Summit of the Old Gods

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The fifth day of the lunar month, the sky overcast.

Amidst bursts of alarm bells, Lu Ran opened his sleepy eyes and quickly turned off that life-hastening ringtone.

"Thump,"

Lu Ran did an unconventional carp flip, not bending his knees at all, standing up straight like a zombie rising from a coffin.

Youth, it's all about having a good back~

He strode out of bed and came before the altar, bowing respectfully, "Lord Immortal Goat, good morning! Today I am heading to Evil Dog Village for my training, please bless me..."

Lu Ran paused in his words, his body shivering.

From within the altar, the White Sheep Jade Carving released wisps of mist, continuously streaming towards Lu Ran.

Lu Ran immediately reacted, repeatedly compressing and solidifying the Divine Power within his body, to make space for Lord Immortal Goat's gift.

"Ergh," Lu Ran leaned against the cabinet and slowly slid to sit on the floor.

His body trembled even more violently, feeling as if he was about to be inflated to the point of bursting!

"Hoo!"

A sudden gust rose, Divine Power overflowing.

Mist Realm·Second Rank!

"Heh...hee..."

Lu Ran gasped for air, overjoyed in his heart!

Last night, he had sat meditating in front of the altar, practicing hard into the night, yet that final step just seemed impossible to take.

And this morning, such good news arrives.

Awesome~!

Lu Ran basked in the feeling of full strength for a good while, then looked up at the altar:

"Thank you, Lord Immortal Goat, for your help! Today, your disciple will strive to achieve good results, to add glory to our Immortal Sheep sect."

The White Sheep Jade Carving just quietly released the mist, nourishing Lu Ran's human body, with no response.

"You said before that when I reach the second rank of the Mist Realm, I can practice the special version of the Divine Technique·Voice of Compassion?"

Lu Ran pressed his hands together, his eyes full of anticipation as he asked.

"Evil Dog Village." These three words imprinted themselves into Lu Ran's mind.

After a moment of thought, he understood the divine intent.

So, does Lord Immortal Goat want to teach through actual combat?

"Okay!" Lu Ran nodded firmly, then ran off, excited, to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.

After washing up, he headed straight for the master bedroom.

Ever since his father's death, Lu Ran seldom visited this room, but now he marched directly to a Tang horizontal saber hanging on the wall.

This saber was no wooden replica, but a genuine blade, forged from black ice.

Black ice, a mysterious material produced within the Demon Cave.

The material felt cool and light as ice and was semi-transparent in its dark luster, with a very strong texture.

The blade was thin and long, a full 77 cm, about two fingers wide, with a handle 33 cm long.

"Phew!" Lu Ran blew gently, and dust billowed, somewhat obscuring his vision.

This saber was named Dawn Blade.

It had been the personal weapon of his father, Lu Xing, and its blade had been inscribed with countless runes.

Unfortunately, Lu Ran was not a believer of the Divine·Jade Talisman.

In his hands, the Tang saber would find it difficult to display its myriad colors, to ignite flames, to wrap in electricity, or to spread frost again.

But Jiang, the squad leader, was indeed a Jade Talisman Believer.

Once she grew more powerful, could Lu Ran have her enchant the saber before each battle?

"Come with me, Dawn Blade."

Lu Ran invoked his Divine Power to infuse the blade, with strands of white mist spreading over the slender length, dusting it off.

"Buzz!"

Dawn Blade trembled gently, with a pleasant sound.

Since Lu Xing's passing, it had lain undisturbed for four years.

Today, it might be happy to once again accompany the offspring of its former master.

...

The overcast sky drizzled with light rain.

Rain Alley City, true to its name.

Rainy days were indeed plentiful, even more so than London.

Amidst the persistent drizzle, Lu Ran carried his saber and held an umbrella as he arrived at the school gate of Number One Middle School.

The playground was already filled with students, gathered in small groups.

Lu Ran looked around and soon spotted his three teammates, because Deng Yutang's attire was strikingly conspicuous!

Since becoming a follower of Divine·Red Cloth, Deng Yutang had bought a red headscarf, which he wrapped around his head.

It was a unique personal trademark.

And they just happened to be standing where Lu Ran used to set up his stall.

Lu Ran thought they did it on purpose...

Jiang Ruyi spotted Lu Ran from a distance, and seeing his wry expression, the girl couldn't help but smile.

Just as she was about to wave, Wu Shanshan took the lead and waved, "Lu Ran, over here!"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

With a curious expression, Wu Shanshan stepped forward, "Let me see, what kind of Divine Weapon did you bring?"

Lu Ran's Dawn Blade was wrapped in cloth to avoid drawing attention.

Black ice was a rare and precious material, and weapons made from it were exceedingly valuable—not something ordinary families could afford.

Lu Ran's family wasn't particularly wealthy; it was because Lu Ran's father had served in the military, and this saber was a special award for Lu Ran's exceptional contribution from the army.

"Wow, it's made of black ice!"

Wu Shanshan squatted beside Lu Ran, lightly lifting the cloth with her finger, her eyes lighting up.

"Hush." Lu Ran gestured for the girl to keep her voice down.

"You come from a wealthy family too?" Wu Shanshan asked with a smile, teasing.

Too?

Lu Ran caught the hint in her words, looking down at the squad leader, "I wish I were a wealthy second-generation."

"Just being humble, that's a saber you're carrying, right?" Wu Shanshan flicked the blade, "That's an A6 you've got there!"

"Not at all, not at all." Lu Ran replied with false modesty, waving his hands, "At most, it's a Cullinan."

Wu Shanshan: ???

Do you even know how much these cost... wait a minute!

A thought struck Wu Shanshan, and she asked incredulously, "Have you already raised an Artifact Spirit for it?"

That wouldn't be right either!

If he truly had nurtured an Artifact Spirit, the saber would be beyond monetary value.

A blade with its own Artifact Spirit was a real Divine Weapon, something every Believer dreamt of!

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