Summit of the Old Gods

Over twenty kilometers northeast of the Pear Garden Sect, in a lush mountain forest.

Lu Ran held Yu Changsheng's hands and repeatedly reminded him, "Take care, sir. If anything seems off, let's run away!

Our lives are important, so don't go head-to-head with these Great Wu!"

Yu Changsheng: "..."

I also need to be able to hold my own against them!

I'm just a doctor, how can I take on these performers...

Jiang Ruyi watched the scene with a smile and said, "After you've assessed the overall strength of the Pear Garden Sect, let us know as soon as possible."

Whether there's a Heavenly Realm Power in the Pear Garden Sect determines the next overall strategy for the Ran Sect.

"I'll do my utmost!" Yu Changsheng released Lu Ran's hands and bowed to Jiang Ruyi.

Lu Ran then looked at the silent Wu Xiao and advised, "Speak with caution and consult the gentleman in all things."

"Yes!" Wu Xiao gripped the Sky-piercing Halberd, bowing his head with fists clasped.

The bright tip of the halberd made Lu Ran instinctively step back.

"Alright, go ahead." Jiang Ruyi took Lu Ran's arm and said softly.

The two took their leave, leaving behind two majestic black steeds.

The Pear Garden Sect was very conspicuous.

Similar to Sword Ridge Peak and Knife Spine Peak, the mountain of the Pear Garden Sect also had a sharp peak piercing the sky.

Within the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, mountains were plentiful.

But there were not many peaks that touched the sky and clouds.

This peak seemed to declare to all beings: The power entrenched here is formidable!

Only after the figures of the two disappeared into the forest did Lu Ran retract his gaze, open a Transmission Mirror, and send the horses back to Cloud Sea Cliff.

"Let's go, to the Deceitful Moon Forest." Lu Ran turned to look at Qin Yanzhi.

Qin Yanzhi immediately opened his palm, revealing a black Other Shore Flower blooming.

Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, and both people and horses were transferred to a cliff.

"Master, that's the Deceitful Moon Forest over there." Qin Yanzhi stepped on the edge of the cliff, pointing southeast.

Deng Yuxiang rode forward, his gaze extending far.

The distant mountain environment suddenly changed, no longer lush green forest.

There the withered trees were mostly tall and their branches crooked and oddly shaped.

Like numerous dry arms reaching towards the sky, trying to grab something.

"Well, now~"

Lu Ran smirked; his vision was much sharper than Deng Yuxiang's, seeing it more clearly.

He saw the huge withered trees covered with cracks, like twisted faces.

Ferocious and eerie.

If no one had guided him, Lu Ran would certainly have thought this was the gathering place of the Evil Demon·Tree Face Demon clan.

"Why is it called Deceitful Moon Forest?" Deng Yuxiang casually asked.

This name was told to everyone by Qin Yanzhi, but its origin was unknown.

Qin Yanzhi responded, "In this place, the giant trees stand tall, and the withered branches intertwine, casting the forest in darkness.

On deep nights, moonlight filters through the dense interwoven branches, leaving mottled shadows on the ground.

Mysterious and eerie, like a shattered dreamscape..."

Everyone looked at each other.

The world as seen through the eyes of a Dust Shadow Sect disciple was different from ordinary people.

To ordinary people, in the Holy Spirit Mountain, they see danger and think of survival struggle.

Qin Yanzhi, however, observes the world, admires the scenery, and feels the atmosphere...

"Wind, frost, rain, snow, sun, moon, and stars." Qin Yanzhi gazed at the distant mountains, "Among various natural conditions, only under moonlight does this forest feel the most fitting and have the most artistic conception.

Master Lu named this place Deceitful Moon Forest."

Everyone: "..."

So, this name has nothing to do with the demons that dwell within?

But rather expresses when people should come to see the perfect scenery?

Hmm... acceptable.

Very Dust Shadow.

"Let's go, let's visit Sister Yan Paper... ahem, Yan Paperman." Lu Ran paused, then opened a Transmission Mirror.

Directly reaching the edge of the Withered Wood Forest.

Deng Yuxiang gave a barely smirking glance at Lu Ran.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh, recalling past years of Lu Ran and Yan Paperman's "complicated relationship."

Qin Yanzhi followed everyone into the mirror, quickly catching up to Lu Ran, curiously asking, "Master seems to bear no hostility towards such demons?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Lu Ran reminisced, "When I first became a Believer and participated in the fifteen siege city for the first time, I was caught by a River Realm·Yan Paperman."

"Ah?" Qin Yanzhi was astonished.

Shangguan Hongfu, Yan Shuangzi, and others listened intently.

A Mist Realm believer being caught by a River Realm Yan Paperman and surviving?

"That night, it was the Nightmare Guardian who saved me." Lu Ran looked to the left front, viewing the woman's heroic silhouette.

Deng Yuxiang did not turn back, only the corner of her lips slightly raised.

Memories surged up in her heart.

She hadn't imagined rescuing a Master of Gods and Demons.

The blade that cut through layers of rain curtains...

Saved her years later.

Beside them, Jiang Ruyi also felt a million emotions.

She surely remembered the feeling of helpless despair as her younger, weaker self.

She watched as Yan Paperman took Lu Ran away, disappearing into the vast night rain.

Lu Ran suddenly transmitted, "When we return to the Human World, I'll buy a hundred or two yellow raincoats to wear at Holy Spirit Mountain."

Deng Yuxiang nodded with a smile, "Alright."

Qin Yanzhi, ever curious to get to the bottom of things, asked in confusion, "Then why does the master call Yan Paperman... um, that...?"

The term "Sister Yan Paper" was something Qin Yanzhi couldn't say out loud.

After all, he was of the Human Clan.

Yan Paperman were exceedingly brutal demons.

Arriving at the Withered Wood Mountain Forest, Lu Ran looked at the dim environment, inhaling the faint scent of decay:

"I'm different from you; no deity paid attention to me at the God Worship Platform back then."

"Oh?" Qin Yanzhi's interest was piqued.

The Dust Shadow Sect not only traveled the world and appreciated local customs.

Its disciples also documented the rise and fall of dynasties and important events!

Qin Yanzhi really loved listening to stories.

Especially when the protagonist of the story was the mysterious and powerful Master Lu.

Lu Ran shrugged his shoulders, "The first to reach out to me was the Evil God·Yan Paper Man."

Qin Yanzhi's mouth opened in surprise.

Shangguan Hongfu, who was secretly eavesdropping, was also a bit dumbfounded!

So was our Sect Master originally a one-in-a-million Evil Demon Disciple?

"If it weren't for Lord Immortal Sheep's great mercy coming to the rescue later, I fear I would have no ties to the path of cultivation." Lu Ran sighed deeply.

Although Qin Yanzhi didn't take out a notebook, he was furiously recording in his mind.

But then he felt puzzled and somewhat disbelieving, "Master can summon the Evil God, which shows your outstanding talent.

If so, why wouldn't first- or second-class divine beings come to take you as a disciple?"

Qin Yanzhi was willing to believe Lu Ran.

But this didn't make sense!

"Even now, I haven't figured it out myself." Lu Ran shook his head.

Deng Yuxiang snorted coldly, "When we slay the divine beings, we can ask them face to face."

The words made Qin Yanzhi secretly click his tongue.

No wonder it's the Evil God·Night Charm!

Truly ruthless!

"You don't believe?" Lu Ran, riding the Black Fire Colt, looked down at Qin Yanzhi, who was following beside him.

"I believe, of course I believe." Qin Yanzhi quickly responded.

If only Lu Ran were present, Qin Yanzhi might dare to continue expressing doubts.

But with such a great Evil God by his side, Qin Yanzhi was afraid of saying the wrong thing and getting stabbed by Lord Night Charm!

Lu Ran smiled, "Then I'll prove it to you that on the God Worship Platform, I did summon the Evil God·Yan Paper Man."

Qin Yanzhi's heart was startled.

How is this going to be proven?

"Da da da..." Lu Ran squeezed the horse's belly and rushed to the front of the team.

He locked his eyes on the right front, where a vague red figure could be seen among the trees.

"Whistle~" Lu Ran whistled.

A silent figure wandering beyond the withered wood stopped abruptly.

She slowly moved closer to the tree, revealing half of a pale face.

Lu Ran looked back at her.

After nearly two years, they met again.

The last time they met was on the night of the college entrance exam, right?

In the Human World, the fifteenth of every month felt like a blind box, possibly encountering various Evil Demons.

Since entering the Holy Spirit Mountain, it was indeed hard for Lu Ran to see her unless he went to the headquarters of the Yan Zhi Clan.

"Master, the Yan Zhi Clan after all has the Evil Technique·Paper Mache... huh?" Qin Yanzhi didn't finish his sentence and wasn't feeling well.

The Yan Paper Man, who was supposed to hunt humans and torment prey, actually floated out!

The key was her expression!

Due to the dim light in the Deceitful Moon Forest, Qin Yanzhi thought he was seeing things.

The sinister and beautiful face of the Yan Paper Man was devoid of its malicious intent.

What was left was surprise and delight.

"What the—" Qin Yanzhi couldn't help rubbing his eyes.

He thought he had seen much through his travels of mountains and seas.

But since meeting Lu Ran, Qin Yanzhi realized the world he knew seemed different.

A woman in a red wedding dress floated slowly towards him.

The exquisite phoenix crown vaguely produced sounds, and the big red robe fluttered lightly.

Elegantly majestic, graceful and poised.

But her lips trembled slightly with excitement, seemingly unable to maintain any composure.

She just wanted to hold the young man in the emperor's robe in her arms.

Now that Lu Ran had reached the Second Rank of the Sea Realm, he had the capital of "bold because of great skills"!

He sat astride his horse, reaching out to the frighteningly beautiful Yan Paper Man.

The Yan Paper Man became even more amazed!

Her beautiful eyes couldn't see anyone else, and she lightly flew forward, falling into Lu Ran's embrace.

"Crack!"

That was the sound of the Vermilion Paper Evil Technique·Red Wedding Dress shattering.

"Szzz!"

This was the eerie sound of the Eight Desolate Blade stabbing into the Yan Paper Man's heart, the blade piercing the flesh.

Lu Ran, riding on horseback, bent slightly, embracing the Yan Paper Man's waist with his left hand and holding the knife's handle with his right.

The Yan Paper Man lifted her eyes, staring blankly into Lu Ran's eyes.

Grievance, pain.

Until her face turned hideous!

"Whoosh~"

Lu Ran tightened his grip on the handle, and Divine Power surged on the blade, shattering her heart.

The Yan Paper Man's body completely stiffened.

Those eyes, still fixated on the young man in the emperor's robe.

Reluctance.

And a deep sense of attachment...

"When I meet your true self, I must ask why it was me." Lu Ran's arm around her waist tightened slightly.

"Poof~"

The beauty in his arms shattered into mist.

Just like Qin Yanzhi had previously said, it was like the mottled shadows in the Deceitful Moon Forest, like a broken dream.

"This... this?" Qin Yanzhi was numb!

The Yan Paper Man stripped of her Evil Demon aura, leaving behind her sorrowful gaze, made him imagine too much.

A devoted woman wearing a wedding dress day and night, passionately waiting, finally seeing her lover.

And the lover gives her a stab in return?

Master Lu, you are truly the real Believer of Martial Arts!

Those in the Pear Garden Sect are just pretenders.

You, damn, are the real performer...

...