Chapter 923: When Wild Geese Return

The Valley of No Sin has eighteen members, all followers of the Weak God.

Lu Ran remained silent; he had never heard of this organization.

What surprised him was that the Valley of No Sin was composed of such people?

Can this even work?

The white-haired elder continued: "Our strength is weak; we gather together to survive as a group, and more importantly, to avoid becoming others' slaves."

Lu Ran nodded slightly.

In this cruel world, followers of the Weak God have no rights whatsoever.

Once discovered by Strong God followers, such people are either slaughtered outright or enslaved.

Jing Hong is the best example.

Had she not fortuitously encountered Lu Ran and the others, she would still be trapped on Sword Peak, oppressed and enslaved by Jian Yi's disciples.

The elder spoke slowly: "We fled from the south, and when we passed through this territory, we were discovered by Tian Tu Mountain."

Luo Tiantu sought to absorb the Valley of No Sin, sending several squads to pursue us; after several failed searches, he personally led an assault."

Lu Ran formed a plan in his mind.

No doubt, the Valley of No Sin's ability to resist Tian Tu Mountain for so long and escape multiple times owes much to this sorcerer follower's efforts.

Put yourself in their shoes—it's truly despairing.

For the weak, simply surviving in peace is as hard as climbing to heaven.

Yet Weak God disciples often possess useful abilities, making them even more coveted.

"We kept relocating, but eventually our trail was exposed," the elder paused, sighing. "During our final encirclement, we seized an opportunity to launch a surprise counterattack, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy."

"Oh?" Lu Ran was genuinely surprised.

The elder spoke briefly, simply—but how difficult is it for the weak to defeat the strong?

Tian Tu Mountain's overall strength is undeniable!

The gang's members are mostly followers of Yu Fu, Qiu Mo, and Nu Sha, all from the River Realm.

For the Weak God disciples of the Valley of No Sin to hold out against them for so long is remarkable.

Who would have thought the Valley of No Sin could strike back?

"We thought we could curb Tian Tu Mountain's pursuit, buying us a moment to breathe—enough time to let several squads escape."

As he spoke, the elder fell silent.

His face, lined with deep wrinkles, was filled with sorrow.

Clearly, heaven did not grant their wish.

Lu Ran did not believe the elder was lying.

The fact that he stood here proved he had already shattered Tian Tu Mountain—possibly even held captives.

A little interrogation would reveal everything clearly.

If the elder lied, it would be easily exposed.

Lu Ran comforted him: "White Elder, you did your best."

The elder slowly shook his head: "Fate. Fate."

Deng Yu suddenly spoke: "Are all your Valley of No Sin people dead?"

"Most died in battle; a few were executed."

Deng Yu looked at the elder: "What about you? Why weren't you killed?"

The elder replied calmly: "Luo Tiantu lost several beloved generals and was furious—he wanted to kill me most of all."

But his wife had her reasons and pleaded several times, so they spared my life."

"Death was spared, but living punishment was not—I had my eyes gouged out and my Achilles tendons severed, then thrown into this prison."

Lu Ran looked at the elder's pitiful state: "So you humiliated Luo Tiantu, and he made sure you lost all dignity."

Clearly, this elder was the leader of the Valley of No Sin—at least its core figure—who orchestrated a series of breakout and counterattack strategies.

He dealt a heavy blow to the River Realm powerhouse, Luo Tiantu!

That's why Madam Kong admired him and wanted to recruit him.

And that's why Luo Tiantu treated him this way—to vent his rage.

From this perspective, Luo Tiantu's magnanimity doesn't even match his own wife's.

"Young friend," the elder did not respond, but said: "After today's battle, Tian Tu Mountain will be peaceful—you can rest in safety."

Lu Ran naturally understood the elder's hidden meaning and asked: "Old sir, you didn't flee in the chaos—do you intend to use me to avenge the Valley of No Sin?"

"Or do you wish to join my Ranyun Sect?"

As previously noted, this ordinary wooden prison could not hold a River Realm powerhouse—even with his Achilles tendons severed, his hands still moved.

Moreover, at the River Realm's third stage, sorcerer followers gain a divine technique—the Spell of Invisibility!

This technique allows sorcerer followers to enter an invisible state, making escape easier for disciples.

"If you will not reject me, this old man humbly offers his service," the elder knelt on the ground, facing Lu Ran, head bowed, voice low.

Lu Ran and Deng Yu exchanged a glance.

Sorcerer followers are extremely functional!

If Ranyun Sect could gain a powerful sorcerer disciple, it would be excellent.

Lu Ran, his head throbbing, struggled to think for a long moment, then said:

"Old sir, aren't you afraid I'll oppress or enslave you?"

"I possess the Divine Technique: Heart Sensing Spell," the elder kept his head lowered, speaking softly.

"Oh, right," Lu Ran slapped his forehead in frustration.

Let it be clear: Heart Sensing Spell does not let the caster predict the future.

It causes the caster's emotions to ripple, allowing them to sense impending danger!

A powerful sorcerer follower can master Heart Sensing Spell to perfection.

Just as Spirit Sign followers draw "High, Medium, Low" signs, sorcerer followers can finely categorize their emotional fluctuations into several levels!

Serenity, calmness, agitation, anxiety, panic, and so on.

The stronger the sorcerer follower, the more precisely they can distinguish their emotional states, and from them, infer the different fates that may await them.

The elder before him must have received a very favorable feedback through Heart Sensing Spell!

That's why he didn't flee in the chaos.

That's why he chose to follow Lu Ran!

And the feedback from Heart Sensing Spell was undoubtedly accurate!

Lu Ran and his Ranyun Sect differ from the vast majority of forces in the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm.

He has no habit of enslaving his own kind.

On the contrary, Lu Ran treats his comrades with genuine sincerity.

"White Elder, perform the Moonlight Spell—treat your own legs. Let's go outside and find a place to talk."

The elder's voice was hoarse: "My River Realm Moonlight Spell cannot heal my legs."

Lu Ran frowned slightly and called inwardly: 【Evil Shadow.】

A figure appeared abruptly, kneeling at Lu Ran's feet.

"Go fetch Master Cong Long. Have him try to heal White Elder's legs," Lu Ran rubbed his temples. "Then go to Commander Luo's quarters, bring a set of clothes and shoes, and bring them here."

"Yes." Yan Shuangzi's figure flickered and vanished.

Lu Ran looked weary and added: "Wait here for now. I'll send a River Realm physician to see if he can help you."

The elder said solemnly: "I am deeply grateful!"

Lu Ran turned to leave, then remembered something and said as he walked: "I still don't know your name, old sir?"

"Bai Yanhui."

The elder's hoarse voice continued: "The 'Yan' of wild geese, the 'Hui' of return."

Lu Ran stopped walking, turned slightly, and glanced back with the corner of his eye: "When wild geese return, the moon fills the western tower."

A line of poetry steeped in Xia civilization instantly pulled him back to his school classroom.

Lu Ran himself felt slightly dazed.

The days sitting at his desk, attending Chinese class, felt like yesterday.

Beside him sat that girl in the blue-and-white uniform, her hair in a ponytail—Ruyi.

"Hum~"

The buzzing in his head dragged Lu Ran back to the Sacred Spirit Mountain, back to the dark, damp cave.

"Heh." Lu Ran suddenly laughed.

This damned world, this wildly divergent life—

It feels so unreal.

In the prison behind him, Bai Yanhui kept his head lowered, his weathered face expressionless.

Only a faint bitterness rose in his heart.

Lu Ran stood still for a moment, then said nothing more and continued walking outward.

Deng Yu pushed off with her back, using the rebound to straighten her body, then strode forward, matching Lu Ran's pace.

"Huh"

Outside the cave, Lu Ran took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.

"Let's interrogate the prisoners," Deng Yuxiang said, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lu Ran. "We can't listen to just one side."

"Hmm." Lu Ran nodded casually. "Pick a place."

"Tiantu Mountain has a council chamber, and inside there's even a sand table," Deng Yuxiang whispered. "Let's go."

Under the woman's guidance, Lu Ran arrived at a sizable building at the foot of the main peak.

The council chamber of Tiantu Mountain exuded an air of "strict hierarchy."

When the Ruan Sect held council, everyone sat together around a single long rectangular table.

Here, however, a single grand seat occupied the head position, with two rows of wooden chairs arranged below on either side.

Lu Ran half-thought he'd stumbled onto Liangshan.

"Uh." Lu Ran casually picked a wooden chair and plopped down.

He summoned a wisp of black mist; Deng Yuxiang immediately flicked her wrist, releasing the last remaining soul trapped within the Wangsheng Coin.

Moments later, a face twisted in terror appeared upon the black mist.

"Huuu~" The soul-fire ignited.

"Ahh! Aaaah!" A piercing scream followed.

Lu Ran now had ample experience in interrogation and coercion.

He didn't bother with words—whether the prisoner was weak or defiant, he'd burn them first.

Deng Yuxiang stepped behind Lu Ran and removed his wide-brimmed hat.

Lu Ran frowned in confusion, but before he could turn, her hands reached forward, fingertips gently massaging his temples.

"You're thoughtful~" Lu Ran suddenly muttered.

Deng Yuxiang laughed, tapped his head lightly, then resumed the gentle massage.

Too bad—such a tender gesture from a Great Being of the Sea Realm didn't make Lu Ran feel any more comfortable.

His head buzzed, and the soul in his hand screamed louder than ever.

Lu Ran finally extinguished the soul-fire and spoke in a low voice: "I ask, you answer."

"Yes, yes! I'll answer, I will!"

Lu Ran then inquired about Wuze Valley. The prisoner's information matched exactly what Bai Yanhui had said.

Lu Ran's heart settled; he nodded inwardly.

If Old Bai truly pledged loyalty to the Ruan Sect, not to mention anything else, just the defensive strength of Yunhai Cliff would see a qualitative leap!

Next, Lu Ran asked about the intelligence regarding Luo Tiantu's squad.

"Two Dongting disciples," Lu Ran muttered, his expression darkening.

Luo Tiantu and Lady Kong really were willing to pay a heavy price!

To secure reinforcements, every time the couple went on a mission, they had Dongting disciples absorb the Holy Spirit Qi first.

Dongting disciples—sent here specifically to counter the Evil Hound worshippers?

Hmph,

You dare wade into this mess? You're asking for death.

A cold killing intent flashed in Deng Yuxiang's eyes; her fingertips continued massaging his temples as she spoke softly: "Assisting a tyrant—death is too good for them."

Lu Ran felt as if needles pricked his back; his heart leapt to his throat!

He snapped fully awake; his dark expression vanished.

Lu Ran turned his head slightly and whispered: "That... could you rein in your killing intent? I'm cold."

Deng Yuxiang said nothing. Instead, she turned his head straight and said calmly: "I'll kill those two."

Lu Ran: "..."

(End of Chapter)