Chapter 885: Qi Feng

He Qi Feng's gaze burned with intensity.

Her slightly forward-leaning posture exuded overwhelming pressure.

This eagerness to attract talent surpassed even Lu Ran's.

Yu Changsheng sighed inwardly.

This famed prodigy was unlikely to be won over.

She was clearly not a subordinate, but a "ruler."

He Qi Feng possessed ability, tactics, and the grand ambition to reshape the world's balance!

More importantly, she stood behind Wu Jifeng, a prestigious sect, with heavenly timing and earthly advantage, and had encountered a peak master equally intent on change.

He Qi Feng was already a mighty tree; others should join her ranks and cling to her.

Why should she join Ruan Men?

From another perspective, if He Qi Feng abandoned Wu Jifeng's top-tier resources to defect to Ruan Men, that would be sheer madness.

Since she cannot be recruited, let us first cooperate.

Yu Changsheng pondered silently.

He Qi Feng's status was too delicate; an opportunity must be sought later.

She and Lu Ran both sought humanity's benefit, but their paths differed.

He Qi Feng leaned on Wu Jifeng, a colossal force; her strength was openly displayed, allowing her to act with open legitimacy.

As she said, she would leverage the prodigy's influence to gather followers from all sects and transform the overall structure within Sheng Ling Mountain.

Lu Ran, however, stood behind a deity!

He pursued the strategy of removing the firewood from under the pot—targeting the very top tier of rulers.

Lu Ran aimed to solve the problem at its root!

Should he succeed, Lu Ran would not merely change Sheng Ling Mountain, but the entire fate of humanity.

Unlike He Qi Feng, Lu Ran could only act in shadows, requiring utmost caution.

The ancients said: secrecy brings success; disclosure brings ruin!

This doomed Ruan Men to pursue a "premium" path.

Lu Ran recruited absolutely loyal subordinates—individuals with the potential to slay gods and slay demons—not vast multitudes of followers.

"A top scholar, a second-place finisher," Yu Changsheng murmured to himself.

This pair of prodigies atop the pinnacle, whether in vision, courage, or staggering ambition,

were indeed remarkably similar.

"He Tianjiao, I have a question for you," Lu Ran suddenly spoke.

"Call me Qi Feng."

"Very well, Qi Feng—have you ever considered what would happen if your changes truly reshaped Sheng Ling Mountain, and humanity ceased killing one another?"

"Ice three feet thick does not form in a single day," He Qi Feng replied.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

He Qi Feng slowly lowered her hands: "Sheng Ling Mountain, this hell for humanity, was not formed in a day or two. The balance within this realm cannot be altered overnight."

Lu Ran, sensing her astonishing aura, spoke bluntly: "You're avoiding my question."

"I know full well—the gods want people to die here. Once humanity stops killing one another,"

He Qi Feng gazed up at the swirling clouds and continued, "my actions will provoke divine wrath."

Lu Ran: "So?"

He Qi Feng's eyes hardened: "Sheng Ling Mountain's factions are numerous; the gods' followers are rigid in thought, fanatically loyal. It may take ten years—or even decades—to achieve real change.

So, the work must still be done!"

With that, He Qi Feng turned to look at Yu Changsheng.

Lu Ran realized something and said: "He is my companion, a man who shares my ideals, and someone I trust absolutely."

He Qi Feng remained silent.

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then nodded toward Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng: "."

Bound by the Master's order, he obeyed and walked away into the distance.

Seeing this, He Qi Feng began to form her own calculations.

She had clearly sensed that the stunningly handsome young master possessed extraordinary strength!

No doubt, Lu Ran's recovery of the Wind Barrier Treasure Pearl owed much to this man's aid.

And from their interaction, Lu Ran, though a Jiang Jing cultivator, seemed to hold the dominant position?

Unexpected, yet perfectly logical.

After all, this was Lu Ran.

He Qi Feng thought silently, returning to her previous point: "So, the work must still be done—for humanity's benefit, and to accumulate strength!"

Lu Ran: "Accumulate strength?"

"Accumulate strength," He Qi Feng lifted her head, gazing at the churning clouds, each word deliberate, "to ascend to the clouds."

She did not speak bluntly, but her meaning was clear.

Lu Ran understood why she had dismissed Yu Changsheng.

He Qi Feng no longer gazed at the churning clouds, but fixed her burning gaze on Lu Ran: "I am certain that along my path, I will meet one you after another!"

"Oh?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

Once again, He Qi Feng pressed her hand upon Lu Ran's shoulder: "Along our journey to advance our cause, we will surely encounter many versions of ourselves!"

Her grip tightened, her voice resolute: "I may fail. I may be shattered to pieces.

Just as this Sheng Ling Mountain was not changed overnight, the true work I seek to accomplish may not be completed by one or even two generations.

But it does not matter!

I, we, countless versions of us, will forge a spirit!"

Lu Ran stared at He Qi Feng, stunned.

As he gradually came to know her, as she slowly revealed her heart, Lu Ran realized: this female warrior monk's ideological height

was astonishing!

He Qi Feng spoke solemnly: "This spirit will endure.

Our children, our grandchildren, generation after generation of us, will inherit this spirit and complete the work we left unfinished!

Lu Ran, the gods and demons have walked the earth for forty years; humanity has been enslaved for forty years. It is time for change.

Why not be the ones to raise the banner?"

"Shatter the mental chains binding all beings, and plant a banner, carve a path for our descendants?"

Lu Ran's face remained expressionless, but his heart churned.

What a fiercely ambitious prodigy!

She never expected instant victory—she was even prepared to sacrifice herself.

From He Qi Feng's perspective, such a grand vision could not possibly be achieved in one or two generations.

Each generation has its own mission.

And He Qi Feng saw herself as the one to sound the clarion call!

"Lu Ran," He Qi Feng's tone softened suddenly, "I cannot accomplish this alone."

She released her grip; the straw leaves on his shoulder cloak were now crushed and misshapen.

The awe-inspiring He Qi Feng moved with surprising gentleness, smoothing the straw leaves on his shoulder, straightening his robe: "I need you."

In that moment, leadership and charisma became tangible in Lu Ran's eyes.

This girl… truly knows how to play her cards.

"Funny," Lu Ran calmed his thoughts and spoke, "the work I wish to accomplish—I cannot do it alone either."

He Qi Feng's eyes lit up!

Lu Ran smiled: "To be honest, I came here specifically to recruit you."

He Qi Feng froze.

From his earlier words, she had thought he meant to join her—yet this

"Master of the Gate," Lu Ran waved to Yu Changsheng in the distance.

Yu Changsheng immediately approached, bowing respectfully: "Master, may I speak with you privately?"

"Hmm." Lu Ran nodded to He Qi Feng first, then turned and walked over.

Master?

He Qi Feng remained silent, her mind racing.

Her suspicions were confirmed.

What a remarkable Lu Ran!

Such a terrifying high-level Hai Jing cultivator, yet treated him with such reverence—

Keep in mind, there is no base of the Immortal Sheep sect in this world, so Lu Ran has no backing to rely on!

Thinking of this, He Qi Feng's gaze toward Lu Ran grew complex.

"Master, we may ally with her, but recruitment should wait," Yu Changsheng whispered.

Lu Ran pondered a moment, then said: "After you were dismissed just now, she said this…"

As Lu Ran spoke in detail, Yu Changsheng nodded silently.

Yet he still held his view: "I still believe this is not the right time to recruit her."

"Please, Master, enlighten me."

"If this woman's ambitions are thwarted or her circumstances dire, we should naturally draw her in."

Yu Changsheng paused, then continued: "But her circumstances are excellent! She stands behind Wu Jifeng, with the peak's master supporting her. She has grand ambitions and fierce spirit—how could she possibly submit to anyone now?"

Lu Ran nodded in quiet agreement.

Yu Changsheng's expression turned grave: "The matters the Menzhu undertakes admit no room for error! Anyone who knows your secrets must be utterly loyal—or firmly held in your grasp."

Lu Ran nodded again.

Yu Changsheng: "He Qijiao's current endeavors rely heavily on Wu Jifeng; she must be deeply entangled with that sect."

"The Menzhu's hidden cards are not yet ready to be revealed to her."

"That's true," Lu Ran sighed softly. "Then let's cooperate for now—it'll let us observe her closely."

Yu Changsheng immediately said: "The Menzhu is absolutely right! If her words come from the heart, she will eventually become one of our Ranmen!"

After all, the goal she seeks to achieve over generations, even dozens of generations,

for us is one this generation must accomplish!"

Lu Ran strongly agreed.

In this world, only he could give He Qi a "godhood," infinitely raising her ceiling!

From this perspective, He Qi would inevitably join Ranmen.

Yu Changsheng continued: "For now, Ranmen can cooperate with her to survive and grow within the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm."

"Good," Lu Ran nodded lightly and turned toward He Qi.

At that moment, He Qi stood with her hands behind her back, smiling warmly at Lu Ran.

As he approached, she chuckled: "You built your own faction?"

"Mm."

"What's it called?"

"Ranmen," Lu Ran replied honestly.

"Heh," He Qi smiled. "How self-absorbed."

Lu Ran: "."

He Qi turned and walked toward the hilltop.

Lu Ran naturally sensed her attitude had shifted.

Only when they reached the heights did He Qi gaze at the distant mountains and ask softly: "How is Ranmen progressing?"

"Fine," Lu Ran replied casually. "A few Sea Realm, a few River Realm."

Sea Realm? A few?

"Ah," He Qi's heart churned with complexity; she sighed deeply, feeling a profound sense of loss.

"Why sigh?" Lu Ran asked, puzzled.

"I sigh because you've drifted far from me," He Qi's gaze stretched far, her eyes slightly hazy.

Lu Ran: "."

Her thin lips parted, her voice cool: "When you discovered I was a Hall Master, wielding real power, didn't you feel the same?"

Lu Ran gazed at her spirited profile and couldn't help admiring her inwardly.

What a remarkable person.

He hadn't even spoken a word after returning from his talk with Yu Changsheng, yet she already seemed to know everything.

"Huh~"

The mountain wind blew, stirring her short hair just past her ears.

He Qi turned her gaze back to Lu Ran and slowly extended her hand: "Let's work together?"

Lu Ran stared at her slender, strong palm—hesitating.

"What, unwilling?"

"Willing," Lu Ran said at once. "But no handshake—you'll make your admirer jealous."

"You little brat, that's all you've got?" He Qi scolded playfully, forcibly gripping his hand. "Do you think I don't know what you're thinking?

I squeezed your hand once, and you still remember?"

"Uh," Lu Ran grimaced—just as expected, his bones creaked under her grip.

He Qi: "I bet my Hall will outgrow Ranmen!"

Lu Ran snorted—this girl's competitive streak was flaring up again.

"Oh!" Lu Ran felt a tremendous force pull him forward.

He Qi leaned in, her lips brushing his ear, whispering softly: "Listen well—Wu Jifeng's gates will always be open to you.

If things get too hard, come find Sister Qi.

Sister will protect you."

Lu Ran: "."

(End of Chapter)