Chapter 869: Dividing the Spoils

In the next two days, Lu Ran lived in constant dread.

As time passed, Lu Ran truly realized that Yunhai Cliff, where Ran Gate was located, was indeed a treasure trove.

First, the only two nearby factions had sailed out to search for immortal islands.

Second, overall within the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm, Yunhai Cliff lay in a remote border region.

The vast majority of Great Xia's believers were "land-dwellers" and had no desire to approach the dangerous sea.

So, very few people ever came here!

The Shi siblings had merely stumbled here by accident.

The surrounding waters had been sealed off by Ran Gate, with nine River Realm·Ink Carp working together to keep all petty thieves at bay.

Under these circumstances, the region around Yunhai Cliff was relatively quiet.

If he had been deep inland, Lu Ran couldn't imagine how many villains this elevation of Yan Shuangzi would have drawn.

On the third morning, the mist in the sky gradually dispersed.

At that moment, Lu Ran and the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd were feasting wildly, greedily absorbing the energy of heaven and earth.

He sensed the anomaly at once.

Lu Ran's face lit up; he eagerly sent a voice transmission: 【Sis?】

Deng Yuxiang immediately replied: 【Shuangzi succeeded—she has reached River Realm.】

【Good!】 Lu Ran's heart settled.

River Realm—the first step toward godhood.

The fallen Yan Shuangzi had returned!

Lu Ran immediately activated a teleportation mirror, and two figures of similar stature and formidable aura stepped out.

"Gate Master," Yan Shuangzi bowed slightly, her voice low.

Lu Ran's heart tightened as he scrutinized the woman.

Where was the withered, exhausted figure she had been?

Her grace had returned—her aura had returned!

But something terrible had gone wrong!

When they first met, Lu Ran had seen echoes of Deng Yuxiang in Yan Shuangzi.

Both were proud, dazzling, radiant types.

Deng Yuxiang still shone as brightly as ever.

But Yan Shuangzi now radiated gloom—as if her entire being had turned dark.

The ferocity emanating from her made even Lu Ran's skin crawl.

"Gate Master," Deng Yuxiang softly reminded him.

Throughout the entire elevation process, Deng Yuxiang had stayed by her friend's side and had witnessed her profound transformation.

The old Yan Shuangzi was dead.

What lived now was a vicious dog that had crawled back up from a ten-thousand-zhang abyss.

Deng Yuxiang saw it all, and her heart ached.

But she could not change it.

"Good," Lu Ran patted Yan Shuangzi's shoulder, and in his shock, he blurted out his true thoughts: "At least you're alive."

Yan Shuangzi remained silent, bowing her head slightly.

Lu Ran paused, then added: "Congratulations on returning to River Realm—your essence, energy, and spirit are strong. I accept you."

"From now on, you are the Third Guardian of Ran Gate."

"Yes!" Yan Shuangzi immediately knelt and bowed low.

"Choose a codename," Lu Ran immediately grasped her solitary arm.

"Vicious Dog," Yan Shuangzi replied without hesitation.

Lu Ran frowned slightly.

Clearly, she longed for revenge—she wanted to tear apart her enemies' flesh, crush the bones of those at Blade Ridge Peak.

Lu Ran helped her rise and said: "Choose another."

Yan Shuangzi fell silent.

She was stubborn, yet unwilling to defy her Gate Master's command.

Lu Ran thought for a moment and said: "You didn't sign a master-servant contract with Vicious Dog Xiesu—you signed a succession contract."

My sister must have told you all this?"

Yan Shuangzi gave a slight nod.

Lu Ran continued: "In the end, you will replace Vicious Dog Xiesu and seize the position of the Evil God."

That statue will eventually bear your own image—you will always be yourself, not a Vicious Dog."

Yan Shuangzi pressed her thin lips together but said nothing.

Seeing this, Lu Ran decided: "Let's compromise—your codename will be Evil Shadow."

She's a living person, destined to become an evil god!

Why call her a dog?

"Yes," Yan Shuangzi replied in a low voice.

Lu Ran nodded in satisfaction.

Nightmare. Evil Shadow.

These two guardians' codenames had a certain cohesion?

Hmm, good.

"Notify Jing Hong to bring all the spoils to the Council Hall, then summon everyone to gather there," Lu Ran issued his first order to Evil Shadow.

"Shhh~"

Yan Shuangzi's figure flickered and vanished.

Lu Ran: "."

Usually, it was he who vanished in a flash, leaving others stunned in place.

Now, fortune had turned.

Now it was his turn to stand there.

After Yan Shuangzi left, Deng Yuxiang no longer concealed her worry, sighing deeply: "Ah."

Lu Ran comforted her: "A few days ago, Master Long warned me—extreme people do extreme things."

Fortunately, Teacher Yan still respects me.

Don't worry too much, sis—I'll restrain her, guide her well."

"Mm, okay," Deng Yuxiang's heart eased slightly.

"Give me the souls of the Lie Tian believers," Lu Ran added.

Over these two days, Lu Ran had interrogated and devoured the souls of the Heavenly Phoenix and Witch Crow believers—but he had not touched the soul of the Lie Tian believer.

Deng Yuxiang immediately raised her hand; the ancient coin on her wrist trembled slightly, and Lu Ran drew the soul into his pupils.

"Hum!"

As expected, the Lie Tian statue in the Sculpture Garden trembled, its size gradually expanding.

River Realm Stage Four → River Realm Stage Five

Lu Ran's mind buzzed—but it didn't dampen his elation!

The Lie Tian statue had reached River Realm Stage Five—and was still ascending?

Heading for River Realm?

No wonder he was a wanderer—he must have gathered plenty of Sacred Spirit energy along the way!

A River Realm·Lie Tian statue means the River-grade Divine Art: Fiery Heaven's Sovereign!

Will I finally be able to break through Yu Changsheng's defenses then?

Lu Ran's heart leaped.

Killing across realms!

What an enticing phrase.

Seeing Lu Ran's excited expression, Deng Yuxiang deduced he had gained greatly.

"Gate Master!" Yan Shuangzi's figure suddenly reappeared, reporting: "Everyone has arrived."

"Let's go," Lu Ran strode forward with confidence, leading the two guardians straight to the Council Hall.

The Council Hall lay in the central region of Yunhai Cliff, hidden among the woods, so its structure was modest—containing only a few wooden chairs, a large table, and very plain decor.

On the wall hung a wooden board, uniquely distinctive.

Because it bore the date: 2020, March 26.

So far, Lu Ran had been in this world for only two months.

His journey so far had followed a clear timeline.

Half a month ago, on the day Yunhai Cliff's construction began, Lu Ran had counted the days and reported the date.

Every day, Jing Hong came to update it.

"Gate Master."

"Gate Master!" When Lu Ran arrived, everyone was already there.

"Sit, sit, sit." Lu Ran waved his hands repeatedly, joining everyone as they gathered around the large square table.

On the table lay a large pile of spoils.

Lu Ran looked at the woman seated at the end: "Jing Hong, report."

Jing Hong immediately gave a detailed account, as if listing family treasures: "In our last battle, the Lord led us in seizing one magical artifact pearl, two divine weapons—a sword and a knife—and a single monk's staff."

We collected a total of fifty-seven Spirit Stones."

Among them: five River-grade Spirit Stones, forty-nine Stream-grade Spirit Stones, and three Creek-grade Spirit Stones."

Lu Ran's gaze swept over those seated before him: "The Ascension of Evil Shadow was made possible thanks to all your tireless protection. I thank you on behalf of Evil Shadow!"

Several responded politely, knowing Yan Shuangzi now had her own codename within the Burn Sect.

Lu Ran turned to the Xun-Luo generals with an apologetic tone: "Normally, rewards should be given according to merit, but our Burn Sect has only just begun."

Outside of battle, Luo Ying carried a gentle demeanor.

Especially when speaking to the young Lu Ran, her voice softened: "Lord, you needn't trouble yourself. You owe us nothing. Besides, my husband and I have no time to bond with divine weapons or artifacts."

The couple's unwavering loyalty to Lu Ran was never motivated by such material things.

Moreover, their situation was truly unique—they never brought divine weapons home, for divine weapons sensed each other's aura with startling sensitivity.

They could not risk being discovered!

All along, their own divine weapons had been hidden beneath the sea.

"Mm." Lu Ran nodded, not refusing. "This divine weapon—Cold Moon Knife—I intend to give to Evil Shadow."

A blade-wielder naturally needs a blade.

"Here, Evil Shadow." Lu Ran picked up the divine weapon. "Both Cold Moon Knife and Cold Moon Sword were taken by Shi Yali. Their original names weren't Cold Moon."

"Since their master died, the blade spirit sealed itself off, severing all ties to the outside world."

He turned to Yan Shuangzi and handed her the knife: "Win its recognition soon. Make it your own divine weapon."

In his heart, Lu Ran added silently: Get my Silent Night back soon~

"Yes." Yan Shuangzi made no show of modesty, nor did she entertain the notion that she didn't deserve it.

Lu Ran ordered her to take the blade; she took it.

Lu Ran ordered her to take the blade, and she took it.

Yan Shuangzi released a surge of spiritual power into the blade.

As energy churned, a silhouette of Cold Moon Knife formed in her mind.

It was a curved blade.

Its edge arced sharply, like a crescent moon.

"Master Long has stood by us through life and death, devising strategies for the Burn Sect—his efforts are immense."

Saying this, Lu Ran picked up Cold Moon Sword and offered it to Yu Changsheng: "Master, take this divine sword for your protection."

Yu Changsheng chuckled as he accepted it: "Thank you, Lord."

Lu Ran smiled and added: "The sword's spirit is quite interesting. I hope you'll soon win its trust and make it yours."

"Understood." Hearing this, Yu Changsheng grew genuinely interested.

Lu Ran turned again to the pile of Spirit Stones and began distributing them.

Five river-grade spirit stones the size of quail eggs: Lu Ran gave two each to the Xun-Luo couple and the remaining one river-grade spirit stone to Deng Yuxiang.

Then, dozens of Stream-grade Spirit Stones were divided among all members of the Burn Sect.

Finally, Lu Ran picked up the magical artifact—Wind Barrier Pearl—and told its story.

Everyone now understood the Burn Sect's next plan.

"That's settled!" Lu Ran glanced at the date marker. "Rest for a few days. Xun-Luo, you may return home. Evil Shadow, go back to your meditation chamber and stabilize your realm—bond with the blade."

As for Jing Hong leading the demonic troops and guarding the mountain, Lu Ran gave no special instructions—she was Deng Yuxiang's person.

Da Mengyan had already emerged from seclusion; she would handle it.

Lu Ran had arranged everything. He announced: "Everyone, disperse. We'll undertake our next mission in early April."

Those inside rose and took their leave.

Lu Ran stared at the lone Golden Chan Staff left on the table, his thoughts drifting.

Should he build a treasure vault?

In the future, the Burn Sect's spoils would only grow.

Hmm. Beneath Yunhai Cliff, deep underground, he could carve a small stone chamber.

As long as it was deep enough, far enough from the surface, even placing a single divine weapon inside would never alert enemy weapons.

"Ugh." Lu Ran rubbed his throbbing head.

As long as it's deep enough and far enough from the surface, even placing a divine weapon inside a treasure chamber won't risk detection by an enemy's divine weapon.

(End of Chapter)

That's settled!

(End of Chapter)