Summit of the Old Gods

Nine days later, in a pitch-black seclusion room.

Lu Ran sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly shut, meditating. Across his lap lay a Cloud Sea Dust Clean Knife, enjoying the blessings of heaven and earth together with him.

A terrifying energy roiled around, making his wide robe flutter vigorously.

The situation inside his body was far more astonishing than his outward display!

A dense mist continuously flowed into his body, which Lu Ran condensed into thin streams.

These trickling streams gathered into a river.

The surging river, in turn, rolled into a vast river.

A vast river rushed and flowed turbulently within Lu Ran, continuously broadening his meridians.

Circle after circle, endlessly and without cease.

Until Lu Ran truly broke through the cultivation bottleneck and entered the upgrading process, he felt a familiar sensation once again.

That was on Luoxian Mountain.

He and Jiang Ruyi had once received the blessing of the Divine·Immortal Goat.

Jiang Ruyi already possessed a celestial appearance, with ethereal beauty and remarkable growth speed.

Lu Ran was certainly not far behind!

This promotion, although not as intense as the divine blessing, was enduring like a long-flowing river.

Lu Ran's flesh and blood were continually nourished by divine power, and his bones were repeatedly tempered.

The process of advancing to the Sea Realm was like a simplistic version of a divine blessing!

The vessel of the body was further expanded, able to bear more divine power, while Lu Ran's speed of absorbing divine power and cultivation talent were incrementally enhanced...

"Rumble!!"

Suddenly, a violent sound, accompanied by terrifying energy fluctuations, resonated within the seclusion room.

The vast rushing rivers within Lu Ran tried to merge, yet it wasn't as simple as imagined.

As the divine powers gathered, they failed to blend harmoniously, instead causing violent collisions.

"Ugh." Lu Ran's complexion turned alternately green and purple.

He realized that this was the most crucial moment!

Cong Long, Nightmare, and several Divine Generals had shared their experiences with Lu Ran.

Without exception, they all made huge strides into the Sea Realm when their large rivers converged into a sea.

So, this was the final sprint moment!

"Rumble..."

Gritting his teeth, Lu Ran experienced a surge of energy and blood.

The divine power within had already been in motion, not requiring much guidance from him. All along, Lu Ran had merely been absorbing the mist from the heavens and earth, compressing it into streams for the large rivers to contend over and devour.

It was similar to nurturing Gu?* (*A traditional Chinese term referring to a form of black magic which uses poisonous creatures.)

At this moment, Lu Ran decisively intervened, deliberately decelerating the divine power's operation speed, allowing the divine powers to slowly approach each other.

Cautiously touching, gently blending...

Boom—

Lu Ran's mind went blank.

A terrifying wave of energy spread from within him.

The Cloud Sea Dust Clean Knife, which lay flat on his knee, was suddenly blown away, piercing into the hard stone wall.

And Lu Ran...

He tilted his head back, slightly parted his lips, and gazed around with half-open eyes full of bewilderment.

Lu Ran finally understood how terrifying the difference between a River and a Sea was.

In the River Realm, he had taken his first step toward becoming a god.

Knowing little of the world, he considered his energy to be boundless.

Now, with a hundred rivers forming a sea within him, Lu Ran truly felt his own insignificance.

Within his meridians, despite the terrifying amount of divine power running along its original path, it was completely overwhelmed.

Inside and out, every inch of flesh and skin, every piece of bone, was filled with divine power.

The Yangyang Sea, a realm as its name!

"Ha..." Lu Ran sighed tremblingly.

He was wholly immersed in a sea of divine power, the exuberant vitality, the terrifying sense of strength, was beyond ordinary understanding.

This illusion of being able to destroy everything with a wave of a hand or a stomp, was something that would severely unbalance one's mentality!

No wonder the great powers of the Sea Realm comfortably stood above others, considering themselves the rulers of all.

No wonder they appeared condescending or indifferent when facing all beings.

Capability, after all, is the foundation of everything.

And this frightening feeling brought on by the influence of mindset is indeed hard to withstand.

Gradually, the boundless divine power within Lu Ran calmed down.

Lu Ran revitalized himself, guiding a stream of divine power to continue circulating through his meridians, cycle after cycle, endlessly.

It's unknown how long passed...

Lu Ran opened his eyes, brilliance dazzling.

In the seclusion room, mist still lingered heavily.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

Someone else is advancing within the Cloud Sea Cliff?

That's a good thing!

Lu Ran was secretly delighted, and he cautiously stood up, fearing that a careless step might break the floor.

Having become familiar with the River Realm, he knew how to control his strength.

Now transformed into the Yangyang Sea, for Lu Ran, everything once again bore the label of "handle with care."

He needed to familiarize himself anew.

"Crack~"

Lu Ran stepped forward slowly, finding the Cloud Sea Dust Clean Knife wedged in the stone wall and carefully extracted it.

He stood there for a moment, feeling the breeze, following the direction the mist surged from, step by step towards the tunnel entrance.

Lu Ran did not flash out.

With each step, he adapted to this new, incomparably powerful body of flesh and blood.

When Lu Ran walked out of the cave entrance, he found two people waiting there.

One person came forward, gently leaning into his arms.

Her joy influenced the surrounding atmosphere and also infected Lu Ran's mood.

"Finally entered the Sea Realm." Jiang Ruyi murmured with her delicate face resting on Lu Ran's shoulder, her voice gentle and soft.

"Mm." Lu Ran moved with great care, wrapping his arms around Jiang Ruyi's slender waist.

He slightly lowered his head, burying his face in her neck as well, imagining and inhaling the intoxicating jasmine scent.

"Lu Ran, could you promise me something?" Jiang Ruyi suddenly said.

"What is it?"

"Promise me first." It was rare for Jiang Ruyi to act coy.

"Alright, what is it?" Lu Ran was very curious.

"Stick to your usual style, be steady and not too audacious," Jiang Ruyi gently advised.

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Ruyi was clearly aware of how terrifying Lu Ran's power was.

Once he unleashed the Divine Technique·Fiery Fire Sky Leader, which Sea Realm could withstand his havoc?

A "genuine" Sea Realm·Lie Tian disciple was formidable enough to make anyone wary.

Lu Ran was far more terrifying than a Lie Tian disciple!

He had many identities, and many Divine and Evil Techniques to back him up.

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi gave a sparkling smile, brought her thin lips to Lu Ran's ear, and whispered, "You've already promised me."

"I've changed my mind," Lu Ran chuckled.

"You're a Great Power of the Sea Realm now, your words are golden, how can you be so shameless?" Jiang Ruyi tilted her head slightly, gently nudging Lu Ran's side of the head.

Lu Ran pouted.

So what about the Sea Realm?

Sea Realm, I'm still Lu the Dog!

The more dog-like I am, the better it matches the nickname~

"I'm not restricting you, Lu Ran, nor do I want to dampen your spirits," Jiang Ruyi cupped Lu Ran's cheeks in her hands.

Her words were gentle and soft: "I just hope you'll stay calm, to be cautious like before.

You are destined for greatness, your target is the God Demon.

On the way, there can't be any mistakes."

"Hmm, I promise you," Lu Ran smiled again, "Besides, aren't you here?"

Jiang Ruyi smiled warmly, leaned forward, and gave him a rewarding soft kiss.

Not far behind a large tree, a tall figure leaned against its trunk, arms crossed in front of her, silently standing there.

Ever since Yan Shuangzi had her other arm restored, she particularly enjoyed this posture.

[Who's advancing?] A voice suddenly transmitted, echoing in her mind.

[Yuxiang,] Yan Shuangzi immediately replied.

[Oh? When did this happen?] One could easily hear the surprise in Lu Ran's voice.

Normally, Lu Ran would be extremely sensitive to the concentration of Divine Power, but this time, he was entirely focused on advancing, with no energy to pay attention to anything else.

[Last night,] Yan Shuangzi responded again.

[At such a pace, it's impressive,] Lu Ran remarked.

He remembered that Deng Yuxiang advanced to Sea Realm in June, and now it was early December.

To have made achievements within the initial stage of Sea Realm in less than half a year, that should be considered fast, right?

Her achievements could...

By merging with Night Charm Evil Sculpture, constantly improving her talent limits and cultivation aptitude, that's one aspect.

Repeatedly experiencing the breakthroughs of strong individuals like Xun Yifei, Gao Yunyan, Xue Fengchen, and especially Yun Qianzhou who advanced to Heavenly Realm, bringing the Big Nightmare's blessing, must have greatly benefited her!

[What about you?] Lu Ran asked again.

Deng Yuxiang enjoyed many blessings, as did Yan Shuangzi.

[Master, I am at Third Rank River Realm, not Third Rank River Realm,] Yan Shuangzi said softly, [I advanced in late September, it's only been a little over two months since then.]

Lu Ran's expression turned a little quaint.

It seemed Yan Shuangzi... had become a little more lively?

Apparently, her physical recovery dispelled a lot of gloom for her.

That's great.

[Congratulations to Master for advancing to the Sea Realm,] Yan Shuangzi seemed to realize she was a bit audacious, hesitated for a moment, and transmitted her congratulation.

Lu Ran wasn't concerned at all, replied: [I can now perform the Sea Grade Evil Dog Evil Skill, let's go test it out later.]

[Yes,] Yan Shuangzi immediately let out a sigh of relief.

"What are you thinking about?" The voice of Jiang Ruyi came from his embrace.

"Ah, Evil Shadow was congratulating me." Lu Ran returned to his senses, gently smoothing Jiang Ruyi's long hair, "I'm heading to the Mo Sea Bay to test out the technique.

You go into seclusion, focus on cultivation, see if you can catch a ride with the Big Nightmare.

The affairs of the Cloud Sea Cliff, leave them to me."

Jiang Ruyi also laughed, she had said similar words to Deng Yuxiang as well.

Lu Ran casually summoned the Ancient Bronze Mirror, transforming it into a standing mirror: "Go ahead."

"Hmm," Jiang Ruyi stepped into the mirror.

[Cavern at the base of the cliff.] Lu Ran transmitted, and his figure flickered away.

Yan Shuangzi arrived shortly after.

In the cavern, the mist was thin, Lu Ran regained some sight, looked at Yan Shuangzi: "By the way, in the last ten days, has the Cloud Sea Cliff been attacked?"

Yan Shuangzi's heart trembled, her words were a bit stammering, "There... there have been..."

"Hmm?" Lu Ran reacted for a moment, realizing that he was now a Great Power in the Sea Realm!

The pressure a Sea Realm stronghold exerts on River Realm people is constant.

The key is, he had just completed his advancement, his momentum was at its peak!

How could Yan Shuangzi withstand it?

"After the momentum of my advancement dissipates, it will be much better," Lu Ran quickly shifted his gaze, his voice as gentle as possible.

"Yes," Yan Shuangzi also shifted her gaze, her eyelashes lowered, no longer looking at Lu Ran's radiant eyes.

"In the attack on Cloud Sea Cliff, did we suffer any losses?" Lu Ran slowly opened his mouth.

"No, the enemy was a Furious Sea Flame Flood Dragon, which was shot down by the Luoshen General."

"Oh." Lu Ran nodded, reached out forward, and a human figure rapidly formed in front of his palm.

Sea Grade Evil Dog Evil Skill·Evil Shadow!

The name of the protector Lu Ran designated for Yan Shuangzi was based on this Evil Skill's name.

This skill, even at River Grade, could already create clones, but its existence was quite unstable.

Not trustworthy.

The Sea Grade Evil Skill·Evil Shadow, however, allowed Lu Ran to summon a structure of energy, a very stable flesh and blood body!

"Tsk tsk~"

Lu Ran inspected it up and down, while the clone just stood there motionless, looking rather dazed.

Does it seem kind of silly?

...