Summit of the Old Gods

Early May, Heaven's Edge.

In the middle section of a cliff thirty to forty meters high, there is a hidden narrow cave entrance.

Inside the cave, Jiang Ruyi sits silently meditating as usual, with a delicate treasure gourd nestled in her arms.

From time to time, she can sense the restless heart of the little Blazing Phoenix.

It's not out of playfulness, but rather a longing for advancement!

As early as February this year, when Lu Ran was promoted, the little Blazing Phoenix was researching the new magical artifact's effects in its master's company.

Trying to control all the enemies it swallowed into its belly!

To this day, the little Blazing Phoenix is venturing further and further down this path.

"Good girl." Jiang Ruyi rarely praised, gently patting the treasure gourd in her arms.

"Buzz~" The little Blazing Phoenix was extremely happy to receive the praise.

Jiang Ruyi smiled warmly, "If you can really advance to a third-rank magical artifact and have this effect, it can indeed help him a lot."

"Caw~"

A golden phoenix pattern quietly lit up, and the Artifact Spirit flew out.

The little Blazing Phoenix, woven from golden threads, flapped its beautiful phoenix wings, circling around Jiang Ruyi before finally landing on her shoulder:

"Help mommy too~"

Jiang Ruyi's face was stunned, then a blush crept up her cheeks.

The little Blazing Phoenix rarely spoke words, usually just phoenix cries.

For it to suddenly come out with a sentence now is really... um.

Who knows what that bad guy is thinking, always instilling such ideas in the little Blazing Phoenix.

Perhaps it's because the little Blazing Phoenix is too cute.

Its voice is tender and childish, like a naive child, endearing to people.

Or maybe, does Lu Ran want a baby?

Thinking of this, Jiang Ruyi became even more bashful inside, but at this stage, it's not a very good time.

Jiang Ruyi remembered Deng Yutang and Bai Manni, that small couple, and their young child, who followed its parents across places and is now at this far end of the earth,

and lived mostly underground on islands.

Fortunately, there are many doctors in the Ran Sect, and Bai Manni herself is the original form of the Jade-faced Snake Ghost Moon Fox, naturally possessing healing techniques that can nurture the mind and body of the Human Clan, ensuring the healthy growth of the baby.

Jiang Ruyi silently sighed, lifting her jade-like hand to her shoulder.

The little Blazing Phoenix hopped on her shoulder, looking joyous yet mischievous, and landed in the woman's palm.

Jiang Ruyi gently placed the Artifact Spirit, the little Blazing Phoenix, back into the treasure gourd, returning it to her embrace.

"Lady?" A deeply magnetic female voice came from the entrance of the tunnel behind her, very recognizable.

Jiang Ruyi turned her head to see Deng Yuxiang coming from the depths of the underground. In the secluded cave, she changed her address:

"Sister Yuxiang, what's the matter?"

"I am ready." Deng Yuxiang's expression was solemn, "I'm planning to break through and advance, and would like to borrow the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd."

"Alright." Jiang Ruyi nodded gently.

If Deng Yuxiang advances again, she'll be at the Sea Realm Peak!

No wonder she was the earliest to accompany Lu Ran into the mountains and the first to bond with the Evil Sculpture.

Jiang Ruyi stood up, "I've almost reached my cultivation bottleneck, let's go, you and I will go into seclusion together."

"Yes!" Deng Yuxiang immediately took steps to lead the Ran Sect's lady to the underground city.

"By the way, the little Blazing Phoenix is eager to advance, always researching how to control the prisoners in its belly." Jiang Ruyi handed over the treasure gourd.

"I'll supervise it." Deng Yuxiang reached out to receive it, her fingertips pressing gently on the gold phoenix pattern.

"Buzz~"

The Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd trembled gently.

It wasn't rejoicing, nor was it responding.

It was purely out of fear...

Seeing this, Jiang Ruyi couldn't help but smile.

Back in the day, wasn't it through Deng Yuxiang's strict urging that the little Blazing Phoenix ascended to the second-rank magical artifact, realizing the effect of swallowing people whole?

It's good to put some pressure on the little Blazing Phoenix, after all.

Lu Ran, that guy, does pamper the little Blazing Phoenix a bit.

Jiang Ruyi pursed her lips.

They've been apart for over ten days, and she doesn't know where he is now...

These days, the Evil Shadow Guardian, Yan God General, and Deng Yutang, himself the Ghost General in person, all trembled repeatedly.

I suppose Lu Ran should be around the northwest area of the Holy Spirit Mountain?

Meanwhile, in the west-central part of the Holy Spirit Mountain.

On a towering mountain.

Lu Ran concealed himself, eyes full of icy killing intent as he looked at the corpses beneath him that hadn't yet turned cold.

The young and handsome emperor died with eyes open.

The dark clouds gathered in the sky were rolling, yet still failed to rain down long spears.

"Poof~"

The Evil Spear Emperor's body shattered into mist.

Lu Ran activated the Divine Power Bead Strings on his neck, absorbing the dense energy into them.

Since that night, after he savored the feast of the Jade-faced Snake, he went near the Mist Valley, the main base of the Evil Demon and Ghost Talisman Doll clan.

Lu Ran relied on the gale of the Night Charm Clan, wildly blowing away that group of Ghost Dolls.

Because Lu Ran never activated the Evil Sculpture and Ghost Talisman Doll, so he didn't worry about two Stone Sculptures vibrating simultaneously in the garden.

With the Jade-faced Snake Evil Sculpture paused at the Heavenly Realm's lower tier, Lu Ran moved around sharply, ensuring that the garden held only one Stone Sculpture advancing.

To ensure his own combat readiness.

Speaking of which, those Sea Realm third-rank and fourth-rank Stone Sculptures in the Sculpture Garden, after advancing to the Heavenly Realm, all came to a halt without exception at the Heavenly Realm's lower tier.

Lu Ran was also a bit troubled by how to cultivate them in the future.

For a River Realm Stone Sculpture to advance one small rank, it just needed 100 strands of pure Holy Spirit Energy, while a Sea Realm Stone Sculpture required a thousand strands.

Following this trend, for a Heavenly Realm Stone Sculpture to advance one small rank, wouldn't it need ten thousand strands of Holy Spirit Energy?!

The necessary amount of resources is excessive...

Moreover, the Heavenly Realm is different from realms like Jianghai, having only 3 minor ranks.

Who can ensure that some disruption won't occur among them?

Perhaps, the resources needed for the Stone Sculpture to advance are even greater!

Bai Rao once corrected a notion of Lu Ran: Within the Heavenly Realm, there is no differentiation between upper, middle, and lower segments.

She referred to them as the First Heaven, Second Heaven, and Third Heaven, precisely because these three steps are more inclined to be seen as independent Great Realms!

Just like large realms such as Mist, Stream, River, Jiang, and Sea!

At least, that's what Bai Rao believed.

Lu Ran kept this in mind, waiting for the day to consult with Master Immortal Sheep to resolve his doubts.

From this point, it is evident that even a powerful disciple of the Human Clan like Bai Rao cannot communicate smoothly with deities at will.

Bai Rao herself collected some intelligence, only knowing a shallow bit.

The aloof Evil God Jade-faced Snake had no intention to clarify Bai Rao's doubts.

"Rustle~~~"

The sound of the Emperor's Robe's hem flapping echoed from afar.

Lu Ran snapped back to his senses, turned his head to look, and saw a dignified and solemn Evil Spear Emperor.

Because Lu Ran's assassination skills have rapidly progressed, there were indeed no battle marks left on this battlefield.

Yet, dark clouds gathered over the sky!

On the mountain peak, there was no sign of the Evil Spear Emperor, which prompted kin to investigate.

To be honest, the Evil Spear Emperor Clan is the most "noble" creature Lu Ran has seen in his campaigns!

The pride of this clan is rarely seen in the world.

They never travel together.

When Lu Ran faces off against one Evil Spear Emperor, if another appears...

The newcomer won't even glance at the battle, directly leaving.

Even if the kin falls into disadvantage or fights a mysterious invisible enemy, the newcomer won't assist!

Leaving Lu Ran shocked!

It's important to know that even the Evil Demon Leader Blood Skull Clan would gang up on Lu Ran!

Yet, the Evil Spear Emperor Clan disdains using numbers to overwhelm!

Upon witnessing a kin's death, the Evil Spear Emperor wouldn't be infuriated but rather show disdain.

Occasionally, an Evil Spear Emperor might catch the end of a battle and learn that their kin faced an immensely powerful enemy, only then giving reluctant acknowledgment.

Nothing like other Evil Demon races that would fly into a rage, losing face.

It's simply...

Even making Lu Ran feel a bit of respect.

During the two days of battle on Evil Cloud Peak (the base camp of the Evil Spear Emperor Clan), these aloof emperors often reminded Lu Ran of the Fifteenth Night in the human world's Rain Alley.

That night, with the Dawn Blade in hand, Lu Ran opened the Divine Weapon Domain, locked in battle with a Jiang Realm Demon Lord.

Ultimately, when the Evil Spear Emperor's dead soul flew into Lu Ran's eyes...

The opponent even showed an expression of appreciation, nodding in acknowledgment to Lu Ran!

Hmm... Someday in the future, I must meet with this Evil God in person!

"Hmm?" The Evil Spear Emperor's body froze.

Lu Ran, hidden in form, silently descended behind the Evil Spear Emperor, placing a hand on the opponent's shoulder, with five thin red lines extending from his fingertips.

"Swoosh!"

In the next instant, Lu Ran swung his blade, directly severing the Evil Spear Emperor's head.

Respect is respect,

but we still need to collect the dead souls~

Lu Ran's heart stirred, eager to try again.

He then revealed his true form, activating a pair of Pupil of the Dead World.

In his view, just as the Evil Spear Emperor's dead soul floated out, it saw the human youth.

A wide-brimmed bamboo hat and raincoat, with a bizarre blood crystal mask on the lower half of his face.

A pair of lifeless horizontal pupils.

"Humph!" The Evil Spear Emperor coldly snorted.

No admiration, no nodding acknowledgment.

The Evil Spear Emperor slowly flew towards Lu Ran, eyes filled with extreme disdain.

Despicable sneak attacker!

Filthy and cowardly reptile!

Lu Ran: "..."

That look... Is he scolding me?

Lu Ran awkwardly scratched his head but hit the bamboo hat instead, making it even more awkward: "Uh, sorry about that."

"Humph." The Evil Spear Emperor snorted again.

Lu Ran suddenly laughed mischievously, blurting out, "I'll do it again next time~"

Evil Spear Emperor: "..."

He probably didn't understand human speech, but he could grasp Lu Ran's attitude.

"Slash!"

Lu Ran twirled the blade skillfully, sheathed it, and was looking forward more and more to meeting the Evil Spear Emperor in person in the future.

He turned invisible, while the Stone Sculpture of the Evil Spear Emperor in the garden continued to tremble.

Lu Ran looked around but didn't see the Evil Spear Emperor anymore.

Forget it, better find a peaceful place to relax, it's been so many days, need to have a good sleep.

Lu Ran slowly raised his head, looking towards the overcast sky covered with dark clouds.

So, dear God Demons.

Where should this despicable human ant go to hide and survive?

How about Mo Gu Peak?

Hide at the world's end.

...