Summit of the Old Gods

At the end of the year, joyful events come one after another.

On the twenty-seventh of the last lunar month, Jiang Ruyi successfully advanced, transforming into a great power of the Sea Realm.

She finally stepped into the ranks of first-class strong practitioners, becoming a ruler who could hold others' lives in her hands.

And on the ninth day of her advancement, the Evil Shadow Guardian successfully activated the advancement mode, catching this opportunity.

Therefore, the dense fog shrouding Cloud Sea Cliff only completely dissipated on the twenty-eighth of the last lunar month.

At that time, it was deep in the night.

Lu Ran sat at the edge of the sea cliff, diligently cultivating.

The sea breeze gently swept by, tousling his hair and clothes, as if dispersing layers of fog.

"Swish~"

Suddenly, a figure flickered in the dark, appearing behind Lu Ran.

"Fourth rank in River Realm?" Lu Ran did not turn around.

"Yes." Yan Shuangzi half-knelt on the ground, bowing her head in response.

"Why are you in such a hurry to come out of seclusion?" Lu Ran asked, "You've just advanced and should consolidate your realm."

Look at little Ruyi!

She advanced yesterday, and she's still in the seclusion room today!

Yesterday at noon, Lu Ran had eagerly gone to the entrance of the seclusion room to wait, but after waiting for a long time without seeing anyone, he tentatively sent a voice transmission inquiry.

In return, his girlfriend directly sent back a breathy sound, not even articulating words: [Shh...]

Thinking of this, Lu Ran pursed his lips.

Not happy~

Yan Shuangzi softly said, "I want to stay by your side."

Lu Ran: "..."

He turned around, looking somewhat helplessly at the young woman: "Sister Shuangzi, I know you have no other intentions, everything is due to the Dao Heart.

But you must understand, you are a beautiful and charming young woman."

Yan Shuangzi slightly raised her head, raising her eyebrows to look at Lu Ran.

Even though the night was pitch black, it couldn't hide the sight of the two evil dogs.

Lu Ran nodded in confirmation: "You always speak like this, it might cause misunderstandings.

If Ruyi hears, you could be free from guilt, but I would be in trouble."

Yan Shuangzi suppressed a laugh, lowering her head: "I got it."

Watching the slight curve of her lips, Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

He turned back, looking out at the sea under the night sky, sighing in his heart.

Lu Ran was well aware that if he put on a stern face, or wasn't so easygoing, releasing a bit of his aura, she would definitely be solemn, perhaps even trembling.

But... it's unnecessary.

Laughter, it's fine.

Yan Shuangzi's body has fully recovered, and her strength is steadily and rapidly improving.

Confidence comes from strength.

It comes from firm belief.

One day, she will regain her former glory, becoming once again the young leader who dominated Beifeng City.

As for the stray dog hiding in the dark abyss, licking its wounds alone...

It will eventually be driven away.

So... laughter, it's good.

Speaking of which, when the wild dog in her heart disperses, the title "master" should also become a thing of the past.

Lu Ran looked forward to the day when she would address him as "Sect Leader."

Yan Shuangzi remained silent, staying quietly for a long time, and softly asked:

"Is the master angry?"

"No." Lu Ran shook his head with a smile, changing the topic, "You are already in the fourth rank of River Realm, with the magic artifact sachet aiding your cultivation.

The day we agreed upon won't be far off."

"Mm." Yan Shuangzi lowered her gaze, her expression turning somber.

"At your current cultivation speed, it should be sometime in early spring."

"I hope so." Yan Shuangzi didn't want to refute Lu Ran, so she responded this way.

She used just over three months to advance from the third rank to the fourth rank in River Realm, her cultivation speed nearly catching up with Lu Ran!

This isn't just the result of her own efforts.

How many great power advancements has Yan Shuangzi experienced in the past hundred days?

Especially the advancement of Yun Qianzhou, that level of blessing is rare and invaluable!

"Then April it is." Lu Ran smiled, "In the human world, blossoms fade in April!

Just right to get some good omen and let Sword Ridge Peak wither together."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shuangzi, with a somber face, revealed a hint of a smile again: "Mm, okay."

"Whizz~ whizz~"

Divine weapons flew back one by one, landing on Lu Ran's lap.

With no more advancements within the cliff, they could cease patrolling.

"Heading back." Lu Ran casually said, and his figure flickered, disappearing.

"Shadow One, follow me back to Cloud Sea Residence to stand guard." Yan Shuangzi softly instructed, her figure subsequently vanishing.

Lu Ran returned to the study of Cloud Sea Residence, placing the blades one by one onto the knife rack on the wall.

"Buzz~"

When placing the Eight Desolate Blade, it gently trembled.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran paused in his movement.

[Master hasn't washed the blade for a long time.] Eight Desolate Annihilation said in a deep voice.

All the divine weapons were very clean, so the Eight Desolate Blade Spirit's so-called "washing" should mean washing with blood.

[The day after tomorrow, New Year's Eve.] Lu Ran gently stroked the cold blade with his fingers, [After the new year, I will take you on an expedition, Holy Spirit Mountain never lacks enemies.]

"Buzz~"

[However, you've grown quite bold now.] Lu Ran teased with a laugh, [Daring to blame the master.]

[My Divine Weapon Domain might need to see some blood.]

[Oh?] Lu Ran's eyes lit up, [Have you gained some insights during this time?]

[My desire to destroy everything is growing stronger, does that count?]

Lu Ran: "....."

That does sound quite scary.

Yeah, I like it~

"Be good, endure a couple more days." Lu Ran gently patted the blade, turning to walk out of the study.

Behind him, the softly quivering Eight Desolate Blade gradually quieted.

Lu Ran passed through the hall and returned to the master bedroom, taking off the spacious white robe he was wearing and tossing it onto the wooden clothes rack nearby, then he collapsed onto the large bed, closing his eyes.

Just as he was dozing off, he vaguely sensed footsteps approaching.

Lu Ran immediately woke up, turning his head to look.

In the pitch-black bedroom, he saw a tall figure, moving very lightly as if afraid of disturbing the resting person inside.

"Yo~ Isn't this the great power from the Sea Realm?" Lu Ran suddenly spoke.

Jiang Ruyi's steps immediately came to a halt.

In a daze, she almost thought that it was little Yuanxi lying on the bed.

No wonder they are siblings!

The way they speak is just too similar.

Lu Ran turned over onto his side, resting his head on his arm, and looked at the cold and beautiful woman standing in the dark: "The esteemed Yangyang Sea, finally willing to come home?"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

She looked speechlessly in the direction of the voice, glaring at him.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran turned over again, sprawling on the bed, and started humming a sad little tune:

"In love with someone who doesn't come home~"

Jiang Ruyi: ???

Just as Fairy Jiang was stunned, the person's singing continued!

And his voice grew softer, the atmosphere more sorrowful:

"Fleeting gaze, tightly closed lips, why insist on forcing..."

Jiang Ruyi was both amused and exasperated, waving her delicate hand.

In an instant, two circles of White Jade Tokens spread out from her waist, totaling 16 pieces!

Electric Shackles Talisman, Frost Talisman, Bursting Flame Talisman, and Quicksand Talisman, four of each.

On the Electric Shackles Talismans, electricity flickered, sparks burst on the Bursting Flame Talismans, slightly illuminating the dark bedroom.

Sea Grade·Jade Talisman Formation!

She stepped forward, her entire body floating forward a few meters, and stood at the bedside in a step.

Lu Ran was startled!

Jiang Ruyi didn't speak, just looked down with her beautiful eyes softly watching him, slightly raising an eyebrow.

Lu Ran's imposing momentum of holding accountable visibly weakened.

But his mouth was stubborn!

In the quiet bedroom, he weakly uttered four more words, completing the lyrics:

"Forcing questions~"

"Heh." Jiang Ruyi was truly amused.

She bent one knee, placing it on the bed, leaned over, and reached towards Lu Ran's ear.

"Don't, don't, wrong, wrong..."

"Sardonic?" Fairy Jiang's tone was cool, her fingers slightly exerting force.

"No, no, just wanted to sing, to remind myself I'm a member of the Human Clan, a person of Da Xia... hiss..." Lu Ran took a sharp breath.

Goodness~

Fairy Jiang's strength, isn't it comparable to the Big Nightmare?

A Sea Realm Great Power isn't easy, huh?

"Hmph." Fairy Jiang glanced at him lightly, withdrawing her hand.

After dispersing the Jade Talisman Formation, she stood straight in the complete darkness and started undressing.

"I'll help you." In the darkness, his voice came again.

Jiang Ruyi's movements slightly paused.

She was also aware that it was all self-deception.

Dispersing the White Jade Tokens only plunged her into darkness.

While that pesky guy had a pair of "dog eyes" that could see everything clearly.

A hot body leaned over.

Surrounded by a familiar scent, Jiang Ruyi slightly lifted her chin, gently closing her eyes.

The noble and cold Sea Realm Great Power, her voice softened: "The day after tomorrow is New Year's Eve, should we celebrate?"

"Of course." Lu Ran said with certainty, "It can also remind us that we are human, we have roots, from a civilized nation."

"Mm." Jiang Ruyi gently nodded.

Lu Ran continued, "Moreover, the Ran Sect has nearly a hundred disciples who all trusted us and followed us to Cloud Sea Cliff.

Let's take this opportunity to celebrate happily and dispel some gloom."

Life at Holy Spirit Mountain was very harsh.

Although the disciples' needs were very low, only requiring the basic survival necessities.

Even so, as long as the Sect Master didn't enslave them, the disciples would be thankful for the rest of their lives.

But Lu Ran didn't think that way!

He held himself to higher standards.

"When the time comes, I'll bring the Wind Emperor and the Divine General too, for a lively gathering." Lu Ran gently hugged the soft warmth, placing her on the bed.

"Oh." Jiang Ruyi seemed a bit dissatisfied, gently pinching Lu Ran's cheek.

Lu Ran's consideration was naturally sound.

But at such a time, are you thinking of other women?

Lu Ran caught her slender hand, bringing it to his lips, and kissed the back of her hand.

He found it quite amusing.

Since cultivating to this day, Fairy Jiang had become a very indifferent person, indifferent to many things.

Only facing him, did she revert to that quirky girl from her student days.

She would also always have some unrestrainable little emotions.

Though she was a Sea Realm Great Power capable of destruction, with stone sculptures enshrined all day in the Feixian Hall as a future deity...

Mm... she loved to be a little jealous~

Truly quite amusing.

"Tomorrow, let's ponder over recipes, I can provide Mo Li fish meat, Evil Dog meat, and Soul Splitting Bull meat." Lu Ran played with his fiancée's delicate hand.

He suddenly remembered something and suggested: "Should we go hunt some Mud Mountain Pigs?"

At the feast by Mist Rain Lake last time, Lu Ran had tasted pork, and it was quite delicious.

Among the Ran Sect disciples, many were from the River Realm and needed to eat regularly.

It could also improve their diet.

Jiang Ruyi contemplated further, not limiting herself to hunting: "The Evil Technique of the Mud Mountain Pig clan has limited improvement for you."

The scholarly master's judgment was naturally very authoritative.

Lu Ran replied, "These days, I've actually been thinking about activating a Divine Sculpture.

Whether it's the Dry Sea Divine Sculpture or the Sand River Doll Evil Sculpture.

Both are archenemies, able to burrow, and can fill one of my ability gaps."

Jiang Ruyi was thoughtful.

Everyone was about to return to Ten Thousand Blade Mountain, and the burrowing method was certainly worth equipping.

The question was, whether to choose the Divine Sculpture or the Evil Sculpture.

[Oh, right.] Jiang Ruyi communicated through voice transmission, [Now that you're in the Sea Realm, how many more stone sculptures can you activate?]

[Fifteen.]

Hearing this response, Jiang Ruyi felt a trace of joy in her heart.

Next, as everyone traversed Holy Spirit Mountain, carefully selecting and filling gaps for Lu Ran, after activating a dozen or more stone sculptures...

Lu Ran,

would be even more like an omnipotent deity?

...