Chapter 873

Chamber No. 1 is located at the very center of the Yunhai Cliff's mountain body.

The stone chamber is small, roughly thirty to forty square meters, empty except for a young man seated cross-legged in the center.

【Are all present?】

Lu Ran toyed with the exquisite Chi Feng-pattern gourd, transmitting a thought into his mind.

【All prepared.】 Deng Yu's voice echoed in his mind.

【Good, then I'm starting. Don't you wish me success?】

【Focus on your advancement.】 The Great Nightmare's voice was icy.

Lu Ran smirked, picking up the magical gourd: "Little Chi Feng, I'm counting on you."

"Hum~" The Chi Feng-pattern gourd trembled slightly.

Instantly, the pitch-black chamber lit up as a delicate little phoenix flew out.

It was woven from golden flame lines, dreamlike and ethereal.

Lu Ran cupped the gourd in both hands: "Help me break through this bottleneck, activate my advancement mode. When the energy from heaven and earth surges in, we'll both feast on it."

"Hu~ hu~" The little Chi Feng flapped its wings more enthusiastically.

It joyfully soared up and down, circling Lu Ran endlessly.

"Gulps, gulps"

Lu Ran no longer hesitated; he raised the gourd and drank deeply.

In truth, he didn't need to drink—just command Little Chi Feng to release energy from the gourd into his body.

Like the Divine Power Pearl around his neck, he could absorb it directly without swallowing it.

But

Isn't it more satisfying to down it like liquor?

Lu Ran drank greedily, feeling the thick energy surge into his body, racing through his meridians.

Trying to help him shatter his chains.

"Break!"

Lu Ran roared inwardly; the orderly flow of his divine power surged violently.

Not enough. Still a little short.

Lu Ran felt like a balloon about to burst.

Just a little more—just a little!

"Gulps! Gulps!" Lu Ran drank even harder.

Break open!

"Hum!!"

Lu Ran's body stiffened; even his breathing stopped, terrified that the slightest movement might cause his body to explode.

"Hu~ hu~" Little Chi Feng was ecstatic, flapping its intricate, beautiful wings as it circled Lu Ran.

The mist around them grew thicker.

A faint smile appeared on Lu Ran's face.

No wonder it's a powerful artifact—Little Chi Feng really delivered!

The bottleneck has been shattered!

Next comes the days-long advancement phase, the period when Lu Ran reaps the rewards and is nourished.

He must focus entirely; everything outside must be left to the soldiers of Ran Sect.

Since entering Shengling Mountain, Lu Ran has waged campaigns north and south, recruiting talent, continuously expanding his power.

Isn't this exactly the moment he fought for?

Lu Ran slowly closed his eyes, drawing in the energy of heaven and earth.

Time slipped away slowly as he worked to elevate himself.

One day, two days

Perhaps because Lu Ran was too focused, or because Chamber No. 1 was buried deep within the mountain, isolated from the world.

In any case, with his Evil Law·Evil Awareness shut down, he received no disturbance whatsoever.

Until the third day.

Just as Lu Ran entered the final stage, feeling victory was imminent, the mountain body trembled suddenly.

"Boom!"

The earth shook violently, terrifyingly.

Lu Ran kept his eyes tightly shut; at this critical moment, he forced himself to ignore everything outside.

Fortunately, Yunhai Cliff only shook once and then fell still.

Lu Ran held firm to his inner core, undisturbed in rhythm, steadily widening his meridians, nourishing his flesh and bones, continuously strengthening his body.

The Chi Feng-pattern gourd had no chaotic thoughts.

This little glutton remained carefree, nestled in Lu Ran's arms, gorging itself, enjoying nothing less than luxury.

Even the several knives Lu Ran carried, blessed by their master, received heavenly gifts, steeped in nourishing energy.

Divine weapons naturally benefited.

The Eight Wilderness Annihilation Blade and the Yunhai Dust-Clearing Blade, as ordinary weapons, also gained significant aid in this advancement environment, helping them awaken sentience.

If possible, Lu Ran wished to remain like this forever, advancing endlessly.

"Hu!!"

In the afternoon, a ripple of wind suddenly erupted from within Lu Ran's body.

Lu Ran snapped his eyes open!

His pitch-black pupils shimmered with radiant light.

Jiang Realm·Stage Three!

Lu Ran felt the surging divine power within him—fierce and overwhelming!

He clenched his fists; the fullness of power within made him want to unleash a punch, smashing the ground to pieces.

【Nightmare.】

【Here!】 Deng Yu responded instantly.

【I've advanced. What's the situation outside?】

【Congratulations.】 Deng Yu's tone carried a hint of delight as she transmitted again, 【This morning, a Fury Sea Flame Dragon came searching—likely a Low-Stage Sea Realm. From Long led Generals Xun and Luo to confront it. Everything went smoothly; General Luo has slain the Fury Sea Flame Dragon.】

Cong Long led Xun Luo and two other generals into battle; everything went smoothly—the Nuo Divine General had already slain the Furious Sea Flame Dragon.

Fury Sea Flame Dragon?

If no surprise, it must have come from the sea.

Makes sense—the seas are sealed by nine great fish, but the sky above the ocean is clearly poorly controlled by the Mo Li clan.

Especially since it was a Sea Realm great demon.

Still, credit goes to General Luo!

Such a terrifying artillery platform—truly apocalyptic.

No doubt, precisely because Luo Ying's strength exceeds norms and disrupts the balance of mortal realms, the gods cast him into Shengling Mountain.

As a pawn, Luo Ying in this world becomes a butcher, helping the gods eliminate especially powerful humans.

And one day, Luo Ying will be slain by another butcher.

Ending his life as a slave.

【I've collected the soul of the Fury Sea Flame Dragon into a coin. Come claim it when you're ready.】 Deng Yu transmitted again.

【In these days, did any humans trouble us?】

Have there been any human beings causing us trouble these past few days?

【Hmm. Have From Long arrange rest duties. I'll stay in the chamber a while longer.】

Yes, have Cong Long arrange the rest arrangements—I'll stay a while longer in the meditation chamber.

Lu Ran did not slacken for a moment; he re-entered cultivation, consolidating his realm and stabilizing his mind.

When he emerged, it was deep night.

The sky was shrouded in clouds, plunging the night into utter darkness.

Lu Ran did not disturb those within the cliff; he returned alone to Yunhai Residence. But the moment he appeared, he sensed someone lurking!

He didn't see them with his eyes or smell them with his nose.

He sensed—hidden in the darkness—a violent, vicious aura, terrifyingly malevolent!

"Evil Shadow?" Lu Ran forced down his goosebumps and whispered.

"Master." A shadowy figure appeared silently, kneeling with head bowed.

The sudden address stunned Lu Ran.

He corrected: "Menzhu!"

Yan Shuangzi whispered: "Menzhu."

Lu Ran helped the woman up; a thought struck him—he had an idea: "You're my sister's closest friend. I grant you a privilege: when no one's around, you may call me Xiao Lu Ran."

Yan Shuangzi's lips twitched slightly, but in the end, she said nothing.

Lu Ran naturally noticed; seeing potential, he secretly rejoiced.

Lu Ran naturally noticed this scene; seeing an opportunity, he couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

He wasn't in a hurry, so he changed the subject: "Have you been staying here all this time? What did you want with me?"

Yan Shuangzi presented the Jingye Blade: "I've established a connection with the divine weapon the Gate Master gave me. I now return the eye to you."

Lu Ran was greatly surprised as he took the Jingye Blade: "So fast? You've already spoken to the Cold Moon Blade? What date is it today?"

"April nineteenth," Yan Shuangzi replied softly, then added, "This blade is now called Eryue."

April nineteenth already.

Lu Ran walked to one side: "Come, sit and talk."

In the southeast corner of the courtyard stood a stone table and several plump stone stools, round like drums.

"You're quite capable, Teacher Yan?" Lu Ran smiled, trying to ease the mood. "How did you manage it?"

Yan Shuangzi sat properly on the stone stool: "The blade remained dormant all along, and I kept trying to communicate with it."

Until a few days ago, it finally stirred slightly and asked me why I was in such a mental state."

Lu Ran listened silently, watching the woman with sunken eyes.

Yan Shuangzi placed the Eryue Blade on the stone table: "I told it my past."

Hearing this, Lu Ran sighed deeply inside.

Lifting open old wounds and reliving those dark, hopeless days must have been excruciating.

Yan Shuangzi should have been utterly unwilling!

Yet she received orders to subdue and master this divine weapon.

Thinking of this, Lu Ran felt a pang in his chest.

Yan Shuangzi extended her slender index and middle fingers, gently tracing the blade's gracefully crescent-shaped edge:

"Eryue said someone like me deserves it."

"You deserve everything," Lu Ran said solemnly, his tone grave.

It had nothing to do with cultivation level, or whether she even wielded blades.

Yan Shuangzi possessed a resilient heart and an immensely powerful soul.

Yan Shuangzi lifted her head slightly, her sunken eye sockets fixed on Lu Ran: "May I stay by your side?"

Lu Ran: "Huh?"

Each Guardian of the Ruan Sect had their own private courtyard, all located around Yunhai Residence.

He paused, then spoke slowly: "You've just returned to the Jiang Realm. Your main task now is to stabilize your mind and cultivate upward."

Yan Shuangzi lowered her head: "You know how I returned to the Jiang Realm—and what path I walked to get here."

Lu Ran: "..."

He understood what she was about to say.

"I beg you, Gate Master—let me stay beside you."

"Fine," Lu Ran finally nodded.

"Thank you, Gate Master!"

As she spoke, silence fell over the courtyard.

The evening breeze blew, carrying the briny dampness of the sea.

After a long while, Lu Ran reminded her: "You're in the Jiang Realm now—your emotions affect your surroundings. Your inner malice is too strong; you must rein it in."

Only then can you hide properly when serving as a scout or carrying out assassinations."

Yan Shuangzi immediately agreed.

Lu Ran muttered under his breath: "You'd better change soon!"

"You're content now, but I've been lying awake all night."

In this pitch-dark silence, a fearsome demon lurked unseen, watching and waiting.

Who could bear it?

Yan Shuangzi's lips moved again, then she lowered her head even further.

"Alright, I'm going to rest," Lu Ran rose and headed toward the house. "You make yourself at home."

"Yes!"

(End of Chapter)