Summit of the Old Gods

Underground cave, shrouded in frost mist.

Yan Shuangzi knelt on the ground, holding the Owl Knife in her hand, assisting the upgrade of the Divine Weapon.

She was already in sync with the Owl Knife, embarking together on a path of enlightenment: The cruelty of means was merely in service of the goal.

What is the goal?

Release anger, resolve hatred, make the enemy pay a hundredfold, a thousandfold.

How to achieve it?

Make the enemy suffer unbearably!

More painful, even more painful...

Ruthless,

Make oneself sharper, the damage more substantial.

Hatred,

Amplify the enemy's perception of pain, weaken their ability to endure harm.

Even the slightest sword trace must induce the most intense pain in the target...

Yan Shuangzi silently gripped the Owl Knife, her mind filled with images of her recent revenge.

"Buzz!!"

The Owl Knife loved its master dearly.

Yan Shuangzi's understanding of "hatred" expanded the Owl Knife's perspective, turning its once blurry concept into a clearer definition.

The path of enlightenment leads to mutual understanding.

Behind Yan Shuangzi, a tall figure leaned against the stone wall.

Deng Yuxiang couldn't see Yan Shuangzi but could hear her breathing.

Sometimes rapid, sometimes deep breaths.

Deng Yuxiang naturally knew that her close friend's emotions were intensely fluctuating.

How wonderful.

Having avenged, fulfilled her wish, and with a compatible Divine Weapon adding the final touches.

As for herself...

Deng Yuxiang couldn't help but shake her head and smile.

Her Divine Weapon·Night Cutting Blade had never grasped the domain, never successfully restored.

Perhaps the direction of the Divine Weapon Domain was wrong?

The splendid short sword·Seven Stars Saber gifted by Ruyi showed no signs of becoming a Divine Weapon.

It seems Yan Shuangzi has surpassed her.

Now, in front of her close friend, only realm can be presented.

If Yan Shuangzi takes this opportunity to break through the bottleneck and advance to the Sea Realm, their Great Realms will be the same.

Thinking of this, Deng Yuxiang's lips showed a trace of a smile.

No jealousy.

Full of comfort and blessings.

Yan Shuangzi is a standout among the younger generation in Beifeng City, in every aspect, not falling short of Deng Yuxiang, but rather faintly surpassing her.

It was just, the previous Yan Shuangzi hadn't encountered Lu Ran.

Now, she met him.

With his care and attention, she had everything.

Deng Yuxiang's right hand landed on her left wrist, fingertips brushing over Ancient Coins.

Among them were the dead souls of three Sea Realm Great Powers, most notably Elder Xing's soul.

Before, Lu Ran specifically instructed her to collect Elder Xing's dead soul into Rebirth Money, presumably for Yan Shuangzi.

Others might not understand, but Deng Yuxiang knew Lu Ran too well!

He silently does many, many things.

Some things, Deng Yuxiang can notice after the fact.

And there are some things she might not have realized even now.

Deng Yuxiang was certain that if Yan Shuangzi had any problems during this upgrade, Elder Xing would be pulled out, and Lu Ran would use all means to escort Yan Shuangzi...

"Uh." A peculiar throat sound suddenly echoed.

Deng Yuxiang immediately snapped back, just about to listen closely when she felt the energy fluctuations around her becoming increasingly intense.

Her heart instantly rejoiced!

Yan Shuangzi broke through the shackles!

[Xiao Lu Ran.]

[Sis?] A special call, followed by a special response.

There was a trace of concern in the tone.

The prestigious Sect Master, seemingly unchanged from the young man in the small town's Rain Alley.

[Your Big Evil Shadow advanced.] Deng Yuxiang's tone carried a hint of teasing.

[You say it like it's not yours~]

Lu Ran muttered, feeling inwardly delighted.

[Heh.] Deng Yuxiang snorted lightly, [She's with you day and night, sees me and doesn't say a word, how could she be mine?]

[Oh~ a bit sour, let me smell it, where does this vinegar odor come from?]

Lu Ran laughed quietly, what a rarity!

The Big Nightmare, this big girl, can actually feel jealous?

[Hm?] The woman's attitude turned noticeably colder, her nasal tone slightly raised.

Lu Ran hurriedly said: [It'll be fine from now on! I bet you, after this experience, Sister Shuangzi will change a lot.

Before long, she'll switch to calling me Sect Master.]

Deng Yuxiang was silent for a moment, then replied lightly: [You really don't understand her.]

Lu Ran: "..."

Without waiting for Lu Ran to say more, Deng Yuxiang suggested: [You should notify the others, we'll need to stay here a few more days.]

[Ok.] Lu Ran responded while looking around.

At this time, he still stood atop the mountain peak south of their hiding place, overseeing the entire scene.

Deng Yuxiang's last words made the joyful Lu Ran worry again.

The Divine Weapon Domain enlightenment takes at most two to three hours, maybe even just a few minutes.

However, breaking through River Realm Peak to Sea Realm might take up to ten days.

In this relatively long time, any phenomenon in the sky could attract various things!

Lu Ran isn't too worried about other organizations or the Evil Demon Clan.

What he truly worries about is Sword Ridge Peak's Peak Master·Wang Hanchuan!

If that deviation-prone Heavenly Realm Power arrives...

How many Ran Sect warriors can survive?

Lu Ran's expression grew serious, communicating with Jiang Ruyi to share the situation and discussed strategies.

"Hoo~"

Cold wind howled, frost and snow danced.

The sky suddenly darkened a bit.

The sun, already veiled in frost mist, became further shrouded, ultimately disappeared from sight.

"Hm?" Lu Ran frowned, naturally realized the situation wasn't normal.

The weather conditions seemed not to have changed naturally.

It's man-made!

Lu Ran possesses the Evil Technique·Proud Snow Ice Plum of the Ice Plum Demon Queen, which allows him to ignore frigid environments and thrive in the icy world.

Yet this sudden snowstorm made Lu Ran feel a slight chill.

Although it's a pleasant chill, it still feels off!

He turned to look south, carefully searching.

Suddenly, Lu Ran's eyes narrowed!

In the vast snowstorm, he vaguely saw a human figure.

This person had a tall and slim figure, wearing a white robe and a small bamboo hat, with loose white hair fluttering in the wind.

"No way?"

Is it Wang Hanchuan?

Lu Ran's heart leapt to his throat!

He had learned some information about Peak Master Wang, knowing he has long white hair, is not tall, similar to the petite Witch Crow Believer Wu Huan, about one meter fifty-five... huh?

The figure climbing the mountains below clearly has a tall and slim body, vastly different from Peak Master Wang's physique!

"Slap!"

Lu Ran slapped his forehead, silently cursing himself for being confused.

Truly, concern breeds chaos!

This person's appearance, whether the bamboo hat or the white-haired long robe, clearly marks him as a member of the Evil Demon Clan·Ice Burial!

Yet all he could think about was Wang Hanchuan...

"Hmph." A cold snort sounded from afar.

The man slowly raised his head, revealing a bloodless face, under the not-so-wide brim of the hat were a pair of eerie eyes emitting a cold gleam.

Evil Demon·Ice Burial!

With just a glance, Lu Ran's Water Flow Armor was tainted with frost and gradually froze.

Ice Burial Evil Technique·Ice Burial Eye!

The Ice Burial's eyes can emit an extremely cold light, covering the target's body with frost and snow, slowing down their movements.

What's even more terrifying is that this frost and snow can penetrate the Water Flow Armor, seeping into the Human Clan's body, gradually freezing their flesh.

"Ha." Lu Ran chuckled.

You're quite bold!

Dare to stare directly at me?

My body is covered with the toxic silk threads from Susie...

I'm scared myself!

A flash of enchanting red gleam swept across Lu Ran's eyes, instantly dragging the Ice Burial into a deep crimson world.

"Ah ah ah!" The impressively poised Ice Burial immediately lost composure.

Crying miserably~

"Oh?" Lu Ran slightly raised an eyebrow.

The Ice Burial did not lose combat ability and collapse, but instead covered one eye with his hand and reached forward with the other.

This Evil Demon is actually a Sea Realm power?

"Whoosh~"

Accompanied by intense surging energy, a massive ice coffin appeared out of thin air.

It was ten meters long, about four meters wide and tall, and from the moment it appeared, it had imprisoned Lu Ran inside.

The bone-chilling cold flooded through the ice coffin.

All trapped creatures would have their bodies frozen by the cold, seep into their marrow, and finally perish therein.

The one confined within the ice coffin happened to be the master of the Ice Plum Demon Queen·Lu Ran.

He did not feel cold.

Instead, felt a slight coolness.

Of course, this was purely from a personal feeling perspective; Lu Ran simply ignored the low-temperature environment, not immune to ice and snow techniques!

To truly achieve immunity, Lu Ran would need to activate Sword One Divine Statue.

Equipped with Divine Technique·Frost Sword Heart.

Then, Lu Ran wouldn't be affected by any ice and snow skills.

Divine Cold Plum and Evil God·Ice Plum Demon Queen are just "Little Sword One", how could they be immune to frost and snow?

"Swish~"

Lu Ran's figure flickered and appeared directly behind the Ice Burial, wielding the Blood-Drinking Scimitar in a fierce slash.

The Ice Burial did not expect this scene at all, unable to dodge.

The only reaction was instinctively leaning forward.

"Crunch!!"

The moment the scimitar struck the Ice Burial's body, it sliced through a thin layer of frost and snow, emitting an unusually piercing sound.

This thin, light layer of frost and snow was actually the defensive but formidable Evil Technique·Ice Burial Robe!

Unfortunately, this robe encountered the Divine Weapon Blade, along with Divine Technique·Fierce Sky Power!

"Slash!"

The blade cut from the enemy's right shoulder straight across to the left waist.

The Ice Burial was cleaved into two, falling onto the snowy ground.

Strangely, the blood inside this Evil Demon was coagulated, not staining the pure white snow.

As the snowstorm gradually dissipated, daylight returned.

A cool voice imprinted into the mind: [An Ice Burial showed up on your side?]

[Still the study master, eh, the encyclopedia?] Lu Ran stepped forward, standing before the corpse.

A postures of guarding the corpse.

[Smooth talker.] Jiang Ruyi softly teased, a hint of a smile on her face.

This unprovoked snowstorm naturally stemmed from the Ice Burial Evil Technique·Ice Burial Thousand Miles.

One must admit, the Evil Demon·Ice Burial pairs well with Ice Butterfly disciples.

The Ice Butterfly sect can perceive all things in the ice and snow but don't have the ability to summon frost and snow.

The Ice Burial clan can plunge a whole world into a vast snowstorm, chilling all living beings to their bones.

Unfortunately, the Divine and Demonic are enemies, so naturally no talk of collaboration.

"Puff~"

Ice Burial's body shattered, turning into thick white mist.

Lu Ran immediately raised the Divine Power Pearl at his neck, absorbing the energy.

As for why not let Little Chi Feng enjoy it...

Because Little Chi Feng had already run off to find her mom, now amidst the fog, feasting delightedly.

[Sister Xian'er just told me she wants to take this chance to retreat for a few days, shall I lend her Chi Feng?] Jiang Ruyi transmitted the message again.

[Sure, tell her not to rush, take one step at a time.]

Lu Ran responded while sighing slightly in his heart.

It's really too dangerous to level up in such a place.

The blood-drinking scimitar in his hand clearly stated, the night Sword Ridge Peak was destroyed, it had been thirty to forty days.

Hopefully,

Wang Hanchuan had already ascended to the Heavenly Realm.

...