Chapter 957: Flying Immortal

In the council hall, everyone took their seats.

Lu Ran looked at the disciples from various sects gathered in one room, and for the first time, felt a faint sense of accomplishment.

Until now, the Fire Sect had always followed an elite path, with nearly every follower personally recruited by Lu Ran.

But this time, Jiang Ruyi had built her own power base and brought eight people with her!

It truly added some vitality to the Fire Sect.

“You’ve all met each other,” Lu Ran said from the main seat. “From now on, we are companions bound by life and death.”

Those seated around the table all wore solemn expressions and nodded in unison.

“On the way back, I discussed with Lady Jiang the idea of merging the Fallen Immortal Pavilion into the Fire Sect,” Lu Ran said, looking at the eight new followers.

Of course, no one dared to object.

Whatever you two lovebirds say goes.

“Xiong Xiong, Shi Yong, Shi Biao.” Lu Ran called out three names.

“Squeak.”

The sound of wooden chair legs scraping the floor rose as the three burly men immediately stood.

Their appearance was utterly unlike everyone else in the room.

The scene was quite amusing.

Lu Ran looked at the bald giant. “The three of you will join the Demon Subjugation Hall. Xiong Xiong, you are deputy hall master; Shi Yong and Shi Biao, you are hall members.”

“Go find Hall Master Jing Hong later and report in.”

“Yes!”

“Yes.” The three responded at once.

Lu Ran had given Xiong Xiong, the former leader of the Split Mountain Gang, a position.

It was a reward for leading his men to follow Jiang Ruyi.

The Mountain Sect’s perception technique, Mountain’s Will, was exceptional—it could detect enemies hidden within mountains and deep underground, making it ideal for guarding.

The primary duty of the Demon Subjugation Hall was to protect Yunhai Cliff.

As the number of demonic forces grew, Jing Hong, now a general with no troops, naturally needed help.

“The Demon Subjugation Hall falls under the command of the Nightmare Guardian,” Lu Ran said, glancing at Deng Yu.

The woman gave a slight nod but said nothing.

Lu Ran turned to the “Two Birds of the Western Wastes”—Feng Er and Yan Er. “Had you two not abandoned darkness and embraced the light, I might never have found Ruyi.”

Gao Yun said solemnly, “Lord, you overstate it.”

Xue Fengchen added, “Actually, it was Lady who saved us.”

Lu Ran smiled. “Within the Fire Sect, there is a rank called the Eight Divine Generals.”

You two are Second-Class Divine Generals, disciples of the Western Wastes, both at the peak of the River Realm.”

How about this: whoever among you reaches the Sea Realm first will be granted the title of Divine General; the other will serve under them. Agreed?”

Gao Yun smiled, glancing at the martial youth beside her.

Xue Fengchen: “.”

Lu Ran then turned to the trio of Yu Fu disciples. “Today, the Fire Sect establishes its second hall—the Flying Immortal Hall.”

“Song Yu is hall master; Zhang Zhenghu and An Xian are hall members.”

“Yes!”

“Yes.” The three rose at once.

Lu Ran observed closely—he noticed Song Yu’s subtle expressions, faintly tinged with excitement.

Sigh.

He wondered just how far this loyalist would go in his devotion to Jiang Ruyi.

Would Song Yu willingly cooperate later?

Lu Ran thought silently, his gaze sweeping over them all. “Yunhai Cliff is remote; few followers are willing to set foot near the sea.”

Still, don’t grow complacent.”

“Xun, arrange accommodations for everyone after this.”

Xun Yifei nodded immediately.

Long before Lu Ran had been in the Great Northwest, he’d asked the Shadow Guardian to send word, requesting General Xun to build houses.

Lu Ran said, “Alright, you’ve all worked hard these past days. Go rest now.”

Everyone rose.

Jiang Ruyi spoke softly: “Flying Immortal Hall.”

Song Yu turned to her, respectfully inquiring, “Lady?”

Jiang Ruyi gave a slight nod. “Stay behind.”

An Xian and Zhang Zhenghu exchanged glances, then stood obediently behind Song Yu.

As the others departed, Lu Ran looked at the three of the Flying Immortal Hall.

“Do any of you know what the Flying Immortal Hall is?”

Song Yu was puzzled.

Lu Ran had given him the title of hall master but never explained his duties.

Lu Ran smirked. “I originally wanted to name this hall the ‘God-Making Hall,’ but Lady Jiang thought it sounded bad.”

Jiang Ruyi turned her head and gave Lu Ran a playful glare.

Song Yu’s mind raced.

God-Making Hall?

Flying Immortal Hall… and Lu Ran had deliberately called Jiang Ruyi “Immortal Lady.”

Jiang Ruyi sat in the chair beside Lu Ran, watching the three Yu Fu followers standing rigidly. “We’ve been in the Sacred Spirit Mountain for over a month.”

You’ve all seen the conditions here firsthand.”

The trio nodded.

Jiang Ruyi spoke softly. “In this slaughterhouse, do you still worship the gods as you did back in the mortal world?”

Listen to the meaning behind the words.

Jiang Ruyi asked, but her stance was already clear.

Or perhaps this was a test from Lady?

An Xian nervously twisted her fingers, head bowed, silent.

The word “slaughterhouse” was the first she’d ever used—and thankfully, Lady hadn’t punished her for it then.

“Xiao Xian?” Jiang Ruyi called gently.

An Xian jumped, looking up.

“Just speak your true thoughts,” Jiang Ruyi encouraged.

An Xian took a deep breath. “I—I think the gods sent us here under the pretense of collecting Sacred Spirit Qi, but in truth, they’re here to purge us!”

Jiang Ruyi nodded in approval, then turned to Song Yu.

Song Yu understood Jiang Ruyi’s meaning and spoke words of heresy:

“Both gods and demons are cruel—they treat all things as grass and dogs.”

Lu Ran nodded inwardly—his summary was precise.

These people were all sharp; they kept their true thoughts buried deep.

Jiang Ruyi turned to Zhang Zhenghu.

With the two “seniors” having spoken first, Zhang Zhenghu nodded firmly. “I think the same!”

Jiang Ruyi nodded. “Since the gods are cruel, are you willing to tear up your divine contracts?”

“What?” An Xian’s eyes widened.

How dangerous was this world?

Even if she hated the gods, she couldn’t tear the contract!

Without it, how could she protect herself?

Jiang Ruyi rose, stepped sideways, and stood behind Lu Ran’s chair, placing a hand on his shoulder, her gaze encompassing the three:

“No longer believe in Yu Fu.”

“From now on, believe in us.”

“Whatever Yu Fu can give you, we can give you too.”

Zhang Zhenghu swallowed hard, his mind reeling.

Song Yu was stunned—he had no doubt they were telling the truth.

An Xian trembled. “Believe… in Lord and Lady?”

Lu Ran spoke at the right moment: “You’ve all seen with your own eyes—I can wield techniques from every sect, yet I am not a follower of these gods or demons.”

“I can steal the power of gods and demons and make it my own.”

Everyone: !!!

People had their own theories about how Lu Ran could wield so many techniques.

But no one dared to discuss it.

Now, Lu Ran plainly told the three: he could steal the power of gods and demons.

Lu Ran casually reached out, pinching a white jade amulet between two fingers: “I can use stolen power to forge new gods.”

As he spoke, Lu Ran tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward Jiang Ruyi behind him.

The implication was clear:

Jiang Ruyi is the new god I have forged!

The council chamber fell utterly silent.

Cultivating a god?

Since their first meeting, Lu Ran had already seemed mysterious and terrifying enough to everyone.

But when he uttered these words, he still left them all stunned.

“Fuck! I told you!” Zhang Zhenghu roared inwardly. “I actually blurted out the truth before—this time, I’ve truly met a real god!!”

Jiang Ruyi whispered: “I am no longer a follower of Yu Fu. A few days ago, the Menzhu transferred Yu Fu’s power to me.”

I know these words sound unbelievable, but I am truly walking the path to godhood.

If you are willing, you will be my first followers.”

“Thud!”

Song Yu dropped to his knees at once, his voice firm and resolute: “Song Yu pledges allegiance to Lady.”

Zhang Zhenghu hurriedly knelt down as well.

He looked as if he feared any delay might anger the two young gods.

Only An Xian remained dazed, still struggling to comprehend.

“If you have reservations, An Xian, you need not tear up your contract,” Jiang Ruyi said, looking at her. “You remain a member of the Ruan Men·Feixian Hall. It’s fine.”

An Xian finally snapped back to awareness.

She realized the situation in the room and hastily knelt to swear loyalty: “Ah, Lady! No, I have no reservations—I believe in you! My life belongs to you!”

Jiang Ruyi gazed at her three trembling companions, paused a moment, then ordered: “You may go now.”

I’ll come to you with the physician shortly; we’ll tear up the contracts then.”

“Yes!”

“Yes.” The others responded in unison, rising and leaving.

Lu Ran watched their retreating backs and exhaled slowly.

Xiang Xianyang had clearly stated that in the Divine-Demon World, there existed supreme laws.

In the mortal realm, when Lu Ran contracted followers, they had to pray before him—only then could the false god statues within the garden absorb faith energy.

If followers were too far from Lu Ran, the faith energy would be stolen by true gods holding divine positions!

But this is Shengling Mountain!

The true gods themselves are all stationed in Daya; their hands cannot reach here.

If Lu Ran signs master-servant contracts with these three using the false god statue of Yu Fu, their prayers should channel faith energy directly through his body into the statue garden!

Worshiping gods and cultivation do not conflict.

In the mortal realm, followers were already accustomed to kneeling before small shrines, cultivating while devoutly offering worship.

Within Yunhai Cliff, we could build a “Hall of Revering Immortals.”

Somewhere closer to Lu Ran’s residence.

The Feixian Hall members could cultivate while praying, continuously feeding energy to the false god statue of Yu Fu.

For a long time, Lu Ran had only two methods to cultivate his statues:

One: fighting and killing; two: laboriously gathering Shengling energy.

If this new method works, could Lu Ran simply lie at home and cultivate his statues?

Of course, all this is merely Lu Ran’s hypothesis—success remains to be tested.

If it proves effective, the Feixian Hall could continue to grow.

“What are you thinking about?”

Jiang Ruyi tapped Lu Ran on the shoulder.

Lu Ran grinned: “Stealing followers from Yu Fu feels kind of nice~”

Screw that damn Yu Fu!

From now on, worship your Menzhu!

(End of Chapter)