Chapter 889: Feasting Heartily

For the next period of time, Lu Ran carried out missions with He Qifeng.

At first, he was quite happy.

After all, he had free laborers to do the hard work while he sat behind, reaping the rewards and feasting heartily.

But as time passed, He Qifeng's annoying habits became unmistakable.

She had to compare everything!

It gave Lu Ran a massive headache.

He Qifeng was extremely obsessive, already so competitive that she insisted on outdoing Lu Ran in every single thing.

Lu Ran suffered greatly but silently endured it.

After all, the souls were delicious.

These Wu Seng believers delivered devastating output!

One kick could summon a golden dragon; a raised hand could call down a colossal golden palm from the sky.

They ruthlessly destroyed the withered forest with overwhelming force.

The sea-level demons guarding the forest naturally wouldn't tolerate such human arrogance and occasionally appeared to fight.

Da Feng Tang stood fearless!

The demonic race had no concept of water armor, giving humans the chance to kill across tiers.

Even though the demonic Tree-Face Demons had formidable defense, the Wu Seng's output was even more devastating!

Though He Qifeng only brought five subordinates, only three of them were Wu Seng believers.

But their aura was astonishing!

They chanted "Da Feng! Da Feng!"—hearing them made Lu Ran's blood boil.

The Da Feng Tang members were even more fired up, fighting fiercely alongside He Qifeng against the sea-level demons.

When necessary, Lu Ran and Yu Changsheng would also join the battle.

There was no choice—the strength of the sea-level Tree-Face Demons was genuinely over the top!

Lu Ran and his Radiant Blade became a stabilizing anchor.

No matter what technique the sea-level demons used—whipping or piercing with branches, or stacking branches into defensive structures—all their techniques were built on dried branches!

Lu Ran's Radiant Blade domain—Radiant Clouds and Auspicious Light—perfectly countered dried branches!

The dazzling rays merely needed to brush against a Tree-Face Demon, and the branches would turn to ash.

Of course, they weren't reckless.

He Qifeng was brave and powerful, but not foolish.

If they encountered two or more sea-level demons, she would instantly order a swift retreat.

In these days of fighting together and fleeing together, the relationship between Ran Men and Da Feng Tang rapidly warmed.

Lu Ran had eaten himself full to bursting.

He was certain that once he activated the demonic sculpture—Tree-Face Demon—it would surge upward, instantly reaching sea-level.

Lu Ran had tasted the sweetness and didn't want to leave.

He Qifeng didn't want Lu Ran to leave either!

She freely displayed her leadership and command skills, and in every comparison with Lu Ran, she gained inner satisfaction.

Thus, the two prodigies led their teams together for over half a month.

They had circled the edge of the "five-hundred-li withered forest" multiple times.

Until one night in mid-May, as both groups rested inside a cave, Lu Ran felt a silent voice calling to him.

Without thinking, it was Deng Yuxiang!

Lu Ran had always kept the demonic art—Demonic Awareness active, meaning he was constantly mentally linked to the Hellhound demonic sculpture.

In other words, Yan Shuangzi and Lu Ran had been "on the line" the whole time.

For Deng Yuxiang to communicate with Lu Ran, she had to initiate a video call or voice call.

【What's wrong?】Lu Ran's face remained calm, but his mental voice was urgent.

Had something happened?

This mission had indeed lasted too long.

【Xun Yifei just found me—he says he may be ascending soon.】Deng Yuxiang replied.

【Oh?】Lu Ran was overjoyed!

Among Ran Men's three sea-level cultivators, Xun Yifei had the lowest cultivation level—currently sea-level, second stage.

Yu Changsheng and Luo Ying were both sea-level, fourth stage.

Frankly, Lu Ran had been pessimistic about whether Xun Yifei could grow further.

He was already sea-level, second stage; his talent ceiling might have already been reached, unlikely to advance even a fraction more.

Lu Ran knew only two ways to raise one's talent ceiling.

One: divine blessing.

Two: Lu Ran signs a contract with the person, transforming them from a human into a divine or demonic sculpture.

Like Deng Yuxiang and Yan Shuangzi!

The more they fused with their demonic sculptures, the higher their cultivation potential and talent ceiling became.

It seemed he had underestimated General Xun.

Thinking about it, anyone thrown into Shengling Mountain couldn't be weak.

They were all selected by the gods.

Mostly powerful, exceptionally gifted believers whose existence might disrupt the human world's balance—those were the ones cast into this slaughterhouse.

【Yes, Xun Yifei asked me to inform you. He also suggested going to Mo Hai Bay to ascend.】

【Huh?】

【He says nine Ink Carp guard the sea, and there's divine weaponry protecting him—it should be safe, and it'll prevent Yunhai Cliff from being attacked.】

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then replied: 【Have him go to the meditation chamber first to prepare. We'll decide everything after I return.】

【Yes!】

"What are you thinking?" came a woman's voice beside the bonfire.

A hand appeared before Lu Ran, palm up, holding several small tree fruits.

They looked like blueberries, but were far more sour.

"You eat them—they're too sour," Lu Ran waved his hand.

Just thinking of that sour, bitter taste made his stomach churn.

"The lord of Ran Men, the famed number-one prodigy of Great Xia, can't even handle a little sourness?" He Qifeng smiled.

Right before Lu Ran's eyes, she shoved all the small fruits into her mouth.

As she chewed the sour, bitter fruits, she watched Lu Ran with a grin.

Lu Ran: "."

Are you really going to compare this too?

"Hehe~" He Qifeng grinned wider, her slender fingers slipping into her hair above her forehead, smoothing it.

To an outsider, she might have seemed to be fixing her hair or showing off charm.

But everyone in the cave knew she was simply displaying her satisfaction, making sure Lu Ran saw her face clearly.

Look how smug she is~

Lu Ran rolled his eyes: "I'm a man. You wouldn't understand."

He Qifeng frowned: "Understand what?"

Lu Ran grinned: "I can swallow any amount of bitterness, but I can't stand even a hint of sourness."

"Hah!" He Qifeng burst out laughing. "You're a nineteen-year-old kid—now you're acting like a man."

"You don't get to decide my age—I just hate sour food!" Lu Ran turned his head away. "Right, Tianlong?"

Yin Tianlong: "."

Over half a month had passed; Yin Tianlong still felt a pang watching He Qifeng and Lu Ran interact, but his hostility toward Lu Ran had lessened.

Because Lu Ran had spoken to him alone once.

Lu Ran had said: "I have a fiancée. I love her deeply. Your Lady He is a career-driven woman who scoffs at love and romance."

"Rest assured—there's zero chance between us!"

When Lu Ran spoke these words openly, Yin Tianlong turned bright red.

In his heart, there was not just bitterness, but deep pain.

He knew his chances with Lady He were slim.

He Qifeng had no interest in romance—every morning, her sole focus was her work.

"Hehe."

Nearby, two Wu Seng believers in their forties also smiled.

Their impression of Lu Ran was excellent!

First, Lu Ran was tolerant, humble, and gentle—he could endure the obsessive, competitive Lady He.

He was practically the model Xiang Yang believer!

Second, Lu Ran was powerful—he could always cover the team's back in critical moments.

Hmm… that point was very un-Xiang Yang believer-like.

So where else could you find such an excellent partner?

No wonder they say Lu Ran is the number one prodigy of Daya!

What a broad mind, what a grand bearing!

Over the past half-month, the two Wu Seng devotees had begun to show signs of being convinced.

Lu Ran got along very well with these two Jiangjing Stage 5 experts.

How could they know that Lu Ran had been trailing behind them, eating until his belly was round and full?

Had the spirits not been too delicious, Lu Ran would have already snapped and clashed with He Qifeng.

"By the way, what were you just thinking about?" He Qifeng turned to Lu Ran again.

"Thinking I've been out too long—I should head back," Lu Ran poked the bonfire in front of him with a stick.

"Back?" He Qifeng reacted strongly, her voice rising sharply.

Lu Ran feigned helplessness: "You're here to complete your mission; I've got my own business waiting back home."

Actually, he had just considered something: whether to bring Xun Yifei along to advance within Wu Jifeng.

But no one with any sense would dare cause trouble inside the Wu Seng sect's stronghold.

Yet after careful thought, Lu Ran didn't act rashly.

He Qifeng did have some influence within Wu Jifeng, but she was still in the early stages of development—uncertainties could arise.

"I say, just move your Ran Men here," He Qifeng shifted her seat and sat beside Lu Ran.

She bumped her shoulder against his: "How about I pick you a mountain right next to Wu Jifeng?"

Once again, Lu Ran sensed that familiar gaze—the same look as the Yanzhi Ren.

Hot, brimming with longing.

Honestly, it wasn't surprising that Yin Tianlong misunderstood.

Lu Ran gave He Qifeng a look of clear disdain: "You? Right now? You want to protect me?"

He had come to understand He Qifeng's nature—knew exactly how to stir her fighting spirit.

He expected her to argue back, but instead, she bit her lip and fell silent, staring at Lu Ran.

Moments passed, still no word. She clenched her fists, turning her head toward the bonfire.

Lu Ran froze for a moment, then silently cursed.

Dammit!

Had he spoken too harshly? Hurt her pride?

Lu Ran softened his tone: "I just tease you out of habit—you're doing great."

He Qifeng stared at the flickering flames, her dark eyes reflecting an unusual glimmer in the firelight: "I will gain the strength to protect you."

"One day, I will give you true security."

Lu Ran: "..."

Do you even hear what you're saying?

Is this right?

He Qifeng suddenly turned her head, locking eyes with Lu Ran: "I will make you willingly come to me."

Lu Ran paused, then advised: "Haste makes waste! If you want to gather human devotees, you must screen them carefully—there aren't many good people inside Shengling Mountain."

He Qifeng idly picked up a stick and poked the fire: "Then come assist me. Help me do the screening."

Lu Ran stood up immediately.

He Qifeng looked up at him, confused.

Lu Ran: "I'm going back."

"Don't act childish," He Qifeng's face darkened. "If you don't like hearing it, I won't say those things anymore. It's late at night—too dangerous."

"No problem," Lu Ran stepped cleanly over the small bonfire. "The dark night is perfect for traveling!"

He Qifeng:??

"Long Li, let's go."

Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Yu Changsheng immediately rose, without a hint of hesitation.

He Qifeng cursed herself for losing her composure and acting too hastily. "Lu Ran, I won't say it anymore—don't be silly."

"I'm not being silly. The moon is dark, the wind is high—perfect time to travel!"

He Qifeng was furious inside: "Are you even speaking sense?"

Lu Ran smiled mysteriously, stepping backward out of the cave entrance: "Ghosts, of course, speak ghostly words~"

All along, he had kept his secrets well hidden; everyone had always assumed Lu Ran was a "pure-blooded" Xiang Xianyang devotee.

What they didn't know was that Lu Ran's nature was complex.

Neither fully human nor fully ghost.

Sometimes divine, sometimes demonic.

"Lu Ran?" He Qifeng stepped quickly to the cave entrance.

"I'll bring you the staff in a few days," Lu Ran didn't turn around, waving casually.

His tall figure gradually merged into the black night.

"He really has style," Yin Tianlong gazed longingly at the cave mouth, muttering bitterly to himself.

(End of Chapter)