The Old Gods

Chapter 1004 Flowers
In the days that followed, Lu Ran returned to the Heavenly Realm battlefield and traveled among the various divine mountains.

Every deity within the Burning Gate, including the celestial stone sculptures that have not yet become gods, can freely summon and release the energy of the Holy Spirit, contributing to the advancement of the Burning Gate's master.

In fact, Lu Ran did not need to visit all the sacred mountains.

He can just stay in the hands of the Immortal Jasmine God, since gods can exchange primordial energy.

But Lu Ran did not do that.

Inspecting the various sacred mountains of the Burning Gate and seeing the different mountain-guarding teams and generals, Lu Ran felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Besides, we're all made of stone anyway, so our hands are all hard.

It's always uncomfortable to sit on when you meditate, no matter where you are.
If the gods of the Burning Gate were still made of flesh and blood, then things would be completely different!

Someone will most likely linger in Fairy Jiang's fair and soft hands and not leave. Well, we can't be so absolute.

After all, there are many goddesses in the Burning Gate, and naturally, many of them have delicate, beautiful hands.

The first person Lu Ran thought of was Bai Rao!
Aunt Snake's hands... wow, they're so smooth and soft, like jade, just as supple and boneless as her body.

Lu Ran first ruled out He Qifeng.

The female monk's hands were naturally designed to make fists; even if they reverted to flesh, they would feel as hard as stone.
It is worth mentioning that Lu Ran did a few things at the beginning of his "study abroad" trip.

First, bring Bai Yanhui, Wei Yun, and Liu Huo, who have already advanced to the Heavenly Realm, from Holy Spirit Mountain to the Heavenly Realm and put them into the Blazing Phoenix Pattern Gourd.

Lu Ran brought out the corresponding pseudo-god stone sculptures from the sculpture garden and guided the three of them to merge with the stone sculptures.

Secondly, with his mother Qiao Wanjun as witness, Lu Ran, along with the Evil Sculptor·Ember Destroyer, signed an inheritance contract with Xiang Zhuo.

Xiang Zhuo, as the younger brother of Xiang Wang, a former subordinate of Yunhai, had already passed Jiang Xianzi's vetting of his personal character. This decision was also the result of a joint discussion between Lu and Jiang.

As Xiang Zhuo transformed into a god, he also possessed the dual divine positions of Molten Bear and Ember Demon Slayer.

With this, the four ancient ferocious beasts of the Burning Gate are complete.

The snake is white and alluring, the tiger is shrewish and beautiful.

The elephant's neck is crooked, the bear's neck is scorched.

Later, after discussing it with his mother, Lu Ran had his maid, Chen Jingjing, sign an inheritance contract with the Ice Butterfly Stone Sculpture.

Since Chen Jingjing arrived at the Heavenly Battlefield, her strength has advanced further, and she has now reached the fourth stage of the Sea Realm.

She only needs to continue her diligent cultivation, take two more steps forward to reach the Heavenly Realm, and then, with the help of the Burning Gate, complete a triple leap and directly transform into a god!
The ice butterfly stone sculpture in the sculpture park is not a false god, but a true god with a divine position!
Back when Lu Ran led his team to attack the North Wind Divine Mountain, the Ice Butterfly-Ice Burial Man group of gods and demons perished in Bai Rao's Devouring Serpent's mouth.

The decision to have Chen Jingjing inherit the Ice Butterfly Stone Sculpture was also the result of Lu Ran's careful consideration.

Chen Jingjing will always follow Qiao Wanjun.

That was true before, and it will be true in the future.

As a disciple of Jianyi, Chen Jingjing is not afraid of the cold environment and does not even use techniques with frost and snow attributes.

In the future, when she transforms into a deity, she will automatically sever her master-servant contract with Jian Yi. Without Jian Yi's divine power, she will naturally be affected by the frost and snow!
By inheriting the Ice Butterfly Divine Sculpture and the divine techniques of this sect, she can be freed from these troubles and continue to thrive in the frost and snow, remaining by Qiao Wanjun's side.

These things were just minor incidents.

Lu Ran's focus is naturally on cultivation!
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, Lu Ran bid farewell to the Golden Jade Divine Mountain, leaving Bai Rao's hand amidst her resentful gaze, and stepped into the Pear Garden Divine Mountain.

"Master!"

"Sect Master!" The two divine statues standing on the mountain peak immediately sensed the arrival of the human race and respectfully bowed.

On the Liyuan Sacred Mountain, originally only Wu Xiao stood atop the mountain.

The rest of the soldiers were stationed on the mountainside and at the foot of the mountain.

At this moment, a second stone sculpture appeared on the mountaintop—Liu Huo!
It must be said that Fairy Jiang is not as cold and ruthless as imagined. She is kind to her personal guards, whether it is Xuan Shuang or Liu Huo.

Since Liu Huo transformed into a stone statue and advanced to the third level with the help of the gods, he should stay in the southwest of the Heavenly Realm, on Xianmo Mountain, to serve Lady Ranmen.

However, just a few days later, the Pomegranate Fire Guard appeared in the southern part of the Heavenly Realm, at Pear Garden Divine Mountain, and came to Wu Xiao's side.

This was clearly at Jiang Ruyi's behest.

"Sigh," Lu Ran sighed as he looked at Wu Xiao, who was wearing a wide white robe, and then at Liu Huo, who was wearing a fiery red dress.

Although both are dark-colored stone sculptures, their images and colors were already deeply ingrained in Lu Ran's mind.

Back when he first met the couple, Liu Huo was a tall, fiery red horse.

She carried the soundly sleeping Wu Xiao on her back, strolling through the flower-filled Thousand Flower Ridge.

Before that, Liu Huo had been with Wu Xiao for many years, but it had never been able to warm him or awaken his numb heart.

If it weren't for Lu Ran's intervention, Wu Xiao, who was like a walking corpse, would probably have already died on Holy Spirit Mountain.

Later, Wu Xiao became the Martial Emperor of the Burning Gate.

First, he conquered the Pear Garden Sect, then left Holy Spirit Mountain to fight alongside Lu Ran in the Heavenly Realm.

And that fiery red horse that once carried him across the world continues to chase after him relentlessly, running tirelessly.

Using all my strength

She finally returned to his side.

Sadly, the man was no different from before.

Even though Lu Ran fulfilled all his promises, the God Martial Artist has now been defeated and killed. Wu Xiao now possesses the dual divine souls of the First-Class God and Demon Martial Artist and Yin Huadan, standing at the pinnacle of the Great Xia God and Demon camp.

But he didn't really "come back to life".

Just like before at Holy Spirit Mountain, she had long since entrusted her life to Lu Ran and would continue to exist according to the will of the Lord of the Burning Gate.

"Sect Master!" "Sect Master." Greetings roused Lu Ran.

Lu Ran's gaze swept over the gods and he saw another false god, none other than Wu Xiao's good brother, Wei Yun.

The Blazing Blood-Black Fire Steed is needed for the Fireball, and the Golden-Winged Bat is needed for the Cloud Guard. These gods and demons are all in the Northwest forces.

It will take them some time before they can become gods.

"Go ahead and get busy, don't delay the mission." Lu Ran looked into the distance, towards the fierce battlefield, and also noticed a rather peculiar group of henchmen.

On the battlefield, some of Wu Xiao's henchmen fought on blood-red warhorses.

Not only are they majestic, but they are also like tigers with wings!
The False God, the Pomegranate Fire Stone Statue, stood silently beside the God, the Martial Valor Stone Statue, but the demonic minions under their command were inseparable and fought together.

What Liu Huo cannot obtain, his henchmen can easily possess.

This scene evoked complex emotions in Lu Ran.

I just felt that Liu Huo, this unfortunate woman, was far too humble in this relationship.

This unwavering conviction should be considered her Daoist heart.

It is also destined to be difficult to achieve a result.

Lu Ran even had an impulse to order Wu Xiao to propose to Liu Huo on the spot.
"Sect Master, do you need to cultivate?" Liu Huo looked at the tiny human and volunteered, "Liu Huo has just reached the third level of the Heaven Realm and still has a large amount of Holy Spirit Qi given to me by the soldiers, which can help the Sect Master."

Lu Ran: "."

I was just thinking about how unlucky you were!

You just advanced to the Heavenly Realm, and in just a few days you've already reached the third level! Look at me, I've been fighting tooth and nail all this time, and I'm still struggling at the second level of the Heavenly Realm.

Forget it, you two shouldn't get married.

I can feel a little better.
Of course, these were all jokes. Lu Ran could indeed order many people to do many things, but he always restrained himself.

At least when it comes to personal relationships, he doesn't really want to overstep boundaries and interfere, unless...
"Sect Master?" Liu Huo called softly.

"Okay, thank you for your help." Lu Ran said casually, and slowly flew towards her.

Liu Huo, feeling extremely embarrassed and apprehensive, quickly cupped his hands in gratitude, saying, "No trouble at all, no trouble at all."

The fact that she can stand here, from her existence to her status as a pseudo-god, and then to her talent, potential, and strength, is all thanks to Lu Ran.

Here is an even crueler reality: after the battle of Qianhua Ridge, Liuhuo was even entrusted to Lu Ran by Wu Xiao on his deathbed as a warhorse.

She only asked that Lu Ran treat her well, leave her with the last shred of dignity, and not ask her real name.

"Why are you so happy?" Lu Ranfei asked, landing in her hand with some confusion.

Liu Huo hesitated for a moment, but still dared not hide it, and said, "Recently, while you were cultivating on various sacred mountains, everyone was betting, um, having some private discussions."

"What are you discussing?" Lu Ran asked, even more curious.

Liu Huo whispered, "Let's see who has this honor, and on which sacred mountain the sect leader will ultimately advance, and under whose hands."

"Hehe." Lu Ran chuckled.

Is this some kind of musical chairs game?

I was wondering why Bai Tianjiang seemed so melancholy when he left Jinyu Divine Mountain!

It seems like I've become part of a game involving the gods?

Isn't this just being used as a prop for someone else?
"I see." Lu Ran pouted, plopped down in Liu Huo's hands, and asked, "What's the prize for the winner?"

Liu Huo was somewhat taken aback: "This is an honor, the greatest reward."

"Oh." Lu Ran scratched his head awkwardly.

He has one advantage, which is also his disadvantage: he doesn't take himself too seriously.

Sometimes, we underestimate our importance in the eyes of others.

"Whoosh~" Wisps of holy energy spread through Liu Huo's hands.

"Then you're probably going to win the lottery." Lu Ran closed his eyes. "I feel like it's just a matter of the next day or two."

Upon hearing this, Liu Huo's hands trembled slightly.

For the tiny human race, it was no different from an earthquake.

Lu Ran said helplessly, "Keep your hand steady, and close your hand too, it's a bit noisy outside."

"Yes." Liu Huo carefully cupped his hands, cradling the sect leader in front of him, a faint smile on his face.

She seemed to feel very lucky, and then secretly glanced at the magnificent statue next to her.

Unexpectedly, Wu Xiao spoke up for the first time, his voice deep: "You don't need to create any more god-demon minions for now. Don't move around, just focus on releasing your source energy."

"Hmm." A hint of surprise flashed in Liu Huo's eyes, and she nodded gently.

"Whoo~~~"

Wu Xiao's robes fluttered wildly as he plummeted towards the battlefield below.

Liu Huo lowered her eyelids and subconsciously clenched her hands tighter.

Indeed, I'm really lucky.

Lu Ran is numb!
No, let's not clench our fists!

What did I do to deserve this?
During the double monthly pass period, I'm asking for some monthly passes to support me!
(End of this chapter)