The Old Gods

Chapter 961 Hard Bones

In the early hours of the morning, Tianya Residence was peaceful and quiet.

In the tranquil environment, a little creature quietly flew out of the study, headed straight for the bedroom, bypassed the exquisite screen, and hovered at the foot of the bed.

Little Phoenix swayed from side to side, sensing the male and female owners who were soundly asleep on the bed.

It quietly flew down, lifted a corner of the blanket, carefully slipped inside, and squeezed between the two people.

That way, you can enjoy being embraced by two people at the same time!
"Hmm?" Lu Ran opened his sleepy eyes and stared blankly at his surroundings.

I haven't slept in too long.

Waking up from a dream left him somewhat bewildered.

"Master is awake!" The innocent voice of a child was imprinted in my mind.

Lu Ran quickly snapped out of his daze, immediately found the little phoenix in his arms, pulled the treasure gourd out of the blanket, and said helplessly, "I finally managed to get some sleep."

【But you've successfully advanced!】 Little Phoenix seemed a little aggrieved.

"Oh?" Lu Ran then realized that someone was praying to him. He immediately responded to the devout believer, "Pray for wind?"

[Sect Master, Bai Tian and I are about to advance to the Divine Realm.]

【Great!】Lu Ran was overjoyed and quickly asked, 【What are your two existing forms? Is everything going smoothly?】

We can still use divine techniques, just like before.

"What's wrong?" A soft, sweet voice came from beside my ear.

"Feng Rao Stone Sculpture has advanced!" Lu Ran immediately reported the good news, and then said, "You rest for a while longer, I'll take them to test the techniques first."

Jiang Ruyi sat up and lazily smoothed her long hair: "Now that we're ready, it's time to go to the battlefield."

There is a poem in the Great Xia Dynasty: "Stealing half a day of leisure from a busy life."

This couldn't be more fitting for Lu and Jiang.

Whether it was a moment of peace, a fleeting moment of pleasure, or a good night's sleep, Lu Ran obtained them all by chance.

The mission is not over, and the war is not over.

There is still no peace on earth.

Jiang Ruyi's posture was particularly charming, with the languidness unique to the moment of waking from a dream. She gently pulled down the light veil covering her eyes and opened her beautiful eyes.

In the thick fog, she could not see him, nor did she need to see him.

Lu Ran's heart skipped a beat!
In just a moment, he became fully awake.

If a bucket of cold water were poured over his head and down to his feet, it would not only make him wide awake, but also give him the creeps.

"Whoosh~" The afterimage of the evil god detached from his physical body, transforming into pure energy along with Yan Qingsha, and surged into Lu Ran's eyes.

That beautiful, soulless body left on the bed went limp, nestled against Lu Ran's chest, and shattered into mist after a moment.

It was like a beautiful dream.

Lu Ran remained silent for a long time before he could calm his wildly beating heart.

He lowered his head and smiled, a hint of helplessness in his expression.

I still miss her gentle and kind self from middle school. Even at her most unruly, she would only gently poke him awake from his nap at the desk with the tip of her pen.

Look now!
When she glanced over, Lu Ran nearly died on the spot.
Okay~
Now that I've been spared, I should let the North Wind die.

Lu Ran got up and got out of bed. With the help of Yanxia Ling, he put on his feather robe, mask, and equipped himself with a set of divine weapons. He then summoned the bronze mirror and left.

He arrived at Mogu Peak, tested some divine and evil magic with the Fengrao Stone Sculpture, and then rushed to the Heavenly Battlefield.

Upon arriving at the third heaven, Lu Ran sensed that someone was contacting him.

He searched for a moment, then immediately transmitted his voice: 【Mr. Conglong?】

"Sect Master, you're back!" Yu Changsheng immediately reported. "The eastern front has been breached, and the Third Heaven is now in chaos!"

[Continue.] Lu Ran concealed his presence and headed north.

"The deaths of the monk Wu and Dong Ting should have already spread throughout the Divine Demon camp," Yu Changsheng said in a deep voice. "Just recently, Wu Sheng sent his henchmen to Mount Nüying, saying he wanted to tighten the defensive lines."

Lu Ran suddenly asked, "Did the martial arts student ask about the Tenglong Saber?"

[Sect Master, the other side sent only demonic minions; they didn't ask about the Tenglong Blade.]

[You just said that the martial arts students want to tighten their defensive lines?]

[Yes! Wu Sheng hopes that Nü Ying will abandon Shenshan and go to Liyuan Shenshan to defend it together. It is said that the Southern Front's Asa Shenshan side has already responded, and Asa has already led his team to join Wu Sheng.]

Lu Ran frowned: [How did the decision about the female officer come about?]

[Lady Nüying refused outright, without even consulting her subordinates, and clearly told the demon minions that she would defend the southeastern front to the death.] Yu Changsheng's tone was somewhat helpless.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and asked, "What is the current situation at Mount Nüying?"

[As we anticipated, it has transformed into the first and second heavens, and the divine mountain is now surrounded by the Faceless Jade Venerable. But they are merely underlings; only if the Faceless Jade Venerable himself doesn't come can we hold it.]

Lu Ran nodded secretly: [What about the other side of Yanzhi Divine Mountain?]

Yu Changsheng's physical body is a stone sculpture on Mount Nüying, while his physical body in the Heavenly Realm is located on Mount Yanzhi, always accompanying Yanzhi.

[Reporting to the Sect Master, no one has yet come to invite Lady Yan Zhi. Things are too chaotic here; it's possible that the divine or demonic minions sent to deliver the message were intercepted by the Faceless Jade Venerable.]

The defensive line of the third heaven was torn apart at Thunder God Mountain.

In terms of location, the Rouge Paper Divine Mountain is closest to the Thunder Divine Mountain, so the number of Faceless Jade Venerables would naturally be greater. [Sect Master, I propose that our two divine mountains unite as one.] Yu Changsheng transmitted his voice again.

Unite the troops?
Lu Ran pondered to himself.

While Mount Nüying and Mount Yanzhi are not threatened by the Burning Gate, their isolated positions may attract the personal attack of the Faceless Jade Venerable.

As Lu Ran had expected, Yu Changsheng continued after explaining his points:
[Especially Yanzhi Divine Mountain, without the powerful support of Thunder Divine Mountain, Lord Yanzhi is likely to become a key target of the Faceless Jade Venerable.]

Lu Ran's expression was solemn.

A decrease in the number of sacred mountains is detrimental to both gods and demons, as well as to the Burning Gate.

After all, it is these sacred mountains that together support the first, second, and third heavens.

The existence of the Celestial Battlefield is of great significance, serving as an extremely important buffer zone.

The reason why the Faceless Jade Venerable cannot directly enter the mortal realm is precisely because of these several heavens.

If too many sacred mountains collapse, the Heavenly Battlefield will crumble. At that time, the Faceless Jade Venerable clan will be able to strike directly at the heart of the enemy, just like when the gods and demons descended to earth, directly descending upon the human world!

It shakes the very foundation upon which gods and demons exist!
Similarly, Lu Ran and others will become sinners for all time.

Therefore, the sacred mountain must be protected!

Unfortunately, Lu Ran is still slaying gods and demons, which, objectively speaking, will also destroy the divine mountain.
Yu Changsheng continued to persuade him: "Sect Leader, I understand your concerns, but please don't forget that we will soon reveal our identities!"

Once the gods of the Burning Gate descend to earth, our soldiers will stand tall among mortals, with stone pillars rising from their feet, piercing the first, second, and third heavens.

At that time, we will be able to start afresh and ensure the continued existence of the Celestial Battlefield.

These few sentences are fine, but there's one point:
The gods of the Burning Gate used the abilities granted by their divine positions to open and maintain the gate to the Demon Cave and to reach the Heavenly Battlefield by stepping on stone pillars, which was no ordinary task that took a lot of time and effort.

This time, Lu Ran unusually disobeyed the strategist and said, "We cannot lose either Yanzhi Divine Mountain or Nüying Divine Mountain! The Master also said that the gods of the Ran Sect are about to descend to earth."

We have a strong and well-equipped army; a mere two or three sacred mountains are not enough for us to defend, let alone lose them!
Therefore, I will quickly send soldiers to garrison the sacred mountain and reveal my identity directly to the Faceless Jade Venerable.

Yu Changsheng pondered for a long while, and finally said: "Since the sect leader insists, it's fortunate that Lady Yanzhi didn't listen to me, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to explain myself to you."

"Did you suggest it to Yan Zhi?" Lu Ran asked.

Based on the evolving battlefield situation and the changes in the martial artist's strategies, I have made my own judgment and suggest that Lady Yanzhi go to Mount Nüying to reunite with him.

How did Yan Zhi reject you?

[Lady Yanzhi says that Mount Yanzhi belongs to you, Sect Master. Whether or not to relinquish it is not her decision; it must be made by you personally.]

【Huh? ?】 Lu Ran's mouth was slightly open, and he was a little confused.

Yu Changsheng spoke softly: "Lady Yanzhi also said that until you make your decision, her mission is to guard Yanzhi Divine Mountain, and to remain here."

Lu Ran stopped his teleportation and finally arrived at the North Wind Divine Mountain area.

"Um... well, we'll talk about that later, I have to go on a mission." Lu Ran was genuinely a bit flustered.

【Yes. 】

Lu Ran let out a long sigh of relief, temporarily setting aside all his thoughts, and carefully surveyed the northern front.

While traveling, I didn't notice much difference, but now that I've arrived at Beifeng Shenshan, the situation has indeed changed drastically.

The faceless jade statue was once blocked from the outside, but now the mountain is completely surrounded by jade sculptures.

But there are some differences.

Because the true god and demon are guarding the sacred mountain, and their minions have strong support, the defensive perimeter has been expanded to a great extent, unwilling to let the Faceless Jade Venerable touch even a trace of the sacred mountain.

It's clear that the gods and demons also want to defend the sacred mountain.

However, because gods and demons are different, their choices are also different.

The north wind did not retreat!
However, other gods and demons abandoned their own sacred mountains and retreated to this place—the Mountain Lord and the Yin Li Hu.

This pair of second-tier gods and demons are currently located near the North Wind Divine Mountain! It's unclear whether this was the choice of the two beasts or an instruction from the higher-ups of the gods and demons.

Logically speaking, this area should be under Jianyi's management.

Just like the first-class deity Wu Sheng in the south, who can oversee A Sha and Nü Ying.

However, Jian Yi is a very special existence. In Lu Ran's mind, perhaps it is because Bei Feng rules this region.
"Hmm," Lu Ran frowned, gazing at the snow-shrouded sacred mountain.

North Wind Divine Mountain was the first divine mountain that Lu Ran encountered when he first ascended to the Heavenly Realm. He also privately named North Wind Divine Mountain Flower Sea Divine Mountain.

The name is not important.

The important thing is the gods and demons stationed on the mountain.

Second-class deity/demon: North Wind - Night Demon; Second-class deity/demon: Mountain Lord - Yin Li Hu; Fifth-class deity/demon: Ice Butterfly - Ice Burial Man.

There are also fourth-rank divine and demonic sword lotus - black lotus, and sixth-rank divine and demonic battle horn - Netherworld horn.

The latter two groups of gods and demons have already merged into one.

"What a tough nut to crack," Lu Ran murmured to himself, looking around at the group of divine and demonic stone sculptures, which were well-rounded in both offense and defense, forming an incredibly powerful combat system!
Even with the immense power of the North Wind Divine Mountain, Lu Ran still did not believe that this was the full extent of its strength.

Ultimately, it was Burning Gate who killed the monk!
Does Beifeng Shenshan have no backup plan?
Lu Ran teleported to the sky diagonally behind him, further away from the North Wind Divine Mountain, before gripping the Cloud Sea Dust Clear Sword: "Help me contact her."

"Hmm." The sword spirit energy flowed onto the surface of the sword hilt, soaking into Lu Ran's palm.

At the same time, under the same dim sky.

A female sword immortal in battle unleashed an endless aura of extreme cold from her body, forcing back several enormous figures.

(End of this chapter)