Chapter 289: The Lord of Falling Immortals

Chapter 289: The Lord of Falling Immortals

"Please, young friend," Elder Cheng gestured with an outstretched hand, inviting Lu Ran once more.

Lu Ran stepped forward and entered the Shrine of Reverence to the Divine, observing his surroundings.

On both sides of the grand hall, numerous small holes had been carved into the walls, numbering over a thousand.

Within each small hole was a miniature Divine Sheep statue.

These statues were made from the same white jade as the one Lu Ran had taken home.

The Divine Sheep statues varied in posture, each one lifelike and exquisitely crafted.

Placed within the spacious shrine, they resembled action figures.

Lu Ran also noticed something peculiar! Among these Divine Sheep figures, not all were serene; instead, most had fierce expressions!

The Divine Sheep statues on the left wall were relatively normal, but the entire right wall was filled with statues of the Divine Sheep in combat poses!

Lu Ran was amazed by this sight.

Elder Cheng spoke, "We have recorded the various heroic deeds of the Divine Sheep when it saved us."

Lu Ran nodded silently, thinking, "As expected!"

On their way, Lu Ran had learned some details from Cheng Rou.

Elder Cheng had a pleasant name—Cheng Yi.

Cheng Yi was the second son in the family, with four other brothers: Cheng Ren, Cheng Li, Cheng Zhi, and Cheng Xin.

They were natives of Ye Yu City in Cai Nan Province, living in a quiet, secluded mountain village.

Since the arrival of evil demons, their peaceful lives had been shattered.

Just as everyone was hiding and struggling to survive in despair, the Divine Sheep descended upon Ye Yu City.

From that moment, the five Cheng brothers became followers of the Divine Sheep.

They were among the first disciples of the Divine Sheep sect, and together with the Divine Master, they fought against the invasion of evil demons.

Lu Ran approached the prayer mat and bowed to the large Divine Sheep statue, "Divine Sheep, I have witnessed your heroic form.

Protecting the human race and repelling evil demons.

It seems that you were also a warrior sheep back then."

Cheng Yi: "..."

Cheng Rou's heart skipped a beat, her face filled with worry as she turned to look at her grandfather.

This junior disciple was worshipping the deity in such a manner? How dare he speak to the Divine Master like that?

Cheng Yi remained composed, seeing that the Divine Sheep statue showed no signs of disapproval or punishment, so he didn't say anything.

A few minutes later, Lu Ran down and slowly stood up, turning once more to look at the right wall.

Cheng Yi clasped his hands behind his back and also gazed at the wall filled with 'warrior sheep,' feeling a deep sense of emotion:

"Back then, without the Divine Sheep's intervention, our village would have been slaughtered by evil demons.

Every move and posture of the Divine Master are still fresh in our memories.

That's why we have this wall."

Lu Ran nodded silently.

How could one repay such a great debt of gratitude?

It was no wonder that Cheng Yi, a man of exceptional talent, devoted his life to serving the Divine Sheep.

In the early days of the Divine Master's arrival, there was no distinction between first, second, or third-tier followers.

At that time, people were facing the crisis of extinction, and every deity that descended upon the world was a lifeline for the human race.

"Let's go, young friend," Cheng Yi called out, "Let's take a walk outside."

"Yes," Lu Ran replied, taking one last look at the right wall before following Cheng Yi out of the hall.

The spacious grounds were empty, making it an ideal place for a chat and a stroll.

After sending his granddaughter away, Cheng Yi led Lu Ran around the grounds:

"Lu Ran, are you getting used to living here?"

"Yes," Lu Ran replied promptly, "Thank you, Elder Cheng, for your care."

Cheng Yi waved his hand, "We're family; no need for formalities."

Lu Ran's heart stirred.

Family?

Indeed, with the Divine Sheep above, Lu Ran, and every follower of the Divine Sheep were considered 'family.'

Lu Ran spoke up, "Elder Cheng, I sense your powerful aura and sharp demeanor, which sets you apart from other fellow disciples."

Cheng Yi chuckled, stroking his white beard, "The Divine Sheep has indeed had less influence on me.

Perhaps it's because I was one of the first disciples, and the Divine Master has shown me mercy."

Lu Ran pursed his lips, sensing a crucial piece of information:

Deities could actively choose whether to influence their followers with their own personalities!

Therefore, followers of the Sword Master need not adopt a haughty attitude or remain aloof towards the world.

Similarly, followers of the Fiery Heaven deity need not be as fiery and uncontrollable, leading to madness and self-destruction! These were preventable!

Lu Ran couldn't help but curse inwardly.

He couldn't help but recall his first encounter with Si Xianxian, when she was extremely unstable.

The current Si Xianxian was likely even worse, as she worshipped the deity daily, and her self-control would probably weaken over time.

Only when she was with Lu Ran could she maintain some clarity and restrain herself to some extent.

Lu Ran sighed deeply and turned to look at the elder beside him.

Cheng Yi was a powerful master of the Fifth Tier of the Riverbank Realm, indicating his exceptional talent.

People like Cheng Yi would probably only follow the Divine Sheep during its initial descent.

If Cheng Yi were to worship the deity decades later, his talent would undoubtedly attract the attention of other deities who would vie for his devotion.

The Divine Sheep was only a Ninth-Rank Deity; how could it compete with them?

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Cheng Yi's eyes, "Actually, the Divine Sheep back then wasn't as low-key as it is now."

"Oh?" Lu Ran became intrigued. "Elder Cheng, please tell me more."

Cheng Yi sighed, "During those chaotic times when demons and monsters ran rampant, only the might of thunder could suppress the wicked.

The Sage Sheep, swift as the wind, saved the people of Cai Nan Province from calamity, guarding one demon cavern after another and establishing safe havens.

Fortunate to be blessed by the deity, we, the disciples, followed the Sage Sheep's shadow in battle while receiving its guidance.

But..."

Lu Ran remained silent, listening intently.

Cheng Yi shook his head, "After the most chaotic and dark times, the Sage Sheep also abandoned its ambition to conquer in all directions.

It became humble and courteous, low-key and gentle.

The demon caverns it once conquered, it willingly relinquished, and it asked its disciples to be kind and avoid conflict.

As time passed, the believers gradually left."

As he spoke, Cheng Yi, already in his sixties, had moist eyes.

Lu Ran found it hard to imagine the pain in Cheng Yi's heart as his comrades-in-arms from life-and-death battles left the Celestial Ram Sect one after another.

Cheng Yi paused and looked up at the sky, "They say the Sage Sheep has changed.

In today's world, there's no way out without resistance, and for survival, people have no choice but to leave.

But I believe the Sage Sheep has never changed.

It's just that it has a compassionate heart and pities all beings during the human race's life-and-death crisis."

Lu Ran remained silent, piecing together a period of war-torn years through Cheng Yi's brief words.

He also pictured the scene of believers kneeling before the divine statue, begging for the deity's forgiveness, and crying as they left.

Cheng Yi sighed, "As the Sage Sheep's teachings spread, more and more people left, and few newcomers were willing to join the Celestial Ram Sect.

Forty years ago, the resistance history of the Celestial Ram Sect was forgotten by the world.

Or perhaps, people never paid much attention in the first place.

During that era, the Da Xia territory was filled with battlefields where deities led the human race to fight, and every place was worthy of grand tales.

We were just resisting in this remote and obscure place, so how could we have any influence? I almost forgot that history too, until..."

Cheng Yi suddenly turned and looked at Lu Ran, "Until the night of the 15th of February, when I saw a person.

A Heavenly Pride of Da Xia, a believer of the Celestial Ram."

Lu Ran remained silent for a moment and then cupped his fists, "Fortunate."

Cheng Yi extended his hand, correcting Lu Ran's posture, "I heard that the first deity you worshipped at the Shrine Platform was a Vermilion Paper Person?

After that, aside from the Sage Sheep, no other deity appeared?"

Following Cheng Yi's instructions, Lu Ran changed his posture, clenching his right fist and covering it with his left hand:

"Yes, thanks to the Sage Sheep's rescue, or else I would be an ordinary person now."

Cheng Yi nodded slightly and said, "Right hand on top, a sinister bow. Used for mourning and provocation, a warrior's life-and-death decision.

Left hand on top, a respectful bow. Represents good fortune and respect."

Lu Ran: ". "

In other words, on my way here, I sinisterly bowed to the elderly folks? Damn, I'm so stupid!

"No worries, Lu Ran, your heart is good." Cheng Yi returned the gesture, "You're still young, and you can make many, many mistakes."

Lu Ran raised his eyebrows slightly, feeling there was more to Cheng Yi's words.

Cheng Yi: "Young friend, you can practice peacefully in the Falling Immortal Residence and listen to the deity's teachings.

If you have any needs, just let us know."

Lu Ran remained silent for a moment and then spoke in a low voice, "Thank you."

Since arriving at Immortal Sheep Mountain, Lu Ran had felt nothing but kindness and care.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go and practice now." As Cheng Yi spoke, the two had circled the arena and returned to the entrance of the Shrine of Reverence to the Divine.

Lu Ran was a bit taken aback.

Cheng Yi didn't ask much and didn't know how the Sage Sheep had instructed him.

Lu Ran thought for a moment and then said, "Grandpa Cheng, I also want to visit Grandpa Cheng Li. Where is he?"

The five Cheng brothers had different fates.

The eldest, Cheng Ren, died in battle, a heroic sacrifice.

The second, Cheng Yi, was the elder before him, and he was now in charge of Immortal Sheep Mountain.

The third, Cheng Li, was also practicing in Immortal Sheep Mountain.

The fourth, Cheng Zhi, had left the Celestial Ram Sect early on and followed other deities.

The youngest, Cheng Xin, had gone missing, with no news of his death, and his whereabouts were still unknown.

These five brothers truly lived up to the saying, "Death, escape, and each to their own destiny."

Cheng Yi once again cupped his fists, "I'll thank my third brother on your behalf, but right now, he's in closed-door cultivation, and we shouldn't disturb him."

Lu Ran cupped his fists, "Okay, I'll visit Grandpa Cheng Li again after he comes out of seclusion."

Cheng Yi glanced at Lu Ran's fist-cupping gesture, and a smile appeared on his face.

Wrinkles piled up, and he looked very kind.

The kindness was genuine.

But beneath this appearance, Lu Ran still saw a sharp and intimidating war spear.

And this "war spear" was grateful and loyal to the Sage Sheep.

Lu Ran understood in his heart:

This war spear would become a powerful weapon in his hands during future battles!

Lu Ran bid farewell and left.

At the Shrine of Reverence to the Divine, Cheng Yi stood silently.

He watched Lu Ran's departing figure, and his smile became more sincere.

Welcome back to Immortal Sheep Mountain.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end