Chapter 857: A Dao Heart

Lu Ran finally had a rare moment of leisure.

Since entering the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm, he had been constantly on the move, leading others across north and south, carrying out missions everywhere.

Now, with the opportunity to establish a base, he could finally rest.

Saying he was resting, in truth, Lu Ran was deeply cultivating.

He planned to wait until Yunhai Cliff was roughly established before setting out to explore the sea.

Yunhai Cliff.

This was the name Lu Ran had chosen for the base.

The Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm was often shrouded in sea mist, especially near the coast, where sun, moon, and stars were rarely visible—this name suited well.

But the words "Yunhai" did not come from natural scenery.

They came from Lu Ran's own blade—Yunhai Chenqing.

Lu Ran also wished to use these two characters to constantly remind himself of his lifelong pursuit.

And of what purpose the Ran Sect truly held.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed; thanks to Xun Yifei's efforts, several new buildings appeared at the base.

The overall layout of Yunhai Cliff sloped from high in the east to low in the west.

In the central area, a council hall had been erected.

Further west, two barracks for the Ghost General clan and the Night Phantom clan were cleverly hidden within the forest.

Lu Ran's residence stood atop the height, yet nestled within a small hollow, surrounded on three sides by rocky cliffs and dense trees, with a small courtyard in front.

Quiet. Hidden.

A short walk from the door led to a seaside cliff.

Since the cliff was named Yunhai, this residence naturally became Yunhai Dwelling.

The dwellings of the Dragon and Nightmare Bodyguards were situated in the forest near Yunhai Dwelling.

According to Yu Changsheng, bodyguards could hold many powers and duties, but their most important role was to be an effective protector.

And on this day, the commotion from the protector's side disturbed Lu Ran's focused cultivation.

"This?"

Lu Ran stepped out of his dwelling and looked up at the sky's sea mist.

At that moment, vast clouds of mist were descending from the heavens, surging toward Yunhai Cliff.

Breakthrough?

Lu Ran's heart leapt with joy, then twisted with doubt.

Judging by the precise location of the mist gathering, it seemed to be near Nightmare's residence?

Had Deng Yuxiang broken through again?

Impossible so soon. Oh—right! Yan Shuangzi!

Lu Ran was overjoyed, silently cursing himself for being slow—such a massive disturbance could not be a minor level advancement.

【Nightmare?】

【Shuangzi has entered breakthrough state.】 Deng Yuxiang's voice carried a hint of delight as she immediately reported.

Hearing this, Lu Ran was equally elated.

Would this powerful blade master, who had fallen to River Realm Stage Five, now return to River Realm?

【I'll send you to the meditation chamber.】 Lu Ran transmitted his voice into his mind, instantly flashing into Deng Yuxiang's courtyard.

Just then, Deng Yuxiang was helping Yan Shuangzi hurry out the door.

"Come!" Lu Ran immediately summoned the ancient bronze mirror, transforming it into a standing mirror.

The three stepped into the mirror one after another; behind it lay the mountain's interior.

Inside Yunhai Cliff's mountain body were hidden several meditation chambers!

This was Yu Changsheng's suggestion.

Within the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm, whenever someone broke through a realm, they risked summoning a great disaster!

Deng Yuxiang's own experience during her breakthrough was the best example.

The Jian Yi Sect disciples had merely been passing by, sensed the abnormal energy in heaven and earth, and immediately came searching, scouring the mountains with intent to destroy the cultivator's future.

And human breakthroughs, by nature, could not be concealed.

This turned breakthroughs—normally joyous events—into something everyone feared.

Many had perished due to breakthroughs.

The Ran Sect could only do its best: hide Yan Shuangzi and protect her.

【Stay here with her.】 Lu Ran ordered, 【As before, if anything stirs outside, do not come out—protect her.】

【Yes!】 Deng Yuxiang responded immediately.

Lu Ran activated the teleportation mirror and went to find Luo Shenjiang.

When Lu Ran returned to Yunhai Cliff with Luo Ying, the celestial phenomenon had grown massive.

Streams of mist spun like "mist tornadoes," connecting sky and cliff.

"Lord!"

"Lord!" Before the council hall, the Ran Sect members finally saw Lu Ran.

Lu Ran gave direct orders: "Luo Shenjiang, go over there—that tallest tree on the cliff has a platform built just for you.

Kill any living being that attempts to approach without question!"

"Xun, guard the eastern sea!"

Lu Ran activated two teleportation mirrors at once, sending Xun and Luo to their respective posts.

He then led others westward to deploy the demonic forces.

Jing Hong, as captain, led ten Ghost Generals and eighteen Night Phantoms to various alert positions.

"This scale of celestial phenomenon is far too conspicuous," Yu Changsheng sighed.

Even a minor breakthrough in River or Sea Realm would only draw in large amounts of mist.

But a major realm breakthrough twisted the mist into mist tornadoes, pointing with unmistakable clarity.

"What can you do? It's the first step toward godhood," Lu Ran thought helplessly, accepting it.

The transition from River Realm Stage Five to River Realm Stage One was indeed the stage where a human transformed into a god.

Yan Shuangzi was even more unusual—she had fallen from the Altar of Divinity and climbed back up.

Even now, Lu Ran found it unbelievable!

How?

When Yan Shuangzi had been forced to tear up her contract, her body had suffered severe backlash!

This...?

Was it because, over the past half-month, Yu Changsheng, the Sea Realm physician, had daily healed her body and mind?

No matter how skilled Yu Changsheng was, he could not help Yan Shuangzi rebuild her Dao heart!

In just half a month, Yan Shuangzi had stabilized her inner state?

"Incredible," Lu Ran murmured.

"What?" Yu Changsheng asked, puzzled.

"Yan Shuangzi's quality is terrifying—so resilient! After so many crushing blows, she's risen again so quickly..."

"Has Lord ever considered it's because of you?"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran turned to Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng gazed at the celestial phenomenon and sighed: "Without you, Yan Shuangzi would never have risen again in this lifetime."

"Hmm."

"I've heard that before, in the mortal world, you and Yan Shuangzi had little interaction, little bond—but now, Lord must realize one thing."

"What?"

"Yan Shuangzi has signed a contract with you, pledged her loyalty. Her faith in you may be deeper, more devout than even Nightmare's."

Lu Ran: "..."

Yu Changsheng whispered: "Reclaiming confidence is hard enough. Reassembling a Dao heart is harder still.

Yet Yan Shuangzi achieved it.

This required extreme emotion, an extreme mental state."

Lu Ran opened his mouth but could not speak.

Yu Changsheng analyzed: "This situation could indeed occur in Yan Shuangzi, given her uniquely extraordinary experience—we cannot empathize or comprehend it."

Undoubtedly, Yan Shuangzi had been utterly shattered.

In body. In heart.

And Lu Ran's arrival had pieced her broken self back together.

This extreme mental state must have arisen from that.

Yu Changsheng looked at Lu Ran, half-advising, half-warning: "Extreme people do extreme things!

She obeys you without question—you must guide and restrain her carefully."

"I understand," Lu Ran replied, his emotions complex, gazing toward the western sky.

Yu Changsheng changed the subject: "Yunhai Cliff lies at the edge of Sacred Spirit Mountain. Most beings remain inland; few willingly approach the sea.

And there are no nearby factions around us—perhaps Yan Shuangzi's breakthrough will proceed smoothly."

"I'll take your good words as an omen," Lu Ran nodded.

Yu Changsheng's words were indeed effective.

Lu Ran's thoughts were no longer tangled—only worry remained!

He silently drew in the thick energy of heaven and earth, waiting for possible enemies to attack.

And he waited until night fell.

(End of Chapter)