Chapter 231: Shadowy Bier Procession

Chapter 231: Shadowy Bier Procession

Five days later, at Crimson Village.

"Squeak~"

In front of a grand ghost mansion, Lu Ran quietly pushed open the large gate and stealthily made his way into the courtyard.

Jiang Ruyi and Scarlet Sun followed closely behind, both tiptoeing silently.

Both were powerful beings from the River Realm, one being the fiery and fierce Xian'er, and the other the gentle and charming Beauty Jiang.

But when they were with Lu Ran, they all seemed to be influenced by his mischievous nature, acting as if they were thieves.

"He's really devoted," Lu Ran sighed inwardly.

He stood by the window, peering through the torn paper covering the window, into the room where a figure in bright red sat in an armchair.

In the past few days, Lu Ran had witnessed this scene many times.

Just as the leader, Soldier Li Ming, had said, when the Crimson Paper Figures found a good house, they would often sit by the Eight Immortals Table and cover themselves with a bridal veil.

Unfortunately, they would never find their soulmates.

Well, it seemed like a case of unrequited love.

Lu Ran's Night Silence Blade had already severed many threads of affection.

"I'm speechless."

Lu Ran watched the patiently waiting Crimson Paper Figure, sighing inwardly.

Did this Ghost Marriage have to happen?

Lu Ran, frustrated, quickly sidestepped several times, reaching the house door and gently pushing it open.

"Squeak~" The sound of the wooden door opening was particularly jarring in the quiet environment.

The Crimson Paper Figure seated in the armchair suddenly trembled, clearly sensing something.

"Tsk—"

Lu Ran's feet stirred up the mist, and he darted into the room, his blade glowing.

In such a beautiful moment, you're wasting your time on love?

How embarrassing!

Let's go, follow me into the garden!

Let's accomplish something great!

"Tsk!"

The blade sliced into flesh, and the table and chairs toppled.

Lu Ran pierced the throat of the Crimson Paper Figure, delivering a fatal blow with skilled precision.

He gripped the hilt tightly, lifting her corpse high, then slashed horizontally with force.

The demon's head fell, and blood splattered.

"You're getting more ruthless," Scarlet Sun stepped into the room, looking at the demon's body, which was still intact.

Lu Ran immediately replied, "What are you talking about!

I need to criticize you, little believer. How can you still have sympathy for demons?"

Scarlet Sun rolled her eyes, "If I feel sympathy for you, why not for demons?"

Lu Ran: ???

Scarlet Sun spoke impatiently, "You're always acting so cute, I might as well take out my heart and give it to you.

I don't know who the real demon is."

Lu Ran: "."

It was better not to respond to that.

After all, Scarlet Sun had already figured it out, but she was still unaware of it herself.

"Pfft~"

The Crimson Paper Figure's body disintegrated, shattering into mist along with her delusions.

Lu Ran held up the Divine Power Orb, absorbing the mist while straightening the armchair and placing it back in its original position.

During their training, whenever they encountered a Crimson Paper Figure entering a house and waiting for her soulmate, Lu Ran would launch a surprise attack.

Only when they faced the Crimson Paper Figures head-on would the trio join forces to fight.

"Let's go, we're heading back to the village center."

After rearranging the Eight Immortals Table, Lu Ran signaled to the other two, and they exited the mansion.

In the courtyard, the Li brothers watched the trio emerge, no longer feeling surprised.

Initially, the brothers had been nervous, but they were also amazed by the trio's exceptional performance.

Now, they had become numb, and this training mission felt more like a paid vacation.

"I wonder how much longer we'll have to wait," Lu Ran said, glancing at the Li brothers with a meaningful look.

The Crimson Village, where they were located, was the closest to the human race's main camp, and in five days, Lu Ran and his team had killed over a hundred Crimson Paper Figures.

Lu Ran really wanted to venture deeper into the area.

However, the Li brothers did not permit it, and even Chen Jingjing sided with the soldiers.

Ever since they realized that the Crimson Paper Figures were particularly fond of Lu Ran, their attitude had completely changed.

What now? Do you still want to explore deeper into the demon abyss?

I should be grateful I haven't kicked you out!

These past few days, the Li brothers had been worried and on edge.

Fortunately, Lu Ran had not lied to them.

The magical artifact, the Soul Money, was indeed powerful, capable of imprisoning and refining souls. As their training was about to end, no unusual situations had arisen in the abyss.

"We have two days left," Jiang Ruyi whispered, "Even if we explore deeper, we won't get far."

"Alright," Lu Ran reluctantly agreed, leading the team back to the village center and standing under the crooked-necked tree.

"Tsk—"

Mist surged beneath Lu Ran's feet, and he darted up the giant tree.

The Divine Technique: Immortal Hoof was indeed useful, allowing him to move not only on the ground but also to climb trees and fish in rivers.

Jiang Ruyi, on the other hand, flew high with Scarlet Sun.

This was the trio's lookout point, where they hid in the lush branches of the tree, waiting for the Crimson Paper Figures to fall into their trap.

If they were discovered, the trio would join forces to confront the enemy head-on.

If they remained undetected, Lu Ran would wait for a while, watching the Crimson Paper Figure choose a house and enter it before launching his surprise attack.

"Rustle~"

The branches swayed, creating a pleasant rustling sound.

Lu Ran crouched on a thick branch, pushing aside the foliage to peer out.

In the night sky, the bright moon hung high, casting a cool light over the earth.

The world was silent, shrouded in a sinister and eerie atmosphere, enveloping the small abandoned village.

From the side, Scarlet Sun's whispers carried a hint of coquetry:

"Ruyi, after we return to the capital, let's go to the night market, okay?"

"Sure," Jiang Ruyi's voice was soft, "But we should focus on our mission first.

(End of Chapter)Scarlet Sun whispered, "Actually, you can go with Senior Qiao, and I can go shopping by myself."

Jiang Ruyi shook her head decisively, a cold response that, in Scarlet Sun's eyes, seemed heartless.

Jiang Ruyi's words were even colder, "I'll go with you, after I'm done with my tasks."

"If you dare to sneak out on your own, next time, we won't take you out again."

Scarlet Sun: "..."

Despite being the older sister, she was the one with the highest cultivation realm.

Yet, she lived like a pampered child, always needing guidance.

Scarlet Sun leaned against a tree trunk, turned her head away, and remained silent.

Jiang Ruyi shook her head and smiled, looking at Lu Ran beside her.

Just then, she saw Lu Ran lean forward, her hand pushing aside the lush branches as if observing something.

Immediately after, Lu Ran spoke, her voice low, "East of the village! River Realm Crimson Paper Figure!"

Lu Ran's voice was hushed, and through the hidden earpiece, her words reached everyone's ears.

Jiang Ruyi's heart tightened.

Inside a dilapidated mud-brick house, the Li brothers exchanged a glance, their faces grave.

Li Ming spoke in a low voice, "Are you sure it's the River Realm?"

The Crimson Paper Clan didn't change physically with an increase in cultivation realm.

The most intuitive way to judge was through their evil techniques.

And at this moment, Lu Ran was using an evil technique to reach her conclusion.

"At least it's the River Realm; I saw the eight-bearer ghost casket!" Lu Ran struggled to contain her surging emotions.

It was truly an eye-opener! Usually, the Crimson Paper Figures flew in from the night sky, arriving at the Crimson Village.

This was the first time Lu Ran had seen a Crimson Paper Figure being carried into the village by an eight-bearer palanquin!

Under the moonlight, at the entrance of the abandoned village.

Eight robust and tall shadow bearers carried a massive red palanquin, heading towards the village.

The eight bearers were particularly gigantic, probably around four meters tall! The low mud walls on both sides of the road were barely higher than their knees.

The shadow bearers wore black clothing, with red silk sashes tied around their heads and waists.

Even more bizarre was their blurred faces, with only the eye area gleaming with a scarlet hue, and their bodies emitting a strong demonic aura.

Wherever they passed, thick black mist enveloped the area.

This scene made Lu Ran's scalp tingle!

Obviously, this was the Crimson Paper Clan's River Realm evil technique, the Shadowy Bier Procession.

"It should be a River Grade evil technique, with only eight bearers." Lu Ran struggled to calm herself and continued reporting.

If it were a higher grade, the eight-bearer palanquin wouldn't be empty; instead, there would be an entire wedding procession!

It was said that that scene was even more terrifying.

A group of seventy or eighty people, yet not a sound was heard! Truly chilling!

"Don't act rashly, everyone hide." Li Ming whispered, "Let the Crimson Paper Figure choose a new home, and we'll avoid it if we can!"

In the earpiece, Chen Jingjing's voice sounded, "Calm down, I'm here.

But we don't need to fight the River Realm Crimson Paper Figure."

Chen Jingjing's brief words soothed Lu Ran and the others, and also made her stance clear.

She didn't want Lu Ran to get involved; if possible, it was best to let the soldiers handle the issue.

"The palanquin has stopped." Lu Ran whispered.

Just then, near the entrance of a grand mansion, the eight shadow bearers halted.

Lu Ran's eyes narrowed! The massive red palanquin had a casket curtain made of red silk satin, adorned with exquisite embroidery.

A pale, slender hand gently lifted the casket curtain.

The woman inside seemed to be observing the grand mansion.

After a few seconds, the woman stepped out.

To be precise, she floated out without her feet touching the ground.

Compared to the shadow bearers, the Crimson Paper Figure appeared petite.

But her aura was not to be underestimated! She had a red veil on her head, and the crimson robe danced lightly, exuding an awe-inspiring presence! Two bearers with blurred faces hurried to the mansion's entrance to open the door for their mistress.

The Crimson Paper Figure, however, remained suspended in mid-air.

"Huff~"

The red veil moved with her thoughts, quietly lifting a corner.

The Crimson Paper Figure stood suspended in the air, quietly lingering for a while, then floated back and landed in the huge palanquin.

Apparently, she didn't fancy this new home?

After a moment, the eight shadow bearers lifted the palanquin again and continued forward.

Under the moonlight, the abandoned village was deathly silent.

Lu Ran felt as if she were in an unreal nightmare, witnessing this eerie scene unfold.

Jiang Ruyi placed her hand on Lu Ran's shoulder, gently applying pressure with her fingertips.

Lu Ran immediately snapped out of her daze, pressing her hand to her ear and whispering, "The shadow bearers are heading towards us."

Li Ming's heart skipped a beat, "Did they spot you?"

Lu Ran: "No, the Crimson Paper Figure is probably choosing a new home and is heading towards the center of the village."

"Huff~"

As soon as Lu Ran finished speaking, not far away, inside an inconspicuous mud-brick house, a snow-white figure stepped on a long sword and suddenly flew up.

Chen Jingjing, who didn't want to get involved, appeared without hesitation.

There were many paths in the Crimson Village, but if they chose this one, there was nothing she could do.

Chen Jingjing couldn't take the risk; she couldn't let the eight-bearer palanquin approach the crooked-necked tree.

"Wuu! Wuu!!"

"Roar!!" In an instant, the eight shadow bearers stopped.

They lifted their blurred faces, and the scarlet glow in their eye area intensified!

(End)

Chapter end