Chapter 171: Yi Ren's Invitation

Chapter 171: Yi Ren's Invitation

On the morning of the 17th day of the lunar calendar, Lu Ran returned home.

He immediately went to the shrine and respectfully bowed:

"Lord Sheep, your disciple has returned."

A deep voice resonated in his mind: "Having a divine armament by your side is commendable."

It was evident that the deity spoke with approval.

"Please don't blame me, Lord Sheep," Lu Ran said, grasping the floating divine armament by his side. "The Radiance Blade has a heavy divine nature and isn't very talkative."

"It's fine," the white jade ram statue said gravely. "As long as you are loyal to me, there's no need to greet me."

Lu Ran nodded heavily, "I am mentally connected to the Radiance Blade, and our thoughts are in sync.

I specifically instructed it to not reveal our little secret."

"Mhm," the white jade ram statue responded softly, its heart not overly concerned.

A weapon spirit needs to merge with the mental will of its wielder to take form.

In such a situation, their goals, beliefs, and other aspects naturally align.

The sense of belonging to the divine armament is, of course, greatly enhanced.

Unless Lu Ran undergoes a drastic change in personality or a complete transformation, the divine armament will not abandon him.

"Go ahead," Lu Ran said, holding the hilt of the blade and gently pushing it forward.

The Radiance Blade slowly floated away, following Lu Ran's mental command, and hung in the master bedroom, suspended in its usual spot.

"Meow?"

Xiao Li Hua curiously tilted her head, gazing at the floating blade.

She even stood up, and her cat paws symbolically reached out.

Her hesitant posture, wanting to touch but not daring to, was quite amusing.

"By the way, Lord Sheep," Lu Ran continued, "Can the strawfiend's evil sculpture be activated?"

"It's possible, but the strawfiend clan won't be of much help to you."

"Mhm, I'll just ask," Lu Ran murmured, nodding slightly.

Indeed, the strawfiend clan couldn't help him much.

The demonic technique, Straw Needle, and the demonic technique, Straw Shield, which weaves a shield.

The demonic technique, Rice Spike Eye, which instills fear, and the demonic technique, Straw Substitute, which allows one to retreat.

The demonic technique, Withered Grass Robe, which aids in flight, and the demonic technique, Straw Dance, which shoots oneself.

Out of the six demonic techniques, only Rice Spike Eye is somewhat useful, as it can work with Lu Ran's divine technique, Divine Eye, to execute a smooth combo.

First, use Rice Spike Eye to instill fear, then amplify that fear with Divine Eye.

Aside from that, the other demonic techniques are useless.

It's worth mentioning that the "Straw Substitute" seems powerful, but that's relative to demons.

The strawfiend clan is composed of pure energy!

After being stabbed, it can leave behind a shell and retreat, as if gaining a new body.

Fundamentally, it's trading energy for injury.

Lu Ran, however, is different; he has a physical body!

When Lu Ran is stabbed, he can also leave behind a shell at the site.

But his retreating physical body will have an injury that won't heal.

In other words, the maximum effect of the Straw Substitute demonic technique cannot be achieved by humans.

Lu Ran can only use this technique as a distraction.

The white jade ram statue said, "Currently, you have activated four evil sculptures, and you have a sufficient variety of demonic techniques.

At this point, you need to be selective when activating evil sculptures, rather than being fixated on quantity."

"Yes!" Lu Ran nodded heavily.

Since his advancement to the River Realm, he could activate five more evil demon sculptures.

But at this time, Lu Ran had only opened one Night Charm sculpture, leaving four more slots.

Among these four slots, one would definitely be occupied by the Paper Doll Clan!

Lu Ran was extremely eager to use the demonic techniques of the Paper Doll Clan!

Just the demonic technique, Paper Puppet, combined with the divine technique, Sin Offering Body (Sin Sheep), from the Lord Sheep sect, would give Lu Ran endless possibilities.

This combination technique might even be the most crucial skill in Lu Ran's future battles! It could not only save his life but also wreak havoc on others.

The problem is that the Devil Cavern where the Paper Doll Clan resides is not open to outsiders.

"Annoying," Lu Ran sighed helplessly.

The Spring of Forgetfulness Follower, Li Rou Yin, also didn't have the Paper Doll Clan's copper coin string.

Thinking about it, aside from encountering the special event, the Night of the Wandering Ghosts, Lu Ran seemed to have no other way to obtain these items.

Fortunately, both Paper Puppet and Sin Offering Body are techniques suitable for the Third Stage of the River Realm.

Lu Ran still had some time to prepare.

Some evil sculptures lacked souls, while others were already fully prepared—the Savage Naga Clan!

Undoubtedly, the Savage Naga Clan was extremely powerful, and their demonic techniques were terrifying.

Wherever the great axe passed, the earth tore, yellow sand surged, and its might was astonishing!

Lord Sheep agreed to Lu Ran's activation of this clan's evil sculpture.

But it also clearly stated that it hoped Lu Ran would treat the Savage Naga as a servant rather than becoming obsessed with their savage demonic techniques.

The Savage Naga Clan was too reckless!

Their aggressive demonic techniques gave them the capital to be so bold.

Lord Sheep's core principle in cultivating Lu Ran was to let him survive better, not turn him into a reckless brute.

"Lord Sheep, your disciple encountered the Heaven Prison Clan last night."

Lu Ran's thoughts became more active as he continued, "Their demonic techniques seem to fit my combat style, don't they?"

Lord Sheep acknowledged, "Having more arms can indeed provide you with more protection."

Lu Ran, sensing an opportunity, immediately started promoting, "Yes, in the future, I can let these arms help me wield the Savage Naga's great axe.

Moreover, the Heaven Prison Clan can use their chains to burn and extract energy from living enemies.

It's even more powerful than the divine energy orb!"

The white jade ram statue said indifferently, "In the past six months, you've only captured the soul of one Heaven Prison demon."

Lu Ran: "..."

The Daxia Kingdom had sealed off many powerful demon caverns to avoid unnecessary casualties.

The Heaven Prison Clan's Devil Cavern was, of course, on this list.

"Lord Sheep," Lu Ran thought for a moment and cautiously asked, "You and Lady Forgetfulness are old acquaintances.

What if I ask Lady Forgetfulness for it? Do you think she would give it to us?"

The white jade ram statue: "..."

This time, it was the deity who was speechless.

Lu Ran was clearly asking Lord Sheep: If I use your sheep face to ask for a favor, will Lady Forgetfulness give us face?

"Lord Sheep?"

In the depths of the night, a divine message was sent.

"What?" Lu Ran was a little confused.

The Ram Jade Statue: "The favor you received from Lady Forgetfulness will eventually need to be repaid."

Lu Ran silently rolled up his sleeves, looking at the magical tool, the Spirit Oracle, on his wrist.

Right now, she has given him quite a lot!

Including the Night Charm Divine Statue in the garden, which has reached the Fourth Stage of the River Realm, all thanks to the great help from Lady Forgetfulness.

Although Lady Forgetfulness didn't know that Lu Ran was cultivating the Evil Sculpture, she believed that Lu Ran enjoyed eating souls.

Objectively speaking, Lu Ran had received tremendous assistance from Lady Forgetfulness' faction.

So, is it better to repay debts sooner rather than later?

The Ram Jade Statue: "It's up to you to decide how to repay it."

Lu Ran spoke with a deep voice, "I'll repay the favor as I should, and it won't hinder my path to growth."

The divine message ended with a single word, but it carried a hint of approval:

"Good!"

It was then that Lu Ran realized that Lord Sheep was testing him.

Deep down, Lord Sheep agreed with this decision.

"I understand, Master." Lu Ran clasped his hands together and bowed towards the small shrine before turning and heading towards the bathroom.

He took Xiao Li Hua with him, enjoyed a refreshing shower, changed into a dry set of clothes, and began cleaning the house.

As he cleaned, Lu Ran couldn't help but think of the Demon, the Savage Naga.

If only he could summon one...

Lu Ran could sit back on the sofa, watching the Savage Naga sweep the floor, wipe the table, and change the cat litter.

Unfortunately, the Evil Sculpture could only create and control demon minions within the River Basin Realm.

Currently, the Savage Naga Evil Sculpture should be at the initial stage of the River Realm.

According to Lord Sheep's suggestion, Lu Ran had only five activation slots within the River Realm, and he had already activated one Night Charm Divine Statue.

The journey through the River Realm would naturally be a long one.

During his growth, Lu Ran might encounter new challenges.

The most sensible approach would be to reserve the Evil Sculpture slots, constantly adjusting based on his progress.

Or, he could wait until the Savage Naga clan had enough souls to ascend to the River Realm and then activate them all at once.

The Savage Naga clan's demonic techniques were indeed powerful, but they weren't essential for Lu Ran.

Once activated, closing the Evil Sculpture would require a significant amount of Lord Sheep's energy, something Lu Ran didn't want to see happen.

Since his deity had spoken, Lu Ran didn't have much to say.

After finishing the cleaning, Lu Ran returned to his small bedroom and collapsed onto the bed.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, his phone buzzed.

Lu Ran was curious and picked up the call, only to find that it was his sister calling.

"Xiao Yuanxi?"

"Brother!" This time, Xiao Yuanxi's voice was full of energy, "When are you coming?"

Lu Ran sighed, "The city won't be unsealed until the nineteenth day of the lunar month, so I can't go even if I wanted to."

"Oh," Xiao Yuanxi dragged out the sound, then asked, "Then, what time will you arrive in the capital on the nineteenth?"

Lu Ran smiled, "Are you that eager to eat a hamburger?"

"I do want to, but that's not it." Xiao Yuanxi explained, "My teammates heard you're coming to the capital and want to invite you to play with us."

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment before declining, "I don't want to play.

I'll go home to spend time with you and Mom, and we won't go out sightseeing during the New Year."

Xiao Yuanxi quickly said, "It's not that kind of play. We're going to the Devil's Cavern."

"Oh? It's almost the New Year, and your school still assigns homework?"

Xiao Yuanxi: "It's not homework. Sister Yi Ren wants to go to a special Devil's Cavern for enhancement and improvement."

"A special Devil's Cavern?" Lu Ran became interested, "How is it special?"

Xiao Yuanxi lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "The kind that's not open to the public, you know~"

Lu Ran: ???

A Devil's Cavern not open to the public?

How can you guys get in?

Just because you're the young masters and young ladies of the capital... Well, fine, I won't say anything.

In this world, where is there fairness to speak of?

Lu Ran pursed his lips, but in just a few seconds, his doubts turned into a pounding heart!

Is it possible that you're going to the Prison Heaven Devil's Cavern? Lu Ran immediately asked, "Which Devil's Cavern are you going to for enhancement, and is there enough time with the New Year approaching?"

Xiao Yuanxi: "You think it's an ordinary Devil's Cavern where you can stay for ten or twenty days?

Sister Yi Ren can take us in, and staying there for a week would be great."

Lu Ran: "I understand. You haven't said which Devil's Cavern it is yet."

"Hehe~" Xiao Yuanxi giggled, "Brother, take a guess!"

"I'm not guessing, just tell me!" Lu Ran pretended to threaten, "If it's too dangerous, I won't go."

Xiao Yuanxi: "Is there anywhere you're afraid to go after slaughtering your way through the Savage Naga army?"

Lu Ran's eyes lit up, "The Savage Naga's Devil's Cavern?"

Xiao Yuanxi: "Not quite~"

"Cough, cough." Lu Ran was genuinely annoyed, barely managing to catch his breath.

Xiao Yuanxi laughed, "Alright, alright, my impatient brother~

I'll tell you, it's the Night Charm Devil's Cavern!"

Lu Ran sat up with a start.

He hadn't expected to be moved twice in such a short conversation!

Night Charm,

My Night Charm,

You've already reached the Fourth Stage of the River Realm.

If you could reach the River Basin Realm, I might be able to summon you.

Then, I could finally lift your black veil and see your mysterious face...

"Does Brother want to go?" Xiao Yuanxi waited for a moment, seeing no response from Lu Ran, and continued, "Sister Yi Ren rarely makes requests, and I don't want to refuse her.

Don't worry, we'll hire many soldiers as bodyguards."

Lu Ran thought for a moment and said, "It's still too dangerous. Why don't I go with Sister Yi Ren, and you stay behind?"

Xiao Yuanxi: ???

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end