Summit of the Old Gods

In the small courtyard, Lu Ran recounted many things.

Lu Yuan's emotions were in tumult, affecting the surrounding environment, and forced Lu Ran's emotions to rise and fall along with it.

Lu Ran returned the bamboo slip to Senior Lu, without being blamed. Lu Yuan was also very aware that his wife and daughter were living well in the Human World, and any abrupt disturbance would only add trouble.

Only add sorrow.

"Senior Lu," Lu Ran softly comforted, "We should be happy that Grandma Wen and Aunt Lu are doing so well."

Lu Yuan looked at the photo in his hand, his aged fingers brushing across his wife's cheek: "Sect Master, you should go back. Let this old man be alone for a while."

Lu Ran opened his mouth, wanting to say: "Don't do anything foolish."

But the words changed right before they were spoken: "You will be reunited, Senior Lu, give me some more time."

Lu Yuan slowly raised his head, looking at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran's eyes were resolute: "You, me, everyone in the Ran Sect, will return to the Human World with dignity!

Stand under the sunshine, stand before our families.

Stand before All Gods!"

Lu Yuan quietly looked at Lu Ran, and after a long time, he silently nodded.

"Ruyi knows your fondness for calligraphy, and has brought brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones from the Human World. I will have someone send them later," Lu Ran said softly, turning to look at the mountain forest outside the courtyard.

He had long noticed that Qin Yanzhi was waiting over there.

The master and disciple lived here, but when Lu Ran chatted privately with Master Lu, Qin Yanzhi went to wait outside in the forest.

"Thank the Sect Master and Lady for the gift." Lu Yuan once again stood up, speaking in a deep voice toward the young man's back.

Lu Ran turned his head, smiled at the gray-robed elder, and his figure vanished in a flash.

Under the big tree in the forest, Qin Yanzhi immediately looked to his left: "Sect Master, I... you..."

"She accepted that little bamboo sculpture." Lu Ran patted Qin Yanzhi's shoulder, "Upon hearing you're safe and sound, she's particularly happy."

Qin Yanzhi imagined Li Rouyin's joyous expression, and his feelings were extremely complex.

A bit sour, yet also slightly joyful.

"Rouyin is also a Great Power of the Sea Realm now, and she's a sole disciple of the Forget Spring Sect, her growth is quite rapid," Lu Ran encouraged, "You're four or five years older than her, so you must work hard."

Qin Yanzhi nodded heavily.

"Do you want to bond with the Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture?"

"Huh?" Qin Yanzhi looked at the Sect Master, his eyes suddenly brightening, "Sect Master, have you found a way to break the contract without harm?"

Lu Ran nodded: "Lord Immortal Sheep gave me some guidance."

Qin Yanzhi immediately kneeled halfway, unwilling to delay even a moment: "I implore the Sect Master to bestow upon me the Stone Sculpture!"

Previously at Qianhua Ridge, the Sect Master and Lady had made it very clear that binding with the Stone Sculpture could enhance cultivation talent, and even provide a chance to seize a divine position!

Lu Ran vaguely sensed something, turned to look at the distant fence courtyard, and saw that Senior Lu was still standing, looking this way.

"Hmm." Lu Ran withdrew his gaze, and let one hand fall.

"Hoo!!"

The next moment, a vast shadow stretched out from within Lu Ran.

This shadow resembled a human woman, wearing a dark green low-cut long dress that revealed a large expanse of white skin on her chest, with long black hair tied at the back, adorned with golden hairpieces.

Willow eyebrows, cherry lips.

A playful gaze, a teasing smile.

"The Golden Branches and Jade Leaves" slowly leaned down, a large slender jade hand reaching out to overlap with Lu Ran's palm, pressing onto Qin Yanzhi's head.

1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds...

Qin Yanzhi widened his eyes slightly, as one person and one sculpture, the contract was signed.

Lu Ran added: "You are now an inheritor, no longer a lowly member of the Human Clan, and have the right to resist.

Come, I and the Evil Mirror Demon will protect you, cut off the threads of the master-servant contract."

"The threads of the master-servant contract?" Qin Yanzhi looked up, yet found his head pressed down by the Master of Gods and Demons.

"Just follow the Evil Mirror Demon, we will guide you." As Lu Ran spoke, the Evil Mirror Demon's phantom hand already completely enveloped Qin Yanzhi's head.

Lu Ran closed his eyes, carefully perceiving.

Qin Yanzhi sensed the intentions of the Evil Sculpture·Evil Mirror Demon, and immediately channeled the divine power within him towards his head.

"Uh!" Qin Yanzhi suddenly let out a muffled groan.

He felt as if a tendon in his brain had snapped, causing him immense pain.

The disciples of the Ran Sect would break the master-servant contract by gathering divine power in their brains and shattering the contract itself.

Qin Yanzhi, however, was different; it was more like severing the silk thread that connected the Divine and the Human Clan, rendering the master-servant contract void and completely dissipating it.

"Uh." Qin Yanzhi trembled, his complexion looking quite grim.

After a while, a low voice imprinted in his mind: [That's right, your brother is also in the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm.]

Qin Yanzhi looked up once more.

Transmitted voice?

Yes, it was the voice of the Sect Master!

"Hoo~"

The charming little demon quietly vanished, dissolving into the gentle breeze.

Lu Ran withdrew his hand, looking at his subordinate, Qin Divine General: [You can also transmit your voice, just use your usual method of reverence to the gods, and pray.]

[I... my brother? Subordinate is an only child.] Qin Yanzhi tried to transmit his voice.

[Your brother-in-law.] Lu Ran thought for a moment, then used a more accurate term.

[Hao Tian?] Qin Yanzhi's expression was one of astonishment.

He suddenly recalled that guy who always treated him coldly and frequently obstructed him.

Lu Ran gently nodded: [Rouyin asked me to help find him, let's work hard.]

As for Hao Tian's safety, Lu Ran wasn't too worried, after all, he was the disciple of the Second-class God·East Ting!

In terms of speed, unrivaled by others.

However, it was the matter of Chang Ying that made Lu Ran very uneasy, despite Chang Ying being a spiritual believer with the ability to predict fortunes and misfortunes, but...

Hopefully, she can utilize this ability to the fullest, and continue to evade misfortune and find fortune until the Ran Sect finds her.

[Yes!] Qin Yanzhi respectfully lowered his head, responding to Lu Ran's previous words.

[Comfort your master well.] Lu Ran turned his head towards the old man in the secluded courtyard, nodding slightly, then his figure flickered and disappeared.

When he appeared again, he arrived at the Nightmare Residence.

He happened to see Deng Yuxiang drinking tea at the stone table in the courtyard.

The homes of the Ran Sect generals were all built by the same "construction team," with identical house structures.

This also gave Lu Ran the illusion that wherever he went, it felt like coming home...

"You've come." Deng Yuxiang picked up a bamboo cup and poured tea for Lu Ran.

"You brought it, I forgot to remind you." As soon as Lu Ran saw the shape of the tea leaves, he knew it wasn't the bitter Smoke Rain Tea.

Deng Yuxiang spoke softly, "No need to remind, the Sect Master likes it, I wouldn't dare not bring it."

Lu Ran plopped down opposite the stone table, "You say it like you know me well. I wish you'd bring it, though you might not actually take it."

Deng Yuxiang handed the bamboo cup to the table before Lu Ran, "I brought it."

Lu Ran laughed, "What did you bring exactly? Do you know what I'm referring to?"

Deng Yuxiang nodded slightly, repeating, "Brought it."

"Oh? So confident?" Lu Ran raised an eyebrow slightly.

Deng Yuxiang reached behind his head, picked up his long ponytail and brought it to his face, gently sniffed it before releasing it.

The meaning was clear.

Lu Ran's hand froze mid-air holding the bamboo cup, gazing at Deng Yuxiang in surprise.

Really?

"Humph." Deng Yuxiang cast a cold glance at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran awkwardly sipped his tea. Was his display that obvious?

Or is it that I'm especially transparent?

Deng Yuxiang crossed his legs and his gaze drifted far, looking towards the mountains and forests, "Figure it out yourself. I brought only a few bottles.

Until they're used up, if you don't take me back to the human world, you'll be out of luck."

Lu Ran: "..."

Can't you wash your hair less often?

"What kind of look is that?" Deng Yuxiang looked towards Lu Ran.

Lu Ran muttered, "Why not use it sparingly?"

Deng Yuxiang broke into laughter, glared at Lu Ran, and softly muttered "Hm."

"Brother Lu!"

"Ran Shen." A couple walked out.

"Come!" Lu Ran reached out his hand directly.

Instantly, a huge phantom expanded from within Lu Ran.

He appeared like an ancient general, clad in black armor and helmet, a beast-headed belt wrapped around his waist, holding an Azure Dragon Crescent Blade.

Under the pitch-black helmet was a face shrouded in black mist, obscuring his appearance, with only a pair of scarlet eyes releasing a fearsome glow.

Imposingly majestic, yet terrifyingly eerie!

Deng Yutang stood frozen in place, while Bai Manni stepped back.

Deng Yuxiang looked coldly at his frozen brother, "Sect Master wants you over there."

"Oh." Deng Yutang suppressed his fearful heart, stepped forward quickly, and held Lu Ran's hand.

Lu Ran: "..."

I conjured up the Evil God·Ghost General's phantom to shake hands with you?

"Stop!" Lu Ran, as if having eyes on the back of his head, spoke to prevent action.

Apparently, someone was easy to read too, as Deng Yuxiang was about to speak but swallowed the words.

Lu Ran stood up and raised his hand to press against Deng Yutang's forehead.

The Evil God·Ghost General also bent down, pressing that mist-encircled hand.

"I plan to send Mr. Deng to the Law Enforcement Hall, what do you think?" Lu Ran was contracting with Deng Yutang as he spoke.

Deng Yuxiang picked up the bamboo cup, pondering quietly.

It's actually a great arrangement to have him lead the team, manage people, and cultivate some prestige, but...

Deng Yuxiang sipped the tea, lightly commented, "Before he advances to the River Realm, better let him guard the house. Saves embarrassing moments outside."

Deng Yutang, immersed in binding with the Evil Sculpture, suddenly felt a wave of cold water upon hearing this.

Lu Ran comforted, "Don't listen to your sister. She doesn't know how to talk nicely! Just arrived, likely she wants you to stay home with your wife and child, settle down."

Deng Yutang nodded silently.

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

Lu Ran turned towards Bai Manni, "I acquired limited energy from the Ghost Moon Fox clan, currently you can only use Ghost Moon Fox Evil Technique below the Stream Realm.

But don't worry, I'll visit the Ghost Moon Fox clan's stronghold soon."

Bai Manni quickly nodded, "Thank you, Ran...Sect Master."

Lu Ran expanded another phantom from himself.

This was a snow-white fox, its figure graceful, eyes ice-blue, and lunar crescent-shaped pupils emitting moonlight-like translucent whiteness.

There were also seven long snow-white tails, floating in the air behind, gently swaying.

Lu Ran reached towards Bai Manni's forehead, "We've another elder in the Ran Sect, like you earlier, also a spellcaster believer. You two can sense danger together and protect the sect."

As a rival faction to the Caster kind, the Ghost Moon Fox clan also possessed the ability to foresee danger.

After the contract, Lu Ran added, "It's a coincidence his last name is Bai, named Bai Yanhui."

"Ah?" Bai Manni suddenly looked up at Lu Ran.

A small figure from the River Realm hardly dared to stare directly at a Sea Realm Great Power.

"What?" Lu Ran asked in confusion.

Bai Manni stammered, "I...My grandpa was named Bai Yanhui, he disappeared when my dad was young."

Lu Ran: "Ah??"

...

Beginning of the month, I'd appreciate some vote support brethren!