Chapter 931: Moonlit Immortal Pavilion

July 22, inside the cultivation chamber.

Lu Ran lay on the ground like a fool, staring blankly.

Suddenly, a glimmer of awareness flashed in his eyes; after a few seconds, he sat up sharply.

"Stopped?" Lu Ran shook his head.

The buzzing in his brain ceased; he felt a surge of joy and immediately linked his spirit to Yu Fu's divine statue.

Moments later, Lu Ran's mouth opened into a perfect "O."

Sea Realm · Third Stage!

Third Stage?

"Whoa!" Lu Ran couldn't help exclaiming.

Luo Tiantu and his wife really are the ruling class!

All these years, has most of the Sacred Spirit Qi found on Tian Tu Mountain been absorbed by the couple?

Do the Zhaizhong even get to sip the broth, just a tiny taste?

Remember, it takes a hundred threads of Sacred Spirit Qi to advance one minor stage in Sea Realm · Statue.

Sea Realm · Statue requires a full thousand threads of Sacred Spirit Qi to advance just one minor stage!

At this moment, Lu Ran's Yu Fu divine statue has reached Sea Realm · Third Stage.

That means, over the past decade, Luo Tiantu and his wife have gathered at least two thousand threads of Sacred Spirit Qi!

Perhaps even more!

Although Yu Fu's divine statue hasn't advanced to Sea Realm · Fourth Stage, Lu Ran didn't know its exact progress.

Maybe it needs eight hundred more threads to reach Fourth Stage.

Or maybe it only needs one thread!

No one could say for sure.

"Luo Tiantu, you really know how to rake it in!" Lu Ran exclaimed in delight, "Good, good, you did great!"

Truly a loyal dog of Yu Fu!

Hmm~

But your master couldn't enjoy it—all of it's mine now!

This time, I've been fed full to bursting.

Lu Ran smiled happily, then remembered another person—Lady Luo.

Luo Tiantu's first wife, later reduced to a concubine.

But she did serve as his lawful wife for a time!

Given how brutally Luo Tiantu oppressed the Zhaizhong, how much Sacred Spirit Qi must be hidden in Lady Luo's soul?

Too bad, Lady Luo is a follower of the Captive Demon; Lu Ran hasn't activated that divine statue yet, so he can't verify just how wealthy she is.

"Shhh~"

Lu Ran's figure flickered, appearing silently by the sea cliff.

Deep night, all sounds hushed.

Lu Ran listened to the sea wind, and heard the distant crash of waves against the shore.

So soothing. So healing.

His head finally stopped buzzing; after days of suffering, Lu Ran felt a profound sense of release.

He sat on the cliff's edge, his calves dangling over the precipice, swaying lazily.

The sea surface shimmered, as if draped in a silvery veil of moonlight.

Lu Ran's gaze grew distant; slowly, he lifted his head to gaze at the bright moon, murmuring:

"So beautiful."

"So beautiful."

Inside the Fallen Immortal Pavilion, a woman in a white dress stood at the pavilion's edge, gazing at the shimmering Erhai under the moonlight; she slowly raised her head toward the night's bright moon.

Jiang Ruyi stood alone; moonlight cast a faint glow in her eyes.

The moon rose and fell, night after night.

Where are you?

When will you return?

It has been half a year since Lu Ran challenged the Divine Ruins and left the mortal world.

No word at all.

Jiang Ruyi bit her lip, a faint sorrow flickering in her eyes.

She should have expected this day.

Since Lu Ran's departure, she had burned incense daily in the Worship Immortal Hall, offering prayers with utmost devotion.

Only hoping Lu Ran would remain safe.

If he could return sooner, that would be even better.

Yet every day, as she prayed, Jiang Ruyi trembled with dread.

Afraid that in one instant, Immortal Xianyang might manifest and deliver bad news.

For half a year, she had only been able to worship and worry, with no power to change anything.

"Click."

The sword at her waist slowly unsheathed.

Liangye Sword seemed to sense her emotional turmoil; it cautiously descended, resting beside her hand.

The cool hilt gently brushed her fingertip.

Sensing she offered no resistance, the hilt slipped into her palm.

Perhaps then Jiang Ruyi came back to herself; her slender fingers stirred, lightly gripping the hilt.

"You miss him too?" Jiang Ruyi whispered softly.

"Hum~"

Liangye Sword trembled slightly.

Divine weapons follow their masters.

Moreover, for Liangye Sword to become a true divine weapon, its greatest trial was confirming its bond with its master's feelings toward a certain person.

"Sigh," Jiang Ruyi sighed softly, lowering her eyelids to gaze at the shimmering Erhai.

Lu Ran had been gone half a year.

Immortal Jie had also been gone two months, with no word either.

Jiang Ruyi had investigated: recently, no Divine Ruins had opened beneath the Divine Flame.

She wasn't certain if Immortal Jie had truly been making pilgrimages or cultivating in the city.

Even if she were in seclusion, she wouldn't go without a single call or message.

Jiang Ruyi tried every means to contact her, but found no trace.

In early July, Immortal Jie's mother had gone to Xihai Province, but the ancient cities beneath the Divine were self-governed by sects.

As an outside follower, Shi Caiqin was barred from entering the inner city.

The investigation yielded only vague replies from Flame Divine disciples, claiming Immortal Jie was devoutly making pilgrimages and must not be disturbed.

Shi Caiqin's final call reached Jiang Ruyi.

She was the most powerful person this helpless mother could reach.

She asked for nothing much.

Just to hear her daughter's voice, to know she was safe.

Even a phone call would suffice—no need to meet face to face.

Yet Jiang Ruyi, the noble Lady of the mortal sect, the revered Sea Realm cultivator,

Was equally powerless.

Could offer no answer.

True, Jiang Ruyi was noble and immensely powerful; to most, she was a towering deity.

But before the Divine, wasn't she just an ant too?

Mortal humans had no voice at all.

Immortal Jie, where are you?

Jiang Ruyi gazed at the sea, her thoughts in chaos; those close to her kept vanishing one by one.

And Lu Ran?

Are you... still alive?

"Huh~"

The evening breeze brushed gently through her waist-length hair.

Jiang Ruyi slowly closed her beautiful eyes, feeling the breeze as if it were his hand stroking her hair.

She stood alone, silently feeling, quietly missing.

But this stillness was shattered by a voice.

Jiang Ruyi frowned slightly.

The sudden telepathic voice made her wonder if she'd imagined it.

Was that Young Master Yu Fu's voice echoing to me?

Ordering me to make a pilgrimage?

Jiang Ruyi opened her eyes; the moonlit Erhai Lake came into view—everything felt real.

It was certainly no dream, nor was it a hallucination.

The Divine One has issued a command; the faithful must obey without condition.

And I have no right to resist.

The question is, what merit do I possess to be summoned twice by the Divine One?

And now, I am Jiang Jing, Stage Four.

If the Divine One truly wishes to show mercy and aid a disciple, shouldn't He wait until I reach Jiang Jing, Stage Five, before calling me to pilgrimage?

Or is it that I am to walk the same path Lu Ran once took?

Is Young Master Yu Fu about to open the Divine Ruins?

Jiang Ruyi's expression shifted repeatedly as she pondered deeply; eight white jade tablets spread out from her body.

With the aid of the Divine Law: Jade Token Array, she slowly rose and flew toward the mountain village.

Soon, she arrived at the Fallen Immortal Village—Worship Immortal Hall.

In the deep night, the village lay utterly silent.

The great doors of the Worship Immortal Hall stood wide open; deep inside, an old man knelt alone, bowing before the stone statue of Immortal Sheep.

Jiang Ruyi stepped inside.

On both walls of the hall stood hundreds of small divine statues, each with distinct expressions, lifelike and vivid.

Hundreds of pairs of sheep eyes seemed to watch the young woman who had come in the dead of night.

"Lady?"

Cheng Yi heard footsteps and turned instantly, his face filled with surprise.

"Grandpa Cheng." Jiang Ruyi gave a slight nod and ordered, "Light me an incense stick."

"Of course." Cheng Yi felt puzzled but walked to the incense burner before the stone statue, picked up three sticks, and lit them with a nearby candle.

Jiang Ruyi gazed up at the stone statue and stepped forward.

Moments later, she took the lit incense sticks and bowed three times with deep reverence before the Immortal Sheep statue.

"Immortal Sheep, I have just received Young Master Yu Fu's voice, summoning me to pilgrimage," Jiang Ruyi murmured, placing each incense stick one by one into the small incense burner.

Cheng Yi, standing nearby, frowned slightly.

Jiang Ruyi stepped back two paces, knelt on the prayer mat, and clasped her hands: "I don't know how long I'll be gone—I can no longer guard Mount Luoxian on the fifteenth of each month.

Nor can I offer daily prayers before you."

Nearby, Cheng Yi suddenly spoke: "Lady."

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi was startled.

When a believer is worshipping the Divine, no one dares interrupt.

This isn't merely a matter of manners—it's an insult to the Divine!

Grandpa Cheng must have a valid reason for interrupting now.

Indeed, Cheng Yi said: "Immortal Sheep has just sent a divine message."

"Oh?" Jiang Ruyi's beautiful eyes brightened.

Cheng Yi: "Immortal Sheep says, Lady, your journey to Yumen Pass is likely to challenge the Divine Ruins."

Jiang Ruyi turned toward the Immortal Sheep statue and asked: "Immortal Sheep, how is Lu Ran? Is he safe?"

At this moment, she did not ask about herself—instead, she seized the chance to inquire directly about Lu Ran.

This scene moved Cheng Yi deeply.

The Lady's feelings for the Mountain Lord are truly beyond words.

As he thought, Cheng Yi saw Jiang Ruyi's expectant gaze.

Cheng Yi fell silent for a moment, then apologized and continued: "Immortal Sheep says the realm beyond the Divine Ruins is extraordinarily perilous!

If you do not wish to go, Immortal Sheep can tear up your covenant with the Divine."

Jiang Ruyi: "."

Before the Divine, humanity has no voice.

Not even the right to ask.

Whenever the Divine sends a message, it is either a unilateral announcement or a command.

Even the gentlest Immortal Sheep is no different.

Not everyone can converse with the Divine as smoothly as Lu Ran.

"The realm beyond the Divine Ruins—the place where Lu Ran is" Jiang Ruyi whispered within.

Long moments passed; she looked at the statue, at the kind smile of the Immortal Sheep: "What if I wish to go?

What if I wish to find him—to see him?"

The Worship Immortal Hall fell into silence.

Jiang Ruyi gazed up at the statue, waiting patiently.

She was not certain whether she would receive another response from the Divine.

Just now, Immortal Sheep had specifically sent a message—this alone was more than enough fortune for Jiang Ruyi or for Cheng Yi, the mere messenger.

"Sea."

Cheng Yi suddenly uttered a single word.

"Sea?" Jiang Ruyi raised an eyebrow slightly.

Cheng Yi confirmed: "If you wish to go, Immortal Sheep has given you one character—Sea."

Jiang Ruyi pondered deeply.

Sea Realm?

Must I reach Sea Realm before I can meet Lu Ran?

Or is this a place name—the sea itself?

Is Lu Ran somewhere near the sea?

Jiang Ruyi thought long and hard, clasped her hands, and bowed her head: "Thank you, Immortal Sheep, for your guidance—I shall remember it forever."

She lowered her eyes, her expression resolute.

In those dark eyes lay a longing too thick to dissolve.

(End of Chapter)