Summit of the Old Gods

The forces of Ran Sect began their march southward.

As they made their way through the dense forest, Lu Ran suddenly called out, "Mr. Cong Long."

"Sect Leader?"

"What do you think, if I wield the Eight Desolate Blade and use Mirror Flower Moon for long-distance teleportation..."

"Then the enemy would likely assume we have a Dust Shadow Believer among our ranks," analyzed Yu Changsheng.

Eight-class God·Dust Shadow.

Commonly known as the "Dust Shadow Flower."

This sect possesses teleportation techniques and is the sworn enemy of the Evil Mirror Clan.

Judging from the combat strength of the nemesis alone, it's clear that Dust Shadow Flower shouldn't be ranked as the eighth-class deity!

Its low ranking is primarily due to the sect's extremely stringent disciple selection criteria and its guiding principles.

Dust Shadow disciples are already few, and those willing to engage with the world are even fewer.

Each Dust Shadow disciple has become a damn human camera, staying out of matters and documenting the rise and fall of history...

Speaking of which, the young man Miss Li Rouyin had asked Lu Ran to find, Qin Yanzhi, is a Dust Shadow Believer.

Unfortunately, despite being in the mountains for a year, Lu Ran hadn't gathered any news about him.

If given the chance to return to the Human World, Lu Ran wasn't sure how he'd face Li Rouyin.

After all, he had taken so many delicious treats from her.

Just eating and not getting things done, it doesn't sit quite right...

"Once they believe we have a Dust Shadow Believer, they'll surely make preparations in advance."

Yu Changsheng paused and then added, "The strategy the Sect Leader just set, using the Divine Generals as hidden backup, will also lose effectiveness."

Lu Ran pondered for a while, nodding silently.

Beside him, Jiang Ruyi suddenly glanced at Yu Changsheng and slightly nodded, a barely noticeable gesture.

How astute was Yu Changsheng?

Receiving a hint from the lady, he understood the message and continued to persuade, "Sect Leader, before encountering the enemy, it's wise to reveal as little about ourselves as possible.

Moreover, not all forces dare to expose themselves openly.

Measuring the sanctified spirit ought to reveal greater wonders."

"Measuring the sanctified spirit!" Lu Ran's eyes brightened.

In this nine-deaths-one-life journey in the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, measuring the land inch by inch, traversing mountains and rivers...

It sounds like an incredible achievement!

Seeing Lu Ran persuaded, Yu Changsheng turned to the Sect Leader's wife and subtly nodded as a signal.

Jiang Ruyi was satisfied internally and looked ahead.

Her idea was simple: to extend Lu Ran's journey as much as possible.

Ultimately, Lu Ran needed to go to the Northwest's Ten Thousand Blade Mountain and explore the Heavenly Realm.

No matter how thoroughly he prepared, no one could ensure what might occur then.

She wanted him to become stronger.

Stronger still...

Every day, Lu Ran was improving!

As long as the journey was long enough, his realm would rise higher, encountering more human clans, evil demons, and recruiting more believers, activating more sculptures along the way.

Each stone sculpture signified at least six skills.

A wealth of skills would continuously enrich Lu Ran, filling in weaknesses, and further elevating his combat strength ceiling.

Bringing him closer to an all-powerful deity!

The forest was silent.

The wind whispered through, bringing the rustling of leaves.

And the footsteps of Si Xianxian.

In the eight-person squad, most could fly, and the Shadow Guard Team moved silently and swiftly.

Only Si Xianxian walked.

Normally, Jiang Ruyi would use the Golden Jade Eight Talismans to control a Golden Jade Stone Plate, transforming it into a stone slab to carry Si Xianxian forward.

But at this moment, Jiang Ruyi was deep in thought, momentarily neglecting her close friend beside her.

Jiang Xianzi's coldness radiated from the inside out.

For the weak, just speaking to her required immense courage.

Moreover, with too many outsiders present, Si Xianxian couldn't act spoiled and silently followed.

Lu Ran suddenly said, "I once promised Mr. Cong Long to find a mount for him."

Yu Changsheng immediately remembered the last westward journey, where Lu Ran insisted on riding the Evil Demon·Black Fire Colt.

What a disastrous sight it was~

The noble Evil Demon Lord, tossed and battered by the Black Fire Colt, bitten and kicked, simply refusing to be ridden.

"What does Mr. Cong Long think of the Wu Huoju clan?" Lu Ran sought his advice.

Yu Changsheng fell into contemplation.

Sea Realm·Lu Ran had 15 sculpture activation slots, appearing to be a lot, yet should not be wasted.

Each sculpture had to be carefully chosen.

Yu Changsheng considered, "The Evil Technique of Wu Huo is indeed good, but for the Sect Leader..."

Lu Ran continued, "Among Ran Sect, many warriors cannot fly.

The Xun Luo couple, the two generals Feng and Yan... the Mad Immortal Guardian."

Si Xianxian blinked and looked at Lu Ran.

Is young master choosing the Black Fire Colt for me?

Si Xianxian didn't believe she was being self-indulgent.

Her contact with Lu Ran was long enough to know how good this annoying guy was to his people.

At least since meeting him, his kindness to her left Si Xianxian wondering how to repay it.

Why?

Just because back in Evil Dog Village, she slapped Kou Yingquan a few times and sat in jail once for Lu Ran?

She didn't know.

Si Xianxian had self-awareness, never thinking she deserved such care.

She was not likable, even having a vile temper.

But since following Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi, Si Xianxian found that she, a Fierce Heavenly believer reviled by all, could become an ordinary little girl again.

She could receive so much love from the two of them.

"What the Sect Leader says is true." Yu Changsheng smiled and nodded.

The perspective from which the Sect Leader considered problems wasn't wrong.

Just the other day, during a fight in Red Rain Valley, Si Xianxian nearly got swallowed by the Flowing Sand River because she couldn't fly.

Lu Ran had to divert attention to rescue her.

Whether one could fly or not undoubtedly had a substantial impact on the combat power and strategy of the Ran Sect squad!

And the Black Fire Colt clan had impressive support skills.

It had a technique to create fire barriers—Wu Huo Wall; a technique to disperse enemy formations—Wu Huo Ring.

It had a technique for breaking through formations—Wu Huo Charge; and a technique to transform into a fire mist for instant summoning—Fire Mist Body.

Furthermore, there are techniques to comprehensively enhance the physical attributes of the rider and themselves — Black Fire Burning Body!

And the flying technique — Step on Fire.

This type of auxiliary Evil Demon is just incredibly useful!

This clan doesn't have the Sea Realm Technique or Jiang Realm big moves, but looking at this list of Evil Techniques...

Do horses even need big moves?

Once the Ran Sect warriors are equipped with Wu Huoju, their combat power will surely soar dramatically!

"How about it?" Lu Ran looked at Jiang Ruyi.

Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then gently nodded: "The Black Fire Wall is good, you lack this type of Evil Technique."

She wasn't talking about the barrier's defensive capability.

The learned master very clearly understood the characteristics of Evil Techniques.

When the Fire Wall forms, the flames spray upwards from the ground!

Lu Ran could use this defensive method as a "Flame Fountain," launching enemies skyward.

Under this premise, discussing helping the Ran Sect warriors become stronger is like adding the cherry on top.

After all, the overall enhancement of the sect's combat power would ultimately benefit Lu Ran himself.

"Then shall I proceed!" Lu Ran smiled.

Both strategists agreed, so he didn't hesitate any longer and immediately activated the Wu Huoju Evil Sculpture.

"Buzz!!"

In an instant, the Evil Sculpture started to tremble.

Mist Realm... Stream Realm... River Realm!

River Realm First Rank... Third Rank... Fifth Rank...

Before reaching Jiang Realm, the growth of the Evil Sculpture was incredibly fast.

As the Wu Huoju Evil Sculpture reached River Realm Fifth Rank and continued sprinting towards Jiang Realm, its advancement speed slowed down.

However, within just a couple of hours, the Jiang Realm Evil Sculpture could advance a minor rank.

By dusk.

The Wu Huoju Evil Sculpture finally became silent.

It halted at Jiang Realm·Fourth Rank!

"Find a resting place!" Lu Ran was quite excited, "I'll summon the war horses and educate them properly!"

Leading the way, Deng Yuxiang couldn't help but smile.

She clearly recalled a certain someone's disheveled appearance amidst the herd of horses...

Quickly, the group carved out a cave within the forest.

The Evil Shadow Guardian, accompanied by two Shadow Guards, kept watch in the forest, while the Nightmare Guardian stood guard at the cave's entrance.

The Guardians Mad Immortal and Cong Long stood one on each side behind the Sect Master's Lady, watching Lu Ran produce Evil Demons in the center of the cave.

"Hoo~"

A surge of energy, and a black steed formed rapidly.

Its entire body had glossy black fur, its mane fluttered, flames burned beneath its hooves, and its body was entwined with lines of fire.

It was truly majestic and exceptionally divine!

"Tap, tap..."

The Wu Huoju lightly trotted, its mouth spewing heated breath, restless and agitated.

Its burning eyes gradually calmed upon seeing Lu Ran.

"Yo~ Not kicking me anymore?"

Lu Ran, enduring the scorching heat wave, covered his hand with Water Flow Armor and reached up.

The horse, extremely intuitive, immediately lowered its head, allowing its master to pat it.

The fire lines on the Wu Huoju's body were not all on its skin; some seemed like torn wounds, burning within its flesh.

Scorching, dazzling!

Lu Ran moved to the side of the horse, looking at the torn "wounds" on its back, from which flames spread outward...

Riding it,

might burn one's butt, right?

Lu Ran had quite a few burnt bottoms while taming wild Wu Huoju before.

Hmm... No worries!

Lu Ran had reached the Sea Realm, and the horse before him was only River Realm·Fifth Rank.

"I'm getting on!"

Lu Ran lightly leaped, finally having his wish fulfilled.

Wu Huoju's physique was notably robust, with a shoulder height reaching two meters!

Lu Ran was only 182 cm.

Without jumping, there was no way to mount it...

"Hot or not?" Si Xianxian looked up at Lu Ran, suddenly asking.

"Hehe." Lu Ran chuckled.

Of course, only my dear Xian'er would have the same concerns as me.

Lu Ran rubbed his butt from side to side, saying: "As long as I envelop my whole body with Water Flow Armor, the horse's back is a natural heated seat... Hmm?"

Before finishing his sentence, he voiced a slight doubt.

"What's wrong?" Si Xianxian walked forward.

"It's not hot anymore." Lu Ran was quite surprised.

"Isn't it actually very hot?" Si Xianxian placed a hand on the horse's side, feeling the intense temperature.

"I'm not feeling hot." Lu Ran stroked the horse's mane, his hand passing over a flame line, feeling nothing.

"Is this a hidden feature of this genus?" Yu Changsheng spoke up.

After recognizing its master, the flames are harmless?

Much like the Fierce Heavenly believers performing the Divine Technique·Fiery Fire Sky Leader, the raging flames do not harm themselves at all.

Jiang Ruyi softly said: "The Wu Huoju clan has always had a strong bond with the Ghost General clan, yet the Ghost Generals do not have defensive skills.

Their armor has never been burned by flames."

"Tsk tsk~"

Lu Ran admired, caressing the gallant and beautiful mane: "I should craft a few more Wu Huoju and have them recognize their masters!"

"Mm-hmm!" Si Xianxian's beautiful eyes were bright.

In the future, she could roam freely on land and in the sky!

Wu Huo's evil technique, Step on Fire, lets a Wu Huoju walk in the air, stepping on a beautiful flame flower with each stride.

Just thinking about it delighted Si Xianxian.

She raised her head, gazing at the heroic youth in the Black Gold Emperor Robe atop the black, divine steed.

Teehee~

My young master really is the best to me!

Hmm... In the future, I'll scold him less, and serve him tea and water more...

...

Requesting some monthly votes.