Summit of the Old Gods

The days passed by, and it was already the fourteenth of the lunar calendar.

On this night, in the spacious hall of Tianya Residence, Lu Ran sat dominantly on the Taishi chair at the head, with an air of authority.

Deng Yuxiang, Yu Changsheng, Yan Chou, among others, stood to the left and right below the hall; all could see that the Sect Master was ready!

Bai Rao leaned at Lu Ran's feet, occasionally looking up to gaze at the young man's solemn and dignified face.

The more she looked, the more satisfied she felt.

Little Master Lu truly exudes more and more of a leader's charisma.

In the past five or six days, Lu Ran had adjusted himself to peak condition!

Early tomorrow morning, he will ascend to the Heavenly Realm with the Nightmare Guardian.

Facing the new journey, Lu Ran felt both anticipation and nervousness, concealing his turbulent emotions with a serious face.

His gaze swept over Yan Chou, then looked at the enchanting woman clinging to his feet: "I am ascending to the Heavenly Realm tomorrow, do any of you have any special advice?"

"Young Master!" Yan Chou immediately said, "Let this servant accompany you."

"Indeed, Little Master Lu," Bai Rao said in a pitiful manner, "The Heavenly Realm is perilous, going alone would leave this humble servant in constant worry."

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

Am I not a person?

Isn't the From Dragon Guardian, Luoshen, just for show?

These two Pseudo God Stones, united with the God Demon, stand in Lu Ran's Sculpture Garden, ready to be summoned for battle at any time.

"It's not that I don't trust you, but once you return to the Heavenly Realm, you will surely face questioning by the Gods and Demons." Lu Ran said in a deep voice.

Bai Rao, Yan Chou, and even Elder Tufeng's identities were special, all executioners entering the mountain with missions.

After returning to the Heavenly Realm, naturally, they are to report back.

The Gods and Demons cannot query the memories of human believers' minds.

But no one can ensure, under the questioning of the Gods and Demons, whether the executioners' demeanor and lies will be impeccable.

"Little Lu, the Heavenly Realm is not as vast as the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, but it isn't small either, only certain special areas allow communication with Gods and Demons."

Bai Rao said softly, crawling slowly up to the armrest of the Taishi chair.

"Why does Aunt Bai skirt around the issue? I know that after ascending to the Heavenly Realm, we have a high probability of being directly teleported near the Divine Mountain."

Lu Ran said, pressing a hand on her head to stop her from getting closer.

"Oh~ Little Lu!" Bai Rao sulked, "Even if this humble servant is interrogated, I won't show any flaws.

This humble servant knows how to lie~"

"I will take you to the Heavenly Realm." Lu Ran said sternly, "Provided we ensure our safety."

The Heavenly Realm Battlefield, to be precise, the "First Layer of Heaven," also has weak contact with the Gods.

But in certain special areas, in those regions known as "Divine Mountains," believers can communicate with Gods and Demons!

Although the communication is still laborious, it's real-time conveyance.

Lu Ran's hand, upon Bai Rao's head, gently patted: "Don't rush, listen."

Bai Rao's expression was slightly dazed.

The young man before her, with his solemn demeanor, had softened his gaze and even his tone became much gentler.

Bai Rao couldn't help but blame inwardly, you wretch!

Solemn and dignified to such an extent, allowing no challenge, yet when gentle, it is even more overwhelming, making one unable to resist...

Truly, a charming demon!

Tsk, poor Ran Sect soldiers, must have been troubled by you greatly.

"So, do any of you have any special advice?" Lu Ran held down the restless enchanting serpent as he continued to ask.

Yan Chou, seeing the Young Master's decision, put aside his thoughts and said solemnly:

"After the Young Master's ascension, when encountering Evil Demon henchmen or human believers, a cautious heart is necessary, but fundamentally everyone's identity changes."

Lu Ran nodded silently.

In Holy Spirit Mountain, when people saw believers from other sects, they would draw their swords immediately!

Encountering the Evil Demon Clan, they would fight to the death.

However, on the Heavenly Realm Battlefield, humans and Evil Demons all became comrades fighting side by side!

Because they have a common enemy.

Lu Ran had yet to witness that scenario.

But just thinking about it felt ironic!

"Young Master, your mother's former Cloud Sea subordinates are mostly scattered near various Divine Mountains." Yan Chou said in a deep voice, "Holding the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword, you will command them all.

However, the Young Master should also be aware that those Cloud Sea's former subordinates near the Divine Mountain will also be monitored by the relevant Gods and Demons, so..."

Lu Ran nodded silently.

"Little Lu." Bai Rao suddenly spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Near the Divine Mountain, you must pay attention to your actions." Bai Rao raised her eyes to look at the young man.

Lu Ran already knew what she wanted to say.

Bai Rao meticulously advised: "If you want to perform skills from other sects or summon the Stone Sculpture in your mind, remember! You must keep away from the Divine Mountain."

Lu Ran nodded emphatically: "I and the Nightmare Guardian will strive to only exhibit skills from the Immortal Sheep Sect.

If it comes to a critical point, I will ensure to stay away from the Divine Mountain, and ensure every creature that witnesses my special abilities dies by my blade, devoured completely!"

"That's right~" Bai Rao smiled alluringly, satisfied as she looked at Lu Ran.

Lu Ran's eyes flickered, continuing: "Anyway, the external enemies of the Heavenly Realm can devour dead souls, perpetually competing with both Gods and Demons for the Origin Energy."

When returning to the Human World earlier, Lu Ran had inquired of Lord Immortal Sheep regarding the matter of having the Heavenly Realm's executioners change allegiances.

Lord Immortal Sheep had clearly stated that it was not yet the time.

Lu Ran should wait until ascending to the Heavenly Realm and decide based on the specific circumstances.

It seems that Lord Immortal Sheep wants Lu Ran to comprehend and judge it himself, possibly using the external enemy as cover, allowing those executioners who joined Ran Sect to pledge allegiance under Lu Ran in the heavenly realm.

"Young Master, shall I tell you more about the external enemy?" Yan Chou cautiously inquired, afraid that the Young Master might be impatient.

After all, Lu Ran already had a thorough understanding of the abilities, characteristics, and other details of those mysterious entities.

"Go ahead, Big Nightmare and I will listen." Lu Ran accepted the offer without refusal.

In the hall, the torches were burning, and the firelight flickered.

This meeting before the journey continued until late at night, and only then did everyone disperse.

Lu Ran sat alone in the Taishi Chair, organizing all intelligence information regarding the Heavenly Realm, one hand supporting his forehead, continuously rubbing his temples.

Suddenly, a wave of Divine Power rippled beside him.

"Hmm?" Lu Ran turned his head to see the figure of Yan Shuangzi.

"Master, I..." Yan Shuangzi slightly raised her hands.

"Thank you." Lu Ran leaned his body sideways, resting his elbow on the armrest.

The hall was silent, with only the crackling sound of burning torches.

After a long while, Lu Ran softly said, "Once I leave, you will follow the Lady."

"Okay." Yan Shuangzi gently rubbed Lu Ran's temples with her fingertips, her gaze somewhat dim.

Everything she encountered upon first entering the Mountain Realm caused a slight delay on her path of cultivation.

A small step behind leads to being behind in every step!

Now, Yan Shuangzi could only watch Lu Ran and Deng Yuxiang join forces to ascend to the heavenly realm while she remained in the mountains, cultivating arduously.

For someone from the Sea Realm to join the battle among Heavenly Realm's Great Powers would undoubtedly be unwise!

Even if Yan Shuangzi could come and go without a trace, Lu Ran would never let her fall into danger.

"You have already reached the fourth rank in the Sea Realm; it won't be long before you can advance to the Heavenly Realm." Lu Ran, sensing her disappointment, softly reassured her, "When the time comes, I will come back to get you."

"Yes." Yan Shuangzi responded softly.

Lu Ran shifted the topic: "It seems like you have acquired something?"

"The Wind Emperor visited while the Master was having a meeting. She left the Tiger Talisman for me to deliver." Yan Shuangzi said while taking out half of the Tiger Talisman.

"Did she say anything?" Lu Ran casually took the left half of the Tiger Talisman.

"The Wind Emperor said that the two halves of the Tiger Talisman must unite to unleash their true effect." Yan Shuangzi conveyed, "She also said..."

"What?"

"She said the Master of Ran Sect is the ruler of the Mountain Realm and wherever he goes, he should also be the ruler of that land!"

"Haha." Lu Ran chuckled, indeed, something He Qifeng would say.

Lu Ran looked at the obedient black jade Tiger Talisman in his palm, clearly, it had been convinced by its former owner, coming here to acknowledge a new master.

Naturally, He Qifeng could convince the Tiger Talisman, also because Lu Ran had the qualifications.

He already possessed the right half of the Tiger Talisman and was a Heavenly Realm Great Power, with status and raw strength above He Qifeng.

Lu Ran slowly raised his hand to his neck.

"Snap~"

The two halves of the Tiger Talisman attracted each other seamlessly, combining into a complete small black tiger.

The union of two second-rank Magical Artifacts, although not reaching the third rank in strength, is nonetheless top-tier among second-rank artifacts.

The effect of the black jade Tiger Talisman is to bolster Lu Ran's aura based on his own grandeur.

Whether during this journey to the heavenly realm, the creatures living in the First Layer of Heaven can continue to hold their noble heads high upon witnessing Lu Ran, remains to be seen.

Thank you, Qifeng.

Lu Ran lightly grasped the Tiger Talisman and tucked it into his collar.

I shall first go above to expand territories.

I await your arrival!

"That's all. You may leave. I will go speak with the Lady." Lu Ran rose and walked toward the bedroom.

Yan Shuangzi gave a light nod, her figure flickering and disappearing.

The Sect Master and the Lady have a separate seclusion room located directly below the bedroom.

Lu Ran arrived at the bedroom corner and proceeded underground through a tunnel.

In the pitch-black seclusion room, without waiting for anyone to speak, Jiang Ruyi already sensed the presence of a terrifying entity at the tunnel entrance.

"Lu Ran?"

"I'm interrupting your cultivation." Lu Ran spoke gently as he approached the girl.

"Is it... time already?" Jiang Ruyi glanced at the young man under the soft glow of the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd.

"Tomorrow is the fifteenth; I'll leave in the morning."

"Oh." Jiang Ruyi pressed her lips, raising the Treasure Gourd in one hand, "Blazing Phoenix for you."

Little Blazing Phoenix floated happily, yet her master's hand bypassed it.

Lu Ran leaned down, one hand supporting her back, the other hand passing through her leg bend, and lifted her horizontally: "Don't cultivate tonight, keep me company."

"Alright." Jiang Ruyi shed her cold exterior, her arms tightly wrapping around Lu Ran, her face buried deep into his neck.

He hasn't left yet.

Yet her yearning has already filled the entire seclusion room.

...