Summit of the Old Gods

The God Demon Sculpture Garden resembles a chessboard.

A wide river runs through it from east to west, akin to the border between kingdoms.

On the north and south of the river, the camp of the gods and the camp of the evil demons face each other, standing proudly.

In the spiritual realm, directions shouldn't technically exist, but this is Lu Ran's territory, and he directly defined the Fake God Stone Sculpture to sit north and face south, naturally also distinguishing east from west.

At this moment, Lu Ran is located to the north of the river, within the camp of the gods.

Before him stands an incredibly massive Divine Sculpture of Dong Ting!

This scale…

"Goodness~" Lu Ran strained his neck upwards, his face full of astonishment.

Due to the thick fog in the garden, he could only see the shin of the Fake God Dong Ting.

From just a glimpse, one can infer the whole picture!

Just from this part of the shin, Lu Ran could deduce how majestic this stone sculpture was.

So… Heavenly Realm?

"Lv Xiao, oh Lv Xiao, you truly did gather Holy Spirit Energy during your reign in this area for more than ten years!" Lu Ran exclaimed inwardly.

Recalling the battle at Mist Rain Lake, Lu Ran devoured quite a few dead souls of Dong Ting disciples.

Just among the powerful ones from the Sea Realm, he could list several names:

Ling Feng, Hu Xu, Hu Lian, Blood Shadow, Blood Moon, Tie Hua, and many Sea Realm Hall Masters, Sect Master Lv Xiao, Lady Lv, Third Lady Lv…

And many Hall members from the River Realm.

There were also two Dong Ting disciples from the River Realm, with very special identities.

Those two were bodyguards of Luo Tiantu from Tiantu Mountain. For nearly half a year, every time Luo Tiantu went out to collect Holy Spirit Energy, he let these two bodyguards enjoy it first.

Presumably, their souls were also carrying a lot of Holy Spirit Energy.

"Hmm." Lu Ran nodded secretly.

Come to think of it, Luo Tiantu, Lady Kong, and a group of Jade Talisman disciples were able to bring Lu Ran's Fake God Jade Talisman Stone Sculpture to the Sea Realm Third Rank.

And it was almost reaching the Sea Realm Fourth Rank!

In such a large Thunder Mountain, would the Holy Spirit Energy collected by the Grand Sect Master Lv and his ladies and subordinates be scarce?

Lu Ran even felt that his Dong Ting Stone Sculpture shouldn't remain at the Initial Stage of the Heavenly Realm.

Wait!

After the Heavenly Realm, are there still First, Second, and Third Ranks?

Lu Ran frowned, connecting spiritually with the Dong Ting Stone Statue.

He felt a sense of difference.

For so long, all the stone sculptures cultivated by Lu Ran, whether at the Mist Realm, Stream Realm, River Realm, or Sea Realm, were divided into five sub-ranks within each Great Realm.

Lu Ran couldn't precisely control the specific values.

He didn't know exactly how much more Holy Spirit Energy was needed to level up within the sub-ranks.

But in the general direction, Lu Ran could roughly sense and confirm there were five sub-ranks.

Just like five steps!

Every time you ascend a step, you achieve a minor transformation until you reach the last step, embracing a qualitative leap into the next Great Realm.

But the Heavenly Realm stone sculpture in front of him seemed to lack five steps?

Within the Heavenly Realm, there are only three transformation nodes!

If I were to reach the Heavenly Realm Peak, and then go even further than the last, could I match the gods?

At least I could infinitely approach All Gods and All Demons, right?!

Lu Ran found it hard not to think so!

After all, everything below the Sea Realm always had five transformation nodes, but suddenly in the Heavenly Realm, it became three.

This sudden change must have its reasons.

Surely it contains some important information!

"Immortal Sheep..."

Lu Ran looked around; only dense fog surrounded him, with no sign of an old acquaintance.

His eyes couldn't hide his disappointment as he murmured, "If you were here, it would be great."

As his words fell, Lu Ran genuinely wanted to hear the mocking laughter of the overbearing sheep.

Even jests would be fine.

However... there was none.

Nothing at all.

The hands of All Gods cannot reach within the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, not even the mysterious Immortal Sheep can.

"Fine." Lu Ran murmured under his breath.

His mind full of questions, he could only keep them tucked away.

And he didn't know if the growth path of the stone sculptures aligns with the advancement path of the Human Clan.

Hmm... I could go and ask the Hierarch of the Thousand Boat Alliance.

Yun Qianzhou is already in the Heavenly Realm and should have some understanding of the Realm. He might even glimpse some of its mysteries?

Lu Ran thought quietly, withdrawing from the God Demon Sculpture Garden.

When his focus was no longer in the spiritual world, everything around naturally entered his perception range.

Lu Ran heard soft breathing.

Long and rhythmic.

Right by his ear.

Lu Ran quietly opened his eyes, turning his head slightly. A delicate and cold face appeared before him.

It startled Lu Ran with its beauty!

He then realized his palm was still resting on another hand, slender and soft.

Her palm had a great feel to it.

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi opened her eyes.

Those cold eyes were icy, making the room feel like a frozen cavern.

In an instant, the ice melted away.

She recognized the person before her and no longer held any animosity against the pressure of a Sea Realm powerhouse, instead silently enduring it.

Her graceful eyes softened, and she spoke gently, "Did I wake you?"

Fairy Jiang was still a bit willful and hadn't left, instead carefully staying by his side, quietly lying on her side.

She unknowingly fell asleep, inhaling that familiar scent.

"No, I... have you leveled up?"

"Yes, I've reached the River Realm Peak." Jiang Ruyi smiled softly, slightly leaning forward, resting her forehead on his arm.

She closed her eyes again, gently breathing in his scent.

She felt very much at ease.

"How long have I been lying here?" Lu Ran was a bit confused, "What day is it today?"

"Not long now, you're too tired, sleep a little more," Jiang Ruyi gently advised.

Memories gradually surfaced.

Lu Ran vaguely recalled that she once borrowed the Blazing Phoenix from him.

At the time, he was in a daze, his mind not very clear, and he seemed to have said some silly things.

Did he say to let the Blazing Phoenix find its mother?

"Uh," Lu Ran rubbed his head.

By accident, he exposed his true thoughts~

"Don't want to sleep?"

Lu Ran reached out and pulled her into his embrace, apologetically saying, "With your recent promotion, I..."

Jiang Ruyi interrupted softly, "You've worked hard for so long, built up this foundation, and have many elite troops under you. You don't need to do everything yourself."

"Uh," Lu Ran felt awkward again.

Praise that makes one uneasy.

Hehe~

[Has the activation of the Stone Sculpture affected you greatly?] Jiang Ruyi switched to mental communication.

[It's alright. Oh, by the way, the Dong Ting Divine Sculpture has ascended to the Heavenly Realm!] Lu Ran replied.

[Oh?] Jiang Ruyi lifted her gaze slightly, looking at Lu Ran's profile.

[The growth path of the Stone Sculpture has had a slight change,] Lu Ran shared his discovery with Jiang Ruyi.

Jiang Ruyi pondered, [If there are only three nodes... Dong Ting Divine Sculpture only needs to cross two nodes to reach the Third Rank of the Heavenly Realm, which is equivalent to reaching the peak of the Heavenly Realm?]

[Exactly! Reach the peak of the Heavenly Realm, and then take one more step, cross the last node...]

[God?] Jiang Fairy's eyes shone brightly.

[I don't know.] Lu Ran looked at the charming face and couldn't resist capturing her soft lips, [But it's a beautiful vision.]

"Hmm..." Jiang Ruyi instinctively closed her eyes.

Lu Ran transmitted mentally again, [When does Jiang Fairy plan to advance to the Sea Realm? The Heavenly Realm is waiting for us.]

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

It's as if you have already reached the peak of the Sea Realm.

Aren't you just at the First Rank?

There's still a long way to go...

Lu Ran showed mercy and temporarily spared Jiang Fairy, speaking seriously, "Once you reach the Sea Realm, we'll set out again and traverse this Holy Spirit Mountain."

"Traverse?" Jiang Ruyi buried her face in Lu Ran's chest, hiding her flushed face, speaking in a muffled voice.

"Right!" Lu Ran responded decisively.

In the Holy Spirit Mountain, a Sea Realm Great Power is the king who governs the lives of others.

And Lu Ran's Sea Realm is even more special!

His real combat strength is not comparable to ordinary Sea Realm Great Powers!

Lu Ran no longer needed to be as cautious as before; he had enough strength to travel across this dirty mountain.

Whether to purify the atmosphere or rescue the suffering servants.

Recruit great heroes from all over, gather followers from eight directions, and seize Divine Weapons...

In short, the upcoming journey in the Holy Spirit Mountain would be a stage of rapid ascent for Lu Ran and his Ran Sect!

Lu Ran, while thinking, shared his ambitious plans with Jiang Ruyi.

"You previously advised me to maintain my mindset and proceed cautiously," Lu Ran's tone shifted, smiling, "So you must travel with me, constantly reminding me not to be too reckless."

"Mm," Jiang Ruyi remained nestled in Lu Ran's arms, her thoughts swirling.

Lu Ran gently played with his fiancée's hair, softly wrapping it around his fingers, "You know, Mr. Cong Long may not be able to stop me.

Nightmare Evil Shadow and these protectors are each more obedient than the last; whatever I say goes..."

Jiang Ruyi, both amused and annoyed, raised her head and glared lightly at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran, while smiling, winked, "Additionally, I'm planning to return to Ten Thousand Blade Mountain to use its unique terrain to glimpse the Heavenly Realm."

Jiang Ruyi's expression shifted slightly, her brows lightly furrowing.

"Relax! I won't take unnecessary risks alone. I plan to use Evil Mirror Magic—Connection Mirror..."

Listening to Lu Ran's explanation, Jiang Fairy's brows gradually relaxed.

Exploring the Heavenly Realm's situation while ensuring safety is certainly possible.

It's just hoped that,

it's closer to the Human World.

Not another purgatory, not another even dirtier mountain.

Regarding the world above the Cloud Sea, Jiang Ruyi always held a pessimistic attitude.

When she realized the true face of God Demon, she truly believed that God Demon would not spare any Human Clan member who could change the Human World's structure.

As for those who once came to the Holy Spirit Mountain and returned to the Human World...

Jiang Ruyi also didn't mind speculating with maximum malice about their existence and purposes.

Those extreme cases, should they really be called lucky ones?

What exactly have they sacrificed to safely return to Da Xia? Have these people already become God Demon's dogs, turned traitors?

Or, have they been stripped of everything by God Demon, turned into puppets...

Who knows.

Jiang Ruyi gently clutched Lu Ran's sleeve.

A dangerous and long road lies ahead.

At the end, what awaits us?

"So, you need to advance to the Sea Realm quickly, so we can enter the next stage... hmm?" Lu Ran was envisioning the future when he suddenly felt a surge of energy.

He looked down in surprise at the beauty in his arms.

Jiang Ruyi was also looking up at him, her bright eyes soft yet determined.

"Hoo!!"

A violent wave of energy pulsed from Jiang Ruyi's body.

Lu Ran was both startled and delighted, yet dared not move recklessly, even the fingers tangled in her hair were frozen.

That's right,

Jiang Fairy didn't need to enter the seclusion room to ponder deeply.

The concept of Dao Heart, for her, is a personified figure.

Always by her side.

Right in front of her eyes.

———— "Volume 3: After Divine Ruins · Volume End"

***

First update today, tomorrow will start a new volume.

I'll carefully refine the outline and add the details of the new volume, thank you all for your support and companionship, I'll definitely strive to write the next part of the story well.