Chapter 987: The Divine General Returns to His Heart!

The Thousand Boats Archipelago was shrouded in faint white mist.

Dozens of mist tornadoes descended from the sky, connecting to an island in the northern part of the archipelago.

The scene was utterly magnificent!

At this moment, Xue Fengchen was no longer on Qinghedao; upon He Yingcai’s strong recommendation, he had been relocated to the central region of Bihe Qidao, where there stood a sizable island.

This island was named Fuyao Island!

Named after the phrase “rising swiftly on the wind.”

Deep beneath its ground lay multiple cultivation chambers, built specifically for those ascending in realm to enter seclusion and break through.

Fuyao Island was guarded by a dedicated detachment of forty elite warriors, all drawn from Bihe Qidao.

On any other day, anyone ascending here would be blessed beyond measure!

Whether from the Thousand Boats Alliance or Bihe Qidao, you would be protected without fail.

But at this critical juncture, no one dared speak such bold words!

The many elite guards on the island were all tense, the atmosphere heavy with gravity.

“Thank you all for holding your posts!” came He Yingcai’s voice from the thick mist-laden sky, “From this moment on, anyone approaching the island is to be executed on sight!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!” Dozens of voices echoed from every corner of the island.

Within the thick mist, enemies and allies were indistinguishable; thus, during this critical period of ascent, outsiders were strictly forbidden from landing, lest someone take advantage of the chaos.

He Yingcai stepped upon a verdant lotus leaf and floated away gracefully.

She flew over three hundred meters, and the mist thinned somewhat; she oriented herself and headed toward Qinghedao.

Just then, several figures returned; He Yingcai halted midair and called out:

“Lu Xuedi, Master Conglong.”

“He Xuejie,” Lu Ran, wielding his divine weapon, landed with Master Conglong atop her lotus leaf.

In this primitive society, every time Lu Ran uttered “Xuejie,” he felt it was strange.

Yet He Yingcai refused to change it.

Presumably, she wished to emphasize their bond through this unique address.

Lu Ran said nothing in response.

“How did it go?” He Yingcai asked with concern. “What did the two island masters of Tianya and Mingyue say?”

Yu Changsheng sighed: “The two island masters are benevolent and righteous; they said they would protect Lu Men’s warriors with the same level of security as they would for Yun Zhunzhu.”

Lu Ran nodded vigorously: “Ah, it truly moved me to tears~”

“Hehe~” He Yingcai’s brow relaxed, her smile radiant. “Lu Men has done so much for the Thousand Boats Alliance, sacrificed so much—this treatment is only fitting.”

Lu Ran’s heart stirred.

“We”?

“Our Lu Men”?

Amid the faint mist, Lu Ran watched He Yingcai’s elegant smile and secretly rejoiced.

In the past, I had subtly probed, tested her several times.

Now—is this your way of responding?

Don’t tell me you just slipped up and said the wrong thing!

Yu Changsheng, beside her, also caught the word and shook his head with a smile.

Lu Ran hadn’t even revealed his secret yet, hadn’t unleashed his ultimate trump card!

Yet this sea realm island master had already made up her mind to follow him.

Hmm… the Lord of the Sect? He deserves it.

“Xuejie, I heard that,” Lu Ran chuckled lightly.

“What?” He Yingcai feigned innocence, puzzled. “Heard what?”

“Oh my,” Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

So she’s a manipulator!

Playing hard to get with me?

“Hehe~” He Yingcai smiled sweetly, guiding the lotus leaf northward. “Once we survive this crisis, Lu Xuedi, you must tell me in detail about your grand ambitions.”

If her earlier feigned confusion was pretense, this remark now carried the weight of opening up.

Lu Ran stood shoulder to shoulder with He Yingcai and said: “What would Xuejie like to hear?”

He Yingcai: ?

Lu Ran grinned: “I’m simple—two words: easygoing~”

He Yingcai gave Lu Ran a reproachful glance, then turned her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on the elegant, handsome man.

She whispered: “Master Conglong possesses great wisdom and extraordinary cultivation; yet he is utterly devoted to Lu Xuedi—surely there’s a reason?”

Clearly, Xue Fengchen’s sudden breakthrough had altered many things, forcing others to make choices.

Without doubt, the troops of Jingting Mountain would arrive soon!

A war of life and death would soon unfold!

At this moment, He Yingcai chose to set aside some of her reserve and respond to Lu Ran’s earlier probes.

Was she adding a single chip to her own survival?

Yu Changsheng looked at the graceful, elegant woman and nodded with a smile: “I once slept in slumber beneath the cold lake of Gaoshan.

That day, the Lord of the Sect fished me out—and I followed him.”

He Yingcai tilted her head slightly.

The question marks above her head seemed to multiply.

“Hahaha!” Lu Ran burst into laughter.

Who was Yu Changsheng?

You think you can extract intelligence from him? That’s a joke!

He Yingcai’s gaze turned mournful as she stared openly at Yu Changsheng.

At first, she had indeed been drawn by his handsome face.

Combined with his extraordinary cultivation, and his identity as a devoted follower of Long Li, it was an absolute knockout.

In the days that followed, she witnessed Yu Changsheng’s abilities, marveled at his vision, thought, and wisdom, and eventually became entranced by his refined aura.

Alas, the flower had intent, but the stream had none.

He Yingcai did not believe Master Conglong had failed to notice her feelings.

How could such a wise man not have noticed?

Especially during those ten-plus days when Lu Men traveled to welcome the Da Feng Tang, He Yingcai, while maintaining her composure, had done plenty.

And Yu Changsheng

Was just as he had been that rainy day when the Bihe Qidao island masters welcomed Lu Ran back to the island.

He Yingcai had stood beside him on her verdant lotus leaf, shielding him from the slanting wind and fine rain.

Yet that hateful man had kept his head down, studying that broken divine weapon!

Only when the Radiant Blade impatiently flew out to greet its master did Yu Changsheng finally lift his head—and smile.

He seemed like a divine weapon himself—a human-shaped divine weapon.

His joy came from within,

Finally, his master had returned.

“Lu Xuedi, Lu Xuedi,” He Yingcai sighed deeply within.

From Yu Changsheng to Deng Yuxiang, to Gao Yunyan—these vast oceans of devotion cluster around you, truly astonishing.

Hmm… you do possess sufficient leadership charisma.

Just consider your aid to the Thousand Boats Alliance—this boldness, this lofty righteousness, shines brilliantly.

“Xuejie.”

“Hmm?”

“We’ve flown past our destination,” Lu Ran whispered.

He Yingcai: .

The sea realm island master felt a moment of embarrassment, but quickly steadied her composure.

A faint blush colored her exquisite face as she steered the lotus leaf, turning its flight direction.

Centered on Fuyao Island, where Xue Fengchen was in seclusion, a radius of three hundred meters churned with thick mist; beyond that, though white mist still curled, people could still see each other clearly.

After all, most of the mist had been drawn by the mist tornadoes down into the depths beneath Fuyao Island.

The trio landed in a small courtyard.

Jiang Ruyi stepped out, accompanied by the Nightmare Guardian.

After exchanging words, Jiang Ruyi silently nodded.

The Thousand Boats Alliance was still grateful for favors received.

“Wait a moment,” Lu Ran led the group into the house. “The other three sects will send representatives to jointly guard the northern islands.”

Likewise, Bihe Qidao will send people to the other sects’ islands to form a united front.

Different sect followers mean diverse divine arts—naturally better for defense.

Lu Ran and the others entered the house, while Yu Changsheng gently tugged at He Yingcai’s sleeve.

“Hmm?” He Yingcai halted her steps, turned, and looked up at the man.

“Lady He, your status is exalted and your position noble, but in certain matters, you need not cling so tightly to your rank,” Yu Changsheng urged, offering her an out.

He knew full well that “after this trial, little brother, tell me your grand ambitions” was merely a face-saving excuse.

After so long, Lu Ran’s actions within the Thousand Boats Alliance, though only revealing a fraction of the whole, were enough for anyone to see the direction of Ruan Men’s efforts.

Hearing this, He Yingcai’s heart stirred slightly, her willow-brow lifting gently.

What does Master Yu mean?

Yu Changsheng whispered, “The Thousand Boats Alliance is, at its core, an alliance. Each sect, each island, is fundamentally an ally—you are subordinate to no one, and thus there can be no betrayal.”

He Yingcai realized she had misunderstood.

Yu Changsheng smiled and nodded, his eyes carrying a hint of encouragement: “Lady He, you’ve stayed in the mountains long enough—you know the mountain’s condition, and you know the mountain’s rules.”

To meet a wise lord, to serve a enlightened ruler—that is something rare, unforeseeable, and unforced.

Lady He, you are wise and discerning. Lord Lu has never concealed his admiration for talent. Now that you, too, harbor such intent, you ought to seize this opportunity and take the first step yourself.”

In the hall, Lu Ran sat at the table and blinked in surprise.

Deng Yuxiang smiled gently, listening intently.

Jiang Ruyi, lacking perception techniques, watched the two curiously and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Uh…” Lu Ran hesitated.

Deng Yuxiang gave Jiang Ruyi due respect and explained softly, “Master Yu is recruiting talent. It seems Ruan Men’s next Sea Realm will not be Xue Fengchen.”

Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help but admire inwardly.

It was truly fortunate for Lu Ran to have met Master Yu.

Deng Yuxiang looked at Lu Ran and asked, “Shall we grant him the title of Divine General?”

A third-rank Divine, a follower of the Green Lotus Sect, from the vast sea—yes, he certainly qualifies for Ruan Men’s “Eight Divine Generals.”

“Squeak~”

The door split open to either side.

Through the thin mist, two figures entered one after the other.

A handsome, elegant man smiled, bowed to Lu Ran, then took a seat nearby.

A graceful, beautiful woman swept her eyes over Yu Changsheng’s figure, then turned to Lu Ran on the main seat, her voice soft:

“Lord Lu, will you accept me into Ruan Men?”

“Of course!” Lu Ran smiled broadly.

He Yingcai’s lips curved slightly—she truly understood the Sacred Spirit Mountain’s customs.

She set aside her status and reserve, preparing to kneel.

But Lu Ran did not allow it.

“Shhh~”

Lu Ran suddenly flashed forward, standing before He Yingcai, his hands gripping her arms.

He Yingcai’s slender frame trembled, her beautiful eyes widening slightly!

Lu Ran’s tone was gentle: “No need, Senior Sister.”

He Yingcai snapped her head up, eyes stunned: “You—you?!”

Lu Ran wore a sweet, innocent smile, lips pressed together.

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(End of Chapter)