Summit of the Old Gods

Five days later, at dusk.

Outside the courtyard of the Cloud Sea Residence, a full-length mirror quietly opened, and a group of people emerged one after another.

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone." Lu Ran, supporting his buzzing head, looked a bit unwell. "Go back and rest well."

The group understood that the Sect Leader's mental state was not good, so they did not linger and left hastily.

Lu Ran turned around and opened the courtyard door, just in time to see Jiang Ruyi coming out to greet him.

"You're back... oh." Jiang Ruyi quickly extended her hand.

A coolness embraced her.

Lu Ran leaned forward, nestling into Jiang Xian'er's arms, his face buried in her neck.

Jiang Ruyi instinctively glanced into the distance, seeing the Divine Generals walking away faster than one another.

Without a glance back.

Only then did Jiang Ruyi slightly turn her head, softly asking:

"Are you hurt?"

"No." Lu Ran's voice was muffled, and his words were somewhat vague. "It's just a headache."

Looking at the person "playing tricks" in her arms, Jiang Ruyi felt both heartache and amusement.

In the mighty Yangyang Sea, who isn't a person of great influence?

The Sect Leader, however, behaves so improperly.

Well... thinking about it, it makes sense.

These past few days, he must have been especially distressed.

To better integrate Leng Xushuang with the Evil Sculpture, Lu Ran activated the Evil Sculpture early, enduring headaches and pushing through battles.

Especially after the promotion of the Evil Sculpture to the River Realm, each small rank required several hours of effort.

"Relax, you don't need to stay conscious anymore." Jiang Ruyi's voice was gentle, brushing away the frost and snow from his head.

"Mmm..." It was unclear if he was taking advantage or if it was an unconscious action.

He rubbed his face against her neck, as if seeking a more comfortable position?

Just then, Yan Shuangzi appeared, intending to return the Magic Artifact, the Ice Heart Bracelet, to the Sect Lady, and witnessed this scene completely.

"Be honest." Jiang Ruyi's cheeks flushed with a faint red as she softly scolded.

"Madam, your bracelet." Yan Shuangzi, with her head slightly lowered and a faint smile on her lips, handed over the exquisite bracelet.

"You've also been exhausted for several days, go back and rest."

Jiang Ruyi, pretending nonchalance, took Lu Ran back to the residence.

The Ice Heart Bracelet quickly flew over, landing obediently by its mistress's hand, and adorned her wrist.

Returning to the bedroom, Jiang Ruyi helped Lu Ran remove his black robe, brushing off the frost and snow.

Lu Ran, meanwhile, collapsed onto the bed like a pile of mud.

Jiang Ruyi hung the Emperor Robe on the rack, walked back to the bedside, and looked at Lu Ran's profile: "Shall I massage your head?"

But someone had already entered a "dim-witted" state.

No reaction at all.

Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then still leaned against the headboard, gently lifting Lu Ran, letting him rest in her embrace.

Her movements were tender, and the shyness on her face gradually faded, replaced by a hint of a smile.

This rascal...

If he could always be so quiet and well-behaved, that would be wonderful.

Speaking of which, he performed so well this time and was so hardworking... perhaps she could fulfill his wish?

Dance with the sword for him once?

Jiang Ruyi thought secretly.

The sun slowly set, and the stars and moon revolved.

At the break of dawn, Lu Ran was finally relieved!

The Evil Sculpture of the Ice Plum Demon Queen ceased trembling and did not expand further, yet Lu Ran did not fully wake up.

The continuous days of fighting and the constant buzzing in his head left him utterly exhausted.

Finally able to relax, Lu Ran fell into a deep sleep.

Listening to his long and rhythmic breathing, Jiang Ruyi quietly got up and left.

...

Dusk arrived again.

"Mmm..." Lu Ran turned over, letting out a faint nasal sound.

He sleepily rubbed his head, looking around to find himself on the large bed in the bedroom.

He reached out with one hand to the side, finding no one there.

Nor any residual warmth.

Lu Ran pursed his lips, sitting up against the headboard, and softly hummed:

"Knowing that heartbreak is inevitable, at every moment of waking from a dream..."

Suddenly, there was a light chuckle, faintly audible.

"Eh?" Lu Ran's singing stopped.

After a moment, he lazily tidied his messy short hair: "Evil Shadow Guardian, your Sect Leader also needs face."

[Hmm.] In his mind, there was a faint nasal sound.

"Where is she?"

[The Lady left in the early morning and hasn't returned since.]

Lu Ran thought for a moment and asked: "Any developments in the cliff?"

[The cliff is peaceful, everything is fine.]

Lu Ran: "..."

All right then.

He slightly lifted his head, and the next moment, plum blossoms began to fall in scattered flurries in the bedroom.

The temperature in the room dropped, and a delicate fragrance filled the air.

Lu Ran raised his hand, catching a pink and white plum blossom petal.

A simple action, yet it left several arm shadows, and as time passed, the shadows slowly disappeared.

Like a dream.

Though it was not very practical, and might even reveal his movements, but...

It's cool!

Evil Technique: Falling Plum Scintillation!

Activating this skill, Lu Ran felt his entire being become light and buoyant~

The list of Evil Techniques from the Ice Plum Demon Queen's clan was quite impressive.

There was the weapon-summoning Evil Technique: Ice Plum Sword; the technique to unleash sharp sword qi: Ice Sword Qi.

There was the technique that made one as light as a plover and shadowy as falling flowers: Falling Plum Scintillation; and the technique to bewilder the mind: Soul Capturing Cold Fragrance.

There's also the Evil Technique of summoning countless plum blossoms, traversing freely, and slaughtering enemy troops—Ice Plum Nine Heavens.

And a special Evil Technique—Proud Snow Ice Plum!

This technique allows Lu Ran to completely ignore the harsh environments, and furthermore, gain a full attribute enhancement within icy and snowy settings!

From now on, even if Lu Ran lies naked in the ice and snow, he won't suffer frostbite or freeze to death.

"You're awake." A voice suddenly came through.

Lu Ran turned his head and saw a woman in a white dress standing beside the elegant screen.

She matched well with the fluttering rain of petals inside the room.

"Decided to come back?" Lu Ran murmured.

Jiang Ruyi slightly raised her eyebrows, as if she sensed a hint of complaint in his words.

"It's been a day, where did you run off to?" Lu Ran canceled the Evil Technique.

The room returned to normal.

Yet it was still a bit chilly, and there was still a lingering fragrance.

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran with a half-smile, answering indirectly: "Xuan Shuang has already adapted to the Evil Techniques of the Ice Plum Clan and has completely transformed."

Lu Ran nodded silently.

The Cold Plum Sect from the Divine Faction is a support-type sect.

It has the ability to perceive, to calm the spirit and mind, and even to firm a companion's will with a sword dance.

After switching to the Evil Demon faction, Cold Plum Clan, Leng Xushuang's support abilities were completely dissipated.

She transformed into a high-speed, soul-capturing being, proficient in both single point and group attacks—the "Demon Queen."

The only thing that remained was the faint scent of plum.

Lu Ran was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but mutter: "Xuan Shuang truly rose from the ashes, with both a Sect Leader and a Sect Master's wife caring for her so much."

"Have you recovered?" Jiang Ruyi did not continue the topic, stepped forward with a smile, and tidied Lu Ran's hair on the bedside.

The intimate gesture made Lu Ran feel a bit more comfortable.

The Lu family siblings have the same survival principle, primarily focusing on two words:

Easy to please~

He shrugged his shoulders: "The physique of the Sea Realm, tough as nails."

Jiang Ruyi nodded slightly and suggested, "Accompany me to Qianhua Ridge?"

"Qianhua Ridge?" Lu Ran was somewhat puzzled, "What are we doing there?"

"Buzz~"

Unexpectedly, Jiang Xian'er's Cold Night Sword at her waist lightly trembled.

Lu Ran reached out to grasp the sword hilt, wanting to communicate with the Cold Night Sword, but was stopped by a slender hand.

He raised his eyes again, looking at the woman with a probing gaze.

Jiang Ruyi pressed her lips and asked again, "Do you want to go?"

Seeing her unusual behavior, Lu Ran thought for a moment, and then his eyes brightened, nodding repeatedly: "Yes, yes, let's go!"

Jiang Ruyi playfully rolled her eyes at him, walked to the wardrobe, casually took out a wide white robe, and tossed it to Lu Ran: "Let's go."

"Swish~"

Without a second word, Lu Ran directly activated the Transmission Mirror.

He casually threw the robe over himself and quickly stepped inside.

After many days, Lu Ran returned to the tranquil River Valley.

A gentle breeze stirred, and waves of flowers rose and fell.

The remnant glow of the sunset fell upon the endless sea of flowers, casting a light halo over the blooms.

In the cluster of falling flowers stood Ruyi, holding the hilt of the Cold Night Sword, turning her head to look at Lu Ran.

She saw him fully engrossed, his eyes seemingly sparkling with little stars.

"Foolish king..."

Jiang Ruyi's cheeks flushed slightly, her gaze lowered.

She thought it would've been enough to practice the way she usually did.

All day, she practiced again and again in the small courtyard of the Mad Immortal's residence, captivating Xian'er, while making Leng Xushuang nod continuously.

Jiang Ruyi had a strong foundation in swordsmanship, excellent strength and flexibility, complemented by an exceptionally graceful figure...

It gave Leng Xushuang a feeling of "the student surpassing the master."

This level was indeed worthy of performing for a certain person.

This was also Jiang Ruyi's plan.

However, until this moment, feeling Lu Ran's intense anticipation, she suddenly wanted to go back and practice for another year or two.

"Ruyi?" Lu Ran called out.

"Mm." Jiang Ruyi steeled her heart and drew her sword.

Petals danced along with the sword's breeze, forming a dazzling wreath around her.

Her ethereal form appeared and disappeared amidst a rain of petals.

The golden hue of the setting sun seemed to be drawn to her, coating the alluring contours of her body with a soft golden outline.

She was indescribably beautiful.

Lu Ran's gaze grew increasingly gentle.

The filthy Holy Spirit Mountain was forever cold and cruel.

Yet the woman in the white dress, under the resplendent glow of dusk, wielded her sword to trace graceful arcs, bringing a gentle shower of petals to this harsh world.

No,

This world was merely a spectator.

This sword dance was intended for just one person.

But, this dance was witnessed by a second person...

Upon the high ridge, a young man in black clothes stood silently.

He gazed at the sea of flowers, at the flowing figure.

From bewilderment, to appreciation, to sheer amazement.

Suddenly, the woman in the white dress halted.

Her initially bashful gaze instantly transformed, becoming bone-chilling cold as she looked up the ridge.

Along with her, the young man standing by the riverbank also turned his head to look.

"Hoo~"

Lu Ran's expression froze!

Upon the ridge, a dark Other Shore Flower blossomed.

Alluring and mysterious.

After blooming, it retracted.

The black-clad youth nodded apologetically, then his figure vanished without a trace.

...