Chapter 855: Humanity of the Sea Cliff

The Ink Carp clan are beastly demons, lacking the higher intellect of humanoid demons.

Fortunately, the task Lu Ran assigned them was not complex.

First, control this stretch of sea; second, collect Holy Spirit Qi.

Even so, Lu Ran spent considerable effort personally leading the Ink Carps on sea patrols until the nine of them fully understood their mission.

The two Sea Realm elders followed them the entire time.

Lu Ran acted like a kindergarten teacher instructing children, while the demons, who should have been ferocious, became unnervingly docile.

This undoubtedly opened a new world for Yu Changsheng and Xun Yifei.

It was just so strange~

When Lu Ran and the others returned from the sea, it was already noon.

"Finally!" Lu Ran stood on a reef, looking back at the sea behind him.

Nine Ink Carps at Sea Realm, Fifth Stage—their strength was certainly considerable.

They should be able to control this stretch of sea.

As long as no Sea Realm demon suddenly intruded here, everything would be manageable.

Lu Ran turned to face the shore: "Since the Ink Carp clan will guard this place, from now on, it shall be called Ink Bay."

The Rant Gate plans to establish roots here; naming locations is essential.

The beach beneath the seaside cliff is sizable, backed by sheer cliffs, and could later host a demon army.

Yu Changsheng and Xun Yifei had no objections.

Lu Ran looked up at the cliff top, suddenly remembering something, his expression turning troubled: "We need to build houses for our base—can either of you do that?"

Yu Changsheng shook his head: "I'll look into it."

Xun Yifei spoke up: "Over the years, I've built homes in several places and picked up some construction experience."

"Good!" Lu Ran's eyes lit up. "I'll summon a demon force, and you'll lead them to build our base."

Xun Yifei: "."

Lu Ran casually summoned the Ancient Bronze Mirror and, with a single step, brought the two of them to the cliff top.

The question was: which demons would make good laborers for construction?

The Wild Female Ba?

These giants, nearly three meters tall, were naturally excellent for hard labor.

But their tribe was too wild, too unruly.

Hard to command.

What about summoning the Soul-Shatter Demons?

These big black oxen were all broad-shouldered and strong, but their intelligence was lacking.

Threaded Shadows? Mirror Demons? Crimson Paper Folk?

All these seductive, beautiful women—here as carpenters?

What if Xun Yifei got so distracted he lost his way?

That would delay base construction!

Lu Ran's expression turned odd as he thought inwardly: Mostly, if Luoying found out, she'd shoot me with an arrow—and I couldn't withstand it!

Hmm, strong ones who obey orders.

"Ah, got it!" Lu Ran immediately reached forward.

The Ghost General clan!

This clan was not only robust but naturally wielded the Green Dragon Crescent Blade!

These mighty, imposing Ghost Generals were born to be lumberjacks.

The Ghosts' great blades don't strike the old or young!

Only trees!

When Lu Ran created the demon—Ghost General, Yu Changsheng suddenly laughed.

"Heh." Yu Changsheng shook his head.

It turned out that when people were helpless or speechless, they sometimes laughed for no reason.

After knowing the Lord for so long, did he still have surprises hidden?

Lu Ran was still holding back?!

"Three… five… ten." Lu Ran murmured to himself.

Before him stood a full ten imposing Ghost Generals!

The Ghost Generals radiated powerful aura, their crimson eyes especially terrifying.

As Lu Ran gently pressed his hand down, all the Ghost Generals knelt on one knee, bowing in submission.

Such a scene was undeniably impressive.

Yet all these Ghost Generals were River Realm, Fifth Stage.

After all, the Ghost General demon sculptures in Lu Ran's sculpture garden were Sea Realm, First Stage.

"Is the manpower enough?" Lu Ran asked Xun Yifei. "Shall I summon more Night Wraiths? They're quite intelligent and obedient."

The Night Wraith clan covered themselves completely, never showing their faces, and had no seductive or alluring nature.

Even if Luoying found out, she wouldn't come storming over to demand answers, right?

Xun Yifei lowered his head slightly: "I leave it entirely to the Lord's discretion."

"Alright." Lu Ran reached forward again.

One sheep is herded, two sheep are herded too!

He'd have to summon the Night Wraiths eventually anyway—to guard the base—so why not teach them now?

To Lu Ran's surprise, he created eighteen Night Wraiths!

The upper limit wasn't ten—it was eighteen?

The Night Wraith demon sculptures in the sculpture garden were Sea Realm, Fifth Stage.

So…

Unintentionally, Lu Ran understood another thing.

The demon sculpture's major realm is the base: you can summon at least ten demons.

For every minor stage increase in the sculpture's level, you can summon two additional demon minions.

"Gulps, gulps."

Lu Ran picked up the Fiery Phoenix Gourd and tilted it back, drinking deeply.

Should he create a Demon Spear Emperor to lead these two demon forces?

As the sworn enemy of the First-Class Divine Spear Xiu, the Demon Spear Emperor possessed extraordinary intellect.

Later, when Rant Gate members sailed out, they could leave the Demon Spear Emperor here to command the troops and guard this mountain.

Hmm… wait a bit longer.

First, build the base properly; summoning the Emperor now would mean he has no troops to lead.

Lu Ran set down the gourd and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand: "Master Fish."

"Lord?"

"Did you remember how I taught the Ink Carps?"

Yu Changsheng: "."

Lu Ran gestured to the ten Ghost Generals and eighteen Night Wraiths: "They're humanoid demons, smarter and quicker to learn."

Yu Changsheng's gaze grew distant; he bowed deeply: "It is my honor to ease the Lord's burdens."

"Huh? Why does Master Fish sound a bit resentful?"

"No, I'm very happy."

"Oh, then I'll leave it to you." Lu Ran winked at Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng shook his head with a smile and went to instruct the demons.

Since meeting Lu Ran, Yu Changsheng had found himself growing increasingly "alive."

Lu Ran turned to Xun Yifei beside him: "By the way, during your recent missions, your wife seemed down, so I didn't press her.

You two should pick a codename quickly."

Xun Yifei immediately said: "How about using our surnames as the codename?"

Luo? Xun?

"Fine!" Lu Ran replied casually, glancing around.

The mountain was densely forested, with strange, treacherous rocks—its terrain was complex enough to hide a base easily.

In the future, this will be the Rant Gate's stronghold!

Lu Ran reflected on his journey: he and the Great Nightmare had campaigned far and wide, recruiting talent, and now he finally had a home base.

A sense of accomplishment rose within him.

He couldn't slack off!

He needed to rapidly cultivate and upgrade the major demon sculptures, updating the demon guard forces.

Not just to secure a foothold, but to expand the Rant Gate's sphere of influence.

From now on, all Holy Spirit Qi falling in nearby seas or mountain regions would be collected by the Rant Gate's demon forces.

Lu Ran would naturally advance faster.

Moreover, once Lu Ran's evil statues reach a certain scale, he could create vast numbers of powerful demons to form squads of "raiding" forces to go out and gather Holy Spirit Qi.

But now, Lu Ran cannot operate this way.

Because when the demon minions die, if they are too far from Lu Ran, their souls cannot automatically return.

This puzzled Lu Ran greatly!

Logically, the demon minions crafted jointly by Lu Ran and his statues should have their souls automatically return upon death.

Yet for some reason, after Lu Ran's demon minions die, their souls are neither reclaimed by the divine originals nor the demonic originals, nor do they return to Lu Ran himself.

Currently, Lu Ran's soul-collecting method remains extremely limited.

He still must be within a certain range to draw souls into his Death Eye.

On the surface, it seems that the level of his evil statues is still too low, and their absorption range too narrow.

It is unclear whether deeper reasons lie beneath this.

"Shhh~"

Lu Ran's figure flashed and appeared at the edge of the seaside cliff.

He gazed at the horizon where sea met sky, listening to the faint sound of waves crashing against rocks hundreds of meters below.

Gradually, the sense of accomplishment in Lu Ran's heart transformed into a plan.

Dominate this region!

This mountain will one day host encampments of various demon races and powerful legions!

He also longed for the day when he could attract powerful allies to continually expand the power of Ran Sect.

All of it, for the day he returns to the mortal world.

But he did not know how powerful Ran Sect must become before it could venture deep into demon lairs and strike down the demonic gods.

Raise the blade against the gods.

Lu Ran sat on the cliff's edge, his lower legs dangling over the side, swinging back and forth.

Return to the mortal world.

Ruyi.

He wondered how she was doing now.

Was she still diligently cultivating and practicing her sword techniques every day?

Was she, too, waiting for him to come home?

Little Ruyi.

Lu Ran lowered his eyelids, gazing at the spray of waves dancing over the shallow rocks.

I think… I might be missing you.

Time slipped away with each wave.

The sky grew dusk.

A tall figure arrived behind Lu Ran.

Yu Changsheng stared at Lu Ran's lonely back, standing silently for a long while before softly calling, "Master?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran snapped out of his thoughts.

Yu Changsheng reported: "The demon forces have been trained. The Soul Seeker has taken them to begin construction. I came to ask, Master—do you have any specific plans for the layout of our headquarters?"

Lu Ran replied offhandedly: "You decide."

"Understood." Yu Changsheng hesitated, then asked suddenly, "Are you thinking of someone?"

Lu Ran: "…"

He propped his hands on the cliff's edge, head bowed awkwardly, swinging his legs dangling over the precipice.

Sometimes, being too high in cultivation isn't such a good thing.

His emotions affect the surroundings, making others sense his inner state.

Yu Changsheng fell silent—he had never seen Lu Ran like this before.

After so long, Lu Ran's many displays of strength had sometimes made Yu Changsheng forget he was only a nineteen-year-old youth.

"Master Long."

Yu Changsheng remained silent, awaiting further words.

Lu Ran lifted his head, gazing at the vast blue sea: "Do you think we can truly return to the mortal world?"

Yu Changsheng whispered: "On the matter of returning home, Master, you have always believed more firmly than any of us."

Most of Ran Sect have been trapped in this realm for far too long—they've lost all hope, all spirit.

Perhaps people no longer believe they can go home.

But everyone believes in you."

Lu Ran's gaze grew distant as he stared silently at the sea for a long while.

A steady sea breeze blew, tousling his hair, as if awakening him.

Suddenly, Lu Ran pulled the Crimson Phoenix Gourd from his waist and tilted it back, drinking deeply.

"Gulps, gulps—hic!"

Lu Ran turned to Yu Changsheng and grinned: "Sorry, Master—I drank too much just now."

Yu Changsheng smiled faintly and nodded gently.

"Come on, Master, let's plan out the layout of the buildings!"

"Yes."

(End of Chapter)