Return to the Mountain

The brilliant starlight quietly spilled onto the snow-white mattress and smooth back muscles.

Gao Yao lay sprawled on the embroidered pillow, her upper body exposed, thoroughly enjoying herself.

Xiao Ran sat on the girl's slender and supple waist, reaching out to press on the outside of her spine, searching for the starting point of the Profound Gold Bone Core inside the spine.

He tried to open Gao Yao's flesh and reach inside to fully Resonance with his core and probe the detailed structure of hundreds of millions of Spirit Runes.

"It hurts a little, just bear with it."

"Who do you take me for? I've been through all sorts of inhuman torture and experiments in Training Camp since I was a child. Do you think I'm afraid of your little flesh... Ouch—"

Xiao Ran used his bare hands to gather Spiritual Power into a blade and slowly sliced through the skin and bones of the girl's back.

Because it's the starting point of nerve convergence, it's indeed very painful to cut it manually without anesthesia.

The girl bit her pillow, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her neck.

The pain and numbness made her lose all feeling and she wasn't even sure what Xiao Ran was doing.

Cutting open the vertebrae, Xiao Ran's fingertips touched the core of the bone, and his divine sense probed into it, Resonance with it.

"Um..."

For a fleeting moment, Gao Yao felt as if her soul had been pierced through, a piercing sensation that exceeded the threshold of pain.

After a long while, Gao Yao came to her senses, her hair streaked with sweat that dampened her forehead.

"You've made me suffer so much. Will there be any extra pain relief services later?"

Xiao Ran finished recording the Spirit Runes, withdrew his fingertips, stitched up the wound, and shook his head.

"The extra services also hurt."

Gao Yao's body pillow deliberately raised its head, its voice extremely indifferent, as if provoking Xiao Ran.

I don't believe it.

After one night.

Xiao Ran had basically figured out Gao Yao's body and every Spirit Runes embedded in his bones.

The conclusion is similar to what we guessed before.

This Profound Gold bone was implanted in Gao Yao when he was around fourteen years old.

After that, her body stopped developing and remained forever at the age of fourteen, which is said to be the golden age for synchronizing with machines.

This made Xiao Ran feel very guilty.

After carefully checking her bone age, they realized the girl was indeed over forty years old, and they breathed a sigh of relief.

Moreover, apart from the embedded bone core, her entire body is 100% made of flesh and blood.

Judging from her Dantian, she has also undergone professional and systematic cultivation. Given the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the Divine Martial Kingdom, Foundation Establishment Cultivation Level is already her limit.

As for the Profound Gold bone core engraved with Spirit Runes, its material is probably the same as that of the Heaven Rank Ancient Sword on the Sword Tomb.

Its Spirit Runes were created by multiple people, indicating that this must have been a continuously iterating system engineering project.

The Spirit Runes architecture is quite complete and mature, achieving a synchronization rate of nearly 99%, which is the result of the efforts of several generations.

However, in some details, due to the different Spirit Inscription Architect, there are indeed many places where the style is warm but the spirit path is not smooth, which sometimes stimulates the spinal nerves and makes the girl uncomfortable.

Xiao Ran's revised plan's guiding principle was to reduce the synchronization rate.

A high synchronization rate can actually be risky, as it can easily lead to artificial intelligence devouring one's soul and taking over one's brain.

Of course, this is only a theoretical possibility.

The Spirit Runes that Ban Yue modified in Xiao Ran's Giant Yan Armor structure subtly increased this possibility.

That's why he found Ban Yue somewhat suspicious.

The possibility that Gao Yao is a rumor is actually quite small, even less so than that of Ban Yue.

Her internal skeleton cannot connect to the Divine Martial Kingdom's spiritual network, making it impossible for her to be controlled from within.

However, her Yan Armor bracelet can connect to the spirit network. Although there is no trace of artificial intelligence in its internal Spirit Runes, the network bandwidth is very large, which is still somewhat suspicious.

An AI similar to Xuan Ji could be downloaded and enter the Yan Armor...

Of course, it is still very difficult to connect the inner bones through the Yan Armor and then control Gao Yao.

It's just a suspect.

While reducing Gao Yao's synchronization rate, Xiao Ran also tried to increase her burst damage attribute.

By Resonance with the Yan Armor he is piloting through his Dantian, his combat power can be increased in a short period of time.

It's just a bit of a useless Yan Armor.

It also ruins your health.

But it is very beneficial for her to maintain her independence of spirit and escape in extreme situations.

The following day, Gao Yao went to the training base as usual, while Xiao Ran stayed home modifying his Spirit Runes.

This job is very complicated.

I'm not bragging, one million Spirit Stone is really a friend's price, no, it's practically a price for picking up friends.

Besides that, there is another reason.

As the strongest individual soldier in the country, Gao Yao's combat power is very strong. Even if he is not as good as his Master, he is at least better than an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator.

Xiao Ran could take this opportunity to leave a hidden door inside her body, protecting her from artificial intelligence intrusion while also leaving himself a way out.

That's how the "friendship price" came about.

Xiao Ran spent the whole day researching and modifying Spirit Runes, and was still busy when Gao Yao returned at night...

Even nightlife was disrupted.

Gao Yao finished showering early and lay on the bed with nothing to do, watching Xiao Ran write Spirit Runes out of boredom.

A serious man is the most handsome, and Xiao Ran is already handsome, plus his Spirit Runes Realm is top-notch in the industry, making his charm irresistible.

Even a punk girl who never cared about relationships felt a ripple in her heart.

Are you leaving tomorrow?

"Yes."

"Suddenly I feel a little reluctant to leave. What's that saying again... we are all just passersby in the end."

"This isn't like you at all."

Xiao Ran responded to him half-heartedly, as if he were coaxing a child.

Gao Yao pouted, resting her chin on her hand. Her still-developing, youthful face had a touch of Lolita about it.

"Don't worry, I won't look for you."

Xiao Ran smiled and said:

"I also have training collaborations with City Lord Kuang."

"You want to stay at my house when you come for training? Dream on."

"Can't I just pay the room fee?"

"I need money?"

"I will pay several hundred million."

Xiao Ran and Gao Yao spent three nights together.

Day four.

After Gao Yao went to work, he went to the nearby Quwan Spirit Artifact Shop and got his custom-made spiritual artifact.

He then went to the Ban Family Repair Shop outside the city.

Upon entering, one can see that the magnificent modified Yan Armor is already completed and is undergoing final checks.

In the assembly room, everyone from Old Man Ban to Ban Yue, along with dozens of mechanics, had dark circles under their eyes.

Boxes of energy-boosting drugs were scattered all over the ground.

Upon seeing Xiao Ran arrive, the old man forced his eyelids open and said, "My old bones almost gave out because of your Yan Armor."

Xiao Ran quickly prepared an extra red envelope containing 10,000 Spirit Stone and gave it to the old man.

"You've worked so hard."

The old man's eyelids drooped from sleep, but his mouth was wide open in a smile.

"It's alright, it's alright."

Ban Yue, the young mechanic, was physically exhausted, but her eyes were full of energy and excitement.

"Your predecessor's design was so advanced that the military will definitely draw new inspiration from your ideas."

Xiao Ran could clearly see the admiration in the girl's eyes, so he said in a grand and imposing manner, " In the Dharma Ending Era, the Five Great Powers need to communicate more and work together as one to deal with the Wraith."

Of course, this is all predicated on the military providing the money and materials; otherwise, it's a complete waste of effort.

The girl didn't have much of a worship for justice; her admiration stemmed solely from Xiao Ran's abilities.

"I'll take the senior in to test it once."

"Good."

We entered the cockpit.

The brand-new cockpit incorporates a card table similar to those in the Sword Ship mode, allowing you to sit back, drink tea, and play cards while in battle, maximizing comfort.

"This is the latest Soul-Connecting Liquid developed by the Divine Martial Kingdom. It supports berserk combat mode. There are two backups below. It has a service life of ten years. Remember to change the Soul-Connecting Cabin when changing pilots."

Ban Yue explained.

"Good."

"Try transforming."

With a thought, Xiao Ran transformed from Human Armor mode into Snake Armor mode.

Inside the cockpit, the two men felt no vibration whatsoever.

Silky smooth like Dove chocolate.

"It's already deformed?"

Ban Yue asked in surprise.

Xiao Ran said, "It has already been deformed."

It should be noted that when Ban Yue tested it herself, she could achieve a synchronization rate of 70% to 80% when entering the Soul Connection Chamber, but the transformation was very noisy.

Xiao Ran controlled it directly with his mind, and the transformation was completed smoothly without even displaying the synchronization rate.

"You... can you pilot perfectly without Soul Connection Chamber?"

"I'm an experienced driver."

Xiao Ran smiled and then reminded, "Don't do the final coating. I need to have Gao Shi Brother Gao polish it when I get back."

Ban Yue asked with increasing surprise, "You know Senior Gao Shi too?"

Then suddenly he remembered something.

"Oh right, you're also from Zongzhi Mountain... How come Zongzhi Mountain always produces the geniuses that Divine Martial Kingdom needs most?"

It's a coincidence. The Divine Martial Kingdom needs Gao Shi, but the whole world needs me, Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran said modestly, "You're not bad either, especially the Spirit Runes you helped me modify, which really improved the Yan Armor's maximum performance."

Ban Yue paused slightly, fiddling with her side braid, and asked with some confusion:

"I didn't help the senior modify the Spirit Runes, could it have been Grandpa who did it?"

Those clear, star-like eyes showed no sign of lying! Xiao Ran was taken aback.

Suddenly I felt a chill down my spine...

Ban Yue has absolutely no recollection of modifying his Spirit Runes.

Could it be that he saw a ghost that day? Not only him, Gao Yao saw one too, and at the time he said that Xiao Yue never altered anyone's Spirit Runes.

Could it be that Ban Yue was already controlled by artificial intelligence at that time, and her memories were subsequently blocked? Has Yao already entered the Paradise Tree? Gao Yao's bracelet, Ban Yue's Yan Limb... Could it be that Yao can really invade these devices through the Spirit Network?

If that's the case, Ban Yue's intrusion is even deeper Gao Yao's; her behavior has been controlled and her memories have been blocked.

It's even possible that Ban Yue is a higher-level puppet than Xuan Ji.

Recalling Yao's boastful remarks in the Black Ring Group that night, was she residing in Gao Yao's bracelet at that time?

The atmosphere suddenly took on a sci-fi feel.

Xiao Ran wasn't that close to Ban Yue, and he was too embarrassed to delve into the girl's body, so he could only guess.

"Oh, then it must have been your grandfather who changed it."

"Grandpa refuses to accept his age and still likes to modify people's Spirit Runes without permission. I hope you won't mind, senior."

"It's alright, he's improved since then."

After confirming that the Yan Armor's Spirit Runes patterns were smooth, all functions were normal, and the materials and workmanship were flawless, Xiao Ran signed the contract for the upgrade.

Along with the promotion contract, Xiao Ran's training contract was also attached.

The training is roughly once a year, lasting three days each time, with a daily salary of one million Spirit Stone.

The payer was the military, not City Lord Kuang.

The price was reasonable; I'll treat it as a vacation.

After everything was settled, Xiao Ran didn't say goodbye to Gao Yao, Ding Zhenzi, or City Lord Kuang. He sailed across the border under the full escort of the military honor guard.

Let's take a rough look at the gains of the Divine Martial Kingdom—

He won 900,000 Spirit Stone in a racing bet.

By sleeping with someone, I earned a Great Wraith Wraith Core.

I earned one million Spirit Stone by helping Gao Yao upgrade his Spirit Runes.

The Giant Yan Armor has been upgraded and modified for free.

I spent money to customize two sets of female puppets, Semi-automatic Pill Refining Furnace, Sword Spirit Sewing Machine, Fully Automatic Massage Bed, and a slow-rocking baby crib...

The process was thrilling and exciting, and I'm still shaken, but the ending was perfect, and I returned home with a full load.

Stepping onto the teleportation array in Cold Desert City, I was back in East Floating City in the blink of an eye.

The view stopped, and the brilliance faded.

Before him were still Li Wuxie's panda eyes with droopy eyelids.

This made Xiao Ran wonder if the three days in the Divine Martial Kingdom were an illusion, and that the teleportation array hadn't moved at all.

Ever since seeing Eastern Divine Medlar, Li Wuxie has been particularly keen to personally pick up Xiao Ran at the airport.

Being picked up by a man at the airport didn't make Xiao Ran happy.

During this trip to the Divine Martial Kingdom, Li Wuxie didn't need to use his Life-Preserving Jade Slip, nor did he spend any money to obtain the Divine Qi.

I intended to take out two cans of Ice Algae Tea, but in the end I only took out one.

Keep one jar for yourself.

After all, he also needs to replenish his kidneys; even if he doesn't, he has to create opportunities.

Li Wuxie held the Ice Algae Tea House in his hand and murmured to himself:

"Martial Aunt Li? It must be very difficult for her to guard Cold Desert City all by herself."

Xiao Ran only said:

"Cold Desert City is adjacent to the Divine Martial Kingdom, and the pressure there is indeed greater than that of Zongzhi Mountain. Logically speaking, you are wasting your talents here and should be transferred there to guard the area, so that you can live happily ever after with Senior Martial Aunt Li."

Seeing that Xiao Ran had no intention of taking out the Shenqi tea, Li Wuxie put away the tea leaves and turned to leave.

"I'm still in the recovery period."

The Giant Yan Armor's shuttle-shaped mode has been changed to Sword Ship mode with a transparent material shield.

The top speed remains the same, but you can now travel with the top down.

It features lawns, Vegetable Plot, chess and card tables, Bamboo House, Bamboo Forest, and hot springs.

Xiao Ran leisurely sailed his open-top Sword Ship through the Flame Mountain area and returned to Zongzhi Mountain.

Sword-Wielding Mountain is on the east side, and he entered the mountain gate from the west entrance.

First, they went to Sword-Tempering Mountain and handed the Giant Yan Armor over to Gao Shi for polishing and coating.

In addition, I would like to offer 10,000 Spirit Stone and a life-size female puppet named "Zhehui" as a reward.

Gao Shi was initially very excited, but when he saw that the female puppet resembled Zhehui, he immediately became unhappy.

It seems his honeymoon phase is over.

"What do you mean by bringing Zhehui? I already have a Junior Sister Zhehui."

Xiao Ran said meaningfully, "Senior brother, you don't understand. This puppet looks like Junior Sister Zhehui on the outside, but the core... you know, it can be set up in any style and function at will. Even if Junior Sister Zhehui catches you in the act, you can say that you bought it because you miss her."

After careful consideration, the Gao Shi realized that this was indeed the case.

"You're the one who understands."

After leaving Sword-Tempering Mountain, Xiao Ran traveled eastward and soon arrived at Hundred Herbs Peak.

Hundred Herbs Peak a scenic spot with a tranquil atmosphere and fragrant flowers.

In Chunwa and Qiuchan weeded and caught insects in the medicinal herb garden, just like always, taking a lazy approach of "nine insects and one herb".

Seeing Xiao Ran return, it excitedly shook off the weeds and grabbed Xiao Ran's leg.

"Junior brother, you're back!"

"Did you bring us anything delicious?"

Xiao Ran took out a priceless learning-type Semi-automatic Pill Refining Furnace.

"Look at this furnace. Although it's called an alchemy furnace, it can also be used to stew meat, bake cakes, and make bread. Do you like it?"

Their two adorable little faces immediately fell down.

"We don't know how to cook delicious food, so let's take this back."

"We don't ask for much, junior brother, just bring us some good food."

Xiao Ran pursed his lips.

"What good food is there in the Divine Martial Kingdom?"

The two girls' eyes darted around.

"Junior brother, have you forgotten? You said you wanted roasted bird wings when you left, didn't you?"

"Hehe, are you planning to New Year's Eve?"

New Year's Eve? Xiao Ran almost forgot.

In the Cultivation World, the climate is so affected by Spiritual Energy that the seasons are almost imperceptible.

It was already late autumn when he went up the mountain, and now three months have passed, and it's almost Chinese New Year.

In the Cultivation World, the New Year is celebrated only once every twelve years, while in the mortal world, it is celebrated Mortal Realm New Year's Eve.

This year marks the twelfth anniversary, Zongzhi Mountain will also celebrate the New Year.

Spending the New Year in a cultivation sect seemed strange to Xiao Ran no matter how he thought about it.

When is Lunar New Year's Eve?

"Three days later."

Three days later? Isn't that the eve of the departure?

Dao Alliance is ruthless; they send you on a mission on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

"Okay, we'll roast bird wings then."

Xiao Ran asked again, "Where is my Senior Uncle?"

"Refining medicine in the Pill Chamber."

"No, they're already resting."

Can we rest in the Pill Chamber? It seems my Senior Uncle is working very hard!

Xiao Ran patted the two girls' foreheads.

"Then I won't disturb Senior Uncle's rest any longer. You two keep the alchemy furnace safe and study hard so that you can share the burden with Senior Uncle in the future, understand?"

"Knew."

The two girls nodded solemnly, but as soon as Xiao Ran left, Qiuchan threw away the alchemy furnace.

Suddenly, a divine thought descended from the sky—

"We lost the stove, so we can't have any roasted meat."

Startled, the Chunwa opened its mouth, and the stove was already hanging on the tip of its curled tongue.

After confirming that Xiao Ran had gone far away, the two girls said indignantly, "They call him 'Senior Uncle' so affectionately, all they know is how to harm children."

"This discrimination is too severe. The root cause is still lust. I just don't understand. What's so good about an adult's body?"

After leaving Hundred Herbs Peak, Xiao Ran suddenly missed his Master terribly.

What should I say to my Master as soon as I get back?

We must give Master a big surprise!

He suddenly had a flash of inspiration and took out Bing Bing from mid-air.

He took his spare green robe and put it on Bing Bing, then activated the artificial intelligence.

Riding on his sword, with Bing Bing still smiling, he returned to Sword-Wielding Mountain in high spirits.

"Master, I've brought my wife back!"

Chapter 202 The King of Lewd Talk:

Ah ah ah ah Mei

Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, so I'll be taking a day off and won't be updating the main story. However, I will be updating a short story of at least 5,000 words.

Happy New Year everyone!