Great Villain: Starting by Humiliating the Son of the Heavenly Fate (Old Version)

"My friend, let's journey together! This stretch of sea seems peculiar. Having some company on the return journey would be advantageous." One of the followers caught Fu Huacan's eye, immediately grasped his intentions, and amplified his proposal.

"Indeed!" Another follower added, "Let's not delay further. We should return right away!"

The rest of the ensemble joined in the clamor.

They presented their team in such a cordial and eager manner that if Gu Ran declined, he would come across as ungrateful.

Ordinary individuals facing such circumstances would likely agree, provided they were somewhat broad-minded.

But Gu Ran was far from ordinary.

Bolstered by his bloodline and the protagonist's halo, he possessed a keen intuition for peril.

From the very first glance, he knew that Fu Huacan harbored malicious intent.

As such, Gu Ran shook his head. "No, thank you," he politely declined.

"I need to visit another stretch of sea before returning to Black Wood Island. Please excuse me." He offered a small bow to Fu Huacan and his party, then promptly turned around to depart.

"Halt!" Fu Huacan shouted and the others quickly fanned out, effectively blocking all of Gu Ran's potential escape paths.

"Do you have other destinations, fellow Daoist?" one of them questioned assertively.

"The seas are in such turmoil, yet you refuse to return?"

"Don't tell me you've discovered where those demonic beasts have retreated? Or that you know a location where demonic beasts can still be hunted?"

"How generous we were to extend an invitation, yet you withhold valuable information. That's truly ungrateful."

"Fellow Daoist, when we cross paths outside, everyone is a friend. We share both troubles and joys alike. If you know where there are still demonic beasts, take us along!"

"Fellow Daoist, I am of the Fu Clan from Black Wood Island. Assist us, and future benefits will not elude you." Fu Huacan said, his voice both enticing and threatening.

"Hmph! All of you, with your hidden agendas, truly disgraceful!" Gu Ran surveyed his surroundings, snorted icily, and readied his Yuan Power for combat!

"You reap what you sow!" someone declared.

"Since you rejected our offer of friendship, don't blame us for showing no mercy!"

"Young man, displaying such arrogance while isolated. Today, I'll teach you the true meaning of cruelty!"

The expressions of Fu Huacan and his companions shifted instantly. They wore sinister grins, unsheathed their weapons, and prepared to strike!

Gu Ran's expression was as cold as ice.

Despite the numerous adversaries, he remained undaunted.

The major advantage granted by his 'Endless Dark Blood Moon' bloodline was the capacity to plunder his enemies' cultivation bases and maintain concealment. However, its combat amplification was also formidable.

Even without mastering a myriad of cultivation methods, his apparent realm only resided in the Late-stage Mysterious Platform, yet his fighting prowess had already ascended to the Early-stage Heavenly Origin realm!

Once he sprang into action, Gu Ran was confident he could vanquish them all!

But, just as the decisive battle was about to erupt, the heaven and earth abruptly underwent a drastic transformation. The once clear sky swiftly turned into a tumultuous storm of lightning and thunder!

Boom!!

Following this, a truly terrifying aura descended!

Whoosh!

Under this aura's influence, even the sea waves intensified markedly.

"What?!" A voice exclaimed in shock.

"What, what, what... what kind of great powerhouse is this?!"

"My heavens, this must be an immensely powerful cultivator from the Second Step of the Cultivation Path, at least within the Dao Comprehension realm!"

"Why would such a great powerhouse, who should be around Ageless Spirit Heavenly Island, appear in such an isolated place?"

The expressions of Fu Huacan and the others underwent a severe shift, and they immediately refrained from any action.

Gu Ran's pupils contracted sharply, his body tightened, and his heart pounded as if a wild boar was in a frenzy within him!

'No, it couldn't possibly be a powerhouse from the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, could it?'

'Could they have traced my path and come to hunt me?'

'What should I do if that's the case?' A slew of terrifying thoughts abruptly flooded Gu Ran's mind.

"Hmph!" But in that moment, a soft snort abruptly reverberated through the heavens and the earth.

The voice was enchantingly pleasant, evidently belonging to a supreme beauty!

Yet, the deterrent encapsulated within this light snort was astonishingly fearsome!

"Ah!!" Fu Huacan was scared into yelping, nearly toppling into the sea.

Gu Ran also shuddered from head to toe, his heart hitting its peak of tension!

However, after that mysterious female powerhouse issued a light snort, the celestial phenomenon began to quickly dissipate.

It was clear that this imposing figure did not wish to engage too deeply in the affairs of those who were mere ants in her eyes.

'She's departing, she's gone! Excellent, she's not pursuing me!' As he watched the lightning spectacle vanish at the horizon where sea met sky, the tension in Gu Ran's heart instantly transformed into elation.

"Chatter, Chatter!" Simultaneously, Fu Huacan was so petrified that his teeth chattered, and it took him a moment to regain his composure.

Subsequently, he swallowed hard, bowed to Gu Ran, and said with a strained smile: "I was impolite earlier, fellow Daoist, I hope you can overlook my transgression."

"Indeed, indeed, indeed!"

"We all earn our livelihood at sea and should assist each other rather than instigate conflict."

"Fortunately, we received a warning from that senior, otherwise, we would have strayed into deviant paths. We're so lucky!"

Fu Huacan's followers, too, were terrified, and they all smiled sheepishly, bowing to Gu Ran.

"It's all a misunderstanding, merely a misunderstanding." Gu Ran didn't plan to linger on the matter either and immediately seized the chance to extricate himself from the situation.

Because he could sense that the female senior's chilly snort was directed at them all, not favoring him in particular.

"Indeed, indeed, indeed, it's a misunderstanding, just a mere misunderstanding!" Fu Huacan laughed heartily, "Now that the misunderstanding has been resolved, we are friends, fellow Daoist, would you like to join us on our journey?"

"Still no." Gu Ran shook his head, "I truly have matters to attend to, so I'll bid you farewell." He offered a bow to Fu Huacan and his companions, and then turned to take flight.

"Let's depart as well." Fu Huacan signaled his followers, and the group hastily made their exit.

After they had put a considerable distance between themselves and their previous location, Fu Huacan and the others regained some composure. However, recollections of the recent incident still sent a chill down their spines.

"I never expected such a powerful senior to appear here!"

"Just from the voice of that senior, it's clear she loathes evil as if it were her personal enemy. Thankfully, we didn't get a chance to initiate our actions!"

"We need to abandon these opportunistic acts of robbery, I thought I was on the brink of death just now!"

Fu Huacan and his companions kept patting their chests to soothe their anxiety.

Then, they resumed their journey towards Black Wood Island.

Meanwhile, Gu Ran was pondering deeply, 'Could there actually be a powerhouse at the Second Step of the Cultivation Path in this sea region? They might be at either the Dao Comprehension realm or the Dao Palace realm.'

'The sudden disappearance of the demonic beasts in this area might be linked to this powerhouse.'

'But that female cultivator is incredibly powerful. Surely, she wouldn't be concerned with those minor demonic beasts!'

'There must be another reason for the odd disappearance of the demonic beasts. This powerhouse might be here to uncover that mystery!'

'I wonder if that female cultivator is affiliated with the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect...'

Just the thought of the Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect caused a chill to pass through Gu Ran's eyes, and deep resentment welled up inside him!

'I must become more powerful!'

'This sea region is showing signs of irregularity. I should change my direction!'

'The Ageless Spirit Heavenly Sect, Jing Miaoyao... and all who played a part in this, I swear to exact my revenge!' With these thoughts burning in his mind, Gu Ran quickly turned and darted towards the horizon.

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