Summit of the Old Gods

Pear Garden Sect, atop the East Peak.

In a rather grand mansion, within the scenic rear garden, Yu Changsheng held the Dawn Blade, nodding slightly.

"Sir, what did Master Lu say?" A deep and authoritative female voice came through.

Calm yet demanding complete attention, leaving no room for anyone to miss a word.

Yu Changsheng turned his head, looking towards the red-clothed woman sitting at the stone table with Wu Xiao.

She wore a bright red robe, her long hair elegantly styled. Beautiful as she was, her beauty was not the soft kind typical of ordinary women; she exuded an imposing dignity that could rival that of the Martial Emperor.

Qin Hongchan!

Sea Realm Fourth Rank Martial Arts Believer!

One of the eighteen halls of the Pear Garden Sect, the Hall Master of Hongchan Hall.

Her eldest brother Qin Zhen and second brother Qin Zhan were both Sea Realm Third Rank experts.

Both were also hall masters within the Pear Garden Sect, leading Zhenyue Hall and Hundred Battles Hall, respectively.

Recalling the time when Wu Xiao returned to the sect, Yu Changsheng saw Qin Hongchan eagerly stepping forward to welcome an old friend back to the sect.

Qin Hongchan's welcome stunned the other women, leaving none daring to approach and express themselves.

This indicated much!

As Yu Changsheng expected, Qin Hongchan indeed held a high position, and her two brothers occupied hall master roles within the sect.

After investigating the conduct of the Qin siblings, some plans naturally formed.

"Master Lu agreed." Yu Changsheng smiled.

"Good." Qin Hongchan placed a hand on the table, picking up a piece of floral pastry with her fingers and savoring it.

In her mind, she imagined the appearance of Master Lu, gradually piecing together a young and handsome visage.

But she quickly dismissed this face, feeling it didn't match such a person.

She was exceedingly curious about this young master she had never met.

Whether it was Yu Changsheng or Wu Xiao, both were outstanding individuals, yet both were unwaveringly loyal to Master Lu.

Especially Wu Xiao!

Qin Hongchan had long noticed, and repeatedly confirmed, that Wu Xiao was a devoted soldier.

His personal desires, even his will to live, seemed nonexistent.

He appeared more like an empty shell, existing solely for the will of Master Lu.

Wu Xiao's existence, given sufficient time to observe, became relatively easy to understand.

However, with Yu Changsheng...

As Qin Hongchan delved deeper, learning more from Yu Changsheng, she vaguely realized that Yu Changsheng and Wu Xiao seemed to be similar.

This was alarming!

A person willing to sacrifice for someone else, like Wu Xiao and Yu Changsheng taking risks alone, could stem from loyalty, from honor, sacrificing for a grander vision they held dear.

But living for someone else?

The underlying logic is completely different.

"Why does Hall Master Qin look so serious, have you thought of something?" Yu Changsheng sat at the stone table.

Qin Hongchan returned from her thoughts, suppressing her curiosity about Master Lu, and pondered, "Sir plans for three days later, Brother Xiao will challenge Sect Master Xie in the main hall.

What if Sect Master Xie truly agrees to fight?"

Yu Changsheng elegantly unfolded a folding fan, shaking his head with a smile, "Rest assured, Hall Master Qin, since the Martial Emperor's battle with the former Tiangang Hall Master, his fame has spread.

Xie Wusheng is a blustering coward, bullying the weak; facing the Martial Emperor, how could he dare accept the challenge?"

Qin Hongchan frowned, "What if he actually agreed? Sect Master Xie has a second-rank Divine Weapon Blade and a Magic Artifact·Mysterious Armor Command Flag..."

A Divine Weapon is one thing, but the crucial point is the Magic Artifact·Mysterious Armor Command Flag!

This flag can cloak its owner's Water Flow Armor in black energy, transforming it into a "Black Water Armor" with incredible defensive power!

Xie Wusheng's rise as sect master owes much to this artifact.

Both Wu Xiao and Xie Wusheng are at the Sea Realm Peak; breaking Sect Master Xie's defense is no easy feat.

"Hall Master Qin needn't worry." Yu Changsheng lightly shook his fan, "I have borrowed a Magic Artifact for the Martial Emperor from Master Lu that can surely break that Mysterious Armor Command Flag!"

"Oh?" Qin Hongchan was somewhat curious, noticing this incredibly handsome man remained smiling, full of confidence.

What Magic Artifact?

Of course, it's the Blood Jade Ring of Deng Yuxiang.

The Martial Arts Divine Technique·Dual Heroes Mask's black mask can already maximize Wu Xiao's force attributes, every normal strike wielding terrifying tearing effects.

And on the basis of "substitution," with the supplemental Magic Artifact·Blood Jade Ring augmenting his berserk power...

The Mysterious Armor can be breached!

Yu Changsheng left it as a mystery, not answering.

He looked at Wu Xiao, softly saying, "As they say, let the capable take their place. Since the previous Pear Garden Sect Master set such a rule, and it continues to this day, we should make good use of it.

Three days later in the main hall, if Xie Wusheng finds excuses not to challenge, he will lose face, also causing his subordinates' disdain or discontent, and the Martial Emperor's prestige will surely rise!

Taking the opportunity to act, we will have a righteous reason and occupy the moral high ground."

Wu Xiao nodded silently.

"At that time, we will certainly be able to win over more of those wavering in decision. We need not expect these people to join; as long as a few elders in the main hall, or among the hall masters, are biding their time, our objective will be achieved."

Yu Changsheng paused for a moment, then continued, "If Xie Wusheng accepts the challenge, then even better, isn't it?"

Open and aboveboard, following the trend.

Move with the tide, capitalize on the momentum.

This could be called a strategic play!

Whether Sect Master Xie fights or not, it matters little!

Wu Xiao said in a deep voice, "I will follow all of Sir's arrangements."

Yu Changsheng glanced at Qin Hongchan, "Regardless of whether Xie Wusheng accepts the challenge, three days later, there will surely be a big battle within the sect. Those few diehards of Sect Master Xie must be eliminated.

Hall Master Qin, have your two brothers ready.

Refrain from engaging too much with Hall Masters Po Jun and Liu Yun in the next couple of days, to avoid extra complications."

Hall Master of Po Jun Hall, Qin Pojun, Sea Realm Third Rank expert, has good relations with the two Qin brothers.

Although this person also shares the surname Qin, it's just a coincidence.

The Hall Master of Flowing Cloud Hall, Wei Yun, is Wu Xiao's sworn brother. Years ago, the two struggled together in the mountains and later settled within the Pear Garden Sect.

Since Wu Xiao's return, Wei Yun has visited several times.

Wei Yun is also one of the few Hall Masters who can match Wu Xiao's strength.

Wei Yun is at the Peak of the Sea Realm!

Yu Changsheng certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity to utilize such a resource. After several tests, Yu Changsheng was seventy to eighty percent sure this charming young man would stand by Wu Xiao's side.

Within the Pear Garden Sect, there are a total of eighteen halls, and Yu Changsheng controls 4 to 6 of them.

That's enough!

Yu Changsheng never intended to take over the Pear Garden Sect without a fight, nor did he want too many people to lean to his side.

Regardless of what Lu Ran thinks, Yu Changsheng is determined to lead an armed rebellion!

After all, his Sect Master feeds on Dead Souls.

After the uprising, those who hesitated, such as the original spouse of Third Lady Lu, Hall Master Wen Cheng, would be left alone if they remain neutral.

But if these people dared to side with Xie Wusheng, then they deserve to become nourishment for the Stone Sculptures!

While pondering this, Yu Changsheng slowly raised his head and gazed at the clouds in the sky.

The Pear Garden Sect,

should undergo a change too!

The Martial Artist Stone Sculptures of the Sect Master should also advance to the Heavenly Realm...

At the same time, within the small courtyard of Cloud Sea Residence.

Lu Ran was still drinking tea at the stone table when a tall Charm Shadow stepped into the courtyard: "Sect Master."

"Good morning." Lu Ran looked at the Big Nightmare and gestured to the chair opposite, "Sit."

Deng Yuxiang took off the Magic Artifact, the Blood Jade Ring, and placed it in Lu Ran's palm: "What are you up to?"

"I'm going to lend it to the Martial Emperor."

"Are we going to war?" Deng Yuxiang's beautiful eyes lit up, and her heart surged with battle intent.

Lu Ran nodded with a smile: "The Pear Garden Sect has a tradition that the strong are respected, and the capable lead.

Therefore, our Martial Emperor is going to challenge the Sect Master."

Deng Yuxiang hesitated for a moment before speaking: "I trust the Martial Emperor's abilities, but the Pear Garden Sect's Sect Master is also a Great Power at the Peak of the Sea Realm. Once the fight starts, it's inevitable that there will be injuries.

If we're going to take him down...

Lu Ran shook his head: "We want to take over the entire Pear Garden Sect, not just take down Sect Master Xie."

Deng Yuxiang thought for a moment and nodded.

Lu Ran temporarily placed the Blood Jade Ring on his finger and clenched his fist: "Mr. Conglong's approach is deeply to my liking. When the Martial Emperor challenges Xie Wusheng in front of the entire sect...

Wu Xiao will already be the Sect Master of the Pear Garden Sect!"

"Hmm?" Deng Yuxiang slightly raised her eyebrows.

Lu Ran sighed: "Regardless of the outcome, people will no longer see the Martial Emperor as merely a Hall Master. Instead, they will place him on equal footing with the Sect Master. And after that...

Lu Ran looked at Deng Yuxiang: "Shall we let Sect Master Xie live?"

"Hmm." A slight smile appeared on Deng Yuxiang's face.

That's the point.

"Lady." The Liu Huo Guard greeted softly.

Deng Yuxiang turned her head and saw Jiang Ruyi holding a snow-white fox fur, nodding to the two in acknowledgment.

She stepped towards Lu Ran and spoke softly: "Let me take a measurement."

Lu Ran immediately stood up.

Jiang Ruyi draped the fox fur over Lu Ran, measuring with her fingers silently.

Sharp as ever, Deng Yuxiang immediately noticed the unusual atmosphere between them.

She gave a signal to the Liu Huo Guard, motioned them to leave, and then she left as well.

Only a man and a woman were left in the courtyard.

Lu Ran felt the awkwardness and casually picked a topic: "There are plenty of skilled disciples in the sect; they can do it."

Jiang Ruyi shook her head, not speaking.

Lu Ran thought for a moment, then joked, "Your Illusion Realm was unfair; it made me so lonely, without even Little Yuanxi."

Jiang Ruyi's fingers slightly stiffened, and after a long silence, she spoke softly: "Blame me?"

"What?"

"For thinking so poorly of you."

Lu Ran laughed: "Yet even with such a poor perception of me, you were so determined, gave up such a great future, insisting on returning to a small place like Rain Alley, stubbornly saying it was because your parents were there... um."

Jiang Ruyi raised her hand and covered Lu Ran's mouth.

Lu Ran gently kissed her soft palm.

Jiang Ruyi instinctively pulled back her hand.

Looking at the rare sight of this flustered woman, Lu Ran softly said: "Whether I am poor in character or have a promising future, it doesn't seem to matter."

Jiang Ruyi lifted her gaze, her beautiful eyes looking steadily into Lu Ran's.

Lu Ran's smile was gentle: "Two worlds, two destinies, two different life paths... the same result.

Rain Alley City, Holy Spirit Mountain.

No matter where I am, in the end, you always come to find me."

"Hmm." Behind the door of the Cloud Sea Residence, a black-dressed girl was hiding.

Little Yuanxi hugged a fox fur, clenching her fists in excitement.

This is so romantic!

No way! I must know what experiences my brother and Sister Ruyi went through in that other life.

I have to find out!

This rebirth novel, if brother won't write it, then I will!

...