Chapter 853: The Army of Ten Thousand Demons?

The group returned to the Sea Cliff Cave.

Lu Ran casually activated the teleportation mirror for Xiang Luoying; she, however, was cautious—she first sent the Colorful Bow out of the cave before stepping into the mirror.

Poor divine weapon bow, probably hiding in the sea again.

The sea-level-four, world-destroying wife returned home; by afternoon, the sea-level-two husband arrived.

In truth, Xun Yifei and Luoying were quite well-matched.

Xun Yifei's raw power was, of course, far inferior to his wife's.

But the Yanqing faction was extremely restrained compared to the Asha faction!

More accurately, the Yanqing faction restrained all water-affinity sects.

Yanqing, as a third-rank deity, granted his disciples the River Realm technique: Water Absorbs All Things!

Once Yanqing disciples activated this technique, they could absorb any water-based art.

Moreover, they could convert an enemy's water-based techniques into pure energy and replenish their own divine power with it.

No matter how strong Luoying's output—whether water-mist arrows, water-stream arrows, Canglongshenjian, or Ten Thousand Dragons Subdue the Sea Arrow—

the external manifestation of her divine arts always took the form of water currents, water dragons, and the like.

Xun Yifei was completely immune to such damage!

If Luoying wanted to hurt her husband, using divine arts wouldn't work—she'd have to punch him or kick him.

Uh, that sounds suspiciously like domestic violence.

Of course, damage immunity had its conditions—Xun Yifei's cultivation level couldn't be too low.

If Luoying were Sea Level and Xun Yifei merely River Level, his River-grade divine art, Water Absorbs All Things, couldn't withstand the relentless barrage of a Sea-grade divine art.

Regardless, Lu Ran desperately wanted to activate the Divine Sculpture—Yanqing!

It could save his life!

And it could absorb enemies' water-based techniques to replenish his own divine power!

Pure bliss~

Notably, the moment Xun Yifei arrived to pay his respects, he scrutinized Yan Shuangzi for a long while; when he looked back at Lu Ran, his gaze burned intensely!

Presumably, his wife had told him much after returning home.

"Let's go see those two bases," Lu Ran said.

Deep in the cave, Deng and Yan immediately rose.

Lu Ran looked at Yan Shuangzi: "Your current primary task is to clarify your resolve—to solidify your path and reunite your Dao heart. You don't need to come with us."

"Dream Nightmare, you stay with her."

"Yes!"

"Yes," the two women replied in unison.

"Jing Hong, take a rest—you stood guard all night," Lu Ran said casually, summoning an ancient bronze mirror.

"Lord!" Xun Yifei suddenly spoke up.

"What is it?"

"Luoying asked me to deliver this to Lady Yan," Xun Yifei pulled out a leaf-wrapped package from his chest.

Unfolding the broad leaf, it contained dried smoked fish.

Lu Ran had already smelled it, but hadn't dared to ask.

Only a mother could be so thoughtful—Yan Shuangzi, as River Level-Five, clearly needed to eat.

Luoying seemed indifferent to Yan Shuangzi, yet her actions were warm indeed!

Lu Ran casually picked up a small piece, tearing off a strip of meat.

Hmm, quite tasty.

Lu Ran ate the delicious smoked fish while walking with Yu Changsheng and Xun Yifei into the mirror.

He once again returned to the beach—the very site of the epic battle between the Furious Sea Flame Dragon and the Ink Carp.

Xun Yifei looked at Lu Ran and said: "I heard from Luoying that the Lord seeks a coastal location?"

"Mm," Lu Ran nodded, chewing on the fish.

Xun Yifei: "Both factions' bases lie deep within ancient forests, far from the coast."

"Oh?" Lu Ran was puzzled. "Don't they have many members skilled in water combat?"

Otherwise, they wouldn't dare sail out to seek the Immortal Island.

Xun Yifei explained: "Indeed, many are Yanqing disciples, but the sea is too dangerous—they dare not settle near the coast."

"Oh."

"If the Lord has decided, I know several suitable locations."

"Alright, let's go take a look."

The three of them followed the coastline northward, finding a seaside cliff over eighty kilometers away.

"This cliff faces the sea to the east, with sheer cliffs and dense mountain trees ideal for concealing our structures. Moreover, the cliff is relatively isolated—without flight ability, the only access is from the west."

After finishing his description, Xun Yifei looked at Lu Ran.

Seeing Lu Ran's satisfied expression, Xun Yifei exhaled in relief—he had lived here many years and knew the terrain well.

This seaside cliff was among the very best locations he could imagine.

"Let's go up and take a look!" Lu Ran summoned a black cloud beneath his feet.

Yu Changsheng, wielding the divine weapon—One River Mist and Rain Fan—flew him upward.

He possessed the divine art Dragon Carp Dance, enabling flight and diving, but after activating it, pale-gold "veils" wrapped around his body, making him look rather showy.

Only Xun Yifei remained standing on the ground, looking awkward.

His name contained "fly," yet he had no flight ability.

Fortunately, Lu Ran's perception was sharp—he looked down and casually flung five thin red threads.

The Evil Art: Thread of Binding!

Xun Yifei instinctively tensed, but then relaxed, allowing the fine red threads to cling to his body.

"I heard from Luoying you have a divine weapon—and activated its divine domain?"

"Yes, I've hidden my three-pronged spear in the sea."

"When you accompany us to sea, I'll be sure to see it in action," Lu Ran smiled, arriving at the cliff's peak.

He set Xun Yifei down, then continued riding the clouds, circling the mountain.

"What do you think, Master Long?" After a long while, Lu Ran landed on the eastern cliff, facing the boundless sea.

"The cliff is six to seven hundred meters high, with sheer cliffs on three sides and only one path up from the west—excellent for defense."

Yu Changsheng gently fanned his paper fan and added: "Provided the Lord can control the waters before him."

Lu Ran smiled: "Alright, let's see if I can withstand the sea's threat."

He stepped forward, his foot slipped into empty air, and he tumbled down the cliff.

Directly below was a beach, littered with jagged rocks.

Azure waves periodically crashed against the rocks, spraying foam.

Lu Ran and Yu Changsheng landed on a massive rock; on the cliff hundreds of meters above, Xun Yifei stood at the edge, silently watching the two.

Lu Ran extended his hand forward and closed his eyes.

Yu Changsheng gently fanned his paper fan, striving to maintain his master's demeanor, yet his heart could not calm.

The Lord was about to create a demonic entity!

Only a demonic god could possess such power!

"Divine power shapes the body; primordial energy forges the soul."

Lu Ran silently recited the incantation; as energy churned before his palm, a massive ink carp gradually coalesced.

Due to the enormous size of the River-Level Ink Carp, the process of crafting the demonic minion was prolonged.

But Yu Changsheng didn't find it long.

He watched intently as Lu Ran became a creator, conjuring a flesh-and-blood body from nothing.

Xun Yifei strained his eyes, witnessing the Lord's astonishing feat.

Under the gaze of the two Sea-Level masters, a fish three hundred meters long finally took shape.

But it was only shaped—it lay motionless, stranded on the rocky shore.

The River-Level Ink Carp was indeed alive, possessing life, yet it seemed…

"Pop~"

A strange sound suddenly echoed.

The Ink Carp, as if granted a soul, finally moved!

It swayed its delicate, gauze-like fins and tail, slowly floating upward.

Yu Changsheng clenched his folding fan tightly!

On the cliff, Xun Yifei trembled inwardly, unable to suppress his hostility toward the Ink Carp clan.

Yet then, he saw the giant fish cautiously lower its head, allowing the tiny human to stroke it.

Lu Ran turned to Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng, filled with awe, exclaimed: "Lord, your skill is extraordinary."

Lu Ran grinned: "Master Long, following me hasn't been a bad deal, has it?"

Yu Changsheng couldn't help but laugh, shifting his tone playfully: "I've made a fortune!"

Lu Ran: "."

Yu Changsheng added, "Though this Ink Carp is River Realm, there's only one—hardly enough to control this stretch of sea."

Lu Ran agreed wholeheartedly and extended his palm once more.

Then, Lu Ran poured divine power into the Crimson Phoenix Gourd, creating a full eight Ink Carps in one breath.

Including the earlier one, there were now nine River Realm Ink Carps!

And all of them were River Realm · Stage Five!

Lu Ran felt the Ink Carp Evil Sculpture still had some reserve—could make one more.

But the Ink Carp Evil Sculpture sent him a signal: further draining primordial qi might shake its own realm.

Lu Ran halted decisively, refusing to push further.

So, a Sea Realm · Stage One Evil Sculpture can create at most ten River Realm demons?

Then, could a Sea Realm · Stage Two Evil Sculpture create twenty River Realm demons?

This remains to be tested—no hasty conclusions.

Judging from the current situation, based on total consumption of Sacred Spirit Qi:

Ten River Realm demons = one hundred Riverbank Realm demons = one thousand Stream Realm demons = ten thousand Mist Realm demons!

In other words,

Could he now command a ten-thousand-demon army?

Lu Ran licked his lips, excited.

True, ten thousand Mist Realm weaklings—die at the slightest touch.

But they were still counted in tens of thousands!

"Damn!"

Lu Ran suddenly realized a serious problem.

If he targeted human cities, wouldn't ten thousand Mist Realm demons be able to slaughter them at will?

Of course, human cities had protectors.

But even so, if Lu Ran replaced ten thousand Mist Realm demons with ten River Realm demons to invade a city—

That would be a Special Event: Demon Lord Descends!

And ten Demon Lords descending together?!

This shit—

Lu Ran shuddered, his mind holding only one thought: I'm too strong!

Worse still, he didn't have just the Ink Carp Evil Sculpture!

Night Phantom General's Evil Spear Emperor, Evil Hound Black Lantern's Soul-Shattering Demon.

Barbarian Female Xia's Sinful Mirror Demon, Silk-Linked Crimson Paper Jade-Faced Serpent.

Damn!

Lucky my goal isn't the human race.

Otherwise, every fifteenth night, I'd slip into the demon army, concentrate forces, and wherever I went, wouldn't I stir up blood and chaos?

Meanwhile, Lu Ran became even more certain of one thing: the demon faction never intended to exterminate humanity.

The fifteenth night was merely the demons' Kuanghuan feast, feasting on humanity's extreme emotions.

Just this one Sea Realm Evil Sculpture could create such a threat—how powerful must the demons' true forms be?

But in every Special Event, only one Demon Lord descends per region?

If the demon gods wished, couldn't hundreds or thousands descend simultaneously?

"Sigh." Lu Ran couldn't help a long sigh.

The stronger he grew, the deeper his understanding of this world became, the more he realized—

Everywhere he looked, it was all lies.

All of humanity was trapped in a vast lie, exiled and resisting.

Generation after generation reproduced.

On the first day of the month, brothers and sisters, support with monthly votes!

(End of Chapter)