Chapter 964: Flying Immortal Hall

Late September, the Evil Shadow and the Mad Immortal both emerged from seclusion.

The two protectors’ cultivation realms reached Stage Three and Stage Two of the Sea Realm, respectively.

Ran Sect was advancing steadily.

After more than half a month, the Flying Immortal Hall was finally completed; due to its large scale, it could not be hidden among the mountains, so it was built inside the mountain body.

At the surface, a vast “sky window” was carved to ventilate the hall and allow a beam of light to fall inside.

It landed upon two massive stone statues.

Yes, deep within the hall stood two seven-meter-tall “faceless stone statues.”

Though their faces were uncarved, merely outlined, everyone knew exactly which deities the Flying Immortal Hall enshrined.

The Lord of Ran Sect and the Lady of the Sect!

These two statues were crafted by Deputy Head of the Devil-Subduing Hall, Xiong Xiong.

No one in Ran Sect had expected that Master Xiong possessed such sculpting skill—no wonder he was a follower of the Mountain Goliaths who played with stones.

In his own words, carving small trinkets daily was just to pass the time; he never imagined one day they’d serve such a grand purpose—he was deeply honored!

Xiong Xiong, alongside Shi Yong and Shi Biao, worked tirelessly for half a month and delivered two outstanding works.

The Lady’s statue flowed with a long, billowing robe, brimming with profound atmosphere.

The Lord’s statue stood tall and majestic—not in the “Sacred Spirit Mountain Chapter: Burning God Classic Skin,” but draped in a broad, flowing robe, firm and unshakable.

Since Jiang Ruyi emerged from seclusion over half a month ago, Lu Ran had switched to the white robe she had once chosen.

The statue’s appearance was confirmed and finalized by Jiang Ruyi and Xiong Xiong together.

Lu Ran had no objections—he only ever wanted to erect one statue in the hall: Jiang Ruyi’s.

After all, at its core, the Flying Immortal Hall worshipped Jiang Ruyi.

But Jiang Ruyi’s words completely expanded Lu Ran’s vision.

She said: “Since this is the ‘Flying Immortal’ Hall, shouldn’t statues of everyone in Ran Sect—the Four Protectors, the Eight Divine Generals, and all others—be erected inside?”

Her words perfectly aligned with Lu Ran’s ambitions!

To overthrow divine and demonic rule and purge the world of calamities, Lu Ran alone could never succeed.

He must cultivate the people of Ran Sect to collectively “ascend and become immortals.”

This was precisely what Lu Ran had always practiced: continuously recruiting like-minded companions and carefully nurturing Ran Sect’s generals.

Unexpectedly, after the Flying Immortal Hall was completed, Deng Yu and the others became frequent visitors.

The Dream Nightmare seemed to have relocated her cultivation site to the Flying Immortal Hall.

She often sat cross-legged before Lu Ran’s statue, staying there for an entire day.

General Xiang Luoying also frequently came here; once, when Lu Ran visited Master Bai Yanhui, he happened to see Xiang Luoying whispering prayers before the Lord’s statue.

Praying for the children’s healthy growth.

Lu Ran was stunned.

Undeniably, Lu Ran had become the people's inner refuge, their spiritual pillar.

But General Xiang was praying here, seeking protection?

Lu Ran nearly cried!

General Xiang, a Stage Four Sea Realm killing god—aren’t you getting this backwards?

I should be the one praying to you!

Clearly, environment exerts a tremendous influence on a person.

Under this extraordinary historical context, people had been taught since childhood to revere gods, worship them, and seek divine protection.

Just as people were expected to marry at eighteen—or even earlier to bear children—it was considered normal, dictated by rules and beliefs.

As natural and correct as eating and drinking.

But after arriving at Sacred Spirit Mountain, their environment changed utterly.

The people buried this disorientation deep within their hearts.

Then Lu Ran appeared!

He entered their world with the potential—and power—to rival, even overthrow, the gods.

Likely, for the past nine months, someone had been silently praying in their heart.

After the Flying Immortal Hall was completed, with the towering statues erected, everything that matched the believers’ mindset and survival habits returned.

Some things simply happened naturally.

Even more unexpectedly, on the night of the third day of the tenth month, Lu Ran’s mind suddenly buzzed without warning!

Inside the Divine-Demonic Statue Garden, the pseudo-god statue of Yu Fu—previously at Sea Realm Stage Three—had advanced!

Advanced?!

“Ugh.” In the bamboo-fenced courtyard of Yunhai Cottage, Lu Ran sat at a stone table, diligently cultivating, when he suddenly groaned.

He paused, then his mouth dropped open into an “O.”

No way!

This was a Sea Realm Stage Three statue!

It just… vibrated?

“Lu Ran.” A cool female voice suddenly came from inside the room.

On the bed, Jiang Ruyi’s body trembled slightly.

She opened her drowsy eyes, her beautiful gaze filled with surprise, and lifted her trembling hand.

Hearing her call, Lu Ran instinctively moved to enter—but froze mid-motion.

Because inside the bedroom weren’t just Jiang Ruyi—there was also Si Xianxian!

This was why Lu Ran had been banished from home and forced to sleep outside.

During Lu Ran’s absences from Luoxian Mountain, that little maid had always slept with the Lady—she was already used to it.

Now that Jiang Ruyi had come to Sacred Spirit Mountain, Si Xianxian had begged and pleaded for so long that she finally won one night together.

Lu Ran could only sulk and cultivate in the bamboo-fenced courtyard.

It was so painful~

Lu Ran immediately sent a voice transmission: [Don’t worry—the pseudo-god statue is advancing. At this moment, the fusion between humans and statues deepens further, becoming more attuned.

This benefits you greatly—it raises your talent ceiling and enhances your cultivation potential.]

[Mm.] Jiang Ruyi replied softly.

The Mad Immortal and the Dream Nightmare had already informed her of this.

On the bed, Si Xianxian lay curled beside Jiang Ruyi, hugging her arm tightly; sensing the anomaly, she woke up startled.

Seeing Jiang Ruyi’s condition, Si Xianxian’s eyes lit up: “Your statue advanced?”

Jiang Ruyi nodded, sitting up: “I’m going to the seclusion chamber.”

“Why go to a seclusion chamber?!” Si Xianxian grabbed her tightly. “You’re not in good condition—what if someone attacks Yunhai Cliff?

Stay with me—I’ll protect you!”

Jiang Ruyi: “.”

Inside, the Immortal Jiang was speechless; outside, Lu Ran sighed deeply.

Could Luo Tiantu and Lady Kong really harvest Sacred Spirit energy so effectively?

No matter how many people trained or prayed in the Flying Immortal Hall daily, Lu Ran’s pseudo-god statue could only absorb faith energy from Song Yu, Zhang Zhenghu, and An Xian.

How meager was the energy they provided?

Yet their devout worship triggered the advancement of the Sea Realm Stage Three statue!

This…?

So, after Lu Ran captured the souls of Luo Tiantu and Lady Kong, Yu Fu’s statue had grown and stabilized at Sea Realm Stage Three—but it was just a hair’s breadth away from advancing to Stage Four.

It must be this!

That’s why the isolated Flying Immortal Hall could bring Jiang Ruyi such a tremendous blessing.

“A major achievement,” Lu Ran murmured.

At least having the statue advance within Yunhai Cliff was better than it advancing suddenly while the troops were on campaign!

The vibrating pseudo-god statue greatly affected Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi’s states.

Tomorrow, slaughter a demon dog for the Flying Immortal Hall—give the soldiers a proper feast!

Reward them well!

Lu Ran took a deep breath, rested his head on the stone table like a school desk, and slowly emptied his mind.

Stars and moon shifted; the red sun rose over the sea.

The pseudo-god statue finally stopped expanding, clearing Lu Ran’s mind.

Yu Fu’s statue—Sea Realm Stage Four!

Awesome!

“Ughhh~” Lu Ran stretched out fiercely, fully relaxed, then slumped back onto the stone table.

By the way, becoming a believer and continuously strengthening the body has another benefit.

Your arm doesn’t go numb!

Back when Lu Ran was in school, sleeping on a desk made his arm go numb.

“Puhahaha~”

Not long after, a laugh suddenly echoed.

Lu Ran lifted his head and saw the hateful face of a maid.

At this point, Si Xianxian had regained the poise she had in the mortal world; she was no longer the crybaby she had been when she first arrived at Shengling Mountain Realm.

She stepped forward with a smiling face: “I was just feeling sorry for you, Young Master, having to stand guard all night out there!”

“But I didn’t expect you to be slacking off and sleeping?”

Lu Ran: ???

This is outrageous!

This wicked maid is rebelling!

Si Xianxian sat across the stone table, looking refreshed and energetic—clearly well-rested: “Ruyi agreed to let me sleep in her room tonight too.”

“Huh?” Lu Ran slammed his hand on the table and stood up. “No! Absolutely not!”

“Hahaha~” Si Xianxian laughed until she was doubled over, with not a trace of ladylike decorum. “Look at you, so scared!”

Lu Ran: “.”

“What’s going on?” Jiang Ruyi stepped out of the house.

She wore a loose white robe, radiating an ethereal aura, yet also carrying a hint of languid charm.

There was a unique allure to her.

“There.” Si Xianxian pouted, gesturing toward Lu Ran. “The stingy one’s mad.”

Jiang Ruyi smiled warmly, her face tinged with a hint of apology.

One can only say: the child who cries gets the candy.

Jiang Ruyi had so few close friends that she was willing to indulge Sister Xian.

In truth, she had long realized that Lu Ran, Sister Xian, and these few others had always helped her maintain an identity:

A person with feelings.

“Si Xianxian.” Lu Ran gritted his teeth.

“Hehe~” Si Xianxian covered her mouth and giggled softly.

Who made you treat me like a stray dog on the street, kicking me again and again?

Crazy Xian’s revenge lasts from dawn till dusk!

Just wait—there’s more coming~

Jiang Ruyi stepped into the courtyard, interrupting the two bickering, and sat down at the stone table: “This stone statue’s advancement truly benefited me greatly.”

“So, you and Sister Xian will both become stones from now on?”

Lu Ran ignored the smug maid, thought for a moment, then replied: “More accurately, they’ll become pure energy bodies.”

All the gods and demons who tower above all things are energy bodies.

“Mm.” Jiang Ruyi nodded gently.

“By the way, I plan to head south.” Lu Ran suddenly spoke.

“South?” Si Xianxian asked, puzzled.

“Since returning at the end of August, I’ve been home for over a month.” Lu Ran nodded. “Before my next advancement, I want to map out the southern regions.”

“I’ll return to Yunhai Cliff within a month to prepare for the breakthrough.”

Jiang Ruyi asked: “Isn’t it better to cultivate peacefully inside the cliff?”

Lu Ran reached out, playing with his fiancée’s slender, jade-like fingers: “Everything inside the cliff is settled now—the timing is perfect.”

You know the state of the Eight Wilderness Annihilation Blade—it shouldn’t be delayed any longer.”

“I want to take it south and see what fortune awaits.”

Jiang Ruyi gazed thoughtfully at Lu Ran, her dark eyes fixed on him: “Will I be in your southern expedition team?”

Lu Ran smiled: “Of course you will!”

Si Xianxian, watching their hands being “kicked,” hurriedly said: “I’m going too! I’m going too!”

“Hmph.” Lu Ran let out a cold snort.

Si Xianxian panicked: “Young Master!”

Hearing that title, Lu Ran wanted to stomp and curse!

You’re sleeping comfortably on your bed while I stand guard outside all night for you?

How can you call me “Young Master” without your conscience hurting?

(End of Chapter)