Summit of the Old Gods

On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, the Cloud Sea Cliff was shrouded in a thick mist.

Inside the small yard of the Cloud Sea Residence, a floor mirror quietly opened, and a team of people filed out.

"We're home..."

Lu Ran took a deep breath, his whole body and mind relaxed, as over the past week, the Forbidden City had been tested by various forces.

Yet this ancient city, with the concerted efforts of the Ran Sect soldiers, still stood firmly at the center of the Holy Spirit Mountain Continent!

Nearly thirty martial monk disciples had pledged themselves under Lu Ran. Falling in rank was inevitable, but fortunately, they had regained the martial monk faction's Divine Technique.

The most lamentable among them was the Master of Wine and Meat.

This peak Sea Realm Great Martial Monk fell from the Fifth Rank directly to the Second Rank, causing much regret.

However, the Master of Wine and Meat had an excellent attitude.

He chuckled as he patted his big belly, continuously thanking Lu Ran for granting him the foundation for survival—the Divine Technique.

Having been a disciple of a First-class God·Monk all his life, why would he take a fancy to the skills of other factions?

It's rather like "extravagance leading to frugality is difficult."

When the Master of Wine and Meat once again took out the Divine Technique·Ancient Copper Stick, he displayed an immensely contented smile, his chubby cheeks quivering...

As for devotion to He Qifeng or to Lu Ran, it all did not matter!

The Master of Wine and Meat was quite willing to follow these two Da Xia geniuses.

It didn't interfere with him eating meat and drinking wine anyway...

Counting the 28 from the Big Wind Hall, the Forbidden City had a total of 346 people, indeed a small number. You must know, at its pinnacle, the Forbidden City had developed to nearly a thousand people!

Just on the day Tufeng Master attacked, too many people fled for their lives.

Regarding this, He Qifeng understood well; she said, as long as the Forbidden City continues to stand, the refugees will return.

For those city folks who fled, He Qifeng had rather complex feelings.

But in the end, she told Lu Ran, she did not blame them.

To the common people, Tufeng Master was an invincible threat, a cataclysmic existence.

You cannot expect a tiny ant to resist the majestic Heavenly Realm.

He Qifeng had once promised them stable days, which she failed to provide.

However, for those who stayed and shared the fate of the Forbidden City, He Qifeng almost visited each household.

As if to engrave each face deeply in her mind.

The Wind Emperor also carefully selected over seventy people from among the three hundred weak god disciples, asking Lu Ran to help them defy fate, transforming them into martial monk disciples.

Thus, the Forbidden City now again possessed a hundred martial monk believers.

These later-converted people generally were not high in strength level, lacked martial arts proficiency, and understood little of the martial monk faction's Divine Technique, but the Wind Emperor stated she would strive to train them to pass.

Well...try to pass.

Being a First-class God believer is not for everyone; mastering the warlike Martial Monk Divine Technique even less so.

Lu Ran also saw her determination.

It was truly called devoted nurture, day and night training!

Initially, other Forbidden City citizens were particularly envious of the seventy-odd lucky selected ones, but upon witnessing the training intensity, most secretly felt relieved.

Is there even a need for invasion by external enemies?

According to the Wind Emperor's requirements, this group would sooner or later be trained to death...

Remaining Forbidden City residents, excluding nearly fifty functional disciples, split into two groups to be apprenticed to Jade Talisman and Fierce Heavenly Sect.

Notably, Da Xia's eighteenth genius, Hou Yun, was also taken under Lu Ran's wing, devoted to the Luo Divine General (Pseudo-God·Ash).

Originally at the peak of the River Realm, she, on the other hand, "benefited," dropping only to the fourth segment of the River Realm.

Lu Ran was confident that Hou Yun could cultivate back! Regarding whether she could eventually enter the Sea Realm...the issue remained.

She needed to hone her Dao Heart independently.

It was unknown whether, after the Forbidden City weathered such storms and her fate underwent such changes, if Hou Yun could gain different insights into life and her future path.

Zhenyue Hall and Hundred Battle Hall of the Pear Garden Sect were still stationed within the Forbidden City, not withdrawn.

Now, both Pear Garden Sect and Tiangang City were developing orderly, undoubtedly requiring more defensive power for the Forbidden City.

If it weren't for Yu Changsheng activating the upgrade mode, Lu Ran and the others would continue staying in the Forbidden City.

At this moment, returning to Cloud Sea Cliff, Lu Ran, while sighing "home," was glancing at the thick white fog inside the cliff, feeling deeply gratified.

Mr. Cong Long was finally about to reach the Sea Realm's peak!

"Everyone, go back." Lu Ran spoke again, "Cultivate well."

"Yes!"

"Yes." Everyone accepted the command and left.

In the thick fog, Lu Ran also noticed Jiang Fairy quietly leaving.

He immediately hurried a few steps, intercepting Lady Fairy at the door, wrapping an arm around her slender waist, enveloping her in his embrace.

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi slightly turned her head.

Though the cliff was shrouded in mist, the two of them were close enough to see each other.

"It's been several days, and you're still mad?" Lu Ran whispered.

"No." Jiang Ruyi shook her head gently, "I need to seize the time to go into seclusion, make the most of this opportunity."

She was currently at the Second Rank of the Sea Realm, having ascended successfully on the eighth day of the sixth month, now nearly November, she was about to touch the bottleneck of cultivation.

Lu Ran cautiously leaned forward, giving her a light kiss on the lips: "You've been cold to me these days; it's almost freezing me to death."

Jiang Ruyi smiled softly, gazing silently into Lu Ran's eyes.

Initially, she was indeed quite annoyed.

More than that, she was terrified.

He Qifeng's Dao Heart was the Forbidden City; Jiang Ruyi's Dao Heart was the man Lu Ran.

A single Forbidden City could make He Qifeng "undergo a dramatic change in personality," lose her footing.

How much better could Jiang Ruyi be?

It was only because Lu Ran stood safely before her that she did not lose control. Over the following week, she adjusted a lot on her own.

Lu Ran's identity was clear, and his goals were extremely specific; she was unable to have him make any promises in these matters.

Promises forced are merely lies.

Harming both others and oneself.

Jiang Ruyi knew very well, next time when a Heavenly Realm Power tries to destroy the Forbidden City, trample its people, Lu Ran would undoubtedly make the same choice.

The myriad worries and countless sorrows in her heart finally found their resolution.

It might very well be the only solution—strength.

"Ruyi?" Seeing his girlfriend not speaking and staring at him, Lu Ran felt a bit uneasy.

"Hmm, it's hard to control emotions, staring at you means I'm truly staring." Jiang Ruyi finally spoke, "But it's much better now."

Someone still alive standing before her is better than any comforting words.

"Oh, I thought you might completely banish me to the cold palace." Lu Ran had a pitiful look.

"Hehe~" Jiang Ruyi chuckled.

Isn't that a good idea?

She raised her hand, gently tapping Lu Ran's forehead with her jade finger: "Then stay in the cold palace for now, I'm going to retreat for cultivation."

Lu Ran: "..."

His arms empty, the beauty floated away.

Lu Ran called after her as she departed: "Little Chi Feng, I give you."

In the mist, a cold voice gradually faded: "I'll first lend it to Sister Yuxiang; her cultivation progress is faster than mine."

"Oh." Lu Ran pouted, taking out the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd from his chest. "Mom doesn't want us anymore!"

"Buzz~"

Little Chi Feng vibrated gently, seemingly a bit aggrieved?

"It's okay, Aunt wants you." Lu Ran sent Little Chi Feng up to the sky, "Go to the Nightmare Residence, I'll have her wait for you in the courtyard."

Little Chi Feng: "..."

Mom might just be a bit strict, but that aunt... is simply terrifying!

The second function of the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd was forcefully brought out under the severe demands, even the threats, of Big Nightmare.

"Listen, go ahead." Lu Ran patted the treasure gourd.

"Buzz~" Little Chi Feng circled around Lu Ran once before reluctantly flying away.

Lu Ran stood at the doorway, quietly lingering.

The beauty had gone far, but the faint jasmine fragrance remained; both the front and back yards of Cloud Sea Residence were planted with beautiful Immortal Jasmine Trees.

[Master.] A Charm Shadow suddenly appeared beside Lu Ran.

"Hm?"

"The pendant." Yan Shuangzi handed over the Tear Star Pendant.

"Okay." Lu Ran took the blue diamond pendant resembling a water droplet and stepped through the door.

Crossing the hall, arriving at the backyard, small illusory Mo Li scattered everywhere.

Mo Li Evil Technique·Mo Li Covering the Sky.

Within a radius of a hundred meters, everyone or everything touched by the illusory Mo Li became linked to Lu Ran's perception.

With the help of Little Mo Li, Lu Ran found the girl meditating under the tree.

Two of them.

They were easy to distinguish.

Tian Tian was truly petite, while the 1.68-meter Little Yuanxi was seemingly small in Lu Ran's illusion.

Lu Ran walked towards the western house, stopping beneath the Immortal Jasmine Tree: "Yuanxi?"

"Brother! You're back~" A lively voice came through, full of vitality.

Lu Ran took a step forward, kneeling with one knee beside his sister: "You're so diligent."

Unexpectedly, Qiao Yuansi suddenly blurted out:

"It's almost!"

Lu Ran: ?

"Hehe... Haha~" Qiao Yuansi couldn't help but giggle, "It's really close! The cultivation environment at Holy Spirit Mountain is already good enough, but here at Cloud Sea Cliff, the resources for cultivation are absurd!

Every now and then, there's a great power advancing, tsk tsk~

Brother, just give me one more month, and I'll definitely reach the peak, then jump straight into the Sea Realm!"

"Alright." Lu Ran smiled and nodded.

"What have you been doing these past twenty days? By the way, where's sister Ruyi?"

"Not much, I secured Jingxian Island and helped out at Forbidden City." Lu Ran avoided specifics, changing the topic, "I got a gift for you."

"A gift?" Qiao Yuansi was indeed drawn in.

She knelt forward, trying to peer clearly into her brother's face.

"Here." Lu Ran didn't tease, raising his hand with a diamond pendant in his palm.

"Wow, how beautiful!" Qiao Yuansi's eyes sparkled.

Lu Ran then said: "If you can tame it, it'll be even prettier."

At this moment, the Tear Star Pendant's luster was dim, its Artifact Spirit locked within, refusing to communicate with the outside world.

Qiao Yuansi reached out a finger, poking the diamond pendant: "What's its name?"

"That, you need to tell me."

"What functions does it have then?"

"Not too clear on the specifics, maybe... it can teleport you to my side."

"Huh?" Qiao Yuansi raised her eyes, looking at Lu Ran up close.

"Maybe." Lu Ran nodded gently.

Qiao Yuansi was overjoyed, showing a cheerful smile: "Thanks, brother, you're the best!"

"Hmm, I know."

"Eh?" Qiao Yuansi tilted her little head.

Lu Ran also smiled, switching to sound transmission: [Its functions are too potent; when attempting to awaken it or tame it, you must be cautious.

I'll leave Shadow One and Shadow Two for you; they're both Disciples of Evil Dog, capable of Instant Teleportation and each has a Divine Weapon dagger. If anything goes wrong and the pendant runs away, have them help you search.]

[Okay! My Evil Technique·Smoke Fire Cage also has a perception radius of 50 meters!] Qiao Yuansi pinched the small diamond pendant, examining it carefully.

Her affection overflowed with words.

That cute little look brightened Lu Ran's mood more and more, as if the whole sky had cleared.

Suddenly, Qiao Yuansi looked up at Lu Ran: "Brother, quickly! Help me put it on~"

"Alright."

...