Summit of the Old Gods

"How have you been recently?" Jiang Ruyi asked gently.

"Mm." Tian Tian buried her face in Jiang Ruyi's back and nodded slightly.

To be precise, her small face was buried in the cascading black hair, with a faint jasmine fragrance lingering in the air.

Such a familiar scent.

Tian Tian liked it very much, it was an incredibly reassuring feeling.

After returning to the Human World, Jiang Ruyi deliberately used the same bath products as before.

She knew Lu Ran liked it.

Jiang Ruyi slowly turned around and looked down at the little one.

"Don't cry." She lightly touched Tian Tian's small face, gently wiping the tears from her eyes with her thumb.

Uncertain if they were tears of joy or fear.

Maybe both.

Jiang Ruyi could clearly feel the girl in her arms trembling, yet stubbornly burying her head in her embrace.

Involuntarily, Jiang Ruyi's gaze became even softer: "Are you at the Third or Fourth Rank of River Realm?"

"F-fifth Rank." Tian Tian responded timidly.

"Just a bit more, and you'll reach the Peak River Realm." Jiang Ruyi commented while tidying the girl's short hair.

"I've been stuck for so, so long, unable to move forward." Tian Tian said somewhat frustrated.

Reaching the Peak River Realm truly only requires a moment of enlightenment.

But sudden inspiration also has a prerequisite—aptitude!

Without sufficient talent, no matter how profound your insight, it is in vain.

And Lu Ran could provide the girl with this talent!

"Sister Ruyi, you're so strong." A muffled voice came from her embrace, "Not like the River Realm."

"Hmm." Jiang Ruyi absentmindedly responded, thinking about how to extend the invitation.

Tian Tian didn't dare to speak anymore.

She could sense that Sister Ruyi's gentleness had disappeared.

Suddenly, panic and urgency filled Tian Tian's heart.

Why?

Was it because she held on too long, and Sister Ruyi wasn't happy?

Or was her trembling demeanor annoying to Sister Ruyi...

[Say something, she's crying miserably!] a voice echoed in Jiang Ruyi's mind.

Jiang Ruyi came to her senses and realized the girl in her arms had stepped back, her head lowered, tears falling like little pearls.

It seemed Tian Tian hadn't changed much.

Still as self-conscious and sensitive as before.

Jiang Ruyi slightly frowned, recalling that in the latter part of the third year of high school, Tian Tian had become much more cheerful?

Why did she revert after a long absence?

Jiang Ruyi hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose to go straight to the point: "I've come to invite you to join the Immortal Sheep Sect."

"Ah?" Tian Tian was a bit stunned.

She instinctively looked up, her eyes, with a layer of mist, gazing at Jiang Ruyi.

After just a glance, Tian Tian hurriedly lowered her head again.

Jiang Ruyi gently wiped the tear stains from the girl's face: "Would you like to become a disciple of the Immortal Sheep?"

Tian Tian felt the gentleness in Sister Ruyi's actions, taking a small breath, and her previously fearful heart calmed down slightly.

Then, she nodded.

Lu Ran: "..."

Is it that simple?

Well... on second thought, it makes sense.

Apart from any prior affection, how many ordinary people can encounter someone as powerful as Jiang Ruyi, a Sea Realm Great Power, in their lifetime?

Jiang Ruyi is also the wife of the Human World Sect Master of the Immortal Sheep Sect, an undeniably important figure.

Whether considering her extreme personal strength or her status and position...

When Jiang Ruyi stands in front of someone and makes a request, it's difficult for them to refuse.

They don't even have the qualification to refuse.

Jiang Ruyi raised an eyebrow slightly: "You agreed?"

"Yes, yes." Tian Tian nodded repeatedly.

Jiang Ruyi lifted Tian Tian's face, looking directly into the girl's eyes: "No need to consult with your family or school?"

Tian Tian nervously averted her gaze: "I... I'll listen to Sister Ruyi."

Suddenly, three words popped into Jiang Ruyi's mind—a description Lu Ran once gave her—silly girl.

"I... I'll go home and tell Lord Sword Lotus..."

"No need, and don't summon it." Jiang Ruyi interrupted directly, almost adding "It doesn't care about you," but that seemed too hurtful.

Though everyone knew the truth, there was no need to say it aloud.

"Okay, okay." Tian Tian, with her chin held up by Jiang Ruyi, continually looked to the side.

Precisely in the direction where Lu Ran was hidden.

Her tear-stricken face truly elicited sympathy.

"From now on, you will live away from the mundane world, with me. Is that okay?" Jiang Ruyi asked softly.

Tian Tian's eyes widened slightly.

At that moment, surprise overtook fear.

Everyone knew Jiang Ruyi was the fallen Immortal Lady; Tian Tian had thought that joining the Immortal Sheep Sect would bring her closer to Jiang Ruyi.

Unexpectedly, an even bigger surprise followed?

Could she really stay close to Sister Ruyi like in high school?

The heavens... are so kind to her!

Deng Yutang, Bai Manni, and Chang Ying had all left, but Sister Ruyi had come back...

But soon, Tian Tian thought of something else and asked quietly: "Can't I see my parents?"

Jiang Ruyi smiled slightly.

Now, Lu Ran's situation had changed, with Elder Lu connecting the Human World and Mountain Realm.

It wouldn't be a complete separation.

"You can see them, but perhaps only once every few years. Is that alright?" Jiang Ruyi asked softly.

Tian Tian's heart struggled slightly.

Jiang Ruyi did not rush; she simply wiped the tears from the girl's face gently.

This simple act gradually strengthened Tian Tian's resolve:

"Alright!"

"Yes, the Immortal Sheep Sect will notify your family. Later, you can call your parents." Saying this, Jiang Ruyi placed a hand over Tian Tian's eyes.

She then drew the girl into her embrace.

Lu Ran scratched his head, watching this scene...

Why did it seem more and more like children being abducted?

As Jiang Ruyi's gaze swept over, Lu Ran cleared his mind and immediately summoned the Ancient Bronze Mirror.

Jiang Ruyi, holding the "big doll," approached the mirror, but before stepping in, she paused and looked down to confirm: "Are you sure?"

Tian Tian lifted her small hands, holding the slender jade hand Jiang Ruyi placed over her eyes, and nodded gently, "Mm-hmm."

Jiang Ruyi said no more and stepped into the mirror.

The invisible person behind followed, and the bronze mirror vanished without a trace.

Tian Tian couldn't see anything, but she was aware that she must have entered a very solemn and dignified place!

She was embraced from behind by Jiang Ruyi, already surrounded by the pressure of the Sea Realm.

Terrified beyond measure.

Yet, the holy aura from the unique scene easily pierced through the overwhelming pressure of the Yangyang Sea, making Tian Tian's reverence surpass her fear!

Sniff~

Tian Tian wrinkled her little nose, catching a faint scent of incense.

This is...

"It might hurt a little, don't be afraid." A gentle voice came from above.

Tian Tian was still a bit perplexed when suddenly she felt intense pain in her brain.

The sensation was like a tendon suddenly snapping in her brain.

"Ugh..." Tian Tian, who originally was clutching Jiang Ruyi's hand, immediately moved down to cover her small mouth.

The subconscious action seemed like she didn't want to trouble others.

Or perhaps she didn't want to annoy Sister Ruyi.

Beside them, Lu Ran watched the girl in his girlfriend's arms and couldn't help but nod in approval.

Solving problems from a divine perspective indeed spares the believers pain.

The Weak God Disciples inside Holy Spirit Mountain needed to concentrate vast energy into their brains, using self-destructive methods like "self-detonation" to break free from master-slave contracts.

In comparison, the trauma Tian Tian suffered was almost negligible.

"Thank you, Lord Immortal Sheep." Lu Ran clasped his hands together, respectfully saluting the stone sculpture in the hall.

"Huh?" Tian Tian indeed hadn't suffered significant trauma.

At least she recognized it was Lu Ran's voice!

Lu...Lu Ran?!

Lu Ran was back?

Tian Tian was overjoyed and pulled down Jiang Ruyi's hands, blinking hard.

Only then did she realize she was in a great hall.

The walls on either side of the hall had many small niches, with hundreds of little Immortal Sheep sculptures placed within, all with different expressions, vivid and lifelike.

At the far end of the hall, there stood a large stone sculpture of an Immortal Sheep.

Lu Ran was performing a respectful ceremony before the Immortal Sheep stone sculpture.

"Lu..." Tian Tian opened her mouth, then timidly glanced at the Immortal Sheep stone sculpture.

"Come, let's thank Lord Immortal Sheep first." Jiang Ruyi led Tian Tian to the prayer mat, kneeling down properly.

Within just a few dozen seconds of entering the Immortal Worship Hall, the Sword Lotus Disciple had already become an Immortal Sheep Believer.

After a sincere bow and thanks, Tian Tian finally turned her head towards the young man.

Lu Ran smiled warmly, "Long time no see, huh?"

"Mm." Tian Tian shrank her neck again, instinctively hiding behind Jiang Ruyi, yet realizing that compared to Lu Ran, Sister Ruyi was somehow scarier...

"You'll feel much better once you advance to the River Realm." Lu Ran nodded apologetically.

Tian Tian pouted but still said nothing.

"Let's go, let's not disturb Lord Immortal Sheep." Lu Ran reached to the side and summoned an ancient, elegant bronze mirror.

Tian Tian's eyes widened immediately!

What's...what what what is this?

Evil Mirror Demon Evil Technique?

Lu Ran playfully winked at Tian Tian with his left eye and walked into the mirror.

Jiang Ruyi then led the bewildered Tian Tian into the mirror.

Beyond the mirror was a quaint pavilion located by the mountainside.

Mountain winds blew gently, causing the lush forest to sway lightly, sending a refreshing aroma of grasses and trees.

In the distance, a majestic Cang Mountain stood lined like a screen.

To the east of Cang Mountain, Erhai lay like a mirror, sparkling with shimmering waves under the sunlight.

"I know you have many questions." Lu Ran leaned against a pavilion pillar with his back to Tian Tian, gazing at the Human World scenery.

"Lu..."

"But don't ask yet."

Tian Tian: "..."

"Let me ask first." Lu Ran chuckled, "Your fixed teammates haven't changed, right? At Wulie River University, you still team up with Deng Yutang, Bai Manni, and Chang Ying?"

"No, they all...all left." Tian Tian lowered her head and said softly.

"Ah?" Lu Ran was quite surprised.

"Manni is pregnant with a little baby. She and Deng Yutang haven't come to school for a long time..."

"What??" Lu Ran was startled.

A little baby?

Tian Tian said timidly, "Manni had a baby a month ago, a girl, reportedly weighing six pounds and four ounces."

"Darn!" Lu Ran slapped his forehead.

What a great brother Deng!

A man who silently does big things!

Tian Tian whispered, "Last year, many classmates had babies and took leave, and the team fell apart."

Lu Ran: "..."

Indeed, in this special context, people can marry at eighteen.

The underlying reason is that All Gods need believers.

Endless waves of believers!

"This is tricky." Lu Ran pondered, feeling troubled, how to take Deng Yutang to Holy Spirit Mountain when his child has just reached full month?

Jiang Ruyi asked, "Is Chang Ying the same?"

"No, Yingying didn't have a baby. She's the most accomplished among us, having become a River Realm Great Power!"

Speaking of Chang Ying, Tian Tian felt a little proud inside.

"Oh?" Lu Ran chuckled softly, "So impressive?"

Unexpectedly, among the former teammates, the first to advance to River Realm was a gambler?

"Mm-hmm!" Tian Tian nodded repeatedly, "Chang Ying was even personally summoned by Lord Spiritual Fortune! She left school after the end of last semester to go on a pilgrimage."

Jiang Ruyi's expression cooled.

"Damn!" Lu Ran's expression turned sour, and he rarely swore.

Dammit!

Spiritual Fortune!!!

"Ah." Tian Tian flinched, not knowing what happened.

Audience with the Divine...

Isn't it a particularly glorious thing?

Why are Sister Ruyi and Lu Ran's expressions so unsightly?

...