Summit of the Old Gods

At dusk, in the small courtyard of Cloud Sea Residence.

Jiang Ruyi sat at the stone table, quietly watching the sunset while sipping tea.

Suddenly, a wave of energy fluctuation came over.

She turned her head and saw a landing mirror opening, and a pair of man and woman emerged.

The woman's eyes were full of concern, while the man was rubbing his temples, staggering towards the Cloud Sea Residence.

Even the people within the courtyard didn't notice!

"Lady." It was Yan Shuangzi who noticed Lady Ran and immediately greeted her.

"Was the journey smooth?" Jiang Ruyi put down her teacup and asked.

Liu Huo, who was serving beside her, immediately picked up the teapot, ready to fill the tea, but was stopped by Jiang Ruyi.

Yan Shuangzi reported immediately: "Everything went well, just that searching and occupying three new islands took some time."

The three Evil Mirror Demons stationed around Cloud Sea Cliff were summoned by Lu Ran and stationed on the islands. The so-called Nine Star Island should be renamed Twelve Star Island now.

However, this name will soon change again.

Looking at Lu Ran's state just now, the Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture in his Sculpture Garden should be advancing.

Ascending from Sea Realm Second Rank to Third Rank.

With each minor rank the sculpture advances, it can create two more Evil Demon Minions.

So after tonight, Lu Ran should be able to summon two more Evil Mirror Demons in the Peak of the River Realm.

Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly: "Lu Ran mentioned last time that he asked the Evil Mirror Demon clan to record collected data?"

"Yes, the data discrepancy is large." Yan Shuangzi recalled, "Among the nine islands, the most collected was 85 strands of Holy Spirit Energy, the least was 32 strands.

The nine Evil Mirror Demons collectively provided 579 strands of Holy Spirit Energy for their master."

9 islands, 5 months, 579 strands of Holy Spirit Energy.

Jiang Ruyi did a simple calculation in her head and came up with a number.

On average, each island can provide Lu Ran with twelve to thirteen strands of Holy Spirit Energy per month.

Collecting diligently, yet the accumulation is slow.

To rapidly increase power in a short period, wild Evil Mirror Demons need to be slain.

A horse without night grass doesn't grow fat.

"Go back and rest." Jiang Ruyi stood up, casually instructing.

Yan Shuangzi did not respond.

Jiang Ruyi looked at the silent Sea Realm Great Power: "I remember, didn't you bring back a North Wind Disciple?"

Yan Shuangzi bowed her head: "She has already torn up the contract."

"Hmm, how do you plan to deal with her?"

"This person's martial skills are remarkable, I intend to have her pledge loyalty to Ran Sect and redeem her sins."

"What sin?"

"She...after all, was a North Wind Disciple, and was a beneficiary and supporter of the original order at Sword Ridge Peak." Yan Shuangzi said quietly, "If Lady doesn't like it..."

Jiang Ruyi said calmly: "Go back and discipline well, capture her early."

"Yes." This time, Yan Shuangzi responded and swiftly left.

Jiang Ruyi walked into the house, entering the bedroom, and indeed saw the young man lying limp on the bed.

Sprawled out without any demeanor of a master.

Jiang Ruyi showed a slight smile, sitting sideways on the bed's edge, looking down at the dazed young man.

Divine Power, truly a remarkable thing.

The heroic young man transformed, looking silly.

Hmm...kind of cute?

Jiang Ruyi unusually displayed a playful look, extending her slender fingers, gently pinching his cheek.

Indeed!

Silly~

...

Lu Ran "woke up" at the break of dawn.

He found himself leaning in a soft embrace, with a woman's fingers pressing gently on his forehead.

"You didn't sleep all night?" Lu Ran was somewhat surprised.

He clearly felt Jiang Fairy's fingertips tremble, as if frightened?

Lu Ran turned to look and saw her showing a disgruntled expression. He immediately drew close, kissing her delicate face, seeking her lips:

"Little Ruyi, you don't have to take such good care of me."

"Hmph." Jiang Ruyi turned her head away.

"I've already learned the technique to clear my mind! As long as I don't trouble myself or force myself to think, it won't be very difficult."

"Hmm...it's almost dawn...uh..." Jiang Ruyi ultimately couldn't resist someone, her body gradually softened.

Fine.

She was about to enter seclusion anyway, let him be.

She slightly lifted her coldly alluring face, closing her eyes, allowing someone to leave delicate kisses on her slender white neck.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran suddenly stopped.

Her beautiful eyes became somewhat hazy, looking down, she whispered: "What's wrong?"

"Wait a moment." Lu Ran frowned.

Previously, he was in a state of clearing his mind, unaware of anything.

But now, recovering his state, Lu Ran felt someone faintly calling out to him in the void.

However, the call was too feeble.

Nothing like nightmares or evil shadows, those bound to evil sculptures.

More like a tiny ant, invoking the divine in the heavens.

Yet more sincere than the usual devotion and prayers of ordinary Ran Sect disciples.

Or rather: more urgent!

Who?

Lu Ran quickly checked, finally confirming it was the Evil Dog Sculpture from the Evil Demon Camp.

[Sect Leader! Sect Leader?]

[Sect Leader...]

[Speak.] Lu Ran finally found the believer pleading for the divine manifestation.

Shadow One was taken aback for a moment, then quickly responded: [Sect Leader, that Dust Spirit disciple has come again! Came last night, always watching the stars and moon among the flowers.]

[Still here now?]

[Yes, looks like he might wait for sunrise.]

[Specific location.] Lu Ran immediately asked.

A few seconds later, Lu Ran confirmed the young man's position, which was on the ridge where he spied before.

[Don't startle the snake.]

Lu Ran gave a caution, then looked at Jiang Fairy, grinning: "That Dust Shadow disciple has appeared again!"

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh.

She could somewhat understand why Lu Ran was a bit annoyed.

This Dust Shadow disciple had already ruined Lu Ran's plans twice.

The last time, he interrupted Jiang Ruyi's sword dance, forcing Lu Ran to resort to muttering some mantra like, "Ruyi Ruyi, follow my heart's desire."

This time, his appearance had once again thwarted Lu Ran's ill intentions.

"Let's go take a look." Jiang Ruyi gently placed her delicate hand on Lu Ran's head, tidying his short hair, "If it's Qin Yanzhi, it's at least an explanation to a friend."

"Mm." Lu Ran reached out to the side and quickly cast a spell.

Jiang Ruyi adjusted her garments and reminded, "Remember to get him out of the Other Shore Flower's range first."

"Of course!" Lu Ran responded decisively.

This time, if I let him escape again, it would be disrespectful to the Shadow Guard Team's three months of patient waiting!

"Swish~"

The Transmission Mirror activated, and the two of them stepped inside, one after the other.

Jiang Ruyi looked around and found that Lu Ran had opened the Transmission Mirror within the Thousand Flower Inn in the River Valley.

[Give me ten seconds.]

A message was imprinted in her mind, and Jiang Ruyi nodded lightly, watching as Lu Ran's figure vanished.

He didn't flash away but vanished into invisibility.

"Swish~"

Jiang Ruyi sensed the divine power fluctuation right nearby, knowing that this time Lu Ran had indeed teleported away.

Completely invisible, Lu Ran appeared high in the sky, freely observing without a trace.

At the same time, on a tall mountain ridge where flowers were in full bloom.

A young man dressed in black stood quietly, gazing towards the east.

Today was a rare good day.

There was no wind, no rain, no cloud sea.

It had been half an hour since dawn, and in just a few minutes, the beautiful sunrise could be seen.

"Tap~"

The young man casually picked a small white flower, twirling it by the stem with his fingers.

Suddenly, there was a faint divine power fluctuation from behind.

The young man in black froze!

Because this divine power fluctuation was too close!

How close?

He could even feel a warm breath brushing against his ear.

It proved to be no illusion!

Because a deep voice spoke into his ear:

"You're up quite early?"

Young man in black: ???

"Hoo!!"

The young man in black leaped forward abruptly, the rotating flower between his fingers quietly falling.

And before the small white flower swayed to the ground,

A mysterious and stunning black Other Shore Flower suddenly blossomed in his hand.

"Zzz—"

Immortal Fog spread, the Black Gold Emperor Robe fluttered loudly.

As a qualified survivor, the young man in black not only leaped forward at the first moment, casting the Divine Technique·Other Shore Flower, but he also slightly turned to ward off the coming enemy.

Yet unexpectedly, the intruder was formless.

But also truly existed.

Because the young man saw the Immortal Fog spreading in the flower field and also five beautiful red silk threads piercing towards him.

"You!" The young man's pupils almost shrank to needlepoint!

The black Other Shore Flower blossomed and scattered again.

It couldn't be constrained.

Because the person within the flower was hurled out, taken away from the flower's range.

"Hoo!!"

The morning breeze blew, causing waves in the sea of flowers.

The young man in black was lightly tapped by the five thin red silk threads at his brow, wrists, and ankles.

And was lifted in mid-air.

Looking down along the five red threads, they tightened, finally connecting above the empty flower field.

Not knowing who was controlling them.

"Watching the sunrise?" The deep voice spoke again.

The young man in black's vision blurred, finally seeing the youth dressed in a Black Gold Emperor Robe.

He was utterly shocked!

This... wasn't this the person who admired the sword dance by the stream three months ago?

"Watch first." Lu Ran turned his head towards the east, gazing at the undulating mountains, faintly seeing the red glow.

His fingertips trembled slightly, and the marionette in mid-air slightly turned, facing east.

The young man in black was in a daze for a long time, a trace of bitterness gradually rising in his heart.

The Tethering Silk made him completely immobile.

The Tangled Silk caused his divine power to go wildly astray inside him.

Stepping back, even if he had opened the Divine Technique·Other Shore Flower, the opponent could easily take him out of the flower's range.

"Hoo~"

The gentle breeze swept by, the scent of flowers permeating the air.

A white-dressed fairy, surrounded by the Jade Talisman Formation, slowly descended.

The young man in black recognized this woman instantly, for she was the one who had performed that dance earlier.

A deep sense of powerlessness surged in his heart.

Having wandered in the mountains for five or six years, he was finally caught...

Knowing that these two had discovered Qianhua Ridge, why did he have to come again?

This pair had such an aura, how could they be ordinary people?

After catching a distant glimpse of them last time, he should have retreated, never stepping foot here again.

But...

But these flowers bloomed so brilliantly,

The stars twinkled, the moon set, the sun rose.

How could I not come...

...