[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods":3,"chapter-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-1000":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","At the Summit of the Old Gods",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":12,"novelImage":21},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2363128,4618,"Chapter 1000: The Qualification to Become a God!","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-1000",1000,"\u003Cp>In the darkness, Jiang Ruyi sat quietly beside Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she could see nothing, she felt a terrifying aura surging toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi could picture He Qifeng’s noble, imposing figure, his golden long robe billowing in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like He Qifeng should be the hardest for Lu Ran to subdue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a figure like an empress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She possessed immense power and methods, wielded formidable influence and leadership presence, and harbored ambitions beyond ordinary reach!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a sovereign was destined to make others bow and submit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Second Prodigy of Great Xia?” He Qifeng walked to the table and casually placed the Son of Heaven Sword upon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?” Lu Ran was confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng swept back the hem of her robe and sat directly opposite Lu Ran, legs spread wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re not within the realm of ordinary people, then I, He Qifeng, should be the First Prodigy of Great Xia!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statement was not wrong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though He Qifeng was no ordinary person—she was the only female disciple of the Wu Seng sect since the descent of gods and demons—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she was still within the bounds of what people could accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran’s extraordinariness, if traced to its root, was something no one could accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even the human race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the gods and demons could not accept, let alone tolerate, Lu Ran’s existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding~ Ding~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng placed one hand on the expensive Son of Heaven Sword, her fingertips lightly tapping the golden blade, and spoke calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Ran, tell me about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Evil Dog Technique has indeed helped me a great deal,” Lu Ran admitted openly, “but you can’t remove my name! Billions are watching the Prodigy List—I dare not use any other technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ranking was earned blade by blade!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You once told me you studied my battle recordings repeatedly—did you ever see me use another technique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng let out a cold snort. “I actually thought you had extraordinary talent and unusually sharp perception!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shrugged. “I’m just a Xiang Xianyang believer, with only Evil Awareness and Evil Sensitivity—nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your Wu Seng sect’s divine techniques are insane!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m a lowly Xiang Xianyang believer—can’t you let me have Evil Awareness and Evil Sensitivity? Are you really this stingy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’s stingy?” He Qifeng frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright,” Lu Ran put on a magnanimous air. “I’ll stay the First Prodigy of Great Xia—just raise you a bit higher, no longer the Second Prodigy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re 1.5!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran chuckled. “How about it? The Great Xia 1.5 Prodigy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng gritted her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the night was dark and the mist too thick for her to see his infuriating grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burn Dog!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly infuriating!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Calm your aura—you’re scaring me,” came Lu Ran’s infuriating voice from the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That “I’m weak, so I’m right” tone was shameless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Lu Ran could get away with this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone else from the Jiang Realm dared this, a Hai Jing city lord would have thoroughly taught the little Jiang Realm brat how to speak to his superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the room eased slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, she spoke: “Evil Dog Clan’s Evil Shadow Flash, Lie Tian Sect’s Shattered Sky Dome, Evil Spear Emperor Clan’s Evil Cloud Entanglement—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the Jade-Faced Snake Clan’s Immortal Heaven Serpent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she mentioned the Jade-Faced Snake Clan, her tone grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, that clan was the Wu Seng sect’s mortal enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, then asked: “Why do you possess techniques from every sect and clan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran replied directly: “Because I can steal the power of gods and demons and use it for myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng immediately narrowed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had anticipated this possibility and considered many theories, hearing Lu Ran say it aloud still sent shockwaves through her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pin could be heard dropping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran leaned slightly sideways, resting his temple against Jiang Ruyi’s shoulder, closing his eyes to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi’s slender frame trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She felt a touch of annoyance—He Qifeng was only one table away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she knew Lu Ran was utterly exhausted and truly needed rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she let him have his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran savored it, imagining the faint fragrance of jasmine, giving He Qifeng ample time to process everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… the Holy Spirit Qi you cannot cultivate, you can?” After a long silence, He Qifeng asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, to some extent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who gave you this ability?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiang Xianyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiang Xianyang?” He Qifeng frowned tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xiang Xianyang—the ninth-ranked, lowest in the Great Xia divine hierarchy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deity seen by all as the weakest, most timid and cowardly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xianyang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could actually grant a disciple the ability to steal the power of gods and demons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could that be possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absurd beyond belief!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xiang Xianyang were truly this powerful, how could he have sunk to such a state? Even lowly humans privately looked down on the Xiang Xianyang sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lu Ran’s ability stood before her—there was no denying it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ding~ Ding~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in thought, He Qifeng’s fingers tapped unconsciously against the golden blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran, eyes closed, allowed a faint smile to cross his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So comfortable~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Seng sister, let me open a new world for you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng suddenly asked: “Deng Yu is a Xiang Xianyang disciple and can use Night Phantom Blade—so she stole the power of the demon Night Phantom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you know it’s Night Phantom Blade and not Flying Wind Command?” Lu Ran asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Externally, the wind blades looked identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She didn’t fly through the air—she ran,” He Qifeng analyzed. “So it’s not Bei Feng Sect’s Clear Wind Dance—it’s Night Phantom Clan’s Night Dance Enthralls the City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder you’re the Great Xia 1.5 Prodigy—your foundational knowledge is solid!” Lu Ran exclaimed in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop talking nonsense!” He Qifeng was furious, nearly slamming the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who said she was 1.5?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m number one, period!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qifeng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You need a humble attitude,” Lu Ran said softly, sounding pitiful. “You scared me again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you killed Lu Xiao, you nearly stepped on his face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the master of Jingting Mountain, the peak of the Hai Jing realm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m just a beginner in the Hai Jing realm—how could I scare you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qifeng was genuinely furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a city lord, she considered herself composed—but before Lu Ran,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she truly wanted to flip the table, stride forward, and kick his ass twice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please,” He Qifeng gripped the Son of Heaven Sword tightly, leaning forward with overwhelming pressure, staring into the pitch-black darkness. “Teach me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you really this angry?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is indeed fiercely competitive; better to avoid prodding her wounds in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran replied, “Deng Yu does not have the ability to steal divine or demonic power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qi Feng, you misunderstand—it’s not that Xianyang worshippers can steal divine or demonic power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran paused, then spoke slowly, word by word: “It is I, Lu Ran, who can steal divine and demonic power!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his words fell, the entire world was muted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng remained silent for a long, long time, his voice trembling slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… you’re the only one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng asked again: “Then what of Deng Yu’s Night Phantom Heresy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the darkness came Lu Ran’s low voice: “I granted it to her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng’s breath hitched!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran can steal divine and demonic power—and then bestow corresponding divine and heretical arts upon humanity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… how is this different from the gods?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, the young man sitting across from him is a god?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just “one” god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should be called the Gods themselves?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room sank back into silence, the atmosphere far heavier than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gently nuzzled Jiang Ruyi’s shoulder, seeking a more comfortable position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, his girlfriend’s shoulder wasn’t an ideal pillow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human shoulders have little flesh to begin with, and Jiang Ruyi was slender—hard to rest on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he switch to a knee pillow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better act than just think!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as Lu Ran began to slide down, Jiang the Immortal seized him with one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was soft, calm: “Talk properly with Qi Feng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed never brings good results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he’d lost even the shoulder pillow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran, held upright, said: “Qi Feng, the gods have ruled humanity too long, oppressed our race too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I intend to slay the gods, destroy the demons, and purge the world of its evils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What do you say? Join me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng bit his lower lip, his expression complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s low voice, rising from utter darkness, was especially seductive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng stared into the darkness ahead, then finally spoke: “You wish to overthrow tyranny—what of Lord Xianyang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does it want?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To become the sole god, worshipped by humanity for all generations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said gravely: “Qi Feng, you must understand—humanity’s fate cannot grow any worse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran continued: “The gods and demons conspired to ensure a tragedy occurs every month, and to ensure anyone who might disrupt the order is cast into Sacred Spirit Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gods and demons want us to live forever in the world they’ve woven—generation after generation, oppressed, ruled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no hope of escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng knew, without doubt, that Lu Ran spoke the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran leaned forward, his face serious: “No matter what Lord Xianyang desires, our race has nothing left to lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stay the same, and humanity remains slaves forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life, dignity, faith, soul—our children, our grandchildren…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng’s face was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sacred Spirit Mountain teaches without discrimination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It helps every person unwilling to pretend to sleep, clarifying their thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You will eventually realize: humanity’s entire existence, from birth to death, serves only the gods and demons—until every last drop is drained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Change, and we have even a sliver of chance, a thread of hope.” Lu Ran’s voice echoed in He Qi Feng’s ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng: “So you’re walking the path of god-slaying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled: “We’re walking the same path, aren’t we?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng raised an eyebrow slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran mused: “The Forbidden City you founded defies the gods’ will—it alters the rules of Sacred Spirit Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You, too, are walking the path of toppling divine and demonic tyranny, aren’t you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you lack one thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re strong. Perhaps one day you’ll rise above all humanity,” Lu Ran sighed. “But you’ll still be bound.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng’s gaze flickered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran confirmed: “You’re a Wu Seng worshipper—you signed a master-servant pact, always under divine surveillance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you grow strong enough, your Wu Seng master will never let you live!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before you can threaten the gods, you’ll be crushed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng: “Can you prevent this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shifted: “Why can Deng Yu wield the Night Phantom Heresy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng remained silent, waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran said slowly: “Because she believed in me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng’s fingers tightened, gripping the Son of Heaven Sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Lu Ran thought exactly as he had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is a god!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran added: “The pact I made with Deng Yu isn’t the master-servant contract you know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I crafted for Deng Yu a stone statue—a Night Phantom Heresy statue of my own making—and bound them tightly together, forcing them to merge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, He Qi Feng’s eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night Phantom Heresy statue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran stole the primordial power of gods and demons—and forged his own divine-demonic stone statue?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.” Lu Ran smiled. “Do you think I only gave her the Night Phantom Heresy?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave her a path to godhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The right to replace the Heretic God—Night Phantom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Qi Feng’s mind reeled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Requesting monthly votes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1988,"2026-06-21T06:13:01.220Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","550b3bb2bcf6f0d39997ad33d757e14239d6fb7b39ef9dde529098cb87c54336",null,"at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-999","https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]