Chapter 935: Zi Jin City

Three days later, a group of men and women clad in green capes and blue conical hats walked swiftly through the dense forest.

Lu Ran did not follow Deng Yuxiang's advice and chose not to rest.

After cultivating for two more days in his seclusion chamber and solidifying his realm, he once again led his team on the journey.

Their destination was a desolate region in the far northwest.

Conveniently, Lu Ran could detour to Wu Jifeng to see the city built by He Qi.

For this trip, Lu Ran brought four people:

Meng Yan and Cong Long, the two guardian deities; Luo Ying, the divine general; and Jing Hong, the hall master.

As an elder of the Ran Sect, Jing Hong had spent months leading demonic forces to guard Yunhai Cliff—her efforts were tireless and meritorious.

Lu Ran and Yu Changsheng discussed it and established a new hall within the Ran Sect—the Yu Mo Hall.

"Yu" means to govern, signifying Jing Hong's command over the demonic forces.

"Yu" also means to defend, indicating the hall's primary duty is to protect Yunhai Cliff.

From the term's definition alone, it's clear Jing Hong's responsibilities have not changed.

But with Lu Ran's personal appointment, this is now an official, legitimate position!

Jing Hong was overjoyed and immediately accepted the role.

Remember, the Ran Sect is an extraordinarily unique organization! The demonic beings Lu Ran summons grow stronger over time, and Jing Hong's status naturally rises with them.

Jing Hong herself knew well that the Ran Sect would inevitably grow and flourish.

As a weak believer once fit only to serve others like a beast of burden, with this title and real authority, if she clung tightly to the sect master's leg, no matter how the Ran Sect evolved, she would at least never sink to the lowest rung.

Yet, she had only held the position of hall master for one day when the sect master dragged her out on a mission.

After all, Lu Ran's target was the Evil Dog Clan, and Jing Hong possessed the Battle Horn Divine Art: Thunder Horn!

It was the perfect counter to the Evil Dog Clan!

"Master, I see it—across the river below the mountain."

On a small hilltop, Jing Hong turned and shouted back.

"Hmm." Lu Ran replied, though inwardly he felt frustrated, "I really need to advance to the Sea Realm soon."

The Jiang Pin: Mirror Flower Moon can teleport up to one hundred kilometers at most.

The Hai Pin: Mirror Flower Moon brings a true transformation—each teleportation gate can span three thousand kilometers!

What does that mean?

Currently, Lu Ran's Nie Jing Yao Xie Su has been fully prepared and reached Hai Jing—Stage One.

Once Lu Ran transforms into the boundless sea, where in this vast world could he not go?

Even the Seven Star Island far across the sea—he could step there in a single stride.

"Master, don't be too hard on yourself," Yu Changsheng said beside him with a smile. "You've only just advanced to Stage Four—you've worked incredibly hard."

Over the past half-year, Yu Changsheng had witnessed firsthand how Lu Ran had pushed himself.

Lu Ran's footsteps on missions had never stopped!

Even during missions, Lu Ran never paused his cultivation; whenever he rested, he absorbed the energy of heaven and earth, replacing his divine power and continuously expanding his meridians.

Sometimes, Yu Changsheng couldn't help but privately grumble:

Is Lu Ran so focused on missions and cultivation because his fiancée isn't by his side?

Is he just venting his excessive energy this way?

Maybe~

After all, he's a nineteen-year-old boy, at the peak of vigor—he must find some outlet.

The more Yu Changsheng thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

"Sigh."

Lu Ran was full of energy, but poor him—a man in his mid-thirties—was stuck chasing after this young whippersnapper day and night.

"Why are you sighing, Master Cong?" Lu Ran asked, puzzled.

Yu Changsheng's thoughts halted—he realized he'd sighed aloud.

"Shhh~"

Yu Changsheng elegantly unfurled his paper fan and gently fanned himself: "I sigh at the fleeting spring blossoms and autumn moons, at the ever-changing clouds and dogs of fate."

Lu Ran:???

Oh~ A cultured man!

Beside them, Deng Yuxiang, rarely in the mood to tease, spoke up: "Cong Long's been around Bai Lao too long—he's gone all old-fashioned."

Lu Ran patted his trusted lieutenant on the shoulder: "Snap out of it—you're only thirty-four, the perfect age to roam the world!

Look at Bai Lao—he's seventy-six and still out there adventuring!"

Yu Changsheng: "..."

Hmm. Right!

Go ahead, roam. Toss yourself into it.

Yu Changsheng, isn't this exactly the "alive" feeling you've always sought?

The group laughed and chatted as they climbed the hilltop.

Lu Ran couldn't help but widen his eyes slightly: "Huh?"

Below the hill stretched a roaring river.

Beyond the river, nestled in a low, flat area surrounded by mountains on three sides, a stone city rose abruptly.

Though not large in scale, it looked impressively built.

There was plenty of open land—once the city developed further, He Qi could expand it anytime.

"Let's go take a look," Lu Ran said, forgoing demonic arts, leading everyone down the mountain.

At the city's main gate stood several figures.

He Qi stood with commanding presence, arms crossed.

Behind her stood several members of the Da Feng Hall, like stars surrounding the moon.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from atop the seven-meter-high wall: "Hall Master, people are descending from the mountain across the way."

He Qi smiled faintly: "Do you recognize them?"

On the wall, a young woman with a braided ponytail and a hunting bow shook her head: "Too far away—they're all wearing hoods and capes, can't make out their faces."

"Hehe~" He Qi seemed in high spirits. "You'll recognize him soon enough."

The woman frowned, squinting farther.

As the Ran Sect members crossed the river and approached step by step, the woman on the wall stiffened.

Such overwhelming aura!

Among this mysterious group, there must be a Sea Realm powerhouse!

"Brother Lu, long time no see?" He Qi called out loudly.

But Lu Ran stared at the characters above the gate—and his whole body went numb.

Zi Jin City?!

No way!

What are you even doing?!

Lu Ran, utterly bewildered, walked up to He Qi without even greeting her, and blurted out:

"Your city's name... you planning to be emperor?"

"Hahaha!" He Qi laughed heartily, turning to gaze up at the three bold, swirling characters. "How's that? Doesn't it make you think twice before causing trouble?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Such a name certainly inspired awe and evoked images of solemnity and strictness.

But can you even handle it?

At the same moment, the archer on the wall felt her heart jolt.

She recognized this hooded youth!

The familiar voice, the familiar face...

The First Prodigy of Great Xia—Lu Ran?!

No wonder she'd heard nothing of him for half a year—he'd been inside the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm all along!

The woman's gaze burned intensely; Lu Ran naturally sensed it and turned toward the battlements.

Seeing her, Lu Ran froze: "Wait—you're that... that one!"

He Qi smiled sweetly, clearly enjoying his shock.

It delighted her.

"Hou Yun!" Lu Ran finally blurted out two words.

The archer barely suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.

I'm Lü Bu now?

He Qi teased: "The First Prodigy truly is remarkable—those ranked after you aren't even worth remembering."

Lu Ran shot her an annoyed look and lowered his voice: "What's her name again?"

He Qi sniffed: "Hou Yun."

Lu Ran nodded immediately—she was an A Sha believer; if he remembered right, she ranked eighteenth on Great Xia's Prodigy List!

Lu Ran looked up and waved, giving her a sorrowful expression: "You came here to suffer too?"

Hou Yun: «. »

Lu Ran looked at He Qi and said: «Congrats? You've recruited another general! »

Don't care whether they're ranked eighteenth or ninety-eighth.

Anyone who makes the Hundred Talents List isn't just outstanding—they're unmatched in their region.

«Congrats to you too. » He Qi's gaze locked onto Deng Yu, unable to help asking, «Your bodyguard's progress is astonishing—has she reached Sea Realm already? »

Lu Ran chuckled: «Her talent speaks for itself. She insisted on advancing—I couldn't stop her! »

He Qi:???

Is that even human speech?

Deng Yu broke her composure, laughing as she shot Lu Ran a glare.

«Enough, enough, stop staring. » Lu Ran stepped sideways, blocking He Qi's view. «You're looking at my bodyguard like you're about to eat her. »

Lu Ran meant to shield He Qi from his burning gaze—but he forgot He Qi also longed to claim him for herself.

The fire in He Qi's eyes didn't dim—it blazed even fiercer.

The more the Ruan Sect thrives, the more it proves Lu Ran's strength!

Every time she saw him, He Qi's passion for talent flared up again.

To make matters worse, each meeting brought Lu Ran a new surprise that outdid the last.

«Cough. » Lu Ran sensed trouble and quickly changed the subject. «I just noticed many people in the city? »

«Mm. » He Qi forced herself to calm her pounding heart, afraid she'd scare him off again.

Last time they worked together, she'd already driven him away once.

He Qi turned firmly, gazing through the wide-open city gate: «The workers laboring here were once slaves of Wu Jifeng. »

Lu Ran: «Huh? »

He Qi nodded: «Since Master Tu took over, Wu Jifeng's rules changed—these slaves were freed. »

But only a few left. The vast majority chose to stay within the peak. »

Lu Ran nodded inwardly. If they'd left, their fates would've been one of two things.

Either death—or enslavement by another powerful sect.

Now that Wu Jifeng has changed, no longer enslaving them, their decision to stay is wise.

He Qi continued: «I took them under my wing. They remain members of Wu Jifeng—but they're also my first citizens of Zi Jin City. »

Citizens?

«Wow~» Lu Ran grinned. «You're aiming to be emperor! »

He Qi laughed heartily, gazing up at the three great characters: «Zi Jin City. » Her eyes shimmered.

No one knew what she was truly planning.

Lu Ran thought a moment, then said: «You should get more people from Master Tu! With your governance vision, once you pass the initial phase, your growth will be unimaginable! »

Other forces in the Sheng Ling Mountain Realm won't allow such wild expansion. »

He Qi: «Right now, this city has three Sea Realm experts holding the line—and a fourth is coming. »

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow: «Coming? »

He Qi turned to Lu Ran, lifting her chin like a proud swan: «Me! »

Lu Ran stepped back, sizing up the radiant Wu Seng: «You've advanced to River Realm Stage Five? »

«Naturally. »

«Look at you, so proud. » Lu Ran teased, though his heart swelled with genuine joy. «Have you settled on your Dao insight? »

«Of course! » He Qi turned and gestured to Zi Jin City. «Brother Lu, can't you see my Dao heart? »

Lu Ran stared at Shitoucheng—and suddenly smiled.

Yes.

This city revealed He Qi's profound understanding of the world, her unyielding resolve, and her vast ambition and grand dream!

«So Brother Lu has seen it. » He Qi's lips curved slightly. «This city is my He Qi's…»

Her voice cut off abruptly. Her slender body trembled.

«Whirrrr!! »

In an instant, the members of Da Feng Tang were stunned—and elated!

Was their mistress about to ascend?

«Ha! » He Qi was equally astonished, excitedly slapping Lu Ran's shoulder, her words losing all restraint: «You're my lucky star! »

«Brother Lu, come inside! I'll ascend first—we'll talk later! »

Lu Ran: «. »

You sly nun!

You dragged me all this way just to ascend to Sea Realm right in front of me?

Did the girl just land a full-power skill right on my face?

A new year has come—wishing everyone a fresh start and all your wishes fulfilled.

Also, as promised earlier, I'll make up three chapters for the new year. I'll work hard, write more, and deliver them soon!

For the new year, I beg my brothers and sisters for monthly vote support!

(End of Chapter)