the aura of the back blade whispered: "Master, there is a divine weapon at the lake's bottom."

Lu Ran's heart jolted!

He immediately turned to the ancient bronze mirror, swiftly scanning it.

"Gulping," after a moment, Lu Ran's Adam's apple moved.

In this deathly silent lakeside, his faint sound was startlingly clear.

Deng Yuxiang stood atop a tree branch behind him, whispering: "What's wrong?"

Lu Ran activated telepathy: 【There's someone at the bottom of the lake!】

【Someone?】

【Yes, a man.】

Lu Ran replied, closely observing the image within the Threaded Fate Mirror.

He was a young man, around twenty-eight or twenty-nine.

His features were strikingly handsome, holding a folding fan, like an elegant scholar from ancient times.

His wide white robe and long black hair drifted gracefully in the lake water.

Such ethereal, otherworldly grace left Lu Ran momentarily stunned.

Doesn't this guy get suffocated?

And that paper fan—won't it rot from being soaked?

Suddenly, the young lord opened his eyes.

Lu Ran instantly tensed, telepathically warning: 【Here he comes—he possesses a divine weapon and has sensed our presence!】

As expected, the man beneath the lake rose upward in the Threaded Fate Mirror.

Then Lu Ran saw a scene of a beauty emerging from her bath.

A man, yet so stunningly beautiful—it was simply excessive.

"Leave," the white-robed lord's voice was clear and pure.

Lu Ran hesitated, calling from afar: "Sir, you are the first person I've met since entering the Sacred Spirit Mountains who didn't ask which divine patron I serve."

The implication was obvious.

Everyone Lu Ran had encountered in this realm harbored hostility; once they realized he wasn't from their sect, they drew their blades.

Only this man showed no murderous intent.

Upon hearing Lu Ran's voice, the white-robed lord was startled.

Because it sounded so young!

In this pitch-black night, the white-robed lord could not see his visitor's face—he could only lock onto the location of the visitor's divine weapon through his own.

After all, those qualified to enter the Sacred Spirit Mountains were mostly thirty- to forty-year-old cultivators; the young were exceedingly rare!

He must be a first- or second-tier divine devotee with extraordinary talent.

"Leave," the white-robed lord spoke again. "This is my final mercy—you've chosen the wrong target."

Lu Ran:?

Deng Yuxiang analyzed: 【Your divine weapon aura is strong—he probably thinks we're bandits.】

Lu Ran nodded slightly—it was very likely.

He immediately said: "If I told you my divine weapons were all cultivated by myself, would you believe me?"

The white-robed lord:.

Lu Ran smiled: "Sir, you're unique—in the Sacred Spirit Mountains, I've never heard the word 'mercy' before."

Slowly, the white-robed lord smiled.

Paired with his handsome face and gentle aura, his smile was like a clear spring: "Child, you can't know a man by his face.

In the Sacred Spirit Mountains, friendship and bonds are forbidden.

I advise you to leave soon—wait too long, and I may change my mind. And then, you won't be able to leave."

Lu Ran smiled back: "If I'm not mistaken, you're a follower of Long Li?"

Among the Xia divine pantheon, water deities are few.

Some sects may involve water elements in their divine arts, but their followers are all land combatants.

Someone like this white-robed lord, able to remain submerged for long periods, is easy to identify.

Moreover, his refined, scholarly aura speaks volumes.

Third-rank deity·Long Li!

He belongs to the "Eight Celestial Demons," alongside Shan Jun, Tian Luan, Tan Lang, and other beast deities.

His followers are mostly gentle, courteous, and kind-hearted.

Perhaps due to the healer's compassion!

The Long Li sect is one of the few healing-oriented sects.

And because this sect produces rare water-combat specialists, its disciples are almost entirely concentrated along Xia's coastal regions.

You will never encounter a Long Li follower among the Moonwatchers of Yuxiang City.

Even if you, as a student, received Long Li's blessing on the Divine Altar, you'd likely be transferred the next day to a coastal region for careful upbringing.

This is simply unavoidable.

Water-combat believers are far too rare, and healing believers are just as scarce!

With these two identities combined, it's an instant game-winner!

Even in the bustling capital, you'd hardly ever encounter a Long Li believer.

"Hehe~" The white-robed young master sneered, "Kid, I am nothing like the Long Li believers you know—the ones who save lives and heal the wounded."

His figure slowly rose, his upper body emerging above the lake's surface: "I've lived this long only because I've killed people. Don't you think so?"

Lu Ran: "Baa~"

The white-robed young master's head went blank.

What the hell was that noise?

Lu Ran chuckled: "Well, isn't this a coincidence!"

I'm an Xiang Xianyang believer!

You're kind-hearted, and I value harmony.

We'll get along perfectly!"

The white-robed young master: "."

"Sis, you say it too," Lu Ran elbowed Deng Yuxiang. "Show off our noble Xiang Xianyang believer status!"

Deng Yuxiang looked disgusted and sidestepped away.

"Say it quick! Let the physician relax—he needs the Voice of Compassion, sis, just baa already!"

As he spoke, Lu Ran kept elbowing her.

Deng Yuxiang grew flustered; her fair cheeks flushed for the first time ever.

What kind of nonsense is this! Who forces someone to baa like a sheep?

She grabbed his offending elbow and hissed low: "Don't make me slap you."

Lu Ran: "Huh?"

Is my Yi-jie back again?

Get off my Great Nightmare right now!

The young master in the lake was stunned.

Wait a minute!

Since when did this turn into flirting?

This is Sacred Spirit Mountain! And I'm a Sea Realm powerhouse!

You two little lamblings, can't you show me some respect?

(End of Chapter)