Summit of the Old Gods

Within the Immortal Worship Hall, occasional faint sounds could be heard.

Standing in front of the two side walls, Jiang Ruyi and Yan Shuangzi carefully placed each small Immortal Sheep sculpture.

In the depths of the hall, in front of the large Immortal Sheep stone sculpture.

Lu Ran stood motionless, eyes closed and hands clasped in prayer.

[More than four years, from the Mist Realm to the Heavenly Realm, not bad.] A low and hoarse voice echoed in his mind.

Four years?

Lu Ran's expression was mildly stunned, then he lowered his head and smiled slightly.

Oh right, it was in the year eighteen when I succeeded in honoring the gods, and now it's twenty-two, just over four years.

But these so-called four years feel like forty.

The journey has been fraught with too many events, especially during the days at Holy Spirit Mountain, where one year felt like ten.

[Small Human Clan, indeed your talent is exceptional.]

Is this considered an official endorsement?

Lu Ran couldn't help but think of his mother and asked, "Immortal Sheep Lord, have you been communicating privately with my mother?"

[It seems you have gathered quite a bit of information at Holy Spirit Mountain.] The divine tone bore an uncharacteristic trace of teasing.

Is this considered an indirect response?

Lu Ran whispered, "An Executioner descended from the Heavenly Realm to Spirit Mountain to slay Da Xia's geniuses, among them my mother's former associates.

That person said my mother was immensely powerful, greatly feared by both god and demon, and was invited back to the Human World."

[Indeed, you were quite bold at Holy Spirit Mountain.]

Lu Ran opened his mouth, realizing that the Immortal Sheep Lord was unwilling to delve into other matters, the focus remained on him.

He pondered for a moment, expressing concern, [How is your situation? Surely both god and demon are aware that you are the god honored by Da Xia's first pride.]

[Heh.] The Immortal Sheep let out a cold laugh, [Just a pile of stones, what can they do to me.]

Lu Ran looked up, staring blankly at the Immortal Sheep stone sculpture.

Such audacity?

Is this security perhaps a bit too much?

Hmm... hopefully, you are not just putting on a brave face out of pride.

[Hmm?] A slightly nasal sound echoed in Lu Ran's mind.

Lu Ran was startled, quickly saying, [Disc... Disciple wasn't aware before, why did you choose me. Now it seems, it was because of my mother.]

[Then why didn't I choose your mother directly?]

"Uh." Lu Ran scratched his head.

It does seem right... No, wait!

You're saying it as if you could have taken her.

Isn't she a top disciple of Sword One, also being watched by him, so no chance for covert influence?

[If there's nothing else, you'd better go back early and focus on ascending to the Heavenly Realm.] The voice in his head turned cold, [The energy is richer there, aiding your faster growth.]

Lu Ran shivered.

Such a domineering sheep, so heartless!

After so long, just stayed a while, and now you're sending me away...

Lu Ran organized his thoughts and said, "Disciple will ascend to the Heavenly Realm as soon as possible, but there are some matters, please guide me, Immortal Sheep Lord.

Disciple has obtained some information, knowing that gods and demons share the same origin, two sides of the same coin?"

[Why ask when you already know, hasn't your subordinate already fused the Divine Sculpture and Evil Sculpture?]

"Ah? Immortal Sheep Lord sensed it?"

[Hmm.]

"So, the Evil Demon Camp was created by all gods?"

[Not created, but divided.]

Lu Ran furrowed his brows, "Why do that? Wouldn't dividing weaken the power?"

[This allows your Human Clan to undergo the fastest transformation, rebuilding a new order, making you more thoroughly governed.]

Lu Ran's expression darkened.

[You're smart, tell me, if this pile of stones descended directly to the Human World and recruited believers, what would be the outcome?]

Lu Ran pursed his lips.

Undeniably, the Human Clan would still accept the new, gradually changing perceptions, and enter an age of universal god-worship.

After all, the stone sculptures can grant believers miraculous powers! When everyone else can fly and escape, would you still willingly remain ordinary?

In essence, it's not a question of willingness.

Falling behind means getting beaten, you have no choice but to accept!

But the problem is, with tens of billions living on this world, how long would it take to involve the masses in this?

God and demon's choice is undoubtedly more efficient.

Evil Demon Camp takes the lead!

Using three months to wreak havoc in the Human World, creating widespread chaos.

To ensure you feel pain, make you fearful!

Through repeated human tragedies, with wave after wave of dead, making the survivors feel the deepest pain, the deepest despair.

At the brink of the race's existence, the hypocritical Divine Camp makes its grand entrance.

This group of saviors quells the chaos in the Human World, saving the collapsing world.

So, how long does it take to fully have tens of billions accept the new, adapt to the environment, and completely change mindsets?

God and demon have given an answer:

Three months.

No need for total victory, no need for the Evil Demon Camp to be thoroughly crushed, the moment the gods descend, the era of universal god-worship begins!

Gradual adaptation? Slow acceptance?

No!

Devotion is immediately maximized.

The Human Clan, deceived, kneel before the altars, never to rise again.

Even those who suspect or question must dutifully bow in the face of overwhelming forces.

[It seems, you have figured it out.]

"Thank you, Immortal Sheep Lord for your guidance," Lu Ran said softly.

In the Immortal Worship Hall, Jiang Ruyi and Yan Shuangzi's movements were somewhat stiff.

Interestingly, the high and mighty Divine·Immortal Goat Lord did not instill fear in the two women; instead, it was the young man from the Human Clan who made them feel a chill.

Lu Ran was silent for a moment, then added, "Disciple had that subordinate fuse both Mo Li and Dragon Li stone sculptures, is this growth direction correct?"

[In worldly matters, what is right or wrong?]

Lu Ran slightly raised an eyebrow.

[Merely choices one after another.]

"I understand now, Immortal Sheep Lord." Lu Ran respectfully bowed, "Disciple also has two subordinates, one from West Desolation and the other a Female Demon from Barbaric Wilderness.

If they fuse, what will happen?"

[The weak will become sustenance for the strong.]

Lu Ran's gaze hardened!

So the two Feng Yan generals cannot merge, and one of them would be devoured?

Unexpectedly, Immortal Sheep's tone shifted: [The premise of cooperation is equality in strength.]

"I see." Lu Ran seemed thoughtful, "If two from the Human Clan, both Evil Sculpture and Divine Sculpture, are at the First Level of the Heavenly Realm, would that count as evenly matched?"

Strictly speaking, is there truly a complete equivalence in strength in this world?

[It's enough for their Great Realm to be equivalent, the rest depends on the stronger side showing more mercy towards the weaker side.]

"I understand!" Lu Ran showed a grateful expression.

[Your vision should not be solely focused on the dual faces of gods and demons.]

Lu Ran was puzzled: "Please enlighten me, Immortal Sheep."

[Once your subordinates become Stone Sculptures, they can devour not just their opposing sides but other Stone Sculptures as well.]

"What?" Lu Ran was shocked.

[However, only dual-faced Stone Sculptures can acquire corresponding Divine Techniques or Evil Techniques, for instance, the Dragon Ink Carp. If you let the Dragon Ink Carp devour other Stone Sculptures, it will only absorb their Origin Power to strengthen itself.]

"I get it." Lu Ran nodded gently.

The Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture seemed to be staring at Lu Ran, smiling: [Did you really understand?]

Lu Ran paused, then his mind raced.

The entire Sculpture Garden belonged to Lu Ran, sending Yu Changsheng to devour other Stone Sculptures to acquire their contained Holy Spirit Energy would be counterproductive.

No need to kill the chicken to get the egg.

So what Immortal Sheep meant by "Stone Sculpture" is...

True God in reality?!

If the Ran Sect soldiers unite to slay a god/demon, Yu Changsheng can directly seize their Origin Energy?

Or perhaps, when that day comes, all the Fake Gods of Ran Sect can rush in and feast.

Divide the gods and demons!

Hence, it's crucial for Ran Sect to decide whom to cultivate intensively and which god or demon to slay first.

[This is teachable.]

Lu Ran slowly raised his head, looking at the Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture, always smiling.

Two more words imprinted in his mind, with a sinister tone:

[Great Supplement.]

"Gulp." Lu Ran's Adam's apple moved slightly.

[You've reached today's heights in just four short years. I believe that day isn't far away.]

"Absolutely!" Lu Ran composed himself and nodded vigorously.

[Alright, go back.]

"Don't go yet, Immortal Sheep! Let me ask two more questions, it's been so long, I miss you... uh."

[Speak!] Cold words abruptly cut off someone's expression of longing.

Truly the domineering Sheep Boss.

Cruel and unfeeling, right?

Lu Ran pursed his lips and asked, "Some Stone Sculptures aren't split into two, like Spiritual Fortune, Nv Ying... why do these Stone Sculptures remain solitary? Is there any price to pay?"

[Some answers, you can find yourself.] The cold words fell once more.

Lu Ran was unsure if it was because Immortal Sheep was among them, hence the response.

He dared not probe further, so he simply said: "When the Evil Sculpture rises to the River Realm, it can summon evil demon minions and create flesh bodies.

Although River Realm Divine Sculpture can also summon minions, these so-called minions are possessed by divine shadows..."

[Ha.] Immortal Sheep suddenly laughed coldly, seemingly with a hint of disdain.

Lu Ran's scalp tingled, cautiously calling: "Immortal Sheep?"

[If the Stone Sculpture isn't divided, why would its abilities be divided?]

"Ah!" Lu Ran appeared to realize.

Indeed!

That means, beings like Spiritual Fortune being 'complete' can indeed summon both flesh and shadow minions.

But in the human world, these divine beings cannot summon flesh minions and wreak havoc on the fifteenth night.

Because the image of the minion is the divine being's true self.

Wouldn't that totally give them away!

Divine beings personally leading and invading Human Clan cities... just thinking about it is thrilling!

[The last question.] The transmitted voice grew colder.

Lu Ran opened his mouth, hesitating a while before settling on a question: "My side has subdued several executioners descended from the Heavenly Realm, and also the previous Heavenly Realm Dust Shadow Believer who sent me back to the human world.

Surely, they're the ones heavily watched by gods and demons.

If I let them switch allegiance and join me...

[Gods and demons do have rules, mutual restrictions, forbidding each other from setting foot on Holy Spirit Mountain, so no matter how you stir waves, it's of no matter.] A hoarse voice paused, then continued, [But now, I'm afraid it's not yet time.]

Lu Ran keenly grasped a piece of information.

A rule among gods and demons?

Why is this?

[Wait until you enter the Heavenly Realm, witness broader worlds, then decide for yourself.]

"Understood!" Lu Ran nodded and promptly said, "The last question!"

Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture: "..."

"Just one, Immortal Sheep! The last one, please?" Lu Ran, hands together like a puppy, bowed repeatedly, "I'll leave right after asking."

[Hmph.]

Lu Ran was inwardly pleased, Immortal Sheep really indulges me!

He dared not linger, hurriedly said: "My mother's former subordinates still carry the Divine Sword she cultivated back then. I didn't dare to bring the sword directly back.

Immortal Sheep, can I contact my mother?"

In Immortal Worship Hall, a silence fell.

A long silence.

Not answering was, in fact, an answer.

Lu Ran's expression gradually became dejected, suppressing deep longing inside: "Disciple... understands.

I'll now proceed with preparations for an early ascension to the Heavenly Realm."

His gaze grew melancholy, deeply bowing to the Stone Sculpture before turning to leave.

Suddenly, a sigh echoed in his mind.

Lu Ran's steps halted abruptly.

The transmitted voice was no longer icy, just quietly said: [Things are accomplished in secrecy.]

"I understand, disciple." Lu Ran turned and again bowed respectfully.

And at that moment, another transmission came down: [She seems like a tight-lipped person.]

Lu Ran looked shocked, gazing towards the god.

In his view, Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture sat cross-legged.

That warm and kind sheep face was smiling delightfully at him.

...

Begging for some monthly votes.