Summit of the Old Gods

Holy Spirit Mountain·Heaven's Edge.

Lu Ran walked out of the mirror, and was startled to find himself surrounded by mist.

"Who?" A figure flew up from outside the cliff, questioning in a deep voice.

"It's me." A muffled voice came from behind the Blood Crystal Mask.

"Young Master?" Yan Chou was surprised, and his expression turned somewhat grim, "Are you injured?"

Lu Ran left early in the morning, and now it's still morning. It's inevitable for Yan Chou to think of many things and assume that Lu Ran was forced to flee back to the Mountain Realm to recuperate and restore energy.

"No." Lu Ran asked, "Who is ascending?"

Yan Chou landed by the cliff, knelt, and bowed: "It is said it is the Martial Emperor under your command. Clown Slave was sent by the Lady to guard Heaven's Edge."

"Oh?" Lu Ran finally showed a trace of joy.

Wu Xiao, ah Wu Xiao, you have finally ascended!

As long as I remain in the Mountain Realm, you take things easy? Do you only feel urgency after my successful ascension and venturing into the Heavenly Realm?

Lu Ran smiled and shook his head, sending a mental message: [Evil Shadow.]

[Master?] A delighted female voice came from his mind.

[Call Senior Bai Rao, and Generals Feng Yan to Heaven's Edge.]

Lu Ran issued commands in his mind, as the Fiery Phoenix Patterned Gourd flew into his palm automatically.

Using his Simurgh Eyes, he looked at the man in the Emperor Robe amidst the fog: "Follow me to the Heavenly Realm."

"Yes!" Yan Chou nodded repeatedly, overwhelmed with excitement.

This sight made Lu Ran feel deeply moved. Holding the Treasure Gourd, he collected this loyal former general of the Cloud Sea into it.

Suddenly, a graceful figure appeared with Instant Teleportation: "Master, I have already informed the others."

Lu Ran nodded: "This time upon returning, I will take Bai Rao and Yan Chou to the Heavenly Realm. Then I will summon Senior Tu Feng to Heaven's Edge to continue protecting Ran Sect.

After I leave, inform the Lady."

"Master, why don't you tell her yourself..."

Yan Shuangzi was cut off by Lu Ran before she could finish her sentence: "No need."

Just as he says a word to Ruyi, they must part again.

Why torment her so?

This morning, as she pretended to be asleep during their farewell, is still vivid in Lu Ran's mind.

She's not good at pretending. Each time she truly sleeps, her shallow breaths are long and rhythmic, always giving Lu Ran a particular sense of peace.

But not this morning.

Clearly a cold and indifferent person, yet troubled by emotions.

Sigh...

Am I truly a calamity?

"Xiaolu~" A seductive voice came from behind.

Lu Ran turned his head to see a beauty snake twisting her alluring figure, rapidly crawling on the ground towards him.

He immediately reached down, predicting her path.

Sure enough, Lu Ran's hand rested on Bai Rao's head, avoiding becoming a pole for her: "Return to the sky with me?"

"Really?" Bai Rao beamed with joy, her beautiful eyes exceptionally bright.

Of course, she knows what this means!

The young master of Lu Sect is finally going to take her under his wing, gifting her a Divine Sculpture.

"Hmm." Lu Ran was somewhat dazed, seeing the smile of a child on the face of this world-shattering Great Power.

How happy is she?

This cruel world is truly adept at creating sorrow and joy.

"Alright~ I'll follow you," Bai Rao slightly shook her head, rubbing against Lu Ran's palm.

Lu Ran: "..."

What's this woman been turned into by the Evil God·Jade-faced Snake...

"Go on in." With Bai Rao absorbed into the gourd, Lu Ran had gathered everyone he intended to bring.

Why not take Tu Feng along?

Because Bai Rao reveres the Jade-faced Snake, and Tu Feng reveres the Martial Monk.

One God one Demon, two sides of a whole.

Having witnessed the God and Demon working together in the Heavenly Realm firsthand, Lu Ran naturally believes that the interactions between the Martial Monk and the Jade-faced Snake would be relatively frequent.

Both Heavenly Realm·Human Clan disciples tearing the contract simultaneously (souls devoured by the Faceless Jade Venerable, severing contract links) clearly seems inappropriate.

They should stagger the timing.

Lu Ran waited a moment longer at Heaven's Edge before welcoming Feng Yan, the two generals. He opened a landing mirror leading to Mo Gu Peak and ordered: "You two clear the field first, wait for me."

"Yes!"

"As you command." The two responded one after another, quickly stepping into the mirror.

After finishing everything, Lu Ran then looked at Yan Shuangzi, who was standing silently: "The Heavenly Realm is still manageable, Nightmare and I can handle it, don't worry."

"Hmm." Yan Shuangzi responded softly.

Lu Ran placed a hand on her shoulder: "The Stone Sculpture you will merge with in the future will be very popular on the Heavenly Realm Battlefield. Evil Dog can teleport, and Greedy Wolf can turn invisible.

You are more exceptional than everyone else; you have the ability to collect Holy Spirit Energy by yourself and strengthen.

You might find it hard to believe, but after you ascend to the Heavenly Realm, you could level up faster than within the Sea Realm."

Yan Shuangzi of course believed Lu Ran's words and nodded firmly: "Yes!"

"I'm going to invite Peak Master Tu, in a while, you liaise with him."

...

A few minutes later, within the Heavenly Realm.

A larger Stone Peak suddenly trembled, and a landing mirror opened inside.

Lu Ran cloaked himself and emerged, immediately dispersing the landing mirror and then flickering into the air, scrutinizing all directions.

After ensuring safety, only then did he return to the cave, releasing the three from the gourd.

"Back again." Bai Rao lowered her hand and swirled the misty sea around her waist.

[How about it, can we interrogate the Faceless Jade Venerable?] Deng Yuxiang quickly transmitted a message, rushing to the cave entrance, cautiously looking outside.

Lu Ran smirked: [Lord Immortal Sheep said, the only ones we can defeat are the lowly minions.]

Deng Yuxiang: "..."

So, ask away?

[Let's ask later, I'll take in two disciples first.]

Lu Ran looked at the man in the Emperor Robe: "Chou Nu, can you reach the Evil Spear Emperor?"

Yan Chou felt carefully for a moment, shook his head, and said: "No, the contract connection is very weak; I need to be near the Divine Mountain region to possibly communicate with the Evil God.

Moreover, Young Master, even when residing in the Divine Mountain region, the communication between the Human Clan and God Demon is not very clear."

Lu Ran had already concluded; here, his connection with Lord Immortal Sheep is extremely weak.

However, between the Heavenly Realm and the Mountain Realm, there should still be a slight distinction in God Demon's perception.

"Come." Lu Ran extended a hand forward, "I'll have the Evil Spear Emperor's Stone Sculpture sign an Inheritance Contract with you. Just act according to my guidance."

"Yes!"

"Hoo!!" Within Lu Ran, a huge Evil God shadow unfolded.

Bai Rao stood to the side, her beautiful eyes sparkling with visions of her future.

Lu Ran was already well-versed in the matter of accepting disciples.

With a muffled groan from Yan Chou, under Lu Ran's protection, he tore apart the original master-servant contract.

In bygone days, the executioner under the banner of God Demon, now belonged completely to Lu Ran.

The moonlight shimmered in Lu Ran's hands as he pressed it atop Yan Chou's head, nurturing his body and soul:

"Soon, I will take you back to Holy Spirit Mountain, make a trip to Mo Gu Peak, bring you to merge with the Evil Spear Emperor Evil Sculpture."

"Yes."

Lu Ran continued: "You can swallow the same source God·Qiang Xiu Divine Sculpture, and gain all the Divine Techniques of the Qiang Xiu faction."

"Gulp." Yan Chou's Adam's apple bobbed.

The Evil Techniques of the Evil Spear Emperor Clan were already strong enough.

And now they can add the Qiang Xiu Divine Technique?

One God, one Demon, although their skills are quite similar, there is a significant difference: the Evil Spear Emperor Clan does not have Instant Teleportation Technique!

The Qiang Xiu faction does!

Yan Chou hardly dared to imagine how powerful he might become equipped with Instant Teleportation...

"Th...thank you, Young Master, for your great kindness!" Yan Chou said tremblingly.

Lu Ran spoke softly: "You were once my mother's old retinue. When she was forced to leave, you never abandoned her and have protected her sword for so many years; this is your due."

"Chou Nu..."

"Enough." Lu Ran interrupted, turning to Bai Rao.

Bai Rao immediately approached: "Xiaolu, I am wholeheartedly devoted to you, as evident as the sun and moon..."

"Aunt Bai rescued me from Tiangang City and protected my Ran Sect soldiers as they advanced at Mist Rain Lake, I won't forget it."

Hearing Lu Ran's words, Bai Rao showed an enchanting smile on her face, but the next sentence from Lu Ran left her dumbfounded.

"Is Aunt Bai certain about binding with the Jade-faced Snake Stone Sculpture?"

Bai Rao froze for a moment, then panicked!

"Xiaolu Xiaolu~" She appeared pitiful, pleading sweetly, "You mustn't tease me!"

Lu Ran rolled his eyes; what kind of words were these!

He resignedly said: "You've seen Yan Chou's situation; combining Divine Sculpture with Evil Sculpture will surely greatly enhance your abilities!

You know, the Martial Monk and Jade-faced Snake are two sides of the same coin, and my Martial Monk Divine Sculpture is already bound with Wind Emperor."

Bai Rao suddenly fell silent.

Lu Ran: "Aunt Bai mentioned before, you were once a disciple of Sky Phoenix?"

Originally, Bai Rao hesitated, but upon hearing the words "Sky Phoenix," she seemed to react instantly and promptly replied: "I want to become the Jade-faced Snake."

Lu Ran: "..."

"God Demon can cooperate; I should be able to with Wind Emperor too?"

"Indeed."

Bai Rao breathed a sigh of relief, lightly grasping Lu Ran's sleeve: "Xiaolu, let me become the Jade-faced Snake; I...Aunt Bai begs you."

Looking at the woman pleading softly, Lu Ran remained silent for a long time, gently nodded: "Alright."

"Really?" Bai Rao excitedly grasped Lu Ran's wrist: "Good, good..."

Inheriting the Stone Sculpture, how can it be child's play?

To Bai Rao, no matter how kind-hearted Lu Ran was, someone destined for greatness inevitably puts their career first, with everything else following.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran agreed!

She hadn't considered that, from Lu Ran's perspective, having Bai Rao collaborate with He Qifeng might be a decent choice.

He Qifeng's character is extremely strong!

Bai Rao's personality is... well.

Their cooperation could allow them to complement each other and also mutually constrain.

Lu Ran placed a hand atop Bai Rao's head, expanding the Jade-faced Snake shadow within: "If Aunt Bai doesn't wish to return to Sky Phoenix, insists on becoming a snake... After this contract, tell me your story."

Bai Rao lowered her eyelids, whispered: "Is this Young Master Lu's command?"

Lu Ran paused in silence, then said: "No, consider it a request."

Bai Rao suddenly laughed.

Other matters, I can promise you, except for this, if it's merely a request...

I am indeed quite heartless.

Speaking of which, how could such a cold world have a ruler like you?

Bai Rao closed her eyes, slowly swayed her head, gently rubbing Lu Ran's warm palm.

...