Summit of the Old Gods-Chapter 1156 - 1073: Jun Xiangxiang

Lu Ran’s worries came true.

The Faceless Stone Venerable truly had no divine position!

After the Stone Venerable ascended to the Heavenly Realm, Lu Ran brought along Shadow Five and signed the Inheritance Contract, subsequently inheriting this stone sculpture.

Afterward, with a mix of anxiety and anticipation, Shadow Five ultimately remained at the Third Level of the Heavenly Realm, with no possibility of progressing further.

It can only be said that things rarely go as one wishes.

Lu Ran sent Shadow Five to the Holy Spirit Mountain Realm, placing him in the desolate Northwest Desert Lone Peak, making him tirelessly create minions.

To prevent Shadow Five from a lack of energy, Lu Ran specifically instructed Lu Yuan and Qin Yanzhi, the master and disciple duo, to alternate every five days, traveling to Mo Gu Peak to transmit Origin Energy to Shadow Five.

From that day on, the influence of Elder Lu and Divine General Qin’s two Divine Mountains would also shift resources toward the master and disciple.

All for the Burning Gate’s secret weapon!

Lu Ran once worried, unsure of what the Jade Venerable Clan was truly preparing.

Even more frustrating was that Burning Gate had suffered heavy casualties, lacking both the ability and the conditions for a conquest.

Burning Gate also had to balance the conditions of the other four major battle zones, lest the Jade Venerable Clan launch a sneak attack and break through into the human world from another zone.

Dragon Guardian had early on raised this concern and had spies left in various battle zones, always ready to lead troops to assist the realms.

Yet, the concerns of everyone seemed superfluous.

In other areas, the Jade Venerable Clan consistently pursued a "slow boiling frog" policy, gradually nibbling away at God Demons.

From this, Lu Ran derived a conclusion.

Considering the present situation and the few conversations Jade Venerable had with himself, she might not just want to win; she wants to crush Burning Gate directly.

To thoroughly destroy this existence beyond her understanding!

From the body, to the soul.

The Jade Venerable undoubtedly possesses pride and an unshakable confidence, with no reason to avoid the burning gate’s edge.

She even frankly and boldly revealed her attitude and plans to Lu Ran:

"How many of my attacks can Burning Gate withstand?"

Once, or twice?

"For every God Demon you bring back from the Netherworld, I will slay that many God Demons..."

Lu Ran naturally realized that the longer the time dragged on, the more terrifying Jade Venerable’s next assault would be!

Everything is as she said; how many of her attacks can Burning Gate withstand?

Now, Lu Ran finally feels a bit of confidence!

Shadow Five is creating Heavenly Realm minions every minute, this special group will enable Burning Gate’s soldiers to defeat Jade Venerable’s true self unscathed!

Once the massive Jade Venerable suffers heavy casualties, the number of Jade Venerable’s minions won’t be an issue anymore.

The Burning Gate will sound the counterattack horn, and victory is within sight!

Lu Ran’s confidence grows with the increasing number of Shadow Five’s minions; he occasionally returns to the Mountain Realm to check up on the situation, though he spends more time battling in the Heavenly Realm.

Cultivating the unreliable Venerable Slayer Blade!

And on the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Immortal Mo Divine Mountain welcomed a visitor.

At that time, Lu Ran had just dealt with a wave of transported enemies, only to see the Lady of Burning Gate gesturing from a distant mountain peak.

"What’s the matter?" Lu Ran asked while absorbing Dead Souls through voice transmission.

"Auntie’s handmaid has come, wanting to see you."

Chen Jingjing?

Lu Ran was somewhat surprised, as she was also under his command and could pray or relay messages.

He returned to the palm of the Immortal Stone Sculpture, where he met the respectful, saluting maiden: "What is it?"

"Sect Leader, the New Year’s Day is soon upon us. Lord Jian Yi is about to fulfill his promise and transmit the divine position to the Peak Master... Emperor Jun Tian."

Upon hearing this, Lu Ran felt a mix of emotions.

Is Mother finally about to become a god?

The price was that Lord Jian Yi would leave forever, his soul scattered.

Chen Jingjing continued, "Lord Jian Yi is somewhat interested in this matter and has already notified Jiantianque City, instructing the disciples of the Sword One One Sect to start preparations."

"Start preparations?"

"Yes," Chen Jingjing confirmed. "Lord Jian Yi wants to pass the divine position to Emperor Jun Tian in front of everyone. The Lord said..."

"Said what?"

"Said he wants to feel the separation. Over the past two months, Lord Jian Yi has visited many places and, under Emperor Jun Tian’s recommendation, read many ancient literature and poetry, enriching his emotions a little."

Lu Ran frowned slightly.

According to his thoughts, there was no need to make a grand public display of this affair.

But after all, it’s Lord Jian Yi’s decision; she wants to officially put an end to her life, which is fair enough.

"Emperor Jun Tian asked me to inquire, whether this matter could proceed?"

Lu Ran let out a sigh; by this point, why bother obstructing?

"It can." He reached to his waist, grasping the Cloud Sea Dust Clearing Blade, and after a moment asked, "Are my mother and Lord Jian Yi together?"

"Yes, they are at home resting in the Immortal Scenic Garden."

"Whew~" Lu Ran waved his hand, calling forth a Landing Mirror, then stepped into the home located in the Mortal Capital.

He came to the library door, but found it ajar. Through the gap, he saw two Female Sword Immortals kneeling around a low writing desk.

One of them was pouring tea.

The other Female Sword Immortal was appreciating the brushwork on the rice paper.

Honestly, for Lu Ran to suddenly retreat from the battlefield and see such a serene scene, felt somewhat out of place.

"Knock, knock, knock~"

Lu Ran knocked on the door.

Jian Yi remained indifferent, still focusing on the ink-drying words.

Qiao Wanjun turned and looked, lacking the usual warmth, her cold eyes quietly watching him.

Lu Ran only felt a chill beneath his scalp!

For more than a month, he had been preoccupied with important matters, without opportunity for communication with Mother.

The last he heard about her was from Little Ruyi, who told him Mother had noticed something odd about Blood Skull, detained him, but found little out.

"Lord Jian Yi, Mother." Lu Ran bowed his head and softly spoke.

To this day, there are few who could make Lu Ran feel this apprehensive.

Jian Yi, too, shared the light from Qiao Wanjun.

"My Lord, I’ll go have a chat with Ranran." Qiao Wanjun replied softly, gently pushing the prepared tea forward.

Jian Yi seemed to be immersed in the poetic ambiance, without any reaction.

Lu Ran was extremely curious. Following his gaze, he saw a poem:

At the head of the Yangtze River, willows in spring, the cottonwood flowers make those crossing the river forlorn.

A few sounds of the wind flute in the evening departing from the pavilion, you go to Xiang River and I go to Qin.

A farewell poem...

Reading it brings a deep sense of sadness, conveying a feeling of reluctance and helplessness.

Yet the Da Xia characters themselves don’t quite align with the poem’s mood!

As expected, it should be transcribed by Qiao Wanjun, though her strokes are somewhat too sharp...

Seeing Lord Jian Yi unresponsive, Qiao Wanjun stood up and walked toward the study room door.

Lu Ran decisively stepped back, his head slightly bowed, looking like a well-behaved child.

"Crack~" Qiao Wanjun gently closed the door, turned her head, her cold eyes once again stared directly into Lu Ran’s pupils.

Silence.

An eerie silence.

Lu Ran couldn’t bear his mother suffering and softly broke the silence: "Mom, you’re so courageous, staring into my eyes like this, doesn’t your soul tremble?"

"Ha." Qiao Wanjun laughed.

She was likely laughed out of exasperation.

"I was merely asking out of curiosity." Lu Ran coughed awkwardly, devoid of the demeanor of the Sect Master in private, softly saying, "Don’t be angry."

Qiao Wanjun said nothing and just stepped away, arriving at the south balcony’s french window, looking at the falling snow outside, and said softly:

"You hid something from me."

"What matter?" Lu Ran stood slightly behind her.

Qiao Wanjun slightly furrowed her brows, turned her head slightly, and glanced at the emperor-robed youth: "I’ve heard the fourth Heavenly Emperor of Ran Sect shares the same surname with you?"

Lu Ran: "..."

Qiao Wanjun parted her lips lightly, spat out two words: "Quite coincidental."

Lu Ran grinned: "It’s not exactly coincidental, considering he had the surname Lu first, that’s why I have it..."

Qiao Wanjun turned to gaze at the vast white world outside, softly said: "Why did you keep it from mom?"

"The resurrection of father was handled by Lord Immortal Sheep alone. At that time, I was just Heavenly Realm, not knowing the extent of Lord Immortal Sheep’s power, dared not assure this matter."

Lu Ran said softly, his face showing an apologetic look: "I was truly worried about unexpected mishaps, afraid...afraid this matter might bring you further harm, hence didn’t dare to inform you early."

Qiao Wanjun was silent.

Quietly watching the snowflakes fluttering outside.

"Don’t be angry anymore." Lu Ran cautiously reached out, mimicking Little Yuanxi’s coquettish behavior, gently tugged at her sleeve, "I told you before, it’s Martial Artist who ordered the Jade Talisman to kill him.

When executing the order, Jade Talisman had second thoughts, fearing you might become the new Sword One in the future and bring punishment.

So Jade Talisman sought out Lord Wang Quan, handing the dead soul over for him to keep."

Lu Ran narrates the story: "Wang Quan has been safeguarding his dead soul all this time, until...I went to fetch him."

With those words, silence again fell upon the living room.

After a long while, Qiao Wanjun let out a deep sigh: "Does he blame me?"

Lu Xing’s death was, of course, due to Qiao Wanjun.

"No, he won’t." Lu Ran immediately said, "He came back using a borrowed body and will temporarily retain the image of a blood skull.

Once he returns to his own form, he should be willing to see you."

Qiao Wanjun nodded slightly, then fell silent for a long time, softly said: "Ranran."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

Gratitude is, naturally, not without reason.

It’s evident that over the death of Lu Xing, Qiao Wanjun has always felt guilty, just never showing it.

"Thank you for what, he is your husband, also my father...no wait." Lu Ran paused, said, "He’s your ex-husband."

"Hehe." Qiao Wanjun chuckled silently.

She turned around and tapped Lu Ran’s forehead with her finger.

Seeing his mother showing a smile, Lu Ran seized the opportunity and curiously asked: "Why did you two divorce back then?"

Qiao Wanjun tapped Lu Ran’s head again: "Adults’ matters, children should meddle less."

Lu Ran felt a bit numb.

Am I not grown enough?

I’ve been shouldering the life and death of the entire Three Realms, doesn’t that count as adulthood?

Qiao Wanjun changed the subject: "Been tough lately, hasn’t it? Later at sunset, Lord Jian Yi plans to visit the banks of the Yangtze River, will you go together?"

"Because of that poem?"

"Yes."

Lu Ran pursed his lips, inevitably feeling somewhat regretful.

"What’s wrong?" Qiao Wanjun resumed her gentle demeanor, asked softly with concern.

Lu Ran replied helplessly: "You know how dire the situation with Ran Sect is, actually, we could have two Sword Ones."

Sword One,

is the number one under the heavens!

This head of the Great Xia Gods can maintain peak-level combat strength even if splits half of the Divine Position, and furthermore can create another top-tier God out of thin air.

"Ranran, Lord Jian Yi has made up his mind, it’s discourteous to keep persuading." Qiao Wanjun’s tone carried some emotion.

These words were meant to advise the child.

Also as a counsel to herself.

"Lord Jian Yi’s ’One’ not only stands for being a leader." Qiao Wanjun raised her hand gently combing his short hair, "But also means a word that carries absolute weight."

You and she share similar qualities in this regard.

Once you have committed to something identified a path, there will be no turning back, no retreat."

Lu Ran was about to speak but suddenly froze.

Qiao Wanjun immediately noticed her child’s anomaly, only to see him suddenly reach into his arms and grasp the hilt of the Venerable Slayer Blade.

"Buzz~"

The Venerable Slayer Blade trembled slightly, its amplitude grew.

Grew more and more...

Until a huge vortex of clouds appeared above the north suburb of the capital.

...