Chapter 969: Heaven Above, Earth Below

That night, Lu Ran spoke a great deal.

This nine-month-long perilous journey was truly thrilling, leaving He Yingcai breathless.

During the meal, Lu Ran also inquired about Cheng Xin and Qin Yanzhi; neither island master had heard of them, but both promised to ask within the Thousand Boats Alliance.

Within the Thousand Boats Alliance, each sect had over a hundred followers, and even the Fourth-Rank Deity—Lotus Sword’s followers numbered over two hundred.

Perhaps someone among them had heard relevant news.

Lu Ran also casually inquired about the leader of the Thousand Boats Alliance, Yun Qianzhou.

He Yingcai replied: Lord Yun is a Great One of Sea Realm, Fifth Stage!

It is said he has been stuck in this realm for over a decade, but half a year ago, Yun Qianzhou seemed to gain insight and entered seclusion to cultivate.

For the past half-year, Yun Qianzhou has shut out all worldly affairs, devoting himself entirely to breaking through to the Heaven Realm.

It may be precisely because of this that the Thundering Mountain sect dares to act so brazenly, constantly harassing and provoking the Thousand Boats Alliance.

They clearly intend to slowly devour them!

The recent major battle was the fiercest conflict between the two sides in years!

The Lotus Sword sect, unable to endure the relentless pressure from Thundering Mountain, finally struck back.

Subsequently, the other three major sects of the Thousand Boats Alliance responded in unison, engaging in a monumental battle over ten kilometers southwest of Mist Rain Lake.

Both sides suffered heavy losses!

On the Thousand Boats Alliance side, two Sea Realm island masters from Bihe and Lotus Sword were killed; on Thundering Mountain’s side, one Sea Realm elder perished.

In the end, the battle concluded with Thundering Mountain issuing a threat and retreating in fury.

Tragically, the Thousand Boats Alliance could only watch helplessly as they withdrew. When Thundering Mountain’s disciples are determined to retreat, few can stop them.

He Yingcai spoke at length, but Lu Ran sharply caught one word.

Only after she finished speaking and silence fell around them did Lu Ran speak:

“Heaven Realm?”

“Above the Sea Realm lies the Heaven Realm.”

“Who named it? Is it universally accepted?” Lu Ran asked further.

“This realm’s name originated from Lord Yun’s own lips,” He Yingcai turned to the gray-robed elder, “as for its exact origin—”

The Gray Lotus Island Master spoke solemnly: “According to Lord Yun, he once had a comrade, a follower of Jian Yi.

This Jian Yi disciple shattered the constraints of the Sea Realm and reached a higher level of cultivation.

Later, she flew into the sky and vanished among the cloud seas, never to be heard from again.”

The Gray Lotus Island Master paused, then added: “Lord Yun’s ‘Heaven Realm’ likely derives from this.

Beyond the cloud seas, only those who attain the Heaven Realm can break through the invisible prison of heaven and earth, and survive their escape from this Sacred Spirit Mountain.”

“Yes,” He Yingcai continued, “Lord Yun also calls the realm above the cloud seas the ‘Heavenly Realm.’”

“Impressive,” Lu Ran inwardly marveled.

Deity Jian Yi, unsurprisingly, is the foremost deity of Daya, the number one!

Even his followers perfectly match the deity’s stature—powerful beyond belief.

Yet, ascending to heaven is not the only way.

Lu Ran thought silently to himself.

His own River Realm, Fifth Stage, the Evil Spear Emperor, had quietly climbed the Ten Thousand Blades Mountain, scaling the sky’s edge.

Of course, that Evil Spear Emperor also vanished without a trace.

Later, Lu Ran summoned several more Evil Spear Emperors to investigate the Ten Thousand Blades Mountain, but all went in and never returned.

According to the theory that only those of the Heaven Realm can withstand the invisible energy blasts and survive the ascent to heaven,

the world beyond the cloud seas must be terrifyingly intense!

A mere River Realm demon, even if sneaking up, would have no chance of survival.

Jiang Ruyi turned to the gray-robed elder and asked: “What was the name of that Jian Yi disciple?”

The Gray Lotus Island Master shook his head: “Unknown. All this occurred before Lord Yun founded the Thousand Boats Alliance.

Lord Yun rarely speaks of his past, only mentioning it briefly.”

With that, the Gray Lotus Island Master sighed deeply and looked up at the sky: “Lord Yun told us—”

Lu Ran did not press, listening intently.

“Above, perhaps, is merely the human world.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi exchanged glances.

The Gray Lotus Island Master gazed at the star-strewn sky—tonight, no cloud sea obscured it:

“At least, above is closer to the human world.”

With that, the bonfire banquet fell silent, everyone wordless.

Only the melodious flute, drifting its graceful tune, drifted into the boundless night.

Long after, the Gray Lotus Island Master turned his gaze to Lu Ran: “Lord Lu and your wife possess extraordinary talent.

One day, you will surely break free of this prison and see the Heavenly Realm.”

“You are already a high-level Sea Realm cultivator, are you not? Or perhaps even at its peak?” Lu Ran lifted his teacup in salute to the gray-robed elder, “May you soon enter the Heaven Realm.”

“Heh,” the Gray Lotus Island Master smiled, wrinkles piling on his face, revealing his age.

The gray-robed elder was indeed smiling, yet with a faint sadness.

He was lord of the vast sea, perhaps only one step away from the Heaven Realm, yet

the old man had seemingly lost hope, no longer believing he could break through, no longer thinking he could survive his escape from Sacred Spirit Mountain.

His spirit had been worn down day by day.

Hope, after endless years of erosion, had gradually turned to despair.

Perhaps for the Gray Lotus Island Master, merely maintaining his inner composure and stabilizing his realm was already his limit.

“I accept your auspicious words, young friend,” the gray-robed elder drained his Mist Rain tea in one gulp.

Lu Ran also finished his cup, growing more accustomed to its bitter taste.

The flute’s melody drifted on; those seated at the table remained silent for a long while.

A few meters away, at another table, Yu Changsheng suddenly stood up.

Lu Ran glanced over and saw Yu Changsheng holding a folding fan, bowing respectfully toward him.

He asked in confusion: “Master Conglong?”

Yu Changsheng had been thoroughly influenced by Deng Yu.

In front of outsiders, he went out of his way to glorify his sect master.

Only after Lu Ran’s words did Yu Changsheng step forward and stand behind and to the side of his master: “Just now, I heard of the Thousand Boats Alliance’s current situation.”

Though Yu Changsheng presented himself as Lu Ran’s subordinate, he was a formidable cultivator of Sea Realm, Fourth Stage!

Both island masters showed him due respect.

The Gray Lotus Island Master asked: “What insight does this gentleman offer?”

He Yingcai instructed a nearby attendant: “Bring the gentleman a chair.”

Yu Changsheng said: “Recently, Thundering Mountain has repeatedly targeted the Thousand Boats Alliance—not merely because your alliance’s leader is in seclusion and the alliance lacks direction.

What Thundering Mountain truly fears is that Lord Yun has truly broken through.”

The Gray Lotus Island Master nodded inwardly.

The Thousand Boats Alliance had already reached this conclusion.

In the Sacred Spirit Mountain realm, everyone lives in fear.

A Heaven Realm cultivator standing here—even without ambition to expand or conquer—is enough to instill dread in anyone.

Yu Changsheng sat down on the chair, then asked: “May I ask: during the last battle, did Lord Yun appear?”

He Yingcai poured tea and handed it to him, openly studying him:

“He did not appear. The master remains in seclusion.”

Earlier, Lu Ran had recounted his own story—nine months of life-or-death trials that left He Yingcai breathless.

Now, Yu Changsheng, merely by his face, achieved the same effect.

“Hmm,” Yu Changsheng turned his gaze to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran understood his look and gave a slight nod.

Yu Changsheng gently fanned his paper fan, thinking: “If Lord Yun had not openly secluded himself, or if this news had not leaked, all might still be manageable.

But now, Thundering Mountain’s repeated harassment under the guise of ‘borrowing people’ is clearly a test.”

The flickering firelight cast his dark eyes in alternating shadows.

He Yingcai stared at his flawless face: “Your meaning is—”

Yu Changsheng closed his fan and spoke gravely: “The last battle was massive, with heavy losses on both sides.

Yet Lord Yun still did not appear—Thundering Mountain must have received the answer they sought.

Next, Thundering Mountain will likely launch a full-scale assault on the Thousand Boats Alliance.”

The Gray Lotus Island Master’s expression darkened.

Yu Changsheng added: “Both Thundering Mountain and the Thousand Boats Alliance have lost Sea Realm Great Ones; their hatred runs deep, their conflict irreconcilable.

Thundering Mountain cannot allow the Thousand Boats Alliance to produce a Heaven Realm cultivator—they will almost certainly strike first.”

Yu Changsheng’s calm words filled everyone with grave solemnity.

He Yingcai looked at Yu Changsheng and offered a bitter smile: “Your insight is profound. The alliance has discussed this, but we are powerless to change our situation.”

Yu Changsheng fell silent, burying the rest of his words deep within his heart.

Jiang Ruyi’s cold, clear voice suddenly came: “I thought Master He was open and upright, but now it seems your invitation for us to come ashore had other intentions.”

He Yingcai’s expression turned apologetic: “My original intent was to catch up, and yes, I did have a small wish—to ask whether my junior and senior classmates might lend us a hand.”

If you two are unwilling to get involved, I won’t hold you back.”

Please rest well here tonight; tomorrow morning, I’ll see you off the island.”

Lu Ran remained silent, his mind racing with thoughts!

This was an opportunity to ally with the Thousand Boats Alliance—and to cultivate goodwill with a potential Heavenly Realm powerhouse, Yun Qianzhou!

It was also a prime chance to eliminate a threat.

The conduct of Thundering Mountain is plain for all to see; some minds are deeply entrenched, their nature inherently corrupt and steeped in sin.

Purging them is the wisest course!

He Qifeng and her Purple Forbidden City, along with the Wu Jifeng she relies upon, are striving to change the living conditions of the Sacred Spirit Mountain Realm.

Only then will those who later enter the mountains be directly influenced by this new wind, allowing this realm to truly transform.

Otherwise, disciples from East Thunder will end up like Generals Feng and Yan—forced to cling to their own sects after entering, sinking deeper into mire and sinking to the same level of corruption. It is tragic.

The Thousand Boats Alliance has many Sea Realm experts; their strength is no small matter!

We certainly have the power to fight!

And from a practical gain perspective, if we seize this chance to inflict heavy damage on Thundering Mountain—even annihilate it entirely—

“Huh~” Lu Ran picked up his teacup and blew gently.

How high could I elevate the False God statue of East Thunder during this mission?

Could it reach the Heavenly Realm?!

“Are you tired, junior?” He Yingcai looked at Lu Ran’s unusual silence and sighed inwardly.

Yet her face retained a smile, preserving her grace: “Let’s end the banquet for tonight. Shall I escort you to rest?”

Lu Ran suddenly spoke: “Senior sister, aren’t you going to try a little harder to win me over?”

“Oh?” He Yingcai’s beautiful eyes lit up as she turned to Lu Ran.

The Master of Grey Lotus Island also suppressed her inner excitement, fixing her gaze on Lu Ran.

Though Master Lu is only at the River Realm, his team is formidable, boasting three Sea Realm experts from different sects!

The Master of Grey Lotus Island has reason to believe there are other great experts within the Ruan Sect!

If He Yingcai truly had such influence to bring Master Lu as reinforcements, it would be a vital asset to the Thousand Boats Alliance’s survival!

“Junior, will you help our Thousand Boats Alliance?” He Yingcai’s voice grew softer, laced with hope.

Lu Ran smiled: “I have a friend—she also bears the surname He.”

(End of Chapter)