Chapter 970

Previously, when Lu Ran recounted his personal experiences, he had mentioned He Qi Feng, but never elaborated.

Now, after Lu Ran gave a detailed account, the two island masters were truly stunned.

He Yingcai sighed: “Such ambition, such boldness! No wonder he’s called the Pride of Dayan—he deserves the title!”

She certainly recognized He Qi Feng.

Was he merely a prodigy?

He was a once-in-forty-years legendary genius!

Why say that?

Because the descent of gods and demons had only occurred forty years ago.

The First-Class Divine Wu Seng, who had always accepted only male disciples, broke his rule once to take on a female disciple.

This alone reveals just how explosive He Qi Feng’s talent was!

Had Lu Ran not emerged as a monster, He Qi Feng would have been Dayan’s number-one prodigy!

Of course, to the other competing students, wasn’t He Qi Feng also a “monster”?

“The roots of Thunder Peak are rotten through—then clear them out,” Lu Ran said, lifting his teacup and staring at the clear tea within.

His casual tone carried words of shocking audacity!

The Gray Lotus Island Master felt a faint chill, watching Lu Ran drain the tea in one gulp.

This boy

Is truly tyrannical beyond measure!

So young, yet possesses such daring.

The sky of Sacred Spirit Mountain may truly be about to change.

He Yingcai picked up the teapot and kindly refilled Lu Ran’s cup: “Since you’ve already formed a deep alliance with Lord He Qi Feng, do you share the same vision?”

Lu Ran remained silent.

Deng Yu’s lips curled slightly; the eyes of Generals Feng and Yan brightened.

Their own lord’s vision was far grander than that of the Purple Forbidden City’s lord!

“Lu Xuedi?” He Yingcai called softly.

Lu Ran did not answer; instead, he gazed at the tea and pastries on the table, listening to the melodious flute.

These everyday elements embodied Yun Qianzhou’s philosophy of leading a sect.

The former reminded everyone they were human; the latter warned the alliance members they were blood brothers.

Surely, He Qi Feng would be eager to befriend Yun Qianzhou!

If he could gain the aid of the Qianzhou Alliance, He Qi Feng’s cause would soar.

He Qi Feng will likely come to this battle.

Lu Ran knew well—he had great influence; if he asked, He Qi Feng would surely lend a hand.

But Lu Ran did not wish to owe her a favor.

On the contrary, he intended to help He Qi Feng achieve greatness!

Repay what you owe me by becoming my “Burn Gate Divine General.”

From now on, the people of He’s Divine General City can all become my followers.

“I left a divine weapon with her, just for timely contact,” Lu Ran said to the two island masters. “I can reach out to her now.”

The two island masters exchanged glances, faintly excited.

Was the Qianzhou Alliance saved?

They had hoped to request aid from Burn Gate—to gain more warriors, more chances of victory.

Yet they hadn’t expected…

This lord of Burn Gate wielded such power he could summon disciples of a First-Class Divine, from Wu Jifeng?

He Yingcai whispered: “We’re in your debt, Xuedi.”

The Gray Lotus Island Master, leaning on his cane, rose and bowed: “If Lord Lu can help Qianzhou Alliance survive this crisis, even a drop of kindness shall be repaid with a gushing spring!”

Lu Ran: “Can you represent Qianzhou Alliance?”

He Yingcai immediately replied: “Senior Pang Yuan is our leader of the Bihe Seven Islands and speaks with full authority for our Bihe faction.”

Only now did Lu Ran learn the Gray Lotus Island Master’s true name.

Pang Yuan said gravely: “Lord Lu, I’ll notify all faction leaders and convene a meeting immediately.”

Lu Ran halted him: “Wait. Let me contact Qi Feng first.”

“By all means,” Pang Yuan nodded.

Lu Ran closed his eyes and mentally linked with the divine weapon, Jiye Dao.

【Huh?】Jiye was surprised.

Lu Ran apologized: 【Sorry to disturb you, Jiye. Ask He Qi Feng if she wants a chance I’m offering her.】

After a moment, Jiye sent back a thought: 【She asks, have you returned from the northwest?】

Lu Ran: 【Yes. Ask her if she wants this opportunity.】

Jiye: 【She asks, why don’t you go to Purple Forbidden City and report to her yourself?】

Lu Ran: “.”

I’m not her subordinate—why the hell should I report?

Jiye Dao relayed messages back and forth, and He’s city lord and Lu’s lord began communicating.

When He Qi Feng learned Lu Ran was already in the southeast of Sacred Spirit Mountain, her nose nearly twisted off in anger!

“Weren’t you exploring the great northwest?”

“Why are you suddenly in the southeast?”

“Strength really does make a difference!”

“The wide world is yours to roam, isn’t it?”

“No wonder someone doesn’t care about my artifact—the Wind Barrier Pearl!”

After He Qi Feng finished speaking, Lu Ran felt numb.

How could the mighty He City Lord sound like a little girl…

Lu Ran was baffled—how had He Qi Feng convinced Jiye Dao to relay every word exactly?

Ridiculous!

After much persuasion, Lu Ran finally finished the serious business.

He Qi Feng, naturally, took great interest in Qianzhou Alliance—a “neutral-leaning-lawful” faction.

Upon hearing Thunder Peak planned to strike Qianzhou Alliance, He Qi Feng paused briefly, then agreed.

After much more conversation, Lu Ran slowly opened his eyes.

Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Ran nodded: “He Qi Feng will come to assess the situation.”

“Good!” Pang Yuan immediately nodded.

Lu Ran turned to Jiang Ruyi and said softly: “She wants me to go pick her up.”

Jiang Ruyi thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

She wanted to say that since Jiye Dao was in his possession, He Qi Feng could simply follow the divine weapon’s guidance to find Lu Ran.

But then she reconsidered—this was Lu Ran’s invitation.

Going to meet her was also a gesture of respect.

The Gray Lotus Island Master, Pang Yuan, expressed gratitude: “Thank you, Lord Lu, for your aid! I’ll send more troops to escort you to meet Lord He.”

Sacred Spirit Mountain is full of peril!

For others, individuals must cling tightly to organizations—how could anyone wander freely through the mountains?

Yet Lu Ran, without hesitation, was going to fetch her—this journey would be treacherous, even life-threatening!

What kind of leader is this?

Is this what Dayan’s rigorous selection produced?

Lu Ran, He Qi Feng

That night, the Gray Lotus Island Master, hearing their names for the first time, had his worldview shattered.

“No need,” Lu Ran shook his head, rising. “I’ll stay here overnight and depart tomorrow morning.”

“Of course,” He Yingcai said at once as Lu Ran stood. “Shall I escort you to your rooms?”

“Mm.” Lu Ran nodded.

He knew time was critical—but travel time was finite!

If Lu Ran wished, he could reach Purple Forbidden City in one night.

But what about the return?

Lu Ran would eventually have to lead the Great Wind Hall back to Misty Rain Lake!

If he arrived at He Qi Feng’s side in one night, then took seven or eight days to return?

That wouldn’t make sense.

Under the personal escort of the two island masters, Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi entered the forest and lodged in a quiet, secluded courtyard.

Two wooden houses stood nearby, sufficient for all Burn Gate soldiers to reside in.

The two island masters, ever tactful, arranged everything and then departed with their people.

After the Bihe disciples left, the Burn Gate troops sat in the hall, and Lu Ran held a small meeting.

“Mr. Conglong, you won’t be coming with us this time to pick up the person.” Lu Ran looked at Yu Changsheng.

“Does the Gate Master have another assignment for me?” Yu Changsheng asked.

“Your wisdom is uncanny,” Lu Ran smiled. “While I’m away at Wu Jifeng, I’d ask you to thoroughly investigate the Thousand Boats Alliance.”

Meet with the island lords, learn the specifics of this place.

I’ll leave the Radiant Blade with you—we can communicate anytime.”

Yu Changsheng immediately accepted the order.

He didn’t believe the two island lords would deceive the Rans Gate, but gaining deeper insight was certainly necessary.

In fact, Yu Changsheng was quite pleased to see Lu Ran wade into this mess!

At the bonfire banquet, when he rose from his neighboring table to analyze the situation for everyone, he had already decided to draw Lu Ran into it!

If Lu Ran had chosen to stay out of it, Yu Changsheng would have privately urged him hard.

The battle between the Thousand Boats Alliance and Jingting Mountain can be called a war!

A war of life and death!

Once the fighting begins, both sides will suffer heavy casualties.

Tianluan, Chenghua, Bihe, Jianlian, Dongting.

How many souls will each sect contribute?

And how much divine energy will our own Gate Master absorb from it?

Yu Changsheng knew Lu Ran lacked the nature of a true warlord—some things couldn’t be spoken outright.

So at the banquet, he had prepared his words, thinking how to persuade him subtly.

But Lu Ran agreed on the spot, sparing him the trouble of speaking.

“Mr. Conglong only needs the Radiant Blade, Cold Moon Sword, and One River Mist and Rain Fan as his weapons,” Lu Ran smiled at Yu Changsheng. “Leaving guards to protect you would only be a burden.”

The Long Li sect is best at running away.”

Yu Changsheng: “.”

The words weren’t wrong.

But they sounded so harsh!

The Long Li sect indeed possesses the divine survival technique: Survival Carp.

The Sea-grade Divine Art: Survival Carp allows Yu Changsheng to leave behind a tiny survival carp, even a thousand kilometers away.

Long Li believers can instantly shift positions, burst the survival carp, and replace themselves with it.

In a sense, this is a form of teleportation.

But its essence is a survival technique—unlike true teleportation, it consumes an astonishing amount of divine power!

When Yu Changsheng helped Lu Ran fight the Jian Yi followers, he used this method to escape back to the high mountain lake.

“You all go rest. Tomorrow, accompany me on a journey.” Lu Ran looked at the others.

“Yes!”

“Yes.” Everyone rose and left, leaving the private courtyard to the Gate Master and his Lady.

The two entered the bedroom, and Jiang Ruyi promptly suggested: “The situation here is urgent—Jingting Mountain could invade at any moment.

Let’s go to meet them, and have He Qi wind follow the guidance of the Silent Night Blade toward us.”

“Hmm, good idea.” Lu Ran licked his lips.

Jiang Ruyi watched his expression and whispered: “You seem eager?”

“When I destroyed Tian Tu Mountain, I captured two Dongting disciples. They said Jingting Mountain enslaves many weak divine followers.”

As he spoke, Lu Ran wrapped his arm around Jiang Xianzi’s slender waist: “If we seize this chance to uproot Jingting Mountain, we won’t just save a group of people—we’ll also benefit those who come after.”

Jiang Ruyi nodded inwardly.

Lu Ran buried his face in her neck, inhaling softly, trying to recall the fragrance of jasmine.

Jiang Ruyi’s pale, delicate earlobe flushed a faint pink.

Exquisite. Alluring.

“We’re outside,” Jiang Ruyi whispered.

But Lu Ran gently kissed that adorable earlobe, his heart racing!

He was indeed eager—he wanted to make a grand move!

Only when a rotten wound is completely excised can fresh flesh grow.

If this time, the Rans Gate with its allies can destroy Jingting Mountain, then next time—

The Rans Gate will cut through Daoji Peak!

Lu Ran remembered his promise—to take the Evil Shadow Guardian and settle accounts with the dogs of the North Wind sect!

“Lu… Lu Ran.”

“Hmm?”

“We’re outside… this isn’t Yunhai Cliff,” Jiang Ruyi’s voice was soft, barely audible.

“Mm.” Lu Ran cupped his fiancée’s delicate face and pressed his lips firmly onto her thin ones.

One more chapter at 24:00.

Too late. You can read it tomorrow.

(End of Chapter)