Summit of the Old Gods

Lu Ran was full.

After some searching, he absorbed hundreds of strands of Holy Spirit Energy.

In the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, the work that an Evil Mirror Demon stationed on an island could only complete after half a year, Lu Ran accomplished in just half an hour.

During this time, he inevitably encountered other beings.

There was the terrifying Faceless Jade Venerable, and also combinations of Evil Demon-God minions, which truly broadened Lu Ran's horizons!

Even though Lu Ran was mentally prepared, his perception was still fiercely overturned.

In the Human World, Gods and Evil Demons are irreconcilable.

In the Heavenly Realm, Gods and Demons intimately collaborate, working together...

Yet, from childhood to adulthood, family, school, and even the entire society told Lu Ran: Gods are our saviors, we must be grateful, devoutly worship them.

Evil Demons are the root of chaos in the Human World.

As someone born in the era of Gods and Demons, Lu Ran's outlook was shaped in such a background.

But since entering the Holy Spirit Mountain, his inner world gradually began to collapse.

This world seems not to be as people say.

Entering the Heavenly Realm, Lu Ran witnessed firsthand the scene of Evil Demon-God minions working hand in hand, living and dying together...

A stark naked irony!

Lu Ran could also imagine how desperate others would be.

When people ascended to the Heavenly Realm, finally breaking free from the shackles of lies, only to find they could do nothing.

Above their heads, there are Gods and Demons suppressing.

External enemies present an even greater crisis, forcing the Human Clan to endure humiliation and continue to serve the Gods and Demons.

Lu Ran's feelings were very complex.

In just half an hour, the descending Holy Spirit Energy was quickly divided among the numerous Faceless Jade Venerables and Evil Demon-God minions.

Lu Ran found a slightly larger Stone Peak, hid within it alone, and activated the Heavenly Evil Technique·Mirror Flower Moon.

With one step, he was in the Human World.

In the Immortal Worship Hall on Luoxian Mountain, an elder was kneeling before a prayer mat, devoutly praying to a Stone Sculpture.

"Whew!!"

A terrifying Energy Fluctuation came from behind the elder.

Hundreds and thousands of small Immortal Sheep sculptures along the walls of the hall trembled continuously.

"Who is it?" Cheng Yi felt his heart sink, suddenly turning to look.

The Demon Cave beneath Lord Immortal Sheep's feet was precisely Galaxy Bay, a Demon Cave that produces the Evil Mirror Demon clan!

Upon seeing the Ancient Bronze Mirror, Cheng Yi faced a formidable enemy, thinking a Great Demon had escaped.

Immediately, his cloudy eyes slightly widened!

He was astonished to find a young man in a bamboo hat stepping out of the mirror?

"Grandpa Cheng." Lu Ran nodded slightly, a familiar yet somewhat muffled voice resonated from within the Blood Crystal Mask.

"Mount...Mountain Master?" Cheng Yi spoke with a trembling voice, his mind somewhat not functioning.

The Evil Technique and such were temporarily set aside, the terrifying pressure from the Majestic Heaven Realm made his spirit dazed, only feeling he had seen a God.

As the young man walked forward step by step, it seemed like a towering mountain was crushing down.

As a first-generation believer, Cheng Yi regarded himself as knowledgeable, but in his lifetime, apart from meeting the God himself, he had never felt so small.

Has the Luoxian Mountain Master...already approached divinity?

If Lu Ran knew Cheng Yi's thoughts, he might chuckle wryly.

How could there be such a humble God?

Just after battling a Faceless Jade Venerable, Lu Ran needed Deng Yuxiang's assistance on the side to jointly defeat the enemy.

Even having to slide on his knees past the Faceless Jade Venerable's feet to avoid a dire situation...

"Don't tell anyone about my return." Lu Ran instructed softly.

"Yes, Mountain Master, your skill..."

"Enough, go down." Lu Ran did not explain, looked up at the Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture, and added, "By the way, Grandpa Cheng, could you find me a bamboo hat? I got it crushed into sheep-fat jade during the fight."

Cheng Yi did not understand what kind of battle Lu Ran was involved in, nor could he comprehend what "sheep-fat jade" meant.

But he wasn't foolish, the Mountain Master specially mentioned this, it was likely conversing with the deity?

"Yes." Cheng Yi, filled with deep doubts, immediately retreated, and after leaving the hall, securely closed the heavy door.

Lu Ran came to the table, selected three incense sticks, and lit them before the furnace.

"Whew~" From his waist swelled a surge of energy, as the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit materialized.

Lu Ran turned his head, seeing the ethereal image of his mother.

He observed her complex gaze.

"Is this your gaze, or hers?" Lu Ran asked softly.

"Is there a difference?" the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit countered.

Lu Ran pursed his lips, finally saying nothing, and silently inserted the three incense sticks into the incense burner.

"Your combat style really is unexpected," the Cloud Sea Sword Spirit softly intoned, its expression becoming increasingly complex.

There was admiration, but seemingly also some fear.

"How does it compare with hers?"

"Different in style, equally impressive."

Lu Ran laughed, his laughter full of joy.

He stepped back a few paces, clasped his hands together, and looked up at the Immortal Sheep Stone Sculpture: "Lord Immortal Sheep, your disciple has returned after a glimpse of the Heavenly Realm."

A low voice resonated in Lu Ran's mind: [How was the experience?]

"Quite magical," Lu Ran shook his head with a smile, "I saw some of the lower-ranked God-Demon minions, rarely seen in the mountain."

[Did you see any external enemies?]

"I did." Lu Ran paused, and uttered a profoundly irreverent remark, "A very elegant jade sculpture."

[Heh.] The Immortal Sheep let out a cold laugh.

"She said..."

[She said?]

"After I chopped off her legs, as she was completely dissipating, she told me something," Lu Ran truthfully narrated, feeling some doubt within.

Is there a problem with this?

[Heh.] The Immortal Sheep sneered, [Quite insightful.]

Lu Ran was even more puzzled and turned to look at the ethereal Qiao Wanjun beside him.

The Sword Spirit of the Cloud Sea gently nodded: "Indeed, the Faceless Jade Venerable can communicate, but she despises conversing with ants, so most people are unaware of this.

You are one of the very few who can make the Faceless Jade Venerable speak voluntarily."

Lu Ran: "..."

No wonder the Sword Spirit of the Cloud Sea had a complex expression.

Lu Ran initially thought it was because of his battle style of dancing on the knife's edge, but now it seemed there was another reason.

On a first meeting, with just one battle, one could make the Faceless Jade Venerable speak.

Could it be that I am as valuable as that?

[What did she promise you?]

"She didn't promise the disciple anything." Lu Ran had a peculiar expression, scratching his head, "She said that my efforts to reach the Heavenly Realm have now made me visible to her.

She said I should kneel at her feet and worship my new master."

As he spoke, Lu Ran pursed his lips.

It's as if being noticed by her is some great honor!

Did I strive so hard to reach the Heavenly Realm just to become your servant?

[It seems your conversation was short.] The transmitted voice carried a hint of teasing, [When you truly understand her, perhaps your heart will waver.]

"Huh?" Lu Ran was startled.

He raised his head to look at the Immortal Sheep's stone figure, finding it hard to imagine these were the words of a deity.

"What... what is her background?"

The Immortal Sheep did not respond but asked: [What else did she say?]

Lu Ran organized his words: "She said, that gods and demons are just remnants fleeing in panic, unwilling to exit the stage of history?"

After the words fell, the Immortal Sheep remained silent for a long time.

Lu Ran patiently waited for a long time, unable to hold back, he asked: "Is what she said true?"

[Who knows.] The deep voice was somewhat hoarse.

Lu Ran: ???

No!

If you don't know, how could I?

Suddenly, the voice transmitted again: [Everything in existence has its own stance. Instead of letting me decide, you should verify, think, and judge for yourself to form your own understanding.]

For once, the Immortal Sheep was not stingy with words.

[You entered the Mountain Realm first, then ascended to the Heavenly Realm, your perceptions constantly collapsing and reshaping, this is the process of growth, the journey of self-construction.]

[Seek the truth.]

[The road, must be walked by oneself.]

Lu Ran opened his mouth, but for a long while, couldn't say anything.

In the Immortal Worship Hall, there was silence.

And Lu Ran had realized, what the Faceless Jade Venerable said was likely an objective fact.

Gods and demons, perhaps truly a remnant of fleeing panic-stricken soldiers; whether they are outdated relics that should exit the stage of history, to be eliminated, all these need Lu Ran to judge for himself.

Strictly speaking, as far as Lu Ran was concerned, this was not really a problem.

Because he was on a path to kill gods and demons, to replace them!

As for the Faceless Jade Venerable...

What gives her the right to claim to be "something new"?

Such audacity!

Looking at her appearance and character, she's just another lofty stone, even if intricately carved, what's the difference from gods and demons?

Lu Ran saw the deity no longer transmitting sound, so he spoke: "Lord Immortal Sheep, I have captured the dead soul of a Faceless Jade Venerable, within the Rebirth Money under my command.

She always speaks from the perspective of her true self, and I dare not reveal other skills in front of her for fear she would share what she sees and hears with her true self..."

[Anyone you defeated could only possibly be a lowly minion.]

Lu Ran: "..."

Your words, dear sheep, truly sting.

[Go, don't waste any more time in the Human World.]

"One more thing!" Lu Ran requested, "The disciple believes we can use the Faceless Jade Venerable as a cover to bring the executioners who follow me into the Heavenly Realm, and take them under my command. What do you think?"

However, Lord Immortal Sheep no longer paid attention to Lu Ran.

He reverted back to being the aloof sheep.

Lu Ran waited for a long time and assumed silence meant consent, then bowed and left towards the door of the great hall.

The heavy doors were slightly pushed open, and as expected, Cheng Yi stood outside waiting with a bamboo hat.

Lu Ran took the hat, instructed him to tidy up the hall, and then shut the door, turning to the Sword Spirit of the Cloud Sea: "Is there something she wanted to say?"

The Sword Spirit had always accompanied Lu Ran, presumably to relay a message.

The ethereal Qiao Wanjun gently nodded, her tone cold: "Within your abilities, slay more of the Faceless Jade Venerable, their figures are scattered throughout the Heavenly Realm, always hunting and devouring the forces of the gods and demons.

The Holy Spirit Energy contained within them far exceeds your imagination.

This is a shortcut, a way to rapidly enhance your Sculpture Garden."

Those in the Heavenly Realm can only rely on arduous cultivation, painstakingly extracting Holy Spirit Energy from the vast Divine Power within their bodies, to nourish themselves.

And it's only a temporary possession!

After all, once Holy Spirit Energy appears, it won't be long before it dissipates, merging into the soul of the Human Clan, left to offer to the gods and demons after death.

But Lu Ran's warriors and the Stone Sculptures in his garden could skip the arduous cultivation process!

Earn painstaking money, save painstaking money...

How is that faster than grabbing money?

Lu Ran silently nodded, retrieved the Ancient Bronze Mirror with one hand, and asked: "Anything else?"

The Sword Spirit of the Cloud Sea slowly shook her head: "That is all the master said."

"Whew!!"

The Landing Mirror forcefully tore through time and space, gradually taking shape.

Lu Ran looked at the ethereal Qiao Wanjun, gazing directly into her eyes, and whispered:

"Take care of yourself, wait for me."

...