Chapter 801: Jot It Down First

"Thank you, Master Fish, for your help!"

Lu Ran tucked away his awkward smile, clasped his fists in salute, and sincerely thanked him.

Yu Changsheng, however, did not accept the gratitude, smiling: "Consider it a reward for your loyalty."

Lu Ran: "."

Can't talk three sentences without mentioning loyalty?

Poor guy—how badly must he have been betrayed?

Besides, if there's a reward, it should come from Great Nightmare, not some outsider like you.

Yu Changsheng gently fanned his paper fan, gazing northward: "All around this Sacred Spirit Mountain are ugly faces; ungrateful traitors are everywhere."

"I haven't seen someone like you in a long time—someone who risks death to protect their master."

Lu Ran:???

Protect what?

Do you really think I'm a dog?

Deng Yuxiang's expression was far from pleasant.

She did not know what had happened outside the mountain, but from Master Fish's words, Lu Ran had clearly endured much.

And whoever had forced him into such a desperate flight must be extraordinarily powerful!

Deng Yuxiang pressed her hand onto Lu Ran's shoulder, gripping slightly tighter: "Who attacked just now?"

Lu Ran replied offhandedly: "A few Jian Yi disciples. Don't worry."

Yu Changsheng studied Lu Ran from head to toe, his smile deepening.

What an interesting fellow.

After enduring so much, he speaks as if it were nothing.

Is he trying to spare this beautiful lady from excessive worry?

Given the danger just now, she could worry ten times more and still not be enough!

"Jian Yi disciples," Deng Yuxiang murmured.

Lu Ran immediately said: "We'll talk about that later—first, thank Master Fish for saving us."

His casual tone was indeed meant to prevent Deng Yuxiang from worrying too much, but the real reason was that Lu Ran had full confidence!

Lu Ran could leave with Deng Yuxiang at any moment.

He simply wanted to hold on a little longer, to buy her more time.

Since she entered her breakthrough phase, three days have passed—she could break through at any moment!

Heaven does not forsake the diligent!

Lu Ran had succeeded! So even though he'd fled in disgrace, he was still satisfied.

"Thank you, Master Fish, for saving us—this debt I shall forever remember!" Deng Yuxiang bowed with clasped fists toward the gentleman in the lake.

Yu Changsheng waved his folding fan casually, but when addressing Deng Yuxiang, his tone changed:

"It's a pity—two people still alive, just like that, gone."

Deng Yuxiang did not think he was speaking nonsense; she sensed hidden meaning in his words.

Two people who were "still alive"?

Yu Changsheng turned his gaze to Lu Ran—he was clearly more interested in the dog boy.

He could tell that though the woman held higher power and dominance, in this pair, the dog-like youth was the one in control.

Yu Changsheng spoke: "Young Master Lu, won't you explain a little?"

"Hehe~" Lu Ran chuckled, "These days, who doesn't have a few secrets?"

Yu Changsheng smiled faintly: "Your secrets, young master, seem rather substantial."

Lu Ran fell silent.

What should he do?

Kill him to silence him?

What nonsense—was Lu Ran the kind to repay kindness with betrayal?

But Lu Ran was clearly a Xiang Xianyang believer—he had once baaed at Yu Changsheng—and now his evil dog cultivation method had been exposed.

How could he explain this?

If his enemies knew he was a dog believer, it wouldn't matter.

After all, in every battle, he had always presented himself as a disciple of the evil dog sect.

Lu Ran had once revealed his Qian Si Ying Xiefa —Qian Si Tong—but every single person who fell for it was killed by him!

Even their souls were seized, devoured, and erased—perfectly safe.

But this man—

Yu Changsheng gently fanned his paper fan, smiling amiably, not in the least in a hurry.

Suddenly, Lu Ran spoke: "Master Fish, let's discuss this after we return.

The Jian Yi disciples are unleashing a major technique on the battlefield—they'll eventually exhaust themselves. I plan to go back and check."

Deng Yuxiang's heart trembled!

In Jian Yi divine arts, only two techniques are called "major techniques."

The only one capable of draining the user's strength is the Sea Realm technique—Frost Heaven Sword Waterfall!

That means Lu Ran had just fought a Sea Realm powerhouse?

She immediately turned to look at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran, as if expecting this, reached out and seized her wrist, squeezing gently.

It was both reassurance and a command to stay silent.

Yu Changsheng: "Dongfang Ning isn't a fool. Though she appears furious, she has an escape route.

Since she couldn't find you, she's probably already returned to Jian Shan Feng."

Lu Ran insisted: "Let's go take a look. We'll visit Master Fish again afterward—is that acceptable?"

A mortal grudge has been formed—neither side has any reason to show mercy.

Yu Changsheng gave Lu Ran a meaningful look, then after a pause, smiled: "Do as you please, young master."

Lu Ran smiled too: "Master Fish, aren't you afraid we won't come back?"

"Jian Shan Feng is full of experts, and Jian Yi disciples abound," Yu Changsheng slowly sank into the lake. "Just don't fail to return."

Lu Ran: "."

The language of Great Xia truly is profound~

"Psst—" He dashed headlong into the forest.

"Psst—" Deng Yuxiang unleashed fairy mist from her soles and immediately followed.

Only after the two vanished into the deep woods did Lu Ran activate a full-length mirror.

He still wasn't sure if this move was unnecessary.

Lu Ran's mind was chaotic—he needed time to sort things out and make a decision.

The two entered the mirror one after the other, arriving in a vast, white snowy forest.

Deng Yuxiang's expression was grim as she gazed into the distance.

The snow-capped mountain that had once stood tall had now completely collapsed.

Hard to imagine what kind of apocalyptic output could reduce a mountain to rubble!

"Sigh," Lu Ran sighed. "No wonder this is Sacred Spirit Mountain—even with no past grudge or recent quarrel, simply advancing here is a grave sin."

"Little Lu Ran." The sudden change in address caught Lu Ran off guard.

"What?" Lu Ran asked, puzzled.

Deng Yuxiang didn't know what to say—she only stared at him, her eyes complex.

The wound on his cheek, slashed by a blade, had already scabbed over.

She knew this small wound was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Deng Yuxiang fell into terrifying silence—a radiant woman now resembling a beast on the verge of frenzy.

Guilt, pity, rage.

Her gaze shifted constantly, making Lu Ran's heart race—he hurriedly urged: "Focus on the task."

"Mm." Deng Yuxiang obeyed, stepping forward two paces.

Through the thin snow and wind, she saw the forest destroyed in the distance.

Deng Yuxiang spoke firmly: "The enemy must have retreated using Frost Heaven Sword Waterfall. Following the path of shattered trees, we should find them."

"Let's go see," Lu Ran immediately nodded.

The two chased after each other, scaling mountains and crossing valleys.

After a long time, following the trail of destroyed forest, they indeed reached the Jian Yi disciples' stronghold—Jian Shan Feng.

This mountain was extraordinarily towering!

Clouds only curled around its midsection; its peak pierced the clouds, stabbing straight into the heavens.

Among the towering peaks, Jian Shan Feng stood out like a crane among chickens!

It suited the Jian Yi sect's image perfectly?

As Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang stood within the snowy forest, gazing far off at Jian Shan Feng, the thunderous sounds still continued.

The spiritual power and stamina reserves of a Sea Realm powerhouse were truly astonishing!

Dongfang Ning's ultimate technique has not yet ended.

A magnificent frost-sky sword waterfall descended from the heavens, striking a single area under its master's command.

The heavens and earth rumbled!

【No chance left.】Lu Ran transmitted his voice.

Once Dongfang Ning exhausts his strength, the Jianyi disciples within Sword Mountain Peak will surely come forward to greet him.

【Mm.】Deng YuXiang responded flatly, her voice low.

【Consider it mapping the terrain.】Lu Ran replied thus, though inside he could not swallow this indignity.

He felt a strong urge to sneak into Sword Mountain Peak tonight and give that Sea Realm powerhouse a proper "care."

No matter how long you hold out, I don't believe you can keep going until midnight!

At that point, won't you be weak, powerless, and at their mercy?

But reason quelled Lu Ran's impulsive thought.

Infiltrating Jianyi's stronghold would be as hard as climbing to heaven!

At the very least, Lu Ran knew Jianyi disciples had slaves—those Ice Butterfly disciples possessed perception techniques, and that was troublesome!

This was only what Lu Ran knew.

What if there were other sect's followers serving as slaves within Sword Mountain Peak?

Each sect's divine arts were bizarre and varied; Lu Ran could easily be tripped up inside!

【This place is not safe to linger.】Lu Ran immediately cast a spell, summoning a floor mirror.

Strength. Strength.

Lu Ran stepped backward into the floor mirror, casting one last deep gaze at the sword peak piercing the clouds.

I'll write this grudge down in my little notebook—for now.

Just wait.

【Nightmare, I'm thinking of trying to recruit Yu Changsheng. What do you think?】

【He's very strong—he could give our combat power a qualitative leap.】Deng YuXiang paused, then added, 【But do you trust his character? And can he accept your identity?】

【I'll probe him. By the way, let's return to the battlefield first. I killed two Jianyi disciples—wonder if their bodies are still there.】

【Mm.】

At noon, two figures emerged from the woods near the highland lake.

Lu Ran gazed at the calm lake surface and called out: "Master Yu?"

The lake water rippled silently.

Slowly, Yu Changsheng surfaced: "Back already?"

Lu Ran nodded: "You were right, that woman is extremely attached to her life—she fled back to her nest."

Yu Changsheng was not surprised by this outcome.

He smiled at Lu Ran, his gaze teasing: "Since you're back, you've surely prepared your words, thought out how to deceive me."

Lu Ran: "."

【Hahaha!】Yu Changsheng burst out laughing at Lu Ran's awkward expression.

Lu Ran awkwardly bowed: "Master is truly a remarkable person."

Yu Changsheng chuckled: "You're a disciple of evil—don't flatter me."

Lu Ran pretended not to hear, stepping toward the cold lake: "Is the water cold today?"

Yu Changsheng:???

Water?

Do you think I'm taking a bath here?

Lu Ran stepped into the lake, feeling the icy sting: "Master Yu, what are your thoughts on gods?"

At this, Yu Changsheng's smile slowly faded.

What are my thoughts on gods?

Child, how dare you ask such a question? Your thoughts are dangerous!

Hmm… I like it!

(End of Chapter)