Summit of the Old Gods

Lu Ran explained many things to Chang Ying and even found her an especially large white robe from his wardrobe before leading her back to Starry Valley.

At that time, 66 disciples in the valley sat quietly meditating around the main hall.

To the disciples of Starry Valley, the straw-clad youth emerging from the Ancient Bronze Mirror was not surprising, but when they saw the young girl in the white robe walk out, their feelings were mixed.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man!

In the past, Chang Ying was a servant in the valley, wearing ragged and ill-fitting clothes.

Now, Chang Ying donned a fine white robe; though not quite exuding celestial elegance, she certainly looked impressive!

She's different now...

The disciples silently watched Chang Ying, and among them, a petite figure felt especially excited—Xiao Man!

She was sitting cross-legged, with Chang Ying's Mountain Opening Axe placed beside her.

Xiao Man grasped the axe, wanting to bring it to Chang Ying but restrained herself.

In her line of sight, Chang Ying was quietly following behind the young man, waiting for the pair dressed in straw to finish communicating.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting two or three days, sis."

"It's nothing," said Deng Yuxiang nonchalantly, switching to telepathy, [Has the Spiritual Talisman Stone Sculpture been activated?]

[Sea Realm Third Rank, Chang Ying has already bonded with the Spiritual Talisman.] Upon saying this, Lu Ran became spirited, [Did you know, sis, the strength of the Spiritual Talisman Divine Technique is explosive!]

[Oh?]

[You can draw whatever you want without any skill cooldown, it's practically cheating!] Lu Ran marveled, [Your Sea Grade Evil Technique - Night Charm Saber, can only summon 32 blades, right?]

Deng Yuxiang nodded as a matter of course.

Including North Wind's blades, Sword One's sword, and Ash's arrows, the standard count at Sea Grade is 32.

Lu Ran grinned: [The Sea Grade·Nine Treasures Talisman's output sign can deploy as many as 81 flying talismans!]

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

Is he treating me like a dunce?

In the Human World Da Xia, Sea Realm Great Powers are indeed as rare as phoenix feathers, and she had never personally witnessed a Sea Realm·Spiritual believers.

But knowledge is etched in books!

Who doesn't know that the Spiritual Sign Sect's Divine Technique is excessively powerful?

Deng Yuxiang looked fondly at the boasting Lu Ran but didn't say much more. She was happy for him, possessing such powerful skills.

The question is, does Lu Ran really have the ability to control 81 flying talismans?

Even 32 Night Charm Blades are a struggle!

Some Divine Techniques you can use right away, while others require you to delve deeply, training and researching day and night.

From this perspective, Spiritual believers have contributed an immense amount of Power of Faith just to train a single output talisman.

After all, drawing an output talisman is a probability game.

And after using it once, you have to continue praying to clear the skill's cooldown duration...

Deng Yuxiang mused quietly and then glanced over at Chang Ying.

But for now, it's all good.

Chang Ying can freely use the talismans in the holder, allowing for smooth specialized training.

Seeing Deng Yuxiang look over, Chang Ying softly said, "Sister Deng."

Chang Ying naturally recognized Deng Yutang's elder sister but had never really interacted with her.

Deng Yuxiang nodded "uh" and then looked at Lu Ran: "Yesterday, people from Bee Elephant Valley came to investigate."

"No conflict, I hope?" Lu Ran immediately inquired with concern.

Deng Yuxiang shook her head and said, "I negotiated, and they kept probing. Overall, it was friendly; they are grateful we dealt with the evil."

Lu Ran nodded: "Once we're done here, let's pay them a visit."

"Mm." Deng Yuxiang turned and indicated to a few people in the distance, "Those four used to be Shen Xiaotang's minions, the vile ones exposed and pulled out by the disciples of Starry Valley."

Lu Ran glanced over, knowing what he had to do: "Okay, you stay with Chang Ying and oversee the disciples in the valley."

With those words, Lu Ran summoned the Ancient Bronze Mirror and strode off.

Deng Yuxiang watched Lu Ran take the four away, then turned her gaze to the tall girl beside her.

"Sister Deng." Chang Ying spoke again, softly calling out.

Deng Yuxiang could sense that the girl's realm of strength was not low, probably reaching the high ranks of River Realm!

Far surpassing her own underachieving little brother.

Speaking of which, why were all of Deng Yutang's schoolmates stronger than him?

Hmm...not acceptable, have to kick him twice when I get back!

Deng Yuxiang lightly frowned, asking, "What arrangements has the Sect Leader made?"

"Ranbao... um, the Sect Leader plans to establish a Starry Sky Hall in the cliff and appoint me as the Hall Master."

Chang Ying paused, continuing, "On this trip, it's to make all the disciples of Starry Valley become Spiritual believers and henceforth venerate me."

Deng Yuxiang's voice turned slightly cold: "You and the Sect Leader may have a good relationship, and in private, anything goes. But in front of outsiders, maintain respect and refer to him as the Sect Leader."

"Yes." Chang Ying lowered her gaze.

Deng Yuxiang quietly scrutinized Chang Ying for a moment, her tone softening slightly: "You are outstanding; enduring what others cannot, you naturally achieve what others cannot."

Chang Ying apparently did not understand the Great Nightmare, merely nodding gently, like a student receiving guidance.

She did not realize what kind of honor it was to receive a commendation from the Nightmare Guardian, the top protector of Ran Sect.

Anyone else, if replaced by Deng Yutang, might have soared on the spot...

Deng Yuxiang continued: "Starry Valley disciples need to tear apart their Divine Contracts to join Lu Ran, just like we required our enemies to tear their contracts when we fought them..."

Chang Ying immediately said, "The Sect Leader specifically reminded me to explain it well to avoid any misunderstandings."

"Good, lead them into the hall and explain it properly."

"Thank you, Sister Deng."

"Half-kneel, Nightmare Guardian."

Chang Ying understood instantly, kneeling and bowing: "Yes, Lord Guardian."

"Go ahead, I'll back you up." Deng Yuxiang softly said, not treating Chang Ying differently due to her relationship with Lu Ran.

On the contrary, in some aspects, Deng Yuxiang seemed stricter?

Chang Ying stood up, facing everyone, looking at the familiar figures, emotions mixed in her heart.

She walked step by step towards the main hall, saying, "Everyone, follow me into the hall."

In an instant, over sixty disciples of the Starry Valley simultaneously looked towards Deng Yuxiang.

Deng Yuxiang spoke, "Now, she is your leader of the Starry Valley."

Everyone could naturally understand, and immediately got up, following Chang Ying towards the main hall.

Among them, a petite figure, carrying a Mountain Opening Axe taller than herself, quickly came to Chang Ying's side: "My lord."

Chang Ying stopped her steps, turned her head to look at Xiao Man.

Once Xiao Man called her "Yingying", now the appellation has changed.

She also became more courteous and respectful.

Bitterness arose in Chang Ying's heart, she reached out and took her Mountain Opening Axe, whispering, "I will treat you well."

Outside the main hall, it was especially quiet.

The girl draped in a beautifully crafted white robe, even though she spoke softly, was still heard clearly by those nearby.

As Chang Ying stopped her pace, those around also stopped.

She looked around, her eyes sweeping past everyone, gazing at the faces that had endured hardships together.

Chang Ying silently lowered her head and strode into the main hall.

I will definitely treat you well.

I promise!

"Buzz~" The Mountain Opening Axe in Chang Ying's hand trembled slightly.

Chang Ying was somewhat astonished, looking down at the axe.

This axe was made from low-grade material, crafted from Magic Yellow Rock, brownish yellow in color.

This material is almost the most common Demon Cave mineral under the God Demon system.

The material a grade lower would be the lowest "Magic Grey Rock", similar to grey stones casually found on the street.

Unexpectedly, there would be a day when such a poorly made Magic Yellow Rock Mountain Opening Axe would tremble slightly.

Chang Ying smiled.

So... Magic Yellow Battle Axe, you also recognize my decision?

...

When Lu Ran returned to the Starry Valley with a touch of Evil Qi on himself, the Nu Ying Divine Sculpture in his Sculpture Garden had already reached River Realm·Fifth Rank, and it was still buzzing.

Apparently, it was heading towards the River Realm.

As for how far it could reach in the River Realm, Lu Ran didn't hold much hope.

He arrived at the entrance of the main hall, seeing Deng Yuxiang leaning against a door pillar, and inside the somewhat established main hall, he saw many trembling figures.

It seemed the disciples of Starry Valley had all torn up their Divine Contracts, opting to follow Chang Ying and join Ran Sect.

And above in the hall, a huge illusory talisman was floating.

Mist was spreading from the talisman, connecting to the 66 disciples of Starry Valley below.

Spiritual Talisman Divine Technique·Nine Treasures Auxiliary Talisman!

Why didn't Lu Ran dispatch disciples from the healing department?

Because it's unnecessary!

The auxiliary talisman of the Five Treasures Talisman can only restore the caster's Divine Power.

The auxiliary talisman of the Six Treasures Talisman, besides the aforementioned function, can also clear the caster's mind and restore their spirit.

The Seven Treasures Talisman, Eight Treasures Talisman... its effects improve one step at a time.

Reaching here at the Nine Treasures Talisman, this auxiliary talisman is no longer limited to assisting oneself.

It can restore the target's Divine Power, repair the target's spirit, and heal the target's wounds!

And it's not individual treatment.

But group healing!

Such a terrifying auxiliary method, strong enough to leave one dumbstruck!

The weak Spiritual believers are called "Universal Remedy".

The strong Spiritual believers are undoubtedly all-round warriors!

What limits the combat power of Spiritual believers is just one word—probability.

And Lu Ran personally erased this concept of "probability" for Chang Ying; the once frequent gambler has become "Chang the Old Cheat".

How far can Chang Ying ultimately win?

Lu Ran is very much looking forward to it!

[Your friend is pretty good, probably before long, she'll become a major strength of Ran Sect.] In his mind, the voice of the Big Nightmare came.

[Oh?] Lu Ran was quite surprised, looking at the Big Nightmare beside him.

You woman, you can even praise people?

Deng Yuxiang commented: [Very steady, very composed, without a mentality imbalance due to changes in status and strength.]

[Hmm.] Lu Ran smiled, looking far at his own Starry Sky Hall Master, [In high school, she was rather rash, carefree all day long.]

Deng Yuxiang also smiled: [Miss it?]

[Of course, I miss it; I still remember her frolicking in the rain outside the Rain Alley Station.]

[People will always grow.]

[Mm.] Lu Ran nodded slightly.

Holy Spirit Mountain devours people, yet tempers bone and soul.

The Master of Ran Sect in the mountain...

Forges generals, tempers the divine.

...