After sending off the disciples of the Hidden Gauze Sect, Li Ran and Xiao Qingge returned to the dense forest.
Along the way, Xiao Qingge couldn't help but chuckle at Li Ran's gloomy expression.
"Don't be angry anymore; let's just say don't care much about them, okay?"
"I never was!"
"Yes yes, I know."
Xiao Qingge didn't want to provoke him further, so she changed the topic. "But the words you said earlier were truly inspiring, and they align perfectly with my thoughts."
"Which words?" Li Ran asked.
Xiao Qingge replied, "The part about pressing forward courageously and how belief is more important than talent. It truly resonated with me!"
"Oh, that part," Li Ran said casually. "I was just saying that to boost their morale."
"What? You said that to boost their morale?" Xiao Qingge was surprised.
"You don't actually believe that belief is more important than talent, do you?" Li Ran asked in return.
"Of course, belief is crucial!" Xiao Qingge nodded.
Li Ran smiled and explained, "You, a mere mortal, managed to survive alone in this treacherous land for five days. That must mean you have an extremely firm belief."
"But what good does it do? I still can't defeat a simple fanged tiger," Xiao Qingge said, feeling a bit defeated herself.
Li Ran fell silent. This was a fact that she couldn't argue with.
"Many of them, even if they devote their entire lives, might never reach the Golden Core stage realm."
"While I, in just ten years of cultivation, have already reached a height that they might never attain in their entire lives."
"They can only receive a few spirit stones every month, while the entire sect's resources are at my disposal."
"This is the gap that talent creates, and nothing can compensate for it."
Li Ran spoke calmly, merely stating the facts. Xiao Qingge knew this truth all too well.
When she had the Superb Talent, the Divine Dao Sect had cherished her like a treasure. But when her talent disappeared, she was immediately expelled from the sect without a second thought.
"If that's the case, why did you lie to them?" Xiao Qingge asked, puzzled.
Li Ran smiled and replied, "Because belief is the only thing they can control."
"Cultivation is a painful and lengthy process, and in the days ahead, they will face endless setbacks."
"I hope the encouragement I gave them today can become their motivation when they are in despair, and it can sustain them to keep going."
"I've said it from the beginning: my only requirement for them is..."
"...to stay alive."
Li Ran wasn't a heartless person.
Although Li Ran found this group of newcomers troublesome, the admiration in their eyes gave him a sense of responsibility.
Xiao Qingge looked at him for a long time and said seriously, "Li Ran, you're truly a good person."
Li Ran pulled his lips into a slight smile.
"You're flattering me."
"I..." Xiao Qingge wanted to continue, but her words trailed off.
...
"Li Ran, the secret realm is about to open, but we still have fifty miles to go!" Xiao Qingge said anxiously. "It feels like we won't make it in time!"
There was a taboo in the Ten Thousand Mountains.
Once you passed the outer region, flying was absolutely prohibited.
It could easily attract the attention of powerful beasts deep within the mountains and bring about fatal danger.
The jungle here was dense, the terrain was rugged, and monsters were everywhere.
Plus, right now, she was a mortal, so she couldn't increase her speed significantly.
"Not enough time?" Li Ran glanced at the map. "Then let's pick up the pace a bit."
"What?" Xiao Qingge was about to speak when suddenly her body felt lighter, and the scenery around her rapidly receded.
Li Ran was holding her waist and sprinting forward!
He was like a human tank, not dodging or avoiding anything in his path.
He broke through the trees blocking their way with a single thrust.
When encountering steep terrain, he leaped into the air like a shooting star and smashed into the ground, leaving behind a massive crater.
Then, he continued to run as if nothing had happened.
"Roar!"
The monsters noticed him and howled as they pounced.
A flash of silver, and blood splattered everywhere.
Li Ran's steps didn't falter, leaving behind a trail of flesh and blood.
With the rushing wind in her ears and the large hand wrapped around her waist emitting waves of warmth, Xiao Qingge's heart began to race. A strange and unfamiliar feeling quietly permeated her.
"Li Ran..."
...
As they got closer to the secret realm, the monsters became more ferocious.
In just a short moment, they encountered two Foundation Building stage monsters.
Although they weren't a match for Li Ran, they still slowed down their progress.
After slicing a giant serpent in half and advancing several miles, the secret realm was close, but Li Ran stopped in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Qingge asked.
He put her down and said, "Find a place to hide on your own."
Xiao Qingge was momentarily stunned, and then her expression turned serious. She quietly hid behind a tree.
At the same time, two crimson lights lit up ahead.
A massive tiger slowly walked into view.
It was three times the size of an ordinary Fanged Tiger, enveloped in raging flames. Even from a distance, the terrifying heat could be felt. However, the leaves beneath its feet remained untouched.
Xiao Qingge covered her mouth, nearly exclaiming in shock.
"That's a Foundation Building stage monster! The Scarlet Flame Tiger!"
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