Summit of the Old Gods

Northern Heavenly Realm Battlefield, Sword One Divine Mountain.

A thick mist shrouded the Divine Mountain, the sky that should have been covered in dark clouds was instead pierced by swirling mist vortexes, closely connecting to the peak of the Divine Mountain.

The mist vortexes, of impressive caliber, permeated the magnificent Sword One Divine Sculpture, providing nourishment.

However, it was not the foremost Da Xia deity that triggered the celestial phenomenon.

At the foot of the Divine Sculpture, a woman sat quietly in meditation.

She wore an ancient-style long dress interwoven with platinum, her exquisite hair ornaments and earrings matching particularly well with the platinum gown.

Regal yet elegant.

Her face was partially veiled with a translucent white veil, concealing the lower half of her visage.

This person was none other than the one from Lu Ran's and Qiao Yuansi's dreams — Qiao Wanjun.

Qiao Wanjun owned two divine swords, one at her waist and the other laid flat on her knees, held by both her hands on the hilt and blade.

Evidently, this sword was the true focal point.

The mist vortex came quickly and dispersed just as fast, lasting only about twenty minutes before the sky cleared completely.

"Buzz!"

Beneath Qiao Wanjun's hand, the three-foot long sword emitted a radiant cold gleam, resonating with a faint dragon's roar.

This sword, made of Tianchen Steel, had a highly intricate design, with blade patterns resembling ripples of water, and a sword guard engraved with an exquisite dragon's head.

The dragon's head, with closed eyes, seemed akin to the Master of Divine Weapon.

Suddenly, Qiao Wanjun opened her eyes, looking up to see an ethereal figure slowly descending.

The arrival was a woman of breathtaking beauty, her garments fluttering, long hair softly dancing, bearing a sword behind her back.

Words like "divine beauty" and "cold as ice frost" came to life in this woman.

Sword One underling?

No, this flesh and blood held an evidently unmatched strong soul.

"Lord Sword One," Qiao Wanjun greeted respectfully, transitioning from sitting cross-legged to kneeling, pressing the buzzing sword into the snow.

From afar, Chen Jingjing also hurriedly knelt down.

Sword One descended in front of Qiao Wanjun, her eyes cold, observing the respectful disciple, slender lips slightly parted: "Your fighting spirit has returned."

Her voice was pleasant, but it would never be considered melodious, instead making one feel as though plunged into an ice cave.

That icy tone was truly beyond any other being's mimicry, a product that harmonized with her essence, temperament, and all such factors.

In the distance, Chen Jingjing couldn't help but tremble, lowering her head even further.

Yet before Sword One, Qiao Wanjun remained composed.

"Dragon Abyss?" Sword One spoke again, reaching forth with a hand.

Qiao Wanjun picked up the long sword buried in the snow, dusting off the frost snow, presenting it with both hands:

"Dragon Abyss."

Qiao Wanjun once possessed seven swords, now only two remained by her side.

The reason these two swords survived was because they were the lowest in grade among the seven, not outstanding.

Nonetheless, Sword One accurately stated the name of the sword.

She clearly understood her disciple well, being intimately familiar with Qiao Wanjun's divine weapon swords.

The sword hilt entered her hand, which she then lightly swung.

"Hiss..." The faint rumble of dragon's roar resurfaced, stirring one's soul.

Sword One listened to the dragon's roar, examining the sword guard's "sleeping dragonshead."

Perhaps it was pretending to be asleep, always closing its eyes to rest.

Much like the kneeling disciple beneath.

Qiao Wanjun not only rekindled her fighting spirit; she'd been freed and returned to the Heavenly Realm just a few days ago, yet already advanced with divine weapons, what did this imply?

Within the Three Realms, the talented abound, but atop the Human Clan, there stood only one.

The Human Clan needed a perfect blend of mental realm, technique, and luck to cultivate a divine weapon.

And advancing with a divine weapon demanded even higher expectations from its master.

Now, the Divine Weapon, Dragon Abyss Sword, had advanced to Third Rank, indicating much.

Imprisoned for years, Qiao Wanjun never wore out her mind, appearing as if she'd been biding her time, scheming.

"First Domain, Dragon's Cold Abyss," Sword One spoke softly, her slender jade fingers caressing the dragon's eye.

Sword One again accurately recited the domain name of the Dragon Abyss Sword.

Dragon's Cold Abyss: forms an exceptionally frigid special region around the sword master, where mingling cold aura can freeze surrounding beings and significantly weaken incoming Divine Technique, Evil Technique.

If the enemy's realm isn't high enough, if their skill grade isn't high enough, they may be completely frozen by the special cold aura.

A flawless blend of offense and defense, truly extraordinary!

"Yes, Lord Sword One," Qiao Wanjun respectfully replied.

"What is the second domain?" Sword One extended the sword downward.

Qiao Wanjun instinctively understood, accepting the Dragon Abyss Sword with both hands, turning her head to the side.

"Rise," Sword One casually said.

Qiao Wanjun immediately stood up, divine power surging, fiercely stabbing to the side.

"Hiss!!"

The previously faint dragon's roar now thundered across the heavens and earth.

An intensely cold aura surged as though from the depths of a ten thousand-foot cold abyss, accompanied by the deep roar of dragons within the abyss, rushing forward en masse.

Sword One Divine Mountain was already cold enough.

Where the cold tide passed, the temperature dropped rapidly further, sealing everything in ice!

It's easy to imagine the fate of living beings engulfed by the extremely cold aura.

Sword One stood with her hands behind her back, gazing toward the direction of the cold tide's surge: "Yet you don't show yourself."

"Apologies, disciple was too dull to comprehend your meaning."

"Heard its voice, but not seen its form."

Qiao Wanjun immediately understood, Lord Sword One was saying the dragon lurking within the extreme cold abyss hadn't emerged.

Sword One glanced at Qiao Wanjun, her previously indifferent gaze now filled with an implicit message:

"When the Dragon Abyss Sword advances to Fourth Rank, perhaps it will finally emerge."

First Divine Weapon Domain, Dragon's Cold Abyss, one can faintly hear the dragon's roar, only the frigid aura surging from the cold abyss protects the sword master.

In the Second Divine Weapon Domain, the dragon's roar reverberates through the skies, carrying mighty heavenly power that sprays cold waves, freezing heaven and earth.

The advancement path of the Dragon Abyss Sword is clear.

Once it comprehends the Third Divine Weapon Domain, which is the Ultimate Divine Weapon Domain, the big guy in the Extreme Cold Abyss might reveal itself.

Qiao Wanjun lowered her gaze, as if unaware of the deep meaning in the Lord God's eyes, respectfully said: "I humbly request Lord Sword One to bestow a name upon the Second Divine Weapon Domain."

Sword One quietly looked at Qiao Wanjun.

Qiao Wanjun remained motionless, only the cold wind brushing through her long hair, gently lifting her veil.

The passage of time was slow, and the two Female Sword Immortals, though of flesh and blood, seemed like two ice sculptures.

Colder and colder to the bone.

After an unknown amount of time, Sword One finally spoke: "Leave."

"Yes." Qiao Wanjun bowed her head in response.

Since the Lord God was unwilling to grant a name, she no longer insisted.

A flying sword emerged from beneath her feet, lifting Qiao Wanjun into the air, while Chen Jingjing behind her also complied with the order without any delay, stepping on her flying sword to leave the Divine Mountain.

The master and servant duo flew silently for a long time before Qiao Wanjun transmitted her heart thought: [What's the matter?]

Meanwhile, someone on Nu Ying's Divine Mountain was about to cry.

Mom,

you finally answered the phone!

The Cloud Sea Sword Spirit tried to imitate a child's tone, but couldn't help the laughter, having to transmit with a light chuckle.

Under the veil, the corner of Qiao Wanjun's mouth slightly lifted, barely noticeable.

However, the heart thought transmitted by the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit next made Qiao Wanjun's heart tremble: [Mom, I just killed the Martial Monk, Dong Ting, and the Purple Thunder Demon Peng.]

First-class God·Monk!

Second-class God Demon·Dong Ting-Purple Thunder Demon Peng!

Qiao Wanjun's eyes, as deep as cold ponds, quietly rippled with a trace of disturbance.

Yet she continued flying silently, without any excessive reaction.

[What exactly is your relationship with Lord Sword One?] The Cloud Sea Sword Spirit relayed her son's words.

Qiao Wanjun contemplated: [It's a bit complicated, hard to explain in a few words. Why, do you intend to make a move on Lord Sword One?]

In the past, she would never have uttered such words.

But her son's achievements were truly astonishing.

Qiao Wanjun naturally did not doubt Lu Ran, and was filled with emotion, marveling at his growth speed.

[Is it possible?]

Upon hearing the question, Qiao Wanjun fell silent.

[Mom?]

[Back then, when the god demons wanted to execute me, it was Lord Sword One who saved me.] Qiao Wanjun responded, the implication clear.

[Is she... at the end of her lifespan, wanting you to inherit half of the Divine Position, then merge with you to extend her life?]

To her son's theory, Qiao Wanjun did not immediately respond.

Could it be?

Perhaps.

But after being a believer for more than twenty years, Qiao Wanjun could feel Sword One's weariness with this world.

With the past, with the present, including the future.

A deep fatigue with everything.

Lord Sword One had a cold temperament, seldom communicating with anyone, and today's few words with Qiao Wanjun were considered many words indeed.

There was so little communication that Qiao Wanjun couldn't be sure what Sword One truly thought inside.

But one thing was certain:

Lord Sword One allowed certain things to happen.

Qiao Wanjun had realized that over such a long period, Sword One had noticed something from subtle clues.

But Sword One had said nothing, asked nothing.

This was undoubtedly a form of indulgence.

[Lord Immortal Sheep told me that the deaths of the Martial Monk and Dong Ting would fully awaken the god demons, forcing them to acknowledge Ran Sect's existence! Likewise, this is also a fine invitation...]

The Cloud Sea Sword Spirit transmitted heart thoughts, one after another.

Qiao Wanjun listened and nodded silently.

Especially upon hearing that her son intended to confront the god demons, turning the hidden into explicit, forcing them to choose sides, she was filled with deep emotions.

This world wrapped in lies was about to be pierced bit by bit under his blade.

[Before that, I still need to take a few Divine Mountains to augment my capital. The primary target is North Wind, which is the area supported by Lord Sword One.]

[Do you intend to ally with Sword One?]

[There's no need for her assistance, just as long as she remains still, do you think she will agree?]

Qiao Wanjun pondered knowingly: [The deaths of the Martial Monk and Dong Ting is indeed a fine invitation, I can ask her.]

[Are you confident? If Sword One disagrees, Ran Sect will be exposed prematurely.]

Recalling various past events, Qiao Wanjun calmly thought for a moment, giving her judgment: [She must have been waiting for this day for a long time.]

[Good! Just don't say anything yet, the warriors of Ran Sect still need to devour the Divine Soul of the Martial Monk, it will probably take two days.]

If Sword One does not act, then the Mountain Lord-Yinli Tiger, stationed at the northeast frontline, can be included as a target.

Lu Ran didn't act immediately, partly because his own state was too poor and urgently needed adjustment, and partly because he wanted to rely on the promotion of the Fourth Rank Feng Rao Stone Sculpture to take down both the Mountain Lord and Yinli Tiger.

[Ranran.]

[Hmm?]

[It seems the day we meet is not far away.]

[Look forward to it! Remember, no crying when the time comes~]

"Hehe~" Qiao Wanjun laughed silently, then covered her veil with one hand.

Between heaven and earth, cold frost snow drifted.

The Female Sword Immortal who walked on the sword, ultimately, broke her composure.

...