Summit of the Old Gods

Lu Ran blinked a few times, then realized Qiao Yuansi had also advanced.

Did she just advance from Jiang Realm·Third Rank to Fourth Rank?

Recently, Leng Xushuang, Si Xianxian, and Lu Ran have all leveled up one after another, making Cloud Sea Cliff practically a cultivation holy land!

Little Yuanxi has clearly taken full advantage of these rides.

"Impressive, Lord Black Lantern!" Lu Ran said with a smile.

Qiao Yuansi immediately beamed with joy. Today she was still wearing a long black dress, like an elegant black swan.

She raised her chin proudly, "Oh, not too bad, right~"

"Indeed, just not too bad." Lu Ran quipped, "If you hadn't leveled up and were still at Jiang Realm·Third Rank, I'd have lapped you."

Qiao Yuansi widened her eyes incredulously, "Are you comparing yourself to me?"

Lu Ran looked completely justified, "What's wrong with that? Didn't we become believers on the same day?"

Qiao Yuansi paused for a long moment, then pouted and turned to Jiang Ruyi, "Sister-in-law! Look at him, he's bullying me!"

The sudden title made Jiang Ruyi slightly uncomfortable.

The title made sense, but she rarely heard it.

Fortunately, there were no outsiders around.

Ever since Jiang Ruyi leveled up and didn't want too many people congratulating outside the cave, Lu Ran issued an order for Ran Sect members to focus on their duties and not come by to celebrate specially.

"Oh?" Qiao Yuansi tilted her face, smiling teasingly at Jiang Ruyi, "Feeling shy~"

"Shoo." Jiang Ruyi playfully chided, pretending to hit.

Qiao Yuansi quickly scampered away.

"Whoosh~" Suddenly, a long whip shot out from the Phoenix儀九霄 Robe.

Jiang Ruyi was taken aback as the Binding Immortal Whip wrapped around Little Yuanxi's waist, the whip handle automatically landing in its owner's palm.

"Ah!" Qiao Yuansi was lifted into the air, struggling desperately but futilely to break free.

She had no choice but to turn her plea-filled gaze to the back, "Sister Ruyi..."

Jiang Ruyi didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

She hadn't wielded the Binding Immortal Whip; the Magic Artifact had acted on its own to protect its master.

Lu Ran quickly stepped forward to advise, "Ruyi, the child is still young and naive... You definitely mustn't let her go!"

Qiao Yuansi tilted her head with a question mark.

Jiang Ruyi: "..."

The group playfully bantered as they returned to Cloud Sea Residence.

The stone table in the front yard was quite small, so they headed to the backyard.

Since Qiao Yuansi arrived at Cloud Sea Cliff, Cloud Sea Residence has transformed in appearance, the backyard enclosed by stone walls, each side featuring residences.

The west side belonged to Little Yuanxi, the east side to the guards Xuan Shuang and Liu Huo.

But Liu Huo had been sent to the Pear Garden Sect, now replaced by Tian Tian staying with the Xuan Shuang Guard.

Leaving through the north gate of the yard, another residence exists—that's Niu the bodyguard's place.

Because the yard is quite spacious, Niu Zhengzheng lives far away and was fenced outside the thick stone yard wall.

Lu Ran specially arranged this partly because there were women in the yard, but also...

Lu Ran truly had a mental block.

Niu really restrained Ran's personality!

Previously during school days, Lu Ran stayed in the same room with him while training with the Beijing squad in the Demon Cave.

That snoring—it was like thunder! Damn it!

Lu Ran remembers it vividly to this day...

Inside the yard, they gathered around the stone table, Xuan Shuang serving tea.

Lu Ran looked at the newly advanced Sea Realm Great Power and said, "Congratulations!"

Leng Xushuang nodded lightly, expressionless.

Lu Ran called, "Shadow Two, Shadow Three."

Two shadows quietly appeared, each holding a Divine Sword.

Lu Ran acquired these from Feng Zhihuan—both were First Rank Divine Swords, plus a First Rank Divine Weapon Halberd, which Lu Ran planned to have Niu Zhengzheng help store temporarily.

Lu Ran took the White Rainbow Stone Sword and Black Luminous Stone Sword, gesturing to Leng Xushuang, "Choose one as a gift for advancing to Sea Realm, from Lady and me."

Leng Xushuang looked at Lu Ran, then at Jiang Ruyi.

Jiang Ruyi nodded, "Now that you've advanced to Sea Realm, you should join us on the battlefield."

Upon hearing she could go to war with the Sect Leader and Lady, Leng Xushuang still wore a cold face, yet inside, she was a bit happy.

Finally, she was somewhat valuable.

"Choose." Lu Ran said, and in his mind transmitted to Qiao Yuansi, [Brother will find something better for you later.]

[mm-mm.] On this matter, Qiao Yuansi was quite well-behaved, not making things difficult for Lu Ran, [Mom's given me a Divine Weapon Seed, just like your token of affection with Sister Ruyi, made from Black Ice.]

And I've been nurturing it for quite some time; maybe it'll be ready one day ~]

Lu Ran smiled and said nothing more.

He had no intention of letting his sister go to war before Qiao Yuansi advanced to Sea Realm; he only wanted to keep her safe at home for protection.

Besides, the Divine Weapon he promised Little Yuanxi wasn't empty words.

After all, Holy Spirit Mountain really lacks nothing in Divine Weapons...

As he pondered, Lu Ran noticed Leng Xushuang's focus remained fixed on the White Rainbow Sword.

In terms of the material's price in Da Xia Country, White Rainbow Stone isn't very high-end.

Tianchen Steel is top-grade, Black Ice/Golden Brilliance/Blood Crystal are second-grade, Black Luminous Stone is third-grade, while White Rainbow Stone might also be third-grade, but cheaper.

Yet, given this situation, Leng Xushuang seems quite taken with the White Rainbow Stone Sword?

Lu Ran knew this sword was called "Beauty Sword."

Quite fitting, isn't it?

"Here." Lu Ran directly handed over the Beauty Sword.

"Thanks, Sect Leader, Lady, for the sword." Leng Xushuang firmly grasped the hilt with one hand and the blade with the other.

Under the Sea Realm Great Power's control, how could the Beauty Sword resist?

Lu Ran turned to Tian Tian, handing over the Black Luminous Stone Sword, "Here, Tian Tian."

"Ah?" Tian Tian was taken aback, pointing to her own nose with a small hand, "I... for me?"

Lu Ran nodded with a smile, "Yes, Lord Black Lotus! Name it nicely and nurture it well."

"I... I..."

"Take it." Jiang Ruyi said softly.

"Oof." Tian Tian carefully wrapped both hands around the Divine Weapon.

Lu Ran suddenly realized Leng Xushuang and Tian Tian—one was the Ice Plum (Demon Queen) of the Evil God, the other was the Black Lotus of the Evil God.

White and black,

Complementing the colors of their respective Divine Swords?

Lu Ran took a sip from his cup, then remembered something, asking Si Xianxian, "How's your Mad Hammer doing? Any sign of action?"

"It buzzes now and then; I'm used to it—not raining, just thunder." Si Xianxian grumbled.

"Maybe you and Mad Hammer need a full-fledged battle?"

"Like blasting those wolf pups?"

"Sure!" Lu Ran agreed immediately.

Originally, Lu Ran left the Hidden Wolf Forest to Si Xianxian of Jiang Realm·Fifth Rank.

But Sister Xian'er really excelled, it wasn't needed.

So save the Hidden Wolf Forest for Mad Hammer.

"When shall we go?" Si Xianxian eagerly asked Lu Ran.

"Tomorrow morning."

"Great." Si Xianxian sprang up, "I'll go sleep and refresh myself!"

"Ah... alright, rest well." Lu Ran thought, realizing Si Xianxian must've been diligently cultivating.

Lu Ran watched Sister Xian'er leave and telepathically communicated with Jiang Ruyi, [How did she advance to Sea Realm? This is too fast!]

[She knew we returned to the human world but didn't dare contact her mother, not even to say she's safe.] Jiang Ruyi took her tea, lightly sipping, [She's feeling stifled and angry.]

Lu Ran silently sighed.

[Tomorrow at Hidden Wolf Forest, go in stealthily and check first. If slaves are there, rescue them first.]

[You're planning...?] Lu Ran looked at Jiang Ruyi inquisitively.

[Let Sister Xian'er blow them up more thoroughly.]

[Mm, sure!]

...

Four thousand words, requesting monthly votes.