Summit of the Old Gods

"Sect Leader!"

"Sect Leader." Outside the main hall, a grand procession of people entered.

Lu Ran sat steadily on the throne, looking at Jiang Ruyi at the forefront, and couldn't help but sigh.

He had already learned from the little Blazing Phoenix that Jiang Ruyi and Deng Yuxiang hadn't managed to catch this lucky ride.

The two had both advanced last mid to late winter month.

Based on the timing, coupled with the blessings drawn during the advancements of Yu Changsheng and Gao Yunyan, Lu Ran believed they should have made some breakthroughs.

Yet, the heavens did not grant their wishes.

However, the successive advancements of Divine General Qin, Divine General Yan, and Divine General Feng to the fourth rank of the Sea Realm did bring Lu Ran some joy.

Lu Ran's emotions fluctuated, and Jiang Ruyi's mind was also complex.

Her gaze swept over the beautiful snake at Lu Ran's feet. Due to the protection of the Heavenly Realm Great Power for Lu Ran and its contributions to the Ran Sect, Jiang Ruyi ultimately said nothing.

Alright...

Let's treat her as a pet for now, just as Lu Ran suggested.

Jiang Ruyi looked on pensively at the minions seated below, her brow furrowing slightly: "Mr. Cong Long?"

The elegant young noble, how did he become so stiff?

"That's not Cong Long, but an evil demon minion," Lu Ran explained, "Now, the Mo Li Evil Sculpture in my garden has transformed into the Cong Long Evil Sculpture."

With these words, the expressions of those seated below varied.

Some were surprised, and some were curious.

Others, like Deng Yuxiang, had a faint sense of excitement.

As expected!

When a Human Clan inheritor merges with a Stone Sculpture, the summoned evil demon minion will be in the form of a Human Clan.

Deng Yuxiang was eager at heart!

If that's the case, the Night Charm minion will eventually become his own likeness.

"Congratulations to you all on reaching the fourth rank of the Sea Realm," Lu Ran looked over Divine General Qin, Divine General Feng, and Divine General Yan.

"Thank you, Sect Leader, for your nurturing!" Gao Yunyan responded solemnly and loudly.

Before meeting Lu Ran, she had always been stuck at the River Realm Peak rank, held back by her Dao Heart.

Since following Lu Ran, her life changed completely; great aspirations and burgeoning ambition helped her rise smoothly.

Undoubtedly, it was Lu Ran who led her into the Sea Realm.

Including Qin Yanzhi, who could reach such a high rank as Sea Realm Fourth Rank, was also due to the Sect Leader's bestowed Stone Sculpture.

Only Xue Fengchen was the exception.

This is a true Heavenly Pride!

Ranked eighty-seventh, not because of lack of skill, but because of growing too fast...

Even without Lu Ran's intervention, Xue Fengchen would likely have achieved something.

"Originally, I intended to take Tianhuang Mountain and let you couple lead the West Desolation Sect," Lu Ran lamented softly, "It's not possible now."

Feng Yan understood the reason behind it.

Especially since Xue Fengchen was also on the executioner's hunt list, feeling even more thankful for Lu Ran's protection: "Sect Leader..."

Lu Ran raised his hand to stop the words: "Time is pressing, and the situation is urgent, you must continue to cultivate diligently, not slack off!

Now the Dragon Guardian has reached the Heavenly Realm, Martial Emperor and Luoshen are both at the Sea Realm Peak, and you must not fall behind.

Strength is the solution to everything."

"Yes."

"Yes!"

Lu Ran rose and walked down towards the hall, approaching Jiang Ruyi, his tone softened considerably: "Not planning to continue seclusion?"

Jiang Ruyi gently shook her head: "Let's return to the Seven Islands of Ran Sect, Mist Rain Lake is too conspicuous."

The so-called Seven Islands of Ran Sect is currently the base of Ran Sect.

Located in the far-sea area directly east of Mist Rain Lake, more than two thousand kilometers away from the coast, centered around a central large island, along with six surrounding small islands, collectively known as the "Seven Islands of Ran Sect."

"Very well." Lu Ran pondered for a moment, cast a spell, then looked at the two Heavenly Realm Great Powers, "Please wait here, I'll be right back."

The two had no objection.

Even Bai Rao, normally unruly, said nothing, only watched the Sect Leader and Lady enter the territory.

One step to the edge of the sea.

Lu Ran stood in the island forest, observing the blue sea and sky, his mood eased considerably.

Watching, Lu Ran noticed a slight sense of anomaly.

The total number of people in the Ran Sect and its subsidiaries had reached an astounding more than two thousand five hundred.

However, on the central island, and the six surrounding small islands, there was no trace of human activity.

The sound of waves hitting the shore, and the sea breeze blowing through the forest, only made this piece of the world seem even more silent.

It was as if...

This was a forgotten corner.

"Being forgotten is good," Lu Ran murmured, gazing at the blue sky and white clouds, "Being forgotten is good..."

"Sect Leader!"

"Sect Leader, Lady!"

Clearly, there were secret sentinels reporting the situation, from deep within the forest, a hidden underground cave, emerged two Sea Realm Great Powers.

Forbidden City Master: He Qifeng.

Deputy City Lord of Tiangang City: Liu Huo.

Ran Sect's central island hosts the citizens from the Forbidden City and Tiangang City.

The surrounding six small islands are respectively stationed by Cloud Sea Cliff, Pear Garden Sect, Jingxian Mountain, Sky Sparrow Pavilion, Longxiang Valley/Starry Valley, and Thousand Boat Alliance.

Due to the number of people, Longxiang Valley and Starry Valley support each other, sharing one island.

The Starry Sky Hall of Ran Sect reverted to a sect.

Under Jiang Ruyi's orders, Hall Master Chang Ying took on a heavy responsibility, reverting from hall master to Starry Valley's Valley Master.

Of course, the islands only have the sect main body.

To better protect the Seven Islands of Ran Sect, disciples from various major sects are mutually loaned to establish a more comprehensive defense system.

Jingxian Sect undoubtedly became a coveted resource!

The disciples of Ash and Yan Qing, led by Luoshen, are masters of naval warfare, making this faction the most dispersed.

The Thousand Boat Alliance is also a relatively special force.

Compared to all other sects, the Thousand Boat Alliance's loyalty to the Ran Sect is relatively low.

However, the overall strength of the Thousand Boat Alliance certainly cannot compare to the giant that is the Ran Sect.

It couldn't stir up much of a storm.

Since the last invasion of Thunder Mountain, the Sky Phoenix was left with two islands, Bi He with six, Chenghua with five, and Sword Lotus with only four.

Including He Yingcai, the Alliance Master, the Thousand Boat Alliance still has 17 Sea Realm Island Masters.

The River Realm members of the alliance were brutally massacred by the Thunder Shock Sect, with less than three hundred people remaining.

After arriving at the seven islands of the Ran Sect, under Lu Ran's absolute prestige and Alliance Master He's iron-fisted management, the Sea Realm Island Masters were stationed across the seven islands, assisting the sects on the islands with their defenses, temporarily following the orders of the island's sect masters.

"Is everything well?" Lu Ran asked softly, looking at his two capable subordinates.

"There's great potential beneath the island; we've already constructed a small underground city." He Qifeng immediately reported, "The people's spirits are stable."

Liu Huo chimed in: "Sect Leader, the Feixian Hall is complete, and a divine statue of you has been erected within. Would you like to take a look?"

Lu Ran remained silent.

Feixian Hall?

Forget it, let's not go, I'm too embarrassed.

Jiang Ruyi sensed Lu Ran's mood and said softly, "Providing the disciples of the Ran Sect with a spiritual anchor is ultimately a good thing, making it easier for people to survive."

"Mm." Lu Ran let go of his scattered thoughts and closed his eyes.

Jiang Ruyi gave a look to everyone, and they all retreated.

[Mr. Cong Long.]

[Sect Leader?]

[Sorry to disturb, I've returned to the seven islands of the Ran Sect, please come out and arrange for some Great Demons of the Sea Realm to guard this area, and then study the Dragon Carp Divine Sculpture.]

[Not a disturbance, just in time.] Yu Changsheng's response left Lu Ran a bit surprised.

"Hoo!!"

The vast figure of Cong Long unfolded magnificently.

"Lady." Yu Changsheng bowed his head to the small Human Clan, greeting them with cupped hands.

Jiang Ruyi gazed at the enormous remnant shadow of the Evil God, feeling somewhat dazed.

Over time, she had seen Lu Ran summon the residual shadows of the God Demon and make pacts with the Human Clan countless times.

And this time, the remnant shadow representing the God Demon was someone she knew well...

"What did Mr. say by 'just in time'?" Lu Ran asked, puzzled.

Yu Changsheng, usually calm and collected, showed a hint of excitement: "Sect Leader, indeed, I share the same origin as the Divine Sculpture. If the Sect Leader consents, I should be able to merge with it!"

Lu Ran's eyes lit up.

Yu Changsheng calmed his excited emotions: "Sect Leader, since becoming a believer, I have always studied the Dragon Carp Divine Skill and am deeply versed in it. Later, following you, I used the Mo Li Evil Technique for a long time and know well the compatibility of both techniques. I think, after merging with the Dragon Carp Divine Sculpture, these divine and evil techniques might also be able to fuse!"

"Good!" Lu Ran clenched his fist and turned to look at Jiang Ruyi.

That means that Jiang Ruyi can not only inherit everything from the Jade Talisman Divine Sculpture but also the Evil Sculpture, Ghost Talisman Doll, altogether! Not only add the Evil Technique of the Ghost Talisman Doll clan but perhaps even fuse Divine and Evil Techniques again?

Similarly,

Yan Shuangzi is not only the Evil Dog but also the Greedy Wolf.

Deng Yuxiang is not only the Night Charm but also the North Wind!

Great!!

Lu Ran's heart grew more and more excited; these are all part of his capital to challenge the God Demon!

Jiang Ruyi, infected by the youth's joy, reached out and gently took his arm.

Originally, she had a bit of a temper.

After all, she just saw Lu Ran sitting grandly on the throne, with a seductive beauty snake nestled at his feet.

Becoming more and more like a foolish ruler!

At this moment, seeing Lu Ran's ecstatic appearance, Jiang Ruyi decided to set aside her slight displeasure.

She didn't want to disturb Lu Ran's mood.

The days on Holy Spirit Mountain had already been difficult.

Ever since God Demon sent a Heavenly Realm Executioner, Lu Ran's mood became even more repressed, and it had been rare to see him so cheerful.

"Hmm." Jiang Ruyi felt herself being encircled at the waist, and then someone kissed her.

Yu Changsheng quickly averted his eyes, just in time to see several Ran Sect disciples staring in shock.

Under his gaze, all lowered their heads.

The Fake Evil God is in contrast to the True Evil Sculpture.

To the Human Clan, Yu Changsheng is a god!

"We should... hmm, talk business." Jiang Ruyi struggled lightly, speaking vaguely.

"Business?" Lu Ran momentarily let go of her, playfully thinking, and gazed earnestly at the fairy in his arms, "I missed you."

Jiang Ruyi's face froze for a moment.

Lu Ran leaned foreheads together, their brows touching, and whispered, "It's been over two months since we've quietly spent time together, having tea and chatting."

The deep yet gentle voice sent a pang of sadness through Jiang Ruyi's heart.

The peaceful times at Cloud Sea Cliff were hard to come by now.

A single order from the God Demon changed everything.

The foundation that Lu Ran built during his years of war was painted with strokes of red across the Holy Spirit Mountain continent, all vanished.

Their living space was compressed to the extreme, perpetually anxious and driven to this end of the world.

Jiang Ruyi stopped struggling and buried her head on Lu Ran's shoulder, softly saying, "First... handle the business."

Yes, I miss you too.

"How should I cooperate with Mr. Cong Long?" Lu Ran looked up at the remnant shadow of the Evil God.

Yu Changsheng carefully organized his words: "I will mobilize the Origin Power to assist the Sect Leader in first activating the Dragon Carp Divine Sculpture. Then the Sect Leader can command the Dragon Carp Divine Sculpture to welcome and accept me."

"Come!"

...