Summit of the Old Gods

The next day, at dawn.

The Master of Ran Sect, along with his Lady and Liu Huo Guard, flew to the central main peak.

At that time, some warriors of the Ran Sect and several Sea Realm Hall Masters from the former Pear Garden Sect were already waiting in the Central Hall.

Seeing the three approaching, everyone in the hall rose to greet them.

"Everyone, please sit down." Lu Ran smiled and nodded at them, then surveyed the rather grand hall.

Such a magnificent building was more than twice the size of the meeting hall at Cloud Sea Cliff.

Quite fitting for the status of a first-rate sect, isn't it?

Lu Ran walked to the back of the hall, gazing up at the large Sect Master throne above the steps, imagining the Martial Emperor seated upon it.

It must be extremely impressive!

Turning back to look into the hall, Lu Ran clearly felt that the number of powerful figures within the sect seemed somewhat sparse.

Well... no matter!

It will develop gradually.

"Martial Sect Master..." Lu Ran did not covet Wu Xiao's throne, but stood on the steps and inquired about the current state of the sect.

Listening to various arrangements and dispatches, Lu Ran nodded silently.

Qin Zhen, Qin Zhan, Qin Hongchan, and Qin Pojun, totaling four Qin-named hall masters, all filled their halls with 25 members each, stationed at the four peaks—east, south, west, and north—of the Pear Garden Sect.

Wu Xiao's Tiangang Hall and Wei Yun's Liuyun Hall were recalled to sit at the central main peak, assisting Weak God disciples in building the sect and maintaining order.

After listening to a report, Lu Ran indicated to the side, "This lady is named Liu Huo, a close guard to the Lady."

Liu Huo stepped forward immediately.

Lu Ran continued, "In the future, Liu Huo will remain within the Pear Garden Sect to assist Martial Sect Master Wu Xiao in managing the sect, so please cooperate with her."

"Yes!"

"Yes." Of course, no one had any objections, except Hall Master Qin Hongchan, who felt a pang of despair inwardly.

In recent days, Qin Hongchan had interacted with Liu Huo at work and could see that this fiery red lady harbored feelings in her eyes whenever she looked at Wu Xiao.

In the past, when Wu Xiao first returned to the sect, Qin Hongchan was the first to greet him, expressing her stance through various actions.

No other woman in the sect dared to compete with the youngest sister of the Qin family for his attention.

Now, a high-ranking member from the Ran Sect was parachuted in directly next to Wu Xiao to assist him in managing sect affairs.

What made Qin Hongchan feel even more helpless was that this lady was the Lady's personal guard!

"Alas..." Qin Hongchan sighed heavily in her heart.

Some are happy, while others are sad.

After meeting with everyone, Liu Huo returned to Jiang Ruyi's seat, deeply grateful for the Lady's arrangement.

She always assumed she would continue serving as the Lady's guard.

There was nothing wrong with that.

On the contrary, it's something all beings in the Mountain Realm dream of!

The Sect Leader has a gentle temperament, treats his people extremely well, and even granted her an Evil Sculpture to defy her destiny.

Although the Lady is a bit strict, she is nowhere near as malevolent as other kings of the Sea Realm, so there is no need to live in constant fear of being executed.

Looking across the entire Holy Spirit Mountain, who wouldn't want to follow such a pair?

Liu Huo was willing to live this way forever, but she didn't expect the Lady to place her in the Pear Garden Sect and bring her back next to Wu Xiao.

It almost had the sense of "wishing that lovers will finally become partners."

"The Pear Garden Sect has much to be rebuilt," Lu Ran was still announcing affairs, "Mr. Cong Long, and the three Divine Generals, Phoenix, Swallow, and Qin, will also temporarily stay in the sect to assist Martial Sect Master in the sect's development."

It appeared to be Lu Ran's decision, but in fact, it was Jiang Ruyi's.

For the remaining Divine Generals, she had sent them back to serve and guard at Cloud Sea Cliff, leaving behind only the Dragon Guardian, Phoenix and Swallow Generals, and the highly functional Qin Divine General.

Lu Ran said solemnly, "I will not frequently come to the Pear Garden Sect. Cooperate well with each other to establish Tiangang City at the foot of the mountain soon, and protect the refugees as soon as possible, do not slack off!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!" Though the number of people in the hall was not large, their voices were very loud.

Lu Ran nodded in satisfaction and called out, "Martial Sect Master."

In an instant, a huge virtual image unfurled within Lu Ran's body.

Everyone in the hall changed color, staring at the truly existing divine apparition.

Lord... Martial Artist?

The control of the Holy Spirit Mountain by the All Gods was pathetically weak.

The Divine Martial Artist actually descended upon the Holy Spirit Mountain through Master Lu's body?

No, that's not right!

Behind everyone, Wen Cheng furrowed his brows tightly.

In the past few days, Master Lu clearly stated that he would return the Martial Arts Divine Technique to him.

Moreover, he said that by then, everyone would no longer worship the Divine Martial Artist, but Master Lu himself…

The hall was silent, so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.

Following Lu Ran's gesture, Wu Xiao strode forward and knelt down with his head bowed.

"Hoo~"

The Divine Martial Artist, expressionless, looked down at the human clan beneath him, slowly leaning down to extend his hand, overlapping it with Lu Ran's hand, placing it on Wu Xiao's head.

Lu Ran was quite practiced by now.

First, he signed an Inheritance Contract to protect the warriors, tearing apart their original master-servant contract.

After a few short seconds, Wu Xiao's body trembled, emitting a muffled groan: "Uh."

Lu Ran looked at his subordinate Martial Artist, raising his hand, and a jet-black Resurrection Carp silently appeared: [Back at Qianhua Ridge, I promised you a Martial Artist Stone Sculpture and a chance to become a God.]

[Yes.] Moments later, Wu Xiao's deep voice echoed in Lu Ran's mind.

Lu Ran held the fish tail, placing it on Wu Xiao's head: [Now, you are already the original body of this Pseudo-God Stone Sculpture. You know what I want, don't disappoint me.]

Wu Xiao gripped the Purple Thunder Mad Dragon Spear, his previously still heart rippling with emotion, responding solemnly:

[Yes.]

"You may leave." Lu Ran patted Wu Xiao's shoulder, then looked towards the back of the hall, "Wen Cheng, Zhe Mei."

The Neutral Faction of the Pear Garden Sect once had three people, all brought before Lu Ran after the sect's change of leadership.

The Hall Master of Heavenly Wave Hall was executed for his cruel behavior, leaving only Wen Cheng and Zhang Zhemei, whose crimes didn't warrant death.

The two quickly responded and stepped forward.

"In the future, assist Martial Sect Master well." Lu Ran said, while signing a master-servant contract with each of them.

Grateful for regaining the Martial Arts Divine Technique, the two responded with gratitude.

Lu Ran then looked at a group of Pear Garden Sect hall masters: "After some time, I will sign contracts with the members of each hall under the sect masters' command, one by one."

Sign a contract with the hall members?

Qin Hongchan mustered her courage and asked, "Sect Master, what about us..."

She was filled with curiosity about Lu Ran's abilities, eager to know more, yet not daring to speak bluntly, opting instead to probe indirectly.

Looking at the spirited woman, Lu Ran understood; she was one of the suitors of the Martial Emperor.

Having these hall masters sever ties with the Divine, Lu Ran was, of course, entirely supportive.

But there is only one Inheritor!

Lu Ran had no way to help these people tear up the contract without harm. These hall masters' realms were quite high, and falling would cause significant damage.

The two neutral factions were good examples!

Originally at Sea Realm·Third Rank, they have now fallen to Sea Realm·First Rank.

They dropped a full two ranks!

These are two full ranks in the Sea Realm...

Can they ever climb back up?

"Calm down, Sect Master." Seeing Lu Ran remain silent, Qin Hongchan's heart was in her throat, quickly speaking up.

"Calm down, Sect Master, Hongchan did not mean to offend..." Her two brothers, Qin Zhen and Qin Zhan, also hurriedly spoke up, pleading on behalf of their little sister.

Lu Ran snapped back to reality and hurriedly explained, "No problem, no problem, you misunderstood! I just thought of something else.

Don't be so nervous, I'm quite easygoing, not as terrifying as you think."

Everyone: "..."

Everyone remained silent.

The battle at the Pear Garden Sect happened just days ago!

Lu Ran's icy gaze was still vividly remembered by all.

The immensely terrifying power instilled despair in those from the Yangyang Sea.

On the night the Pear Garden Sect changed hands, within the mansion atop the East Peak, blood-curdling screams could be heard intermittently, lasting until dawn!

It was hard to imagine what cruel methods could cause the punished to wail and cry so heart-wrenchingly, leaving the Pear Garden Sect members terrified!

Sect Master...this is easygoing?

This is not terrifying?

"As we interact more, you will understand." Lu Ran was slightly helpless seeing the anxious crowd.

He did not respond to Hall Master Hongchan's inquiry and, after encouraging the soldiers, took his leave to head to the servant camp.

There were still over two hundred disciples waiting to be inducted into the Ran Sect.

Though called a "camp," in reality, the Weak God Disciples of the Pear Garden Sect lived inside the mountain.

The Pear Garden Sect was undoubtedly a force with a strict hierarchy, allowing only Martial Artist disciples to reside on the surface, while the high rank achieved luxurious mansions.

Servant groups could only reside in the dark caves.

This, of course, needed improvement.

Yu Changsheng accompanied Lu Ran throughout the contract signing, indicating that this matter was now on the agenda.

Over half an hour later, Lu Ran finally finished his tasks, and a total of 252 Weak God Disciples from the Pear Garden Sect were inducted into the Jade Talisman and Lie Tian sects, in roughly equal numbers.

As the last disciple gratefully departed, Lu Ran turned his gaze to the cave entrance.

There stood a woman clad in a bright red robe, waiting patiently.

Seeing Lu Ran look over, Qin Hongchan hurriedly stepped forward, "Sect Master."

Lu Ran was somewhat helpless, "Didn't I say it's fine?"

"Thank you, Sect Master." Qin Hongchan expressed her gratitude, though with some hesitation, "Subordinate, subordinate..."

"Hmm?" Lu Ran was curious, "Feel free to speak, Hall Master Hongchan."

Qin Hongchan steeled herself, "Many years ago, I was smitten upon first sight with the Martial Sect Master. In recent days, as the Martial Sect Master returned, I have constantly been by his side..."

Lu Ran was amused.

What does this mean?

Are you here asking for marriage approval?

Lu Ran gazed towards Jiang Ruyi in the distance, Lady Ran by her side, flanked by the ever-accompanying Liu Huo Guards, all eyes fixed on this side.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Ran finally spoke, "I don't interfere in matters of the heart, just don't delay the sect's development."

Though he was indeed a fan of Wu Xiao and Liu Huo being together, as the actual leader of the Pear Garden Sect, Lu Ran did not want to abuse his power, nor strip others of their pursuit for happiness.

The Holy Spirit Mountain was already quite harsh...

Besides, the peach blossoms the Martial Emperor attracted should be handled by him.

Qin Hongchan's face lit up, "Thank you, Sect Master, for making it possible!"

Lu Ran shook his head with a smile.

Clearly, with the sudden arrival of the Liu Huo Guard, Qin Hongchan felt quite threatened, and now with the Sect Master's approval, she could rely on her skills.

"Mind the boundaries, maintain good relations with your peers." Lu Ran advised once more.

"Yes!" Qin Hongchan promptly agreed.

Lu Ran then looked at Yu Changsheng, "Will you return to the Cloud Sea Cliff with me? Xuan Shuang is advancing, a good opportunity for cultivation."

Yu Changsheng declined, "Sect Master, go ahead. I have some matters to handle here, with Qin Divine General here, I can return at any time."

Lu Ran nodded, adding, "I, too, am nearing a cultivation bottleneck, and after returning to the cliff, will likely need to seclude myself for a while."

Yu Changsheng immediately understood, solemnly stated, "Rest assured, Sect Master! When you return, the Pear Garden Sect will have a brand-new look."

"Clap!"

Lu Ran firmly patted Yu Changsheng's shoulder, then activated an Ancient Bronze Mirror.

With this departure, the affairs of the Pear Garden seemed to reach a conclusion for him.

Lu Ran was naturally someone who preferred to delegate.

In the future, he only hoped to hear continuous good news from the Pear Garden Sect.

"Let's go, Ruyi!"

"Hmm." Jiang Ruyi gracefully arrived, with several Shadow Guards materializing mysteriously around the Landing Mirror.

As the group departed, Qin Hongchan slowly turned her gaze towards Liu Huo in the distance.

One was a valiant female general in a bright red robe.

The other, a stunning woman in a bright red dress.

The two women regarded each other from afar, smiling and nodding after a moment.

Seeing this, Yu Changsheng silently stepped back, quickly leaving...

...