Chapter 833: Surprising News

Lu Ran was indeed deeply tempted!

Regarding the cultivation of the statues in the Sculpture Garden, Lu Ran currently has two methods.

The first is to seize by force, cultivating the statues by slaying demonic minions and human devotees.

However, this method is directional—each type of spirit automatically gravitates toward the corresponding statue.

The second is through Holy Spirit Qi.

This method is more flexible; Lu Ran has absolute autonomy and can cultivate whichever statue he favors.

Having been in this realm for so long, Lu Ran has learned many things.

Each pure strand of Holy Spirit Qi contains energy roughly equivalent to that of a River Realm soul.

Currently, Lu Ran's Lie Tian Divine Statue is at River Realm·Third Stage.

That is, every ten pure strands of Holy Spirit Qi can help a River Realm Divine Statue advance one minor stage.

Once the Lie Tian Divine Statue ascends to the Sea Realm, it will require one hundred strands of Holy Spirit Qi to advance one minor stage.

The demand is enormous!

So far, Lu Ran has not encountered any Lie Tian devotees within Holy Spirit Mountain.

The idea of sailing out to seek islands that have accumulated vast amounts of Holy Spirit Qi naturally tempted him deeply!

Lu Ran leaned against the cave entrance, gazing at the surging waves: "Luo Sister, when you return, discuss it with Xun Brother and pick someone to join us on the voyage."

The one left behind would naturally be the one protecting the children.

Besides, ordinary people need to eat—they need someone to go fishing at sea.

"Yes." Luo Ying nearly thought she had misheard.

Luo Sister? Xun Brother?

It wasn't wrong—after all, their ages were indeed there.

But this mysterious, powerful sect master was humbling himself to address her and her husband this way?

Since their first contact, Luo Ying had come to understand Lu Ran somewhat, finding him gentle in temperament and kind in manner.

With such a leader, the Ranyan Sect truly didn't reek of corruption like other factions.

Yet Jing Hong was trembling with reverence, Deng Yu was rigidly proper.

Even Yu Changsheng treated this young man with utmost respect, acknowledging him as his master.

Naturally, the lofty status of the Ranyan Sect Master had taken root in the hearts of the couple.

Thus, Lu Ran's casual address carried real weight!

"By the way, think of a codename for yourselves." Lu Ran looked at Luo Ying. "If all goes well, I'll make you a Divine General."

As he spoke, Lu Ran himself chuckled.

He hadn't expected that his earlier casual thought—creating a "Four Guardian Dharma Protectors" or "Eight Divine Generals" within Ranyan Sect—was now slowly becoming reality?

Luo Ying,

Sea Realm·Fourth Stage, A Sha devotee!

Undoubtedly, this was a damn cataclysmic artillery platform!

Lu Ran lacked experience and had never personally witnessed such an utterly terrifying existence.

As a result, he could hardly imagine just how astonishing Luo Ying's true combat power might be!

Luo Ying unquestionably had the qualifications to join the "Eight Divine Generals of Ranyan Sect."

Xun Yifei was likewise a genuine Sea Realm powerhouse, specializing in naval combat; if all went well, he too had joined during Ranyan Sect's early days.

More importantly, he was Luo Ying's husband.

Xun Yifei securing a place among the Eight Divine Generals was no issue.

"Yes." Luo Ying slightly bowed her head.

No matter how friendly and approachable Lu Ran was, she dared not overstep.

When you have something to seek, you bow your head.

Luo Ying merely felt fortunate—her leader was unlike the cruel, bloodthirsty heads of other factions.

"By the way, I want to ask about a few people." Lu Ran suddenly remembered something.

He inquired about Cheng Xin, Qin Yan, and others.

Unfortunately, Luo Ying had never heard of them.

But to Lu Ran's surprise, as he pressed further, he actually uncovered a major piece of news!

"You say the North Wind Sect's base is to the north?" Lu Ran was both startled and delighted.

Neither the captured Lady Luo nor Yu Changsheng had known where the North Wind Sect's base was.

Luo Ying nodded: "Traveling north from here requires a very, very long journey. After reaching snow-capped mountains, you must go even deeper north.

Near a frozen great river lies an exceptionally towering peak.

North Wind disciples are active there."

Deng Yuxiang, listening to Luo Ying's words, was equally thrilled!

So the North Wind Sect's base was in the northeastern region of Holy Spirit Mountain, even stationed beyond the Ice River?

"Shhh~" Yu Changsheng closed his folding fan and lightly tapped his forehead.

Lu Ran glanced curiously over: "Master Cong Long?"

Yu Changsheng smiled and shook his head: "My fault for being dull—I didn't realize this.

Now it's clear: North Wind disciples chose their locations based on where the Divine North Wind was said to dwell within the Great Xia realm."

Lu Ran nodded.

The northeastern region of Holy Spirit Mountain, bordering rivers and seas—wasn't that exactly the case?

Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran, words caught in her throat.

Her friend Yan Shuangzi had been missing for a long time—no one knew if she was alive or dead.

But as sect master, Lu Ran had just enthusiastically set his mission goals; she didn't want him to change his mind, nor disrupt his growth plan.

"We head north—first, accompany me to find someone!" Lu Ran gave the order without hesitation.

Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran, warmth rising in her heart.

Lu Ran turned to Luo Ying: "You two don't need to choose—since this is a land mission, you come with me!

Let your husband stay home and care for the children."

Luo Ying: "..."

The utterly mundane phrasing left her stunned.

"Go back, rest for a day—we depart tomorrow morning." Lu Ran waved his hand, opening a full-length mirror for Luo Ying.

Luo Ying hesitated, then spoke: "If the sect master doesn't mind, you're welcome to rest at our home."

Lu Ran inwardly praised her.

Luo Ying was undoubtedly cautious—but also possessed sufficient boldness!

Once she decided, she no longer hesitated.

Her invitation for Lu Ran to visit her home and meet the children felt like a kind of alternative oath of allegiance?

"Sect Master?"

"No." Lu Ran shook his head. "Our journey north may take a long time—go spend time with your family. I won't intrude.

Tomorrow morning, same place—I'll open the Mirror of Moon and Flowers."

Luo Ying slightly bowed: "Yes, Sect Master."

As she turned and left, only four remained inside the cave.

"Huh…" Lu Ran let out a long sigh, feeling as if he lived in a dream.

Sea Realm cultivators are called the Vast River.

Sea Realm masters tower above great rivers and oceans, embracing countless tributaries—the Mighty Sea!

And now, he had gained two of them!

Wow~

It seemed life in Holy Spirit Mountain was actually quite pleasant!

In the mortal world, a Mighty Sea would never even glance his way.

But here, these peerless masters treated him with utmost reverence.

Truly dreamlike~

"Congratulations, Sect Master, on gaining another capable lieutenant." Behind him, Yu Changsheng smiled in congratulations.

Lu Ran's unguarded emotions naturally shaped the cave's atmosphere.

"Same to you." Lu Ran smiled back.

Indeed, the hardest part is always the beginning!

When he and Da Meng Nian first arrived in this realm, they were hunted relentlessly, fleeing in utter desperation.

Later, with Yu Changsheng's joining, their situation improved considerably.

Lu Ran recruited the highly functional Jing Hong, and now had the Xun-Luo couple following him.

Four words: Things are getting better!

"I rarely see you this happy." Deng Yuxiang stepped beside Lu Ran, her gaze gliding over his shoulder to gaze at the rainy sea.

Lu Ran leaned against the cave entrance, whispering: "Once we find Yan Shuangzi, we'll be even happier."

"Mm." Deng Yuxiang murmured in reply.

"She's just like you," Lu Ran said out of nowhere.

Deng Yu looked at Lu Ran in confusion.

They were close friends, and indeed shared similar dispositions.

Lu Ran looked at the woman and gently comforted her: "What I mean is, you don't need to worry too much—she won't give up easily."

Deng Yu remained silent, nodding lightly.

To say she wasn't worried was impossible.

Lu Ran grinned: "She's probably just like you—hard to kill."

"Heh," Deng Yu laughed too.

Looking at the young man trying so hard to comfort her, she couldn't help but reach out and ruffle his hair.

Lu Ran shook his head under her touch, but his thoughts drifted far away.

If only she could truly find her good friend from the Great Dream Nightmare, and lift this burden from her heart—that would be wonderful.

Life at Holy Spirit Mountain was becoming increasingly hopeful!

My ability is limited; I'm really trying to be on time, I just can't wake up at 6 a. m. Let's push the schedule back a bit.

Notice: Starting now, the daily update times will be changed to:

2 p. m. and 8 p. m.

(End of chapter)