Summit of the Old Gods

Ten days later, Nine Heavens Cliff.

Amid the rumbling Galaxy Waterfall, Lu Ran sat meditating with his bare upper body.

The icy waterfall washed over his burning body, capable of cleansing the scent of blood from him, yet unable to wash away the hostility in his heart.

The past ten days were an extremely special training period for Lu Ran.

The intensity was explosive!

His combat state had been adjusted to the peak, and Lu Ran even felt like he was "making progress despite the already advanced stage."

A powerful opponent shapes an even more powerful self!

Ever since entering the Sea Realm, the fire of the Fierce Heavenly Sect and the pythons of the Jade-faced Snake clan could resolve 99% of Lu Ran's problems.

Coming to the Blood Pool, Lu Ran found his former self again.

Sufficiently lethal danger forced out the self who was once obsessed with swordsmanship, meticulous in every step, and focused on every movement.

Exhilarating!

And in the midst of one battle after another, one inevitably encountered situations where the Blood Skull Clan would detonate necklaces, perishing together with jade and stone.

At these times, the Eight Desolates Annihilation Blade would hum and buzz.

It seemed to be infatuated with the Blood Skull Evil Technique·Skull Explosion Funeral?

So, could the Eight Desolate Blade be the first Divine Weapon in Lu Ran's hands to advance to the third rank?

Could it be the first to unlock a second domain?

It's unclear.

Lu Ran simply did all he could to support and protect it.

The Blood Skull Clan was undoubtedly an excellent sparring partner and quite a delicious resource!

At this moment, Lu Ran's brain was buzzing, and the Evil Sculpture of the Blood Skull in the Sculpture Garden was advancing to the Sea Realm Fourth Rank.

And a few days ago, when Lu Ran was fighting the Blood Skull Clan, his entire set of skills had switched to Blood Skull skills.

The subsequent battles...

It was simply Evil Demon Blood Skull VS Human Clan Blood Skull!

If anyone had witnessed it, they would have been jaw-dropped... Indeed, on the day Lu Ran first arrived in this place, he did discover an observer.

It was a Little Huang Que.

Very beautiful, and it fled very quickly.

Lu Ran's senses were incredibly sharp, and even if he was intensely focused on battle, he had moments of pause.

He discovered the little bird hiding sneakily in the forest ten kilometers away.

And when Lu Ran executed Instant Teleportation there, countless golden sparrow shadows flew out from around Little Huang Que, which was frantically switching positions among the sparrow shadows and fled in a panic.

The densely packed sparrow shadows also blossomed with dazzling light, carrying a terrifying blinding effect.

Lu Ran was very clear that this was the Huang Que Sect Divine Technique·Huang Que Thousand Shadows!

The blinding effect was not the most terrifying.

Endless sparrow shadows could ignite brilliant flames and trigger chain explosions.

However, no explosion came to Lu Ran.

The opponent obviously dared not provoke him, let alone hope to harm him, only seeking a path to survival.

Amid the dazzling light, Little Huang Que transformed into a golden streak and swiftly escaped...

On reflection, it's no surprise.

Lu Ran had fought the Blood Skull Clan for so long, looking as if he had been fished out of a Blood Pool, exuding a strong scent of blood, causing anyone who saw him to flee in panic.

At that time, after searching for a while and not seeing the figure of Little Huang Que, another Blood Skull found Lu Ran.

In the face of a life-and-death crisis, Lu Ran naturally focused on the battle, not daring to be distracted in the slightest.

This little incident passed just like that.

As always, Lu Ran diligently refined his combat skills day by day, carefully nurturing the Divine Weapon.

And today, it was already the twelfth of the first lunar month.

In just a few days, it would be Little Yuanxi's birthday.

Lu Ran endured the buzzing in his brain while cleansing under the beautiful waterfall, attempting to wash away the hostility in his heart.

He didn't want to go back for Little Yuanxi's birthday celebration only to scare his little sister into trembling.

"Rumble..."

Terrifying torrents surged over Lu Ran's muscular body, and the Divine Weapon Blade placed flat on his knees suddenly moved.

When the Stone Sculpture advanced, Lu Ran couldn't hear the sound very clearly, and just as he was about to inquire, he suddenly saw a Little Huang Que flying down among the distant rocks.

Even with water splashes blocking his vision, Lu Ran could still spot it.

It was entirely golden, dazzling under the sunlight.

Noticing the young man's gaze, Little Huang Que visibly shivered and respectfully bowed its head.

A question mark appeared above Lu Ran's head.

The opponent dared to show up again, didn't they fear death?

Moreover, the opponent had actually found the Nine Heavens Cliff over a hundred kilometers away, and it seemed to be looking for him?

"Swoosh~" Lu Ran's figure flashed, leaving a blood-colored meditation shadow at the original spot, which was soon washed away by the waterfall.

Little Huang Que was utterly terrified!

Then it noticed that the young man had not come to catch it. Instead, it raised its golden head and looked around.

With the powerful Divine Technique·Huang Que Eyes, its gaze was extremely sharp, able to pierce through the night, fog, snow, sand, and other environments.

Far better than Lu Ran's eyes, which couldn't pierce through mist.

Of course, Lu Ran's excellent eyesight came from the Evil Dog Evil Skill·Evil Recognition, which enhances all five senses.

The Huang Que Divine Technique·Huang Que Eyes focused solely on enhancing vision, embodying specialization in skills.

Finally, Little Huang Que's gaze cut through the misty water vapor and spotted the young man's figure in the northern cliff.

Its eyes flickered, seemingly hesitant.

It hesitated for a moment but ultimately flew over, and in its sight, the young man was standing under a large tree, taking down a conical bamboo hat hanging there.

The bamboo hat was tattered and covered in sword traces!

Small burnt-out holes appeared, traces left by the boiling blood drops of the Blood Skull Clan.

Just this coat alone made Little Huang Que's heart jump in fright.

It carefully flew down behind Lu Ran, gazing at that tall silhouette, the graceful lines of his muscles, and the crystalline water droplets scattered over his back...

An indescribable sense of power and beauty intertwined under the outline of the sunlight.

So different from the blood-shell style of the Blood Skull Clan.

But in no way inferior!

What a pity, such an enticing shell was ultimately covered by a ragged raincoat.

Little Huang Que shook its head, dismissing its jumbled thoughts, and opened its beak to speak human words: "M... Master."

Lu Ran picked up the wide bamboo hat: "How come you dared to come out today?"

"M... Master, are you Ran Shen?"

Lu Ran's hand holding the bamboo hat stilled for a moment, then he placed it on his head: "You've recognized me?"

Little Huang Que's heart leapt with joy: "Recognized, but somewhat unsure."

Lu Ran nodded silently.

It had been struggling for so long, only daring to show itself again after such hesitation.

These past two years, Lu Ran had changed immensely.

No longer as green as when he participated in "Heavenly Pride," his strength and aura, among other aspects, were thoroughly tempered by this Holy Spirit Mountain.

The growth was indeed on a transforming level.

"Ran Shen, how come you... you wield Evil Technique... uh." Little Huang Que halted its words because Lu Ran turned to look at it.

"What's your name?" Lu Ran asked while gazing at the golden Little Huang Que by the cliff.

"My name is Jin Que'er." Little Huang Que gradually transformed into human form, becoming a beautiful young girl.

To call her a young woman might be more apt, but she possessed such a tearful sense of youth.

She wore a long golden dress, with a slightly chubby face partially veiled by translucent golden gauze, and two golden bells tied around her left ankle.

The breeze stirred, and the bells chimed with a crisp, melodious sound.

Clearly, that was a magic artifact.

Lu Ran slightly raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

Little Huang Que's exquisite image could already be considered quite impressive, yet unexpectedly, this young human girl's appearance was equally outstanding, making a striking impression.

"Jin Que'er." Lu Ran murmured, "It suits you."

Jin Que'er looked up at Lu Ran, her eyes filled with pleading: "Ran Shen, will you take me in? I can be of use, I can... I can scout for enemies for you! I can also wash clothes for you, mend clothes, I can..."

Lu Ran: "..."

Do you take me for a loner?

Do I look like someone without companions... hmm.

Lu Ran glanced at his worn-out raincoat, acknowledging he probably did seem a bit pitiful?

Seeing Lu Ran's silence, Jin Que'er hurriedly added, "Ran Shen, I can do anything for you..."

Lu Ran asked, "You, being a Sea Realm Initial Stage, also a Strong God's disciple, the ruler of this Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, why stoop so low?"

Jin Que'er opened her mouth, and after a moment, lowered her head and softly said, "There is always a sky beyond the sky."

Indeed, it's true.

"Speak." Lu Ran stood leaning against a large tree, observing the woman not far away, "What is your true intention?"

"Ran Shen, I..."

"Spew the truth." Lu Ran's voice dropped, as the remaining evil qi in his heart affected the surrounding environment.

Jin Que'er's delicate body trembled faintly, as she stammered, "My home has been occupied, m... my faction has changed hands, and I've been driven out."

Lu Ran maintained a blank expression, gazing at the beautiful girl, "You want to use me to help you reclaim your faction."

"No, it's not using!" Jin Que'er shook her head repeatedly, crawling forward hurriedly, "I wish to ask for your help, you are Da Xia's genius, I imagine you will uphold justice for the heavens.

Possibly... you'd be willing to take action and eradicate those evildoers from Dong Ting..."

"Evildoers from Dong Ting?" Lu Ran suddenly spoke.

"Yes! Yes!" Jin Que'er eagerly nodded, "There's a group of disciples from Dong Ting who roamed into our place! While we were battling the Jinmi Demon Clan, they pretended to help us.

Initially, they acted harmonious and friendly, and we didn't dare to oppose them.

Later, they took over, replacing us in the Sky Sparrow Pavilion..."

Lu Ran asked in a deep voice, "How many Dong Ting disciples, what's the name of the leader?"

"Eleven evildoers from Dong Ting in total, but among them three are Sea Realm! The leader is a woman whose name is unknown, her subordinates call her Lady Bai... uh." Jin Que'er's body shivered, immediately falling silent.

Waves of horrifying evil qi enveloped Jin Que'er's body.

Beside her ear, the young man's low voice sounded: "She is in her forties, quite beautiful, eyes are long, with a tear mole at the corner of her right eye."

"Yes... yes!" Jin Que'er nodded repeatedly, stunned.

"She's called Bai Lenmei, the Second Lady of the former Jingting Mountain Sect."

Jingting Mountain?

Jin Que'er listened to the unfamiliar terms.

"Let's go."

"Huh?" Jin Que'er carefully lifted her head.

The young man remained enveloped in evil qi, yet a gentle smile appeared on his face.

The image was incredibly contradictory.

"Let's go, lead the way." Lu Ran nodded slightly, "In a couple of days, I have to celebrate my sister's birthday, don't delay."

After a moment of processing, Jin Que'er was overjoyed, responding excitedly, "Yes!"

Watching the girl in golden gauze transform into Huang Que and take flight, Lu Ran pressed his lips together.

Lady Bai...

I just finished special training at the Blood Pool, you came at... quite the opportune time?

...