Summit of the Old Gods

The members of Ran Sect stayed in Qianhua Ridge for a few more days.

During this time, Jiang Ruyi ordered the soldiers to clean up the cluster of wooden houses.

Repair what needed repairs, and demolish what needed demolition.

They sourced materials locally and meticulously renovated.

In the River Valley area, seven houses of various sizes were finally left, and the once dilapidated scene was completely renewed.

Streams gurgled, flowers spread their fragrance everywhere.

The quiet and relatively secluded River Valley truly seemed like a paradise away from the world.

Residing here, the hearts of Ran Sect's members gradually relaxed, enjoying the rare leisure time.

Only Lu Ran did not rest.

In fact, he hadn't closed his eyes for several days and nights.

Now, with no other Divine Weapons obstructing him, Lu Ran naturally focused on comprehending the Divine Weapon Domain with the Eight Desolate Blade in hand.

He stood tall atop the mountain ridge, gazing at the boundless sea of flowers, and also at the kilometer-long ravine he had once cut through.

There, the mountainside collapsed, and the ground sunk.

No one knew when this incongruous terrain would be refilled by the sea of flowers.

It's really an eyesore.

Yet Lu Ran kept staring at it, repeatedly recalling the scene where Wu Xiao wielded the Black Iron Spear and executed their joint technique.

Cracks like a spider web spread across the ground.

Mountains crumbled, earth was torn apart...

Clear images, deliberate study, and understanding aided by focused hard work.

Lu Ran and the Eight Desolate Blade finally achieved what they sought one night in early February!

On this night, the moon and stars shone sparsely.

Thick mist obscured the stars and moon, rushing in madly!

The commotion from comprehending the Divine Weapon Domain wasn't small, and its magnitude far exceeded promotion within the Human Clan's lower ranks.

Fog Dragon Roll appeared in Qianhua Ridge, connecting heaven and earth.

At the same time, from within a house at the foot of the mountain in the River Valley, a delighted voice rang out:

"Oh! Is it Lu Ran? He succeeded!"

Si Xianxian suddenly sat up on the bed, sensing the increasingly dense Divine Power atmosphere around her.

She was extremely happy and reached out to touch beside her: "Ruyi, Ruyi?"

A cool voice came from the darkness: "Mm, take this opportunity to cultivate well."

"Your personality is getting colder," Si Xianxian muttered to herself, "It's like you could freeze someone to death."

Jiang Ruyi smiled as she sat up in meditation: "I'm very happy.

However, he'll return soon, and you'll need to find another place to stay."

Si Xianxian immediately looked distressed.

Right, the scoundrel is back, and there's no place for her on the bed anymore.

Si Xianxian immediately snuggled over, hugging Jiang Xianzi's arm, pleading: "Ruyi, let him sleep in another house for the night, please."

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

Si Xianxian's sweet voice of complaint was so sweet it was cloying: "Lady, lady, good lady~"

Jiang Ruyi sighed helplessly: "Quickly cultivate, the time for comprehending the Divine Weapon won't be long."

Si Xianxian pouted.

Also a little heartless!

Do you know what I've sacrificed to stay by your side? I've worked so hard, constantly enduring pressure, accompanying you day and night.

And you!

Just as the scoundrel comes back, you're making me leave...

Actually, Si Xianxian had originally accepted her fate.

Grade isn't the same; there's really no need to make herself uncomfortable.

Jiang Ruyi had even advised Si Xianxian not to force it, and Si Xianxian had planned to return to their previous way of interaction after a rank promotion.

But since Wu Xiao and Liu Huo joined Ran Sect, Si Xianxian realized one thing:

It's up to people to make things happen!

Liu Huo, just at Jiang Realm·Fourth Rank, could stay beside a Sea Realm Peak Martial Artist every day.

Why couldn't she?

Why couldn't I, Si Xianxian, as an actual Stone Sculpture, compare to a weak Blazing Blood Disciple?

That's why Si Xianxian came.

Mm, probably she'll have to leave soon.

Divine Weapon advancement is unlike human advancement.

The duration of comprehending a domain varies; long may take a few hours, short may only ten to fifteen minutes.

The Eight Desolate Blade took a very short time!

Because both the master and the weapon had very clear objectives, even the mode of magic execution and specific effects of the domain were clear.

It's practically like copying answers in an exam!

Once the test begins, how could it not be fast?

Thus, before the Ran Sect members had cultivated for long, the fog between heaven and earth gradually dissipated.

From the seven houses of varying arrangements in the River Valley, people began to step out.

The soldiers didn't go to the mountain top, worried about disturbing the Sect Master, they all stayed outdoors, waiting to congratulate the Sect Master on his return.

"Sigh..." In front of a house, Yu Changsheng lightly shook a paper fan and gave a soft sigh.

His gaze moved past the stream, using the bright moonlight, he looked at the wooden house in the mountain forest across the river.

Wu Xiao and Liu Huo also came out together.

Presumably, among the members of Ran Sect, Wu Xiao's feelings were the most complicated.

After all, the Divine Weapon Domain that Lu Ran obtained now once belonged to Wu Xiao.

Thinking of this, Yu Changsheng couldn't help but have an odd expression.

Recalling the trip to Qianhua Ridge, Lu Ran's various actions seemed somewhat "constituted of many misdeeds?"

Lu Ran shattered Wu Xiao's Black Iron Spear, seized the Divine Weapon Domain from him, and even took Wu Xiao himself!

Wasn't this pure bullying?

Poor Great Martial Artist, completely devoured...

In contemplation, Yu Changsheng perceived something and immediately looked up.

A solitary bright moon hung high in the sky.

A slender figure descended from the night sky.

From Yu Changsheng's perspective, the youth dressed in an Emperor Robe seemed encircled by the bright moon.

Tsk tsk~

Yu Changsheng discarded his chaotic thoughts, feeling extremely satisfied.

With a paper fan in hand, he swayed it with even more elegance and ease.

Lu Ran's growth and transformation within the Holy Spirit Mountain was something Yu Changsheng had been fully involved in, and of course, he had his share of credit!

Seeing Lu Ran with such demeanor again, Yu Changsheng felt a sense of "nurturing" satisfaction.

"Hoo~"

Suddenly, delicate fire lanterns soared up, exquisite eight-sided lanterns glowed with a red hue, illuminating the night in the river valley.

Amidst the congratulatory voices, Lu Ran clasped his hands, politely responding.

However, when he saw Wu Xiao, he noticeably hesitated.

Wu Xiao, on the other hand, maintained his composure, respectfully offering congratulations. After Lu Ran nodded in response, he landed before Jiang Ruyi's residence.

"You've fulfilled your wish." Jiang Ruyi smiled faintly.

"Yes, finally." Lu Ran placed his hand on his waist, gripping the Eight Desolate Blade's hilt.

The Eight Desolate Blade was overjoyed, sharing a mental bond with the Master of Divine Weapon, which caused strands of joyous emotions to linger in Lu Ran's heart.

"What's the domain called?" Jiang Ruyi asked.

"Eight Directions Annihilation." Lu Ran's fingertips brushed the hilt.

The Eight Desolate Blade's first Divine Weapon Domain·Eight Directions Annihilation!

Lu Ran chose not to use the word "Desolate" but instead used "Eight Directions" to express the specific effect of the Divine Weapon Domain.

One strike downwards, centering on himself, everything in all directions would be utterly destroyed!

At this point,

The Dawn Blade burns the sky, the Eight Desolate Blade splits the earth!

Just thinking about it made Lu Ran incredibly happy.

The emotional fluctuations of a Sea Realm Great Power naturally affected the surrounding environment.

Consequently, Si Xianxian, who had been sent out at night, was equally delighted for Lu Ran.

Lu Ran looked around, praising, "You've built a nice base, haven't you? The wooden cabin is well hidden; I almost couldn't find it."

Jiang Ruyi casually said, "The environment here is nice; it's good as a small stronghold.

Anyway, wherever you go is just a step away."

"Tch~" Si Xianxian, beside him, muttered under her breath.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran looked at Si Xianxian.

Si Xianxian pouted, "You clearly said you liked it here and wanted to see Ruyi dance among the flowers, so Ruyi built it... oops."

As someone's faint gaze swept by, Si Xianxian shivered, unable to hold back a shiver, and dared not speak further.

"Oh really?" Lu Ran blinked and pulled Jiang Fairy into his arms, "Is that so?"

Jiang Ruyi stubbornly said, "There were already buildings here; it would be a waste to abandon them."

Even while saying this, Jiang Ruyi turned her head to glance at Si Xianxian.

Truly my good friend!

Saying everything out loud...

Lu Ran covered Jiang Fairy's eyes with one hand, "Don't always bully Xian'er, what, not allowing anyone to speak? That's too domineering, isn't it?"

"Exactly, exactly." Si Xianxian nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

The three laughed and joked for a while, then Lu Ran asked, "How are Wu Xiao and Liu Huo these days?"

"Pretty good, Liu Huo is very grateful to us." Jiang Ruyi recalled the past few days of interactions, speaking softly, "Wu Xiao, however, has been very silent.

However, he's no longer as ignorant as when we first met."

"Hmm." With his powerful night vision, Lu Ran looked towards the distant forest, gazing at the concealed houses within.

Jiang Ruyi, seemingly sensing something, gently comforted, "Don't overthink; since Divine Weapon Domains overlap, meeting is inevitable.

In the future, just treat him well."

"Of course." Lu Ran nodded immediately.

Jiang Ruyi suddenly suggested, "Why don't you give the Purple Thunder Mad Dragon Spear to Wu Xiao?"

"Oh?" Lu Ran's heart stirred slightly.

A second-rank Divine Weapon, the Purple Thunder Mad Dragon Spear, is quite a formidable weapon!

While spears and halberds have different uses, there are some commonalities.

Whether or not Wu Xiao has dabbled in halberd techniques, as a martial artist of such exceptional talent and strength, a bit more practice would suffice.

Lu Ran was unaware that Jiang Ruyi was considering much more.

Regarding Lu Ran's decision to return the halved black iron spear to Wu Xiao, Jiang Ruyi always disagreed.

She believed in Lu Ran's abilities and methods to fully control Wu Xiao and wasn't afraid of challenges.

But the question was, why leave hidden risks to oneself?

If the black iron spear was trained back into a Divine Weapon and then was about to upgrade to second rank, just as the Divine Weapon Domain coincided again...

Would Wu Xiao fight or not?

He might not want to challenge Lu Ran, but would the Divine Weapon?

To avoid the troubles that might arise later, it's best to nip it in the bud now.

Jiang Ruyi's hand naturally fell, gently picking up Lu Ran's palm, "Do you want Wu Xiao to bind with the Stone Sculpture?"

The sudden change of topic made Lu Ran pause for a moment, then nod:

"Let him bond with the Martial Artist Divine Sculpture, it seems fitting."

Wu Xiao considers himself worthless, but Lu Ran does not see it that way.

Under his leadership, Wu Xiao would be cherished.

He would shine brightly!

"Let Wu Xiao use the halberd for the rest of his life." Jiang Ruyi nestled gently in Lu Ran's embrace, closing her eyes.

The cool fairy's soft words drifted once more into Lu Ran's ears:

"Bury both the black iron spear and his past self in the past."

...