Summit of the Old Gods

Three days later, Cloud Sea Cliff.

An antique full-length mirror opened in the small courtyard of Cloud Sea Residence, and the warriors of Ran Sect streamed out.

Whether the war had ended or it was just a mid-term break.

Lu Ran wanted to return, so he returned.

It was just a matter of a step.

After he advanced to the Sea Realm, his state of survival underwent a qualitative change!

Just like when human society invented the mobile phone, your longing is no longer entrusted to a letter that takes weeks or months to arrive.

Because the person you miss is right there in your pocket.

Within reach.

That being said, the geographical distance between people still exists objectively.

Lu Ran, however, is even more terrifying!

The existence of Evil Technique·Mirror Flower Moon made distance lose its original meaning.

At least within the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, it holds no meaning.

From a battlefield of life and death thousands of kilometers away to the peaceful Cloud Sea Cliff, it only takes a thought from Lu Ran.

"Heh..." Lu Ran, supporting his buzzing head, came to the stone table in the courtyard and plopped onto the stone bench.

About to go crazy!

The Evil Sculpture Tangled Silk Shadow was advancing, going from Second Rank in Sea Realm to Third Rank.

Logically, he should be happy.

But at this moment, Lu Ran's mental state was very poor.

Continuous high-intensity work on the battlefield kept his mind tense, forcing him to observe the situation and operate his thoughts, yet his brain kept buzzing...

It was simply maddening!

All the warriors looked at Lu Ran, many appearing worried.

"Everyone, go take a rest." Jiang Ruyi timely spoke.

With the Lady Sect Leader seeing them off, naturally, everyone felt it was inappropriate to linger and took their leave one after another.

Deng Yuxiang did not leave.

Until there were no outsiders in the courtyard, she walked to Jiang Ruyi's side: "In the days when you weren't here, whenever his sculpture advanced, I would give him a head massage to help soothe his mind."

Jiang Ruyi slightly raised an eyebrow, quietly looking at the woman beside her.

What, you want to massage him?

Right in front of me?

Deng Yuxiang suggested: "Should I show you the massage technique?"

Lu Ran supported himself on the stone table and stood up: "No need, I'll just go lie down."

However, Jiang Ruyi smiled and said: "Alright, thank you, Sister Yuxiang."

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Ruyi stepped forward and pressed on Lu Ran's shoulders.

"Ruyi, I..." Lu Ran really wanted to lie down and empty his mind.

"Sister Yuxiang wants to teach me." Jiang Ruyi's voice was gentle, applying a slight force with her hands to press Lu Ran back down to sit.

Having no way to resist, Lu Ran had no choice but to sit down.

Deng Yuxiang sat across from the two, looking at the tormented Lu Ran, and softly spoke: "He likes having his temples massaged."

"Got it." Jiang Ruyi stood behind Lu Ran, extending her slender fingers.

Lu Ran: "..."

As Jiang Ruyi's fingertips touched his temples, Lu Ran indeed felt much more comfortable.

Perhaps... it was more of a psychological effect.

The two women, one teaching and the other learning.

Lu Ran sat quietly, and unknowingly, his body slightly leaned back, resting in the arms of his fiancée.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes slightly moved, glancing at the woman across the stone table.

Lu Ran unconsciously leaning in her arms naturally meant he had also leaned in Deng Yuxiang's arms before.

Deng Yuxiang understood Jiang Ruyi's gaze, smiling: "Before entering the mountains, you specifically asked me to take good care of him for you."

Jiang Ruyi pursed her lips.

That was a year ago, when everyone returned to Luoxian Mountain from the airport by car.

At that time, she had even spoken rather impolitely to Deng Yuxiang in the car—You owe him.

But at this moment, the two women tacitly did not mention it.

The courtyard fell into silence.

Jiang Ruyi moved gently, noticing that Lu Ran's brows gradually relaxed, her eyelids lowered: [It seems I'm quite an incompetent fiancée.]

Since the two reunited, Lu Ran had experienced several sculpture advancements before her.

But she never thought that such a simple gesture, even a shallow external intervention, could really help him.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Lu Ran looked up towards her, with a somewhat confused expression.

Pretending to be dumb?

Very much so, but truly not.

In Lu Ran's current state, he could transmit sound and issue commands, but could hardly hear the sound transmissions himself.

Conversely, when speaking aloud normally, Lu Ran could hear much clearer.

"It's nothing." Jiang Ruyi smiled.

Deng Yuxiang watched the intimate scene between the two, slowly stood up, seemingly about to leave quietly.

"Let the Red Rain Valley battle end here." Lu Ran suddenly spoke.

Deng Yuxiang paused, slightly turning her head, glancing back over her shoulder:

"Stop thinking about it, once you've recovered, we can discuss further."

Lu Ran spoke to himself: "Killing too many Evil Demons in a short period also poses certain risks."

The Ran Sect members were all certain that, in the central area of the Red Rain Valley, deep underground, there must be an Evil Nest hidden!

It is supposed to be the place where the Evil God himself placed to create Evil Demon minions.

After all, Lu Ran and the others had been fighting for three days, yet the number of Evil Demons·Tangled Silk Shadows in the valley didn't seem to lessen at all!

Lu Ran and the others were very cautious, not daring to destroy the Evil Nest.

On the one hand, the Evil Nest is a resource refresh point, providing a continuous supply of Evil Demon minions!

Mr. Cong Long's advice echoed in their ears: "The Sect Leader must not drain the pond to get all the fish in one move."

On the other hand, if the Evil Nest is destroyed, who can foresee the consequences?

The hands of All Gods indeed find it difficult to reach the Holy Spirit Mountain, this is an acknowledged fact.

But if they truly provoke the Evil God to anger...

Would the opposite side break the norm, personally come to the Mountain Realm, and seek revenge in anger?

At the very least, the Evil God would have to come to rebuild the lair, right?

Hmm... once our strength is sufficiently strong in the future, we could use this method to attempt to entice the Evil God's descent and then ambush and hunt him?

All of this is for future concerns.

Presently, Lu Ran, having reached the Sea Realm, could be the king of the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm.

But before the Divine Demon, he does not yet have the qualifications to survive!

As such, Lu Ran also thought of another issue: within a period, devouring too many Evil Demon Dead Souls should also pose certain risks.

With comprehensive consideration, Lu Ran abandoned his original "one step to heaven" plan.

Anyway, the Red Rain Valley is just there.

The Evil Nest remains undestroyed, and the Tangled Silk Shadow lingers.

With Lu Ran's current strength, he can completely change his perspective and treat Red Rain Valley as an alternative "Nine Star Island."

Leave the Tangled Silk Shadow clan in place and continue gathering Holy Spirit Energy.

Go and harvest periodically.

"We've killed quite a few Tangled Silk Shadows," Deng Yuxiang remarked as she turned around, seeing Lu Ran insist on speaking.

In the past three days, none dared to attack the enemy's core, fearing the terrifying output might affect the Evil Nest.

Yet, the Ran Sect squad working on the outskirts achieved notable results.

Lu Ran closed his eyes, murmuring, "The evil demons killed in the early battles mostly have existed for a long time. These Tangled Silk Shadows might have gathered a bit of Holy Spirit Energy.

One Dead Soul can match several or even dozens of Dead Souls.

We can obtain more resources with relatively less slaughter."

Deng Yuxiang nodded thoughtfully.

Lu Ran's target is Holy Spirit Energy, not merely slaying evil demons.

If the Ran Sect continues slaughtering, the demons they kill might be new creations from the Evil Nest.

These Tangled Silk Shadows naturally don't have extra Holy Spirit Energy.

Ran Sect members create too much slaughter, increasing risk while decreasing rewards.

Not worth the effort.

Pigs,

must be fattened before slaughter.

Jiang Ruyi's gaze showed complexity.

Lu Ran was contemplating.

Although speaking slowly, his thoughts were cohesive.

The more he acted this way indicated that her actions were effective, really helping him relax his mind.

So... why couldn't she think of what Deng Yuxiang could?

This so-called caring causing chaos.

At this moment, Lu Ran had clearly left the battlefield, allowing him to calmly organize his thoughts step by step...

"Heh." Deng Yuxiang chuckled, shaking her head.

"What?" Lu Ran opened his eyes to look at her.

Deng Yuxiang was about to share her thoughts but saw the gloomy lady behind Lu Ran.

She held back the topic, instead saying, "Let them be."

Deng Yuxiang indeed felt much as she reflected.

In the past, when she accompanied him to the Night Charm Clan's base, they fled miserably!

Neither of them ever saw what Night Charm Lake looked like.

Now, regarding the same evil demon base at Red Rain Valley, Lu Ran's approach had become "take what you can and leave."

The contrast was stark.

There's no denying that the terrain of the two bases and the demons differ.

But at the crux, Lu Ran and his Ran Sect's strength have qualitatively leaped!

Deng Yuxiang said, "I'll now notify everyone to rest and recuperate."

After getting Lu Ran's approval, Deng Yuxiang turned to leave.

Only two remained in the courtyard, Lu Ran completely relaxed, collapsing into Jiang Ruyi's embrace.

Jiang Ruyi remained silent, her emotions turbulent, gently pressing and rubbing his head.

You villain!

Daring to lean in another woman's arms...

Truly knows how to enjoy!

Jiang Ruyi thought to herself, but seeing the fatigued young face in her embrace, she couldn't muster anger.

Especially as Lu Ran's brows occasionally furrowed, seeming in distress.

Damn guy...

Jiang Ruyi tightly pursed her lips, her hands becoming gentler.

Night descended, and Lu Ran finally found relief!

He was already lying on the bed in his room, alongside him lay the beauty Jiang Ruyi, whom he had persuaded for a long time to rest and sleep.

Three days of continuous battle exhausted everyone.

However, Lu Ran's mind had regained clarity, making sleep elusive.

His left hand resting to the side, energy fluctuations at his fingertips extended five red threads.

Previously on the battlefield, Lu Ran never had the chance to test them; now, he carefully sensed the Silk Thread's usability, finding it considerably more versatile!

Each red thread need not cling to a single target but can act independently.

Capable of handling things alone!

Lu Ran enjoyed playing with them as if each thread were his finger, quite at ease.

In truth, what pleased Lu Ran most was the Tangled Silk Shadow clan's finishing move—Silk Pupil!

This technique, Lu Ran had indeed used on the battlefield.

Sea Grade Silk Pupil's horrifying spiritual output can crush a River Realm demon's mental defenses instantly!

The only downside is the caster must consume a lot of spiritual power.

Against River Realm and lesser enemies, it's somewhat wasteful.

But the problem is... it's splendid!

Deep crimson pupils flash, enemies' spirits crumble, collapsing in convulsions.

Whoever you stare at goes limp!

Too magnificent...

[Master.]

[Hmm?] Lu Ran reacted, testing, [Eight Desolates?]

The Eight Desolate Blade wasn't within Cloud Sea Cliff but was left in the southern forests of Red Rain Valley by Lu Ran.

[That Divine Weapon has changed position, moving towards me.]

[Oh?] Lu Ran immediately asked, [Is the speed fast? Where is it now?]

[Not fast, still far from me, but indeed moving in my direction.]

[Hmm.] Lu Ran's heart eased, fingertips trembling slightly.

In the pitch-black room, five red threads swayed gently.

Strange yet beautiful.

The weapon's owner should be executing tasks normally.

Considering the significant distance between them.

But if the person were truly coming to confront...

It undoubtedly signifies the Divine Weapon's master is tremendously powerful, daring to travel long within Holy Spirit Mountain!

Stranger,

are you the former or the latter?

...

Yu carefully rewrote the detailed outline.

Omitting the protagonist's post-Sea Realm mindset transformation on the battlefield, conveying the narrative from a different angle, subtly integrating it into the writing, accelerating the plot progression, making the reading experience clearer and more engaging.