Summit of the Old Gods

At dusk, over two hundred kilometers north of the Blood Pool, in a lush forest.

Within a hidden cave, a beautiful young girl in a magnificent golden dress, wearing a golden gauze over her face, stood quietly at the cave entrance, observing the forest outside.

Jin Que'er occasionally looked back, cautiously glancing at the young man in the straw rain cape, who remained motionless, having been meditating for several hours.

Ten kilometers away was the valley where the Sky Sparrow Pavilion was located.

As the former Pavilion Master of Sky Sparrow Pavilion, Jin Que'er longed to reclaim everything and reunite with her brothers and sisters, however...

The help she had painstakingly sought insisted on staying here.

Jin Que'er had no right to refuse, let alone urge him.

It wasn't that Lu Ran was putting on airs; his mind was buzzing, severely affecting his combat state.

With only 11 remnants of Jingting left, Lu Ran was determined to capture them all, leaving no room for error.

"Huff..."

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Ran exhaled slowly.

Jin Que'er immediately turned her head to look, her beautiful big eyes timidly watching Lu Ran.

Lu Ran moved his neck, the Evil Sculpture of the Blood Skull finally stopped vibrating, granting him complete relief.

Sea Realm·Fourth Rank!

It was enough.

"How many people are there in your Sky Sparrow Pavilion?" Lu Ran, after savoring a moment of tranquility, asked.

"We have 58 Huang Que disciples, and nearly forty Yaoqin, Xianpa, and Yudi disciples." Jin Que'er hurriedly replied.

"Oh?" Lu Ran was somewhat puzzled.

Aside from the believers of Huang Que Sect, were the rest just musicians?

Jin Que'er immediately explained, "Our sect isn't top-tier; we lack the ability and dare not accept too many people. You know, Ran Shen, our sect has a Divine Technique·Resounding Heavenly Sound."

Lu Ran nodded.

Huang Que disciples could cry out loud, removing fear, confusion, and all negative states.

And weak god disciples like Yudi, Xianpa, and Yaoqin were best known for using musical performances to perform various mental interference skills.

Naturally, they were perfectly restrained by the Huang Que Sect!

"We only accept such disciples to ensure no trouble in the Sky Sparrow Pavilion and don't take in other believers because...because..."

"Hmm." Lu Ran responded softly.

In actions, one must act within their capacity.

For the Sky Sparrow Pavilion to maintain its stability, not accepting disciples from other sects is understandable.

Jin Que'er let out a big sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Ran Shen, our Sky Sparrow Pavilion has always conducted itself with integrity, never causing trouble.

That group of East Ting scoundrels is despicable! Invading my home..."

Lu Ran suddenly said, "Your Huang Que Sect is quite good at escaping."

Jin Que'er looked bitter: "Lady Bai is formidable. After understanding the pavilion's situation, she secretly turned the only Sea Realm Hall Master in the pavilion, capturing several important disciples.

Either they had particular influence, or they were related by blood or marriage to others.

Lady Bai coerced and bribed, using every means possible, leaving the remaining disciples no choice but to submit obediently..."

Lu Ran asked, "What does the turned Hall Master look like? So I don't accidentally kill the wrong one... Also, tell me all about the terrain and defenses of your Sky Sparrow Pavilion."

Jin Que'er, feeling excited, hurriedly started to describe.

A few minutes later, energy surged in Lu Ran's hand, summoning an Ancient Bronze Mirror.

Jin Que'er slightly parted her small mouth, staring blankly at Lu Ran.

"Wait here for me," Lu Ran said as the Ancient Bronze Mirror transformed into a Landing Mirror, and he got up and walked into it.

Jin Que'er stood foolishly at the cave entrance, taking a while to return to her senses.

She intertwined her fingers, her small hands twisting nervously. Ever since she saw Lu Ran, her complex emotions had never calmed.

Due to the reputation of Da Xia's genius, Jin Que'er dared to risk everything to seek help.

She truly had no other choice.

Not to mention whether others would be willing to help her... Even if they were, ordinary sects would hardly be a match for the disciples of the Second-class God·East Ting.

Not to mention, Lady Bai is a high-ranking Sea Realm, wielding the Divine Weapon·Fangtian Halberd, almost standing atop the Holy Spirit Mountain!

If she sought help from other First or Second-class Divine sects, her own life might be at risk.

Fortunately, divine intervention!

While fleeing to the most perilous area to evade pursuit by East Ting disciples, she encountered a renowned figure.

Fortunately, Jin Que'er made the right gamble!

The Pride of Da Xia was really willing to help her achieve justice.

But this genius was not quite the same as the one on TV. Jin Que'er was uncertain if she was inviting a wolf into the house...

The young girl here was filled with complex emotions, while over there, Lu Ran was facing a special situation.

He sent a mental message to summon the Evil Shadow Guardian to the sea cliff.

The woman had just appeared, and before Lu Ran could speak, her expression changed.

"Master?" Yan Shuangzi grasped Lu Ran's arm, looking at his tattered straw rain cape.

Sword marks covered it, extremely tragic.

It even had numerous small holes scorched by blood drops!

"Calm down, Sister Shuangzhi." Lu Ran felt surprised, never expecting the always composed Yan Shuangzi to panic like this.

Yan Shuangzi was no ordinary woman but a resolute warrior!

Mountains of knives and seas of fire were commonplace.

And at this moment...

"Good gracious!" Lu Ran originally thought that the Evil Qi on himself was already heavy enough.

But the great Evil Shadow in front of him, its condition kept changing, an aura of ferocity stirred in its heart, surging outward wave after wave.

Perhaps it hated its own incompetence, unable to stay by his side.

Or maybe it was burning with rage, hating the Blood Skull Clan for wounding Lu Ran this way...

Just as Lu Ran was about to say something, an extremely dangerous aura arose next to him, making him feel like he had fallen into an ice cave.

"Uh." Lu Ran's body stiffened, and he slowly turned his head.

He saw Deng Yuxiang approaching step by step, her expression equally dark and terrifying, naturally aware of who had hurt Lu Ran.

Lu Ran somewhat regretted asking these two to help with the formation...

But since the other was an East Ting disciple, eradicating evil entirely, naturally, they had to show their stance.

Lu Ran only felt his scalp tingling, suddenly moved, and directly asked: "Why do you not salute when you see the Sect Leader?"

Deng Yuxiang glanced over Lu Ran's battle robe, slowly kneeling on one knee.

Yan Shuangzi tightly pressed her lips, retreated two steps, and knelt down with her head bowed.

Lu Ran grinned.

Good gracious~

These two dames are scarier than the damn Blood Skull!

As they say, concern leads to chaos, and Lu Ran was somewhat moved by the reactions of the two guardians. At the same time, it reminded him, he absolutely couldn't appear in front of Jiang Ruyi wearing this attire.

"I've found the remaining Jingting on Thunder Mountain, you two come with me, we must eradicate them completely!" Lu Ran proclaimed the mission.

"Yes."

"Yes," the two responded in a deep voice.

Lu Ran opened a Landing Mirror, Deng Yuxiang went ahead and entered it.

She arrived in the back garden of Pear Garden House on the East Peak of the Pear Garden Sect.

There was no way around it, the west was too far, Lu Ran had to use an intermediary transfer.

Lu Ran once again cast a spell, and in a hidden cavern southwest of the continent, Jin Que'er immediately saw the Transmission Mirror open.

Immediately, her heart leapt into her throat.

The woman emerging from the mirror, her sharp eyes like daggers, pierced straight into Jin Que'er's eyes.

"My, my lord." Jin Que'er steeled herself, greeting with a quivering voice.

Her heart grew increasingly uneasy.

Had she indeed let a wolf into the house?!

"This is the Pavilion Master of Sky Sparrow Pavilion, Jin Que'er," Lu Ran stepped out of the mirror, casually picked up Yan Shuangzi's wrist behind him, and placed the Ice Heart Bracelet onto her wrist, "she provided us with the intelligence."

Deng Yuxiang's gaze fell to the golden bells at the ankle of the woman in the golden dress.

Jin Que'er forced a smile onto her face.

"There are only 11 leftover Jingting, 8 of them are from the River Realm." Lu Ran took out the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd, aiming it at Yan Shuangzi, "As with the last mission, make them tear up the contract.

Additionally, Elder Lu Yuan is inside the gourd, I've already had Little Chi Feng notify him, and Elder Lu will help subdue the prisoners.

Once your mission is completed, communicate with Little Chi Feng on your own and come out."

"Yes." Yan Shuangzi's figure kept shrinking, merging into the gourd.

Lu Ran stepped forward, patting Deng Yuxiang on the shoulder: "Let's go, Sky Sparrow Pavilion is deeply hidden, located in the deepest part of the valley, surrounded by mountains and cliffs.

You take Jin Que'er, guard the tunnel entrance to the mountain, allow no one to enter or exit."

"Yes."

Lu Ran patted Deng Yuxiang on the shoulder again, this time signaling to Jin Que'er: "Guide her, protect her brain."

"Flap flap flap~"

Jin Que'er caught on, instantly transforming into an exquisite Huang Que, stifling her inner fear, and flew onto Deng Yuxiang's shoulder.

"Hurry up, you two, I'll go ahead." As he spoke, Lu Ran's figure turned invisible.

A mere dozen kilometers of mountain road, of course, meant nothing to Deng Yuxiang.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, flickered repetitively, traveling through the air, quickly pinpointing a valley enclosed by mountains, as previously described by Jin Que'er.

The terrain here was unique, with steep walls tilting inward, and the valley floor densely forested, blocking sight.

Truly secluded!

If Lu Ran hadn't known about it, he might indeed have missed this place walking by.

Evidently, Sky Sparrow Pavilion had a clear sense of its own position. Yet, unfortunately, they were still encountered by the Jingting remnants.

"Dungeon..." Lu Ran murmured to himself.

Jin Que'er mentioned that a few important disciples were detained in the dungeon, and the prison guards were naturally East Ting disciples.

At least two or three, right?

Lu Ran plunged down a few hundred meters from the cliff, deftly avoiding the lush trees, finally catching sight of the elegant houses deep in the valley.

"Buzz~" Eight Desolate Blade lightly trembled.

[Don't rush, Blood Burning Blade, Blood Burning, must eventually be used on the Jingting remnants, it's overkill to use it on River Realm disciples.]

Since Lu Ran activated the Blood Skull Evil Sculpture, the Eight Desolate Blade was often covered in searing hot blood.

It doesn't harm oneself, only burns the enemy.

The Eight Desolate Blade had a fierce love for Blood Skull Evil Technique!

[A full three... well, four Great Powers of the Sea Realm, there's a lot in store for you.] Lu Ran's cold eyes scanned the silent valley floor.

There's a lot in store for me as well.

...

```