Summit of the Old Gods

The sun is high.

Inside the grand bedroom of Cloud Sea Residence, a strange sound echoed.

"Ugh ah ah ah~~~"

On the bed, Lu Ran who was thoroughly rested stretched lazily with an intense expression.

I have to say, the sea realm physique truly withstands exertion!

Three whole days of high-intensity combat, just a single night's sleep brought Lu Ran back to full energy, completely invigorated.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran was still enjoying the sensation of being 'fully revived', when he suddenly sensed a gaze.

He turned his head to see a graceful figure stepping into the bedroom.

Perhaps, one should describe it as a celestial figure.

The woman with divine beauty, graceful in a white dress, had a cold yet faintly smiling expression...

A faint smile?

Lu Ran became fully alert.

He was about to rise, but the goddess was already by the bedside, lightly pressing her finger against his forehead.

Lu Ran was pushed back onto the bed, unable to sit up.

"Awake?" Jiang Ruyi sat sideways on the edge of the bed, speaking lightly.

"Mm-hmm." Lu Ran's face was full of obedience.

Feeling something was not quite right?

"Yesterday, was it comfortable?" Jiang Ruyi examined Lu Ran, her fingertip massaging his forehead.

Lu Ran froze for a moment.

Comfortable?

Last night, I was quite well-behaved and did not offend the goddess's beauty... oh, right!

She was referring to yesterday, must be about the head massage?

Indeed, Little Ruyi is so shy, she couldn't possibly mention such matters.

"Very comfortable!" Lu Ran quickly responded, eyes sincere, "Thank you."

"Heh." Jiang Ruyi laughed at the single word of thanks.

Such words rarely appear between them, since he was acting unusual, he was naturally aware of something.

What a keen Ran dog!

The sense of smell is indeed sharp.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes carried a hint of playfulness: "Compared to her?"

Lu Ran froze once more.

Isn't this purely a question for bonus points!

"You!" Lu Ran immediately replied, "Your technique is better, gentle and comforting, close and warm..."

Jiang Ruyi suddenly leaned forward.

Those beautiful eyes locked onto Lu Ran's, examining him closely.

"Gulp." Lu Ran's Adam's apple moved slightly.

After observing for a while, Jiang Ruyi's lips parted gently: "Liar."

Lu Ran: "..."

"Hmph." Jiang Ruyi stood up, pretending to leave.

Lu Ran hurriedly pulled her back into his arms: "Really! From you, I even smelled the fragrance of jasmine.

It was truly enjoyable, absolutely soothing for body and mind~"

Jiang Ruyi's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips approaching Lu Ran's ear, speaking softly:

"Doesn't the embrace of camellias smell fragrant?"

Damn?

Lu Ran was bewildered!

Jiang Ruyi propped herself on the bed, slightly rising, looking down once more into Lu Ran's eyes.

[Evil Shadow! What to do, Evil Shadow teach me!] Lu Ran hastily sought outside help.

Others were unaware of the situation, only the shadow protector, Evil Shadow, heard everything.

However... Yan Shuangzi was also puzzled!

You're asking me?

Do I seem like someone who can coax others?

[Hurry, hurry, aren't you a woman?]

Yan Shuangzi: "..."

Without receiving a response, Lu Ran steeled his resolve, holding the beautiful woman in his arms, sitting up.

He cradled Jiang Ruyi's face, directly kissing her.

"Hmm..." Jiang Ruyi's eyes widened slightly.

Is he being cheeky?

She was both amused and annoyed, gently struggling.

Lu Ran placed a hand on her back, fingertips releasing five thin red threads.

Jiang Ruyi: ???

It's said, "Better to storm Yama Palace, than touch the tethering silk."

You're good!

All your means are used on me?

Jiang Ruyi instantly lost control of her body, completely unable to move, eyes only revealing a hint of dissatisfaction, staring at the insufferable face before her.

Yet, this dissatisfaction did not last long.

Her beautiful eyes gradually became dazed.

In the lush mountains surrounding Cloud Sea Residence, the shadow protector led the shadow guards silently away, leaving Sect Leader Master with enough private space to properly appease his lady...

It's noon.

A group of nine arrived at the south side of Red Rain Valley.

Still the original lineup, only missing the divine general who had been sent back to Mist Rain Lake by Lu Ran.

"Whoosh~" The Eight Desolate Blade, hidden within the mountains, flew swiftly.

Lu Ran lifted his garment, the divine weapon slipped into the sheath.

[How's it going? Is that divine weapon still approaching?] Lu Ran looked northward, gazing at the vast Red Rain Valley.

Originally the valley was densely forested, now more than half had been destroyed!

Trees felled, ground collapsed, mudflows undulating, maintaining a shape like ocean waves.

The scene was incredibly terrifying!

It's hard to imagine how many evil demons were buried alive, entombed here.

And all this was naturally the work from the past few days by Yangyang Sea, Jiang Ruyi!

With Jiang Ruyi so formidable, Lu Ran felt both admiration and delight.

What delighted him even more was...

Just this morning, this heaven-destroying sea realm power was rendered completely immobile by him...

[The opponent is still approaching, and now at an even faster pace!] The Eight Desolate Blade connected mentally with Lu Ran.

"Still approaching?" Lu Ran was somewhat startled.

Really coming straight for me?

So fierce?

"Sect Leader, what's going on?" Yu Changsheng stepped forward a few steps.

"The Eight Desolate Blade informed me last night..." Lu Ran briefly conveyed the situation to everyone.

Jiang Ruyi furrowed her brows slightly: "The opponent dares to roam freely within the Mountain Realm, they must have formidable strength."

"Mm-hmm, Ruyi is right!" Lu Ran nodded repeatedly.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ruyi cast a faint glance at Lu Ran, maintaining her noble and aloof demeanor, and then turned to gaze into the distance.

Yet, in an unintentional moment, a hint of shyness flashed in her eyes.

Wicked thing!

See if I care about you!

Inside Red Rain Valley, threads spread everywhere, but they never touched the corner of my garment.

Today, you actually succeeded...

"Looking for a beating, it seems." Si Xianxian muttered quietly.

"Hmph." Deng Yu gave a cold snort, quite agreeing.

No matter who they are!

If they want to eliminate the threat or destroy Lu Ran...

They must die!

Yu Changsheng pondered, "Since the opponent is so aggressive and traveled thousands of miles to come here, they must be disciples of a First or Second-class God."

"Disciples using a blade of the First or Second-class God." Lu Ran thought silently.

Yu Changsheng immediately said, "Martial Monk, Martial Artist, North Wind."

The Double Martial Heroes, that is the Martial Monk and Martial Artist, their followers don't specialize only in sword techniques.

But they excel in all eighteen weapons!

As for the North Wind Sect, they're purely blade specialists.

Si Xianxian hurriedly added, "The Wuji Peak of the Martial Monk Sect is in the center of the continent, while the Sword Ridge Peak of the North Wind Sect is in the northeast.

Could it be disciples of the Martial Artist sect?"

Lu Ran nodded thoughtfully: "We are still unclear about the Martial Artist sect's base location.

According to Da Xia's map, the deity Martial Artist himself is in Guangyue Province, Guangfu City, which is in the south."

Indeed, Lu Ran has a bit of a "childhood shadow" regarding the Martial Artist sect.

That was when he was very weak, on a fifteenth night, he witnessed a special event on his balcony, the Demon Lord's descent.

The one who arrived was an Evil Demon from the Sea Realm, Yin Flower Dan!

At midnight, the shadow play began.

And those called to guard Rain Alley City were powerful allies from outside, one being a Sea Realm disciple of the Martial Artist sect.

This was also the first time Lu Ran personally witnessed a divine battle!

The skirts fluttered, water sleeves danced chaotically.

Illusory command flags surrounded, wind, thunder, lightning, fire, all stirred violently.

These two performers showed no weakness!

Especially their special techniques!

The River Realm Technique of the Martial Artist sect even comes with face changing masks!

I've heard that your Martial Monk sect can have Three Heads and Six Arms?

Our Martial Artist sect can directly swap people!

Red-faced Guan Er Ye, Black-faced Zhang San Ye...

One fiercer than the other!

The Sea Realm Technique is remarkable.

Stomp the ground, drums sound, a grand performance begins!

For those enemies "performing" on stage, every movement and technical detail, in the disciple of the Martial Artist's eyes, feels like slow-motion replay...

This is what First-class God's golden quality means!

The concept of "One Immortal, One Saint, Double Martial Heroes" is not just empty talk.

Absolute attack speed of Sword One, the stealthy Ghost of Qiang Xiu.

The high attack and defense of the Martial Monk, the multi-attribute style and technique of the Martial Artist, ever-changing!

Each is incredibly formidable...

"It might not necessarily be the Martial Artist sect." Yu Changsheng spoke up, "Weapons like swords and blades are used by disciples from many sects.

Besides specializing in weapons, the disciples of the Four Directions might also carry blades."

"That's true." Lu Ran nodded.

Take the disciple of Dong Ting, Lv Xiao for example, wielding the Mad Dragon Spear, but also equipped with the Divine Weapon, the Heavenly Sword.

Yu Changsheng continued, "Sect Leader, should we bring more manpower?"

The visitors do not come with good intentions!

They must be taken seriously.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment, analyzing, "Mr. Cong Long, I possess the Sea Grade Mirror Flower Moon, if the enemy numbers are particularly large or particularly strong, the Divine Generals stationed at Cloud Sea Cliff could serve as hidden reinforcements.

I can activate the mirror anytime and catch the enemy forces off guard?"

Yu Changsheng smiled and nodded, a trace of admiration in his eyes: "Sect Leader's words are indeed wise, then we can arrange for the Divine Generals to prepare for battle and be on standby."

Lu Ran thought for a moment and then said: "Shadow Three."

"Master." A graceful figure appeared silently, half-kneeling before Lu Ran.

Lu Ran waved his hand, activating the Transmission Mirror: "You heard everything I just said, go back and inform the Divine Generals.

Furthermore, you stay at Cloud Sea Cliff, if needed, I will contact you immediately."

"Yes." Shadow Three immediately walked into the mirror.

Lu Ran dispersed the Transmission Mirror, turned to face the south: "Let's go, the opponent has already made their intentions clear.

Since they dare to come, I won't back down!"

"Buzz!!"

The Eight Desolate Blade vibrated violently.

Upon hearing this, it was entirely enamored with its master!

It's important to note, the perception between the two Divine Weapons is mutual.

Where the Eight Desolate Blade is, whether it retreats in fear or advances bravely, the opponent knows clearly!

How would Lu Ran belittle himself?

More importantly, the Eight Desolate Blade was born to destroy everything.

Its nature naturally carries some domineering traits.

If Lu Ran, as the master, dared not go to fight, there would be discord with the Eight Desolate Blade.

Just like back then, Deng Yuxiang and Liao Wushuang contesting for the Divine Weapon Domain.

The nature of the Divine Weapon is clear.

Knowing you're outmatched but still fighting!

Fight to the death!

You could say the Night-slaying Great Saber is foolish, doesn't know how to adapt, even dragging its master to die together, a true misfortune.

Yet... birds of a feather flock together.

The bond between man and blade.

There are always people in this world who prefer death over retreating an inch!

"Let's go!" Lu Ran waved his hand vigorously.

Heading south!

To meet the challenge!

...