Summit of the Old Gods

Outside the small courtyard of the Cloud Sea Residence, an ancient landing mirror suddenly opened silently.

"Neigh~~"

"What the..." Shadows darted out one after another, causing considerable chaos.

Lu Ran flew backward, immediately dispersing the Ancient Bronze Mirror.

Tian Tian was in the courtyard tending to the dangling silk immortal jasmine when she saw everyone in such disarray, she was dumbfounded.

These were five Sea Realm Great Powers!

In Tian Tian's mind, Lu Ran was nearly invincible!

But at this moment, everyone was in disheveled clothing, most of them looking shocked and unsettled.

Lu Ran and Si Xianxian didn't even have their horses.

"Sister Ruyi?" Tian Tian flapped her little short legs, running out of the courtyard while reaching out with her tiny hands.

Black Lotus Evil Technique · Black Lotus Bud!

A giant black lotus bloomed open.

The swiftly closing black lotus flower was supposed to trap the enemies within its buds, but Tian Tian cleverly worked her magic, keeping the lotus half-open, half-closed.

The soft black lotus petals caught everyone securely, letting them land steadily atop the massive lotus pod.

"What a Glazed Realm!" Lu Ran's figure halted mid-flight, smirking slightly.

Si Xianxian also clicked her tongue in amazement.

Is this the terror of a first-rate Evil Demon stronghold?

"Yes." Jiang Ruyi's face looked somewhat grim.

Usually, she always advised Lu Ran not to be too reckless. But his formidable combat prowess, his brilliant achievements were laid out before her eyes, even Jiang Ruyi had to admit she felt a bit proud.

The headquarters of the Jade-faced Snake Clan had taught everyone a lesson!

The key point is no one had ever seen a Sea Realm · Peak Jade-faced Snake, unaware of how powerful its Evil Technique could be.

Who would have thought, even with Si Xianxian having activated the Fiery Fire Heavenly Leader, she couldn't even smash the opponent with one blow?

From that moment on, everything spiraled out of control.

The Jade-faced Snake activated the Evil Technique · White-Scaled Immortal Heavenly Python, revealed its true form, escalating the battle further, even the entire Glazed Realm "moved."

"My fault." Jiang Ruyi admitted her mistake directly, nodding apologetically to everyone, "I've grown too fearless, accustomed to killing in other Evil Demon strongholds."

Lu Ran said, "Speaking of Evil Demon strongholds, I've been to far more than you have, it's mine."

Lady and the Sect Master were simultaneously admitting fault, scaring Shangguan Hongfu quite a bit!

Having grown up in Langhua Village, he understood the art of survival and hurriedly expressed contrition, excusing the two of them, not daring to let the Sect Master and Lady bear the blame.

"Enough." Lu Ran waved his hand, pondering, "The Glazed Realm is not like other Evil Demon strongholds; we can't attack it head-on."

Jiang Ruyi agreed, analyzing, "We can't let this clan reveal its true form, the impact would be too great. The Jade-faced Snake Clan is very cunning, pulling one hair here moves the whole body..."

At this point, Jiang Ruyi had already devised a battle plan.

The most efficient way to kill should be a stealth attack.

The Evil Demon doesn't have Water Flow Armor. As long as Lu Ran approaches invisibly, and when the Jade-faced Snake is in human form, just slash it once.

She voiced her thoughts, and Lu Ran nodded repeatedly.

"Alright." Lu Ran pondered, "You all cultivate inside the cliff; I'll go for the assassination myself."

Though Jiang Ruyi was reluctant for Lu Ran to take the risk alone, she knew this was the safest and most efficient method.

The Jade-faced Snake Evil Sculpture must advance, and Lu Ran's growth should never halt.

After contemplating for a moment, she spoke, "Lu Ran, first-rate Evil Demons are extremely strong, it's better to be cautious.

Each time the Evil Sculpture upgrades, come back to rest, try to face the Jade-faced Snake with full energy."

"Alright!" Lu Ran agreed immediately, then summoned another Ancient Bronze Mirror.

On the battlefield, there was a Sea Realm · Peak Dead Soul waiting for him to collect; he couldn't let the Dead Soul fly into the sky cloud sea.

"Hey!" Si Xianxian hastily said, "The sky is full of big white snakes, should you wait a bit before going over?"

"Don't worry, I'll set the Bronze Mirror outside the Glazed Realm and go over stealthily." With those words, he stepped into the mirror.

Jiang Ruyi sighed gently, "Let it be."

Shangguan Hongfu immediately took his leave.

Si Xianxian, however, lingered, "I... I'll help the Lady plant trees."

"Alright." Jiang Ruyi nodded slightly, her mood evidently not high.

For so long, she had always managed to be effective on the battlefield, assisting Lu Ran to slay and burn the Tangled Silk Shadow, aiding Lu Ran in quelling the Pear Garden Sect.

But today, facing the first-rate Evil Demon stronghold, she was reminded of the helplessness she once experienced.

The feeling was terrible!

"Swoosh~"

Suddenly, another Ancient Bronze Mirror opened, Lu Ran returned.

Si Xianxian's face went blank, blurting out, "Are you...done already?"

Lu Ran: ?

What kind of talk is that!

"I captured that Dead Soul, the Evil Sculpture started upgrading, so I came back." Lu Ran casually replied, glancing at Jiang Ruyi, "See, I listened, didn't I?"

His expression, as if seeking praise, made Jiang Ruyi burst into laughter.

Even her mood improved a lot.

"Let me massage your head as a reward," Jiang Ruyi said, signaling toward the stone table in the courtyard.

Lu Ran could naturally sense his fiancée's mood, and he didn't refuse. He stepped to the stone table and sat down, "Where are you planning to plant this flower tree?"

Everyone looked toward Lady Ran.

Jiang Ruyi thought for a moment and indicated the west side of the courtyard, "Plant it there, it's closer to the window of the master bedroom."

This way, when he rested inside, he could always smell the jasmine fragrance.

"Alright!" Si Xianxian grabbed the Mad Hammer and strode over.

"What are you doing?" Lu Ran asked hurriedly.

"Planting a tree!" Si Xianxian hefted the two-meter heavy hammer, "Don't I have to smash a hole first?"

Lu Ran hastily gestured in refusal, "Don't collapse my Cloud Sea Cliff..."

"Don't worry, I promise to be gentle~"

...

At noon, Lu Ran returned to the Glazed Realm.

The previously soaring White-Scaled Python has now disappeared without a trace, and peace has returned to this place.

"Phew..." Lu Ran breathed a sigh of relief.

The Jade-faced Snake is so powerful; how terrifying must the other three top-tier Evil Demons be?

Blood Skull, Evil Spear Emperor, Yin Flower Dan.

Lu Ran was fortunate enough to have dealt with all three kinds of Evil Demons.

The Yin Flower Dan that sings opera at midnight, the Evil Spear Emperor who reigns supreme, and the Blood Skull causing bloodshed...

Not a single one is a soft spot.

Lu Ran shook his head slightly, his gaze fixed on a riverside.

There, a Jade-faced Snake was standing, head lowered, completely motionless.

Lu Ran recalled the intelligence provided by Qin Yanzhi.

The Jade-faced Snake tribe always stares at the clear rivers and lakes, gazing at their reflections in a daze.

"Phew~"

Lu Ran wielded his Divine Weapon and quietly flew downward.

The Jade-faced Snake tribe doesn't possess perception techniques, and Lu Ran, having Divine Technique·Wolf Concealment, can completely hide his presence.

Despite this, he cautiously flew to the side of the Jade-faced Snake, admiring her exquisite profile.

A beauty worthy of toppling cities, alas, a demon nonetheless.

The Jade-faced Snake seemed captivated by her own unrivaled beauty, gazing at her reflection in the river with a dazed look.

"Slash!"

A flash of the blade, swift and decisive!

A beautiful maiden's head fell cleanly and smoothly, plunging into the river.

"Splash!" The headless corpse softened, also falling into the river, staining the water with blood; the scene was rather poignant.

"Sigh..." Lu Ran sighed in his heart.

Why be born so noble and sacred?

It puts pressure on me when killing, doesn't it?

You should be a divine being... hmm, maybe not! If you're divine...

Then you deserve to be killed even more!

Suddenly, the river cleared, the blood and headless corpse disintegrating into energy, vanishing into the air.

Lu Ran remained concealed, raising the Divine Power Bead Strings at his neck to absorb the mist thoroughly.

With his Pupil of the Dead World, he had already imprisoned the Jade-faced Snake's dead soul within.

Safe and efficient!

"Whoosh~"

Lu Ran flashed to the high sky, continuing his target search...

Thus, Lu Ran embarked on his assassination journey, also amassing herbs, asking disciples to assist in pill making.

Whenever Evil Sculptures went through upgrades, he would return to Cloud Sea Cliff, enduring the painful yet stable upgrade time.

Time flew by, and it was early October.

When the Jade-faced Snake Evil Sculpture upgraded to Sea Realm·Third Rank, Lu Ran's mind cleared, and he joyfully found the Cloud Sea Cliff filled with swirling mist.

Has the Evil Shadow Guardian finally upgraded?

"Good, good, good!" Lu Ran looked pleased; it seems the Breakthrough Pill worked well?

When the Breakthrough Pill was freshly produced some days ago, Lu Ran quickly sent it to Yan Shuangzi, wondering if she had used it.

"Buzz~"

"Hmm?" Lu Ran's hand touched his neck, somewhat surprised.

The Second-Order Magical Artifact·Moyu Tiger Talisman usually stays quiet, seldom vibrating.

"Moyu? What's wrong?"

[While the master was unconscious, He Qifeng attempted to contact you.]

"Oh?" Lu Ran sat up, "Help me inquire what happened."

The Moyu Tiger Talisman consists of two halves; one half is with Lu Ran, the other with He Qifeng.

Each half stands independently yet unified, although they serve different masters, they can communicate with each other.

Soon, the tiger talisman conveyed its message to Lu Ran: [He Qifeng says Tufeng Master is in upgrading mode.]

Lu Ran was startled!

Heavenly Realm?!

After the Peak Master of Sword Ridge Peak ascended to the Heavenly Realm, he succumbed to deviation, crazily slaughtering his sect's disciples...

Moyu Tiger Talisman: [It's rare to witness a Sea Realm upgrade to the Heavenly Realm! With Wuji Peak bursting with energy, would the Sect Master like to come and enjoy the blessings from above?]

The tiger talisman directly quoted the other party's words.

Lu Ran frowned and explained the Sword Ridge Peak incident to the other side.

After a long time, a reply came: [Tufeng Master is upright and kind-hearted, supposedly incapable of perpetrating such heinous deeds.]

Lu Ran pondered deeply: "We should not take this chance... Here's the plan! You select two trustworthy individuals, and I'll use Evil God·Ghost Moon Fox to sign a contract with them.

The Ghost Moon Fox tribe can foresee crises; if things go wrong, we can swiftly respond."

Meanwhile, atop Wuji Peak.

In the mist-shrouded grand mansion, the opulent hall, a woman in a majestic golden robe, exuding immense power, was sitting on the Taishi Chair.

Her expression was equally grim, her hand touching her neck, her finger rubbing the half piece of Moyu Tiger Talisman.

He Qifeng originally wanted to discuss with Lu Ran taking advantage of Tufeng Master's ascension to capture the position of Peak Master, unifying Wuji Peak.

Alas, upon hearing the tragedy at North Wind Sect·Sword Ridge Peak.

He Qifeng pondered for a moment, sending the mind message via the talisman: [You better come over; let's talk face to face.]

This time, the talisman hesitated before responding: [Alright!]

He Qifeng's lips slightly curved as the image of the Emperor Robe youth flashed in her mind.

As expected!

In times like these, he is always the most reliable.

"Lu Ran..."

He Qifeng murmured, placing the Moyu Tiger Talisman back in her collar.

...