Summit of the Old Gods

Late at night, the sky was filled with stars.

The gentle moonlight cascaded over the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, landing in the courtyard of Cloud Sea Residence.

A wooden rocking chair gently swayed back and forth.

Lu Ran lounged comfortably, gazing at the starry night sky.

The beauty Jiang Ruyi lay sideways, resting her head on his arm, half-embraced, sleeping peacefully.

She wore Lu Ran's large white robe, loosely draped, covering both her and him.

Her waist-length, jet-black hair, like silk, was gathered by Lu Ran, gently twisting around his fingers.

The evening breeze softly brushed by.

It was both mountain wind and sea breeze.

For a fleeting moment, Lu Ran wished time could forever pause at this instant.

The beautiful night sky, the tranquil sea cliff, the cozy home.

Her sound sleep.

Isn't it perfect?

Hmm... no.

Lu Ran looked at the sky full of stars, slightly turned his gaze to the bright moon.

No matter how beautiful, it's fake.

In the heavens, there are no such beautiful scenes, only an invisible barrier that traps the spirits of the mountains.

In the heavens...

Would it be closer to home?

Or perhaps another cage, a higher-level human slaughterhouse?

Who knows.

Lu Ran suddenly laughed silently.

During the previous decisive battle with Thunder Mountain, before everyone killed Third Lady Lv, she had claimed to have value, knowing the way home.

What nonsense!

During the initial interrogation, she tried to continue deceiving.

But a seething Lv Xiao ruthlessly exposed her deception.

Under the torture of Soul Fire, she was reduced to begging and apologizing constantly.

Lu Ran once fantasized that he could catch a glimpse of the way back home.

Reality proved it was merely a lie woven by Third Lady to survive.

"Hmm." The peacefully sleeping Jiang Ruyi let out an unconscious murmur, lightly moving her fingertips resting on Lu Ran's chest.

Perhaps her sleep was somewhat restless.

Lu Ran quickly dispelled his mood, dissipating the malicious intent in his heart.

The breathing of the fairy in his arms gradually became steady, long and rhythmic, calming Lu Ran's mind even more.

He carefully turned his head, looking at the captivating face under the serene moonlight.

She could have chosen not to come.

Lord Immortal Goat, as a divine being, graciously offered to help her stay in the human world.

In the human world, she was the noble Sect Master's Lady, a distinguished Sea Realm Great Power.

She could enjoy people's reverence, and could also progress steadily in the Immortal Goat's actual presence on Luoxian Mountain.

Yet she insisted on coming to the Holy Spirit Mountain.

From a Great Power, she became a mere ant at others' mercy.

She personally pushed away the divine lord, forsaking everything in the human world, stepping onto a perilous journey to seek someone.

Lu Ran remembered the words she said when they met on Ten Thousand Blade Mountain:

"I missed you."

A few simple words almost shattered Lu Ran's emotions.

Beneath her noble and aloof exterior lay an incredibly passionate heart.

Therefore...

Lu Ran gazed at the peacefully sleeping face before him.

How can the false beauty of the Holy Spirit Mountain compare to such genuine and fervent person?

If time could truly pause,

it should be after the clouds of the Cloud Sea have cleared.

During Da Xia's prosperous brilliance, in the cozy Rain Alley with a gentle drizzle.

"Buzz~"

Behind the rocking chair, a wooden window of the study on the east side of Cloud Sea Residence, and hung on the wall next to the window was the Heavenly Star Saber, which trembled gently.

The Silent Night Blade and the Eight Desolate Blade hanging on the wall remained silent.

The Dawn Blade quietly flew up.

It used its tip to touch the handle of Cloud Sea Clearing Saber, gently removed the blade, flew out the wooden window, and handed the saber to Lu Ran's palm.

Lu Ran, with one hand holding the warmth of soft jade, dropped the other hand outside the rocking chair, grasping the saber's handle.

He slowly turned his head again, gazing at the mesmerizing starry sky.

The weather on Cloud Sea Cliff today was exceptionally good, without the cover of a cloud sea.

And those dazzling stars, for some reason, were seen by Lu Ran as the "dust" often hidden within the cloud sea.

Comparing God Demon to shining stars wouldn't be unfair to these transcendent entities?

Lu Ran tightened his grip on the handle.

Unintentionally, his other hand's grip also increased slightly.

"Hmm..." The beauty Jiang Ruyi opened her dazed sleepy eyes, using the moonlight, saw his profile.

"Not tired?" Jiang Ruyi asked softly.

Perhaps just awakened, her voice was soft and tender, unlike her usual self.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran didn't respond to her.

Jiang Ruyi cleared some sleepiness, also realized he was immersed in some emotions.

She immediately refrained from speaking further, even closing her beautiful eyes again, afraid her gaze might disturb his contemplation.

Exhausted, the sense of fatigue came over her once more.

In a daze, she vaguely felt an energy surge.

Jiang Ruyi suddenly opened her eyes wide!

The person beside her, his energy fluctuations within his body becoming increasingly intense.

Jiang Ruyi felt a surge of joy, cautiously rising, floating with the aid of the Ice Heart Bracelet.

"Hoo!!"

Lu Ran was filled with momentum, a terrifying energy fluctuation rippled from within him.

"Cloud Sea Dust Clear," Lu Ran murmured.

"Buzz~" Cloud Sea Dust Clear gently vibrated.

It was still far from becoming a Divine Weapon, but tonight, it was undoubtedly a thousand times more active than usual.

"What a good name." Lu Ran held the hilt.

Only then did he realize something.

The name of this saber was bestowed upon him by his mother.

And what his mother granted was not just a name.

If this sudden revelation had a theme, then Lu Ran's breakthrough should also be named "Cloud Sea Dust Clear."

Using his personal experiences and desires as the foundation.

Using Ruyi as the entry point.

Supplemented by his mother's bestowed name, nurturing the blade and himself, clarifying his aspirations and heart.

The mist between heaven and earth grew thicker.

Lu Ran got up and walked toward the courtyard; he dared not flicker, fearing to sever the connection with this realm.

Fortunately, the entrance to the No.1 seclusion room on Cloud Sea Cliff was just in the northern forest of Cloud Sea Residence.

Jiang Ruyi floated in mid-air, watching the silent, departing figure of Lu Ran; she wasn't worried, her eyes filled with delight.

The situation was far better than she had expected.

She naturally knew Lu Ran had an understanding far beyond the common people, ambitions difficult for ordinary folks to reach, and he was steadily progressing along this path.

This so-called Fifth Rank in River Realm might block most River Realm individuals.

But it definitely wouldn't stop Lu Ran!

Yet Jiang Ruyi still didn't expect that Lu Ran wouldn't require secluded contemplation.

After pestering her for half the night, only to bring her to the courtyard for a rest, watch the moon and stars, then suddenly have a breakthrough and break through his cultivation bottleneck?

Isn't it a bit too carefree?

Jiang Ruyi felt a bit shy, but more joyful.

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~"

Several blades flew out of the wooden window, hearing the voice of their mistress: "You three."

Dawn Blade and Silent Night Blade suspended in mid-air.

Only Eight Desolate Blade flew forward a bit more but finally stopped.

Jiang Ruyi calmed her mind, precisely grasping the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd and called for Cold Night Sword: "Dawn leads the team to escort your master.

During his seclusion, patrol around Cloud Sea Cliff constantly, do not slack off."

"Buzz~" Several Divine Weapons responded and flew away.

"Ruyi." A voice came closer from the mist.

"Lu Ran has leveled up, he went to the seclusion room," Jiang Ruyi immediately replied.

"Good!" Deng Yuxiang was equally delighted and immediately said, "I'll go arrange the tasks."

"Sister Yuxiang."

"Hmm?"

"I remember, when you reported to Lu Ran during the advancement of Alliance Leader Yun at Mist Rain Lake, you were also about to touch your cultivation bottleneck."

Deng Yuxiang fell silent.

Jiang Ruyi fairly understood Deng Yuxiang, aware that she valued Lu Ran more than anything.

Jiang Ruyi advised, "Ran Sect's defense force is not weak, no longer as it was in the early days of its establishment, don't delay yourself.

Continue your protective tasks as usual, but if you get a chance to catch Lu Ran's fast ride, don't hesitate."

"Alright." A reply came from the mist.

Jiang Ruyi smartly, imitating Lu Ran's tone, said, "This is an order."

Cloud Sea Residence was quiet for several seconds before Deng Yuxiang's voice came, with the title changed: "Yes, Lady."

Jiang Ruyi picked up the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd and pushed it forward: "Go, follow her."

"Buzz~"

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd flew wobbly, seemingly displeased.

Originally, it wanted to find the master, but was assigned work instead.

On Lu Ran's side, the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd only enjoyed without having to work, as Lu Ran had already broken through the bottleneck into the upgrade phase.

On Deng Yuxiang's side, the little Fiery Phoenix clearly had to work hard.

"Ha." Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but shake her head and smile.

Through the Magic Artifact Ice Heart Bracelet, she realized the little Fiery Phoenix's reluctance, flying somewhat slowly.

Jiang Ruyi immediately said, "Sister Yuxiang, kindly guide the little Fiery Phoenix, it's been a long time, and it's still a First Rank Magic Artifact, unable to fulfill Lu Ran's wishes of engulfing living things."

"Yes!" Deng Yuxiang proactively stepped forward, firmly grasping the chubby Treasure Gourd.

The little Fiery Phoenix: "..."

They're all so fierce~

Still, the male master is better, always gentle.

Deng Yuxiang carried the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd to arrange defensive matters, while Jiang Ruyi returned inside, took off Lu Ran's spacious white robe, and donned her own dress.

The next 5–10 days, who knows what Cloud Sea Cliff will experience.

It's said that in this special area, each time someone advances, it attracts the special Evil Demon species, Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragon?

To this day, Jiang Ruyi has not yet seen this terrifying Evil Demon firsthand.

Suddenly, Jiang Ruyi paused, the Ice Heart Bracelet informed her that someone had arrived.

"Sorry, Lady, I fell asleep," indeed, in the darkness came Yan Shuangzi's apologetic voice.

"We asked you to go home and rest," Jiang Ruyi casually comforted, then instructed, "Go summon Feng Yan and the second general, guard the entrance to the No.1 seclusion room.

You patrol nearby, report any situation immediately."

"Yes." The Evil Shadow Guardian quietly disappeared.

A moment later, Jiang Ruyi was also fully dressed, flew out of the secluded courtyard, heading to the Council Hall to oversee the work.

Lu Ran is finally leveling up to Sea Realm.

During this period, not a single mistake can happen!

Once Lu Ran succeeds, the overall power of Ran Sect will take a qualitative leap!

After all, with Lu Ran equipped with Sea Grade skills, in this entire Holy Spirit Mountain, those truly qualified to compete with him will likely be very few.

Even those at the Sea Realm Peak...

can't!

...

Asking for some monthly tickets!