Summit of the Old Gods

Lu Ran did not expect that this separation from his girlfriend would last a whole month.

Throughout the lunar winter month, Cloud Sea Cliff was almost completely shrouded in mist, with the advancement of Dragon Guardian, Nightmare Guardian, and Lady Ran connecting as a chain.

The Fake God Stone Sculpture avatars practiced day and night without rest, relying on mutual support and extreme diligence, constantly climbing upwards.

Under such rich Divine Power conditions, Qiao Yuanxi's previous boast that he would reach the peak period within a month was achieved earlier than expected.

However, once one reaches the peak period, it's not enough to rely solely on effort to make further progress.

Whether it is the Sea Realm Peak of Yu Changsheng or the River Realm Peak of Qiao Yuanxi, both need to refine their Dao Heart.

A sense of enlightenment is needed.

This is something mysterious and elusive, varying from person to person, and Lu Ran feels powerless to influence it.

However, Lu Ran believes in Mr. Conglong's wisdom and trusts Little Yuanxi's innate intelligence, so he isn't particularly worried, just waits patiently for good news.

Throughout the winter month, Cloud Sea Cliff was invaded by several Angry Sea Flame Flood Dragons.

Lu Ran took the opportunity to wash the blade repeatedly.

The Eight Desolate Blade was quite indulgent!

The vibrations of the Cloud Sea Blade noticeably increased, but Lu Ran did not attribute this to dragon blood.

He knew clearly which specific point was causing such a change in the Cloud Sea Blade.

It was precisely the day of Tufeng Master annihilation!

Lu Ran made the decision: to stand above the Forbidden City and wait for the Heavenly Realm Power to come.

From that moment, the Cloud Sea Blade seemed to enter a brand-new phase.

It frequently fed back to Lu Ran.

Yet, it lacked an opportunity for transformation.

Lu Ran understood that this Cloud Sea Dust Clearing Blade probably needed the life of a Heavenly Realm Power to sacrifice!

Or it might be said, it required a sufficiently qualified "Cloud Sea" for the blade to gather the Artifact Spirit and form.

There is no need to rush.

Over this month, the forces under the Ran Sect all developed pretty well.

The Forbidden City established a firm foothold and began welcoming refugees again.

Tiangang City at the foot of the Pear Garden Sect mountain has already been completed, with Zhenyue Hall and Hundred Battles Hall returning to the sect after serving as reinforcements, bringing back the experiences learned from the Forbidden City to guard the newly built ancient city.

Jingxian Mountain has always remained peaceful, and the Xun Luo couple did not disappoint Lu Ran's expectations, holding up the southern coastal area.

The flourishing development of Ran Sect made Lu Ran very gratified, with his mental realm extraordinarily clear.

So clear that Lu Ran found it somewhat unsettling!

After all, Holy Spirit Mountain wasn't a place where everything goes smoothly.

Lu Ran even began to be paranoid, feeling that something "big" was waiting for him...

Winter month twenty-ninth, dusk.

The night was tranquil, and the gentle sea breeze blew over the serene Cloud Sea Cliff.

In the backyard of Cloud Sea Residence, a bonfire was gathered.

The flickering firelight accompanied the relaxed and easy faces, making the scene especially warm.

This bonfire party was organized by Little Yuanxi.

To celebrate Sister Ruyi's exit from seclusion today, and also to celebrate Yu Changsheng and Deng Yuxiang.

There weren't many people invited; besides the two guardians Dragon and Nightmare, they were mostly close friends.

Such as Si Xianxian, Deng Yutang, Bai Manni, Tian Tian, and Niu Zhengzheng.

For this, Lu Ran even specially went to Mud Pig Forest, bringing back a six-seven hundred pounds Mud Mountain Pig...

"Mmm... Tasty, tasty~"

Qiao Yuanxi spoke muddily holding a piece of roasted pork belly.

The golden oil smeared on her rosy lips, her greedy look made Jiang Ruyi secretly smile.

"Eat slowly." Jiang Ruyi gently wiped Qiao Yuanxi's mouth corner with her finger.

"Mm-hmm." Qiao Yuanxi nodded repeatedly, picking up the roast pork belly, taking another bite.

Golden brown crispness, mouthful of meat fragrance.

Lu Ran had a peculiar expression, always feeling his sister was doing it deliberately.

Little Yuanxi seemed to enjoy Jiang Ruyi's care, purposely eating with oily corners?

By side, Bai Manni leaned against Deng Yutang's shoulder, somewhat enviously watching Qiao Yuanxi.

As a person from the River Realm, she found it difficult to act naturally in front of Lu Ran, Jiang Ruyi, and others.

Bai Manni felt both envy and puzzlement, not knowing why Ran Shen's sister could be so carefree.

Bai Manni could feel that Deng Yutang sitting beside her was somewhat trembling.

Well... all right, next to Deng Yutang was Deng Yuxiang indeed, he should be trembling.

From this aspect, her husband is still very reliable.

With his broad body, he blocked the terrifying aura of the elder sister, building a simple refuge for Bai Manni.

"Young Master."

"Mm?" Lu Ran turned and looked up, seeing Si Xianxian.

"Can you move over a bit?" Si Xianxian said softly.

Lu Ran snorted but still made space for the maid.

Si Xianxian quickly sat beside Jiang Ruyi, picked up a wooden stick, and fiercely bit into the pork belly on it.

Also oily mouth corners, then longingly looked towards the lady.

Lu Ran rolled his eyes displeasedly.

"Ha." Jiang Ruyi smiled and glared at Si Xianxian, "Eating with your mouth all greasy, what kind of look is this."

Si Xianxian: ?

This isn't just blatant favoritism, is it?

She's the Lu family young miss, I really am the Lu family maid?

"Haha~" Yu Changsheng couldn't help but laugh, exchanging a bitter glare from the maid Si.

Yu Changsheng promptly used his paper fan to cover his face, trying hard to suppress his laughter.

Lu Ran glanced over, laughing, "Mr. Conglong has been promoted for half a month now, how's the enlightenment going?"

"Back to Sect Master, I am still striving." Yu Changsheng suddenly remembered something and added, "Sect Master, could you please inform me ahead next time when improving the Mo Li Stone Sculpture?"

"Hehe~" Lu Ran smiled embarrassedly.

Deng Yuxiang and Jiang Ruyi's promotions had a few days gap in between. Lu Ran took this chance to go out to sea, reclaiming the Mo Li Squad and Sea Merfolk Squad, and built a new patrol squad again.

During this process, the Mo Li Evil Sculpture in Lu Ran's Sculpture Garden leveled up, advancing toward the Sea Realm Third Rank.

Sea Realm·Third Rank, obviously does not match Mr. Conglong's strength realm.

Lu Ran didn't return but continued to move toward the ocean, slaughtering the Mo Li Clan and Sea Merfolk clans.

Compared to the Sea Merfolk Evil Sculpture, the Mo Li Evil Sculpture is visibly easier to cultivate.

Because by the size, you can easily judge the strength realm of the Mo Li Clan.

Lu Ran hid himself, flickering and roaming in the far seas and deep seas, wielding the Fiery Fire Heavenly Leader and holding the Jade Ruyi, releasing terrifying Immortal Sky Pythons, targeting the leaders of the Mo Li Clan for slaughter!

Until a disciple from the Ran Sect sent a transmission saying that mist had drifted up the cliff again, only then did Lu Ran return to continue guarding.

Unfortunately, the Mo Li Evil Sculpture couldn't advance to the Heavenly Realm and ended up fixed at the Sea Realm·Fifth Rank.

"You promised, next time for sure." Yu Changsheng's eyes were dim, looking at the sect master, "As Yu trembled in public, it's somewhat losing face."

"Ah!" Lu Ran agreed, somewhat overwhelmed by Yu Changsheng's gaze, quickly changing the topic, "Lord Immortal Sheep said..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the people seated around the campfire suddenly quieted down, their eyes uniformly turning to Lu Ran.

The words Immortal Sheep evidently had a tremendous impact on the crowd!

Lu Ran's expression also grew slightly serious: "Lord Immortal Sheep once informed me that as long as the level is high enough, you can merge with Stone Sculpture.

I once asked, specifically how high the realm needed to be, and Lord Immortal Sheep said..."

Under the gaze of the crowd, Lu Ran slowly spoke:

"Very high, very high!"

The crowd: "..."

If there weren't so many people around, Si Xianxian really wanted to "tsk~" at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran changed his tone: "But I think the Heavenly Realm should be enough."

Yu Changsheng lightly shook his paper fan and gently nodded.

Lu Ran's eyes were full of encouragement, looking at the unrivaled strategist: "Once Mr. Conglong advances to the Heavenly Realm, I'll go out to sea again and push the Mo Li Evil Sculpture up!

Let's see if the human clan's physical body can completely merge with the Stone Sculpture."

Deng Yuxiang quietly spoke: "Mr. Conglong must strive to gain enlightenment."

Yu Changsheng turned to look, showing a look of inquiry.

Deng Yuxiang rarely showed a hint of a smile to outsiders, mostly with a tone of provocation: "I also want to be the first to eat the crab."

"Hehe." Yu Changsheng laughed quietly, not thinking Deng Yuxiang simply wanted to try fresh things.

It seems that the Nightmare Guardian wants more to pave the way for the sect master's quest.

Wants to become the first genuine Pseudo-God Stone Statue under Lu Ran's command.

However... afraid the Nightmare Guardian might be disappointed.

Yu Changsheng lightly shook his paper fan, wearing a smile.

I, Yu, also want to be the first Pseudo-God Stone Statue under the sect master's command!

"Brother!" Little Yuanxi suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Is merging with Stone Sculpture becoming a Pure Energy Body?"

"Probably."

Qiao Yuansi looked at Jiang Ruyi, then at Lu Ran, opened his mouth, with an expression of wanting to speak but stopping.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ran was very curious.

Qiao Yuansi steeled himself and quietly asked: "If you and Sister Ruyi become Pure Energy Bodies, can you still have little babies?"

Lu Ran: ???

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

For a moment, the expressions of the people around the campfire became strange and exceedingly colorful.

Jiang Ruyi's beautiful eyes quietly glanced at Qiao Yuansi.

"Um." Qiao Yuansi shrunk his neck in fear, his voice growing smaller, "I was just asking... wanted to have little nephews and nieces to play with... um."

Even Si Xianxian shrunk her neck.

She didn't know where she went wrong, but Jiang Ruyi's aura, this gaze...

In any case, Si Xianxian felt like she was wrong.

"I don't know!" Lu Ran scratched his head, showing an odd expression, "Probably can, right? The Evil Demon Minions I created all have flesh and blood.

Although essentially they are energy bodies, all the structures of the physical body are complete..."

Jiang Ruyi's cheeks gradually turned a shade of red, turning her eyes toward Lu Ran.

"Ahem." Lu Ran lightly coughed twice, "Moreover, once you become a god, though not omnipotent, at least the abilities of the human race, the divine should possess... what! The meat, I'm hungry."

"Here~" Tian Tian hurriedly picked up a skewer of roasted pork belly and handed it to Lu Ran.

Yu Changsheng timely resolved the issue: "Sect master, what is our Ran Sect's next focus of work?"

"You all just stay at home to develop the subordinate forces well; the main task is still cultivation and perception." Lu Ran took the roast meat, "I'll continue heading west."

Qiao Yuansi was slightly moved: "Heading west?"

Lu Ran took a big bite of the meat: "Um, starting from Jingxian Mountain and exploring westward, traveling light."

Some people,

he hasn't found yet.

The central Forbidden City, Southern Tiangang City, Southeast Thousand Boat Island, Cloud Sea Cliff by the East Sea and South Sea, Jingxian Mountain.

Several areas have vast radiation ranges, yet still haven't brought the people Lu Ran wants.

Since this is the case, he'll look into the southwest area of the Holy Spirit Mountain Continent!

"Brother!"

Upon hearing this word again, Lu Ran only felt a tingling scalp! Afraid his sister might speak something shocking out of her mouth again.

Qiao Yuansi's eyes sparkled: "I am already at the Peak of the River Realm, no need for hard cultivation, just need a moment of enlightenment."

By this point, everyone already understood her meaning.

"Brother~" Qiao Yuansi got up and came to sit beside Lu Ran, hugging his arm and playfully shaking it, "At home, I can only build behind closed doors, besides you're going exploring, not going to war, bring me along!

Brother, now you are so strong and powerful, being by your side is very safe... hmm?"

Qiao Yuansi paused, looking down.

Lu Ran also showed a surprised expression, looking at her neck.

The Divine Power Bead Strings she wore, one little diamond pendant attached to it, quietly brightened with a deep blue glow...

...