Summit of the Old Gods

The next morning, the rain was falling softly.

In the main bedroom of the Cloud Sea Residence, Lu Ran opened his sleepy eyes.

"Hmm..." He sat up groggily, rubbing his temples and supporting his forehead with one hand.

The Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture had stopped vibrating at midnight.

Thanks to this, Lu Ran was finally able to get some sleep, although haunted by thoughts of Jingxian Island, he slept uneasily and woke up after only a few hours.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran looked down.

A slender, fair arm reached out from behind, wrapping around his chest.

"Sleep a little longer." Jiang Fairy's voice was soft and tender, clearly disturbed from a sweet dream, still half-asleep.

Before Lu Ran could say anything, he felt her arm gently pull him back into bed.

"I..."

"Shh." Jiang Ruyi, her eyes closed, resting on Lu Ran's shoulder, issued a hush command.

Lu Ran: ?

So bossy?

This isn't my Little Ruyi... uh, maybe she was woken up and is a bit grumpy?

The gentle sound of rain, in the quiet environment, seemed particularly clear.

Lu Ran looked towards the carved wooden window, only to see the Immortal Jasmine Tree in the courtyard, incongruous with the overcast sky, its beautiful blossoms gently swaying in the wind and rain.

Enveloped in a light mist, it brought a faint fragrance.

Lu Ran gradually became absorbed in it.

Until a slightly scolding voice sounded in his ear again: "Letting you rest a while more is so difficult."

Lu Ran quickly closed his eyes, honestly lying in bed.

Jiang Ruyi, on the contrary, sat up, looked at the person pretending to sleep, and lightly tapped his forehead with dissatisfaction: "It'll tire you to death."

Lu Ran: "..."

"Get up." Jiang Ruyi said helplessly, getting out of bed and walking towards the wardrobe.

Lu Ran silently sat up, reached for the bedside table, and took out a crimson pill from the stone jar.

Qi Blood Pill!

This pill can replenish energy and blood, making a person full of vitality, crucially making their spirit vigorous!

Its effect is remarkable, greatly beneficial to cultivators.

For instance, when a Sea Realm Great Power breaks through, it often takes ten days! Including those leveling up, the Ran Sect soldiers all endure without rest or sleep.

This one Qi Blood Pill, though unable to completely free people from sleep, can at least help restore energy and spirit.

Furthermore, it has no side effects! This pill is made from rare flowers and grasses, refined using secret Divine Technique by the Pill Master sect...

Just replenish!

However, it does have drawbacks; consuming it multiple times in a short period significantly reduces its effect.

Also... it's not tasty.

It feels grainy, and is accompanied by some tingling sensation, quite peculiar.

Since the Pill Master disciples joined the Ran Sect, they've refined many pills, but Lu Ran rarely took them.

After all, gathering herbs is quite troublesome!

Only he rotated continuously for so many days, last night being tormented by the Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture until late into the night, was genuinely exhausting.

Meanwhile, Lu Ran closed the stone jar, and Jiang Ruyi touched the fox fur cloak.

This snow-white fox fur cloak is truly luxurious.

Unfortunately, due to the warmth of the southern Holy Spirit Mountain Continent, he had to wait for Lu Ran to head north next time to wear it.

Jiang Ruyi's fingertips brushed across the clothes, eventually stopping on her favorite Black Gold Emperor Robe, taking it down naturally: "Wear this then."

"No, we'll wear bamboo hat and bamboo clothes." Unexpectedly, Lu Ran refused.

"Hmm?" Jiang Ruyi showed a curious expression.

Lu Ran smiled and said, "Today's main character is Luo Divine General, highlighting her might, also conveniently aiding her future management of the sect."

"Hmm... okay."

Twenty minutes later, in the council hall.

Ran Sect soldiers gathered in a hall, uniformly dressed in green bamboo hats and bamboo clothes, looking like a roaming martial arts group...

Only one person stood out, wearing a grand red phoenix robe—Luo Ying!

Being the focal point of attention, Luo Ying felt a bit uneasy.

To make it more amusing, Lu Ran opened a Transmission Mirror, leading the group to the Pear Garden Sect.

On the main peak hall, several people wearing bamboo hats, draped in bamboo clothes from the Yangyang Sea had been waiting for a while.

"Sect Leader!"

"Sect Leader!" A sound of greetings rose in the hall.

Lu Ran smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze finally falling on the Liu Huo Guard: "Congratulations, River Realm Peak."

"Liu Huo will work hard and strive to advance to Sea Realm soon." Liu Huo responded respectfully, trying hard to maintain composure.

Being surrounded by a house full of Sea Realm Great Powers was indeed suffocating.

Lu Ran's gaze swept over everyone and then looked at Yu Changsheng: "During this time, Mr. Conglong worked hard. Now that we're back from Jingxian Island, you'll probably be closing up soon, right?"

"Yes, Sect Leader." Yu Changsheng held a folding fan, saluting with clasped fists.

It was rare, even the always composed Conglong Guardian had a trace of excitement in his heart.

He could clearly feel that he was close to touching the cultivation bottleneck. If he could successfully advance further, that would be Sea Realm Peak!

With the Peak reached, would the Heavenly Realm be far?

"Good." Lu Ran showed a bright smile.

This smile was highly contagious, making Yu Changsheng smile as well: "Sect Leader, isn't the Jingxian Sect at most only consisting of a dozen or so Sea Realm Great Powers? Is there a need to mobilize so extensively?"

Yu Changsheng's words were what many present wanted to ask.

For instance, appreciating the surprise at Ran Sect's intimidating power were several Sea Realm Hall Masters from the original Pear Garden Sect, such as Wei Yun and Qin Hongchan.

Sect Leader, Lady, and Xuan Shuang Guard.

Nightmare, Conglong, Evil Shadow, Mad Immortal—four Great Protectors.

Luo, Xun, Phoenix, Yan, Qin—a total of five Divine Generals, plus an additional Hall Master.

A full 13 of the Yangyang Sea!

Plus 5 selected individuals from Pear Garden Sect joining the team, totaling 18 Sea Realm Great Powers.

What exactly is the Sect Master trying to achieve?

"Jingxian Island occupies a large area, with numerous small guard islands around, where people are stationed." Lu Ran began, stepping up the stairs.

Standing by the Martial Emperor's throne, he looked down at the soldiers below, feeling fulfilled!

Yet, this was not all of Ran Sect's power!

In Cloud Sea Cliff, there were Heavenly Realm Lu Master and Sea Realm Great Curse Master stationed.

In the Forbidden City, there was a Wind Emperor, in Mist Rain Lake, a Divine Color General.

The great enterprise can succeed!

The conquest can be achieved...

"Ahem." Yu Changsheng lightly coughed, awakening a certain someone.

Lu Ran returned to reality: "I want to capture everything, to control everyone from Jingxian Sect, not one can escape! Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Yes!" The hall echoed resoundingly.

Lu Ran pointed his finger below the hall, everyone looked over to see the phoenix robed, gold bow wielding Luo Divine General.

"The original owner of the Golden Law Bow was Da Xia's seventh Heavenly Pride, Jin Luyang."

Lu Ran's voice turned solemn and continued: "The Golden Heavenly Pride and his beloved fell victim to Jingxian Sect's treacherous hand, he died tragically on the island, and his beloved was imprisoned and later committed suicide in the prison.

Due to certain reasons, after the tragedy occurred, the Golden Law Bow remained on Jingxian Island for quite a long time, witnessing plenty of people and events."

"Buzz!!"

The Golden Law Bow vibrated violently, causing Luo Ying's arm to tremble.

Anyone could detect the intense rage of this Divine Weapon.

Lu Ran said in a deep voice: "The Golden Law Bow, with Luo Divine General's assistance, will complete a mission and comfort the soul of the Golden Heavenly Pride in heaven.

The rest of us just need to surround Jingxian Sect's islands and support from the sides... Qin Divine General."

"Here!" Qin Yanzhi stepped forward.

"This is the distribution map of Jingxian Sect · Archipelago that I just created. You and I can open the Teleportation Gate. Come, let's divvy up the tasks!"

Lu Ran beckoned, his expression turning more serious: "We shall send our comrades to the right places!"

"Yes!"

...