Chapter 871: Cultivation Bottleneck?

Night fell.

From within Yunhai House came an excited voice: "Ha! Success!"

Lu Ran shook his head vigorously until the buzzing finally stopped.

The Lie Tian Divine Sculpture in the Sculpture Garden ceased its trembling, and its scale was remarkably impressive.

River Realm, Second Stage!

Earlier that afternoon, the Lie Tian Divine Sculpture had already advanced to River Realm, First Stage—what surprised Lu Ran even more was that it hadn't stopped.

Still advancing?

Lu Ran was overjoyed!

This Lie Tian devotee who had traveled far and wide really had something!

Lu Ran had once roughly estimated that each strand of pure Holy Spirit Qi equaled one ordinary River Realm ghost.

This advancement had lifted Lu Ran's Lie Tian Divine Sculpture all the way from River Realm, Third Stage to River Realm, Second Stage!

That means Shi Guangwei had collected over 120 strands of Holy Spirit Qi over the years?

No, not just those.

After all, breaking through major realms also requires a substantial amount of Holy Spirit Qi.

"What a rush," Lu Ran murmured.

These Holy Spirit Qi strands should have returned with the devotee's soul to the divine original—Lie Tian.

Yet, all the primordial power Shi Guangwei had painstakingly gathered had been intercepted by Lu Ran!

Lu Ran was naturally delighted!

He stepped out of his home, stood in the small courtyard, and stretched out with a fierce yawn: "Uhh~~~"

Fortunately, tonight there was no sea of clouds obscuring the sky.

The heavens were filled with stars.

Far more beautiful than the starry sky of the mortal world.

Lu Ran tilted his head upward, stretching, and gradually became lost in the view.

After a long while, his figure flickered, heading toward the sea cliff—only to find, unexpectedly, a familiar silhouette there.

The tall figure looked lonely.

She stood alone at the cliff's edge, gazing into the distance, her long black hair gently swaying in the sea breeze.

Great Nightmare?

The woman sensed his presence and turned her head.

Under the night sky's starlight, Deng Yu Xiang faintly made out the newcomer.

Lu Ran stepped forward and teased, "Up so late and not resting? Come here to catch sea breeze?"

"Feeling lonely?"

Deng Yu Xiang gave Lu Ran a cool glance: "Watch your tongue—there's no one around."

Lu Ran: "."

In public, Deng Yu Xiang always treated Lu Ran with utmost respect, upholding the Lord's authority.

But behind closed doors… hmm.

Lu Ran walked to her side and could clearly sense a faint sorrow in her heart.

"Still worrying about Yan Shuangzi?" Lu Ran asked.

Deng Yu Xiang remained silent, gazing at the pitch-black sea.

It wasn't so much worry as mourning.

Mourning a former close friend.

Mourning Yan Shuangzi, who had truly "died."

Lu Ran shifted slightly and lightly bumped his shoulder against hers: "I told you—I'll do my best to take care of her."

Deng Yu Xiang was jolted off-balance, frowned slightly, and turned to look at the mischievous brat beside her.

Though the night was dark, she could still see Lu Ran's sincere face.

Her anger instantly dissolved, her voice softening: "Mm, I believe you."

"Then stop worrying," Lu Ran grinned. "I'm going to test the Flame Heavenly Titan—perfect chance for you to watch."

Deng Yu Xiang looked at Lu Ran and said softly: "Your hair's getting long."

"Oh?" Lu Ran shook his head, struck by a sudden idea. "I'll keep it."

"You want to learn Dragon Ascension and grow your hair long?"

Lu Ran shook his head vigorously: "Too long—it'd be inconvenient in battle. I'll just let it grow a bit, tie a short little braid."

Deng Yu Xiang frowned: "Why?"

Lu Ran spoke with mock solemnity: "Holy Spirit Mountain Chapter—Limited Edition Skin for Ran Shen!"

Deng Yu Xiang: "."

"Huh~"

Lu Ran blazed like a human bonfire, flames roaring up his body!

Sparks flew, crackling loudly.

Lie Tian Divine Art: Flame Heavenly Titan!

"Whoa!" Lu Ran gasped, feeling his divine power drain rapidly.

No wonder—the Flame Heavenly Titan at River Realm level consumes astonishing amounts!

Lu Ran wasn't worried.

Though he'd rushed out without his Chi Feng Wen Gourd, he had plenty of Divine Power Pearls.

Add the ones he'd claimed earlier today, his necklace now held fifteen Divine Power Pearls—including one the size of a quail's egg: a River Realm Divine Power Pearl!

Moreover, Lu Ran himself was River Realm, Second Stage—his divine power reserves were already substantial.

He'd also received the genuine divine blessing, which had greatly expanded his meridians; this body's capacity far exceeded that of any other cultivator at the same level.

"Huh!"

Lu Ran waved his hand, summoning a phantom warhammer covered in fine cracks.

It looked like a battle-worn model—extremely cool!

The River Realm Divine Art: Lie Tian Hammer measured about three meters; the River Realm version reached 3.5 meters!

As Lu Ran willed it, the massive hammerhead burst into blazing fire.

"Damn!"

The ferocity of the flames made even Lu Ran blink in surprise.

Deng Yu Xiang stepped back several paces—she knew Lu Ran's output would be terrifying right now.

Though she was River Realm, Fourth Stage, her water armor wouldn't withstand a single blow of that hammer.

"Go on~"

Lu Ran gazed at the sea and hurled the giant hammer with all his strength.

The flaming warhammer spun through the air, illuminating the night, then crashed into the ocean.

"Boom!!"

The already turbulent sea erupted into towering waves.

Deafening, awe-inspiring!

Must clarify: the Flame Heavenly Titan's damage boost applies only to divine or demonic arts.

Lu Ran's ordinary attacks—punches, kicks, sword slashes—receive no damage increase.

Deng Yu Xiang spoke softly: "You can go seek revenge now."

Lu Ran shook his head: "No—Daojifeng is full of powerful cultivators, and its peak master is unfathomably strong. Our strength isn't enough yet."

Deng Yu Xiang: "I meant Tian Tu Mountain."

"Oh." Lu Ran extinguished his flames. "Wait until you reach Sea Realm—we'll go then."

Deng Yu Xiang gazed at Lu Ran's blurred silhouette, a faint smile tugging at her lips:

"You're so sure I'll reach Sea Realm?"

"Absolutely!" Lu Ran looked utterly certain. "Your talent's overflowing—Sea Realm? Even beyond it, you'll push right through!"

Deng Yu Xiang gave Lu Ran a light glare: "Be modest."

Lu Ran stared out at the endless sea: "Great Nightmare, you still don't grasp your situation—you don't realize how exalted your identity is.

You've bound yourself to the Night Phantom Demonic Sculpture. You're no longer human—"

Wait, that sounded like an insult?

Lu Ran paused, then added: "Right now, you haven't fully fused with the demonic sculpture—but you're already in the process, so…"

"I know," Deng Yu Xiang said seriously. "I can feel my cultivation potential slowly improving."

Lu Ran suddenly raised his elbow, leaning it on Deng Yu Xiang's shoulder, grinning mischievously:

"So why bother being modest, hmm? Future Demon God?"

"Go away," Deng Yu Xiang spat lightly, shoving him away.

Such a reckless fool!

She thought to herself, then couldn't help raising one long leg and giving Lu Ran a solid kick.

Mm, better now.

Lu Ran: "."

I saw you were in a bad mood, went out of my way to comfort you, and this is how you treat me?

Hmph,

Woman!

Lu Ran changed the subject: "For the next mission, you'll stay behind."

Deng Yu's beautiful eyes narrowed: "You dare!"

Lu Ran rolled his eyes: "This time, heading to Wu Jifeng, I plan to detour to Night Mei Lake and raise the Night Mei Evil Statue to Sea Realm."

The defense force at Yunhai Cliff is too weak—I intend to upgrade it by summoning the Ocean Realm Night Mei."

Besides, once the Night Mei Evil Statue advances, you'll deepen your fusion with the statue."

Deng Yu was about to speak, but Lu Ran cut in: "You know full well that once the Night Mei Evil Statue advances, you'll start trembling and shaking all over. Hey?"

Lu Ran noticed her long leg lifting again and quickly dodged.

Deng Yu didn't pursue, only gazed at Lu Ran with a haunting look.

Lu Ran grinned: "Anyway, you stay behind with Jing Hong and I'll leave you the two Divine Generals Xun Luo."

They're eager to see the child—so the couple can take turns: one on duty, one off."

Deng Yu: "."

Lu Ran declared his decision: "I'll just take the Second and Third Protectors. Both I and Evil Shadow can teleport, and Master Jiang has ways to ensure survival—no danger."

You, Chief Protector, stay home and wait for your whole body to shake…"

Before he finished speaking, Lu Ran felt a pang of panic and vanished in a flash.

Where he had stood, a sharp whip-like kick slashed through the air.

Deng Yu stood in place, growing angrier by the moment!

The trembling—this always filled her with shame and fury, deeply embarrassing.

And that damn Lu Ran kept bringing it up!

Deng Yu clenched her lips, turned, and strode into the mountain forest, heading straight for Yunhai Residence.

As Lu Ran lay on the rocking chair in the courtyard, diligently cultivating his divine power, he suddenly saw stars.

Stars walking with heavy steps.

Da Mengyan descended from the night sky, step by step, storming into the courtyard.

Lu Ran was stunned!

What the—

Since when do you show up and block someone's front door?

"Hey! Don't pull my ear! Where did you learn that—ouch! I'm the Gate Master! I'm wrong, I'm wrong!"

"What did you do wrong?"

"Come on! I just saw you were in a bad mood—I was trying to distract you!"

"Now I'm even worse."

"Ow! Easy! Easy! Be gentler—it hurts!"

Stars and moon shifted, day and night turned.

Days passed as the members of Ruan Men either rested and recuperated or diligently completed their missions.

Lu Ran, meanwhile, remained deeply absorbed in cultivation.

As early April arrived, everyone waited for the Gate Master to give the order to depart on mission.

Yet now, Lu Ran faintly sensed he was about to hit a cultivation bottleneck.

He hadn't truly reached it yet—but he felt it was imminent!

In any other place, Lu Ran wouldn't mind going on missions—he could break through in battle, no problem.

Since becoming a believer, Lu Ran had either been fighting on battlefields or rushing toward them.

He was long accustomed to cultivating while fighting.

But this was Holy Spirit Mountain!

How could he afford to be reckless? He wouldn't even dare break through inland!

Thus, Lu Ran took the Chi Feng Wen Gourd and plunged into Closed-off Chamber No. 1.

Ocean Realm, Stage Three.

Here I come…

(End of Chapter)