Summit of the Old Gods

In the dead of night, the sky was full of stars.

Lu Ran leisurely lay on the rocking chair in the courtyard of Cloud Sea Residence.

He had come down from the battlefield at dusk and was now staring at the beautiful starry sky, lost in thought.

Today was already the twelfth day of the lunar July.

It had been over twenty days since Senior Lu Yuan settled at Cloud Sea Cliff.

During this period, Senior Lu was understanding the Ran Sect and assessing the Sect Leader's temperament.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, led troops to battles in the north and south, cultivating the Evil Sculpture.

Soul-splitting Demons of Sea Realm Second Rank, Ghost Generals of Sea Realm Second Rank, Barbaric Female Demons of Sea Realm Third Rank...

Since Master Lu Yuan and his disciples joined the Ran Sect, Lu Ran had essentially acquired a map of Holy Spirit Mountain, wanting to go to the various Evil Demons' strongholds in a heartbeat.

Lu Ran chose to wage battles both north and south for another reason:

His mind was troubled.

Thinking about returning to the Human World soon, that feeling...

It was like during one's student days, the last class before the winter holiday at the end of the year.

Who had the mind to study!

Only on the battlefield could Lu Ran immerse himself in the slaughter and maintain focus. Lu Ran simply went to fill in the gaps and supplementary activate the already awakened Evil Sculptures, enhancing their realms.

While strengthening himself, it was also to pave the way for his companions.

Just like the Evil Demon·Black Lantern.

Lu Ran had already enhanced this Evil Sculpture to Sea Realm·Third Rank, prepared for his sister Little Yuanxi!

Only after many days of battle, exhaustion crept in. At dusk today, he led his team back to Cloud Sea Cliff, gathered everyone for a meeting, and after understanding the current situation within the cliff, he went home to rest.

As for Senior Lu's side, Lu Ran did not rush to inquire.

However, he couldn't hold back much longer.

"Phew~"

The mountain wind rustled, bringing a unique sea breeze aroma.

An ethereal silhouette descended gracefully.

"You're back." Lu Ran, lazily reclining on the rocking chair, turned his head.

Jiang Fairy's long hair hung loose, not yet dry, clearly having just bathed.

The Believers' Water Flow Armor indeed had a certain self-cleaning effect, but Jiang Ruyi, after returning from battle, still preferred bathing in Ink Sea Bay.

And had to choose to do it at night.

Lu Ran had no such concerns, after the meeting, he just plunged into the sea, anyway, Ink Sea Bay was silent, with no one around.

Besides, who would dare peek at the Sect Master bathing...

Jiang Ruyi floated down beside the rocking chair, looked at the lazy youth, and asked with a smile: "Are you sleeping here tonight?"

Lu Ran pursed his lips: "Women."

"Hmm?"

"You have a ruthless heart~"

"Hmph." Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but laugh and turned toward the door.

Lu Ran's hand rested outside the arm of the rocking chair, fingertips extending several fine red silk threads.

The silk threads silently followed, landing on Jiang Ruyi's back, as Lu Ran's fingertip trembled slightly, the doll gently floated over, side-lying on the rocking chair.

Finally, embraced by Lu Ran: "Watching the stars together?"

The doll remained silent and still.

Only then did Lu Ran realize and canceled the Evil Technique·Silk Thread.

Jiang Ruyi discontentedly said: "My hair is still wet."

"It'll dry with the sea breeze." Lu Ran said nonchalantly, embracing the delicate body in his arms a bit tighter.

Jiang Ruyi rested her head on Lu Ran's shoulder, sighed helplessly.

All her principles, including her cold heart, would transform repeatedly and yield time and again when faced with him.

"What do you want to do most after returning home?" Lu Ran ran his fingers through her black hair, casually playing with it.

Jiang Ruyi nuzzled her cheek, found a more comfortable position, and whispered:

"I want to see dad and mom."

"Then you'd better prepare well; uncle and aunt are ordinary people, unable to withstand too much pressure."

"Hmm..." Jiang Ruyi pursed her lips.

A very serious question lay here: even if she returned to her home in Yuxiang City·By the Water Apartment, she did not belong there.

For every extra second she stayed, her parents would endure an additional second of suffering.

She should be like other Sea Realm Great Powers, stay hidden, far from those she misses.

Fortunately, on this path of cultivation, Lu Ran always walked alongside her.

She wasn't completely alone.

Had Lu Ran's power been slightly lesser, like Si Xianxian, both of them wouldn't be as harmonious as now.

In the past, clingy Sister Xian'er had not been clingy for quite some time.

I suppose Si Xianxian might also fondly remember the days when she stayed close to Jiang Ruyi.

"What about you?" Jiang Ruyi asked, "What do you want to do?"

"See my mother and Little Yuanxi, have a good chat with Lord Immortal Sheep, and by the way, capture Deng Yutang, Tian Tian, Chang Ying, and others all in one go! With Ran Shen's enlightenment, everything ascends to heaven..."

Jiang Ruyi smiled.

These days, Lu Ran has slain the Ghost General Clan and the Black Lotus Clan, all in preparation for his companions.

Red Cloth Believer·Deng Yuxiang and Sword Lotus Believer·Tian Tian could both switch allegiance under Lu Ran, transforming into mortal enemies of their respective Divines.

Only the Spiritual Sign Sect was not easy to tackle.

The Spiritual Fortune was quite special; it didn't have any mortal enemies!

No substitutes could be found.

In this Holy Spirit Mountain, Lu Ran had barely seen Spiritual Sign Disciples.

Since Divine·Spiritual Sign was the Fourth Rank Divine, Spiritual Fortune disciples in the mountain could be in a servant class.

Regarding this sect's believers, Lu Ran had little opportunity for carnage.

Lu Ran really wished he could confront Divine·Spiritual Sign directly, chop that dog to pieces, and use the energy of Spiritual Sign's true form to nurture his own Pseudo-God Stone Sculpture.

Hmm... for now, better to use Holy Spirit Energy for cultivation.

Honestly, Lu Ran also wanted to take out a fortune stick and predict his own future when he's idle.

The only issue is, can Pseudo-God·Spiritual Sign's divination be accurate before seizing the Divine Position?

Lu Ran suddenly thought of something, "Hey? Do you think I can bring Little Tabby Flower here?"

Jiang Ruyi: ?

Are you speaking human language?

Jiang Ruyi slapped Lu Ran's chest lightly, scolding, "Don't harm Tabby Flower."

Lu Ran retorted, "Do you think I could activate Evil Demon·Yinli Tiger Stone Sculpture and bond it with Little Tabby Flower?"

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

"Why aren't you speaking?"

"I don't want to bother with you," Jiang Ruyi shut her eyes, acting as if seeing nothing means no worry.

"What if it works? Little Tabby Flower directly transforms into a Second-Class Evil God! Destroying heaven and earth... hmm?" Lu Ran suddenly murmured suspiciously.

[Master.]

[Glorious Light?] Lu Ran probed.

[Do you have time now? Mr. Conglong is free, and he wants to talk with you.]

[Okay, whatever he says, just repeat it to me.] Lu Ran twisted Jiang Ruyi's long hair with his fingers, gazing at the stars in the sky.

[Sect Master, tomorrow morning, Wu Xiao will challenge the Hall Master of Tiangang Hall, aiming to seize the position of Hall Master.]

[You chose Tiangang Hall?]

[Yes! This hall has twenty-eight members, ranking among the top in overall strength within the eighteen halls of Pear Garden Sect! The current Hall Master is violent and indulgent, not someone we can win over. Once our Ran Sect revolts, he will be among the first to be eliminated.]

[Good.] Lu Ran replied in a deep voice.

Regarding Yu Changsheng's judgment, Lu Ran naturally trusted him.

As for letting Wu Xiao seize the position of Hall Master, Yu Changsheng had already discussed it with Lu Ran more than ten days ago.

As of today, Wu and Yu have been in Pear Garden Sect for over a month.

Yu Changsheng has grasped most of the information of Pear Garden Sect and, based on the actual situation, formulated a route for Wu Xiao.

Pear Garden Sect's style aligns well with Holy Spirit Mountain—strength is respected!

Since there is such a system within the sect, allowing fair challenges and ascent of the capable, Wu and Yu should definitely take advantage of it.

Lu Ran encouraged him, [This battle is a great opportunity to show off; make sure you make a name for yourself!]

So-called openly and secretly, complement each other.

Once Wu Xiao displays his absolutely strong power in front of everyone, future subtle infiltration will naturally yield twice the result with half the effort.

Whether it's showcasing strength or the position of Hall Master, both can greatly increase Wu Xiao's influence within the sect!

[The subordinate will convey the Sect Master's expectations to the Martial Emperor.]

[Hmm.] Lu Ran slightly tightened the jade figure in his arms, smoothing her long hair, [Still need Mr. Conglong to take good care, nothing must go wrong.]

[Rest assured, Sect Master. Martial Emperor is a sure bet! The Tiangang Hall Master is accustomed to arrogance and decadence, having fallen from Sea Realm Peak to Sea Realm·Fourth Rank, only residual power remains, so no one's dared challenge him.]

Lu Ran: "..."

[During this time, the Martial Emperor has mingled with a sect elder and several hall masters, with subordinates supporting; there'll be no mistakes.]

[Great.] Lu Ran thought of something else, asking, [What about that Hall Master Wen Cheng?]

[This person is deeply scheming, making it hard to judge his true intentions; further observation and probing are needed.]

[No rush.] Lu Ran advised, [As Mr. Xu said before: Steady wins the race, proceed slowly and plan carefully.]

[Yes.] After this word, there was no further response.

Lu Ran waited for a while and played with Jiang Fairy's long hair again.

"Are you communicating with someone?" Jiang Ruyi asked softly.

"Ah, Mr. Conglong." Lu Ran responded, recounting the earlier conversation.

Jiang Ruyi nodded quietly.

Since Senior Lu settled in Cloud Sea Cliff, Ran Sect gained more confidence.

However, since Pear Garden Sect has no Heavenly Realm Power, there's no need to trouble Senior Lu Yuan to take action.

Jiang Ruyi fully believed in Wu and Yu's abilities, looking forward to the day of reaping rewards.

"It's late, shall we go back to sleep?" Jiang Ruyi gently suggested.

"Let's just sleep here! The stars accompany your sleep, isn't that great?"

"Here?" Jiang Ruyi hesitated a bit.

Sleeping in the courtyard?

As it turned out, she couldn't really say no to Lu Ran, so she had the Evil Shadow Guardian bring a large robe of Lu Ran's from inside the house to cover them.

The night breeze lightly touched, occasionally there were rustling sounds of leaves.

The night of Cloud Sea Cliff was extremely gentle.

A pair of men and women lying on the rocking chair, slowly falling asleep under the starry sky.

Meanwhile, in a secluded small courtyard within the quiet mountain forest in the northeast corner of the cliff.

An elder with white hair stood silently in the courtyard, looking up at the brilliant starry sky.

His cloudy eyes connected dots into lines in this Starry Sky Curtain, sketching out a beautiful scene.

A woman tenderly smiles, lovingly gazing at the baby in her arms.

"It's time," Lu Yuan whispered softly.

Master Lu has returned from the expedition.

Sea water cannot be measured!

The mighty young emperor, supposed to be in a reckless age, is instead such a benevolent king.

Master Lu...

Would you resolve the suffering of the beings of this Mountain Realm,

and help this old man, dispel the bitterness in his heart?

...