Chapter 837

At dusk, the setting sun glowed like blood.

On the peak of a snow-covered mountain, a full-length mirror suddenly opened, and several mysterious figures wearing conical hats and straw capes stepped out.

"Ice River!" Jing Hong spoke at once to report.

Today's weather was excellent, with no howling winds.

Under the setting sun, the entire snow-covered world appeared serene and beautiful.

Lu Ran took a step forward and gazed northward.

There stretched a wide, frozen river, cutting across the mountains.

Xiang Luoying, with her back to the sunset, looked eastward along the ice river, then her eyes sharpened: "Master, that's the peak! The tallest one!"

"Oh?" Lu Ran gazed afar, his gaze slowly rising.

It was a majestic snow-capped mountain, its peak towering as if ready to pierce the nine heavens!

The North Wind Sect's stronghold truly was impressive.

It could rival Sword Peak!

"Master!" Yu Changsheng spoke up at the right moment, "We should not rush in blindly."

Lu Ran: "."

No!

Just what kind of person do you think I am?

How delusional would I have to be to open the ancient bronze mirror directly into their lair?

Yu Changsheng smiled at Lu Ran's resentful gaze: "We're here to gather intelligence; it's best to avoid conflict. The Master and the Nightmare Guardian both possess Night Phantom arts—we can make use of them."

Deng Yuxiang gazed at the North Wind Sect's peak: "Does 'Dragon' mean we should pose as North Wind disciples?"

The North Wind Sect and the Night Phantom Clan do share many similarities in their techniques.

For instance, the Wind Order and the Night Phantom Blade.

Both take the form of wind-blades.

Yu Changsheng nodded: "The North Wind Sect is full of domineering, cold-hearted types. They're unlikely to treat us outsiders with friendliness."

Lu Ran winked at Deng Yuxiang.

You really know people well~

Domineering and cold-hearted, huh?

Deng Yuxiang's face darkened, suppressing the urge to kick Lu Ran.

No, she must hold back!

The disciples were watching behind her—she couldn't damage the Master's reputation.

Yu Changsheng also knew Deng Yuxiang had once been a North Wind disciple.

Though she had become a "rejected disciple of North Wind," Yu Changsheng's assessment of North Wind disciples still applied to her.

Yu Changsheng paused, then added: "This is the North Wind's main base—they're numerous and powerful, and their conduct will be even more ruthless."

"It'll be even harder to establish friendly contact."

Deng Yuxiang shot Lu Ran a hidden glare, then respectfully asked:

"Master, shall the two of us go ahead to gather intelligence, while the rest hide in the snow forest, ready to support at any moment?"

Lu Ran: "."

You're so fierce!

How dare I say no?

The group quickly devised a plan; Lu Ran activated the teleportation mirror, and everyone stepped into the forest in one stride.

"Don't move around, and don't use divine arts—avoid any divine energy fluctuations," Deng Yuxiang carefully warned.

Due to fear of the North Wind Divine Art: Listening to the Wind's Chant, the Ranshen disciples hid far away.

The North Wind Sect's snow mountain stood on the northern bank of the ice river.

Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang passed through the forest, heading north; since they planned to impersonate, they intended to cross the ice river openly.

But before they even stepped onto the ice river, Lu Ran sensed an ambush beside the riverside trees!

"Swoosh~"

Lu Ran casually flicked his wrist, and a Night Phantom Blade shot out swiftly.

The blade pierced deep into the wood but did not pierce through the tree entirely.

This was clearly not an attack—it was a signal of identity.

"North Wind disciple?" From behind the tree stepped a tall, thin middle-aged man.

His face was rugged, his aura icy, clad in a simple white martial robe.

This guy is so North Wind it's ridiculous.

"Yes," Deng Yuxiang studied the man beside the tree, "We were teleported by the North Wind Lord to the southern continent and traveled over mountains and rivers to get here."

The white-robed man showed no outward reaction, but internally he was astonished.

He hadn't expected the woman to be so young?

Both Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang wore conical hats, obscuring most of their faces.

After a careful glance, the white-robed man waved: "Since you're fellow disciples, come with me—we'll discuss this inside the camp."

Lu Ran grew wary.

Is this too easy?

Just one wind-blade, and they accepted their identities?

Didn't even ask how they got here or who they were—just invited them straight into camp.

That so-called "camp" is probably easy to enter but hard to leave.

Deng Yuxiang agreed with Lu Ran's suspicion and whispered: 【Something's off.】

Lu Ran: 【Ask directly about Yan Shuangzi.】

"Senior brother!" Deng Yuxiang called out loudly, "Have you heard of our disciple, Yan Shuangzi?"

The white-robed man's expression flickered.

The change was subtle, but Lu Ran caught it.

He had kept a stone-cold face throughout—even when meeting Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang.

Why did his expression shift at the name "Yan Shuangzi"?

The white-robed man: "Who?"

"Yan Shuangzi," Deng Yuxiang described, "She's about my height and age. Her weapon is distinctive—a long greatsword, roughly two meters in length."

The white-robed man thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "No such person in Blade Ridge Peak."

Lu Ran's heart sank.

This man was clearly lying!

The white-robed man continued: "What's your connection to her? Why are you looking for her?"

Lu Ran cut in: "Senior Yan and we two were in the same group that challenged the Divine Ruins. Of our dozen or so, only she succeeded.

Now, the North Wind Lord has sent us both to Sacred Spirit Mountain—we're searching for her."

The white-robed man remained expressionless, listening quietly.

Lu Ran performed with full intensity, feigning helpless regret: "This realm is too dangerous—it's shattered all our assumptions."

The white-robed man finally showed emotion, offering a faint sneer.

The smug superiority of one who's been through it.

Watching young fools suffer, he sneered coldly.

Lu Ran sighed further: "Senior Yan arrived here long ago—if she's still alive, her strength must be immense!

We're old acquaintances, with some ties—we want to join her, to survive together.

To gather Sacred Spirit Qi for the North Wind Lord!"

Especially that last line—Lu Ran delivered it with righteous grandeur.

The last rays of sunset fell upon him, as if divine light.

Deng Yuxiang stayed silent, feeling something was deeply strange.

Lu Ran kept calling "North Wind Lord," "Divine Lord," wildly pledging loyalty—his tone and attitude were utterly reverent!

But back then, when Lu Ran had stormed North Wind City right under the Divine Lord North Wind's own eyes…

He had been utterly reckless!

"It seems you've suffered greatly," the white-robed man said. "Sacred Spirit Mountain is indeed perilous, but now that you've reached Blade Ridge Peak, you needn't live in fear anymore.

Blade Ridge Peak will protect you—come with me."

He turned and began walking.

【Don't go.】 Lu Ran commanded internally, 【Also, this man is lying—he's heard of Yan Shuangzi.】

Deng Yuxiang frowned slightly, standing motionless: 【Capture and interrogate him?】

"What's wrong?" The white-robed man turned back, seeing the two unmoving.

He sneered inwardly: "Has Sacred Spirit Mountain broken you so badly you don't even trust your own sect?"

Lu Ran feigned inner struggle, then finally said: "If Senior Yan isn't here, we'll search elsewhere."

The white-robed man: "Now that you've reached home, why leave again?"

The white-robed man: "Now that you've arrived home, how could you possibly leave again?"

You may first settle at Daoji Peak, join your fellow sect members on missions, and search together for our disciples.

"Bu Ming, you're truly weak—you can't even control two young juniors." A woman's voice suddenly rang out.

Her tone carried a hint of mockery, utterly unhidden: "How did you even get into our North Wind Sect?"

The white-robed man named Bu Ming immediately turned to look, his voice calm: "Miss Kong is quite leisurely."

Lu Ran also turned to look and saw a short-haired woman gliding over, followed by two men with cold, stern demeanors.

Among these North Wind disciples, their aura alone made them seem carved from the same mold.

【I heard four. What about you?】 Deng Yuxiang listened closely.

【Only four. Probably assigned specifically to guard this area?】 Lu Ran mentally replied, slowly turning to watch the woman land several meters ahead.

The four North Wind disciples formed a circle around Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang.

The short-haired woman was also young, no more than thirty.

Her gaze was especially icy, haughty, and a terrifying aura surged toward Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang.

She must be at the high end of River Realm.

Lu Ran felt the pressure of her rank.

Deng Yuxiang: 【All of them are River Realm. Kong and the Bu behind us should be at River Realm's peak.】

"Kneel." Kong Jingqi stood with her hands behind her back, tilting her chin slightly as she gazed coldly at the two.

Deng Yuxiang's expression turned icy.

Lu Ran stood motionless.

"Can't you hear my order?" Kong Jingqi's voice grew colder. "I said kneel!"

Lu Ran spoke: "Since the person we're seeking isn't here, we'll leave now. We're all fellow disciples, all serving Lord North Wind. Please don't make things difficult for us."

Behind Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang, Bu Ming watched the scene silently, expressionless.

Yet Bu Ming's calm observation still made Kong Jingqi's face flush with shame.

Earlier, she had mocked him for being unable to control a young junior—now,

could she not control them either?

Kong Jingqi harshly cut off Lu Ran's words, her eyes turning fierce, and spat out three words:

"Kneel, or die."

One second, two seconds, three seconds…

Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang remained utterly still.

"It seems the Sacred Spirit Mountains haven't taught you how to behave!" Kong Jingqi sneered, summoning a wind blade at random. "Remember, this is your own doing!"

Deng Yuxiang's eyes turned glacial, and she suddenly spoke: "Did it teach you?"

Kong Jingqi froze, staring at Deng Yuxiang in disbelief.

How bold! How dare she speak to me like that?!

Doesn't she understand the situation?

True, the young woman before her was no slouch—likely high-end River Realm.

But does she really think she's strong?

You want to die!!

【Push me.】 Lu Ran mentally transmitted, stepping forward quickly while shouting loudly, "No, no, no!"

He stepped in front of Deng Yuxiang, turned to the short-haired woman several meters behind, his face frantic, pleading endlessly:

"Senior sister! Senior sister, please don't be angry—we'll obey, we'll kneel right away—"

"If you want to kneel, kneel yourself—get out!" Deng Yuxiang shoved Lu Ran aside.

"You!" Lu Ran staggered, losing his balance, but seized the moment to lunge forward!

Kong Jingqi's expression changed instantly!

She instinctively raised her blade to block, retreating rapidly.

The young man in the green cape and bamboo hat showed not a trace of fear or pleading.

As his cloak fluttered, a faint glow of rosy light flickered within.

Unintentionally, the gazes of the two youths met.

The short-haired woman was stunned and furious.

The youth in the cape had cold, piercing eyes—deep crimson flickered at their core.

The Sacred Spirit Mountains

have indeed taught me much.

But

they didn't teach you well, did they?

(End of Chapter)