Summit of the Old Gods

Bringing the families of the soldiers to the Holy Spirit Mountain is undoubtedly a prudent move.

After Lu Ran revealed to the Divine Demon camp, no one could guarantee what those bastards would do.

Having said that, with more than three thousand disciples in the Ran Sect, Lu Ran couldn't possibly bring everyone's families to the Holy Spirit Mountain. Luckily, he didn't need to do that.

After all, the ones truly at risk of being exposed to the Divine Demons are only the top fighters of the Ran Sect.

Those Ran Sect disciples hiding at Tianya Haijiao wouldn't enter the vision of the Divine Demons.

Regarding the settlement for the families, after several discussions with everyone, Lu Ran finally decided on the Cloud Sea Cliff.

Why not the safer Tianya Haijiao?

Because it felt too imprisoning.

Living on an isolated island was already painful enough.

Tianya Haijiao, often shrouded in thick fog, made soldiers advance like strings of beads.

For the Believer community, this was certainly an excellent place for cultivation, but for ordinary people, living in the fog day after day, being unable to see their own hand in front of their eyes...

It would drive people insane!

Therefore, the beautifully scenic and equally secluded Cloud Sea Cliff became the settlement for the families.

Since the soldiers' weaknesses are here, of course, there must be sufficient defensive forces.

Lu Ran naturally stationed heavy guards, with all functional teams fully equipped, and specifically assigned the Divine Seeking General to guard the place.

Xun Yifei's power is no joke!

Today, he has devoured the Divine Souls of both Yan Qing and the Sea Merfolk and is a mighty deity with a complete Divine Position!

Regarding Lu Ran's orders and expectations, Xun Yifei accepted without hesitation and even swore a military oath.

Anyone wanting to harm the families must first cross over his corpse!

Thus, Lu Ran sank Xun Yifei's stone sculpture into the Ink Bay below Cloud Sea Cliff, and the Divine Seeking General also crafted a flesh body to guard the cliff and lead the various defense forces.

After two or three days, Lu Ran witnessed many touching yet bittersweet scenes.

The touching moments were the reunions of long-separated relatives.

Incredulous expressions, the joy of recoveries, reddish eyes, and uncontrollable tears.

Lu Ran sighed deeply at the sight.

He saw the two children of the Xun Luo couple, returning to the Cloud Sea Cliff after such a long time, running into father Xun's embrace.

They cried and shouted for their mother too.

Their childish words, both amusing and heart-wrenching to hear.

He saw Hua Qingying's family, with a girl resembling her; this must be the sister whom General Hua has missed for so long.

Unexpectedly, Hua Qingying took her sister to her side and protected her under her wing before even reaching her sister's God Worship Platform.

Lu Ran also saw Lu Yuan's wife, Grandma Wen Lanxin, witnessing two white-haired elders who had been separated for decades, unable to speak, tears flowing ceaselessly.

However, he did not see the daughter in the military named Lu Yancun.

He saw the parents of Deng Yuxiang and Deng Yutang, and the babbling Deng Lingyi.

These scenes are truly beautiful.

But beyond the emotions, there is more bitterness.

Because most soldiers didn't dare to approach their families.

The overwhelmingly powerful Realm and terrifying pressure of the Ran Sect soldiers left no room for survival for ordinary people and weak Believers.

The strict hierarchy brought by the Divine Demons is extremely cruel.

And it's extremely blatant!

It gives you the most direct feeling, letting you understand your insignificance, destroying your will, trampling your dignity, making you kneel down and submit to the stronger.

Ultimately, it is to make all beings devoutly worship and venerate the deities.

Under this system, it's really hard for the Ran Sect soldiers to approach their families.

Chang Ying, who had reached the Sea Realm Peak, could only talk to her parents from outside the door; Tian Tian, in the Fourth Rank of the Sea Realm, wasn't any better.

The entire Cloud Sea Cliff only had the kind of paternal love led by father Xun that could challenge the supreme authority of the Divine Demon System.

Most others could only be bound by the system.

Even if many people can create flesh bodies and can lower their Realms to the Mist Realm and Stream Realm, the powerful soul carried by the flesh body truly exists.

Deng Yuxiang's Magic Artifact·Smoke Green Gauze became a sought-after item.

Only lining up for a long time in exchange for a brief few minutes of togetherness made people even sadder...

"Meow~"

From inside the Cloud Sea Residence, a peculiar sound came.

Inside the bedroom, there was no one but an adorable tabby cat floating in mid-air.

Floating?

Yes, floating.

An invisible person was holding the little tabby cat high.

"Meow~ Meow!" The little tabby cat reached out a paw, trying to stop the invisible person from getting closer.

But it was too weak.

It could only be forcefully pressed against the furry little head by the invisible person's face, rubbing closely.

"It's me, don't resist," Lu Ran murmured softly, burying his face in the tabby cat's back, taking a deep breath.

Funny enough, the last time Lu Ran returned to the Cloud Sea Cliff, he stood hesitantly at the doorstep, his hand resting on the wooden door, and ultimately didn't push it open.

Feeling that everything could never return.

Today, with the influx of numerous family members, Cloud Sea Cliff revitalized from dilapidation to prosperity.

Lu Ran also stepped into the residence he hadn't entered last time.

He even snuggled with the cat in the bedroom...

"Mew~ mew~~~"

The little tabby cat hummed, struggling weakly.

It seemed on the verge of tears.

"Majestic Heaven Realm, bullying a little kitty?" a soft voice drifted from afar.

Lu Ran turned his head to look and saw Fairy Jiang standing by the door, her cold and enchanting face faintly carrying a trace of sadness.

She stood properly by the door, seemingly worried about the little tabby cat getting agitated.

"Did you see Uncle and Aunt?"

"Mm, let's send the little tabby cat back to them," Jiang Ruyi said softly.

"Okay." Lu Ran's figure flickered as he moved to the backyard.

The west wing used to be Xiao Yuanxi's residence, and now the Jiang couple has temporarily moved in.

"Knock, knock, knock~" Lu Ran gently knocked on the door, holding the restless little tabby cat in one arm.

"Coming." A middle-aged man's voice came from inside the room.

The door split open, revealing a tall, slightly chubby, and scholarly man with glasses.

It was Jiang Ruyi's father, Jiang Zheng.

He immediately noticed the cat suspended in mid-air.

Although the scene was peculiar, Jiang Zheng remained calm.

Because he had already been startled before...

When the Jiang couple was first brought from Luoxian Mountain, Lu Ran had greeted them while concealing his presence.

It gave the couple quite a fright!

"Uncle Jiang, Ruyi asked me to bring the tabby cat over," Lu Ran said warmly.

"Alright." Jiang Zheng reached out to take the little cat, looking at the empty space before him, hesitating to speak.

"Uncle Jiang, if you need anything, just let me know." Lu Ran naturally sensed it.

Jiang Zheng stepped out, placed the tabby cat inside, and closed the door: "Ruyi said you're heading to the battlefield again tomorrow."

"Yes, Uncle Jiang, there are some tasks that must be completed." Lu Ran tried to make his voice gentler, "Don't worry, I'll do my best to protect Ruyi."

Jiang Zheng was silent for a long time, just about to speak, when the wooden door behind him opened again.

A middle-aged woman with reddened eyes came out: "You don't understand the kids' matters, why meddle?"

Zhuang Jingyi said this while pulling her husband back inside, looking at the empty doorway: "Xiao Lu, hurry and get busy, don't mind us."

"Uncle and Aunt, rest assured, I won't let anything happen to Ruyi," Lu Ran said softly, disappearing in a flicker.

Inside the bedroom, Jiang Ruyi sensed a faint divine power fluctuation and casually remarked: "What took you so long?"

"Just chatted with Uncle and Aunt."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing much, just... promised them I'd take good care of you."

Jiang Ruyi suddenly said, "Only take care of me?"

"Huh?" Lu Ran was a bit confused.

Jiang Ruyi slightly turned her head, glancing at someone with her peripheral vision, seemingly smiling.

Lu Ran was initially confused, now he felt a tingling on his scalp.

Sure enough, a little jealous one!

But really, that Simurgh Phoenix Unity Contract has indeed tied him and Yan Zhi together...

Jiang Ruyi gave a soft hum and looked out the window: "Go gather the remnants of the soldiers back to the Sculpture Garden."

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Ruyi is so understanding! So gentle and considerate, looking at me with the corner of her eye, afraid I'll be scared."

"Go!" Jiang Ruyi spat gently, turning to roll her eyes firmly at him.

"Uh." Lu Ran shivered involuntarily, immediately behaving, "It's still early, right? Let the soldiers spend a bit more time with their families.

Besides, we can't be sure that Feng Rao's stone sculpture will ascend to the God Realm tomorrow."

Jiang Ruyi replied, "Whether it can or not, we must treat tomorrow as the day of departure. The battle between the Ran Sect and the North Wind Divine Mountain cannot afford any slip-ups, have the soldiers return early to stabilize their emotions."

Lu Ran: "..."

Truly a cold and merciless woman.

Jiang Ruyi's voice also returned to its usual chill: "Once you bring them back, you should rest early, after so many consecutive battles, you need a good night's sleep."

"Oh." Lu Ran pouted, "Then... don't go back to the Sculpture Garden, I want to hold you to sleep, for peace of mind."

"Peace of mind?" Jiang Ruyi was amused yet annoyed.

Usually, he doesn't even dare to look at her!

Now he's spouting nonsense, boldly wanting to hold her to sleep, really...

Is this how you try to coax someone?

Lu Ran indeed made up his mind, facing the difficulty head-on: "I'll borrow the Smoke Green Gauze in a bit, and then cover your eyes."

As he spoke, Lu Ran couldn't help but mutter: "Want to hold you to sleep, and there are quite a few procedures."

Not giving her a chance to refuse, Lu Ran flickered away.

Jiang Ruyi quietly looked out the window, a long time before a coy, reproachful smile appeared on her face.

Bad guy.

Lu Ran, adhering to the lady's orders, gathered the soldiers into the garden, and sent Deng Yutang and others, needing urgent cultivation and advancement, all back to Tianya Haijiao.

When he returned to the bedroom at Cloud Sea Residence holding a strand of Smoke Green Gauze, he found that Fairy Jiang was still standing by the window.

With a slight raising of her hand, the Smoke Green Gauze floated over sensibly.

Jiang Ruyi did not intertwine the Smoke Green Gauze in her long hair, but folded the light fabric into a strip and covered her eyes:

"Let's return to Tianya Residence; the divine power is abundant there, more suitable for your recovery."

"Alright." Lu Ran summoned the Ancient Bronze Mirror, and took her from the bedroom of Cloud Sea Residence to the bedroom of Tianya Residence in one step.

Looking at that tall and graceful figure, Lu Ran extended his hand and embraced the Evil God in his arms.

She was greatly restricted in aura and presence, and her pair of awe-inspiring eyes were covered, which gave someone the courage to act.

Lu Ran looked at the alluring lips and mustered up the courage to press down upon them.

"Mmm..." Jiang Ruyi slightly turned her head, somewhat shy and annoyed, "I told you... to rest... rest."

"Mmm-hmm." Lu Ran obediently agreed, and carried the Evil God girlfriend towards the bed.

...