Summit of the Old Gods

Dark clouds shrouded the sky, and the rain drizzled down.

The chaotic Wolf Bone Village was filled with an oppressive atmosphere.

In the large meeting hall located in the central area, Lu Ran stood before a throne made of bones.

The bones summoned by the Thousand Bone believers through Divine Technique were essentially pieced together by energy.

After a period of time, the bones would eventually shatter into particles of energy.

However, the bone throne before him remained stable, indicating that these were indeed remains.

Human bones.

This filthy mountain taught Lu Ran yet another lesson.

Greedy Wolf, Thousand Bone.

One amplified human greed and brutality.

The other extinguished humanity, urging believers to desecrate the bones of the same clan.

What magnificent gods, worshipped by many!

"Ha." Lu Ran sneered coldly.

The hall was silent enough to hear a pin drop, and the Weak God Disciples were as silent as cicadas in winter.

Everyone knew that the youth in the Emperor Robe standing before the bone throne was their new ruler.

People were instinctively fearful of the Sea Realm's ruler.

As for the future, the Weak God Disciples were inwardly apathetic.

The dark clouds hovering over everyone's head were simply replaced by another; there was no fundamental difference.

"Sect Leader." Si Xianxian entered with two people and said, "These two are injured, but Mr. Cong Long has healed them completely.

Counting them, there are thirteen people in total."

"Thirteen people." Lu Ran frowned slightly.

Counting Leng Xushuang and the previously rescued eight Mud Venerate disciples, there were only 22 people?

Wasn't it said that Wolf Bone Village had 32 slaves?

Why were there so many missing, did they die in the recent battle... oh, right!

Lu Ran thought to himself, and the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd quietly lifted the Black Gold Emperor Robe and flew to the center of the hall.

Figures were released one by one, landing on the ground.

Apart from the initial four guards, Lu Ran absorbed six people into the gourd during the attack on the village with Leng Xushuang.

When counted carefully, there were exactly 32 people?

Lu Ran's heavy mood was momentarily relieved.

Rescuing everyone was not easy.

Although these 13 Weak God Disciples were not combatants and would not participate in battles, Si Xianxian's output was excessively explosive.

When she attacked the Thousand Bone disciples and bombarded the Greedy Wolf disciples, it would affect the village buildings and possibly affect others.

Nevertheless, these 13 people were only overshadowed by the Strong God Disciples, but in essence, they were true River Realm people!

Even if they were smashed by buildings or buried in rubble, they could survive.

"Good." Lu Ran turned around.

Everyone in the hall bowed their heads, revealing deep fear.

"Hoo~"

Lu Ran raised his hand and cast a spell, summoning a standing mirror.

In the distant Cloud Sea Cliff Feixian Hall, Song Yu had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing the mirror open, he immediately entered with two Vice Hall Masters.

Song Hall Master was experienced in receiving new disciples.

In no time, Lu Ran dispersed the bronze mirror, leaving the hall empty and deserted.

With no one around, Si Xianxian addressed him with a changed title: "Master, shall we return to the garden side?"

"Let's go." Lu Ran opened the Transmission Mirror again.

Si Xianxian approached quietly, whispering, "That sister's fate is so tragic..."

Lu Ran nodded silently and stepped into the mirror.

The other side of the mirror opened at the back door of the mansion.

As soon as he stepped out, he saw a figure dancing gracefully among the sea of flowers not far away.

It was not an ordinary dance but a sword dance.

A sword dance in the cold frost rain, with falling plum petals.

Cold Plum in white clothes, faintly visible in the frost rain and falling plum blossoms, like a startled swan tracing the sky, graceful and elegant.

The Snow Plum Sword, emanating cold glints, continuously sliced through the rain curtain, scattering crystal raindrops that condensed in the air, turning into frost blossoms that drifted down.

Lu Ran gradually became enthralled.

The sword dance among the flowers was undoubtedly beautiful but carried an indescribable sadness.

Tragically beautiful.

"Do you like it?" Inside the mansion, a figure approached and stood next to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran instinctively nodded, then suddenly realized something.

He turned his head and saw Jiang Ruyi's face with a gentle smile.

Before Lu Ran could speak, Jiang Ruyi's voice was soft: "I also like it very much."

At her words, she looked again at the beautiful figure among the flowers, full of admiration.

Lu Ran's heart was slightly stirred, and he embraced Jiang Ruyi's slender waist: "When you have time, will you ask her for guidance?"

Jiang Ruyi immediately understood Lu Ran's thoughts.

She looked up at him and saw his burning gaze without any attempt to hide it.

Looking at her cold and alluring face, Lu Ran imagined her graceful dance and murmured:

"Dance for me."

"See... see how you perform." Jiang Ruyi's cheeks turned slightly red with embarrassment.

It's rare to see him act so assertively in daily life.

Since he liked it so much...

Then she'll learn it.

"It's a deal; no backing out." Lu Ran said with a smile, lightly imprinting his lips on Jiang Ruyi's forehead.

Jiang Ruyi pursed her lips, feeling a gentle ripple in her heart.

Naughty fellow...

Lu Ran looked back at the sea of flowers, quietly appreciating for a moment, and said: "This sword dance is too sad; when you learn it, change the style."

"Hmm." Jiang Ruyi admired it with him and sighed softly, "She must be mourning her deceased master."

Using the sword dance her master once taught, she comforted the soul of the departed.

Cold Plum succeeded in her revenge.

Wolf Bone Village Chief died tragically among the flowers, and the Second Lady had no chance of survival.

Ran Sect ended the Second Lady's life and handed over the bones to Cold Plum.

Afterward, Lu Ran and others searched and rescued the Weak God Disciples, while Jiang Ruyi stayed in the garden, witnessing Cold Plum return the favor in kind.

It was in this garden where her master was buried.

Cold Plum wielded the Snow Plum Sword, one strike after another, to give an account to her deceased master.

When Lu Ran returned, the sad yet cruel scene had already passed.

Only the lone dancing shadow remained among the flowers.

"Zoom!"

Suddenly, a surge of sword energy pulsated, with sparkling plum blossoms blooming alongside.

Leng Xushuang's sword maneuvers were increasingly fierce.

The rain falls, frost dances.

The fragrance of plum wafts through the air.

Jiang Ru's gaze gradually became dazed, feeling that this sword dance had ascended to another tier.

It's not just a visual impact!

The sound of the rain intertwining with the sword's aura seemed to compose a lamentation from the heavens.

Until the white-clad woman retracted her sword and stood, the lamentation dissipated.

Rain and snow soaked her garment, plum blossoms covered her shoulders.

Between heaven and earth, it seemed there was only this one person, one sword, and the ever-present sound of the rain.

"Ha..." Jiang Ruyi let out a long breath.

She always refrained from showing intimate gestures in front of outsiders, yet at this moment, she buried her head in the crook of Lu Ran's neck, calming her tumultuous emotions.

In the sea of flowers, Leng Xushuang stood quietly for a long time, slowly turned around.

She saw at the entrance of the mansion, a youth clad in a black gold emperor robe, holding an ethereal fairy, gazing distantly at this side.

Leng Xushuang dispersed the plum snow sword in her hand, strode out of the garden, step by step approached the entrance of the house.

She bowed her head, slowly knelt: "Sir's great kindness and virtue, Xushuang will remember eternally."

"Condolences," Lu Ran said softly.

Leng Xushuang's heart sharply ached, not expecting the emperor-robed youth to utter such words.

In this world, the feelings of the weak are not worthy of attention, insignificant.

During their first meeting, the emperor-robed youth's remark, "Pity the plum fragrance has dissipated" was the norm.

Her survival was not because human life was precious.

It was simply because he wanted to smell the plum fragrance.

And now...

Whether out of sincerity or mere politeness, Leng Xushuang truly heard a word of concern.

Though it was only a brief two words.

But it was also the first warm words she heard after her master's passing, during her dark, cold days.

Jiang Ruyi turned to look at this woman, leaned down to reach out, supported the other's arm: "Stand up."

With her head lowered, Leng Xushuang's eyes slightly reddened as she slowly stood.

Jiang Ruyi sighed inwardly.

From bone revenge to sorrowful sword dance, such actions should evoke intense emotional upheaval in Leng Xushuang, yet her expression remained emotionless.

Finally, it was upon hearing Lu Ran's two words that Leng Xushuang's eyes reddened.

What kind of devastation must this world inflict upon people to be considered complete...

Jiang Ruyi felt fortunate that she had been found early by Lu Ran.

This woman had many similarities with herself, and when one's strength is insufficient, beauty becomes a deadly poison.

Leng Xushuang's tragic experiences confirmed this point.

Jiang Ruyi led the woman inside, to the wooden table by the window.

The slanting wind and drizzle outside, the sea of flowers persisted.

The exquisite luxurious residence had changed owners.

Jiang Ruyi reached out to tuck a strand of hair from the side of Leng Xushuang's forehead behind her ear, gazing at this stunningly beautiful face.

Like admiring a beautiful piece of porcelain.

Those reddened eyes are like cracks on the porcelain.

"The dance was beautiful," Jiang Ruyi said softly.

Leng Xushuang remained silent, gently nodded.

"Teach me when you have spare time," addressing an outsider, Jiang Ruyi's tone was uncharacteristically gentle.

"Yes," Leng Xushuang answered softly.

Jiang Ruyi looked at the stunning woman, feeling pity for her devotion to the Weak God preventing her from protecting herself.

Then, she turned to Lu Ran across the table: "Would she make a good Sword One believer?"

Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly.

Indeed, Lord Cold Plum is known as a minor Sword One.

However, the Sword One Divine Statue in the Sculpture Garden, Lu Ran intended it for his mother.

If Leng Xushuang were to join Sword One Sect, she would only be bound by a master-servant contract.

If choosing the Fifth-class God, Cold Plum, though the Divine Technique is weaker, Leng Xushuang's potential would be infinitely elevated, allowing her to become a deity!

Despite the short period of interaction, Leng Xushuang's various demonstrations made Lu Ran quite satisfied.

Her resolute tenacity, her virtuous steadfastness, as well as everything she did for her master, repaying kindness and seeking revenge.

Opportunities are rare, a good general is hard to find.

Lu Ran believed that from now on, Leng Xushuang would be a loyal soldier under his command.

If so, why not elevate her to the Divine Altar?

"What are you thinking?" Jiang Ruyi tenderly asked.

"Ah," Lu Ran snapped back, smiled, "If she becomes a Sword One believer, she will no longer have the scent of plum blossoms."

Hearing this, Jiang Ruyi threw an annoyed glance at Lu Ran.

Cold Plum disciples possess the Divine Technique: Plum Snow Cold Fragrance, capable of releasing waves of cold enchanting fragrance.

This technique is a Purification Skill, also with a calming and soothing effect.

At this moment, Leng Xushuang also understood!

Even though reluctant to believe, everything the emperor-robed youth displayed compelled her to believe!

"Bene...Benefactor," Leng Xushuang looked at Lu Ran, her voice quivering, "Can you... can you let me join Sword One Sect?"

Lu Ran lifted his gaze to the woman: "Do you want to become a Sword One disciple?"

Leng Xushuang looked at his eyes, striving to comprehend his attitude.

Her thin lips parted, opened then closed, unable to utter any sound.

Precisely because she had enough of being weak, enduring suffering, her craving for a powerful sect, powerful Divine Techniques was insatiable!

But...

But the emperor-robed youth said he wished to smell plum blossom fragrance.

Jiang Ruyi also remained silent, waiting quietly for the woman's response.

"I... I..." Leng Xushuang finally spoke, softly said, "I'll remain a Cold Plum disciple."

"Why?" Lu Ran gazed at her star-like eyes, "You're giving up a chance to defy fate?"

Leng Xushuang's lips quivered, softly said, "I... am accustomed to being a Cold Plum disciple."

Lu Ran quietly observed her.

Leng Xushuang slowly lowered her lashes.

"Hmm." After a while, Lu Ran turned to look out the window, at the rain-swayed sea of flowers.

A material fit for divinity.

...