Summit of the Old Gods

"The reason I've summoned the two of you today is that there's another matter to discuss," Lu Ran said, calming his thoughts before speaking.

The two of them looked toward Lu Ran.

Lu Ran gave a sheepish smile, "Ever since I learned I could return to the Human World, it's been like my heart has sprouted weeds."

"Hehe."

Hearing this, both of them laughed.

"It's only through immersing myself in cultivation that I can find some peace," Lu Ran sighed. "That's why I've been sitting by the cliff all these days.

Our original plan was, after helping the Evil Shadow Guardian get revenge, to continue heading south to the base of the Wusheng Sect."

By this point, the two of them understood Lu Ran's intention.

Lu Ran's tone became a bit more serious, "Do you think I should stay here and continue my cultivation to avoid causing any disturbances, waiting for news from Senior Lu...

or should we continue heading south and carry out our mission?"

Deng Yuxiang didn't express an opinion immediately but looked at Yu Changsheng instead.

After pondering for a moment, Yu Changsheng asked, "How does the Sect Leader intend to deal with the Wusheng Sect?"

Lu Ran responded decisively, clearly having a plan, "I want to mold Wu Xiao into a second He Qifeng!

We will take over this sect and establish another Forbidden City.

This way, the Martial Monk and Wusheng factions can complement each other from the north to the south, expanding their influence to protect more refugees."

Yu Changsheng nodded lightly, "Sect Leader has great ambition!"

Lu Ran said helplessly, "I didn't invite you here to praise me."

"Let me say a few things then," Yu Changsheng pondered for a moment and continued, "Sect Leader, our Ran Sect conquering the Wusheng Sect is different from warring at Thunder Mountain or Sword Ridge Peak.

We have the trump card of Wu Xiao, at the peak of the Sea Realm, and we should use it wisely."

"Continue," Lu Ran said, feeling somewhat moved.

With such an asset, he naturally wanted to capitalize on Wu Xiao's presence.

Yu Changsheng spoke bluntly, "Back in the day, when the Wujifeng Martial Monk faction could change its sect policies because of a word from Tufeng Master, transforming its conduct.

Now, the same could happen with the Wusheng Sect due to a word from the sect leader."

"That's indeed the case," Lu Ran nodded repeatedly.

At this point, Deng Yuxiang spoke up, "Mr. Conglong, don't forget, the disciples of these two factions do have differences in nature."

The Martial Monk faction is relatively righteous by nature.

While the Martial Monk disciples are aggressive, they generally care about their reputation.

Their transformation into 'Evil Monks' was due to the overall atmosphere on the Holy Spirit Mountain.

So once a new leader took office, Tufeng Master directly changed direction, opposing the mountain's ethos, facing relatively little resistance.

But the Wusheng Sect is quite complex in its composition.

This faction not only has diverse styles and myriad skills, but its believers also possess a variety of temperaments.

Sly, honest, brave, cowardly, calm, reckless...

It's a real hodgepodge.

The nature of the Divine Martial Artist itself is also unpredictable and difficult to grasp.

"Everything changes, but the core remains the same," Yu Changsheng looked at Deng Yuxiang, "Strength as the respect is the unchanging truth."

"That's true," Deng Yuxiang agreed with the statement.

No matter who you are,

surrender or die!

When you possess absolute strength, many things become inconsequential.

Yu Changsheng turned to Lu Ran and suggested, "The Nightmare Guardian also made a valid point. Since the Wusheng disciples have varied dispositions, we should adapt to people accordingly."

Lu Ran: "Elaborate?"

Yu Changsheng said solemnly, "Recruit some, suppress some, and execute some."

Lu Ran nodded thoughtfully, "Mr. Conglong, please have a seat."

Yu Changsheng sat back down, "We can have Wu Xiao return to the Wusheng Sect, using his formidable strength and influence to gather likeminded individuals.

Unite all forces that can be united, suppress those who waver, and when the time comes, eliminate those obstinate and unyielding.

This way, the sect can retain its strong forces and belong to the Ran Sect."

"Your words are exciting," Lu Ran firstly acknowledged and then said, "But all of this relies on Wu Xiao's absolute martial prowess?

The Wusheng Sect is a first-class divine sect!

It's not impossible that its sect master is a Heavenly Realm Power."

Yu Changsheng smiled and nodded, "Sect Leader is not wrong! Before today, this strategy might indeed face heavy resistance due to a Heavenly Realm powerhouse.

But after today..."

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

Yu Changsheng unfurled his folding fan gracefully, "If they are a Heavenly Realm Power, they shouldn't linger in the Mountain Realm, getting involved in our Jianghai affairs.

If they insist on staying here...

Then we could trouble Senior Lu to send the Heavenly Realm Wusheng disciples where they belong.

What do you think, Sect Leader?"

"I should go?" Lu Ran's mouth dropped slightly.

"Hehe~" Deng Yuxiang couldn't help but laugh, quite arrogantly.

Lu Yuan, as a Heavenly Realm Dust Shadow disciple, indeed belongs to a support type, not good in combat.

But he can teleport people from the battlefield, he can help them ascend.

He can even send them back to the Human World, having the Divine Martial Artist himself deal with the disciple who broke the rules directly!

He's practically a living cheat!

Any believer who returns to the Human World through 'official channels' must have sacrificed something.

If you're illegally re-entering with a belly full of secrets, would the Divine still let you live?

Execution,

on the spot!

Of course, sending others back to the Human World might implicate Senior Lu as well.

So it's unnecessary to take risks, just send them directly to ascend to the Heavenly Realm.

If you're already at the Heavenly Realm, what are you hanging around the Holy Spirit Mountain for?

Quickly follow Lord God's will and ascend!

What?

You don't want to go?

No worries, I'll help you~

"Mr. Conglong is really sinis... sinis..." Lu Ran suddenly paused.

Because Yu Changsheng was looking at the Sect Leader with a deep gaze.

"Sinis... Wise and mighty! Truly the reincarnation of Kongming!" Lu Ran quickly changed his tone, fully acknowledging.

"Sect Master, you flatter me. My little tricks are nothing compared to Mr. Wolong, at best I'm just a Li Ru."

Lu Ran waved his hand broadly: "Hey~ Mr. Wolong, there's no need... hey?"

Is he secretly implying that I'm like that foolish, indulgent fatso Dong?

"Ahem." Yu Changsheng realized that the Sect Master seemed to have caught on and quickly said, "You just mentioned Senior Lu's matter.

If we can fulfill his wish and under the right circumstances send people to take care of his wife and daughter in the human world, Senior Lu would naturally be willing to join our Ran Sect.

Such a small favor, of course, we would help."

Lu Ran found this quite reasonable.

Seeing this, Yu Changsheng suggested: "Sect Master, why don't we call Wu Xiao to discuss together?"

Lu Ran shot a glance at Yu Changsheng: "Go, call Wu Xiao."

Yu Changsheng paused his fan-waving motion and asked, "Shall I go?"

Lu Ran snorted: "Mr. Worry-free, be more confident. This little errand is naturally for the Shadow Guard Team."

Yu Changsheng was momentarily stunned.

Worry-free?

He chuckled silently, cupped his hands, and said: "Sect Master, how wise!"

Although Lu Ran wasn't well-versed in poetry and songs, he had a broad knowledge of crosstalks and storytelling.

After all, when surviving in the human world, spiritual sustenance is indispensable.

He relied on these things to fall asleep every day.

Soon, a brave young man walked in from the entrance of the Council Hall.

How imposing!

Moreover, he held a Sky-piercing Halberd!

On ordinary days, Lu Ran didn't think much of it, but now seeing Wu Xiao, he felt a bit overwhelmed!

"Sect Master!"

Wu Xiao knelt on one knee and cupped his hands in salute.

Maybe he was worried about unexpected problems with the Purple Lightning Mad Dragon Spear, so he tightly gripped his Sky-piercing Halberd while saluting.

The tip of the shiny halberd made Lu Ran's scalp tingle!

"Martial Emperor, sit!" Lu Ran immediately said.

Wu Xiao was puzzled, unsure of the origin of this title.

However, he wasn't a talkative person, nor was he curious, so he stood up and went to sit down.

Lu Ran spoke: "Do you know why I've never given you a title despite you having been in the Ran Sect for so long?"

Wu Xiao stood up again, expressionless: "I don't know."

Lu Ran smiled: "Ran Sect not only has four great protectors and eight divine generals, but there's also another series—Heavenly Emperor.

It signifies a human clan emperor who rules one part of the world."

Wu Xiao lowered his head silently, unaffected.

This series was specially requested and named by He Qifeng for Lu Ran.

Back then, when He Qifeng received this title, he was overjoyed.

It's evident that the Martial Monk faction values reputation.

Looking at the great martial artist below, there's no reaction at all!

It also made Deng Yuxiang secretly nod her head.

Ran Sect has many warriors, each of different types.

She particularly liked people like Wu Xiao, Yu Changsheng, and Yan Shuangzi.

Taking part personally, Deng Yuxiang also liked herself.

Under Lu Ran's leadership.

"In Ran Sect, there's also a Wind Emperor, though you've never met her." Lu Ran slowly spoke, "She's a Martial Monk disciple, leaning on Wuji Peak, and has built a Forbidden City in the center of the Holy Spirit Mountain Continent.

It's used to reform the atmosphere of Holy Spirit Mountain, gathering refugees, and also to supply talent for our Ran Sect."

Wu Xiao listened quietly.

In a few words, he understood what Sect Master wanted him to do.

Indeed, Lu Ran shifted the topic: "Now, I want you to seize the position of sect master of the Wusheng Sect.

Emulate the Wind Emperor, build an ancient city in the south of the Holy Spirit Mountain Continent, and protect all living beings.

Does the Martial Emperor have confidence?"

Wu Xiao's response was brief: "As ordered!"

Lu Ran: "..."

Deng Yuxiang furrowed her brows slightly and spoke: "The Martial Emperor's personal strength is beyond doubt.

But the ability to infiltrate and develop members secretly..."

Lu Ran also furrowed his brows.

Talents come in different types.

Wu Xiao is definitely not someone who is eloquent...

"Sect Master!" Yu Changsheng volunteered, "Why not let me accompany the Martial Emperor back to the Pear Garden Sect?"

Pear Garden Sect, the base of the Wusheng Sect.

Also stands on the towering great mountains.

But it's not named mountain or peak or anything like that.

"Is Mr. Conglong going to take risks?" Lu Ran felt a bit resistant.

Yu Changsheng's expression was as usual, comforting: "Sect Master need not worry, under my command is a survival carp, able to escape in an instant.

Moreover, with the Martial Emperor's imposing might, no one will dare to harm me."

Wu Xiao rarely spoke, uttering a long sentence: "Many years ago, I stayed at the Pear Garden Sect for a while, and have some close disciples there.

If the Sect Master wants a peaceful evolution, these people can be the entry points."

"Peace is only relative, and hard bones, after all, need to be gnawed." Lu Ran muttered.

Shall I send Yu Changsheng?

Dragon Carp Divine Skill·Survival Carp, indeed very strong... Hmm?

Lu Ran suddenly looked up.

In the Council Hall, tendrils of mist began to emerge.

What is this?

Lu Ran thought of something, immediately connected with the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd, and indeed found the little guy was cheering joyfully.

Jiang Fairy has activated the upgrade mode!

...

There will be another update tonight.