Chapter 929: The Vengeful Tyrant

"No!!!"

The piercing scream was Luo Tiantu's final lingering attachment to this world.

Resentment, disbelief, terror, regret.

His eyes were filled with unbearable complexity.

The Night Phantom Evil Blade shattered the Golden Jade Talisman without hesitation; its speed was astonishing, yet to Luo Tiantu, it moved like slow motion.

The evil blade pressed down inch by inch.

Inch by inch, it carved toward his own crown.

Luo Tiantu's Water Armor shattered violently—not only from the blade descending from above, but also from the golden-red aurora.

Countless water arrows and Little Cang Dragons lost all utility, burned to ash by the indiscriminate aurora.

The Night Phantom Evil Blade, overwhelmingly dominant, sliced through Luo Tiantu's remains and continued downward into the churning Liushahe.

"Boom!!"

The blade struck, and the desert of sand surged violently.

In the raging wind, Deng Yuxiang stubbornly kept her eyes wide open, fixed on the deep trench carved below.

"Whoosh!!"

The Night Phantom Evil Blade activated its second stage output; terrifying winds and waves surged outward.

The uneven terrain was instantly flattened.

Long moments passed, and the winds gradually subsided.

The heavens and earth fell into utter silence.

【Great Nightmare.】

【Hm?】

【Calmed down?】Lu Ran sheathed his blade, standing motionless in the night sky, gazing at the woman.

He dared not approach too closely.

Her beautiful eyes still blazed with lethal intensity!

Lu Ran feared that if he teleported over recklessly, she might casually cut him down.

【Mm.】Deng Yuxiang softly replied, flying downward alone.

Under such an output, Luo Tiantu was surely reduced to dust.

A pity for that divine weapon—the Crying Blood Waist Knife—following the fate of the Jade Flower Hairpin and the Heaven-Trace Sword.

Though he felt sorrow, Lu Ran truly had no better solution.

How terrifying was the power of the vast sea?

The Ran Sect members, facing such an enemy, must give their all!

No matter how much Lu Ran wanted to maneuver, he only dared snatch one Earth-Trace Sword from Yu Lengshan—he would never dare teleport beside a Great Sea Realm adept and forcibly seize a treasure.

That would be pure suicide!

【Well done, everyone.】Lu Ran transmitted mentally, 【The enemy commander is dead. Notify the troops to clear the battlefield.】

【Yes!】

【Yes.】

Lu Ran's figure flickered, standing midair just above and behind Deng Yuxiang.

A chilling killing intent radiated from her, making Lu Ran inwardly wince.

This girl—

You've already reduced Luo Tiantu to dust. Still not satisfied?

Lu Ran opened his horizontal pupils, searched briefly, and found the screaming soul in another dimension.

"Whoosh~"

In his hand, Lu Ran held a cluster of black mist, stepped upon clouds and mist, and flew over.

Soon, Luo Tiantu's face appeared upon the black mist.

Lu Ran looked at the soul and spoke: "Chief Luo, you really are a busy man—quick to forget."

Luo Tiantu's face froze as he stared at the face beneath Lu Ran's hat brim: "You! It's you!"

"Recognized me?" Lu Ran sneered, igniting a faint soul flame in his palm.

"I—I—I! Aaah! Aaah!"

Luo Tiantu's face twisted in agony, screaming in piercing torment.

"Hum!!"

Beside him, a powerful surge of divine energy suddenly erupted.

Lu Ran startled, quickly turning his head.

Deng Yuxiang was staring into the Soul Prison, at the tormented soul.

Her killing intent had lessened; instead, it was replaced by the ecstatic satisfaction of vengeance fulfilled!

And that energy surge came from the broken blade in her hand.

The Night-Slicing Great Blade—

Was it about to ascend again to divine weapon status?

Lu Ran watched for a moment, his heart swelling with joy—everything was exactly as Master Conglong had said: the Great Nightmare had indeed achieved clarity of purpose!

Since the Night-Slicing Great Blade shattered, it had remained a divine weapon embryo.

Now, at the moment Deng Yuxiang cleansed her humiliation and succeeded in vengeance, it was guided by her inner state, ascending once more into the ranks of divine weapons!

【Soul-Returning Coin!】Lu Ran looked at Deng Yuxiang. "Put Luo Tiantu's soul into the copper coin first."

Deng Yuxiang obeyed instantly, raising her left hand.

Lu Ran brought the black mist cluster close to the artifact fragment—the Soul-Returning Coin—and dispersed the Soul Prison.

He stepped back several paces and summoned the Ancient Bronze Mirror: "Your enemy is dead. His soul is now imprisoned within the coin."

"And?" Deng Yuxiang lifted her gaze to Lu Ran.

"No matter what mindset drove you to elevate the Night-Slicing Great Blade," Lu Ran gestured to the ancient coin on her wrist, "hold onto it!"

Deng Yuxiang pressed her thin lips together, understanding Lu Ran's intent.

"Return to Tian Tu Mountain. We'll clear the battlefield." Lu Ran pointed to the teleportation mirror.

"Yes." Deng Yuxiang strode into the floor-standing mirror.

Lu Ran watched her leave, then reached into his straw raincoat and patted the hilt of the Eight Wilderness Annihilation Blade. "When are you going to ascend?"

His tone carried the unmistakable air of "Look at someone else's child!"

"Hum~" The Eight Wilderness Blade trembled slightly.

No one could tell if it was affirming or expressing discontent.

"Hmph." Lu Ran exhaled deeply.

He looked up at the night sky and saw countless souls drifting upward.

Lu Ran's figure flickered, sucking them in voraciously!

One, two, three…

All were Jade Talisman disciples!

Soon, Lu Ran's mind buzzed again—the Sculpture Garden's Jade Talisman statues expanded once more.

Good. Ascension achieved.

Lu Ran was thoroughly satisfied.

In the process of continuously capturing souls, he naturally found Lady Kong.

Other souls screamed in rage or wept in terror, but this Great Sea Realm adept appeared utterly hollowed out.

Lu Ran did not imprison Lady Kong within his pupils; instead, he summoned the Soul Prison again and trapped her inside.

"Long time no see, Lady Kong." Lu Ran spoke casually, continuing to search for souls.

Lady Kong, who had remained silent all along, finally snapped back to awareness.

Beneath the haunting moonlight, she saw the young man's face.

Slowly, her expression changed.

Hatred surged like a tidal wave!

If looks could kill, Lu Ran would have died ten times over.

Yet Lu Ran didn't even glance at her, saying casually: "How does it feel to be killed by your prey?"

Lady Kong finally spoke!

The eternally noble and elegant woman spat two words through clenched teeth: "Filthy brat!"

"Hmph." Lu Ran sneered.

He toyed with the Soul Prison in his hand, where black soul flames ignited.

Lady Kong:!!!

Her noble, dignified face twisted in agony.

"Oh?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow, glancing at the silent Lady Kong. "You're tough, huh?"

Lady Kong, furious beyond words: "You—Aaah!"

The moment she opened her mouth, Lu Ran added another burst of soul flame.

Lu Ran weighed the black mist cluster in his hand: "Organize your thoughts. You'll tell me everything you know."

You'll also take me along, to hand over all the treasures you've hoarded over the years.

Lady Kong screamed in agony, clearly not listening to anything Lu Ran said.

Lu Ran wisely fell silent and continued gathering souls.

He absorbed the souls of all eight Yu Fu disciples except Luo Tiantu and Lady Kong, then leapt across mountains and forests to trap the souls of two Dong Ting believers into his pupils.

These two fellows must have absorbed plenty of Sacred Spirit energy!

For half a year, whenever Dong Ting's disciples went on missions, Luo Tiantu always made them eat first.

Lu Ran was genuinely envious of Dong Ting's techniques.

Dong Ting Divine Art: Swift Light, Shadow Glide—faster than Immortal Hooves by a notch.

Dong Ting Divine Art: Thunderclap Shock—can plunge enemies into dizziness!

Just these two techniques alone are enough for Lu Ran to activate the Divine Sculpture: Dong Ting.

The problem is, Lu Ran currently has only one activation slot left; he cannot add another until he ascends to the Sea Realm.

He still planned to keep one slot reserved for unforeseen needs.

Sacred Spirit Mountain is vast, with talents as numerous as fish crossing a river!

What if one day some young man or young woman becomes utterly devoted to me and needs a suitable Divine Sculpture or Evil Sculpture?

These are all uncertain matters.

As Lu Ran pondered silently, he felt the mist in the heavens grow thicker.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran looked toward the night sky.

The bright moon had been obscured by dense fog, which was now forming into a mist tornado.

It seemed Dream Nightmare, leading the Great Blade of Severing Night, had successfully entered its upgrade mode!

"Ha!" Lu Ran rejoiced, swiftly clearing the battlefield, then rejoining his team and activating the Ground Mirror to step directly into the Tian Tu Mountain council chamber.

Bai Yanhui, waiting inside, heard the sound and immediately rose, clasping his fists:

"Congratulations, Lord, on avenging your grievance and returning triumphant!"

"Avenging my grievance," Lu Ran murmured, gazing at Lady Kong in the Soul Prison.

She, scorched by soul-fire, no longer dared to curse.

Once a mighty Sea Realm master, she now bowed her head, meekly resting in Lu Ran's palm, behaving with unnatural obedience.

"Yes, avenging my grievance!" Lu Ran grinned.

Tian Tu Mountain had been utterly annihilated!

Both male and female leaders were slain; their souls had been seized by the Ran Sect and now awaited judgment.

This is how vengeance ought to be!

"Mad Immortal." Lu Ran spoke.

"Present," Si Xianxian stepped forward immediately.

Lu Ran gestured toward Bai Yanhui: "Give the Divine Weapon: Earth Scar Sword to Bai Lao."

Long before Lu Ran intercepted the Dong Ting believers, he had entrusted the Earth Scar Sword to Si Xianxian for safekeeping.

"Huh?" Si Xianxian was stunned, "You're not serious!"

Lu Ran was equally confused: "What?"

Si Xianxian widened her eyes: "You praise me once, and you give me a Divine Weapon?"

Do you really like flattery that much? One compliment and you're knocked out?

Tyrant!

You're nothing but a tyrant!

Everyone: "."

Bai Yanhui immediately said: "Lord, this cannot be! No merit, no reward!"

Lu Ran glared at Si Xianxian: "Bai Lao has earned this. These past days, you and Cong Long have devised strategies and planned ambushes—this night's victory is thanks to you."

But this Divine Weapon isn't a reward for merit.

The Ran Sect is currently in its early development phase, and distribution follows need."

Lu Ran paused, then clarified: "Bai Lao, communicate deeply with the Earth Scar Sword—let it become your eyes."

Bai Yanhui: "Lord..."

Lu Ran had no time to waste: "Obey the order."

Bai Yanhui fell silent for a moment, then bowed deeply: "Thank you, Lord!"

Lu Ran turned to Si Xianxian; the girl realized she had misunderstood, lowered her head, and silently handed over the Earth Scar Sword.

Lu Ran grunted, his gaze sweeping over the group: "Dream Nightmare is leading the Divine Weapon's upgrade. Please continue guarding the mountain."

"Yes!"

"Yes!" The Ran Sect officers responded in unison.

Everyone departed to carry out orders; Lu Ran sank into his chair.

He rubbed his temples, enduring the buzzing in his skull, and lifted the Soul Prison: "Tell me—over all these years, what treasures did you hoard?"

Bai Yanhui was puzzled, unsure who Lu Ran was speaking to.

Lady Kong, ever pragmatic, spoke formally: "Our Tian Tu Mountain..."

At this, even Bai Yanhui, who never showed emotion, paled.

That voice—wasn't that Lady Kong's?

Did the Lord capture the Sea Realm master, Lady Kong?

How dare he? A Sea Realm master shouldn't be kept as a prisoner... but wait—that's not right!

There was no aura of a Sea Realm master in the room.

"Bai Lao."

"Lord!" Bai Yanhui responded instantly.

"Sit down," Lu Ran smiled. "Get the Earth Scar Sword to communicate with you—let it tell you what's truly happening."

"Yes!" Bai Yanhui forced down his turbulent emotions and replied respectfully.

(End of Chapter)