Summit of the Old Gods

"Huh?" Lu Ran watched as the young man in black disappeared, his face filled with astonishment.

Just left like that?

So clean and decisive?

Lu Ran turned his head, exchanging a look of mutual understanding with Jiang Ruyi.

After a long pause, he muttered, "Well, you really can't blame Shangguan Hongfu for this~"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

At this moment, the two of them, just like Shangguan Hongfu back then, had encountered a Dust Shadow Disciple.

The result was no different.

Without even a chance to communicate, the other party directly teleported away.

"Swish~"

Lu Ran's figure flashed, appearing at the spot where the young man was before. Here, the flower clusters were lush, and the other party left nothing behind.

He slowly ascended, looking around:

"Really cherishing life..."

Qianhua Ridge was peaceful and quiet, brimming with vibrant colors; where were the black flowers and shadows?

The very realistic problem is: if the opponent is in the River Realm, the Divine Technique of the Other Shore Flower's maximum teleportation distance is 100 kilometers.

If the opponent is in the Sea Realm, then the Sea Grade Other Shore Flower will undergo a qualitative change!

Being the arch-enemy of the Evil Demon·Evil Mirror Demon Clan, the teleportation skills of the Dust Shadow Sect are in no way inferior to those golden branches and jade leaves.

As vast as heaven and earth, where to search?

Lu Ran silently searched for a while, then flickered back to the River Valley.

Only to see Jiang Ruyi walking over.

"Don't come over!" Lu Ran hurriedly reached out to stop.

This babbling stream was like the dividing line of a stage, and now, was Fairy Jiang to exit the stage?

"Next time." Jiang Ruyi said casually.

"Oh please..." Lu Ran looked regretful.

Damn Dust Shadow Believer, really good at ruining others' plans!

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but chuckle, but her steps off stage did not halt.

Her sword dance was interrupted, and she was no longer in the mood to continue.

A deeper reason was her awareness that there might be others present in this space.

So, she no longer wanted to dance.

Didn't want to let anyone else see.

"Ruyi Ruyi." Lu Ran clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and muttered, "As I wish."

His demeanor was as if when he opened his eyes, he'd see Jiang Ruyi returning to the sea of flowers, continuing her unfinished sword dance.

Jiang Ruyi looked at Lu Ran with amusement.

You rascal,

Are you acting up again?

And Lu Ran kept muttering with his eyes closed, "Manifest quickly, manifest quickly~"

Jiang Ruyi felt a headache coming on, looking at Lu Ran helplessly.

Alright then,

I'll manifest just this once.

She gently descended next to Lu Ran, saying, "Bring Xuan Shuang over, let her dance for you."

"Huh?" Lu Ran opened his eyes, utterly confused.

Was that even an option?

Fairy Jiang spoke blandly, "Just right for me to learn as well, I always felt something was missing."

Lu Ran fell silent.

Something's off!

There's a trick in this!

Though he yearned for it, Lu Ran still shook his head and refused, "Forget it! I'll watch when you're interested."

Jiang Ruyi smiled, "If we linger here a bit longer, who knows, that person might come back."

Lu Ran was skeptical about that.

Jiang Ruyi added, "If we meet again next time, perform an Instant Teleportation immediately and kick that person out from the Other Shore Flower."

Forcibly interrupt the spellcasting?

Such a maneuver requires quite extraordinary skill.

Unlike the Evil Mirror Clan, the Dust Shadow Sect's spellcasting is incredibly fast; as soon as flowers open and close, they can leave.

The Evil Mirror Clan is much more troublesome, having to first perform the Basic Technique·Mirror of Sin, then alter the properties of the bronze mirror, transforming the oval Ancient Bronze Mirror into a full-length mirror.

Jiang Ruyi suggested, "Moreover, bring the Shadow Guard Team as well."

Lu Ran followed her thoughts, "If the person doesn't come back today, we could leave a Shadow Guard here, waiting like a hunter?"

After two or three years, this Dust Shadow Disciple visited again, surely he is quite attached to this place.

A better outcome would be if this person often came here to appreciate the scenery and relieve his mind without Lu Ran and the others noticing.

Lu Ran made up his mind, "Let's go, let's head back to the Thousand Flower Inn first."

This matter, requires covert operations!

In the River Valley, there are seven wooden houses of varying sizes, and only Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi's residence deserves the name "Thousand Flower Inn."

Inside the house, Lu Ran activated the Transmission Mirror and called in several Shadow Guards, including the Evil Shadow Guardian.

He also summoned Leng Xushuang.

After receiving orders, the Evil Shadow Guardian quickly assigned tasks, and the four of them promptly vanished.

The unique environment of Qianhua Ridge, with its waist-high flower sea, made it convenient for the Shadow Guard Team to hide.

And when Leng Xushuang heard the task she had been called to fulfill, she immediately nodded in agreement, her expression exceedingly solemn.

"Relax a bit." Jiang Ruyi sighed internally.

She understood Leng Xushuang's mindset very well.

That's why she suggested bringing Leng Xushuang over.

Jiang Ruyi could feel that over these recent days, everything Lu Ran had done for Leng Xushuang brought her great pressure.

Leng Xushuang was eager to contribute something to the Ran Sect.

Unfortunately, her capabilities were lacking, and she didn't even have the qualification to accompany the Sect Leader on missions.

Shame, guilt.

Feelings of self-doubt, unworthiness, and more mixed together, nearly suffocating her.

And now, the Lady of the Ran Sect finally gave her a chance.

"Xuan Shuang?"

Leng Xushuang immediately regained her senses, looking at the young man.

Today, Lu Ran draped in a wide white robe, seemed much more approachable.

"No need to be so serious." Lu Ran's expression was odd, "I'm not an examiner."

Why did it feel like an exam?

"Yes." Leng Xushuang's expression was solemn as she nodded gently.

Lu Ran: "..."

"Right here in front of the door." Jiang Ruyi smiled, leading Lu Ran to sit on the steps in front of the house.

Although the two were very casual, Leng Xushuang remained vigilant.

Moments later, petals of plum blossoms drifted down.

A faint fragrance floated in the air around the house.

The Evil Technique of the Ice Plum Demon Queen's clan, anything with the element of "plum" would carry the scent of plum blossoms.

What left Lu Ran dumbfounded was, the movement technique, Evil Technique·Plum Fallen Frightened Goose, which made Leng Xushuang dance as if she was a startled swan.

Moreover, when she performed the sword dance, it was accompanied by beautiful afterimages!

The afterimages were dreamlike and ephemeral, lingering briefly in the world.

Under the afterglow of the sunset, it left frame after frame of breathtaking images.

"I can't believe it..."

Lu Ran was stunned!

It's much more beautiful than Ruyi's dance... cough cough.

Lu Ran snapped back to reality and sneakily glanced to the side.

And Jiang Ruyi nestled gently beside Lu Ran, her drunken eyes dreamy, already entranced.

Lu Ran couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

You little girl! How dare you call me a foolish lord?

The graceful silhouette draped in the evening glow, until the dance came to an end.

The afterimages chasing the quietly standing person, finally dissipated beside the woman.

Leng Xushuang's eyes lowered, as if waiting for judgment.

"Clap! Clap! Clap..."

Lu Ran couldn't help but clap his hands, full of admiration.

Jiang Ruyi's eyes shimmered, looking at the stunning woman, the more she looked, the more she liked her.

Growing up, she suddenly had a feeling of being a fan...

She suddenly said, "Seems like a tune is missing?"

"A tune?" Lu Ran pondered, there were many Believers who could play music.

Jade Flute Believer, Yaoqin Believer, Fairy Pipa Believer...

If the range for accompaniment is extended, they could also include Desolate Drum Believer, War Horn Believer.

Jing Hong, the Hall Master, could play the sound of a mournful horn.

Letting Leng Xushuang choose a tragic type of sword dance should fit well?

"Let's talk about it later." Lu Ran said, "Tomorrow morning we have to set off to continue southward."

The joyous time should make its appearance on the next day of triumphant return.

Jiang Ruyi slightly raised her head, looking at Lu Ran, "Just at dawn today, the evil sculpture in your mind finally stopped humming.

You only rested for one day, just waking up."

"No problem, I can handle it!" Lu Ran chuckled irresponsibly.

Jiang Ruyi sighed gently, "The battle of Wolf Bone Village, Wolf Flower Village, and Qianhua Ridge, along with the past seven or eight days of Snow Forest journey.

Lu Ran, you should take it slow.

Moreover, focusing on cultivation in Cloud Sea Cliff doesn't count as slowing your growth."

Lu Ran listened silently, his gaze far away, looking towards the colorful twilight on the horizon.

But this Spirit Mountain,

has many things waiting for me, I suppose.

Jiang Ruyi naturally noticed Lu Ran's eager heart.

She pondered for a long time, then turned to say, "You've never given Wu Xiao a title, do you have some other plans?"

Lu Ran nodded, "The Wusheng Sect's base is further south, and from Shangguan Hongfu's description, the purpose of this sect is no different from other major sects."

Jiang Ruyi realized that her conjecture was becoming reality.

Lu Ran became a bit more serious, "Wu Xiao is at the peak of the Sea Realm, if he arrives at the Wusheng Sect's base, he would surely have significant prestige!"

"You want Wu Xiao to become a Heavenly Emperor of one domain, another He Qifeng?"

"Indeed, but the path needs some adjustment. We must make good use of Wu Xiao's unique status. Ideally, to seize the position of Sect Master at the Wusheng Sect's base."

Jiang Ruyi pursed her lips, suddenly saying, "Jingting Mountain, Sword Ridge Peak, Tianhuang Mountain, and other sects, after all, were established by Second-class God disciples.

Wusheng is a First-class God, with exceptionally talented disciples.

Wusheng Believers who can enter Spirit Mountain have the qualification to change the human world's structure...."

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly, "You're worried that the Sect Master of the Wusheng Sect might be a Heavenly Realm Great Power?"

Jiang Ruyi didn't respond, resting her cheek on Lu Ran's shoulder, reaching down with her delicate hand to grasp Lu Ran's palm.

Gently squeezing his palm.

Lu Ran: "..."

It had always been he who played with her hands, squeezing her palm.

"Slow down the pace, Lu Ran." Jiang Ruyi's voice was gentle, "Didn't you promise the Evil Shadow that when she reaches the peak of the River Realm, you'd take her to avenge herself at Sword Ridge Peak?"

"That did happen."

"It's mid-February now, will she not advance by March or April?"

"Yes, she should." Lu Ran nodded again to confirm.

"Before dealing with the Wusheng Sect, let's take the Evil Shadow to settle the grudge first." Jiang Ruyi rarely spoke pessimistically, "No one can guarantee what unexpected occurrences might happen during the mission."

Lu Ran recalled the battle he had with Wu Xiao.

For the Ran Sect soldiers, Wu Xiao was indeed an extremely terrifying existence.

Jiang Ruyi whispered, "How about we go back and cultivate for a month, without heading off on unexpected ventures before helping the Evil Shadow with her revenge?"

Lu Ran pondered for a while, muttering, "At my current cultivation pace, perhaps I'll advance by March or April as well."

Jiang Ruyi's eyes slightly moved.

Yes, this is what she wanted.

The higher the Great Realm of a cultivator, the more pronounced the differences between small ranks become.

From the moment Believers ascend to the River Realm, the Divine Technique they apply should not be roughly defined as River Grade.

But should be specified to River Grade First Rank.

The Sea Realm even more so!

Even with a technique like the Transmission Mirror, while the teleportation distance may not increase, the spell casting speed will indeed enhance.

Not to mention other offense and defense techniques, which will concretely increase in effectiveness.

With every step Lu Ran takes forward, his growth magnitude is astonishing.

"Then it's settled, okay?" Jiang Ruyi gently squeezed Lu Ran's palm.

That pleading look was entirely contrary to her aloof demeanor.

Lu Ran couldn't help but slightly lower his head, kissing those enticing lips:

[Alright, okay.]

...