Summit of the Old Gods

"Wooo~~~"

The fox's cry was like weeping and complaining, slowly spreading from the mountain peak, drifting into the dim world.

The sound was incredibly infectious, even the opponents couldn't help but feel a tinge of sorrow.

The Martial Emperor, however, was not affected at all. He turned his head, searching for the fourth-tier Divine Hammer, and immediately flew off.

He did not need to pay any attention to Lie Tian's Divine Soul.

There would be someone assigned to capture the soul.

The Evil Shadow Guardian was the "Soul Capturer," who had been hiding invisibly, observing the battle, and now instantly teleported into the mist.

"Hmm?" Yan Shuangzi felt puzzled.

The Rebirth Money gently vibrated, reminding her that Lie Tian's Divine Soul was right here.

Yan Shuangzi naturally stopped, yet all her Divine Weapon magic artifacts also informed her there was another magic artifact by her side.

Magic artifact?

Could it be the flame pattern on Lie Tian's chest?

Besides that strange flame pattern, there were no other magic artifacts on the battlefield between the Martial Emperor and Lie Tian.

However, the Command Flag that the Martial Emperor had just deployed had incredibly high output! Even Lie Tian's Divine Sculpture was destroyed, so how could a magic artifact still exist?

Divine Weapons and magic artifacts only have soldier spirits, and they leave no dead souls after death.

This also meant the flame pattern was not destroyed.

Just when Yan Shuangzi was full of doubt, an even stranger scene occurred! As Lie Tian's Divine Soul was being absorbed into the Rebirth Money, the aura of the magic artifact also disappeared.

The magic artifact followed the divine soul, locked into the Ancient Copper Coin together?

Yan Shuangzi couldn't help but raise her eyebrows slightly.

The Rebirth Money could only capture souls, it had absolutely no ability to imprison a top-level magic artifact.

This magic artifact...

Yan Shuangzi silently absorbed the Holy Spirit Energy, harboring a guess in her heart: this flame pattern seemed like some kind of soul branding, always engraved on Lie Tian's Divine Soul.

Only this could explain how the magic artifact entered the Rebirth Money.

And it could also explain how the flame pattern remained intact after being bombarded repeatedly.

It simply did not belong to this dimension!

It resided at the soul level, and no matter how powerful the Martial Emperor's skills were, they could not harm it in the slightest.

"Wooo~~~"

The fox's cry echoed again on the Divine Mountain, mournful and poignant.

The sound was obviously distant, yet the entire dim Third Heaven seemed even more silent.

Qiang Xiu leaned against a massive rock, silently looking into the distant dense fog.

The Desolate Drum had long since set down its drumstick, looking desolate, gazing at the traces of where colleagues once existed.

The Spiritual Fortune had a somber expression, their gaze shifting frequently, pondering something unknown.

"Whoo~"

A figure streaked across the sky.

The awe-inspiring Martial Emperor, wielding the hammer, flew to the Lady of Burning Gate, respectfully saluted, and presented the Divine Weapon with both hands: "Sect Leader."

However, someone was not in the hands of the Lady of Burning Gate.

Jiang Ruyi turned to look at the Mad Immortal Guardian.

Si Xianxian got the message and immediately stepped forward, holding the top-level Divine Hammer that once belonged to Lie Tian.

It was said to be called the Fiery Hell Hammer.

As for the top-level Divine Weapon Domain: Ten Directions Hell, everyone just witnessed it and indeed, it was a world-destroying level.

Not only did the sea of flames cover an extensive range, but the Fiery Prison Fire could soar up to a hundred meters high!

For the Divine and Evil Sculptures, a hundred meters only reaches above the knee or thigh region.

But for the masses below gods and demons, that was an inescapable hellfire! Not to mention, the explosions within the domain were continuous, with high frequency and no regular pattern.

Even if a god stepped into it, their legs would be blown apart in a short time...

"Take it." Lu Ran still stood atop the nose of the Mad Immortal Guardian, patting her nose bridge, "Tame it as soon as possible."

"Yes!" Si Xianxian gripped the Fiery Hell Hammer tightly.

"Well done." Jiang Ruyi softly encouraged the Martial Emperor, who had returned triumphant.

Lu Ran silently chided himself for being negligent, immediately bowed his head, and said, "Well done, Martial Emperor, go absorb Lie Tian's origin energy completely, then rejoin the ranks."

"Yes." Wu Xiao bowed in compliance, gracefully descending.

Jiang Ruyi took the opportunity to turn and look at the small human tribe on the nose of the Mad Immortal Guardian: "It's my turn."

Lu Ran remained silent.

Even though this matter had been settled long ago, at this very moment, he still felt torn inside.

Wanting to go back on his word.

"Sister Ruyi, you must be careful!"

The Yuanxi Divine Sculpture flew slightly forward, holding Jiang Ruyi's arm, full of concern: "Be sure to communicate well with the Green Lotus Bag, always protect your mind, don't fall for an illusion... huh?"

The identity of Qiao Yuansi was special, very close with the Lady of Burning Gate, daring to act a bit wantonly.

She reached into the phoenix robe to grasp the Green Lotus Bag, intending to give it a good reminder.

Unexpectedly, as she grasped the magic artifact, a tiny ant was crushed between her palm and the bag.

Lu Ran: "..."

While his sister expressed her concern, he had already appeared in front of the Green Lotus Bag personally.

But before he could say more than two words, he was held along with the bag.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh, gently brushing away Little Yuanxi's hand.

Judging by her state, she indeed lived up to the title of Lady of Burning Gate, calm and composed, showing no sign of the tension before a life-and-death battle.

It makes sense, if she were timid or afraid of battle, she wouldn't have volunteered.

[No rush to engage, wait for the Martial Emperor to rejoin.] Lu Ran transmitted a message.

"Mm." Jiang Ruyi responded softly, allowing officials to set fires, but not the common people to light lamps.

She brushed off Little Yuanxi's hand and gripped it herself. Lu Ran didn't leave; he simply lay on the exquisite bag, continuing his admonitions.

Green Lotus Bag: "..."

At this moment, not only was the Lord of Gods and Demons advising it personally, but its new master, the Mad Immortal Guardian, was also conveying their thoughts.

It's no wonder everyone was so tense, as the Magic Artifact, Thousand Autumn Bell, truly possessed extraordinary effects.

Just a slight shake towards a target could pull them into the Illusion Realm of the Wheel of Destiny.

An instant outside, equates to hundreds or thousands of years within the Illusion Realm.

In the blink of an eye on the battlefield, Jiang Ruyi might transform from a resolute and composed warrior into a lost, soul-crushed puppet.

Of course, this was the worst-case scenario.

Caring deeply can cause confusion, and Lu Ran couldn't help but think about many things.

[Alright.] Jiang Ruyi gently held the Green Lotus Bag, her voice soft, [Stay with me quietly for a while.]

[Uh...] Lu Ran was nudged once more and finally stopped his chatter.

On the Divine Mountain of Spear God, all gods and demons watched as the mist released by Lie Tian slowly dispersed into the world.

A brief memorial was completed.

As the Martial Emperor within the mist fully revealed himself, the Evil Spear Emperor looked towards the elder behind him: "It's your turn to go to the battlefield."

Ling Qian's expression changed repeatedly, and his voice carried a hint of pleading: "My lord..."

"Hmm?" The Evil Spear Emperor's expression remained indifferent, a slight nasal sound in his voice.

The terrifying aura of authority emanated not only from the Evil Spear Emperor but also from Qiang Xiu, who leaned against a giant rock nearby and turned to look his way.

If the Evil Spear Emperor was an excellent leader, then Qiang Xiu was a "normal" god and demon.

Though aloof, Qiang Xiu didn't like getting involved in too many matters, preferring to drink a little wine and collect long spears for fun. But if you really went against him...

Would there even be a need for the Ran Sect to take action?

Perhaps in the next second, a First-class God would come charging with a long spear.

Ling Qian decisively knelt down, bowing his head low, burying his gloomy face deeply: "As you command."

The Evil Spear Emperor showed little reaction, his gaze remaining indifferent, always shrouding Ling Qian.

Swiftly, Ling Qian stood up and walked briskly to the edge of the mountain cliff, flying downward.

The commotion on the Divine Mountain naturally caught the attention of the Ran Sect's camp.

[Wait for me to return.] Jiang Ruyi picked up Lu Ran, placing him in Little Yuanxi's hand.

"Lady, be careful!"

"Be cautious!" Concerned voices accompanied Jiang Ruyi as she nodded lightly and descended downward.

Lu Ran flickered onto Qiao Yuansi's fingertip, staring at the determined silhouette of the Phoenix Robe Woman, his emotions complex.

"She is a calm girl, a meticulous leader." A female voice came from beside him.

Lu Ran turned his head, seeing the figure of his mother with her clothes fluttering on Little Yuanxi's ring finger.

Qiao Wanjun, watching over Jiang Ruyi heading to the battlefield again, said, "She understands clearly that your battle is the most important one. If she loses, it may affect your performance."

"Hmm..."

Qiao Wanjun turned to look at him, a gentle smile on her face comforting someone's spirit: "You know her better than I do, so rest assured.

If she insists on fighting, she naturally has some confidence."

Lu Ran was silent for a moment but still nodded.

At the same time, the Divine Sculpture of Ling Qian and the Immortal Jasmine Divine Sculpture had entered the field, gazing at each other from afar.

Jiang Ruyi scrutinized the tall, thin elder, looking at this being whom Lu Ran despised, who had tormented Chang Ying and countless believers.

The dull Stone Sculpted Body concealed his white hair, and his thick beard appeared somewhat unkempt.

With an old robe draping his shoulders, a copper bell at his waist, and holding a fortune-telling flag, he bore the appearance of a fortune-teller.

Different from the impression, his wrinkled old face always smiled at the world.

Yet at this moment, he was particularly stern.

Ling Qian truly couldn't smile.

Facing the Human Race Goddess, her presence was overwhelmingly strong!

The noble and expansive phoenix robe harmonized with her aura, accentuating her supreme majesty.

The indifferent gaze, the natural sense of dominance and control, the calmness as if overlooking all beings, Ling Qian just felt it on the Divine Mountain!

This was clearly an Empress!

Someone on the same level as the Evil Spear Emperor...

"My lord, I have long been stationed at the battlefield frontlines, fighting against outside enemies, protecting the Heavenly and Human Realms. Asking for more faith and offerings from the Human Clan was indeed a helpless move."

Ling Qian clasped his fists, his attitude sincere, his posture humble.

Jiang Ruyi remained expressionless.

Asking for more offerings was indeed a helpless move?

With such a light statement, you've covered everything up.

So all the suffering, deception, and enslavement the Human Clan endured for decades were because you were protecting the Three Realms.

On the corpses of one after another Human Clan believer, those still tangled, chaotically flying rotten talismans...

All were for protecting people.

Heh.

"My lord, this humble one may not be skilled enough to defeat external enemies, yet I've guarded the frontlines for decades without error."

"This humble one is willing to defend the frontline Divine Mountain to the death, to fight for our common home."

"In this contest, I hope my lord will be lenient, this humble one..."

Ling Qian openly and covertly expressed and requested, also displaying his value.

"You've worked hard." Jiang Ruyi suddenly spoke.

Ling Qian's heart stirred, finding the Empress' cold and authoritative words unexpectedly pleasing.

However, Lady of Burning Gate spoke again, calmly:

"Since your skills are lacking, someone else should take your Divine Position."

Ling Qian's expression stiffened: !!!

...