Chapter 835: Above the Sea?

The next morning, at the Sea Cliff Cave.

Lu Ran had just activated a full-length mirror inside the cave when a figure walked in.

She wore a rain cape and a wide-brimmed hat, the brim pulled low.

She seemed especially mysterious.

In her arms she carried several capes and four stacked straw hats.

"Lord Lu," Xiang Luoying bowed slightly, respectfully greeting him, "the northern mountains are high and cold; I noticed everyone's clothing was worn, so I brought some replacements."

Lu Ran frowned slightly—he clearly heard a choked sound as she spoke.

Had she been crying?

Was it because she had to leave the children behind?

Lu Ran: "You—"

"Lord, wait a moment," Xiang Luoying unusually interrupted, setting the clothes aside before walking toward the narrow cave entrance.

Lu Ran watched her back and felt utterly guilty.

Xiang Luoying's journey north was uncertain—no one knew when she'd return, or if she'd return at all.

Though a few among them possessed considerable strength, who in the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm could claim absolute safety?

Lu Ran stared at the young mother's back, a bitter ache in his chest.

But without Xiang Luoying, they couldn't proceed—Ran Sect still needed her to guide them.

"We'll go fast and return fast," Deng Yuxiang, who understood Lu Ran's soft heart, cut into his thoughts.

As she spoke, she walked to the pile of clothing, picking up a large rain cape.

"Huh~"

Suddenly, a gust of wind surged through the narrow cave entrance.

A sharp "crack" rang out—Xiang Luoying reached out, gripping a divine weapon!

It was a finely crafted traditional bow, its curved limbs elegant and fluid, its body a pale brown.

It wasn't raining today, yet the wooden bow was soaked.

"Why didn't you ever bring it out before?" Deng Yuxiang asked, selecting a hat and cape before walking to Lu Ran's side.

Xiang Luoying explained, "We dared not take divine weapons home, fearing they'd draw attention from others—we hid it in the sea."

As she spoke, Xiang Luoying wiped the wetness from the bow's limb.

"Hum~" The wooden bow trembled lightly.

Deng Yuxiang unstrapped Lu Ran's dao and draped the cape over him, asking casually, "Have you unlocked your divine weapon's domain?"

Lu Ran tried to put it on himself, but Deng Yuxiang gave him a cool glance—and

he stood perfectly still, letting her arrange him.

Xiang Luoying answered honestly, "My bow hasn't, but Yi Fei has a three-pronged spear—he's already unlocked its domain."

Both husband and wife possessed divine weapons?

Lu Ran was slightly surprised, then suddenly understood something!

When he first met Xun Yifei, something about him had always felt off.

Xun Yifei wielded a dao, yet somehow looked like he carried a spear.

So he used a three-pronged, double-edged blade!

While Lu Ran pondered, Deng Yuxiang had already draped the cape over him and placed the straw hat on his head.

She stepped back two paces, studying his new look, and nodded silently.

Green cape, blue hat.

He looked like some reclusive master?

The cape was wide enough to fully conceal his Tang dao, split into two sets and hung at his waist.

As for the Crimson Phoenix Gourd, there was more than enough space to hide it.

Lu Ran looked at Xiang Luoying: "What's your bow called?"

Xiang Luoying's gaze darkened slightly, whispering, "Binfen."

Lu Ran tilted his head, staring at the bow protruding from her back—the plain pale brown color had nothing to do with "Binfen."

The group quickly changed into their new attire, moving in perfect unison.

Against their powerful aura, the team appeared especially mysterious.

Lu Ran looked at Xiang Luoying, his expression grave: "We'll go fast and return fast."

"Yes," Xiang Luoying nodded lightly.

The group packed their gear and set out immediately.

Soon after, Xiang Luoying realized the Lord wasn't just speaking—he'd given her a promise.

Lu Ran activated the full-length mirror with astonishing frequency!

He often gazed at distant peaks; each time he used the Evil Art: Mirror Flower Moon, he led them across nearly a hundred kilometers.

Lu Ran did this for two reasons:

First, the children were waiting for their mother to return.

Lu Ran had once been a child himself, standing by his bedroom window, staring at the corner of the next apartment building, hoping to see his father's figure appear.

Second, no one knew where Yan Shuangzi was now.

What if she was suffering?

When she left, she was only at River Realm, Fifth Stage!

If Yan Shuangzi truly was with the North Wind Sect, things might be better.

They were all from the same sect—no matter how brutal the world, they'd at least show some respect for their shared identity.

But if she wasn't there…

Sigh.

Lu Ran refused to dwell on it.

Either way, they must visit the North Wind Sect soon—so he and Deng Yuxiang could at least have some certainty.

With the help of the Evil Art: Mirror Flower Moon, their travel speed was terrifying!

"Lord!"

"Hmm?" In the deep forest, Lu Ran had just raised his hand—his motion froze slightly.

Yu Changsheng couldn't help but urge, "I know you're eager to complete your mission, but haste makes waste.

This realm is perilous; constantly entering and exiting Mirror Flower Moon for long-distance travel will surely cause problems."

Lu Ran gazed at the distant peak and continued his technique: "I'm aware—I observe carefully before opening each mirror. Don't worry."

As he spoke, another full-length mirror rapidly formed.

Yu Changsheng sighed helplessly, glancing at Deng Yuxiang.

The woman understood instantly, stepping into the mirror with Lu Ran: "Slow down a little."

Lu Ran: "..."

Deng Yuxiang pressed her hand on Lu Ran's shoulder, whispering, "Yu Changsheng is right—we need to steady our pace."

Lu Ran fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

Yu Changsheng watched this exchange, silently smiling to himself.

Only Deng the Great Protector's words carry weight.

Xiang Luoying quietly observed the pair, realizing they weren't merely master and subordinate.

"With Mirror Flower Moon like this, the world is vast—anywhere is reachable," Yu Changsheng gazed at the distant sky, deeply moved.

For him, traveling from his former mountain lake to the eastern edge of the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm once took months.

Yet beside Lu Ran, it took only half a month.

And that was even though he focused on gathering Sacred Spirit energy and only occasionally used Mirror Flower Moon.

Now look at this!

Lu Ran was solely focused on travel—his pace meant the group would soon reach the northeastern edge of the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm.

"This is nothing," Lu Ran muttered under his breath, "Only a hundred kilometers per jump."

Yu Changsheng: "..."

Do you have any idea how long it takes others to cover a hundred kilometers?

Lu Ran stared at the distant mountain peak, confirmed safety, then activated his technique again: "Once Mirror Flower Moon reaches Sea Realm, its power increases dramatically—it can span three thousand kilometers in one leap."

Three thousand kilometers!

Such a teleportation distance was already immense.

But it still… wasn't enough to bring everyone home.

Lu Ran stepped into the mirror, moving from one peak to the next.

He suddenly asked, "Above Sea Realm, is there another realm?"

Yu Changsheng affirmed, "Yes."

Lu Ran's heart stirred: "What's it called?"

"I don't know—but it definitely exists!"

Lu Ran looked at Yu Changsheng in surprise: "You're so certain, Master Yu? Have you ever seen such a being?"

Yu Changsheng's expression turned grave: "I once saw a man fly upward into the sky—and vanish completely."

The distance between me and the other person was great, and he only glanced at me—but I felt a thread of pressure!

I believe that person must be one major realm above me!

Lu Ran calmed his thoughts and said: "So earlier, Master Long had said the Cheng elder I'm looking for might be in the heavens?"

Yu Changsheng nodded and took the chance to advise: "Beyond the heavens lie higher heavens! My lord, you must act with caution."

Lu Ran: "."

He silently gazed northward, watching the towering peaks, selecting his desired teleportation point.

Beyond the heavens lie higher heavens, above the Sea Realm.

Forget it, better not think about it.

I'm just a lowly junior of the River Realm, Second Stage.

(End of Chapter)