Summit of the Old Gods

Lu Ran held the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword, feeling a mix of emotions.

What should I do?

The Divine Sword from mother's inheritance is blocking the path of my Divine Weapon Blade...

What's giving Lu Ran a headache is that today's situation seems to be a deliberate setup by mom?

Did she deliberately name it this way, hoping for such a day?

"Sigh..."

Lu Ran let out a deep sigh, and clearly sensed that the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword in his hand is a powerful Third Rank Divine Weapon!

Third Rank!

Which means this Divine Weapon has at least two Divine Weapon Domains.

"Young Master, you still need to understand the heartfelt intentions of the Sect Master." Yan Chou couldn't help but speak up in defense of his former master.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran looked down at the man.

Yan Chou certainly knew that the Divine Weapon Domains of the blade and sword overlapped.

But precisely because of this, the two could meet here.

Yan Chou spoke seriously, "The Sect Master founded a legacy in the Heavenly Realm for you, intentionally naming your blade 'Cloud Sea Dust Clear,' perhaps so you could find us, the old Cloud Sea faction.

As the heir, continue to lead us to complete her unfinished business!"

"Heh heh." Lu Ran suddenly laughed.

Yan Chou looked at Lu Ran, confused.

"Mr. Yan misunderstood." Lu Ran shook his head, "I'm sighing, indeed troubled, but more so feeling reflective and grateful."

"Young Master, please call me Chou Nu." Yan Chou truly cared about the name, yearning for Lu Ran's approval.

Because Lu Ran represented Qiao Wanjun.

In fact, when Yan Chou offered the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword with both hands, he had some trepidation, not knowing whether this noble solitary sword would permit the youth to touch it.

It was only when Lu Ran firmly grasped the sword hilt that Yan Chou finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This counted as another layer of identity validation, but it was merely a relationship validation.

Whether the young man could be identified as the successor to Sect Master Qiao, it seemed that this Divine Sword still needed further observation.

Yan Chou's mind raced as he quickly asked, "Did Young Master just say that the sigh was more for gratitude?"

"Yes." Lu Ran extended two fingers, gently brushed the chilly sword's surface, "Chou Nu, do you have family?"

Yan Chou shook his head, "No."

"So you don't understand a mother's heartfelt intentions for her child." Lu Ran sighed with a smile, "Perhaps deep down, she wishes I'd inherit her affairs, to see if I can find a breakthrough, but..."

Yan Chou gazed up at the young man, quietly listening.

Lu Ran looked at the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword, murmuring, "Yet I feel she wants to find some help for me, desires for me to have reliance in the perilous Heavenly Realm."

"Hoo~"

The Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword surged with energy, the Sword Spirit gradually appearing.

Yan Chou's eyes widened in disbelief, feeling excited.

How many years has it been?

Since the Sword Spirit of this sword last appeared when Sect Master Qiao was summoned back to the Human World!

And now, that immortal figure deeply hidden in memory finally appeared before him again.

Lu Ran was entirely frozen!

The image of the Sword Spirit was precisely Qiao Wanjun.

She was tall, wearing a white and gold ancient-style long dress, her long black hair gently fluttering in the wind, unbelievably beautiful.

She wore a white veil covering the lower half of her face, preventing others from seeing her true appearance.

Her brow exuded an aura of intense majesty, her cold eyes lightly gazing at Lu Ran.

The same.

Yet different.

Those beautiful eyes seemed like a deep cold lake, ice-cold, without a ripple.

Imagine that this is how mother looks at outsiders.

Lu Ran was rarely treated like this by mom.

Whenever she looked at him, her eyes were always as clear as a fresh spring, soothing the soul.

"You've grown up." Cloud Sea Sword Spirit spoke softly.

This Sword Spirit formed naturally many years ago.

At that time, in Qiao Wanjun's mind, her children were still very young, so the Sword Spirit's impression of these children remained from that period.

Lu Ran opened his mouth, "mom" almost escaped his lips before he swallowed it back hard.

He constantly reminded himself it was just a Sword Spirit.

Not his real mother.

Cloud Sea Sword Spirit calmly extended a hand, gently brushing Lu Ran's cheek with the back of her hand.

Lu Ran reflexively closed his eyes, almost failing to hold his composure.

Does he miss her?

Since entering the mountain, Lu Ran's life was consumed by cultivation and battle, leaving him little time for nostalgia.

Yet when Lu Ran had the opportunity to return to the Human World, he immediately brought Yuanxi, Deng Yutang, Tian Tian, and others to his side.

A person's words can be false, but actions do not lie.

Lu Ran certainly misses them.

But he couldn't meet his mother.

Qiao Wanjun is a Peak Master of one of the nine Spirit Mountains in the Sword One Sect, a person of key interest to the deities.

Lu Ran is the mouse in the dark sewer.

He could only act secretly, unable to see the light.

Today, after hearing Yan Chou recount mother's deeds, Lu Ran felt even more confident in his decision.

Qiao Wanjun is not just under close watch?

She was "invited" back personally by the deities to serve as Jinghong Peak's Peak Master, likely so the deities can keep a firm foot on her, closely monitoring her.

Thus, is Lord Jian Yi very aloof?

Unwilling to do dirty deeds?

Get real!

In the vast crowd of Gods and Demons, can one find anything good?

"Seems like, it's time for me to leave." Cloud Sea Sword Spirit said softly, lowering her gaze to the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Blade.

Lu Ran suddenly opened his eyes wide, "No!"

Not to mention this is a powerful Third Rank Divine Weapon!

Just considering it's mother's weapon, Lu Ran couldn't allow anything to happen to it.

The immaterial Qiao Wanjun remained unmoved, "You and your blade need to grow."

"Hoo~"

Once again, waves of energy surged, forming the Cloud Sea Blade Spirit.

It was also Lu Ran.

A Lu Ran with an ethereal, immortal grace.

Qiao Wanjun looked towards the other child and continued, "My existence hinders you."

"No!"

"Absolutely not!" both Lu Rans spoke simultaneously.

Qiao Wanjun raised her brows slightly, almost imperceptibly, observing the solemn rejection on the faces of the two children.

As a Sword Spirit, from the moment she was born, she carried the essence of the Master of Divine Weapon.

Yet from start to finish, the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit never truly felt familial affection.

Everything existed in imagination, residing in the memory provided by the Master of Divine Weapon.

Now, faced with two anxious Lu Rans, the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit not only sensed an ethereal emotion, but even felt a sense of "completeness of life."

"Hehe." The Cloud Sea Sword Spirit suddenly laughed.

She extended her hand again, gently brushing Lu Ran's cheek, her indifferent eyes quietly softening.

The more you act this way, the more I shouldn't obstruct your path.

Lu Ran felt something was amiss!

He would rather have the Sword Spirit always remain indifferent, but why did she suddenly become gentle?

This spells trouble!

No, she absolutely can't self-destruct.

"Let's get one thing straight!" Lu Ran said solemnly, "You are not truly my mother, you don't have the right to make decisions."

The ethereal Qiao Wanjun showed a faint smile: "Why wouldn't I be?"

I was born from her thoughts, carrying her will.

She wished to cleanse the Cloud Sea, but was ultimately suppressed; surely she was melancholic in the Human World.

The result is evident, I cannot help her fulfill the wish upon her heart.

Therefore, I should yield.

Let it be you.

My departure will allow you to continue growing smoothly, it's also the last thing I can do for the Master as a Divine Weapon...

"Align yourself!" Lu Ran's tone carried unprecedented authority.

It was as if interwoven with the Heavenly Dao Laws.

Even Yan Chou couldn't help but glance over.

The Cloud Sea Sword Spirit's gaze fell below, seemingly able to see through the luxurious fur cloak to the Second-rank Magical Artifact·Black Jade Tiger Talisman hidden beneath.

Lu Ran spoke again, "I will find a way for the coexistence of blade and sword."

The Sword Spirit remained noncommittal.

Lu Ran threw out another bombshell: "Once I ascend to the Heavenly Realm, I can return to the Human World, your destiny should be determined by the Master of Divine Weapon."

"Oh?" The Cloud Sea Sword Spirit finally reacted.

"You are unaware of my true strength!" Lu Ran spoke boldly, though it sounded like presumptuous boasting.

Yet his expression was solemn: "Regardless of how strong you think I am, I promise, I'm a thousand times stronger than you can imagine!"

Yan Chou remained silent.

The Cloud Sea Sword Spirit just smiled without speaking.

Saying more serves no purpose!

Lu Ran directly raised his hand, a surge of energy emanated from his palm, strands of black mist gathered swiftly, forming a long spear.

Evil Spear Emperor's Evil Technique·Evil Cloud Spear!

Yan Chou was somewhat taken aback, realizing then, the Young Master belonged to the same sect as him?

But that's impossible!

There weren't many Human Clan believers under the Evil Spear Emperor, never heard of... huh??

Yan Chou's eyes widened!

Lu Ran's hand holding the Evil Cloud Spear suddenly crumbled and vanished, then boiling blood gathered in his palm forming a blood blade with blood beads boiling.

Blood Skull Evil Technique·Blood Burning Blade?!

Even the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit furrowed her brows lightly.

But that wasn't the end!

Lu Ran's Blood Burning Blade turned into a pool of blood, flowing down his fingers.

He astonishingly held another exquisite Jade Ruyi in his hand.

Jade-faced Snake Evil Technique·Jade Ruyi!

Yan Chou: !!!

The ethereal Qiao Wanjun stared blankly at Lu Ran's palm.

Da Xia only has four supreme Evil Gods.

And Lu Ran exhibited three Evil Techniques within mere seconds!

From different races.

All from supreme Evil Demons!

Yan Chou was utterly bewildered; at this rate, will the Young Master exhibit the final supreme Evil Demon·Yin Flower Dan's Evil Technique?

No!

Lu Ran summoned an Ancient Bronze Mirror.

For he wouldn't use the Yin Flower Dan's Evil Technique... cough, cough, because he already demonstrated enough, convincingly enough.

"Do you know that Heavenly Grade·Mirror Flower Moon can traverse dimensions for transport?" Lu Ran, holding the edge of the bronze mirror, swept his gaze over the two, "It can return to the Human World."

Yan Chou and the Sword Spirit were silent, struggling to process the rapid unfolding events.

Hard to accept!

Lu Ran dispersed the Ancient Bronze Mirror, regrasping the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword suspended mid-air, one word at a time:

"I've already gone back!"

Though the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit remained ethereal, her beautiful eyes seemed to brighten, directly meeting Lu Ran's gaze.

"So, mother... uh, Sword Spirit."

Lu Ran hesitated, then quickly said, "Your destiny should be determined by the Master of Divine Weapon! Before I send you back to the Human World, stay by my side, protect me as I ascend to the Heavenly Realm."

The ethereal Qiao Wanjun watched her somewhat awkward, yet feigning a serious demeanor child.

The Divine Weapon follows the master, undoubtedly true.

Her eyes, a deep cold lake, gradually turned into a clear spring, warming the heart.

So much so that Lu Ran felt dazed.

In his sight, the ethereal Sword Spirit gently nodded, reached out an illusory hand to softly rub his head.

Mm, alright.

...