Summit of the Old Gods

On the first day of the New Year, a light rain was falling.

Inside the bedroom of Cloud Sea Residence, Lu Ran listened to the patter of the raindrops, opening his drowsy eyes.

Beside him was the long and rhythmic breathing of the person next to him, soft, yet it did not escape his ears.

It made Lu Ran feel extremely at ease.

Lu Ran slightly turned his head, looking through the carved wooden window not far away at the swaying Immortal Jasmine tree in the rain.

The weather was uncooperative, the New Year's Eve bonfire party was held under the drizzle, but it did not dampen everyone's spirits.

The disciples of the Ran Sect celebrated on the open ground outside the Council Hall, grateful to have safely passed another year.

Lu Ran and the others gathered a tall bonfire in the backyard of Cloud Sea Residence.

This was his second New Year's Eve on Holy Spirit Mountain, more perfect than the last.

Because he had his childhood friends by his side, and the lovely Little Yuanxi.

Last night, Lu Ran had the fortune to witness Miss Xuan Shuang's sword dance, leaving him mesmerized, as well as astonishing Deng Yutang, Niu Zhengzheng, and others.

He wondered if those two went home last night and ended up kneeling on a washboard?

Hmm... most likely not.

After all, Bai Manni and Chang Ying were also dumbfounded.

Lu Ran didn't need to kneel, because Leng Xushuang had specially asked the Sect Master and Lady for permission, with Jiang Ruyi personally agreeing.

Leng Xushuang's sword dance wasn't something everyone was privileged to see; it was performed especially for Lu Ran under the guise of New Year's Eve.

Though it did benefit others...

To Lu Ran's surprise, Little Yuanxi also presented a song.

"Once upon a time, when I first encountered this world, I was reluctant to leave. Looking at the edge of the sky as if it were before my eyes, I was willing to brave fire and water to walk it again..."

Even now, his sister's singing still lingered by his ears.

Each lyric left Lu Ran feeling very complicated.

"Awake?" a gentle voice sounded by his ear, carrying the unique laziness of someone just awakened from a deep sleep.

"Hmm." Lu Ran drew the Immortal into his embrace, responding softly.

Jiang Ruyi rested her head on Lu Ran's chest, listening to the strong heartbeat for a long while, then whispered:

"Can't stay put any longer?"

Lu Ran lifted a handful of her long black hair, letting it cascade through his fingers.

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi lifted her face, smiling as she watched the person whose mind had already drifted far away.

Lu Ran looked down, and unexpectedly, Little Yuanxi's song echoed in his mind again.

"Now walking through this world, reluctant as always, as the years shift, unexpectedly breaking into your smile..."

"Just a New Year's, why so dazed?" Jiang Ruyi teased, as a slender hand gently caressed his cheek.

Lu Ran instead closed his eyes, his face brushing against her soft palm.

Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow slightly.

Is the Sect Master trying to imitate a little tabby cat?

"The Blood Pool is the last battle of my westward journey, I want to go see it." Lu Ran spoke softly.

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

To think I just found you as adorable as a little tabby cat.

Lu Ran gently held the slender hand on his cheek, lightly squeezing it: "I'll go and return quickly."

Jiang Ruyi didn't stop him; she just asked: "Others avoid that place, but you're eager to go, in such a rush. Does it hold any special meaning for you?"

Her words left Lu Ran momentarily speechless.

Did he want this westward journey to have a beginning and an end?

Or was it inherent in his bones, he was a warrior, longing for a challenge?

Or was it...

Lu Ran fell into deep thought, his girlfriend's casual question digging deep into his heart.

Gradually, Lu Ran's expression became somewhat strange: "I've never thought deeply about it, but now that you mention it, it seems...

In my heart, I always believed that the Evil God·Blood Skull was the stone sculpture that suited me the most."

"Oh?" Jiang Ruyi mused.

Mentioning the Blood Skull Clan, three words appeared in her mind:

Instant Teleportation, Swift, Blade.

These three words seemed to describe Lu Ran?

Furthermore, the Blood Skull Clan carried a notorious and fearsome label—Evil Demon Leader!

Leader?

It seemed to suit Lu Ran even more!

Jiang Ruyi pondered for a moment and said, "Since becoming a Believer, you've only seen Blood Skull once, right, on the fifteenth night in Rain Alley City?"

Lu Ran confirmed: "Yes, just that once, but it was memorable enough."

In truth, Lu Ran now found it surprising to finally recognize his inner feelings towards the Blood Skull Clan.

"So do you want to activate the Evil Sculpture of Blood Skull?" Jiang Ruyi slowly sat up.

Lu Ran thought for a moment, ultimately shaking his head: "The Evil Techniques of the Blood Skull Clan, I have substitutes for them."

Summoning weaponry with Evil Technique·Blood Burning Blade; splattering boiling blood with Evil Technique·Blood Burning; explosively increasing all physical attributes with Evil Technique·Burning Blood Body.

With the additional perception effect, making enemies overwhelmed by murderous intent, falling into a frenzy with Evil Technique·Blood Rain.

Detonating the neck Blood Skull necklace with the Skill·Blood Explosion Grandeur; and the terrifying Instant Teleportation Technique·Blood Shadow.

Jianghai's Ultimate Move is even more impressive!

But it seems they all kind of have substitutes?

The only reasonable reason for Lu Ran to activate this Evil Sculpture was that First-class Evil Demons possess the Heavenly Realm Ultimate Skill!

Alas, Lu Ran did not know what the Heavenly Realm Ultimate Skill of that clan was.

Even academic prodigy Jiang Ruyi didn't know, given that in a low martial world like Human World Da Xia, there was no concept of "Heavenly Realm."

There was no relevant knowledge in books or online.

Lu Ran shared all his thoughts with his fiancée, receiving a somewhat bewildering response.

"Since you feel that Blood Skull is the Evil God that suits you the most, why not activate it?" Jiang Ruyi's voice was very gentle.

"There are... alternatives to every Evil Technique," Lu Ran responded.

Jiang Ruyi's face lit up with a smile: "You can activate the Ash God Sculpture, the West Wilderness Divine Sculpture, and the Nu Ying God Sculpture for your comrades. Why not activate the one you like?"

Lu Ran opened his mouth, but couldn't find any words to say.

Jiang Ruyi sighed softly: "Do you know why I agreed to let Xuan Shuang dance?"

"Why?"

"You've been too kind to her. Xuan Shuang is deeply thoughtful. If she doesn't do something for you, it's as if she's being suffocated by a heavy weight."

Lu Ran: "..."

Is that so?

He indeed hadn't paid much attention before.

Lu Ran whispered: "Then should I play the tyrant more often, frequently take her to Qianhua Ridge, and have her dance for me?"

"Go," Jiang Ruyi said with a playful scoff, then added, "Be good to yourself too."

Jiang Ruyi knew well the preciousness of the Stone Sculpture quota.

But today was the first time Lu Ran, after so many years of hard work, made it clear that he had a special feeling for a particular Stone Sculpture.

He should certainly get what he desires.

A match.

And worth it.

"Alright!" Lu Ran pursed his lips, then I'll be willful for once. Anyway, after ascending to the Heavenly Realm, the activation quotas will be plentiful again.

What if the Blood Skull really is my destined Evil God?

Maybe, those terrifying Evil Techniques would suit me better?

Suppressing his excitement, Lu Ran sat up: "Then I... should go now?"

Jiang Ruyi took off the Magic Artifact·Ice Heart Bracelet, held his hand, and helped him wear it.

"I'm full of convictions, with Spirit Defense from head to toe... er." Lu Ran stopped mid-sentence.

Because Jiang Fairy looked over with her beautiful eyes: "Wear it."

Lu Ran: "..."

So domineering?

Tsk~ Alright!

Even without wearing the phoenix robe, she possessed the demeanor of an empress.

Undeniably, the Ice Heart Bracelet's effects are more comprehensive than Spirit Defense Techniques.

It not only constructs a mental defense system for Lu Ran but also provides a cool energy that helps him maintain composure.

After donning the translucent Ice Heart Bracelet, he heard Jiang Ruyi say: "Later, visit Senior Lu Yuan, and bring him into the gourd to accompany you on this journey."

Lu Ran: "..."

Jiang Ruyi gently looked at Lu Ran, her lips slightly parted: "Be obedient."

"Yes, my empress," Lu Ran said jokingly, and with a flash, he was at the wardrobe, quickly changing clothes and returning to the mysterious Jianghu hero.

Little Ruyi is indeed cautious.

When there's nothing happening, Master Lu staying in the gourd affects nothing for Lu Ran. But if something arises, with Little Chi Feng's warning, Senior Lu can step in to help.

Just wonder, would Elder Lu secretly cuss?

Aware of repeatedly warning the sect leader that the Blood Pool is a forbidden zone! Yet, the leader insists on taking this old man in...

The name Lu Yuan is quite fitting indeed.

Truly a grievance.

Lu Ran, now dressed, returned to the bedside, gently picked up the lady's hand, and lightly kissed the back of her pale hand:

"Then I'll be off?"

"Return safely," Jiang Ruyi nodded with a smile.

Lu Ran instantly teleported to the study room, where several Divine Weapons flew in automatically, and he said in passing: "Evil Shadow, stay at home."

Yan Shuangzi: "..."

She knew that once the lady gave Lu Ran the Ice Heart Bracelet, it indicated that this journey had nothing to do with her.

Ten minutes later, beside the Galaxy Waterfall on Nine Heavens Cliff, a tall figure emerged from the Landing Mirror.

Lu Ran, using two fingers, adjusted the brim of his bamboo hat upwards and looked up at the sky filled with gathering storm clouds.

It's not raining here, but the sky is oppressively gloomy, enough to weigh one down.

Lu Ran glanced westward, and his figure vanished.

Although it's barely over a hundred kilometers, Lu Ran was very cautious, hiding his presence as if afraid that a Blood Skull would suddenly appear and stab him fiercely.

Along the way, not a shadow of the Human Clan or Evil Demons was visible; even the flowers, grasses, and trees gradually disappeared.

An expanse of desolate and dark mountains seemed to bring Lu Ran into a Different World.

"Oh my god..."

Lu Ran suddenly stopped, his entire body frozen on a high cliff.

In all his years, he had never seen such a bizarre sight!

Among the folds of the mountains, pools of blood lakes scattered like shattered mirrors, here and there.

The blood-red lake surfaces reflected the ash-grey sky, and the breeze carried a pungent blood smell, yet the surfaces remained unnervingly undisturbed.

The viscous blood seemed frozen, akin to the scabbed wound of the earth.

It was a chilling sight to behold.

"Gulp," Lu Ran's Adam's apple bobbed.

No life.

No grass, no Evil Demons.

Except for the occasional breeze, Lu Ran couldn't hear a sound.

The world was a silent void.

Suddenly, Lu Ran squinted, noticing a massive Blood Pool where a blood-red head silently surfaced...

...

It's the last day for double monthly votes, brothers, don't keep them hidden~