Chapter 799: Dogs?

The cold wind howled.

It bit through Cold Jin's bones with icy chill.

She tightly pressed her lips, silently flying backward, yet dared not flee—because Dongfang Ning had not spoken.

And Dongfang Ning

Had completely exploded!

"Huuu!!"

Five phantom sword shadows shot out from her body, instantly solidifying into frost-laced longswords, hovering around her.

"Senior Dongfang?" Cold Jin's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You…" Lu Ran, witnessing this, felt a sharp chill in his heart.

Does this woman want to die?

It is widely known that major Divine Sects typically possess six techniques.

And deities of third-rank or higher may grant their devotees a seventh divine art—the so-called "Ocean Realm Ultimate Technique."

In truth, there are more than just this one ultimate technique!

Some devotees, after ascending to the Ocean Realm, also possess compatible divine arts!

But those are exclusive to first- and second-rank Divine Sects.

Right now, five frost-laced longswords hovered around Dongfang Ning—clearly the Ocean Realm Ultimate Technique of the Jian Yi Sect: Frost Heaven Sword Cataract!

This was a true world-destroying ultimate technique!

From those five swords, boundless frost energy would erupt, coalescing into countless frost-laced longswords, forming a cascading waterfall of ice blades, shattering all things in the world.

Once activated, this technique could not be stopped voluntarily.

Only when the user exhausted all their Qi and divine power could it cease.

"Senior, think carefully!" Lu Ran's face darkened as he shouted, "I can teleport away—this technique can't touch me!

If you insist on unleashing Frost Heaven Sword Cataract, you'll die the moment your strength runs out."

Dongfang Ning stared fixedly at Lu Ran, her fury threatening to fill the entire heavens and earth.

She spoke coldly: "Is that so? If you're afraid of dying, get out now!"

Lu Ran's gaze grew shadowy: "Senior, reconsider!"

Dongfang Ning reached down with one hand, a tidal wave of Qi surging as she barked: "You risk your life like this—aren't you just trying to protect your companions in the mountain?

Listen to me well!

Today, your companions won't ascend! They'll be stuck here for the rest of their lives!"

Lu Ran:!!!

This woman is truly insane. My threats mean nothing to her—she doesn't care if her companions die, or even if she dies herself?

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Applause suddenly echoed, utterly out of place amid the tense standoff.

Dongfang Ning's expression darkened as she turned.

From the mountain's flank, a tall figure soared upward.

He wore a wide white robe, his jet-black hair whipping in the cold wind, his face so exquisitely beautiful it was nearly genderless.

"Young friend, what a striking presence!"

Yu Changsheng smiled faintly, holding a paper fan as he landed gracefully.

Lu Ran's face brightened: "Mr. Yu?"

He had sensed someone approaching, assuming the newcomer intended to reap the benefits of others' conflict.

He hadn't expected the person to reveal themselves voluntarily.

And least of all had he expected it to be the bath-loving Young Master Yu?

"Yu Changsheng?" Cold Jin frowned.

This Long Li devotee was well-known within Sacred Spirit Mountain.

Though a true Ocean Realm powerhouse, he rarely raised his blade against humans.

On the contrary, out of compassion, Yu Changsheng had rescued many from demonic hands.

But no one had heard of him saving anyone in a very, very long time.

Probably he'd been betrayed too many times—his heart broken beyond repair?

Though he no longer saved lives, he didn't hunt either; he spent his days in cultivation, seemingly uninterested in competing for Sacred Spirit Qi.

This man had always been out of sync with this world.

All major factions within Sacred Spirit Mountain wanted to recruit this Ocean Realm master healer.

But Yu Changsheng ignored everyone—and his power was peerless.

Long Li devotees were masters of slipping away; they were slick as oil, impossible to catch.

As a result, Yu Changsheng had gradually become an exceptionally unique presence in Sacred Spirit Mountain.

Aside from reckless fools, no one dared provoke him; most preferred to befriend him.

"Mr. Yu, why have you appeared here?" Dongfang Ning's voice was glacial.

The sword cataract had not yet unleashed—Dongfang Ning still had time to stop.

Yet the five frost-laced longswords still hovered beside her, radiating overwhelming menace.

Yu Changsheng smiled cheerfully: "I have old ties with this young friend."

Dongfang Ning's fury nearly burst free, her face twisting: "Old ties? He's a Dog Sect devotee!"

Yu Changsheng turned to Lu Ran, his smile growing more enigmatic.

Lu Ran: "..."

Several days ago, he had declared his noble status as a Xiang Xianyang devotee to Yu Changsheng.

He had even gone "baa baa" like a sheep~

Yu Changsheng looked wistful: "Young friend, risking your life like this, defying the Ocean Realm's divine authority to protect your comrades—truly admirable!

Heroic! Truly heroic!"

He then looked at Dongfang Ning: "Dog Sect? Fine. Even if he's dim-witted, at least he's loyal.

Dogs are humanity's best friends, after all~"

Lu Ran:???

Dongfang Ning's fury surged: "Yu Changsheng! Do you really think I won't kill you?"

Yu Changsheng had once saved a Jian Yi disciple's life—but Dongfang Ning didn't recognize that debt, and didn't care to.

In Sacred Spirit Mountain, where was there any room for righteousness?

Yu Changsheng gently fanned himself, helplessly glancing at Lu Ran: "Young friend, you've really done it—angry even the aloof Jian Yi disciple like this."

Even in peril, Dongfang Ning still intended to disrupt the mountain's cultivators' advancement?

How deep must this hatred be?

Indeed, Lu Ran didn't merely dare defy divine authority.

All along, he spoke words of pleading—but his actions were brazen beyond measure!

At this moment, the mighty Ocean Realm powerhouse Dongfang Ning had lost all dignity.

Two Jian Yi disciples had fallen in succession—each like a slap across the face of an Ocean Realm master.

Burning hot with shame!

"Die!!" Dongfang Ning shrieked. From the five frost-laced swords around her, boundless frost energy erupted.

Thick clouds of energy coalesced into countless frost-laced longswords, surging toward the mountain's peak.

Five "rivers of ice blades" merged into one magnificent waterfall!

Frost-encrusted swords poured endlessly, flying at terrifying speed, their aura overwhelming.

It made the onlookers' scalps crawl!

Ocean Realm Ultimate Technique: Frost Heaven Sword Cataract!

"Damn!" Lu Ran's face turned grim.

This woman really is suicidal!

I must take Deng Yu away—whether she ascends or not... Huh?

"Pop~"

The sound of a fish blowing bubbles echoed through heaven and earth.

A colossal Long Li, blotting out the sky, swam upward toward the magnificent sword cataract!

Yu Changsheng had moved!

Ocean Rank: Long Li Heavenly Vessel!

Instantly, the sound of swords piercing the Long Li's head came in a relentless, dense patter.

The sword cataract moved at blinding speed, countless frost-laced blades striking the giant Long Li with furious force.

Lu Ran didn't believe his divine weapon domain could block the sword cataract's impact.

Even ordinary flying swords might pierce through the aura—how much more this "frost-blade torrent"?

"Take your companion and go—now!"

Yu Changsheng's tone was unusually urgent as he strained to hold up the grand heavenly vessel, shouting loudly.

Lu Ran gripped his Tang Dao, his figure flashing away.

Leng Jin's spirit tightened; he hastily fled the high sky, his true form darting into a shadow among the mountain woods.

"Shhh~"

Lu Ran appeared high above Dongfang Ning's back, keeping his distance—she was fully encircled by a waterfall of swords.

Under these conditions, anyone who dared approach her would be flayed alive by ten thousand blades!

"Woof! Woof woof! Woof!"

Without hesitation, Lu Ran barked furiously at Dongfang Ning.

Evil Dog Technique: Fierce Bark!

This technique is a taunting art.

Lu Ran chose this technique for good reason.

Divine Art: Sound of Despair is indeed more advanced than Evil Dog Technique: Fierce Bark.

But Sound of Despair reveals weakness, luring hunters to attack and kill you.

Dongfang Ning was already beyond rage—Lu Ran's goal was to add fuel to that fire!

So Lu Ran went with the flow and chose the infuriating Evil Dog Technique: Fierce Bark.

His aim was simple: make Dongfang Ning redirect her ice-sword waterfall, turning it toward him!

Yet.

Dongfang Ning bit her lower lip hard—yet remained unmoved?

After all, her hatred for Lu Ran had reached an astonishing level!

But Dongfang Ning, relying on absolute power and the mental fortitude of the Sea Realm, forcibly resisted the taunt.

"What are you barking at?"

Dongfang Ning snarled, her face twisted with fury.

She glared at the mountain peak, determined to shatter the rock into dust and pierce the one ascending within with a thousand wounds!

She held one unshakable belief:

Smash the mountain, then return swiftly to her nest—Sword Peak!

How could she possibly throw her life away so easily?

Dongfang Ning clenched her lower lip tightly.

The dog creature had killed two Jian Yi disciples right under her nose.

This grudge would be repaid—later!

And before she left, that thing—the very thing the evil-dog youth had risked everything, even his life, to protect—

I will destroy it!

"Damn it!" Lu Ran watched Dongfang Ning, unmoved within the sword waterfall—he was about to explode.

Again, he felt the absolute suppression of rank.

"Huuu!!"

Lu Ran immediately raised his Radiant Light Blade; golden-red light flared once more.

Divine Weapon Domain—Activate!

Let's see if the water-armored defenses of a Sea Realm expert can withstand my Auspicious Clouds!

Meanwhile, inside the mountain cave.

A sudden gust surged forth.

The woman holding the blazing Phoenix-patterned gourd snapped open her eyes!

Her beautiful eyes shimmered with light, yet her gaze held no joy—only fury: 【Master.】

【Huh?】 The situation was dire—Lu Ran didn't react at first, 【What's wrong?】

【I've ascended. The commotion outside—who's attacking?】 Deng Yu leapt to her feet, snatching the broken blade from her back.

Hearing this, Lu Ran was overjoyed!

What! The hell! Turn of fortune!

Lu Ran quickly transmitted: 【Stay put—I'm coming to get you!】

In the tunnel, Deng Yu's forward dash halted; she spun and sprinted back: 【Yes!】

"Shhh~"

Lu Ran flashed into view atop the peak: "Master Yu, hurry—let's meet you by the lake!"

Yu Changsheng immediately understood Lu Ran's meaning.

"Crack!!"

The colossal Dragon Carp Skyboat shattered violently.

A torrent of ice swords surged forward, crashing toward the mountain peak.

Lu Ran flashed again, instantly appearing inside the cave; he swiftly summoned an ancient bronze mirror, transforming it into a standing mirror.

"Go! Hurry!" Lu Ran grabbed Deng Yu, and immortal mist erupted beneath his feet.

"Sssss—"

The two leapt into the mirror, emerging in the forest near the highland lake.

"Crack!"

Deng Yu, shoved by Lu Ran, slammed hard against a massive tree—snapping it clean in two.

Yet Deng Yu didn't even frown; she fought to absorb the impact, one arm wrapped tightly around Lu Ran, instinctively shielding him.

Lu Ran turned and waved, instantly dismissing the standing mirror.

Nearby, on the lake's surface:

A pale golden juvenile Dragon Carp leapt from the water, silently shifting into human form.

Yu Changsheng raised an eyebrow, watching the two barely escape death.

No—that description wasn't accurate.

Yu Changsheng knew that if Lu Ran wished, he could vanish instantly.

He merely chose—

To act like a loyal dog, going mad to fight a Sea Realm expert for his companion's sake!

He bought his companion precious time, holding on until the very last moment!

"Boom boom boom"

Far off, a distant rumbling echoed—like a mountain collapsing.

"Master Yu." Lu Ran smiled awkwardly at the handsome gentleman standing on the lake.

Yu Changsheng regarded Lu Ran with a half-smile, his eyes sharp with amusement:

"Hello, Xiang Xianyang devotee."

Lu Ran grinned: "Hehe~"

Requesting some monthly votes.

(End of Chapter)