Summit of the Old Gods

Lu Ran, who fled in panic, wandered through many places in the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, and finally arrived at the old site of the sect—Cloud Sea Cliff.

The weather here is very peculiar.

Directly above, a patch of dark clouds loomed, with drizzle falling, but in the distance, it was clear skies for miles.

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment and chose to settle here. Perhaps the drizzle would soon cease, and at dusk, he might see the beautiful evening glow.

This is precisely what the Dawn Blade needs.

Returning to his old home, Lu Ran couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia.

The former sect site, once like a paradise, now lay desolate, with remnants of walls vaguely visible.

Only Lu Ran's Cloud Sea Residence still quietly stood in the mountain forest, but after years of wind and rain, it appeared quite dilapidated.

Standing in the overgrown courtyard, Lu Ran gazed at the familiar house and suddenly recalled a song lyric.

"Rain falls heavily, the grass and trees overgrow the old hometown..."

Humming softly, memories flooded Lu Ran's mind continuously.

He once lay on a rocking chair in this small courtyard with little Ruyi, watching the stars together.

He used to observe the swaying Xian Mo flowers outside through the carved wooden windows of his bedroom, falling asleep to their faint fragrance.

In the backyard, he once gathered clusters of campfires, laughing and playing with friends and family.

"Can't go back anymore..."

Lu Ran murmured, his raised palm paused in front of the old wooden door of the house. After a long hesitation, he still did not push open that aged door.

Perhaps one day in the future, after achieving success and fame, he would return to this place where his dreams began.

To be a carefree wanderer?

It sounded quite appealing when considered.

The next moment, Lu Ran appeared at the sea cliff, sitting on the edge, with his legs dangling outside.

Eight hundred meters below, waves crashed against the shore, majestic and powerful.

This place hadn't changed a bit.

What changed was only the youth seated at the cliff.

From a weak Vast River to a commanding Yangyang Sea, and now to the lofty heights over the Mountain Realm.

From crude bamboo hat and bamboo clothes to the noble Black Gold Emperor Robe.

And now to the ethereal immortal robe fluttering gracefully.

Silently, Lu Ran drew the Dawn Blade from his waist, raised it slightly, letting the fine drizzle wet it, and cleaned the blade gently with two fingers.

Things did not go as planned; he couldn't wait for the sunset glow.

But he welcomed the dawn!

The red sun rose, casting rays for thousands of miles.

Lu Ran quietly gazed at the eastern sky, trying to comprehend something from this beautiful picture.

The immortal robe and ribbons fluttered lightly, while the young man seemed like a meditating monk, allowing the sun to rise and set, the day and night to alternate.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the seventeenth day of the lunar calendar.

The young man sitting quietly at the sea cliff was disturbed by a small exquisite phoenix.

"Chirp~"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran's eyes gradually regained focus, and he saw the little Blazing Phoenix, woven from fiery lines, fly out from his wide robe, circling around him.

"What's the matter?" Lu Ran spread out his palm.

The little Blazing Phoenix flapped its little hollow wings, landing in its master's palm.

Innocent words conveyed a hint of heart thought: [Become a God! Yuanxi, succeeded~]

"Oh?" Lu Ran's eyes lit up.

On the fourteenth day of the lunar month, Tu Feng and He Yingcai had become gods one after another. Lu Ran had already entered the gourd once to bring them back to the Sculpture Garden.

Now little Yuanxi succeeded too?

"Phew~" Lu Ran's figure gradually shrunk, entering the mouth of the gourd.

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd, which ordinary people could hold in one hand, contained a universe within!

The diminutive Lu Ran fell into it, immediately surrounded by mist, which mixed with Holy Spirit Energy, nourishing his flesh and body.

Lu Ran had advanced to the Heavenly Realm's second layer on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, and now, in the winter month, it might take him a year or two to break through with normal cultivation.

However, in recent months, Lu Ran slayed gods and demons. Every time the Divine and Evil Sculptures shattered, he enjoyed immense nourishment!

Although the process was short, it was far more satisfying than purifying Holy Spirit Energy and strengthening his body on his own.

He had a premonition that maybe he could break through the cultivation bottleneck if he slayed a few more gods and demons.

In thought, Lu Ran arrived at the middle section of the gourd and saw the "Divine Power Lake" below.

In the lake, a stone sculpture slowly floated up.

The little Blazing Phoenix had long been capable of imprisoning living beings. At the third rank, it could render people from the Sea Realm immobile and at one's mercy.

Now ascended to the fourth rank, it could already confine those in the Heavenly Realm!

Although Qiao Yuansi was in the God Realm, the little Blazing Phoenix couldn't do much to her. However, as long as the Lord God did not resist, the little one could still easily manage.

At this moment, little Yuanxi was "snared" to Lu Ran's feet by the entwining Divine Power currents.

"Congratulations!" Lu Ran descended downward.

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi was extremely happy, reaching out with one hand, gently pinching the tiny human clan between two fingers.

"No!" Lu Ran was a little bewildered.

Other Ran Sect warriors spread their palms out, used as a lure for the Sect Leader.

But little Yuanxi, straight to pinching?

"Brother is so tiny?"

Qiao Yuansi pinched Lu Ran, brought him close to her eye, closed her left eye, and with a gigantic right eye, closely examined the little person between her fingers.

Lu Ran was in a panic.

At this moment, little Yuanxi was a complete deity, merging the Divine Souls of Flower Lantern and Black Lantern!

It was overwhelming!

"You come back first." Lu Ran spoke.

"Huh?" Qiao Yuansi pouted, pinching Lu Ran in discontent, "I still want to play with you for a while."

Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

Play what?

Are you playing with me?

"By the way, brother, can you teach me how to create a physical body?" Qiao Yuansi raised her hand and poked her own cheek, "It's turned to stone, really uncomfortable."

"Alright," Lu Ran replied helplessly.

A few minutes later, Qiao Yuansi's real body returned to the Sculpture Garden, while her physical body followed Lu Ran, flying out from the gourd.

"Isn't this the Cloud Sea Cliff?" Qiao Yuansi stood at the edge of the cliff, looking around with delight.

"Yes," Lu Ran responded in a low voice.

Qiao Yuansi initially wanted to visit the old residence but, seeing Lu Ran sitting with his head lowered, couldn't help but blink at him.

Suddenly, she knelt down, hugging Lu Ran's arm with both hands.

Lu Ran's heart leapt to his throat!

"What's wrong?" Qiao Yuansi laughed as her eyes curved like moons, tilting her little head at someone's stiff expression, "Are you afraid of me?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Seeing him silent, Qiao Yuansi smiled even sweeter.

My dear brother~

You can finally experience my life.

For so many years, Qiao Yuansi was always afraid of her brother, intimidated by her sister-in-law, living fearfully under her mother's shadow.

Now with the Divine Position in hand, she finally gets to turn the tables and sing as a liberated being!

Her face suddenly moved closer, her beautiful big eyes sparkling, chasing Lu Ran's shifty gaze, she said with a giggle:

"You seem like a child who did something wrong, so cute~"

Lu Ran: ???

"Hahahahaha~" The impression of the cute and mischievous Yuanxi somehow laughed like a villain.

Lu Ran said irritably, "You go play for a bit, I'm waiting for the sunset. If it doesn't happen, I'll take you back to the Human World."

"Going home?" Qiao Yuansi immediately perked up.

"Yes, I've promised you a long time ago that once we reach the Heavenly Realm, I'll take you back to see mom." Lu Ran snorted.

The plan was originally like this.

But Lu Ran, the helpful brother, was too competent, and Qiao Yuansi had just ascended to the Heavenly Realm before doing a three consecutive leap with his help.

She even fused with the Double Divine Position.

Becoming the supreme existence within the Three Realms!

"That's great~" Qiao Yuansi was overjoyed, suddenly leaned in, and heavily kissed Lu Ran's cheek.

Lu Ran didn't feel it.

Because he was still wearing the Blood Crystal Mask...

This Magic Artifact following Lu Ran, surely had its ancestral tomb smoking with good fortune.

In just a few days, it had been kissed by two goddesses.

"Go play, adapt to your new body," Lu Ran said sullenly.

Sister's realm ascension was too quick, and her habits probably still linger in the Sea Realm rank, needing good adjustment.

"Mmm-hmm," Qiao Yuansi no longer teased Lu Ran, her figure gradually rose and flew towards the remembered home.

"Phew..." Lu Ran let out a deep breath, slowly stood up.

He lightly gripped the Dawn Blade, turned to gaze at the western sky.

Now that Tu Feng, He Yingcai, and Qiao Yuansi have all returned to their positions, only the Skyspear and Cloud Mace are still buzzing inside the gourd.

Starting later, the two had crossed the Sea Realm only recently on the fifteenth, now at the second level of the Heavenly Realm.

For these two generals, the Ran Sect had several warriors staying inside the gourd, diligently cultivating them.

In a few days, the warriors should be liberated and return to the garden.

It's time for him to return to the Human World, report to the Immortal Sheep, and set the upcoming task goals.

Hopefully, a sunset can descend soon.

Hopefully, the Dawn Blade can have some insights.

If there's no gain this time, Lu Ran can't keep waiting.

Time passed minute by minute, the sky gradually darkened.

Lu Ran was a bit disappointed; the sunset did not come, the Dawn Blade perhaps also was hard to inspire.

"Sigh..." Lu Ran let out a long sigh.

How can everything go as planned?

The Dawn Blade clearly indicated having some feelings for the Third Divine Weapon Domain, yet after days of contemplation with Lu Ran, still couldn't fathom the mystery.

Let's wait for next time.

Wait for the time for slaying gods and demons to return...

"Buzz~" The Dawn Blade suddenly trembled.

Amidst the surge of energy, a phantom figure appeared beside Lu Ran, standing alongside him.

"What's up?" Lu Ran turned to look at the Artifact Spirit.

[The sunset didn't come.]

"Mm," Lu Ran looked at the youthful version of himself, not seeing even the slightest trace of discouragement on the other's face.

Despite so many years passing, accompanying Lu Ran through the wars across the Three Realms and worldly pains, he still stood proud.

Still full of spirit.

Time eroded the youthful shyness from Lu Ran, turned his eyes cold, turned them gloomy.

Yet couldn't stain the youthful Lu Ran's bright and lively eyes.

The youth turned his head, revealing a smile: [Maybe we thought wrong.]

"Oh?" Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly.

The youth slightly raised his head, gesturing towards the sky: [All these days, we've been waiting for the sunset to appear in the sky above.

Perhaps, this sky is waiting for us to grant it a sunset.]

Lu Ran gently gripped the handle of the blade.

Looking at the youth's clear smile, he raised his eyelids and gazed at the dim sky.

...