The Old Gods

Chapter 853: Meeting under the Moon

The Great Xia Dynasty in the Human Realm, in the Immortal Mountain.

Under the moonlight, Erhai Lake shimmered and sparkled, a breathtaking sight.

Inside the Luoxian Pavilion, a young man in a wide white robe leaned against a pillar, gazing at the beautiful scenery he hadn't seen in a long time, lost in thought.

Behind him, a phantom female figure stood, speaking softly:
"Ranran, is there something you want to tell Mommy?"

"How have you been lately?" Lu Ran asked softly, without turning around.

Admittedly, the illusory Qiao Wanjun is merely the spirit of the Cloud Sea Sword. She has always been by Lu Ran's side and knows what he is hiding, but Lu Ran still doesn't dare to look at her.

"It's alright," the woman replied softly.

"Has your Jinghong Peak become a sacred mountain?" Lu Ran inquired about his mother's recent situation.

The implication was that he was asking whether the avatar of the deity Jianyi had descended upon Jinghong Peak. He naturally remembered that his mother had always wanted to rule a spiritual mountain.

"No," Qiao Wanjun shook her head. "Jian Yi still hasn't come."

Lu Ran frowned slightly: "I've always had a question: since the gods and demons treat you this way, why do you still revere Jian Yi so much? And insist on becoming the peak master of Jinghong Peak?"

Qiao Wanjun was harmed so badly by gods and demons, shouldn't she hate them terribly?
Putting her personal life aside, just considering her life's work, the Cloud Sea Sect, which has been ravaged to such an extent by gods and demons, she should be sworn enemies of them.

But Lu Ran remembered that during the three years he lived in the capital, every January his mother would take him and Xiao Yuanxi to the Jian Tian Que Ancient City where Jian Yi was located to worship and offer incense.

Lu Ran could interpret this as a mere formality, a mother compromising for the sake of her two children.

But he also remembered his mother's repeated requests that Master Jianyi take her children as his disciples.

Lu Ran, who was once ignorant, thought it was a mother's shameless and humble plea for her child's future.

Now that Lu Ran knows a lot, what about Qiao Wanjun's behavior?
Is this right?
"Sword One is not quite what you imagined," Qiao Wanjun said softly.

"Different?" Lu Ran frowned even more deeply.

“Things in this world are not simply black and white.” Qiao Wanjun stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Lu Ran, gazing at Erhai Lake under the moonlight.

“Jian Yi, she…” Lu Ran looked surprised and turned to look at the woman’s profile.

“She did trap me in the capital,” Qiao Wanjun said calmly, standing with her hands behind her back. “But from another perspective, this is also a way of protecting me.”

Lu Ran's mouth was slightly open, and he almost thought he was hallucinating.

Qiao Wanjun smiled and said, "Do you think the simple words 'gods and demons' can encompass an entire group?"

Lu Ran really wanted to say yes.

But reason kept his words from his mouth.

“Each stone sculpture is an independent individual; they have thoughts and personalities, and naturally they will make their own choices.”

Why did Lord Jian protect you?

"Perhaps it's because her authority is unassailable, and her servants are not for others to interfere with? Or perhaps, I still have some use to me."

Qiao Wanjun turned her head, her beautiful eyes looking directly at Lu Ran, and said jokingly, "It can't be because she also disapproves of some things, can it?"

Lu Ran wasn't sure if his mother was really joking.

He didn't know what had happened between his mother and Jianyi over the past twenty years, or the specifics of their relationship.

From Lu Ran's perspective as an "outsider," he was more inclined to believe that Qiao Wanjun was still somewhat useful.

It wasn't that Lu Ran's eyes were dirty and his heart was corrupt, but rather that he had seen too many lies and deceptions.

I've also seen too much filth and ugliness.

Qiao Wanjun still has value and can be utilized!

This should be the correct answer.

Qiao Wanjun raised her hand and gently stroked Lu Ran's hair, but her illusory fingers pierced through his hair: "If we follow the thinking of most gods and demons, I shouldn't be alive."

Lu Ran nodded silently.

Qiao Wanjun suddenly said, "You've found the disciple of Yunhai."

Lu Ran: "."

Before returning, he had asked Yunhai Sword to keep the matter a secret, but the sword spirit did not explicitly agree.

The sword spirit at that time moved in exactly the same way as it does now, its illusory hand stroking Lu Ran's hair.

"Ranran?"

"I...I found Huangfu and Wuya, and heard about the Leng siblings. I'm still investigating." Lu Ran organized his thoughts, not wanting to deceive his mother, but also not wanting to be too definitive.

He didn't know if the sword spirit had told his mother.

After all, Qiao Wanjun is the true owner of the Cloud Sea Sword.

"Huangfu, Wuya." Qiao Wanjun sighed softly, as if she was recalling something.

The Luoxian Pavilion was completely silent, and Lu Ran did not disturb her reminiscing.

After a long silence, Qiao Wanjun spoke up: "Tianyue has a nice magic artifact called Yanxia Silk. If you still have it, let her give it to you."

"Huh?" Lu Ran was a little confused.

Is that so domineering?

Qiao Wanjun faced Lu Ran, her ethereal fingers tracing his wide white robe: "The 'Yanxia Ling' is a ribbon, a very beautiful smoky color."

It matches your Radiant Blade and clothing style perfectly.

"I specially changed into this white robe to come back to see you," Lu Ran hurriedly said. "On the battlefield of the Heavenly Realm, I always wore a straw hat and raincoat, always dressed like a chivalrous knight-errant."

Qiao Wanjun was indeed a woman of her word, and remained completely unmoved.

She said directly, "You found them and gave them stone sculptures as a gift from Yunhai's former subordinates, so they should reciprocate."

Lu Ran: "."

What else can they say?

Look at Yan Chou, then look at Huangfu Zhao!
They were all incredibly loyal, practically with "dedicating themselves to the cause until their dying breath" etched on their foreheads.

Lu Ran had reason to believe that Wuya and the Leng siblings, who joined the team later, would definitely not be any less capable.

"Let's get down to business. Is there anything you want to ask?" "When you were cultivating, how long did it take you to go from the first level of the Heavenly Realm to the second level? How exactly did you cultivate?"

"How did you cultivate?" Qiao Wanjun asked in return.

"Since I cannot control the Holy Spirit, I can only work at the source and make the Holy Spirit appear where I want it to transform my physical body."

Qiao Wanjun nodded. This method of cultivation and growth was something Lu Ran should have comprehended when he advanced from the peak of the Sea Realm to the Heaven Realm.

Whether through self-enlightenment or divine guidance, only in this way can human believers ascend to the Heavenly Realm.

“Three times,” Qiao Wanjun said.

"what?"

Qiao Wanjun said softly, "After you use the purified Holy Spirit Qi to strengthen every inch of your skin, every piece of flesh and bone three times, you should be able to reach the bottleneck."

"A three-wheeled vehicle?" Lu Ran's eyes lit up.

"That's roughly it. The Cloud Sea Sect also had some disciples at the second level of the Heavenly Realm, and the situation was similar," Qiao Wanjun said softly, then asked, "What's your progress?"

"It's almost been two rounds already." Lu Ran clenched his fist.

Qiao Wanjun raised an eyebrow slightly: "You advanced to the Heavenly Realm last autumn?"

“Yes, I broke through the bottleneck in early August last year and successfully advanced in early September!” Lu Ran nodded repeatedly.

In comparison, it was during the month of breakthrough and advancement that the transformation of Lu Ran's body was more profound.

"Not bad, your cultivation speed is very fast."

How does it compare to you?

Qiao Wanjun laughed: "What, do you want to compete with your mother too?"

Lu Ran shook his head repeatedly: "No, no, I hope Mom's cultivation speed is faster, in my heart... um."

Qiao Wanjun's smiling eyes became even gentler.

She naturally knew exactly how her child had always looked at her.

To worship, to admire.

I was also somewhat afraid.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran muttered, "If you're not stronger than me, I'll really have no one to keep me in check, and I'll easily get arrogant."

Qiao Wanjun's expression froze for a moment, then she chuckled softly, "Hehe~"

Strength truly is the best cure for everything.

That sensitive and insecure boy from back then has gradually faded away.

Give him another chance. Bring him a cup of hot milk to the study; he won't hesitate at the door this time.

Qiao Wanjun felt guilty and had always wanted this kind of parent-child relationship, but he was always too careful. On the contrary, his daughter was more naughty and knew better how to cry and make a fuss.

Qiao Wanjun turned her head, seemingly gazing at the distant mountains under the stars and moon, and asked softly, "How is Yuanxi?"

“Little Yuanxi has already reached the third stage of the Sea Realm and is currently in seclusion, focusing on her cultivation and striving to reach the fourth stage.” When Qiao Yuanxi was mentioned, a gentle smile appeared on Lu Ran’s face.

He secluded himself to focus on his cultivation.

These words seem inappropriate to describe a daughter.

Ugh.
The children have all grown up.

At twenty-one years old, reaching the third stage of the Sea Realm is absolutely unimaginable in the human world.

This sculpture garden, bestowed by the Immortal Sheep, has brought about the achievements of many, but the future...
Thinking of this, Qiao Wanjun's smile gradually faded.

“Once Xiao Yuanxi advances to the Heavenly Realm, I will bring her back to see you,” Lu Ran added.

"Is there anything else?" Qiao Wanjun asked softly.

"Is Mom tired?" Lu Ran asked cautiously.

One sentence pulled Qiao Wanjun back to that year. She noticed the child's attitude and gently shook her head: "No, it's just that you rarely come back. If you have any questions, you can ask more."

Lu Ran thought for a moment and asked, "What is the second heaven like?"

"The environment is similar to that of the first heaven, except that there is more falling holy energy there, and the battles between the demons and the enemies are more intense."

Furthermore, the sea of ​​clouds near the sacred mountain will be thinner.

The last sentence startled Lu Ran.

He paused for a moment, then felt a surge of excitement: "If the sea of ​​clouds were even thinner, would I be able to see what's above?"

The sea of ​​clouds that blankets the sky and earth is qualitatively different from ordinary fog.

Rather than calling it a sea of ​​clouds, it's more accurate to describe it as a concrete representation of rules.

Lu Ran possesses the Paper Phoenix Evil Technique: Phoenix Eyes. While in the first heaven, he cannot see through the sky and the ground, nor can he see the second heaven above his head or the Holy Spirit Mountain beneath his feet.

Qiao Wanjun nodded slightly: "Yes, you can see many gods and many demons."

Lu Ran clenched his fists.

There's a sense of excitement, like climbing step by step to the heavens, finally about to witness the highest heaven.

"When I advance to the second level of the Heavenly Realm, how will I ascend to the second level? Will I have to fly up along the mountain wall of the divine mountain?"

"Anywhere is fine; the rules will allow you to see a wider world through the thick sea of ​​clouds."

"Okay." Lu Ran nodded, already eager to ascend to the second heaven, standing outside the divine mountain looking up at the sky to see what the third heaven looked like.

Witness the true faces of the gods and demons!

Hmm, I need to hurry back to cultivate.

After transforming his physical body again with the energy of the Holy Spirit, he should be able to reach the bottleneck of the second level of the Heavenly Realm!

The highest heaven,

It's getting closer.
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(End of this chapter)