Chapter 891: Preparation!

After a month's absence, Lu Ran finally returned to Yunhai Cliff.

He had no time to rest; he immediately summoned everyone to the Council Hall.

The ascension of the Sea Realm adept Xun Yifei is the most critical matter for the Ranyi Sect—this demands utmost attention!

As the others took their seats, Lu Ran briefly inquired about the recent state of Yunhai Cliff, then lent the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd to Xun Yifei.

Lu Ran specifically ordered that Xun Yifei place the artifact on the ground and not touch it.

When necessary, the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd will automatically release divine energy.

Lu Ran's artifact? Only he may drink from it directly.

What? Deng Yuxiang once drank from it directly?

Hmm. No next time!

Lu Ran lent out the Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd for two reasons: first, to increase Xun Yifei's chance of breakthrough; second, for the artifact itself.

Once the Divine General enters ascension mode and draws in the dense energy of heaven and earth, Little Fiery Phoenix will naturally feast abundantly!

This greatly benefits the artifact!

Xun Yifei's proposal to ascend beneath the sea was rejected by Lu Ran.

This was the conclusion reached after discussion with Yu Changsheng.

Both knew Xun Yifei did not wish to endanger Yunhai Cliff, but Xun Yifei was a key general of the Ranyi Sect—his ascension could not afford the slightest mishap!

Compared to the ocean, the land was safer.

"Whatever happens outside is none of your concern. Your only task is to ascend!" Lu Ran's face was stern as he looked at Xun Yifei. "Prepare yourself. In three days, I await your good news."

"Yes!" Xun Yifei replied respectfully, then rose and departed.

The Fiery Phoenix Pattern Gourd floated behind the Divine General, following him, its erratic left-and-right flight clearly showing its delight.

Little Fiery Phoenix knew—there would be another feast!

"The duration of a Sea Realm ascension is not short—we have a hard fight ahead!" Lu Ran's gaze swept over those in the Council Hall. "Use this time well. Rest thoroughly."

A minor advancement in the River Realm takes two to three days.

A minor advancement in the Sea Realm takes five to ten days—relatively lengthy.

"Alright, you may all disperse," Lu Ran waved them off, then added, "Luo, stay behind."

Luo Ying had just risen from her seat, puzzled, and stood where she was.

Lu Ran waited until everyone had left the Council Hall, then suddenly remembered: "By the way, sis… Nightmare."

Deng Yuxiang halted her steps, turned back, a faint smile barely visible on her face.

Lu Ran: "Bring the Night Phantom Guard unit inside."

"Yes!" Deng Yuxiang turned and hurried out.

Only after everyone had left did Lu Ran turn to his young mother: "Xun Yifei's ascension will take at least five days, up to ten. You cannot leave this place for a single moment."

"Can your two children manage on their own?"

Seeing Lu Ran's concerned expression, Luo Ying felt warmth in her heart.

This young sect master truly cared for her two children.

Moreover, the sect master knew his place—since their first meeting, when he had followed her, Lu Ran had never again set foot in her and her husband's home.

Even now, he had never formally met her two children.

Yet he never stopped thinking of them.

"They are very sensible and strong. They can take care of themselves," Luo Ying said softly.

Lu Ran considered, then said: "Luo, if you need it, I can assign Jing Hong to help you look after the children."

"Thank you, Master, but no," Luo Ying instinctively declined.

Lu Ran replied: "We've worked together a long time—you know Jing Hong well. Besides, she is also a mother of two, with considerable experience in this."

"Don't rush to refuse. Go home, think it over, and give me your answer within two days."

Luo Ying was deeply grateful, bowed her head: "Yes."

"Go," Lu Ran nodded, watching the young mother turn away, sighing inwardly.

She must care for her husband and her children both.

Luo Shen,

greatness is all there is.

Lu Ran turned his head, glancing at the date on the wooden board—May 19, 2020.

That month had passed so quickly.

Of course, the gains were also pleasing.

First, he had established contact with the future Ranyi Sect Divine General, He Qi.

He Qi currently stands under the protection of Wu Jifeng; when needed, he will surely provide immense aid to the Ranyi Sect.

Second, the Night Phantom Sculpture had ascended to the Sea Realm—Lu Ran could now upgrade and renew the Ranyi Sect's demonic guard unit.

Additionally, the Tree-Face Demon Sculpture was in standby activation. But during Xun Yifei's ascension, this race would likely be useless.

When humans ascend, thick mist inevitably gathers; at that time, the Tree-Face Demon clan would become completely blind.

How could they possibly protect Yunhai Cliff? It's a miracle if the dead trees don't cause trouble!

Really…

Such a perfect "defense tower"—why must it grow a face?

Having a face is bad enough, but it insists on growing eyes too!

If the Tree-Face Demon clan had no eyes, wouldn't they perceive the world like the Black Lantern clan—like divine weapons and artifacts—through ways incomprehensible to ordinary beings?

If so, even in the darkest night or densest fog, wouldn't the Tree-Face Demons still function properly as a defense tower?

"Master."

"Hmm?" Lu Ran snapped back to attention and turned.

Deng Yuxiang entered with eighteen Night Phantoms.

Each possessed a graceful figure, stunning curves.

What a pity…

Lu Ran silently lamented, then looked at Deng Yuxiang: "I'm summoning River Realm Night Phantoms."

Deng Yuxiang understood at once, reached back, gripped the hilt of her blade, and raised an inquisitive brow.

Lu Ran gave a slight nod.

"Sss!" Deng Yuxiang immediately drew her broken blade, swept aside the mysterious black veil beside a Night Phantom, and slashed its throat.

A line of blood sprayed!

Instantly, the remaining seventeen Night Phantoms tensed, the room thick with killing intent.

"Don't move!" Lu Ran commanded at once.

The Night Phantoms stood frozen in place.

Deng Yuxiang moved without hesitation, swept aside another veil, and drove her bloodied blade into the neck of another Night Phantom.

"Sss!"

"Sss!"

Soon, the Council Hall was littered with corpses; the flowing blood stained Deng Yuxiang's straw sandals.

Since the Ranyi Sect ceased its wandering and settled at Yunhai Cliff, Deng Yuxiang had acquired her own residence, where she stored her damaged black combat suit, black leather boots, and other garments.

Within the Sacred Spirit Mountain, clothing and footwear were all consumables!

Deng Yuxiang refused to wear them.

She firmly believed that one day, the Ranyi Sect would return to the mortal world.

When that day came, she wanted to dress properly.

Currently, all Ranyi Sect members, including Lu Ran, wore identical attire—green capes, blue hats, straw garments, straw sandals.

"Huh~"

One by one, the souls of the slain Night Phantoms flew toward Lu Ran, entering the embrace of the Demon Lord.

"Puh~ Puh~"

Each corpse dissolved into energy; the blood on the floor shattered into mist, gradually vanishing from this world.

Lu Ran had already extended his hand, beginning to craft new demonic minions.

Currently, the Night Phantom Sculptures in the Sculpture Garden were Sea Realm·Stage One, guaranteeing Lu Ran could create ten River Realm·Stage Five Night Phantoms.

Each time the Night Phantom Sculpture advances a minor stage, Lu Ran can create two additional River Realm Peak Night Phantom minions.

"Divine energy shapes the body; primordial qi builds the soul."

Lu Ran silently chanted the incantation; a Night Phantom gradually took form before his palm.

Deng Yuxiang walked slowly to the long table, half-leaning, half-sitting on its edge, quietly watching Lu Ran perform the ritual.

Suddenly, she reached forward, using her broken blade to lift the black veil of a Night Phantom.

A pale, exquisite face appeared—mysterious violet eyes, haunting and mesmerizing.

Deng Yuxiang studied it carefully, feeling a hint of disappointment.

Long ago, she had proposed a theory: would the Night Phantom minions gradually come to resemble her?

Now, the Night Phantom had not changed.

It seemed that only after she and the sculpture completed their final fusion—after she fully replaced the Night Phantom Sculpture's position—would the minions truly transform.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran asked casually, preparing to craft the next Night Phantom.

Deng Yu didn't answer, but said instead: "I feel I'm about to hit a cultivation bottleneck."

"Oh?" Lu Ran was pleasantly surprised.

Deng Yu's last advancement had been shortly after entering Sacred Spirit Mountain, around the end of January.

Today was May 19th—nearly four months had passed.

"It'll take a while longer," Deng Yu said softly, a faint smile in her eyes.

She had missed him a little during the month apart; now that he had returned safely, her worries had eased.

As for the anger she'd felt before, Deng Yu had long since forgotten it.

She enjoyed seeing Lu Ran's surprised expression.

Deng Yu knew well that it was precisely because she had bonded with the Night Phantom Statue, and then continuously fused with it under Lu Ran's help, that her cultivation path had progressed so smoothly.

Before, such growth speed would have been unthinkable.

"That's great!" Lu Ran's eyes gleamed. "While you're seeking your breakthrough, make sure you squeeze in as many perks as you can."

"Mm." Deng Yu nodded lightly.

"Also, if you truly hit the bottleneck, don't rush to break through," Lu Ran warned. "Our Burn Sect isn't strong enough yet."

Wait until Xun Yifei succeeds in his breakthrough, then you can proceed."

No one else was in the hall; Deng Yu had no need to hold back.

Watching Lu Ran's excitement, she gave him a light glare: "I said it'll take a while! I'm just letting you know—the fusion with the statue has helped me immensely."

"Of course it has," Lu Ran said, continuing his cultivation as another Night Phantom took shape beneath his palm.

"You're my future Demon Deity, after all."

Deng Yu added: "Perhaps we should look for the lair of the Evil Dog Clan."

Lu Ran finally realized the Night Nightmare had been thinking of his friend.

Along the way, the Burn Sect had captured many villains, but none could provide the location of the Evil Dog Clan's base.

Lu Ran harbored a suspicion about the Evil Dog Clan: could these dim-witted dogs, capable of random teleportation, even have a fixed base?

Also, the Niejing Yao Clan he had long sought remained completely unlocated.

Evil demons capable of teleportation or translocation all seemed to vanish without a trace, with no gathering places to be found.

"Mm, look for them," Lu Ran replied offhandedly.

Seeing this, Deng Yu changed the subject: "Did you find He Qifeng? What did she say?"

"It's a long story," Lu Ran sighed, then recounted everything to Deng Yu.

Deng Yu was greatly surprised, listening with quiet nods, and finally murmured: "This woman has great ambition, talent, and powerful backing—she might become someone significant in the future."

Lu Ran whispered: "She'll eventually be one of us in the Burn Sect."

As they spoke, another Night Phantom of Jiang Jing Stage Five silently formed, then knelt on one knee, bowing before the Demon Lord.

Deng Yu watched this scene, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Unconsciously, they had been in Sacred Spirit Mountain for four months.

Lu Ran's growth had been anything but minor.

Power nurtures a person; position nurtures even more.

A person's nature is hard to change, but the aura Lu Ran unconsciously radiated, and the rapid development of his leadership presence—these were exactly what Deng Yu wanted to see.

A person's character is hard to change, but the aura Lu Ran unintentionally radiated, and the rapidly growing leadership quality, were precisely what Deng Yu wanted to see.

Deng Yu gazed softly at Lu Ran.

To witness firsthand his rise, his steady ascent—

It felt wonderful.

(End of Chapter)

(End of Chapter)