Summit of the Old Gods

The doppelganger looked exactly like Lu Ran, even the white robe it wore was pieced together from energy.

Well... let's temporarily call this doppelganger "Ying Ran."

Although their appearances were identical, people could easily distinguish between the real and the fake at a glance.

Because Ying Ran was just a puppet, not a trace of vitality.

"Come here," Lu Ran commanded.

Ying Ran's eyes were empty and remained motionless.

"Master, this is an evil technique," Yan Shuangzi reminded.

"Oh," Lu Ran scratched his head awkwardly, focusing his thoughts.

Sure enough, Ying Ran moved as its master willed, stepping forward.

Lu Ran frowned slightly.

This puppet had no self-awareness; it had to be personally controlled by the master for every action.

Lu Ran's consciousness couldn't enter this shell.

He had to control this body like playing a game, with a third-person perspective, using the controller.

Ying Ran also didn't possess any skills, and could only rely on sheer physical might.

"No first-person perspective, cannot be entrusted, and cannot summon the Water Flow Armor either..."

Lu Ran sighed with regret.

He could only manipulate Ying Ran to lift its hand, take steps, etc., unable to perform more intricate operations, unable to use this body to absorb or utilize the Divine Power within.

Originally, Lu Ran intended to use Ying Ran to explore the Heavenly Realm.

But the various limitations of this evil technique had sealed the path!

"Alas..." Lu Ran sighed again, handing over the Cloud Sea Blade.

Despite the myriad limitations of the puppet, this shell was still extremely powerful!

Though made of flesh and blood, its essence was pieced from Pure Energy, even normal attacks should be highly lethal.

"Come," he controlled Ying Ran to take the Cloud Sea Blade and swung it at Yan Shuangzi.

Yan Shuangzi reacted swiftly, immediately drawing the Evil Moon Scimitar to counter.

"Ding!"

Yan Shuangzi's expression changed slightly, retreating several steps, feeling a numbness in her hand.

Such a formidable body!

"Master, this doppelganger has the body strength of the Sea Realm," Yan Shuangzi said while engaging in combat with Ying Ran.

"Call it Ying Ran," Lu Ran casually replied.

As time passed, he became increasingly adept at controlling Ying Ran.

Yan Shuangzi was in agony!

As the Evil Dog, she had two absolute advantages:

Evil Technique·Evil Recognition allowed her to swiftly gather all battlefield information; Evil Technique·Evil Agility enabled her to react quickly and move with high speed.

However, Lu Ran also had Evil Sense and Evil Sensitivity!

Moreover, he was outside the battlefield, with an overview of the full situation.

This Sea Realm·flesh and blood body, combined with overwhelming strength and Lu Ran's own reaction speed, was completely crushing Yan Shuangzi!

"Shush~"

Yan Shuangzi fought and retreated, finally unable to hold on, flashing out of the battle.

Run?

Lu Ran slightly turned his head, using the corner of his eye to glance behind.

As its master willed, Ying Ran burst forward, rushing obliquely backward towards Yan Shuangzi.

Yan Shuangzi: "..."

Her real opponent was the Sea Realm body + Lu Ran's combat awareness and skills!

Hmm... to add the "clear perspective of an outsider."

The disadvantage was too great!

The key to breaking the situation should be Lu Ran's real body.

But Lu Ran's real body was far stronger, possessing numerous Divine and Evil Techniques.

Would you dare to challenge the real body without defeating the puppet?

"Enough," Lu Ran controlled Ying Ran to stop.

Yan Shuangzi secretly sighed in relief.

She realized firsthand how intense the pressure was fighting against Lu Ran!

Like a mad dog!

There were several moments when Yan Shuangzi almost wanted to unleash the Divine Weapon Domain·Evil Moon.

But she restrained herself.

It didn't matter for Ying Ran, as it could be summoned again if destroyed; she mainly worried about the Cloud Sea Blade.

It was the master's treasure!

One of the things she naturally guarded.

"Not bad," Lu Ran thought to himself.

This doppelganger was controlled without any delay, truly moving as willed.

Speaking of which, Evil Technique·Evil Shadow had completed a minor transformation from River Grade to Sea Grade, allowing stable existence.

So, when this evil technique advances further and reaches Heavenly Grade, will there be another transformation?

Will Lu Ran's consciousness be able to enter it?

"Eh?" Lu Ran's eyes brightened.

Could he use the Evil Mirror Technique·Connection Mirror to lock onto Ying Ran, thus opening a third-person perspective?

Yes!

He could stand under the Cloud Sea and watch Ying Ran through the mirror, controlling it to explore the Heavenly Realm.

How large was the detection range of the Sea Grade·Connection Mirror?

It should be within a radius of a thousand meters!

Enough!

At least sufficient for Lu Ran to glimpse the Heavenly Realm.

The more he thought about it, the more feasible this method seemed to Lu Ran!

Once the Big Nightmare upgrades are complete, let's give it a try.

"Can the master only summon one Ying Ran?" Yan Shuangzi asked in a low voice.

Of course, she had enough knowledge, but she wanted to confirm further.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, then raised his hand.

Then, another figure appeared.

Two Ying Rans?

Yan Shuangzi was quite delighted, since whatever Lu Ran exhibited, she could potentially possess in the future too.

But in the next moment, her heart sank.

The two Ying Rans stood side by side, their stable state suddenly flickering.

"Poof~ Poof!"

The two Ying Rans shattered simultaneously, turning into dense fog.

Lu Ran: "..."

Yan Shuangzi: "..."

There were rules in the universe after all.

Lu Ran's raised hand hadn't dropped, and energy surged within his palm.

"Ka-chak!!"

Two rows of canine teeth appeared, biting fiercely.

Sea Grade·Evil Teeth!

Each canine tooth was enormous, lined up together, reaching an astonishing length of 10 meters.

The expanding range of the increased output also caused part of the stone wall on the west side of the cave to crumble into pieces.

Chunks of rubble rolled down.

Lu Ran was quite satisfied and said: "It's said that the Sea Grade Evil Shadow Flash can teleport up to ten thousand meters."

With those words, Lu Ran suddenly vanished.

Then, his figure reappeared, looking at Yan Shuangzi: "No problem! At the River Grade, I can instant teleport a thousand meters, and at the Sea Grade, it's ten thousand meters.

When we go back home, doing food delivery or courier service, we could definitely make a lot of money!"

How can you not deliver thousands or tens of thousands of orders in a day?

Yan Shuangzi couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Can't you maintain a bit of a Sea Realm king's demeanor?

This kind of Divine Skill, Instantaneous Movement, is it meant for delivering fried chicken skewers and spicy hot pot?

"Oh?" Lu Ran blinked, "Are you looking down on me?"

Even though the two of them deliberately avoided eye contact, Lu Ran, being of the Sea Realm, still exuded an imposing aura.

Under such circumstances, Yan Shuangzi could still show such an expression. She must have a lot of complaints in her heart!

Yan Shuangzi's heart tightened, and she slightly lowered her head: "No, no."

Lu Ran laughed: "Sister Shuangzi, this is good, don't suppress your nature.

Birds of a feather flock together, and we both know you're the same kind of person as the Big Nightmare."

He naturally hoped that Yan Shuangzi could regain her former glory.

She is no ordinary person!

Back in Beifeng City, Yan Shuangzi was undoubtedly the leader among the younger generation!

Unfortunately, the name of the leader brought her to this cruel Holy Spirit Mountain.

It tore her mind and body into thousands of pieces.

Lu Ran painstakingly pieced her back together, naturally hoping to help her revive and shine again.

Yet she's always belittling herself.

She seems to stay in the abyss, even seeing herself as a vengeful evil dog.

The trip to Mist Rain Lake finally helped her mood recover, and the recovery of her eyes and arms made her much more lively.

"I haven't been suppressing myself," Yan Shuangzi whispered.

"Ha." Lu Ran snorted coldly, "That's why you two could be such good friends!

As stubborn as her mouth."

Yan Shuangzi also laughed, a smile curling at her lips, her words sincere: "Thank you for everything you've done for me, Lu Ran, but I'm very certain, I'm true to my heart.

What kind of person I want to be, what kind of path I choose.

My life's goal has never been clearer."

Lu Ran was silent for a moment, then spoke: "Since you're so clear-minded, let me ask for your opinion."

Yan Shuangzi listened intently.

Lu Ran slowly said: "Do you want me to take you to kill our way up Sword Ridge Peak now, or wait until you reach the Sea Realm, and we go together?"

Hearing this, Yan Shuangzi tightened her grip on the Evil Moon Scimitar.

Lu Ran added: "Don't consider me, and don't consider the Ran Sect.

You only need to think about yourself!"

Silence.

Endless silence.

Lu Ran gave her plenty of time to think, as he lowered his head, gently stroking the Cloud Sea Blade.

"Master." Two brief words, spoken with a trembling voice.

"Decided?"

"Can you... can you take me to kill up Sword Ridge Peak after I advance to the Jiang Realm·Fifth Rank?"

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then appreciatively nodded: "Of course I can!

I promised you, and that's settled."

Yan Shuangzi... intends to use Sword Ridge Peak to prove her path!

She wants to use the North Wind Sect as her stepping stone, to break through from the peak of the River Realm straight into the Sea Realm?

I told you, you're just like the Big Nightmare!

Wise, resolute.

Swift in avenging injustices.

"Let's go back, guard the entrance to the number one seclusion room, and report any situations immediately."

"Yes." Yan Shuangzi replied deeply grateful, before disappearing with a flicker.

Lu Ran remained in the cave at the bottom of the cliff, as two concentric circles of White Jade Stone spread around him.

Currently, out of the 15 Stone Sculptures Lu Ran had activated, only 6 had advanced to the Sea Realm.

Namely, the Evil Dogs, Night Charm, Evil Mirror Demon, Mo Li, Sea Merfolk these five Evil Sculptures.

And one Jade Talisman Divine Sculpture.

The Lie Tian Divine Sculpture is still at the Jiang Realm·Fifth Rank, seems like I should find time to go out to sea and gather some Holy Spirit Energy.

Now is clearly not the time to set off.

Lu Ran might as well test the Sea Grade Divine Skills he currently possesses.

River Grade Jade Talisman Formation, consisting of eight White Jade Stones.

After reaching Sea Grade, Lu Ran summoned a total of 16 White Jade Stones!

Divided into inner and outer circles.

Eight jade tokens rotate slowly from west to east in the inner circle, with eight jade tokens rotating in the opposite direction in the outer circle.

The scene was quite magical.

Lu Ran also knew that once he crushed the Sea Grade Electric Shackles Talisman, the Thunder Domain that would spread out has a diameter of five hundred meters!

What does that mean?

Remember, it was this very skill that made Luo Tiantu wary of Lu Ran!

Lu Ran picked up the Cloud Sea Blade, his fingertips gently tracing along the slender blade.

The flame patterns, like little fiery snakes, were engraved into the blade by him.

"Whew~"

Flames erupted!

Lu Ran raised the blazing blade, inadvertently, a memory of his late father flashed through his mind.

This strike will certainly engulf the surroundings in a sea of flames.

Burn everything to ashes!

In truth, these four attribute White Jade Stones could enchant weapons as early as the River Grade.

Before honoring the gods, Lu Ran indeed dreamed of following in his late father's footsteps.

Fate had other plans.

He trod a different path.

Now, having activated the Jade Talisman Divine Sculpture on Holy Spirit Mountain, his skills in Divine Power surpass even his late father's.

Reaching the terrifying heights of the Sea Grade!

Dawn Silence Night, Eight Desolates Cloud Sea.

Using the enchanted blade with four attributes, employing his father's usual methods, to cleanse this filthy Holy Spirit Mountain, his father would surely feel proud of his son, right?

And that sanctimonious ugly deity!

Lu Ran licked his lips.

Lord Jade Talisman,

You better stay seated tight within Yumen Pass!

Soon enough, I assure you...

I will pay you a visit personally!

...