Summit of the Old Gods

The Tianya Residence in the early morning was serene.

In the tranquil setting, a little creature quietly flew out of the study, went straight to the bedroom, bypassed the exquisite screen, and hovered at the foot of the bed.

The little Blazing Phoenix swayed left and right, sensing the soundly sleeping male and female owners on the bed.

It quietly landed, lifted a corner of the quilt, and cautiously slipped in, nestling between the two.

That way, it could enjoy the embrace of both at once~

"Hmm?" Lu Ran opened his sleepy eyes and blankly looked around.

It had been too long since he last slept.

The awakening from a great dream left him somewhat confused.

[Master's awake!] A childish voice echoed in his mind.

Lu Ran quickly regained his senses and immediately found the little Blazing Phoenix in his arms, lifted the Treasure Gourd out from under the quilt, and said helplessly, [I finally managed to get some sleep...]

[But, I've successfully advanced!] The little Blazing Phoenix seemed a bit aggrieved.

[Oh?] Lu Ran finally noticed someone praying to him and immediately responded to the pious believer, [Qifeng?]

[Sect Leader, I and the daytime general have ascended to the God Realm.]

[Good!!] Lu Ran's heart filled with joy, and he quickly asked, [How are your worldly forms, is everything smooth?]

[We're just as before, and now we can both perform Divine Technique.]

"What's the matter?" A soft, gentle voice came from beside him.

"Feng Rao's stone sculpture has advanced!" Lu Ran immediately announced the good news and added, "You rest a bit longer, I'll take them to test out some techniques first."

Jiang Ruyi sat up, lazily combed her long hair, and said, "Since we're ready, it's time to head to the battlefield."

There is a verse in Da Xia: Steal half a day's leisure.

It applies perfectly to Lu Jiang.

Whether it's a moment of peace, a fleeting indulgence, or even a night's sound sleep, Lu Ran obtains it by sheer luck.

The task is not yet complete, the fires of war have not ceased.

The human world is not yet at peace.

Jiang Ruyi's demeanor was exceptionally enchanting, carrying a unique laziness of awakening from a dream, lightly pulling down the veil from before her eyes, revealing her beautiful eyes.

In the thick mist, she could not see him, nor did she need to.

Lu Ran's heart skipped a beat!

In that instant, he was thoroughly awake.

It was like a splash of cold water from head to toe, not only removing his drowsiness but also giving him goosebumps.

"Phew~" The Evil God's remnant shadow withdrew from the flesh, merging with the Smoke Green Gauze into a Pure Energy Body, and flowed into Lu Ran's eyes.

The beautiful shell left on the bed, soulless, softened as it leaned against Lu Ran, then shattered into mist after a brief moment.

It was like a wonderful dream.

Lu Ran remained silent, pressing down his pounding heart after some time.

He bowed his head and smiled, somewhat helpless.

He fondly remembered her gentle demeanor during middle school; even in her wildest moments, she only gently poked him awake from his nap with a pen tip.

Look at her now!

A glance from her nearly killed Lu Ran on the spot...

Alright~

Since I've narrowly escaped death, it's time for the North Wind to meet its end.

Lu Ran rose from the bed, dressed in feathered clothes with the help of the Smoke and Mist Silk, donned a mask, equipped himself with Divine Weapons, and summoned the bronze mirror to depart.

He arrived at Mo Gu Peak, conducted a test of Divine and Evil Techniques with the Feng Rao stone sculpture, and then hurried to the Heavenly Realm Battlefield.

Just as he reached the Third Heaven, Lu Ran noticed someone contacting him.

He searched for a moment and immediately transmitted a message: [Mr. Cong Long?]

[Sect Leader, you've returned!] Yu Changsheng immediately reported, [The Eastern Front has been breached, and now the Third Heaven is in chaos!]

[Continue.] Lu Ran, concealing his presence, journeyed north.

[The deaths of the Martial Monk and Dong Ting should have spread throughout the God Demon camp.] Yu Changsheng said in a low voice, [Not long ago, Martial Artist sent minions to the Female Sword Immortal Mountain, saying they wanted to retract the defense line.]

Lu Ran suddenly asked: [Did the Martial Artist inquire about the Soaring Dragon Saber?]

[Sect Leader, the opposing party sent God Demon minions and didn't inquire about the Soaring Dragon Saber.]

[Hmm... You just said, the Martial Artist wants to retract the defense line?]

[Yes! Martial Artist hopes the Female Sword Immortal will abandon the God Mountain to jointly guard the Pear Garden God Mountain. It's said that the Southern Front at Mount Asha has already responded, and Asha has led a team to follow the Martial Artist.]

Lu Ran frowned: [How did the Female Sword Immortal decide?]

[Lady Nu Ying refused outright, without consulting anyone, and clearly told the God Demon minions that she would stand fast on the southeastern front...] Yu Changsheng's tone was somewhat helpless.

Lu Ran pondered: [How is the situation at the Female Sword Immortal Mountain now?]

[As we expected, it's already like the First and Second Heaven, with the God Mountain surrounded by Faceless Jade Venerable. But since they are minions after all, as long as the real Faceless Jade Venerable doesn't come, we can hold on.]

Lu Ran nodded secretly: [What about Yan Paper God Mountain?]

Yu Changsheng's stone sculpture body was at Female Sword Immortal Mountain, while his Heavenly Realm flesh was at Yan Paper God Mountain, constantly staying by the Rou Paperman's side.

[Returning to Sect Leader, no one has come to invite Lady Yan Zhi so far. It's really chaotic here, and we can't rule out the possibility that the messenger God Demon minions were intercepted by the Faceless Jade Venerable.]

The defense line in the Third Heaven was torn at Thunder God Mountain.

In terms of location, Yan Paper God Mountain is closest to Thunder God Mountain, so the number of Faceless Jade Venerable Clan members would naturally be more.

[Sect Leader, I propose that our two God Mountains combine forces.] Yu Changsheng transmitted again.

Combine forces?

Lu Ran pondered.

The Yanzhi Divine Mountain and the Yanzhi Divine Mountain do not face the threat of the Flame Gate, but if isolated, they might invite an attack by the Faceless Jade Lord personally.

As Lu Ran expected, Yu Changsheng's following words were indeed as he had thought. After a brief explanation, he continued:

[Especially Yanzhi Divine Mountain, without Thunder Divine Mountain as a strong backup, Lady Yan Zhi could very well become a primary target of the Faceless Jade Lord.]

Lu Ran's expression grew grave.

The dwindling number of divine mountains was disadvantageous both to the divine beings and the Flame Gate.

After all, these divine mountains jointly uphold the First, Second, and Third Heaven.

Moreover, the existence of the Heavenly Realm Battlefield carries significant importance as a crucial buffer zone.

The reason the Faceless Jade Lord cannot directly trespass into the human world is precisely due to these layers of heaven.

If too many divine mountains were to collapse, the Heavenly Realm Battlefield would fall, allowing the clan of the Faceless Jade Lord to strike directly, akin to when the divine demons first descended into the world!

It would shake the very foundation of the divine demons' existence in the world!

Likewise, Lu Ran and others would become infamous sinners throughout history.

Thus, the divine mountains must be defended!

Yet Lu Ran continued slaying divine demons, and on the surface, this would lead to the destruction of the divine mountains...

Yu Changsheng kept persuading: [Sect Leader, I understand your concerns, but don't forget, we'll soon have two identities!]

[Once the Flame Gate's gods descend, our forces too can stand firm in the human world, with stone pillars rising beneath them, piercing through the First, Second, and Third Heaven.]

[At that time, we can reignite, sustaining the presence of the Heavenly Realm Battlefield.]

These few words do make sense, but there is one point:

Utilizing the powers bestowed by divine positions, the Flame Gate's gods' ability to open and maintain the Demon Cave Gate, and establish stone pillars reaching the Heavenly Realm Battlefield, is no easy feat.

This time, unusually, Lu Ran didn't heed the strategist and instead said, [Not a single one of the Yanzhi or the Female Sword Immortal mountains can be lost! The teacher also mentioned the gods of the Flame Gate are descending soon.

We are strong and numerous, those mere two or three divine mountains aren't beyond our defense, and we must not lose them!

In that case, I will swiftly dispatch troops to guard the divine mountains and openly reveal our identity to the Faceless Jade Lord.]

Yu Changsheng pondered for a while and finally said: [Since the Sect Leader insists... it's fortunate Lady Yan Zhi did not heed my suggestion, otherwise, I would have trouble reporting to you.]

[You suggested it to Yan Zhi?] Lu Ran inquired.

[I made my judgment based on the evolution of the battlefield situation and changes in the Martial Artist's strategy, suggesting Lady Yan Zhi should go to the Female Sword Immortal Mountain and join forces with them.]

[How did Yan Zhi refuse you?]

[Lady Yan Zhi said, Yanzhi Divine Mountain belongs to you, Sect Leader, and whether to abandon it or not isn't her decision to make, you must decide yourself.]

[Ah??] Lu Ran slightly gaped, feeling a bit bewildered.

Yu Changsheng's words were somewhat whimsical: [Lady Yan Zhi also said that until you make a decision, her task is to fortify Yanzhi Divine Mountain... constantly defending here.]

Lu Ran paused his instant teleportation motion and finally arrived at the area of the North Wind Divine Mountain.

[That... that, let's discuss this later; I have a task to carry out.] Lu Ran was indeed feeling a bit confused.

[Understood.]

Lu Ran exhaled a long breath, temporarily setting aside all distractions, meticulously surveying the northern front.

During the journey, he hadn't noticed much difference, but upon reaching North Wind Divine Mountain, the situation indeed had drastically changed.

Where the Faceless Jade Lord had once been blocked from entering, now numerous jade sculptures had surrounded the divine mountain, leaving no gap.

Yet there were some differences.

Thanks to the Divine Demon's presence defending the divine mountain, with the strong support of its underlings, they expanded the defensive ring greatly, refusing to let the Faceless Jade Lord touch even a sliver of the divine mountain.

It was evident that the divine demons also intended to hold their ground on the divine mountain.

However, due to their differing natures, their choices were also different.

North Wind did not retreat!

But other divine demons abandoned their own divine mountains, retreating to this location — the Mountain Lord and Yinli Tiger.

This pair of second-class divine demons are now stationed here at North Wind Divine Mountain! It's unclear whether this was the choice of these two beasts or an order from higher up among the divine demons.

As expected, this area should be managed by Sword One?

Like the First-class god Martial Artist at the south being able to oversee Asha and Nu Ying.

However, Sword One is ultimately a very unique existence, and Lu Ran thought perhaps North Wind was leading this region?

"Hmm..." Lu Ran furrowed his eyebrows, gazing at the snow-covered, mist-laden divine mountain.

North Wind Divine Mountain was the first divine mountain Lu Ran encountered upon ascending to the Heavenly Realm, privately naming it Flower Sea Divine Mountain.

The name isn't important.

What matters is the divine demons stationed on the mountain.

Second-class divine demon North Wind - Night Charm, second-class divine demon Mountain Lord - Yinli Tiger, fifth-class divine demon Ice Butterfly - Ice Burial Person.

Also, fourth-class divine demon Sword Lotus - Black Lotus, and sixth-class divine demon War Horn - Netherworld Horn.

The last two groups of divine demons have already fused into one.

"A tough bone to crack," Lu Ran murmured to himself, gazing at the array of divine demon stone sculptures, perfectly blending offense and defense, forming an immensely powerful battle system!

Even with North Wind Divine Mountain's formidable strength, Lu Ran still did not believe this was the mountain's entire strength.

In the end, the Flame Gate had slain a Martial Monk!

Could North Wind Divine Mountain be without a backup plan?

Lu Ran instant teleported diagonally towards the rear, distancing himself further from North Wind Divine Mountain before grasping his Cloud Sea Dust Clearing Sword: "Help me contact her."

"Yes," the sword spirit's energy coursed across the surface of the sword hilt, soaking into Lu Ran's palm.

Simultaneously, beneath the same dim sky.

A female sword immortal engaged in battle erupted with an endless, extreme cold aura, forcibly repelling several colossal figures.

...