[{"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-12":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","At the Summit of the Old Gods",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"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},2362140,4618,"Chapter 12: Life Is Short, Just Act Cool","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-12",12,"\u003Cp>On the fifth day of the lunar month, the sky was overcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid a series of alarm bells, Lu Ran opened his sleepy eyes and swiftly silenced the shrill, life-threatening sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran executed an unconventional carp leap—no knee bend, rigid as a corpse rising from its coffin—straightening up in one motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Youth means a strong lower back~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strode off the bed, approached the altar, and bowed respectfully: “Lord Xiangyang, good morning! Today I’m heading to Dog Village for training—please watch over me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Lu Ran fell silent, his body shivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the altar, the white sheep jade carving released wisps of mist, flowing steadily toward Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran immediately reacted, compressing and solidifying the divine power within his body to make room for Lord Xiangyang’s gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh~” Lu Ran leaned against the cabinet and slowly slid to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body trembled violently; he felt as if he were about to burst from overinflation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of energy surged, divine power radiating outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist Realm—Stage Two!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran gasped for breath, his heart swelling with joy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night, he had sat before the altar in meditation, training deep into the night—but that final step remained just out of reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, this morning, such good fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awesome~!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran savored the overwhelming sense of power for a long while, then looked up at the altar:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Lord Xiangyang! Today, I will strive hard and bring honor to our Xiangyang Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white sheep jade carving continued silently releasing mist, nourishing Lu Ran’s human form, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You previously said that when I reached Mist Realm Stage Two, I could learn the special version of the Divine Art—Merciful Chant?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran clasped his hands together, eyes full of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dog Village.” Three words imprinted themselves in Lu Ran’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, he understood the deity’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Lord Xiangyang intends to teach through practical experience?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!” Lu Ran nodded firmly, then hurried off to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After washing up, he headed straight for the master bedroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his father’s death, Lu Ran had rarely entered this room—but now he strode purposefully toward the Tang broadsword hanging on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sword was no wooden toy—it was a genuine weapon forged from Black Ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Ice is a mysterious ore mined from the Demon Caves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is as cool and light as ice, with a semi-transparent jet-black hue and exceptional durability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade is slender and long—77 cm in length, two fingers wide, with a 33 cm hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh!” Lu Ran blew lightly; dust scattered, stinging his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This blade is named Radiant Glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his father Lu Xing’s personal weapon, its surface once adorned with countless runes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, Lu Ran is not a believer of the Divine Yu Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hands, this Tang sword could no longer summon radiant clouds, ignite fire, entangle lightning, or spread frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jiang Ban Zhang is a believer of Yu Fu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once she grows stronger, Lu Ran could have her enchant the blade before each battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come with me, Radiant Glow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran channeled divine power into the blade, and wisps of white mist drifted and flowed along its slender length, brushing away the dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hum!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radiant Glow trembled gently, emitting a pleasant chime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Lu Xing’s passing, it had lain dormant for four years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, to accompany the son of its former master once more into the world—it must be glad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overcast sky drizzled with light rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain Alley City—its name fit perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rainy days were truly common—more than London.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fine drizzle, Lu Ran carried his sword and held an umbrella as he arrived at the gates of No. 1 Middle School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playground was already packed with students, clustered in small groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran glanced around and quickly spotted his three teammates—because Deng Yu’s appearance was unmistakable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since becoming a believer of the Divine Red Scarf, Deng Yu had bought a red headband and wrapped it around his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extremely distinctive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the spot they occupied was precisely where Lu Ran used to set up his stall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran thought they were doing it on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi saw Lu Ran approaching from afar, noticed his odd expression, and couldn’t help smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she was about to wave, Wu Shanshan beat her to it: “Lu Ran, over here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi: “...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan, curious, stepped forward: “Let me see—what divine weapon did you bring?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s Radiant Glow was wrapped in cloth to avoid drawing attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black Ice is a rare and precious ore; finished Black Ice weapons are extremely valuable—not something ordinary families can afford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s family wasn’t wealthy—his father was a soldier, and this sword was a special award from the military, granted for Lu Xing’s outstanding contributions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, it’s Black Ice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan crouched beside Lu Ran, gently lifting the cloth with her fingers, her eyes brightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh.” Lu Ran signaled for her to keep quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t know you were a rich kid?” Wu Shanshan grinned, teasing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran caught the word instantly, looking down at Wu Ban Zhang: “I wish I were a rich kid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Modest much?” Wu Shanshan tapped the blade lightly. “You’re not holding a sword—you’re holding an A6!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not that much, not that much.” Lu Ran bowed his head in humility, waving his hands. “At most, it’s a Cullinan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do you even know prices?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan’s heart leapt; she asked incredulously: “You’ve already awakened a blade spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that doesn’t make sense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it truly had a spirit, its value wouldn’t be measurable in money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons with sentient spirits are true divine blades—the holy grail of every believer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran shook his head: “Wu Ban Zhang, you’re overestimating me—I don’t have that kind of ability.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan was even more confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No spirit—just an ordinary Black Ice sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan scoffed: “So you don’t understand cars, or you don’t understand swords?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran lifted the blade and gently tapped her head: “You don’t understand me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan: “Pfft.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine, you don’t know cars—still stubborn, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran smiled and asked: “You said ‘also’ just now—what did you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan nodded toward the side: “Over there’s another Porsche.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran turned to look at Deng Yu, studying the red tassel spear in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-tasseled steel spear looked ordinary, no special features—but given Wu Ban Zhang’s price guidance\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran’s heart leapt: “Tianchen Steel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Black Ice, Tianchen Steel is a mysterious material mined from the Demon Caves—and far rarer and more valuable than Black Ice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu openly admitted it, handing the Tianchen Red Tassel Spear over: “Lu Brother, take a feel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsk tsk~” Lu Ran took the heavy spear, weighing it in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid’s been hiding his cards well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’d say Deng Yu is humble—he calls himself “Young Master” every day, loud and proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’d say he’s flashy—yet after two years of school, Lu Ran never knew Deng Yu came from such wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that they’re entering the Demon Caves, this kid’s finally showing off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For grades and survival, he’s pulling out a million-level Tianchen spear... wait a minute!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran suddenly looked up at the red headband wrapped around Deng Yu’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 9.9-yuan street-market item instantly became a 999-yuan branded luxury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days ago, Deng Yu sent Lu Ran a headband, saying wearing one together would make them look impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran politely declined, since he wasn’t a Red Headband believer and wasn’t used to wrapping his head—but now it seemed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran asked, “Deng brother, is your red headband quite valuable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A headband’s worth a few coins at most,” Deng Yu shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Lu Ran nodded, feeling considerably better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Deng Yu added casually, “A few thousand, maybe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was being generous guessing 999, and you just drop “a few thousand”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, I got ripped off!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran whispered, “Deng brother, you gave me one before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lu Ran’s pitiful expression, Jiang Ruyi couldn’t help but laugh and roll her eyes at him: “Didn’t you say you weren’t used to wearing it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of talk is that!” Lu Ran waved his hand. “You get used to it after wearing it a while! A friend’s gift—how could you refuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it now, I feel I’ve wounded Deng brother’s sincere heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s all my fault—I’m too young and naive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan burst into laughter: “Alright, alright, stop proving it—I believe you’re poor, okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi also couldn’t hold back her laughter and changed the subject: “By the way, Lu Ran, did you advance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran casually returned the red tassel spear: “Guess.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu immediately perked up: “Judging by your confidence, you must’ve succeeded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran nodded as if it were obvious: “I told you all yesterday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, guys,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You all dug into the feast, but I pulled out a plastic bag!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Say nothing more,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve already packed it away~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Shanshan’s eyes widened: “You really advanced?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu let out a loud laugh: “Hah! Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ruyi glanced at Lu Ran’s smug face and couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s funny,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was always called Jiang Meiren by classmates—for her gentle, serene beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Lu Ran, she always “broke character,” losing her composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should all work harder,” Lu Ran said casually, feeling like a lone master of unmatched skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran looked as steady as an old dog, but was actually totally fake!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he only advanced this morning after praying to the gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This brag could’ve been convincing,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but it wouldn’t have worked without the help of Boss White Sheep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, line up by team number!” On the podium, a male teacher held a microphone and shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group stopped laughing and immediately went to form lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second-year class had 399 believers, divided into 100 teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the numbers, one team had only three members—no one knew which unlucky souls they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, snap to attention!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once you enter Dog Demon Village, obey your team instructor’s orders without question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t assume your team is fixed—anyone who breaks discipline or shows poor attitude will be filtered out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, prove your value! The school will reassign teams based on final rankings and individual strengths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran listened to the teacher’s speech without a flicker of emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was July 17th on the solar calendar; until early September, before third-year began, no team was permanent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Xia had nearly a hundred divine beings, each with unique divine arts—building a team with true synergy required repeated trials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one day Lu Ran and Jiang Ruyi were separated, there’d be nothing he could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted Jiang Ruyi to enchant his blade—didn’t others want that too?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you don’t strive, you won’t even earn the right to cling to someone’s leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?” Jiang Ruyi sensed something, and turned to look at Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw him staring blankly at her legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks flushed, and she cleared her throat softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran snapped back to attention, looked up, and his expression turned curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.” Jiang Ruyi’s face burned red; she gave Lu Ran a light, reproachful glance before turning away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu brother, you don’t have to be so sentimental,” Deng Yu leaned over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Yu looked disgusted: “If the monitor wore a skirt, fine—but what’s so interesting about those ugly school pants?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Ran: “.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was I looking at her legs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was looking at her thighs… Wait?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way to explain this anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t let your worshipped deity be ashamed of you—did you all hear that?!” The teacher’s voice grew louder, rescuing Lu Ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We heard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We heard!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good.” The male teacher on the podium nodded approvingly. “Line up by team number and board the school bus to Dog Demon Village!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dog Demon Village was, in truth, a demon lair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon lairs were scattered across Great Xia, each with different environments and different kinds of demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever a demon lair opened, a divine statue would stand atop it to suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Great Xia had nearly a hundred divine beings, demon lairs were even more numerous—and still increasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, each deity created “divine statue avatars” to suppress the gates of individual demon lairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lu Ran’s Rain Alley City, there stood an avatar of the Seventh-Rank Divine Being, Wu Crow; its original statue resided in a prefecture-level city over a hundred kilometers away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether original statue or avatar, wherever a deity’s sculpture stood, believers would flock to pay homage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent days, Lu Ran had researched and learned that his deity, White Sheep, had its original statue located in the southern reaches of Clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not bad,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Sheep was in the southwest of Great Xia, not the northwest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he’d risk being “doused.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, whether believers made pilgrimages mattered little—every believer had a small divine statue at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worshiping a small divine statue was equivalent to facing the deity directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Lu Ran still planned to find a chance to see White Sheep’s original statue in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really wanted to see whether White Sheep’s face could turn black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you to Fu Hei the Grand Minister for the 100,000-coin patronage, thank you for your support, Boss is generous! May Boss live ten thousand years, eternal as heaven and earth! Wula~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2254,"2026-06-21T06:12:58.056Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a9cdab68294add34d52f9dfe3143f1ccc19ae15645cd94119ee0c611f94f89ac","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-13","at-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-chapter-11",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fat-the-summit-of-the-old-gods-cover.jpg"]