Summit of the Old Gods

Next morning, inside the Tianque Pavilion.

"Ring ring~ ring~"

Accompanied by the crisp and pleasant sound of a bell, a girl in a golden dress hurriedly made her way through the southwest corner of the forest at the valley's bottom.

This secluded and hidden corner of the valley harbors a private courtyard, which was once Jin Que'er's residence but was later gifted to the Master of Ran Sect, renamed "Sky Sparrow Residence".

Lu, the Master of Ran Sect, really has quite an abundance of property.

What Cloud Sea Residence, Thousand Flower Inn, Pear Garden Residence...

Can't possibly live in all of them~

As Jin Que'er stepped into the small courtyard, she heard a crisp and pleasant bell sound coming from inside the house.

Little Yuanxi?

The face hidden behind Jin Que'er's golden gauze showed a hint of a smile.

At the end of January, another Heavenly Sound Bell recognized its owner and became Qiao Yuansi's magic artifact.

Since then, the two Heavenly Sound Bells, separated by thousands of kilometers, became the communication devices for the two girls.

Both have delightful personalities and are lively and charming, quickly becoming friends, often chatting endlessly.

Today, they were finally going to meet!

Honestly, thanks to the Magic Artifact·Heavenly Sound Bell also being lively and active; if it were changed to Silent Night Blade, it would have given up long ago...

"Click~"

The door opened to the left and right.

A girl wearing a green straw hat cautiously peeked in.

Under the wide brim, a pair of cute big eyes locked onto Jin Que'er's ankle.

Jin Que'er similarly looked at the girl in the straw hat, also noticing a little shining golden bell at her ankle.

Both simultaneously lifted their gaze to look directly at each other.

Confirming the eyes!

It's the person who talks on the phone every day!

Qiao Yuansi smiled with crescent-shaped eyes, "Sister Qiao'er?"

"Hello, Little Yuanxi." Jin Que'er smiled and nodded, then quickly showed a respectful gesture, "Sect Master, Lady."

Lu Ran, behind the door, did not think he would frighten the Golden Pavilion Master.

Apparently, Jin Que'er was startled by seeing the Empress wearing the phoenix robe, hence the panic.

The four-person squad from Cloud Sea Cliff truly had the aura of a host of stars gathered around the moon.

Qiao Yuansi's first experience going out with Lu Ran, was very excited, causing quite a stir in the green straw hat, joining her brother in becoming Jianghu Heroes.

Although the Xuan Shuang Guard wore a white dress, she obviously was a follower behind Jiang Ruyi.

This four-person squad...

Hmm, Lady Empress and her followers.

During this trip, Lu Ran rarely did not bring the Evil Shadow Guardian; this morning, Yan Shuangzi borrowed Little Chi Feng from Lu Ran and went into seclusion.

The Great Evil Shadow advanced last October, and calculating the days, it should soon have a breakthrough.

"Be at ease, Golden Pavilion Master." Jiang Ruyi softly spoke.

"Lady, you... you can just call me Qiao'er." Jin Que'er lowered her head and stood up.

During this time, Jin Que'er also heard many details about the Ran Sect from Little Yuanxi.

When she heard that Lady Ran was Lu Ran's childhood friend, the one who appeared with him in "Heavenly Pride", Jiang Ruyi, Jin Que'er couldn't help but be moved.

Also had greater respect for Lu Ran.

Holy Spirit Mountain is not like the Human World, how difficult is it to find someone here?

In this realm filled with constant parting and death, Lu Ran managed to keep his closest ones by his side, simply astounding.

"Ring ring~ ring~"

Qiao Yuansi walked quickly to Jin Que'er, closely examining the girl: "Sister Qiao'er is so pretty, even prettier than imagined!"

Jin Que'er hurriedly shook her head, "Don't dare, don't dare."

"Golden Pavilion Master, don't be so polite." Lu Ran spoke, his words sounding a bit muffled due to the eerie and beautiful Blood Crystal Mask, "How's everything in the pavilion lately?"

"All is well." Jin Que'er reported, "Today, most disciples drew the Middle Sign, the valley should indeed be calm."

Lu Ran nodded slightly, "Everything in the pavilion is arranged properly?"

"Sect Master, rest assured."

"Alright, then let's head to Jinmie Ridge first, and once we return, you can show Lady around the Tianque Pavilion."

"Yes." Jin Que'er's energy surged, transforming into a delicate Little Huang Que, landing on Qiao Yuansi's shoulder.

"Tsk tsk~" Qiao Yuansi's eyes sparkled, gently smoothing its gleaming golden feathers with one hand.

"Let's go." Lu Ran smiled at his sister and casually activated the Transmission Mirror.

With Lu Ran present, travel was naturally swift.

Plus, with Jin Que'er as the guide, they quickly reached the northern edge, tens of kilometers away, of Jinmie Ridge.

Jinmie Ridge, stretches over a thousand miles.

Volcanic caves are endless.

Lu Ran and the others stood on a cliff, watching the lush mountain forest gradually wither and die, until there was not a blade of grass.

Looking towards the north, scorched earth!

The sky was dim, with specks of ash floating in the air, chasms visible on the ground between mountains, forming natural canyons.

Like wounds torn open one by one.

The scene like the end of the world, making one secretly click their tongue.

"Well, well~" Lu Ran took off the Blood Crystal Mask, shook his nose, and quickly put it back on.

Even so, the pungent sulfur smell kept drilling into his dog nose.

This place, seems like it really experienced a volcanic eruption.

"Whoosh~"

Suddenly, plum petals drifted down the cliff.

Not only did it bring a faint fragrance, but also carried frost and snow, delivering a touch of coolness to them.

Evil Technique·Plum Fall Surprise.

Jin Que'er turned her head towards the white-dressed woman, discovering with astonishment that as she lowered her hand, she left frames of illusions behind.

Like a dream, like a fantasy.

Isn't this the perception-related Divine Technique·Plum Blossom Fall from the Cold Plum Sect?

This is not an Ice Plum Clan movement technique, it's an Evil Technique·Falling Plum Startles the Swan!

This stunning woman, is she actually a disciple of the Evil Demon·Ice Plum Demon Queen?

The people around Sect Master... none of them seem quite normal?

Jin Que'er still remembers the last time they met, the two women in straw rain capes brought by Lu Ran, one was a Night Charm disciple, the other an Evil Dog believer!

This... is this really okay?

"Much better." Lu Ran said sullenly, turning his head towards Qiao Yuansi, apologizing, "Taking you out for the first time, and we come to a place like this."

"It's fine!" Qiao Yuansi no longer covered her mouth and nose, inhaling the refreshing floral fragrance, "This scenery is so breathtaking!

Besides, I also want to give those big black bears a hard time~"

"Mm." Lu Ran smiled and nodded.

Jin Que'er snapped back to reality, immediately introducing, "Sect Master, look at the tallest volcano in the distance, the Evil Nest of the Ash Destruction Demon Clan is likely inside that volcano."

Lu Ran looked far ahead and said, "We'll kill some Evil Demons on the periphery, don't go deep inside."

Jin Que'er immediately said, "Then we can choose a nearby ravine, the bottom has many caverns and interconnected tunnels, where Ash Destruction Demons might be hiding."

"Let's go." Lu Ran flew down, with figures following closely behind, plunging into the sky full of ashes.

In this utterly breathtaking doomsday backdrop, the few insignificant humans appeared somewhat heroic.

The group dropped straight to the bottom of the ravine, indeed finding many caves.

Before they could choose one, at a cave entrance, they saw a massive black bear.

Upon seeing the human figures, the creature was instantly dumbfounded.

On its face, Lu Ran read two large words—Uncommon Guests!

"Roar!!"

The next moment, the Ash Destruction Demon roared furiously, suddenly standing up.

"Oh no." Lu Ran grinned awkwardly.

This Ash Destruction Demon was enormous, a towering four and a half meters high, resembling a small mountain.

It had the appearance of a black bear, crimson eyes releasing a terrifying bloodthirsty aura, sharp teeth inside a large mouth that made one's hair stand on end.

Vicious and ferocious energy surged endlessly towards the group.

Extremely savage!

This clan's strength level could be judged by body size, and this Ash Destruction Demon should be at the Middle Stage of the River Realm.

Moreover, the brains of the Ash Destruction Demon Clan contained Demon Crystals, which wouldn't turn into energy and disappear upon their death.

In other words, on the menu of Ran Sect disciples, ingredients like bear heart, bear gall, and bear paw could be added...

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The Ash Destruction Demon began to run, every step causing the ground to tremble.

As it advanced, its body was covered with a layer of lava armor.

The gray-black stone armor had considerable defensive power, and in the cracks, brilliant magma streams were faintly visible.

Evil Technique·Ash Destruction Armor!

Evil Technique·Ash Destruction Charge!

The Ash Destruction Demon roared loudly, surging forward like a mountain of flesh rolling over.

"I'll do it, I'll do it~" Qiao Yuansi said, but she was hiding behind Lu Ran, holding his arm with both hands, only revealing a small head.

In her large eyes, suddenly black flames ignited.

Black Lamp Evil Technique·Caged Fire (Shadow)!

This was a single-target control technique, enemies illuminated by the black fire would be greatly hindered in their movements.

"Huh?" The Ash Destruction Demon was instantly bewildered.

Its charging steps abruptly slowed, as if burdened with a ten-thousand-pound load.

"Hehe~" Qiao Yuansi giggled coyly, seeing the cumbersome big black bear, her courage grew, walking out from behind Lu Ran.

The lovely girl, with a sweet smile on her face, yet emanated a chilling malevolence...

"Woo~ Woo! Woo!!"

The Ash Destruction Demon roared sorrowfully and indignantly, born with divine strength, it truly was remarkable, still striving to charge ahead.

Alas, it was only at the River Realm.

Sea Realm Great Power·Qiao Yuansi, with absolute dominance, somehow transformed this soft control technique 'Caged Fire (Shadow)' into exhibiting some hard-control effects.

"Boom! Boom..."

The Ash Destruction Demon resumed its beast-like stance, crawling forward laboriously on all fours.

"Oh?" Qiao Yuansi tilted her head, the fire in her eyes burned more fiercely.

The Ash Destruction Demon roared in humiliation, struggling to crawl forward.

"So hardworking." Qiao Yuansi playfully winked her left eye, in which the nature of the flame changed.

She gazed at the continuously crawling Ash Destruction Demon, their eyes interlocked, the demon's movements suddenly halted, it froze in place!

Its pair of crimson eyes appeared much more dazed now.

Black Lamp Evil Technique·Caged Fire (Illusion)!

The Ash Destruction Demon lacked Spirit Defense Techniques, completely succumbing to the Illusion Technique, its Ash Destruction Armor rapidly dissipating.

The Black Lantern, just like the Tangled Silk Shadow, was filled with poison all over!

When facing off against Qiao Yuansi, most creatures cannot look at her...

"Sis Qiao'er?" Qiao Yuansi slightly lifted her shoulders.

"Ah!" The little Huang Que on the shoulder of the girl immediately snapped back to reality.

Just now Jin Que'er was shocked to discover the woman in the white dress was a follower of the Evil Demon·Ice Plum.

And now she was astonished to find that Qiao Yuansi, who had once shown the Divine Technique of the Flower Lantern on "Heavenly Pride," had now become a follower of the Evil Demon·Black Lantern?!

Sect Master has under him... all Evil Demon disciples?

Not a single Divine follower?

"Whoosh~ Whoosh~" Jin Que'er suppressed her swirling emotions, flicked her brilliantly colored tail feathers, causing three golden feathers to stab straight into the bear's head.

Qiao Yuansi clasped her hands behind her, turning around, coquettishly looking at Lu Ran:

"Aren't I amazing?"

"Mm, mm, amazing!" Lu Ran nodded repeatedly.

Seeing Lu Ran's praise, the black flames in Qiao Yuansi's eyes jumped a bit higher, a joyful smile appearing on her face.

Getting more and more sinister...

...