Chapter 877: The Lost Lamb

The main base of the Wu Seng sect, Wu Jifeng, is located in the central region of the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm.

From the captive Shi Yali's mouth, Wu Jifeng was described as the very center of this continent—a place usable as a geographic coordinate.

Where is Ye Mei Lake?

North of Wu Jifeng, head far north, deep into the snowfields.

What about Jian Shan Feng?

Also north of Wu Jifeng, slightly westward, roughly a thousand kilometers away, though the exact distance is unclear.

The vastness of the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm makes distance lose all meaning.

Most of the locations Lu Ran extracted from the captive were described relative to Wu Jifeng as the starting point, with only general directions given.

When Lu Ran finally saw Wu Jifeng, he was struck by a powerful visual impact!

Such a towering mountain truly deserves to be used as a landmark!

The peak soared into the clouds, standing alone among endless ranges.

Even the surrounding, relatively shorter peaks were high enough that mist and clouds clung only to their mid-slopes.

The mountains and that peak piercing the heavens together formed the concept of "Wu Jifeng."

"Only a major sect could do this?"

Amidst the lush forest, Lu Ran looked up, gazing far off, murmuring in awe.

Yu Changsheng gazed westward toward the highest peak, watching the thick mist filling the space between the sky's cloud sea and the towering peaks.

He suggested: "Master, someone inside Wu Jifeng must be ascending. Should we wait a few more days before paying our visit?"

Lu Ran thought for a moment: "It should be fine."

The Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm does have its own rules.

If you approach someone while they're ascending, it's equivalent to harboring murderous intent and seeking to exploit their vulnerability!

Even if you truly mean no harm, you can't prove it.

But this is the main base of the Wu Seng sect, not some remote wilderness.

Lu Ran only intends to ask a few questions—he doesn't plan to storm the mountain. Should be fine?

Yu Changsheng urged: "Master, think carefully."

This trip, the Ran Sect is here to recruit talent, not to provoke any faction.

But Lu Ran said: "No problem. I'll just go to the foot of the mountain and find a Wu Seng guard to ask a few questions."

Seeing his master so determined, Yu Changsheng could no longer persuade him.

In truth, what Lu Ran truly wanted was this: if He Qi Feng was suffering inside Wu Jifeng, his side could take advantage of the thick fog and murky waters to act.

Since visiting Dao Ji Feng, Lu Ran had gained a deeper understanding of the evil in human nature within this realm.

Lu Ran had full confidence in his ability to gather intelligence!

When he inquired about He Qi Feng's whereabouts, any subtle expression on the other's face would be noticed and analyzed by him without fail.

"Joining a sect really is necessary," Lu Ran muttered as he walked forward.

Right now, one Wu Seng believer stood atop the very center peak of the Sacred Spirit Continent, clearly declaring to all: I am ascending here.

Who dares kill me?

Arrogance stems from sufficient power!

With the entire sect's brothers as backing.

Think back to when Deng Yuxiang ascended—Lu Ran had dragged her into hiding, desperately seeking even a single night of safety.

And still, he hadn't managed it!

The two of them were eventually found by those women from Jian Yi's sect.

Ugh, how pitiful!

When the three of the Ran Sect reached the mountain's foot, they witnessed a strange sight.

The trees at the base of Wu Jifeng had all been cleared away!

Like a peculiar quarantine zone?

Anyone approaching Wu Jifeng would be exposed.

Only the top-tier scouts of the Wu Ya sect might slip in silently, perhaps?

"Long Eying, you two wait here," Lu Ran ordered.

"Master!" Yan Shuangzi spoke up immediately.

"Obey the order," Lu Ran waved his hand, his figure flickering away.

Yan Shuangzi: "."

Yu Changsheng, watching the silent woman, kindly reassured: "The Wu Seng sect's techniques are open and direct—no treacherous moves. They can't harm the master."

Yan Shuangzi remained silent, hiding her upper face beneath her wide-brimmed hat, ignoring Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng, rebuffed, shook his head.

At the mountain's foot, Lu Ran wore a green rain cape and a blue bamboo hat, his attire concealed and mysterious.

Yet his manner was open and bold—he stepped out of the forest with unhesitating strides.

Lu Ran did not cross the wide "quarantine zone"; he stopped in the open, treeless area, and bowed respectfully toward the distant peak.

His intent to pay respects was unmistakable.

Within mere seconds, two Wu Seng believers emerged from the opposite forest.

Both wore conical hats woven of gray-yellow grass leaves, golden-brown monk robes, and carried wooden staves.

Their robes were worn and frayed, clearly long-used.

After a few more battles, they'd likely be wearing nothing but straw sandals and grass garments.

The older man spoke first: "Young friend, your aura is impressive, but you're not one of our Wu Seng sect."

"Baa~" Lu Ran let out a sheep's cry, announcing himself.

Divine Sheep Technique: Voice of Compassion.

And Lu Ran's bleat left the two men stunned!

"What the—?" The younger man blurted out two words.

What kind of sound?

A sheep?

No way!!

The younger Wu Seng disciple lifted his hat brim, revealing a face full of shock.

How did a little lamb end up in the Sacred Spirit Mountains?

Did it get lost?

"I am a follower of the Divine Sheep," Lu Ran said, looking at the young man, his confidence surging.

The man had a round face, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, unlike the older man's calm demeanor.

This made it easier for Lu Ran to observe his expressions and gather information.

The older man, though outwardly composed, remained silent for a long while.

His mind must have been in turmoil.

After a long pause, the older man finally asked: "Young friend, what brings you to Wu Jifeng?"

Oh?

Still willing to talk peacefully?

Lu Ran smiled warmly at the two: "Brothers, have you heard of He Qi Feng?"

"Master He?" The round-faced young man spoke again, sizing up Lu Ran with a scrutinizing gaze.

Now it was Lu Ran's turn to be stunned.

Master?

He Qi Feng is something else!

Only recently arrived in this realm, and already holds a position in such a major sect?

Truly unexpected.

Lu Ran confirmed further: "The He Qi Feng I mean is a woman—she should be your sect's only female disciple."

The older man asked: "Do you know our Master He?"

"Yes!" Lu Ran nodded vigorously. "In the mortal world, I knew Master He—we had a decent relationship."

Lu Ran spoke half-truths, and felt a sigh of relief.

It seemed He Qi Feng was doing well.

Compare that to Yan Shuangzi!

Worlds apart.

"Knew her," the older man repeated the words, then added: "You've come at an inconvenient time—Master He is on a mission."

"Oh? Where did she go? When will she return?"

The older man did not say where He Qi Feng had gone, only replied: "She'll be back soon."

Lu Ran subtly scanned the young man's face, checking for signs of deception.

Seeing no irregularity, Lu Ran sighed: "Alright, I'll come back in a few days."

The older man nodded, showing no intention to detain him.

Seeing this, Lu Ran bowed, then turned and left.

But he had only taken a few steps when a voice called out behind him: "Hey! Little Sheep!"

Lu Ran's heart sank.

He had thought the Wu Jifeng sect was different from those bastards on Daoji Peak—truly letting him leave in peace.

But it was all an act.

Still going to keep someone behind, huh?

Lu Ran smoothed his expression and turned with a smile: "What is it?"

The round-faced youth called out loudly: "If you really have a good relationship with our Master He and want to join us, don't wander around—you'll die out there."

Stay in the nearby mountains for a few days. Wait quietly for her to return."

Lu Ran: "."

You probably won't believe me, but I'm not here to join her.

I want her to join me.

Unfortunately, in this world where strength rules, being an Xiang Xianyang follower is just another word for weakness.

Even just now, after Lu Ran unleashed the Divine Art·Voice of Compassion, the two Wu Seng followers had clearly relaxed.

What threat could a little lamb possibly pose?

Lu Ran's open declaration of a sheep's bleat was his own special way of showing submission.

"Thank you, big brother," Lu Ran said, looking at the round-faced youth with gratitude. "You're a good man."

"Damn, what bad luck!" The round-faced youth scowled. "What kind of talk is that?"

Lu Ran: "."

Of course—in this world, good people always meet terrible fates.

And they die fast.

"Let me rephrase!" Lu Ran bowed with clasped fists and called out loudly: "Big brother! You're a bad man!"

The round-faced youth:???

"Until we meet again!" Lu Ran turned and walked away.

"Heh." As Lu Ran departed, the older man looked at his junior disciple. "So, did the little lamb fool you?"

The Divine Art·Voice of Compassion did have some effect.

The round-faced youth shook his head. "If this little lamb really has a good relationship with Master He, and he came all this way only to die without even seeing her, we'd have no excuse to give."

"Good relationship?" The older man sneered. "How could Wu Seng followers ever have a good relationship with cowards from the Xiang Xianyang sect?"

Everyone looks down on Xiang Xianyang followers—let alone the martial Wu Seng followers.

The round-faced youth felt embarrassed and retorted: "I thought that little lamb had decent presence."

After all, he was cast into the mountains by Xiang Xianyang himself."

The older man remained dismissive: "I bet this little lamb is just like those two Biwu followers—drawn here by Master He's reputation as a prodigy."

First, they slap some glory on their faces. Then, they hope to get a meeting.

Once they see her, they cry, beg, and kowtow—just to beg for her protection and become her disciple."

Master He doesn't even know those two!"

"Prodigy," the round-faced youth said, avoiding further argument. "Master He did bring honor to our sect by taking second place."

If I were still at home, I could've made it too."

"Oh? You think you could've taken first?" The older man teased.

"Who knows, haha!" The round-faced youth laughed, then muttered to himself, "I wonder who took first place?"

Why won't Master He say?"

"If it's not one of our Wu Seng, then it must be a disciple of Jian Yi, Qiang Xiu, or Wu Sheng. Who else could it be?"

(End of Chapter)