Chapter 823: Immortal Island?

In the sea, Lu Ran was having a great time.

It was less like he was swimming and more like he was "suspended" in the water.

Thin, delicate black gauze formed spiral patterns, encircling Lu Ran's body and constructing a domain.

A domain exclusively his own.

Within it, Lu Ran moved with effortless freedom, diving deep or soaring high; the black gauze offered him perfect protection, fulfilling all his combat needs.

In the sea, he did not need to breathe, nor did he feel any hint of suffocation.

The Evil Art: Dance of the Ink Carp—truly amazing!

Just as Lu Ran was savoring the wonders of the Evil Art, he suddenly felt someone calling him.

Lu Ran immediately linked his spirit with Yemo Xiesu.

【Nightmare?】

【Someone's coming.】 In his mind came Deng Yu's serious voice.

【I'm coming back.】

Meanwhile, on the shore.

"Wuuu~~~"

Jing Hong blew the Echo Horn; the deep, resonant blast swept through the forest.

Finally, a figure emerged from behind a massive tree.

In truth, the Divine Art of War Horn: Echo Horn could not precisely detect targets, but if too many people hid in the woods, Jing Hong would always sense something amiss.

Unexpectedly, only one person had come?

From his build, he appeared to be a man.

He wore a straw hat woven with leaves, head bowed, the brim nearly obscuring his entire face.

He was draped in a wide, coarse straw cloak and wore straw sandals on his feet.

Perhaps he had been in the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm for a long time; his human-world clothing had long since worn out, and all his attire was made from local materials.

"Apologies for the intrusion—I mean no harm. I'll leave now."

From afar came the voice of a middle-aged man, carrying a heavy aura of weariness.

Deng Yu's breath hitched slightly.

She felt an invisible pressure!

Was this a Sea Realm powerhouse?

Deng Yu studied him closely, but the dark night and heavy rain obscured her vision, and his hat brim was pulled low.

The man in the forest turned away, but as he took his first step, he paused.

Jing Hong instantly tensed, as if facing a deadly foe.

Yet the man merely turned his head slightly and spoke: "Thank you for ridding the people of evil."

Deng Yu's face remained expressionless, but inside she sneered.

Ridding the people of evil?

In the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm, are there any good people left?

At best, it's "ridding evil of evil."

"Friend, please wait." Suddenly, a gentle voice pierced through the rain curtain and reached everyone's ears.

Yu Changsheng floated down and landed on the beach.

Lu Ran, wielding his divine weapon, descended beside Deng Yu.

Before drawing his blade, Lu Ran was happy to play the part.

In the forest, the mysterious straw-cloaked man frowned slightly, sensing the power of the newcomer—likely of extremely high cultivation.

He hesitated, then repeated: "I mean no harm. I'm leaving now."

Yu Changsheng smiled: "We naturally see you mean no harm—if you did, you'd already be fighting my companions."

The straw-cloaked man smiled too: "You slew two Sea Realm demons—how could I dare act rashly?"

"You flatter us," Yu Changsheng said, gazing at the man's back. "Might I ask your surname?"

The straw-cloaked man's expression darkened. He turned, slowly lifting his head.

Beneath the hat brim were two pitch-black, piercing eyes: "So now you won't let me go?"

With just those words, the man, once full of weariness, became a sharp blade.

A terrifying pressure surged forth, overwhelming and all-encompassing.

This was clearly a warning!

Yu Changsheng still smiled, calm and composed: "We mean no harm either—we only wish to learn about this region."

The straw-cloaked man's gaze swept over them, then unexpectedly settled on Lu Ran.

After several seconds, he spoke slowly: "Good blade."

Lu Ran studied him carefully and nodded remotely: "Your blade is sharp too."

The man looked to be in his thirties or forties, his eyes sharp and keen.

Yet his brow bore a deep, unyielding sorrow.

Such a vigorous age, yet radiating such weariness—he must have been broken by the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm.

Deng Yu knew well: neither was commenting on the man's weapon—indeed, the straw-cloaked man carried none.

They were commenting on the man himself.

The straw-cloaked man turned to Yu Changsheng, his gaze cold and sharp: "If I answer your question, may I leave?"

Yu Changsheng tapped his paper fan and bowed politely: "Are there any factions nearby?"

"There were."

"There were?"

The straw-cloaked man tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward the sea: "It's said that beyond the ocean lies an Immortal Island, rich with Sacred Spirit energy.

To please the Divine Lord and return to the mortal world sooner, two nearby factions fought for dominance, merged into one, then set sail to find the Immortal Island."

"Immortal Island?" Yu Changsheng raised an eyebrow.

The straw-cloaked man nodded lightly: "With your strength—you slew Sea Realm demons—you might as well go look for it."

Lu Ran suddenly spoke: "Old man, are you kidding us?"

The straw-cloaked man visibly froze.

The sudden term of address left him stunned.

Lu Ran looked skeptical: "You're a Sea Realm powerhouse yourself—why don't you go?"

Don't you want to go home?"

The straw-cloaked man: "."

Everyone knew how dangerous the sea was.

Even near-shore waters held demons like the Furious Sea Flame Serpent and Ink Squid—let alone the deeper oceans.

Attempting to sail out?

It would be nine deaths, one chance!

The straw-cloaked man turned and walked away, his voice drifting back: "Believe it or not—that's your choice."

The group exchanged glances.

Yu Changsheng hesitated, then said: "Menzhu, he's clearly a Sea Realm powerhouse. Since he means no harm and insists on leaving, we shouldn't push him too far.

Let's find a place to rest first?"

Lu Ran watched the straw-cloaked man's retreating figure and nodded lightly.

His head still throbbed from the mental disturbance—he had no desire to clash with such a strong figure.

Yu Changsheng, more cautious, added: "Let's move farther away."

You can't know a man's heart by his face!

What if he gathers allies and launches a surprise counterattack? That wouldn't be fun.

Survival in the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm demands caution—one misstep, and you're doomed.

Lu Ran picked up the Fiery Phoenix Gourd: "I'll absorb the corpses of the Ink Carp floating on the sea, then we leave."

"Yes."

"Yes!"

The rain eased; night fell.

Dozens of kilometers away, on a steep sea cliff, near its peak, a small cave entrance had been carved into the rock.

Calling it an entrance was generous—it was barely wide enough for one person to squeeze through sideways, highly concealed.

Waves crashed against the cliff, rumbling continuously.

Lu Ran stood at the cave's mouth, holding the Fiery Phoenix Gourd, gazing down at the churning waves, lost in thought.

"Aren't you going to rest?" A soft voice came from behind.

"Hm?" Lu Ran turned and saw Deng Yu's concerned gaze.

"Let Jing Hong keep watch," Deng Yu whispered.

Lu Ran tapped his temple, transmitting weakly: 【The Ink Carp Xiesu is still advancing—it's shaking my skull raw. I can't sleep even if I wanted to!】

"Hehe~" Deng Yu couldn't help but laugh softly.

She continued transmitting: 【It's a good sign—if it shakes for three days and nights straight, maybe it'll blast straight into the Sea Realm.】

Lu Ran grinned: "It won't take that long—I'm already at River Realm Stage Four."

Deng Yu's beautiful eyes sparkled: "Stage Four?"

The evolution of demonic constructs far outpaces that of humans.

When Deng Yu ascended to River Realm Stage Four, it took her a full three days.

Yet when the Night Phantom construct ascended within the River Realm, it took only a few hours.

Of course, no matter how fast the demonic construct evolved, Lu Ran's head had been pounding from morning till night.

He was nearly collapsing.

Lu Ran rubbed his temples hard, deeply troubled: "The Sea Realm Ink Carp stored a lot of Sacred Spirit Qi—maybe it really can push the construct all the way to Sea Realm."

Seeing Lu Ran's pitiful state, Deng Yu hesitated a moment, then gently pulled his hands away and placed her slender fingers on either side of his head.

She was more patient, her movements gentler, massaging his temples.

Lu Ran: "..."

It actually felt like it was helping?

Was it just psychological?

Beside them, Jing Hong secretly observed the two.

The usually cold and stern Guardian Master was now so tender.

It felt unreal.

Without realizing it, Jing Hong became entranced.

After some time, Lu Ran spoke softly: "Do you think there really are immortal islands out on the sea?"

Deng Yu continued her gentle motions, answering casually: "It's probably just a trick to lure us to our deaths."

In this world, every living thing encountered is naturally a rival.

She continued: "The fact they haven't attacked directly suggests they fear our strength."

"Pop~"

Lu Ran suddenly raised his hand, and a tiny Ink Carp materialized in his palm.

Its fish mouth opened and closed, its beautiful black veil fluttering as it flew toward Deng Yu.

Ink Carp Demonic Art: Rebirth Carp!

"Puff~"

The instant the tiny Ink Carp touched Deng Yu's palm, it shattered into thick energy that surged into her body.

Deng Yu's eyes widened slightly!

A vigorous vitality flooded into her, and more directly, her physical strength and qi were restored.

In the realms of Divine Arts and Demonic Arts, vitality carries a broad meaning.

Lu Ran had once used Black Lamp Demonic Art: Cage of Fire (Bath) to heal Deng Yu, but the Black Lamp clan's healing methods were gradual.

The Ink Carp clan's Rebirth Carp, however, truly lived up to its name.

Though the Rebirth Carp was tiny, when Lu Ran activated this technique, the total Divine Power consumed was astonishing.

"Reward," Lu Ran smiled.

He wasn't sure whether he was acknowledging her answer or thanking her for her unwavering patience and gentle actions.

Deng Yu looked at Lu Ran with a mix of annoyance and amusement, wanting to smack the back of his head—but remembered someone else was in the cave.

She restrained herself, giving the Sect Master some dignity.

Lu Ran didn't know he'd just narrowly escaped disaster: "I'm fairly certain that when we absorbed the demonic corpses on the beach, the man wasn't in the forest."

He must've arrived later, drawn by the commotion.

But exactly how many of my secrets he saw, how many Demonic Arts I used—I can't say."

Deng Yu: "After you stabilize, shall we go find him?"

A shadow of worry crossed Lu Ran's face: "He's Sea Realm—it's not easy. Should I go? Turn off the lights!"

He immediately stepped back, pulling Deng Yu into hiding.

"Sect Master?" Yu Changsheng obeyed instantly, dispersing the pale golden Little Dragon Carp.

"Shh!" Lu Ran peered out from half his face, watching stealthily.

In the pitch-black night, a man wearing a conical hat and a straw raincoat was sprinting across the waves.

Isn't that the Sea Realm expert from earlier?

What's he holding?

A sack of Ink Carps?

Even Sea Realm masters need to eat?

(End of Chapter)