Summit of the Old Gods

"Ring ring~ ring~"

Accompanied by the clear and melodious sound of bells, a petite girl in a golden dress quickly arrived at Heaven's Edge.

She respectfully saluted, her voice cheerful, "Sect Master, did you call Sparrow?"

"Hm?" Lu Ran was quite surprised, slightly turning his head, looking at the charming girl behind with the corner of his eye, "So happy?"

Golden Sparrow: "Yingying said... um, the Pavilion Master of Starry Valley said, something particularly good will happen!"

Chang Ying?

Lu Ran slightly raised an eyebrow, "It seems you two have a good relationship."

Golden Sparrow's face was covered with a golden veil, hiding her shy face, "Yes, the Pavilion Master of Starry Valley is very nice, takes good care of Sparrow."

Lu Ran's expression was somewhat strange.

Chang Ying is just a kid, isn't she several years younger than you?

Both are currently in the Sea Realm·Second Rank, so they are qualified to be friends.

But the problem is, Chang Ying was a late bloomer. Early on, when Golden Sparrow was in the Second Rank of Sea Realm and was the Pavilion Master of Sky Sparrow Pavilion, Chang Ying was still in the Fourth Rank of River Realm, being a slave in Starry Valley.

Hmm... truly an odd pair of friends.

Lu Ran couldn't help but recall, the strict Deng Yuxiang and the picky Jiang Ruyi had both given positive evaluations to Chang Ying.

This was completely contrary to Lu Ran's impression of her as "silly, dark, and sweet."

Tsk tsk~

Chang the gambler is doing wonders! Ever since joining Holy Spirit Mountain, she's undergone a transformation.

"What your Yingying said is very correct, there is indeed a good thing happening." Lu Ran beckoned to the girl in the golden dress, "Come over."

"Yes." Golden Sparrow immediately got up and came over.

"Ring ring~ ring~"

The Heavenly Sound Bell tied to her ankle constantly bumped against her fair little feet, making joyful sounds again.

However, as Golden Sparrow approached the cliff's edge, her movements visibly slowed a bit.

The Majestic Heaven Realm is indeed difficult to deal with, even harder to approach.

"I have prepared the Evil Sculpture·Nine Infernal Sparrow for you, starting today, you'll join my sect."

"Good... good."

"What, don't want to?"

"I do! Sparrow is willing!" Golden Sparrow quickly explained, "It's just that being around the Sect Master, Sparrow feels a little... a little scared."

"Hehe." Lu Ran chuckled, lifting his hand.

Golden Sparrow, obedient and clever, did her best to restrain her inner fear and leaned her little head under the young man's palm.

"Whoo!!"

A massive, skeletal, enormous bone sparrow, with eerie green ghostly fire burning between its bones, suddenly descended!

Evil God·Nine Infernal Sparrow!

"From now on, your growth limit will no longer be restricted, make sure to cultivate diligently." Lu Ran gently advised.

"Yes... absolutely!" Golden Sparrow trembled slightly with joy, but couldn't withstand the dual pressure of Lu Ran and the shadow of the Evil God.

Nowadays, Lu Ran had come to understand some rules.

The life of the Human Clan is short and fragile, yet it can bloom into incredibly brilliant colors like fireworks!

How fast do the followers of the Human Clan grow?

Most of them can fully realize their talent in their youth or middle age.

There are also a few extremely terrifying beings who can, in just a few years, directly threaten the status of God Demons!

Like people such as Golden Sparrow and Luo Ying, they have obviously passed the phase of explosive growth.

Gradually returning to silence.

The ceiling is right here; even if your room's ceiling is only three meters high, no matter how high you jump, you can only touch three meters.

After Lu Ran's intervention, the ceiling was completely blown off.

More than just jumping?

You are to fly into the sky!

"Uh." Golden Sparrow let out a muffled hum; even with the protection of the shadow of the Evil God, she couldn't avoid suffering some minor injuries while breaking the original master-servant contract.

Black flames ignited in Lu Ran's hand, nurturing her mind and spirit.

Golden Sparrow's heart was elated!

She was originally a disciple of Huang Que but was all too aware of the might of the nemesis·Nine Infernal Sparrow.

This race possesses the wailing technique that causes heart-wrenching pain·Grieving Soul Cry; it can launch corrosive bone feathers·Seven Bone Quill.

It has the hidden technique·Ghostly Sparrow Concealment; it can repair and reinforce a pair of bone wings with the skill·Ghost Bone Wings.

It can summon countless sparrow shadows with the domain technique·Ghostly Sparrow Thousand Shadows; also has the Spirit Defense Technique·Nine Infernal Heart.

As a third-rank Evil God, Nine Infernal Sparrow also possesses the River Realm Technique—Devourer Sun Fierce Sparrow!

Once this technique is activated, the Nine Infernal Sparrow will transform into a gigantic bone sparrow true form, whose cries will plunge the world into darkness, triggering an eclipse-like phenomenon.

Each cry further summons clusters of eerie green ghostly fire, descending from the sky.

The ghostly fire has a strong corrosive effect, quite significant, somewhat countering the major move of the Huang Que Sect·Great Sun Burning Sky Sparrow!

In the same rank, when Huang Que disciples see the Nine Infernal Sparrow clan, they are likely to be overwhelmingly beaten.

Now Golden Sparrow transformed, becoming the Stone Sculpture·Nine Infernal Sparrow herself!

How could she not be overjoyed?

Lu Ran could also sense her excitement, couldn't help but sigh in his heart, "Sigh..."

Look at the Nine Infernal Sparrow!

This is what one would call an Evil God!

Then look at the fishermen...

Those pitiful old fishermen, even if Ash's disciples helped them put on shoes, they would be too dirty to wear!

"Thank you for Sect Master's grace." Golden Sparrow, after a while, gently rubbed her head against Lu Ran's palm.

Lu Ran couldn't help but smile, this adorable girl in the golden dress truly knew how to be endearing.

He withdrew his hand, instructed, "Go back now."

"Yes." Golden Sparrow paused for a moment, then unfolded a pair of pale white bone wings on her back, with faintly spreading ghostly green flames between the bones.

A chilling breath swept directly towards Lu Ran's face.

After changing allegiance, Golden Sparrow no longer had the ability to shapeshift.

Fortunately, she still had bone wings and could still fly.

"By the way." Lu Ran suddenly said, "In a few days, I will go out on a mission. I don't know when I'll return. Look after Little Yuanxi for me."

"Okay!" Golden Sparrow immediately agreed.

Actually, there was no need for Lu Ran to specifically instruct her; Golden Sparrow was well-versed in the ways of survival and was eager to maintain a good relationship with Qiao Yuansi.

In fact, the two of them usually communicated a lot.

Yet recently, Qiao Yuansi has been extremely diligent in his cultivation, staying in the seclusion room all day without coming out.

Much like a student immersing himself in the library before exams.

Golden Sparrow dared not disturb him, and it was for this reason she "developed" a new companion—Chang Ying.

Ever since she proactively befriended the Pavilion Master of Starry Valley, it was as if Golden Sparrow had unlocked the door to a new world.

Especially when she transformed into Little Huang Que and landed beside the ebony-skinned girl, the other's large dark hand seemed able to completely envelop her, yet always gently stroked her lustrous golden feathers...

This gave Golden Sparrow a strong sense of security.

She even grew somewhat attached.

Unfortunately...

Golden Sparrow thought to herself, now that she has switched allegiances, she can no longer transform into Little Huang Que.

Speaking of which, From Dragon Guardian could wield both the Dragon Carp and Mo Li skills.

Does this mean that as long as she can satisfy the Sect Master, one day, the Huang Que Divine Technique might also return?

Thinking of this, Golden Sparrow became more expectant, not daring to delay any longer, she swiftly flew away from Heaven's Edge at Lu Ran's order.

Lu Ran watched the girl fly into the distance, his gaze slowly lowering.

Not far behind him, an old man in a white robe was quietly waiting.

Their eyes met, scrutinizing each other.

Since Bai Yanhui saw the light again, he had seen Lu Ran once, though the night was too dark and his eyes too moist to see clearly.

But now, Bai Yanhui had a clear view of the young man in the white robe.

Even younger and more heroic than imagined.

The youth merely sat there quietly, a kind smile on his face, yet the mighty heavenly aura surrounding the cliff reminded all beings to lower their heads.

"Sect Master," Bai Yanhui bowed his head and said.

"Elder Bai, how have you been?" Lu Ran looked at the venerable old man, who with eyes was even more akin to the Caster himself.

"Everything is well, thanks to the Sect Master's grace," Bai Yanhui expressed his gratitude.

Lu Ran turned around, "Now I can freely travel to and from the human world. The Nightmare Guardian found me, asking me to return Lingyi and let the Deng Family couple raise him. Does Elder Bai have any thoughts?"

Bai Yanhui respectfully replied, "I will follow the Sect Master's arrangements."

Lu Ran gazed at the vast sea, "Manni is my classmate, Yutang is my brother. I can give Elder Bai a choice.

You can return to the human world and enjoy familial bliss, or stay at Ran Sect, inheriting a Divine Sculpture."

Bai Yanhui lowered his head, his gaze gentle, "Ever since meeting the family bloodline, I haven't been as carefree as before."

"Oh?"

"I wish for the world to become a bit more stable," Bai Yanhui said softly.

Lu Ran smiled, understanding the old man's decision.

The Valley Master of Sinless Valley, who had wandered all his life, had been diligent for two decades, yet ultimately failed to protect everything.

How to remain sinless?

Weakness is the original sin.

Yet destiny loves to toy with people, rarely granting favors.

Having lost everything, Bai Yanhui now possessed everything again, including things worth striving for.

"The Sect Master's immense grace cannot be repaid. I am willing to serve the Sect Master with all my strength," the old man's voice was full of resolve.

Lu Ran looked at the shimmering sea and nodded lightly.

The sea appeared calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents surged.

Much like the current state of affairs.

Lu Ran slowly raised his head, looking towards the blue sky.

The God Demon seemed to still hold all control, thinking that by dispatching Heaven Realm Executors, they could clean up the evildoers in Holy Spirit Mountain.

Yet little did they know,

The lurking evildoers were about to surface and attack the Heavenly Realm.

"Elder Bai, wait a few days. I will collect some Holy Spirit Energy from the islands. Before the fifteenth, I will find you again."

Lu Ran's Evil Mirror Demon Sculpture had long reached the first level of the Heavenly Realm, able to summon 10 Sea Realm minions—Evil Mirror Demons.

Yet it wasn't necessary.

River Realm Evil Mirror Demon minions were sufficient to garrison a sea island and collect Holy Spirit Energy; calculated, that's a hundred Evil Mirror Demons, which is a hundred islands!

Such logistical support is enough for nurturing Stone Sculptures at or below the Sea Realm level.

Lu Ran had thought, by inertia, nurturing a Heavenly Realm Stone Sculpture to upgrade a level would require ten thousand strands of Holy Spirit Energy.

After all, improving a River Realm Stone Sculpture by a small rank requires a hundred strands of Holy Spirit Energy, while a Sea Realm Stone Sculpture requires a thousand strands for the same.

But Lu Ran was wrong.

On the eve of returning to Holy Spirit Mountain, he sought confirmation from Lord Immortal Sheep.

The fact proved that Elder Bai Rao's speculation was correct: after reaching the Heavenly Realm, further advancement is not just a small rank progression.

The difference between the first level and second level of the Heavenly Realm is truly a Great Realm distinction!

However, Lord Immortal Sheep also said that the Heavenly Realm's resources are richer, which can accelerate Lu Ran's growth.

This growth refers to the Stone Sculptures under Lu Ran's command, those Ran Sect soldiers who fuse with Stone Sculptures can grow and strengthen themselves through plundering Holy Spirit Energy.

Although Lu Ran had reached the Heavenly Realm, he had not fused with a Stone Sculpture.

After all, the one he would fuse with...is Lord Immortal Sheep!

Lu Ran never mentioned this.

He didn't want Lord Immortal Sheep to go away, didn't want it to completely dissipate.

Lu Ran believed, and Lord Immortal Sheep almost tacitly acknowledged, that Lu Ran has the qualifications to follow in his mother's footsteps on her path to ascend.

Only at the very end, once Lu Ran truly reached the height where his mother stood, then Lord Immortal Sheep...

Lu Ran didn't want to think about it.

People are always slow to understand.

For instance, Lord Immortal Sheep expressed more than once to Lu Ran:

It will eventually dissipate.

Back then, Lu Ran would naively ask Lord Immortal Sheep, how could it not dissipate, how could it be saved.

It was only later he realized, the true culprit causing Lord Immortal Sheep to dissipate...

Was likely Lu Ran himself.

Now, growing wildly, Lu Ran realized he was a killer wielding a butcher's knife.

Every progress he made, brought him closer to the Immortal Sheep God Sculpture.

Lord Immortal Sheep just stood there, watching as the executioner approached step by step.

Waiting for the end to arrive.

...