Summit of the Old Gods

The bamboo courtyard was oppressive.

On the stone table's chessboard, pieces of varying shades lay interspersed. Though not world-shaking, they faintly emanated a murderous aura.

The eyes of the old man in the gray robe were cloudy as he placed another light-colored piece, an invisible pressure filling the air: "Master Lu, are you willing to be the one to break the game?"

The young man in the emperor's robe had a piercing gaze, lightly tapping the board with his fingertip as a dark piece fell: "Ready to die ten thousand times over."

"Ready to die ten thousand times over." Lu Yuan nodded thoughtfully, "In Master Lu's eyes, what does this world look like?"

Lu Ran slightly raised an eyebrow, looking at the old man.

Lu Yuan stared back, waiting for Lu Ran's reply.

Lu Ran contemplated for a moment, organizing his words: "Gods and demons collude, enslaving the Human Clan for generations, providing faith for the Divine and nourishment for the Evil Demons.

Anyone who might disrupt the world's order is thrown into this slaughterhouse to ensure the stability of gods and demons' rule."

Lu Yuan once more looked at the chessboard, slowly placing another piece.

Not commenting on it.

Lu Ran frowned slightly, scrutinizing the old man's expression, asked: "Isn't it so?"

Lu Yuan was silent for a long time before suddenly asking: "Master Lu, is it Lord Immortal Sheep who taught all of your skills?"

Lu Ran nodded immediately.

Lu Yuan's expression was obscure: "Does Master Lu know the intention of Lord Immortal Sheep?"

Lu Ran: "I don't know."

Both Qin Yanzhi and Yan Shuangzi, who was serving on the side, were astonished at heart.

Lu Ran continued: "But judging from the actions of Lord Immortal Sheep, it seeks to destroy the gods and demons. That's enough for me."

"Have you ever thought, Master Lu, that you're merely a pawn as well?"

"Haha." This time, Lu Ran laughed, "As long as I can slaughter those scum in the sky, I'm willing."

Since the moment Lu Ran stepped onto the God Worship Platform, there was no choice.

And from the beginning to the end, the grace and care given by Lord Immortal Sheep was genuine and substantial.

Lu Ran should not, and has no reason to, betray this profound favor.

Everything, as Lord Immortal Sheep initially told Lu Ran:

"You don't need to believe in gods.

Believe in gratitude and grudges, believe in cause and effect, and that's enough."

Lu Yuan sighed softly: "It seems, Master Lu, you deeply hate the gods and demons."

"Does Senior Lu not hate them?"

"Indeed." Lu Yuan looked at the chessboard's situation, murmuring, "Hate, hate deeply..."

Lu Ran, seizing the opportunity, said: "Senior Lu, if you harbor hate, and I have the ambition and potential to overthrow tyranny, perhaps even offer you a chance at Becoming a God.

How about Senior join my Ran Sect?"

Lu Yuan's hand holding a chess piece paused slightly, looked at Lu Ran: "A chance to Become a God?"

Lu Ran tilted his head slightly, gesturing to Yan Shuangzi beside him: "She is not the disciple of the Evil Dog, she's the Evil Dog itself."

Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, looking at the mysterious woman in the raincoat.

Yan Shuangzi struggled to suppress the tremor in her heart.

An overly keen sense subjected her to more pressure than others when facing a Heavenly Realm expert.

"More accurately, a Fake God." Lu Ran nodded lightly to Qin Yanzhi.

Qin Divine General caught the message and explained the situation to his master, concluding, "The Sect Leader has already promised me that I will bind with the Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture, replace this Evil God, and seize the Divine Position."

Listening to his disciple's words, Lu Yuan was silent for a long while.

"Hoo~"

The wind blew by, bringing a few swaying bamboo leaves.

Yan Shuangzi stepped forward, poured out the thoroughly cooled Smoke Rain Tea, and offered two cups of hot tea to the elder and the young.

Lu Yuan picked up his teacup, taking a light sip.

The bitterness within opened his eyes.

Along with it, Lu Yuan's smile seemed somewhat bitter: "Forget about Becoming a God.

This old man is but a wanderer with no lofty ambitions, just wishing to see his wife and daughter, and lead a simple life."

Such words genuinely surprised Lu Ran.

When an opportunity for Becoming a God is right in front, someone actually isn't tempted?

Lu Yuan wasn't he overwhelmed by hatred for the gods?

Lu Ran also picked up his teacup: "But Mr. Lu, even your small wish isn't allowed, is it?"

Lu Yuan's aged hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air.

"Senior Lu clearly has the ability to return to the Human World, yet is forced back to Holy Spirit Mountain." Lu Ran looked straight at the old man and uttered those four words, "Divine does not permit."

Divine does not permit!

For Lu Yuan, these four words struck deeply.

Lu Yuan slowly put down the teacup: "My disciple has revealed all my secrets to Master Lu."

Qin Yanzhi felt both embarrassed and guilty: "Master Lu..."

Lu Yuan stopped his disciple's words, slowly speaking: "The chance of Becoming a God should be given to Yanzhi. This old man is content to help from the side."

Lu Ran was inwardly delighted. Was Senior Lu planning to join?

He hurriedly said: "Senior Lu, no need to be modest, there are plenty of opportunities! I also know you've used Dust Shadow Divine Technique all your life, accustomed to covering a thousand miles in one step.

Qin Yanzhi will replace the Evil Mirror Demon, and you can replace Dust Shadow!"

Lu Yuan appeared momentarily bewildered, then his eyes narrowed slightly: "Dust Shadow... Dust Shadow..."

Hmm, it is good.

The words 'Dust Shadow' seemed to hit the mark!

Under Lu Ran's gaze, Lu Yuan murmured, nodding lightly.

Lu Ran was overjoyed!

He stood up, almost disbelieving, confirming again: "Senior Lu, are you really joining my Ran Sect?"

This is a Heavenly Realm Power, after all!

Lu Yuan looked up at the excited young man and couldn't help but chuckle silently.

Ah, youth... is truly wonderful.

Lu Ran hastily said: "When I return to Da Xia in the Human World, I'll surely visit your wife and daughter and take good care of them!"

At his words, Lu Yuan's expression became much more solemn: "Then... I'll trouble you, Sect Leader."

Sect Leader, Master Lu.

A single word difference, the relationship changed.

"Good!" Lu Ran sat down with a thump, picked up the teacup, "I use tea instead of wine, to welcome Senior Lu's joining!"

With these words, Lu Ran had already downed the hot tea in one gulp.

Not only was it bitter.

It was damn hot too!

Lu Ran endured the urge to grimace, glancing at Yan Shuangzi.

Yan Shuangzi silently bowed her head and took Lu Ran's teacup.

"No problem, no problem..." Lu Yuan smiled as he drank his tea, but when he put the cup down, his heart was filled with melancholy.

Thirty years had passed since their parting.

Can I finally see them again?

Although it's not in person, it is already enough.

As he pondered, the strong longing in Lu Yuan's heart was gradually replaced by reason.

Should he really tell this child about his wife and daughter, and send him back to the Human World?

Although he had his own disciple to vouch for him, this matter must not be rushed.

He still needed to watch carefully, gather some chips in hand...

Lu Ran inquired, "Senior Lu, when can you send me back to the Human World?"

Lu Yuan mused, "Sect Leader, please don't be anxious. Allow this old man to rearrange his state."

"Alright, no rush." Lu Ran nodded repeatedly, then added, "I also need to make proper preparations."

As he spoke, Lu Ran absent-mindedly picked up a chess piece and placed it down.

Lu Yuan shook his head with a smile, looking at the chessboard and asked, "Sect Leader, your chess skill is quite remarkable. Who has been playing against me?"

This question was intriguing, acknowledging Lu Ran's chess skill, yet asking who was the player behind him.

Contradictory, yet reasonable.

"He is an elder of the Ran Sect, named Bai Yanhui."

"Oh?" Lu Yuan pondered for a moment, testing the waters, "The Valley Master of Sinless Valley?"

This time, it was Lu Ran's turn to be astonished: "Senior Lu, do you know Elder Bai?"

Lu Yuan's eyes glimmered with a touch of reminiscence: "I can't recall exactly how many years ago, in any case, I helped them once.

In this Holy Spirit Mountain, it's not easy to live with dignity as a disciple of a Weak God.

Valley Master Bai is quite a person."

Such words also gave Lu Ran a wake-up call.

Lu Yuan was not a "purebred" disciple of Dust Shadow.

As a first-generation disciple, he wasn't a mere onlooker; he would intervene in others' destinies.

"I didn't expect Valley Master Bai to join the Ran Sect." Lu Yuan looked at Lu Ran meaningfully, "It seems he couldn't guard everything after all."

Lu Ran remained composed: "Elder Bai is still living with dignity now.

I dare not say everyone in the Ran Sect is equal, but I can say, the Ran Sect is qualitatively different from other sects inside Holy Spirit Mountain.

We do not consume people."

"Oh?"

"Last year, I destroyed Tiantu Mountain and rescued Elder Bai from prison." Lu Ran smiled and nodded, "If Senior Lu wishes to reminisce with your old friend, I can take you later."

Lu Yuan squinted his eyes: "So, is the Ran Sect considered a reputable sect like Wuji Peak or the Forbidden City?"

One sentence, and Lu Ran was amused.

If I said the Forbidden City was mine, would you believe it?

Qin Yanzhi looked at Lu Ran in confusion, what's so funny about that?

"Yes, even better!" Lu Ran replied forthrightly.

He reached into his robe again, pulled out the Heavenly Star Saber from his waist, and laid it flat on the table: "Senior Lu, this saber has a special name.

It is my life's creed and my heartfelt wish."

"What name?"

"Cloud Sea Dust Purity." Lu Ran's fingertip brushed over the cold blade.

"Buzz~" The Cloud Sea Blade trembled lightly.

Quite a significant movement!

"A good name, a good name..." Lu Yuan looked at the young emperor filled with ambition.

His heart filled with admiration, yet he sighed secretly.

Lu Ran gazed at the cloud sea in the sky and suddenly said, "By the way, Senior Lu, I heard you once went to the Heavenly Realm, what was it like there?"

Lu Yuan fell silent.

Lu Ran gave him ample time, yet minute by minute passed, and Lu Yuan still seemed unwilling to answer.

Lu Ran called out, "Senior Lu?"

Lu Yuan finally looked up at Lu Ran and slowly shook his head: "Cannot say."

"Ah?" Lu Ran was quite puzzled.

What can't be spoken of?

Lu Yuan smiled apologetically: "I still dream of, in my lifetime, being able to see my wife and daughter, to reunite with them.

Sect Leader, please don't ask anymore."

Lu Ran: ?

This...

Is it that serious?

Lu Yuan spoke in a deep voice: "With the Sect Leader's strength, you will eventually ascend to the Heavenly Realm, then you will naturally see.

Or the Sect Leader can ask Lord Immortal Sheep, this matter, this old man is not fit to get involved."

Lu Ran immediately realized that Lu Yuan's last sentence was the real issue.

Since Lu Ran knew nothing about the Heavenly Realm, it meant that Immortal Sheep had his own considerations and didn't tell Lu Ran about the state of that world.

Therefore, Lu Yuan dared not divulge either.

As he said, he still wanted to see his wife and daughter.

Even if he couldn't see them, he wanted his wife and daughter to live safely in the Human World.

Lu Ran pressed his lips together, nodded, and said, "Alright, I won't trouble Senior anymore. There is one more thing, I hope Senior can clarify."

"If it doesn't involve the Heavenly Realm, this old man is willing to explore with the Sect Leader."

"Is there such a thing as 'deviation' for those who ascend to the Heavenly Realm?"

"I suppose there is."

"Suppose there is?"

Lu Yuan picked up the teacup and looked at the bitter tea: "From the moment you ascend to the Heavenly Realm, your mind becomes unsettled.

There will always be a thought that arises.

It's as if, in the unseen, there is some existence constantly seducing you."

Lu Ran gripped the saber handle tightly: "Seducing people to go on a killing spree?"

Lu Yuan gently shook his head: "This old man never had the urge for slaughter, it's just... constantly tempting me to ascend to heaven."

"Ascend to the Heavenly Realm?"

"Ascend to the Heavenly Realm!"

...

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