Summit of the Old Gods

Within Qianhua Ridge, in the River Valley.

The stream flowed gently, a man sitting naked within it.

He was covered in blood, with charred skin and flesh.

Behind the man, a woman as fiery as a blaze knelt, gently wiping his body.

Gradually, Wu Xiao's back revealed skin of uneven hues.

The newly grown tender skin stood in stark contrast with his original skin, indicating that he had been battered and nearly torn apart.

Liu Huo's eyes reddened, as she repeatedly cupped the clear stream water.

Under the woman's gentle actions, the filthy Wu Xiao finally looked somewhat human.

After an unknown period, Liu Huo cautiously embraced Wu Xiao, resting her forehead on his broad back.

Tears flowed uncontrollably downward.

They had survived.

Both of them.

The Emperor Robe youth did not pursue them to extinction.

As rival contenders for the Divine Weapon Domain, the decision of the Emperor Robe youth was bewildering.

Especially since they were in the perilous Holy Spirit Mountain.

No one would allow a significant threat to persist.

Liu Huo later realized that the Emperor Robe youth intended to recruit Wu Xiao.

She was just a Weak God Disciple.

Struggling humbly to survive in the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, quietly following Wu Xiao, accompanying him through mountains and seas.

Liu Huo could not view people or things from a high vantage point.

Nor could she understand what kind of powerful existence the mysterious Emperor Robe youth truly was.

She only knew that the Emperor Robe youth was very gentle.

He was willing to gift her Resurrection Carp, to save Wu Xiao's life.

He was also willing to speak a few words with Wu Xiao, trying to call back his suicidal heart.

Perhaps this time,

Brother Xiao could truly find a home.

No longer living lost and aimlessly, dying in uncertainty.

"All done?" A gentle voice came from behind.

Liu Huo was startled, hurriedly wiping her eyes, she turned and respectfully bowed: "Sir."

"Here."

Again, those words.

A large white robe was handed over.

"Put it on him."

"Yes." Liu Huo took the exquisite robe from who knows where, and turned to drape it over Wu Xiao.

Wu Xiao continued to sit in the stream, most of the robe submerged in the water, floating with the current.

"Brother Xiao." Liu Huo whispered as she fastened Wu Xiao's buttons, "The sir has come to see you."

Wu Xiao's gaze was hollow, staring blankly into the distance.

"Go to the wooden house over there." Lu Ran said softly.

"Yes." Liu Huo, seeing Wu Xiao in a daze, felt her nose sting again.

Not daring to disobey, she had to get up and leave the stream, turning back every few steps as she left.

The River Valley had once experienced a great battle.

Of the already dilapidated buildings, few wooden houses remained.

Liu Huo easily found the place where the Ran Sect members rested, and under the indication of a woman in a bamboo hat in the courtyard, gently knocked on the door.

"Come in." A cool voice came from inside.

Liu Huo bowed her head as she entered, greeting towards the direction of the table and chairs: "Sir."

"We thought you were enslaved."

"No, not at all!" Liu Huo quickly explained, looking up at the cool fairy, "Brother Xiao never forced me, I insisted on staying by his side.

He took me in, he..."

As she spoke, Liu Huo paused, her gaze dimming slightly.

Did Wu Xiao really take her in?

He only stopped caring, stopped driving her away, after trying twice.

"As long as you weren't mistreated." Jiang Ruyi sat on a chair, observing the downcast woman.

"No, he treats me very well." Liu Huo confirmed again.

Jiang Ruyi stood and walked to the woman's side, gently patting Liu Huo on the shoulder: "Your friend will explain everything to you, go take a seat."

Liu Huo looked surprised.

Friend?

Jiang Ruyi had already left, exiting the house.

The hall was empty, Liu Huo's expression bewildered, until a Charm Shadow appeared beside her, under the wide bamboo hat, was a familiar face.

Liu Huo's pupils constricted: "Zhong... Zhong..."

"Long time no see." Second sister Zhong Rou's voice was soft, gently smoothing Liu Huo's slightly curly long hair with her hand.

Is the world small?

Of course not.

The Blazing Blood disciples were numerous indeed, but the God of Blazing Blood was after all an eighth-class god.

This also resulted in the fact that those with high talent and strength among the Blazing Blood Believers were not many in number.

Those Blazing Blood Disciples who qualified to enter the Holy Spirit Mountain were rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, and undoubtedly the elite among their sect!

The three sisters of the Zhong Family and Liu Huo all came from an ancient city under the foot of the God.

And all were members of the God's inner city guard.

Jiang Ruyi walked out of the house, giving the Blazing Blood Disciples enough private space, without intending to eavesdrop.

She slowly rose into the air, gazing at the flower-filled Qianhua Ridge.

Truly beautiful.

Perhaps the houses here could be renovated, for an occasional visit and short stay?

Lu Ran seemed to have said...

Wishing to see her dance with a sword amidst the sea of flowers?

Jiang Ruyi pursed her lips, her eyes gazing into the distance, sweeping over the undulating waves of flowers, she saw the Emperor Robe youth standing by the lakeside.

Also saw the figure kneeling in the stream.

Just at that moment, a black shadow appeared in the stream, placing a Great Nightmare split in half beside Wu Xiao.

Jiang Ruyi lightly furrowed her eyebrows.

Isn't it a bit like killing and condemning at the same time?

This wicked guy...

Is he awakening Wu Xiao's fighting spirit in this way?

At the same time, by the stream.

"Let's find a disciple of Tianchen to help repair it." Lu Ran looked at Wu Xiao's back, "Re-cultivate the Gun Spirit, I'll wait for you to challenge me."

Though speaking of it, if the Black Iron Gun truly becomes a Divine Weapon and masters the Divine Weapon Domain, no one can say for certain what it will be.

Just like the Night-cutting Blade of the Big Nightmare.

At this moment, Deng Yuxiang and the main attack direction of Divine Weapon·Night Cutting Blade is to comprehend "Broken Blade Reforged".

The insight they gained is no longer in the former Divine Weapon Domain.

Finally, Wu Xiao moved.

He reached out to hold the Divine Weapon Gun that was split in two, looking at the incredibly smooth and flat cut, he slowly put the two pieces together.

The Black Iron Oblivion Gun was easily pieced back together.

Just like before.

The difference is that it completely lost its spirituality, no longer possessing the Gun Spirit.

"I cannot defeat you," Wu Xiao said slowly.

His head drooped down, voice hoarse.

Both hands tightly gripping the Black Iron Gun, the hand holding the spear tip had its palm cut, blood flowing down.

Lu Ran guessed: "Is it because of those unbeatable existences that you have become utterly disheartened?"

"Drip, drip."

Wu Xiao's head drooped down, and droplets of blood from his palm dripped into the stream.

Lu Ran did not stop it.

Instead, he felt that this behavior of Wu Xiao was much better than his previous numb appearance.

"I've already said what I intend to do with you." Lu Ran gazed at the man's back, "You've also seen my abilities."

Wu Xiao remained silent, noncommittal.

"Heh." Lu Ran chuckled.

Even after witnessing everything firsthand, is he still unwilling to believe?

Indeed,

The bigger the hope, the greater the disappointment.

In a dark world ruled by gods and demons, within the cold and cruel Holy Spirit Mountain...

The word hope is truly cruel.

"Talk to me, friend." This time, it was Lu Ran who called him that, "Such opportunities are rare."

However, Wu Xiao did not cherish it: "I have nothing to say."

Lu Ran slightly frowned: "What, you don't believe me, don't plan to leave with me?"

Wu Xiao slowly shook his head: "It's a worthless life, I'll give it to you."

"Oh?"

"Originally, I planned to die by your hands," Wu Xiao slowly released the spear tip, saying in a low voice, "but you don't take it."

Lu Ran: "..."

Wu Xiao slowly lifted his head, staring at the distant mountains: "Since you want to challenge the gods, I'll go with you."

Lu Ran realized that Wu Xiao wasn't truly "alive" yet.

No matter how remarkable Lu Ran's display was, Wu Xiao didn't fully believe.

Or maybe he didn't dare to.

Did not dare to hope again.

After hearing Lu Ran's delusions, Wu Xiao just upheld an attitude of "dying wherever is death," choosing to follow Lu Ran.

Lu Ran remained silent for a moment, then softly said: "I have a Martial Artist Fake God Stone Sculpture.

I will bind you to the sculpture, you will merge with the sculpture."

The ink jade Tiger Talisman around Lu Ran's neck worked subtly, his deep voice carried an irrefutable authority.

"You will inherit everything of the Martial Artist, replace the Martial Artist, surpass the Martial Artist, seize the Divine Position."

Just lifted his head to look at the distant mountains, Wu Xiao had already made a decision, seeming to have stepped out.

However, Lu Ran's words made him lower his head again.

As Lu Ran anticipated,

In Wu Xiao's world, hope and cruelty are synonymous.

Lu Ran looked up at the sky shrouded in dark clouds: "We will eventually break out of Holy Spirit Mountain, break into the heavens.

Cleanse the universe and return to the human world."

"Lu Ran." Wu Xiao's voice was hoarse.

"Hmm?"

"You know, Holy Spirit Mountain has a certain magic."

Lu Ran remained silent, listening intently.

Wu Xiao's bloody hand, holding the bloody spear tip, placed it in the clear stream: "Here...

Without desire in your heart, you cannot survive.

With too much desire in your heart, you also cannot survive."

"Hehe." Lu Ran chuckled, running a hand through his wind-swept short hair, "Well said."

Speaking of which, his hair has always kept a length passing his ears, never cutting it too short when trimming.

Should it still be called short hair?

Lu Ran continued gazing at the sky shrouded in dark clouds: "So, are you going to follow me from one extreme to another?"

Wu Xiao remained silent.

The hand that let go of the spear tip once again gripped it.

The torn skin, icy flowing stream, constantly stung his nerves.

But this time, Lu Ran didn't give him much time, he spoke: "Since it's a worthless life, from now on, follow me.

If you don't want it, I will."

Wu Xiao's hand stiffened, he remained silent for a long time.

Slowly, he turned around, speaking in a deep voice: "Alright."

Lu Ran looked down at Wu Xiao, though he couldn't see his deeply buried face, he could sense the hidden turmoil of his emotions.

The result is the same.

But that once dead heart seemed to have started to beat.

Hmm, that's good.

...

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