Chapter 831: Dual Seas! Ruan Men!

When it comes to pulling out plastic bags, Lu Ran is a master.

Xun Yifei and Luoying were truly stunned, struggling to process this shocking news.

After a long silence, Xun Yifei spoke: "My lord, may I also join your sect and henceforth serve you?"

Unconsciously, he had already changed his form of address.

"Of course you can," Lu Ran knew Xun Yifei's intent, and added, "but for now, I don't want you to sever your pact with the Divine Yan Qing."

Xun Yifei hesitated a moment, then said: "My lord seeks loyal devotees? But this lady—"

His meaning was clear: Deng Yuxiang was both a disciple of Xiang Xianyang and a follower of Ye Mei.

Her current state of existence is serving two masters.

Lu Ran shook his head: "The pact you signed on the Altar of Devotion is unequal—you are the divine's servant."

A lowly servant has no right to break ties with their master."

"If you forcibly tear up the pact, you will suffer severe backlash."

Lu Ran stared directly at Xun Yifei: "I hear you're at Sea Realm, Second Stage. If you fall back to River Realm—or worse, can never cultivate again—it would be a terrible loss."

Xun Yifei: "But I—"

Lu Ran waved his hand, cutting him off: "When we return to the mortal realm, I have a way to properly sever your pact with the divine."

Xun Yifei's heart leapt: "My lord has a way to lead us home?"

Under the expectant gazes of the couple, Lu Ran slowly shook his head: "Not yet."

Jing Hong, who had been quietly excited nearby, heard this and his expression darkened.

Lu Ran continued: "Paths are made by walking them."

Yet such comforting words failed to lift their spirits.

Lu Ran casually waved his hand, summoning the ancient bronze mirror, then transformed it into a full-length mirror.

Evil Mirror Technique: Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection!

He looked at the couple and said: "Suppose I steal enough power from the Nijing clan, continuously upgrading Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection—"

Luoying's eyes lit up!

Xun Yifei instantly understood: "Can Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection bring us back to the mortal realm?"

Lu Ran dispersed the Mirror Flower, Moon Reflection: "I can't give you a definite answer, but personally, I hold onto this hope."

Xun Yifei immediately asked: "How does my lord steal power from the Nijing demons?"

Lu Ran: "Kill them."

Luoying nodded—it was simple and brutal.

Lu Ran added: "There's more than one path home. In the mortal realm, some have returned from the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm."

They must have found the right way."

"So don't lose hope."

As he spoke, Lu Ran glanced at Jing Hong far away, repeating his earlier words: "Paths are made by walking them."

Jing Hong's heart trembled violently!

She had almost forgotten how sharp her sect master truly was.

Jing Hong immediately knelt on one knee, bowing her head in fearful reverence to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran was helplessly exasperated.

He had no intention of blaming her.

Disappointment, doubt—these were normal. Lu Ran was trying to encourage Jing Hong.

But Jing Hong carried a past unimaginable to ordinary people; she lived too cautiously.

Xun Yifei had no energy to care about anyone else—he pleaded: "My lord, I still wish to follow—"

Lu Ran looked at the man in the rain cape: "You want to lay the final brick for your child's path?"

Xun Yifei fell silent.

Lu Ran sighed inwardly: "What a good father."

Deng Yuxiang spoke up at the right moment: "My very existence proves this path is viable. You don't need to cut off your own arm."

Xun Yifei still stared at Lu Ran, his eyes filled with quiet pleading.

Persistent.

Yu Changsheng, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke: "If you truly care for your child, you must preserve your strength—you'll protect them better that way."

We've already provided ample proof. You don't need to cling stubbornly to your decision."

Perhaps the real barrier you must overcome is yourself."

Xun Yifei turned to look at Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng smiled: "Your insistence on tearing up the pact doesn't seem like love for your child—it feels more like guilt, like you owe too much."

Are you trying to reduce your own sense of sin through self-harm and self-punishment?"

Xun Yifei's face changed instantly!

Lu Ran couldn't help but be inwardly startled!

Damn.

Is this even a perspective?

And Yu Changsheng dares to say this outright?

Yu Changsheng still smiled.

Some people won't wake up unless you speak bluntly, unless you strike deep.

Whether such words offend someone—

Doesn't matter.

Xun Yifei and Luoying owe loyalty to the sect master.

Besides, if the person is wise and broad-minded, once Xun Yifei truly understands, he'll be grateful for this advice.

Severing the pact won't just drop your realm—you might never advance again!

"Yifei," Luoying gently patted Xun Yifei's shoulder.

Xun Yifei had decent self-control; he simply grew even quieter.

Lu Ran's voice came again: "We'll stay in the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm for a very long time—we have plenty of time to learn about each other."

You don't need to prove yourself through such extreme measures."

Join Ruan Men. From now on, let's evaluate each other."

Luoying pressed down on Xun Yifei's shoulder, then both knelt on one knee together.

Heaven took pity and granted us hope.

Luoying chose to grasp it tightly!

And her way of showing her stance was extreme—she completely abandoned her status as a Sea Realm powerhouse.

Luoying, with Xun Yifei, imitated Jing Hong's earlier gesture and bowed.

Lu Ran immediately stepped forward, his heart swelling with joy!

Huge win!

Huge win!!!

Now, heading to Tian Tu Mountain, heading to Sword Peak—we'll have real confidence!

He hurried to help the couple rise, speaking warmly: "Let's evaluate each other."

Deng Yuxiang watched this scene quietly, quite satisfied with the couple's attitude.

She always believed that as sect master, Lu Ran deserved absolute reverence.

Only then could he lead a team properly.

In the mortal realm, you gather companions through kindness and bonds of affection.

But here—in the lawless Sacred Spirit Mountain!

Relying solely on goodwill is clearly insufficient.

You need both profit and authority.

"Whoosh!"

The wind gradually died down, but the rain grew heavier.

Lu Ran patted Xun Yifei's shoulder and laughed: "I called you 'Uncle' before, but you're only just over thirty?"

Xun Yifei: "..."

Even if you're just over thirty, calling you 'Uncle' isn't wrong, given your appearance."

Lu Ran continued laughing: "You do look young, but your aura is so worn down—I got fooled."

These past years, Xun Yifei must have suffered greatly inside, shaping such a unique aura.

Luoying suggested: "Master, shall we find shelter from the rain and talk further?"

That single word—"Master"—delighted Lu Ran immensely.

"Alright!" He immediately raised his hand and cast a spell.

As the full-length mirror formed, he led everyone back to a hidden cave on the sea cliff dozens of kilometers away.

"Boom!"

A sudden thunderclap echoed from the sky.

Lu Ran's expression darkened slightly.

He arrived at the narrow cave entrance, gazing up at the rolling black clouds: "One of you should go back and check on the children."

The couple was surprised— they hadn't expected Lu Ran to consider this.

They exchanged glances, communicating silently; Xun Yifei bowed and took his leave: "Lord Lu, I'll go back and see."

Lu Ran casually opened a mirror for Xun Yifei, leading straight to the hidden valley floor.

He didn't suggest visiting, nor did he ask if the children were home.

Given the couple's cautious nature, they had likely hidden the children before leaving.

"Valley floor." Lu Ran said only those two words, then fell silent.

Xun Yifei hesitated a moment, then walked in without another word.

"Your children are too young to sign a contract," Lu Ran dispersed the mirror.

Children cannot sign contracts because their fragile bodies cannot withstand the mysterious external force.

Accepting divine power into the body could, at best, impair growth and development, or at worst, cause permanent disability.

"I know, Lord Lu," Lu Ying removed her wide-brimmed hat and replied softly.

As she took off the hat, her long braided hair fell down.

The last time Lu Ran saw her, her hair had flowed freely; now, this hairstyle gave her a faint resemblance to the Divine Asha.

But Lu Ying's bright eyes, white teeth, and natural beauty made her very unlike Asha.

Because the Divine Asha's appearance—well, one could only call it average.

Lu Ran turned and leaned against the cave entrance, gazing across the stormy sea: "Since you two chose to join us, we will do our best to help you, to protect their healthy growth."

Lu Ying looked at Lu Ran's back and thanked him: "Thank you, Lord Lu."

Lu Ran added: "Perhaps, before that day comes, we'll be able to return to the mortal world."

Lu Ying did not respond.

The hopes and fantasies of the past had long been ground to dust by day after day.

Lu Ran was still young, having come to this realm only recently; Lu Ying understood he still held onto hope.

Regardless, Lu Ran possessed astonishing abilities—his presence could resolve immense problems for her family!

Lu Ying lowered her eyelids and clenched the brim of her hat.

"Is there really a divine island out there? And does it hold vast amounts of sacred spirit energy?" Lu Ran changed the subject.

Lu Ying organized her thoughts before replying: "A few disciples from Yanqing once sailed out to search, then returned, bringing back this news."

Afterwards, the two nearby factions merged and launched a full-scale expedition to sea."

Judging by the outcome, this rumor was likely true."

Lu Ran gazed at the endless sea and sighed: "Those Yanqing disciples were truly bold—to sail out?"

Lu Ying whispered: "Perhaps they, too, wanted to go home. With no path to heaven and none to earth, they chose the sea."

"Lord Long."

"Lord Lu?"

"Shall we go take a look?" Lu Ran asked.

Now, the Ranyi Sect had two Great Beings of the Sea Realm join them!

Even if one had to stay behind to watch the children, the other alone would drastically boost the sect's combat power!

This sea? Of course we can sail out!

Yu Changsheng replied: "The sacred spirit energy that fell into the mountains has been gathered in large quantities by humans and demons alike."

"Though demons also exist in the sea, their numbers are far fewer."

Lu Ran nodded in agreement.

Yu Changsheng continued: "Some demons in the sea can fly and even come ashore, but their nature still favors staying in the water."

"Sacred spirit energy that fell onto certain islands may have lingered and accumulated over time—it's entirely possible."

Lu Ran's gaze pierced through the heavy rain, fixed on the turbulent sea, and he murmured:

"Master, you've made me eager."

(End of Chapter)