Summit of the Old Gods

The night was growing deeper, and bonfires were lit in the southern area of the Cloud Sea Cliff's forest.

The aroma of roasting meat, accompanied by bursts of cheerful laughter, lingered among the trees.

From time to time, beautiful songs would drift into the night.

A warm and harmonious atmosphere that clashed with the cold and cruel Holy Spirit Mountain.

At the dimly lit edge of the sea cliff, a man and a woman stood apart from the noisy crowd, one in front of the other, listening to the waves whispering against the shore.

"Hoo~"

The sea breeze gently caressed He Yingcai's long hair.

"This place is special." She closed her eyes with enjoyment, "Even the air feels different."

"In the Mountain Realm, perhaps only the Sect Leader would dare to establish a stronghold by the sea." Yu Changsheng replied softly from a few steps behind the woman.

At the mention of Lu Ran, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"The Sect Leader..." He Yingcai opened her eyes slowly, recalling the events of dusk.

The powerful Sect Master could not resist a few of her requests and granted her wish.

Thinking of this, a slight smile also appeared on her face.

"What about the Sect Leader?" Yu Changsheng rarely initiated conversation.

He Yingcai shook her head gently: "He, like this place, is very special."

Yu Changsheng agreed.

He Yingcai turned slightly to look at the handsome "stone."

The starry sky lent her some light, allowing her to barely make out that handsome face: "After the New Year's Eve, the Sect Leader will lead an expedition to Red Rain Valley.

The Sect Leader promised to take me along."

Yu Changsheng pondered for a moment and said: "The Divine General should still complete the Sect Leader's assigned task, to oversee Green Lotus Island and, with the cooperation of the Grey Lotus Island Master, gradually gain the voice of the Seven Islands of Bihe."

The leader of the Thousand Boat Alliance · Seven Islands of Bihe is the Grey Lotus Island Master.

Lu Ran had many interactions with the other party, and, upon first arriving at Mist Rain Lake, it was He Yingcai and the Grey Lotus Island Master who welcomed him.

After the Mist Rain Lake incident, at Yu Changsheng's suggestion, Lu Ran proactively met with the Grey Lotus Island Master.

Lu Ran expressed his hope and requested that the Grey Lotus Island Master nurture and assist He Yingcai more.

In the Mountain Realm, those who have managed to survive for long, are certainly shrewd people.

The Grey Lotus Island Master was not only grateful to Lu Ran but was also key to acknowledging the powerful strength of the Ran Sect!

The Grey Lotus Island Master immediately expressed that supporting the younger generation was a part of her duties.

Between the lines, she hinted at her age and waning energy...

Both parties expressed their intentions, mutually understanding without saying.

"It's just a trip to Red Rain Valley, it won't take long." He Yingcai gently looked at Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng silently averted his gaze, looking at the vast black sea.

He Yingcai's eyes lowered, smiling self-mockingly, turning to also gaze at the vast black sea.

The dress of the graceful lady danced lightly in the night wind.

Heart-stirring.

Unfortunately, the stone has no heartstrings.

After an unknown amount of time, Yu Changsheng spoke: "Divine General, we have finished touring Cloud Sea Cliff.

The banquet has started for a while now, let's go over."

He Yingcai suddenly said: "I found that only when the topic involves the Sect Leader, does sir care to say a few more words to me."

Yu Changsheng: "..."

He Yingcai tucked a wind-blown strand of hair, laughing softly: "Sir lives up to the name of a protector, with his heart full of him."

Yu Changsheng laughed silently.

He Yingcai turned to look at him, with a hint of hidden resentment in her eyes: "Lu Junior is fortunate to have met a loyal subordinate like you."

Yu Changsheng sighed inwardly, rarely meeting He Yingcai's eyes: "Meeting him is my luck.

If it were not for our encounter, I would have drowned in that mountain lake."

He Yingcai's brow furrowed lightly.

Yu Changsheng smiled: "Or rather, I've already died there, thoroughly decayed."

He Yingcai remained silent, not responding.

As wise as she was, she naturally understood the implications of Yu Changsheng's words.

In this Holy Spirit Mountain, who is not a decaying shell, how many are truly alive?

Yu Changsheng lightly said: "Previously at Mist Rain Lake, what I told you was not in jest.

The Sect Leader pulled me out, gave me a mission, and granted me new life."

He Yingcai turned to stand face-to-face with Yu Changsheng: "So, a body promised to the Ran Sect, can never be promised to another?"

Yu Changsheng remained silent.

He Yingcai, however, smiled: "Does sir worry that romantic entanglements will bind you?"

The conversation suddenly opened up, completely changing the situation.

Yu Changsheng organized his words, slowly speaking: "Divine General..."

Before he could finish, He Yingcai stepped forward, the two standing very close.

He Yingcai lifted her eyes: "Does sir remember, I am also a warrior under the Sect Leader? All my actions are based on his will.

Someday, I will also follow him to the skies.

You and I share the same mission, only moving forward hand in hand, so what is this talk of binding?"

Yu Changsheng silently took a step back.

He Yingcai smiled, her eyes no longer showing resentment, her smile beautiful and pure: "I ask sir three questions.

If you answer truthfully, I won't press further, and we'll return to the banquet."

Hearing "won't press further," Yu Changsheng breathed a sigh of relief.

He Yingcai: "Sir, do you have a family?"

Yu Changsheng shook his head.

He Yingcai: "Sir, do you have someone you admire?"

Yu Changsheng decisively shook his head.

Upon reaching the third question, He Yingcai still smiled, though slightly nervous inside: "Sir... do you dislike me?"

Yu Changsheng looked up at the woman.

He Yingcai hastily added: "Answer truthfully."

Yu Changsheng paused for a moment, gently shaking his head.

He Yingcai's eyes flickered slightly, her steps lightly shifting, her pale hand gently taking Yu Changsheng's arm: "Let's go, let's attend the banquet."

Her words were soft, her demeanor elegant.

In stark contrast to her bold action!

Yu Changsheng: ???

He lowered his head and looked at the woman's hand.

Didn't you say you wouldn't get entangled anymore?

He Yingcai seemed to understand the other party's expression and said, "Let's go, let's hurry back, don't get entangled here."

Yu Changsheng was shocked!

Is this how the words are interpreted?

He Yingcai raised her captivating face, smiling brightly, "If I'd known Lu Junior had such significance in Mr.'s heart, I wouldn't have worried so much."

Yu Changsheng was slightly stunned and looked at the woman.

He Yingcai lowered her voice: "Tell me, if I went to ask Lu Junior and had him command you to stay by my side..."

"Divine General..."

"Mr. calls me Yingcai."

"Divine General, you still..."

"Should I go ask Lu Junior?" He Yingcai whispered, "Considering I want to take over the Seven Islands of Bihe and belong to Ran Sect, I really lack a strategist by my side."

Yu Changsheng opened his mouth but said nothing for a moment.

He Yingcai watched quietly and unexpectedly saw the hint of gritted teeth on that handsome face?

It's the first time~

"Rest assured, Mr., I won't go there." He Yingcai quickly spoke, "In the future, Mr. can continue to be himself, without any changes.

I will help Mr. fulfill his mission together, allowing you to gradually accept me."

Yu Changsheng remained silent.

Long after, he sighed deeply, "Why do you do this?"

"Mr. is joking." He Yingcai's beautiful eyes were extremely serious, staring directly into Yu Changsheng's eyes, "I've been on Holy Spirit Mountain for some time now.

I know what suffering is."

Yu Changsheng looked at the woman in front of him.

The dim night made her face somewhat blurred, but her resolute eyes were exceptionally clear.

After a long while, Yu Changsheng said nothing more and turned to walk toward the forest where the bonfire flickered.

Beside him, He Yingcai held onto the man's arm lightly but steadily.

As the two got closer to the bonfire's location, the woman's hoarse singing voice drifted into his ears:

"Whether we meet or not, it's all a prelude to time..."

Beside a giant bonfire, Lu Ran held a sharpened stick, with sizzling, oily roasted pork belly on it.

But he didn't feast; instead, he was entranced by the singing.

Ran Sect disciples, truly talented!

"Let me go with you, let me go with you~"

"To the dock where we stop at sixty, waiting to be taken by a small boat..."

The melancholic and hoarse female voice continued.

As the song drifted into the night, Jiang Ruyi leaned slightly, gently snuggling against Lu Ran's shoulder.

Lu Ran turned his head to look at Fairy Jiang and said softly, "We won't make it to sixty."

Jiang Ruyi lifted her eyelids, slightly discontented, "Don't talk nonsense."

"Really." Lu Ran nodded in confirmation, "We only have two paths ahead.

Either die in battle, or achieve immortality."

Jiang Ruyi pondered for a moment, smiling and shaking her head.

Indeed, the two might die on this path of struggle.

Or they might seize the Divine Position and transform into Pure Energy Bodies, existing forever.

"Naturally dying of old age" isn't an option in their resolutions.

But Jiang Ruyi still didn't like Lu Ran's words, so she lifted her hand, gracefully pinching Lu Ran's lips with her slender fingers, not too firmly, but distinctly.

Lu Ran: "..."

What kind of strange punishment is this?

Too many people around, can't punch my mouth, pinching instead?

Lu Ran picked up the roasted meat and handed it to Fairy Jiang's mouth.

What's called repaying grievances with virtue?

"It must be the latter." Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran, speaking until he nodded, only then did she open her small mouth, gently biting off a tiny piece of meat.

Golden and crispy, tender and juicy.

The golden oil slid down her lips, invitingly.

Lu Ran licked his lips, reached out his hand, his fingertip brushing past her chin, suddenly freezing his action.

Not because of Jiang Ruyi, but because of his earlier statement.

He clearly remembered that Immortal Sheep once said it would eventually perish.

So...

Are All Gods and All Demons truly immortal?

"Mr. Cong Long is back." Jiang Ruyi softly reminded.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran came back to his senses, looking in the direction she indicated.

Looking at this, Lu Ran was stunned!

Seeing He Yingcai holding onto Yu Changsheng's arm, appearing together.

Just... just succeeded?

Is it true that a woman's pursuit of a man is separated by a layer of gauze?

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi chuckled softly, "Sister He has achieved her wish."

"Hmm." Lu Ran sighed repeatedly in his heart.

Just how determined is she, and how much pride has she set aside...

As the two approached, He Yingcai timely let go of his hand.

Yu Changsheng clasped his hands in greeting, "Sect Leader, Lady."

He Yingcai followed immediately with greetings, in harmony.

"Sit." Lu Ran gestured repeatedly, then brought over a skewer of roasted meat, "Come, Mr. Cong Long, it's been a while since you had roasted meat, right?

Tonight, indulge well!"

Yu Changsheng: ???

Did you just hit me with your car?

...